26 Aug 2021

Former Radio Botswana (RB1) presenter Tebogo Koko nee Ndonje will be laid to rest at Mokolodi tomorrow.

Koko died on Sunday after a long illness that led to her early retirement at 47.  

Her husband, Faduel Koko said  days leading to her death were a mystery because she appeared to be improving, only for her to pass on.

He described her as a devoted mother who took interest in her children’s education, which contributed to their academic excellence.

Koko won the hearts of many as a host for Sunday show dubbed Tshetolo and her daily midnight show Kgogamasigo, formerly known as Phuthaditshaba.

The mother of four’s demise left her listeners heartbroken as they were still trying to deal with the news of her early retirement in February.

The Thamaga native caressed and vibrated through the national airwaves evidenced by the number of listeners enthralled by the programmes she hosted.   

The velvety and resonating voice joined Radio Botswana in 1996 as a Broadcasting Assistant under the careful eye of RB’s former veterans such as Moreri  Gabakgore who taught her the finer points of broadcasting.

Tebza, as the listeners fondly called her, was a darling to many during a live radio programme.

She was a versatile presenter with the ability to put herself in the shoes of the audience by sharing sentiments on any topical issue at hand.

She was one individual who could take the listener to a scene, an attribute that became apparent when at kgotla meeting, commemorating an event, welcoming heads of state or bidding them farewell.

She was well vested with musical talent and enjoyed music from all genres but a staunch advocate of local music to be played on air.

She endeared the likes of Solly Sebotso of Pidipidi song fame and Motsholapheko Lesole aka Zangwana of Maila fame song to the audience.

Local music was flowing in her blood stream and artistes like Franco Lesokwane, Jeff Matheatau, Lister Boleseng and Phemperetlhe Bafana Pheto were always not too far from her play list.

If she was in a western mood as she would do at times, she would play the likes of Boston  with song such as More than a Feeling and Rozette and groups such as Foreigner were very close to her heart.

During her Saturday morning slot, she played local music to make the audience realise that Batswana have the talent to supply the ‘Radio Station at the heart of the Nation’ with joyful local music.

She doted radio and always declared that when on air, social problems faded as she concentrated on the needs of the listener.

Tebza understood what radio was all about and that it addressed individuals and not communities and this made the listeners feel as if she understood what was going on in their minds.

“People are stressed and when they tune on to any Radio Station, they want some motivation from whoever could be on air  and that is what I consider to be my role”, she once said.

She was a close acquaintance of the late Thuso Letlhoma who introduced her to her husband, Faduel.

General manager, Last Rakgasa in an interview described her as an independent minded person who would not shy away from voicing her point of view no matter how controversial it could sound.

“If there was any grievance that she needed to voice, she would do so but with respect,” said Rakgasa, who also credited her for carrying out assignments with utmost diligence and dedication.

He recalled that such as anyone who joined Radio Botswana at the time, she underwent Basic Radio Production  in 1996 and subsequently did Intermediate Radio Production where presenters were fine tuned to go on air. Rakgasa said after being tested and tried, she went to obtain her degree from South Africa at AFDA Motion Picture University and came back to continue her duty which she continued to do with diligence.

Former supervisor Margret Modise remembers Koko as a laid back person with the ability to learn quickly as she jelled into the broadcasting filled with ease.

“She was not an argumentative or talkative individual, but she would always stand up for her point of view and ensure that she is understood without being rude,” Modise said.

“ If I  assigned her to Parliament I always slept peacefully knowing that I had given the job to a dedicated individual,” she noted.

She rose through the ranks and retired at the Principal Broadcasting Officer level.

Some of her responsibilities with the Radio Station included coordinating coverage of Parliament, Tshetolo, Dithubaruba, Domboshaba Festival, Kuru Festival and other such activities including being a liason officer between the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development and the Department of Broadcasting Services.

While she had a legion of friends, Ophyna Bogatsu was the closest.

Koko and Bogatsu were inseparable but occasionally crossed paths to an extend that one would think they would never talk to one another again, but lo and behold, the following day they would be laughing as if  nothing ever happened between them.

She also created memories with  Boitumelo Seitebatso, Kesaobaka Kooreng, Christopher Modibedi, Lesego Mohutsiwa, Lesego Kgajwane, Lilian Dithupe and the late Brooks Monnaanoka, Letlhoma and Leinanyana Tsiane among others

Koko is survived by her husband, four children (three boys and a girl).  ENDS