News

Van Rensburg, founder of Mmegi dies

| Wednesday May 24, 2017 11:33

 

 

He was born in December 3, 1931 in Durban, South Africa. Van Rensburg moved into Botswana before independence in 1962 after clashing with the South African apartheid government. 
He was South African Vice-Consul in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) from February 1956 util May 1957, when he resigned as a protest against South Africa's apartheid policies of racial discrimination. 
In Botswana Van Rensburg became the leading educationalist who founded the Brigades Movement, Foundation for Education with Production, Swaneng Hill School in Serowe, Shashe River Senior Secondary School (Tonota), Madiba Senior Secondary School (Mahalapye), and Tshwaragano Cooperatives Society, (Serowe).
He was the founder of Mmegi newspaper, Botswana’s leading private newspaper, which began as Swaneng Hill School’s newsletter called “Mmegi wa Dikgang” in Serowe. 
Mmegi Investment Holdings (MIH) chairman Methaetsile Leepile said the passing of Van Rensburg is a huge loss to Botswana.
“It is difficult for me to talk about him now, because he was like father and friend to me,” said Leepile.
He said, “ It is a huge loss to the country because Pat was well ahead of his time.”

He was born in December 3, 1931 in Durban, South Africa. Van Rensburg moved into Botswana before independence in 1962 after clashing with the South African apartheid government.

He was South African Vice-Consul in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) from February 1956 util May 1957, when he resigned as a protest against South Africa's apartheid policies of racial discrimination. 

In Botswana Van Rensburg became the leading educationalist who founded the Brigades Movement, Foundation for Education with Production, Swaneng Hill School in Serowe, Shashe River Senior Secondary School (Tonota), Madiba Senior Secondary School (Mahalapye), and Tshwaragano Cooperatives Society, (Serowe).

He was the founder of Mmegi newspaper, Botswana’s leading private newspaper, which began as a Swaneng Hill School’s newsletter called “Mmegi wa Dikgang” in Serowe. 

Mmegi Investment Holdings (MIH) chairman, Methaetsile Leepile said the passing of Van Rensburg is a huge loss to Botswana.

“It is difficult for me to talk about him now, because he was like a father and friend to me,” said Leepile.

He said, “It is a huge loss to the country because Pat was well ahead of his time.”

His funeral arrangements have not been announced.