The resolute human resource at Mmegi
For all the differences emanating from their nationalities, backgrounds, outlook, and ages, one currency that Mmegi staff of various generations commonly shared has been the love and passion for their product. And this applied across all the respective departments.
Throughout its years of operation, the establishment has had some of the most committed and loyal associates ranging from staff and management to board members, shareholders, correspondents, patrons, and donor agents.
From the respective production departments of Editorial, Commercial, to Graphics who would spend the better part of the final deadline day at each other’s throats, accusing each other of inordinate delays. To the driver who would regularly be impatiently waiting either within the office parking lot or at the border gate itching to get the newspaper to the printers on time and in turn, get it back and hit the streets ahead of all other competition. To the newspaper street boys and vendors who would respectively be at the road-traffic junction aggressively selling to the motorists (today’s version of Cool-Time boys) and newsstands by boMmadimausu (kiosks).
Perhaps that spirit and culture of resilience had long been illustrated by none other than one of our old guards and then sub-editor, Cliff Meyer. The late veteran journo, Meyer would engage in daily walks of close to 30 kilometres from Tlokweng to Gaborone and back, where Mmegi’s Maruapula headquarters at Segogwane Way were based then. The author of the column ‘Notes From The Wild’ had twice been attacked during his saunters. This is despite company transport having been availed to either pick up or drop him off at home. Sometimes the driver(s) would be waiting for the old man to come out of the office, only to learn later that Meyer would have long sneaked out of the premises.
Renowned German philosopher Barron d’Holbac’s quote, “We are all just cogs in a machine, doing what we were always meant to do, with no actual volition” would start hitting home when some of our colleagues were lost to other organisations through poaching while others left on their own volition. Mostly for greener pastures, but sadly, others would forever leave this part of the world. But as fate would have it, others like Kagiso Sekokonyane and yours truly would part only to meet again after about half-a-decade, at this esteemed ‘News We Need To Know’ media house.
Below are some of the fallen heroes and heroines who have since departed this part of the world. In the Accounts department, we had Florence Pillar. In the Editorial there were Meyer, Mmualefhe Raditladi, Lettie Gaelesiwe, Samuel Kamphodza, Tshimologo Boitumelo, Chase Mhangu, Rampholo Molefhe, Banks Masala, Charles ‘Hey-Guy’ Simukoko, Mosha Sebonego, Phillip Mokgethi, Steve Molebatsi, Doreen Morupisi and recently Mike Mothibi. In Advertising (Commercial) there were Eddie Mokwape and Seth Sekgwa. In Graphics, there were Gao Gasenna and Setshedi Keosimile.
In the Administration and Circulation departments; there were Ronnie Tsetse, Andrew Phirie, Brown Tlhowe, Puso Otsheleng and Ford Moyangwa. At ownership, shareholding and board levels there were Patrick Van Rensburg, Ben Magogwe, and recently Victor Sibiya. May your souls rest in eternal peace as your contribution and impact are still felt to this day.
Interestingly, several people from the Mmegi family tree across management and staff, shareholders and board members, correspondents, donor agents and patrons, shared names, surnames, and nicknames (monickers). Again as a way of marking the moment’s 40th anniversary, I dedicate this article to 40 categories of shared names:
1). Annah Dedede, Annah Sedio; 2) Ben Magogwe, Ben Romign, Ben Setumbeko 3), Boitumelo Tshimologo Boitumelo, Boitumelo Khutsafalo, Boitumelo Ndwapi; 4) Burton Mguni, Mbongeni Mguni; 5) Charles Simukoko, Tlhalefang Charles; 6). Chakalisa Dube, Mqondisi Dube, Pamela
Dube; 7). Ernest Chilisa, Ernest Jere, Ernest Molome; 8). Gale Nkomo, Gale Ngakane; 9). Gideon Duma Boko, Gideon Nkala; 10). Gao Gasenna, Gao Lesiela; 11). Phalatse Philimon Tshoagong, Isang Tshoagong 12), Kabelo Boranabi, Kabelo Modisane; 13). Kabo Maswabi, Kabo Mokgoabone, Kabo Mpaetona; 14). Kagiso Sekokonyane, Kagiso Onkatswitswe, Kagiso Senthufhe; 15). Karen Hemsley, Karen Van Dyk; 16). Kennedy Madisa, Kennedy Ramokone; 17). Kgomotso Gare, Kgomotso Makgatlhe; 18), Petrus Kuhlmann, Steve Kuhlmann, Eddie Kuhlmann; 19). Lawrence Ooketditse, Lawrence Kokole; 20). Lebogang Mosikare, Lebogang Sekate, 21). Lesh Lepale, Lesh Mogotsi, Lesh Maswabi; 22). Marx Garekwe, Marx Mophuting; 23). Burton Mguni, Mbongeni Mguni; 24). Meshack Mesh Moeti, Meshack Tamocha; 25). Mike Dingake, Mike Mothibi; 26). Lesego Mogotsi, Mpho Mogotsi; 27). Ernest Molome, Letsema Molome; 28). Mosikare Lebogang, Mosikare Oarabile;29). Mpho Letso Mpho, Mpho Maine, Mpho Mmutle, Mpho Mogotsi, Mpho Mokgware, Mpho Mokwape, Mpho Tlale; 30). Patricia Maganu, Patricia Obonye; 31). Phillip Mokgethi, Phillip Ncube, Phillip Ditsebe; 32). Andrew Phirie, Butler Phirie; 33). Rex Sejakgomo, Rex Tatlhego; 34). Barolong Seboni, Thuso Seboni; 35). Onalenna Sekgwa, Seth Sekgwa; 36). Steve Kuhlman, Steve Molebatsi; 37). Tshepo Bogosing, Tshepo Molwane; 38) Tsholofelo Mabophiwa, Tsholofelo Molemele 39). Sue Schofield, Sue Themba; 40). Victor Malumbela, Victor Mhahle, Victor Sibiya.