Obituary for Tamuhla Maningi Jorosi

INNOCENT MONYADZWE | Friday April 9, 2010 00:00

He died on Saturday March 20 at around 12 o'clock. Up to this point in time, I find it difficult to come to terms with the sudden departure of my mentor who was such a strong principled and result- oriented man. I met Jorosi in 1994 at Marakanelo CJSS in Ncojane in my second year of teaching when he was promoted to be a school head.

He was not an easy man to forget. When 'Maningi'  as I affectionately called him arrived, he faced a lot of resistance at the school because quite frankly, we were used to a laid-back kind of scenario, but this was not the man's style.

Personally, I am one of those people who had thrown in the towel as far as achieving good results both academic and co-curricular activities from a remote school like Marakanelo.

But with Maningi's strong will and determination, he proved many people wrong. He achieved this by first working on the mindset of the teaching staff and that quickly had a pronounced bearing on the academic results of students who started form one the year he arrived.  Upon their completion of form two, the school registered an above 50 percent pass, something which was unheard of at Marakanelo CJSS  Other than academics, Maningi took over the coaching of a boys Volleyball team and the team made it to the Zonals in 1995.

As proof that he was determined and dedicated towards getting good results, he continued coaching the Volleyball boys' team and in 1996, the team managed to win the junior volleyballs national championship. These championships were won despite the odds against the team.

Maningi had embarked on a trip to Francistown one weekend for the finals and upon arrival learnt that the finals had been moved to the following weekend. Such a move did not dampen his spirits because he drove back to Ncojane from Francistown, a distance of 1075 km.

The following weekend he embarked on another trip to Francistown using his 4x4 Hilux because there was no Government vehicle available then to transport students. Such success stories endeared Maningi to the Ncojane Community and Ghanzi as a whole. Maningi is one man who needs to be commended for his concern on the welfare of teachers. He impressed me with the advice he gave new teachers, he would talk to them about welfare issues like joining the workers' organisation, opening bank accounts as well as medical schemes.

Whenever he wrote a note for the staff room notice board, it was something worthy to remember. A colleague at Marakanelo by the name Mokwaledi Rakwena, would say Maningi's notes were a fountain of knowledge.  I remember him best in the company of Othusitse Othusitse, current head of Naledi Senior Secondary.  Maningi was thereafter, moved to Shanganani in Tsamaya, Ghanzi Senior in Ghanzi and finally to Letlhakane Senior where he met his untimely departure.

I stand to be corrected to confidently state that Maningi always found himself in problem-affected institutions. But as a hard-working and persevering person, he soldiered on despite the fact that the odds would be against him. It was sad in 2007 when he was on a government list to force some school heads to retire on the grounds of failure to perform.  Despite the negative image painted, Maningi did not throw in the towel. Maningi is amongst the few school heads I have met who have created a positive and admirable impression on me as far as leadership style is concerned.

The impact Tamuhla Maningi Jorosi has made will always be felt in Botswana's education system. Wherever you are Maningi, this is not to celebrate your departure, but to appreciate the invaluable service you have rendered this country.                            Rest in peace 'Kumbudzi'