It was diametrically a befitting case of a metaphorical expression of ‘from the cradle to the grave’. ‘Tso’ was born and succumbed to a recent malady at the hospital of his birth 42 years ago - Jubilee Hospital. From his birth to his passing, he maintained a similar address making his case a bit peculiar by any measure. In his life like in his demise, ‘Tso’, who was a self-confessed social justice advocate, united the society he served with distinction through his mighty pen. As the founder of a football team, Industrial Football Club, he united the location, Area W, that raised him by bringing football lovers together to play social soccer, which did not only bring football enthusiasts together but also promoted the spirit of competition and purposely engaged out of school, and school going youth, keeping them away from the torments of this life.
The team was a permanent feature in the area through his efforts as its chairperson and main sponsor. He knew the team would not easily compete amongst others with the team of his youth, TAFIC Sporting Club, Throngs of mourners from all the four corners of this country in their hundreds braved the hostile weather last Saturday in Francistown to pay their last respects to the fallen newsman. Mourners heard how the fallen scribe used the might of his pen to institute changes in the society that he served. He did not just follow the stories for the sake of it; he chose impactful angles to the stories. Itekeng ward councillor, Lesego Kwambala gave a testimony at the funeral that through his writings (Lebogang’s) influenced a motion that the Francistown City Council adopted targeting empowerment of the lower bracket of the informal sector to regularise. He hailed this as a powerful and impactful service to the community through the wisdom of a writer. ‘Tso’ could have held on to his own beliefs that contradicted his, but Kwambala benefitted from the scribe’s wisdom and he pursued him with vigour for further interactions. He also hailed Mmegi and The Monitor and their sister publications, Botswana Guardian and The Midweek Sun to have offered ‘Tso’ a platform to express himself as he had influenced decision-making in the entire Francistown, which has three constituencies of Francistown East, South and West through his sharp pen. Vain Mamela, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) member of the party central committee hailed ‘Tso’ to have played a crucial role in the party’s 2019 national polls.
