05 Feb 2024

Former football enthusiast, Molatlhegi Mangole was laid to rest in Mmopane on Sunday, where speakers described him as a volunteer and self-made business man.

Mangole, who was popularly known as ‘Octopus’ in football circles because of his accurate prediction of games, passed away last week Tuesday after a long illness.

Although a businessman and a politician, Mangole was better known for his role in football as a reputable analyst and public relations officer for top local teams.

His paternal uncle, Morotsi Mangole described him as a reserved man who only got animated when issues of soccer were on the table.

“He was a comedian who knew how to spice his words to make a topic interesting, especially when he discussed soccer.

He was a hard worker who never left any job half done once he has put his mind to it,” he said.

Neighbours and friends also described Mangole as a trustworthy person who could be entrusted with one’s life.

Area Member of Parliament for Mmopane-Lentsweletau, Naniki Makwinja, who is also the Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, said although she had only known Mangole for a short time through his businesses, she was impressed by his hard work.

“He assisted Kopong by creating employment through his businesses and was also a parent to many in the village, so his loss will be greatly felt,” she said.

Makwinja said she knew Mangole around 2019 through their political activities.

“He was involved in the constituency committee as a secretary where he helped the ruling party wrestle the Mmopane-Lentsweletau constituency from the opposition, all this by using his own resources, and he was always ready to assist whenever requested,” she said.

Makwinja also said the late Mangole was always available to her for free advice on political matters, especially that he was politically connected.

“Apart from politics and business, he also sacrificed a lot for soccer and many other sectors,” she said.

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare said he was first attracted to Mangole during his days as a radio presenter due to his love for speaking the truth.

“He was a straight talker and I learnt a lot from him in that aspect, especially that we both believed that sport, especially football, could do a lot for the youth. We are both where we are because of football,” he said.

He said Mangole was one of the few people who appreciated efforts by government to develop football, and that he was also a generous person who gave indiscriminately.

His long time friend, Botsile Kebapetse described him as a free talker even in his youth, something that he said always landed him in trouble with parents and peers alike.

He said Mangole’s business acumen was shaped as far back as their primary schools days when they used to sell oranges on the streets.

“In his adult life he grew to run successful businesses such as kiosks, combis, tipper trucks, bars, shops and butcheries,” he said.

His long time soccer friend and former Township Rollers managing director, Somerset Gobuiwang said he knew Mangole from around 2003 when he was a public relations officer for Mogoditshane Fighters.

“We had to poach him from Fighters to Rollers in 2006 because we knew and liked his exploits.

He was a good-hearted man and I invited him to my farm in Maboane where he bought 10 cows from me, and that is how his farming passion started,” he said.

RB2 sports host, Fundi Gaoforwe said through Mangole’s death, a dictionary of football had been lost.

He said Mangole was a top analyst who was always sure about what he presented because he was a good researcher and reader. Mangole leaves behind his mother, children, three siblings and a daughter-in-law. Ends