Africa-Press – Botswana. Multitudes that thronged Area W in Francistown to pay their last respect to a demised enterprising journalist for Mmegi and The Monitor newspapers, Mr Lebogang ‘Tso’ Mosikare learnt that besides his impeccable and prolific writing that spans many years, ‘Tso’ was a true community builder whose works transcended journalism.
An ardent change agent, the late Mosikare, who succumbed to illness on April 16, 2025, was born in 1982. A man of many hats, ‘Tso’ was also a card-carrying member of the Botswana Congress Party and tried in vain to wrestle Itekeng Ward from the then formidable Botswana Democratic Party.
His name will also remain etched in the annals of history as one of the trailblazers of football in Area W.
He founded Industrial Football Outfit in 2008 and presided over it as its President until his transition.
Industrial Football Team representative, Mr Otsile Modisapodi described the late Mosikare as somebody who was courageous and inspiring.
“O ne a re rekela kit e nngwe jaana e e neng e tura worth P650 and this gesture of generosity meant a lot to us because we were a financially struggling outfit,” he said adding that the late Mosikare was also a prudent manager cum strategist for the team which has over the years amassed trophies during constituency tournaments.
Botswana Congress Party’s director of elections, Mr Vain Mamela, who attested to Mr Mosikare’s BCP membership dating back to 2008, said the late’s contribution to the party’s growth was beyond measure. He cited the 2009 general election campaign when Mosikare helped the party win Itekeng ward.
“As a party, we have lost a dedicated comrade who aligned himself with opposition politics during a time when it was not fashionable to do so against the mighty BDP of the time,” he said, emphasising that the late Mosikare also had a penchant for debate and, as a fierce debater, was always ready to drive his point of contention home without fear.
Among the speakers was Ms Onneile Kekwadile, Mr Mosikare’s nephew. She said her uncle was full of life and had a playful character, which he said brought them closer together.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa Botswana Chapter chairperson, Mr Thomas Nkhoma, was disheartened by Mr Mosikare’s untimely death. He said Mr Mosikare’s passing dealt a hard blow to the media fraternity. According to Mr Nkhoma, the death of a journalist of Mr Mosikare’s calibre would lessen the voices of the voiceless in the public sphere and possibly reverse the many gains attained over the years thanks to courageous journalism practised by the former and a few other scribes.
A colleague, Mr Ryder Gabathuse, shared Mr Nkhoma’s sentiment and waxed lyrical about Mr Mosikare’s indelible contribution to the nation through his development journalism.
He said Mr Mosikare’s consistent reporting on issues affecting the community, such as illegal gold mining by some Zimbabweans in Matsiloje and Patayamatebele villages, was the reason the government of the day had formed a task force comprising Botswana Police Services and Botswana Defence Force to deal with the matter once and for all.
He said his prowess and prolific writing were also acknowledged and appreciated by those in the judiciary. His was a stellar contribution to the development of this nation.
Itekeng Ward Councilor Lesego Kwambala said ‘Tso’s life of purpose will remain etched in the hearts of many thanks to his passion for life. As ‘Tso’ political rival in 2009, Mr Kwambala said the departed ‘comrade’ never organised any smear campaign out of spite for losing elections to him.
“He showed a lot of maturity and professionalism in his reporting and would share with me some of his brilliant ideas on how we could foster development in Area W and greater Francistown,” he said adding that some of Mosikare’s contributions were fashioned into motions that have assisted better the lives of the people of Francistown and beyond especially the 2016 motion to ease licensing to SMME’S which Councilor Kwambala presented and was adopted by the Francistown City Council. Mosikare leaves three children, two boys and a girl, three siblings and several nephews.
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