01 Jun 2020

When he heard that his wife had died, Macbeth, a brave Scottish army general, wished his wife would have died later, not at that moment.

He thought they would have had been a moment when the word ‘death’ would have been proper as he was not ready.

Macbeth’s attitude depicts my state of mind when a heard about my friend’s passing on Thursday last week.

I lost a generous mentor, brother and a good friend. I wished he had lived longer than that. There would have been a time for his death.

The country has lost a great man in Thuso Letlhoma.

Zazaza, as he was warmly known to those who were close to him, succumbed to a long illness late last week. He was only 48-years-old.

With a plethora of names, Thusosky endeared himself to many across all walks of life in a bond that was visible to the naked eye.

Until death, Zazaza lived like a soldier who won many battles in the arc of his life, at least to some of us who knew him, in his personal and professional space.

On the lighter side, he had a name for each and every one who crossed paths with him.

He used all these names more often than not, to soften anyone into submission whenever he needed a favour. He knew what to say, how to say it and when to say it in order to get maximum impact.

Personally, I listened to his voice on radio as a young boy, worked alongside him as a young man and as I grew older, he guided me and showed me paths of righteousness.

Whatever the meaning of righteousness is to us. Our relationship transcended the professional spectrum and it was a very close bond, two sides of the same coin. It is not always an easy task to eulogise such a man.

At Radio Botswana where he would spend his entire professional career, Thusosky exuded warmth and presence with his commanding voice. He would be fondly remembered for his immense contribution to the flagship morning segment: Masa-a-sele.

Letlhoma commanded an in-depth analysis of his subject matter often laced with comic commentary.

He captivated many with the famed Peretshitswana (PRT) feature during the morning show. He displayed great skill behind the microphone, coupled with effortless charm and wit.

He had a rich history in the broadcasting environment, which dates back to the early 90s as an erstwhile Tirelo Sechaba participant in Tutume.

Thomas Nkhoma, former Kutlwano editor said even during his formative years, Letlhoma proved to be an ace reporter in the making.

Nkhoma was head of the Tutume station when Letlhoma arrived for his national service in 1991.

“He was a prolific writer with a good command of the Queen’s language. By then it was uncommon for TSPs to write feature articles, but guess what, barely a month after his arrival, Letlhoma produced a feature article that was published in Kutlwano magazine under the editorship of one Mr El Amin,” he said.

“Then there was this young fella named Puso, who was also a TSP. Puso christened himself Pusosky. I guess Thuso must have gotten fascinated with the nickname. When he finished his national service, Thuso put a tweak to his name Thuso to become Thusosky” added Nkhoma.

Thusosky soared as an English newsreader of note until his dying days. The last time he was on air was just a few days before he took his last breath. He passed on doing what he loved most. Such men are considered heroes.

The heartwarming condolences throughout the week were a true testament that Thusosky touched many lives.

Political journalist and former presidential correspondence for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Tshepo Ikaneng described Letlhoma as a humble and gentle giant.

In an interview over the weekend, Ikaneng said Letlhoma’s passing was a loss to the media.

“He was the first person to welcome me to Botswana during my first assignment there. He used his contacts to make my life easier. He was not only a workmate, but we were close friends and he crossed my paths in so many memorable ways. He taught me SADC politics and made Botswana my second home. Thuso’s spirit touched me beyond the call of duty, he was the glue that held many of us together from different backgrounds,” he said,

He said his late friend had a glowing face, a big smile and a big heart. He described him as a strong character who endured the good times and the bad times.

“We were inseparable, it would take time to forget that he is indeed gone,” added a somber Ikaneng.

Sylvia Tshanda, wife to the late South African splash music founder, Dan Tshanda could not hide her disappointment at the news of Letlhoma’s passing.

“We have lost a great friend,” was all she could say before going down memory lane on how Letlhoma helped their music stable gain popularity in Botswana. Tshanda established a company, Dalom Music, to look after the affairs of many artistes under its stable.

They had offices in South Africa and Botswana. Sylvia, who is from Botswana, boldly expressed the appreciation and support they got from Letlhoma, who was now part of the Dalom family.

Former Gaborone Central Member of Parliament, Dr Phenyo Butale worked with Thusosky as an English newsreader at RB.

“I consider myself to be amongst the blessed few who worked closely with this immensely talented man who cultivated the love many of us have for radio today, both as professionals and as avid, loyal listeners,” quipped Butale in an interview.

“Thusosky’s infectious and addictive voice was very much a part of my daily routine as it was for most Batswana.

It is common cause that we all looked forward to the next morning because Thusosky would be on air with his informative and entertaining, but most importantly refreshing programme of Masa-a-sele. Thusosky was a fine professional who didn’t have to put as much effort to be the brilliant broadcaster he was. As an editor and an English news reader at Radio Botswana, I could only marvel at his unmatched command of both the queen’s language and Setswana,” added Butale.

He said Thusosky brought his God given talent to the studio, much to the chagrin of most of his supervisors, who would initially think he was unprepared only to be pleasantly surprised by his delivery, a broadcaster par excellence.

A product of Bakwena National School and Kgari Sechele II Senior Secondary School in his home village of Molepolole, Zazaza proceeded to the University of Botswana, where upon completion of his studies, joined the department of information and broadcasting.

Thusosky was part of the presidential media crew for the four Botswana presidents namely Sir Ketumile Masire, Dr Festus Mogae, Lt Gen. Dr Khama and Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

His last official assignment overseas was when we both travelled to the Palais des nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where we covered the United Nations conference on trade and development in 2018.

He was the last born in a family of seven. Zazaza will be laid to rest on Friday at Goo-Rantsono ward in Molepolole.

“Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and is heard no more,” William Shakespeare, 1606. ENDS