13 Oct 2024

Multitudes of mourners on Saturday braved the soaring morning heat and crammed inside the Tlhaselo homestead in Goo Madisa ward in Ramotswa to pay their last respects to the late transport mogul, Mr Seabelo Tlhaselo.

Seabelo, as the deceased was warmly called by everyone who knew him, was described as a man of great stature who had a great deal of goodwill and generosity.

Earlier in the week, the Tlhaselo family announced his sudden and tragic passing, confirming that a post moterm report had indicated that he had committed suicide at his residence in Gaborone Kgale area on Sunday.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi extended his condolences through a written message delivered by Ramotswa deputy district commissioner, Dr Patrick Ramocha.

Dr Masisi described Mr Tlhaselo as a pioneering entrepreneur and a passionate mentor in the transport and logistics industry who had left an indelible mark in Batswana.

“His contribution resonates deeply in our hearts and will be felt by generations to come. His passing has created a heavy void in the hearts of many, business colleagues, fellow congregants and we are all mourning together. We share in your anguish as you remember a remarkable individual,” read the message.

Dr Masisi said Mr Tlhaselo did not only excel in his professional pursuits, but also enriched the lives of those around him with his kindness and generosity.

He said his remarkable legacy would inspire many going forward.

Addressing mourners, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete said Mr Tlhaselo was a selfless man who served Ramotswa  community and Batswana at large.

She said Mr Tlhaselo did not get tired of raising his hand when his community was in need.

Kgosi Mosadi said sadly everyone witnessed Mr Tlhaselo’s downfall and many fell short of lending a helping hand. She said Mr Tlhaselo fought many battles in the arc of his life and thanked God for sharing his life with Batswana.

Former Ramotswa MP, Mr Lefoko Moagi said Mr Tlhaselo offered his generosity to all people from all walks of life, and that he established a bond with everyone who had rubbed shoulders with him.

He noted his instrumental role in the formation of award winning Andante Chorus and that he was its founding patron, a baton that he later handed to him.

Mr Tlhaselo’s daughter, Ms Janet Ngubane said her father established a bond with everyone, especially people with disabilities as he traversed the country.

“He was a close friend of mine, very strict and very loving, a man of great discipline,” she added.

His youngest daughter, Ms Caroline Sibanda said the sad news of her father’s passing was handed down to her while in London. She said her father was a simple man, but with a very complex character. “He was extremely hardworking and had together with my mother built the best life for us, they are our inspiration,” she said.

Ms Sibanda said her father came from humble beginnings and learnt to be generous and charitable, adding that he lived a comfortable, but not lavish life.

She said they had accepted his tragic end and that he faced a myriad of challenges.

Mr Tlhaselo’s brother, Mr Victor Tlhaselo said his brother had assumed a parental role when their parents were not around.

He said he showed his spirit of being a natural giver from an early age. Mr Tlhaselo shared childhood memories of the family until his elder became a successful businessman.

He said he built his empire with the help of his former wife, Mma Tefo and that their separation and divorce brought misery to his life, although the family remained supportive through the difficult moments. Mr Tlhaselo founded Seabelo Express and Seabelo Carriers, two transport and logistics businesses with a fleet of trucks and buses that served Botswana and beyond.

He is survived by six siblings, one sister and five brothers, six children, 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He died on October 6 aged 72. Ends