Africa-Press – Botswana. The indelible footprints imprinted in the hearts of those she crossed paths with in the course of her life will remain a constant reminder of the larger-than-life character that Ms Precious Masego Masisi was.
To the family, her sheer strength of will, tenacity in the face of challenges and love ever so deep and warm, are traits whose intensity never waned; traits that set in motion a deep-seated desire in her children to aim for the stars in whatever course of life they purposed to pursue.
During Ms Masisi’s funeral service in Moshupa on Saturday, speakers eulogised MmaTshelang, as she was known to many, as a true embodiment of love.
Many from church, community organisations, her political party and the wider community bear testimony of this love with speakers detailing how the spark constantly drew many to the irresistible force that the Ms Masisi was.
Her daughter, Ms Ketshidile Masisi-Hlanze, recalled that growing up, the Masisi household always featured a couple of relatives that her mother would have taken in to raise and support.
One of the many values that MmaTshelang inculcated in her children was respect for all regardless of class, be it social, economic or whatever else that people so often use as a yardstick for inclusion or otherwise.
“We were taught that we should respect everyone irrespective of their age and whether they are rich or poor. We treated everyone with the utmost respect because that is what we saw in our mother,” she said.
Mr Lore Mmutle, one of Ms Masisi’s 32 grandchildren summed up MmaTshelang’s earthly sojourn as a rich, beautiful and long life.
An in-law, Mr Moses Serapa was pleased that Ms Masisi’s botho, maitseo le bopelotlhomogi would live on because she had entrenched the same values in her children.
Mr Serapa said MmaTshelang, also mother to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, thirsted and fought for the development of the nation.
Her friend Ms Obitseng Thema said, Ms Masisi’s membership of organisations such as the Botswana Red Cross Society, Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) and Gaborone Choral was not merely to add on to the numbers, but worked tirelessly to push the entities towards achieving their respective mandates.
“Mme MmaTshelang re dirile mmogo ka lobaka. Re tsene mekgatlho le mekgatlhonyana mmogo, ra ba ra tla ra tlhama khwaere e bidiwa Gaborone Choral e e re tsamaisitseng mahatshe ka bontsi,” she said, sharing how she and MmaTshelang worked together in different societies to the very end of her friend’s life.
The mention of the Gaborone Choral Choir by Ms Thema affirmed President Masisi’s statement to heads of missions resident in Botswana when they had, days earlier, gone to condole with the family, that his mother loved music and could sing very well.
MmaTshelang’s neighbour of over 30 years, Mr Lerothodi Kelobang, shared with mourners how Ms Masisi loved church hymns.
Mr Kelobang shared a few occasions when he had gone to see her, especially in recent months when her health had begun to fail her, that MmaTshelang would ask that he lead her in song.
MmaTshelang would, however, quickly take over, not having liked his rendition of the hymn, the neighbour said, confirming a comment that Ms Masisi had often complained of the church not singing hymns the way their writers had intended for them to be sung.
A member of the UCCSA from childhood, Ms Masisi’s contribution to the church cannot go unnoticed.
Of the many aspects captured in her obituary is the description of her life as a devoted, disciplined and loyal member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which she served with distinction in different structures, most importantly as the first chairperson of the Women’s Wing, a position that she held for 15 years from 1985.
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