Mystery suicide demystified
The Sekaba family in Kanye still has more questions than answers following the unexpected death of their beautiful 18-year- old daughter, Tolamo Pontsho Sekaba.
Tolamo allegedly hanged herself in the early hours of September 30 last week. What could have been a happy Botswana Day for the family was rather marred by choking pain and distress. But why would such a young soul decide to end her life? She had striking features that qualified her to be a true princess. Even the man who could only identify himself as Tolamo’s brother told this publication that they referred to Tolamo as the family ‘diamond.’
“We have decided not to speak to the media about this issue because we are still in pain. All we can say is that she was not abused or anything, we loved her so much and did all to protect her,” he said.
Tolamo was laid to rest in Kanye this past weekend. Her funeral was attended by many who came to offer their condolences to the family.
Among the well-wishers was a man who identified himself as a family friend. He shared that Tolamo had left a suicide note saying she was not happy at home.
According to the man, he had on several occasions had a chat with the young Tolamo who always complained that she was not happy with her family lifestyle.
“She was a true definition of what defined beauty and she wanted more, we suspect that the family could not keep up with her demands. She wanted royal treatment,” he said.
The man, who preferred to speak under condition of anonymity fearing the family’s reaction, suspected that Tolamo was also under great pressure with school examinations fast approaching.
She was to write her Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) exams after the Independence holidays at Seepapitso Senior School in Kanye.
“She was not the brightest student out there and it is possible that she assumed her family was expecting too much from her. She could not stomach the prospect of failing her exams,” he said.