12 Jun 2024

The late Mr Thato Modiakgotla, a cherished reporter with  Botswana Press Agency, passed away on June 9, leaving a void in the hearts of many. His funeral is set to take place in Kanye on Saturday.

In an emotional interview with BOPA, his aunt, Ms  Ntle Monnatsie, expressed the deep sorrow felt by the family at his sudden departure. She fondly described Mr Modiakgotla as humble, kind, respectful, gentle, and hardworking, noting his passion for farming and continuous academic enrichment beyond his degree from Monash University, South Africa.

A storyteller and lover of arts, Mr Modiakgotla’s involvement in drama and traditional clubs from his early years to his time at Tshwaragano Theatre Productions in Kanye showcased his vibrant spirit and dedication. Ms Monnatsie also highlighted his compassionate nature, citing instances where he helped friends secure job opportunities.

Senior Information Officer in Kanye, Ms Keonee Majoto, conveyed the collective grief felt by the Southern Region and BOPA at the loss of their colleague. She praised his diligence, work ethic, and commitment to journalism, noting his significant contributions to news reporting in the Southern District.

Remembered for his reliability and dedication, Mr Modiakgotla had quickly become a respected member of the journalism community, entrusted with covering high-profile events, including those featuring President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Ms Majoto and other colleagues fondly recalled the late journalist’s invaluable presence, describing him as a talented and hardworking individual who had a promising future ahead of him. 

His untimely passing has left a void in the region, with his absence keenly felt in the field of journalism.

Colleagues and friends alike will cherish the memories of Mr Thato Modiakgotla, a dedicated journalist whose impact will continue to be felt in the Botswana media landscape.

She further shared that, he was an all-rounder individual who always thought outside the box, should the need arise, adding that because of that he was able to cover most beats including, sports, arts, business and politics. 

“It is very sad that he will be missed. But like they always say, a man writes his obituary when alive. He has certainly written his obituary through his work ethic,” she said. 

In her remarks, his former Bureau Chief, in Gaborone, Ms Lucretia Chima described the late Modiakgotla as a calm, quiet and interesting being who was funny to hang around. 

She described Modiakgotla as a very humble and kind hearted person who had so much love for Splash Music adding that personally, she was fond of calling him Tattoo’ as a result of the cordial relations that she shared with him. 

“He was quite a team player and due to his positive approach to work, he had surpassed expectations by producing remarkable results on very tight deadlines,” she said

Ms Bakang Wren, his colleague, stated in her facebook page that she named him ‘The Hunk of The News room’. 

She stated that she got closer to him after he happened to be her pal during the Christmas Pal session. 

Ms Wren said she learnt of his selfless character when he said he would buy clothes for his sister from the gift voucher that she had presented to him. 

“I enjoyed reading his stories. He was such a talented writer. To me, I lost a brother who gave business advice and who respected me deeply,” she said. 

Mr Modiakgotla began his education at Sebego Primary School in Kanye in 1989. 

In 1990 proceeded to Motsatsing Primary school and moved to Diabo Primary in 1994 where he completed his Standard seven, in 1995. He then went to Mookami Junior Secondary School, then later completed her studies at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School in 2000. 

In 2002-2003, Mr Modiakgotla did his A-Levels at Zimbabwe, then later went to study Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communications and Studies at Monash University at Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004-2007. 

After his studies, he worked for Mmegi Newspaper and joined the Department of Information Services as a reporter in 2020 till to date. He is survived by his mother, two brothers and a daughter. Ends