Thousands at folk singers' funeral
Thousands of mourners from distant areas of Botswana like Maun, Kanye, Jwaneng and Borolong thronged to Shoshong on Saturday pay their last respects to folk singer Broer, Mothusi Oageng.
A vocalist and player of serankure, a violinlike traditional instrument, died on April 18. Oageng, one of the legends who was known for playing segaba over Radio Botswana programme, dipina le maboko, died at Mahalapye hospital after a long illness, He was suffering from sugar diabetes for quite sometime, according to relatives.
Speakers described him as a man who had a vision, a hard working musician always keen to see other people progressing in life.
Mompati Molosiwa said if Batswana were gifted novelists, Oageng would be counted among those who left behind some writings.
A former social welfare officer, Oageng had been Shoshong VDC chairperson for a number of years. He was also an active member of the Shoshong DevelopmentTrust. In addition, He was a devoted member of Bahai Faith.
A representative of Bahai. Esther Moncho described him as a faithful member of Bahai to the extent that he composed a song "Modimo ke mowa oo boitshepo, oa bahaola ha, Modimo o kgalalelo thata a re o rapeleng." Other speakers including his dearest friends like Ditshwanetse Nchii and George Mogotsi described him as a man with a sense of humour.
Born in 1931 at Machailo Ward in Shoshong, Oageng did primary education at Shoshong between 1946 and 1954. He did his secondary education at Kgale College now St. Joseph College.
He worked at different South African mines among them the Tsantsabane Mine.
After quitting working for mines, he taught at Shoshong and Mmutlane. He quit teaching in 1967 and became a social welfare officer for Mahalapye.
He retired from the public service in 1986 to become a full time farmer.
Tsatseng, as friends called him, is leaving behind a wife, four children and five grandchildren. May his soul rest in peace. BOPA
©Copyright 2003, Botswana Press Agency (Botswana)
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