A life well lived

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Sunday December 8, 2013 21:04

 

The nation came to moan her passing on November 21. The arts in traditional music and dance in particular lost one of its shining stars. Often described as a legend and pioneer in the local performing arts, Sefhako was born in 1951 in Molepolole.  She attended senior secondary school at Kgari Sechele and later graduated from Lobatse Teacher Training College.

She then started primary school teaching in the late ‘70s and spent almost three decades there before moving on to the Ministry of Sport and Culture in 1996.  There she worked as a Performing Arts Officer.

During her teaching days, she coached performing arts in primary schools and popularised traditional singing and dancing. Patrick Setsiba, friend and co-founder of Ditholwana Cultural Troupe, described Sefhako’s journey in contributing to the arts industry as phenomenal and she as one of a kind.

“During her teaching days, she contributed immensely to the development of the performing arts in a number of primary schools and popularised traditional dancing around Gaborone. 

Mma Tiny (Sefhako) took Diphetogo Primary School traditional dancing to unprecedented levels, winning almost all local competitions,” he said.

The group later became a household name in the country.  It travelled the world representing the country at cultural events, he said. Setsiba added that Sefhako was a strong-willed individual who was very passionate about traditional song and dance. He mentioned that Sefhako was a very good organiser who gave her absolute best at work. Whenever she needed a choreographer, Setsiba would be the first person she would contact.

“Mma Tiny loved perfection and she would take her time in training the group even if it meant working late.  She was very dedicated to the group and at times would even use her own money to finance it,” he said.

Having met Sefhako when they were still members of the Mogwana group, Setsiba emphasised that they shared a bound. Both loved the arts and as a team complemented each other very well.

“We had a very good collaboration, we danced together and coached together and together we made magic,” he said.

A legend in her own right, Sefhako has produced musicians of repute among them Dikakapa, Gong Master and Shumba Ratshega.

Owing to her unrelenting commitment, Sefhako was awarded a Presidential Crown of the Meritorious Service in 2006 and later won the Five Roses Thari ya Sechaba (woman of the year award) in 2007.

Sefhako was also known for her rich poetry that had a way of evoking emotions of different sorts.

Setsiba immediately smiled when he narrated the time when they both shone while reciting a poem they wrote and dedicated to former president, Festus Mogae.

“The poem was entitled Tsamaya Sentle Mogae and the comments we had after the performance cannot be described in words.  Even the president loved it,” he said.

Setsiba further pointed out that Sefhako was passionate and at times intensely so when circumstances dictated. She allowed her art to consume her completely and could easily get transfigured while in the moment of her art.

“She appeared shy in her ordinary life, but such a tigress on the stage. The stage had a way of inspiring her and transforming her but mostly comforted her,” he said.

Sefhako has lived her life to the fullest overcoming obstacles put before her. She is indeed living testimony that nothing is impossible.

In pursuit of greatness, she dreamed big and worked hard to capture success and for that, she will always be remembered as a woman who contributed to national development and the society. But most importantly she was someone who brought a difference to people’s lives, especially the traditional arts.

At her memorial service last Thursday at the Broadhurst SDA Church many speakers that took to the podium. Ntombi Setshwaelo’s narration left many in tears.

“I have never met such a dedicated woman of God. 

I came to know of her because she was working with my daughter. She would not stop showering Sefhako with praises for her love for traditional dance and song,” she said.

She explained how she admired the love, braveness, commitment and dedication that Sefhako had when it comes to her craft.

“E ne e le setshwerere le sethakga mo go tsa mmino,” she said. 

Sefhako died a teacher, an organiser, a well-rounded artist, humble servant of her people and better still, a leader who has left an indelible mark on her nation and the world stage.