A tribute to Tebza, the teacher and choirmaster

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday May 27, 2011 00:00

It was after he was immediately transferred from the Tutume Primary Hospital to the Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital that I reached him on his mobile and he conceded to be morbid, but had hope that he would recuperate in time to join the rest of us.

Tebza, as he was affectionately known, never ceased to amaze. When I reached him on his mobile phone he condemned me: 'Ke belaela gore ke wena o ntowang mokaulengwe' Roughly translated, he said that he suspected that I could be the source of his troubles. I took it lightly, as I knew it was one of his jokes.

My offence was that I had taken a long time to check on him at Nyangabgwe hospital.But, he was jolly on the phone albeit worried that the illness was progressing at a rate that he could not understand. His speech was blurred and he was lacking the usual energy that he has always exuded. He concurred, he was feeling weak, but he could still do a lot of things on his own.

In my mind, I had told myself that Tebza would be back to life again so that we could debate issues under the Mokgalo tree at a certain Jimmy Sethomo's place in Block One location again. This was our usual place where we discussed current socio-political affairs and his voice will be missed.

He was not the one to throw in the towel easily even when he knew he was losing the debate. Our discussions were mainly on labour and general political issues. He was a staunch trade unionist and active member of the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU).  Although as a public servant he remained apolitical. Tebza was sympathetic to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and was always finding fault with my political coverage. He would never let any story I wrote go unchallenged, especially when he strongly felt that there was no balance.

To him, it was obvious that anyone who opposed the BDP was an opposition politician. Writing about a friend's death can be a serious challenge, as in my case I found myself confronted by a serious writer's block. It was not just easy to know where to start about this great man. I cannot remember exactly when we first met. But I certainly know that it was at the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) where he was the choirmaster of the Mokhukhu. It must have been around 1994, the same year I first landed in Francistown that I first met with this gospel singer.

He was still a young man and a student at the Francistown College of Education (FCE). He was full of life and a talkative character who easily mingled with all and sundry regardless of their social and political orientations.I would later come to appreciate this talented young man. Keotswetse's talent became even more evident, especially at the church where he led the Mokhukhu in song and dance. Certainly, his church mates will not only miss Keotswetse as he also guided the school choir. Professionally, he was a primary school teacher.

It was not by fluke that thousands of mourners thronged at the village of Kudumatse in Tswapong South, to give this fallen hero, a fitting farewell. He has lived life and at 41 years, he had made many friends.

Among his sobriquets, Keotswetse was nicknamed 'Simone' after the South African gospel singer Simone Makgetholela who was linked with another fallen popular gospel singer Oleseng Shuping. For all the years that I have known Keotswetse, he was a confessed follower of Shuping's music. Even in his songs at church, it was clear Shuping's influence was abundant. Keotswetse mastered both Simone and Shuping. When it came to hymns or difela in Setswana, Keotswetse was counted among the very best.

Tebza has had a16 year uninterrupted career in teaching at primary school. He completed his Primary Teachers Course (PTC) at the Francistown College of Education in 1995 and his first posting was at the Mabuwe Primary School in Nkange until 2005.

He would later be transferred to Thini Primary School in Tutume until 2007. Still in 2007, Tebza was nominated to attend  'Change Agent Training and Leadership Strategies' course in the United States of America (US). The year 2007 must have been a good year for him as it was in the same year that he was promoted to senior teacher (guidance and counselling). Two years later, he returned to the FCE for his Diploma in primary education, which he completed last year. At the time of his death, he was transferred to Senete Primary School. A wife, two sons, four younger brothers and a mother survive him. Robala ka kgotso Tebza.