Pioneer teacher, keen writer
Motimele left her mark in literature and on many lives
Born: April 11 1940 Died: January 10 Funeral: Tomorrow at Mountain View, GaMolepo
Burial: At the local cemetery Renowned Limpopo literary giant and author Matshediso Alletta Motimele died on Saturday afternoon in a Polokwane hospital after a short illness. She was 77.
A teacher by profession, and an artist, Motimele was described as an ardent champion of the Pedi language.
Limpopo premier Stanley Mathabatha described Motimele as a woman who contributed immensely to Pedi literacy.
Mathabatha’s spokesman Phuti Seloba said they wished that the generation who benefited from Motimele’s fountain of knowledge would continue with her legacy.
Motimele has written 32 radio dramas such as Kgengerepe, Lebone La Lehu, and Kanyanyaka Moepong for the SABC’s T hobela FM.
She also authored 23 books, including Mepipi Ka Moka E Ana, Podilane Mankga and Tselakgopo. Some of her books were prescribed for the school curriculum.
Throughout her career, Motimele was given several awards for her contribution to Pedi literature and culture.
One of Motimele’s protégés, Joel Seabi, said: “It is not everyone who gets to be taught by a mother and her son, we will forever remain thankful mama.
“I’m sure even the orphans and community members whose lives you touched in the villages feel grave loss ...
“We will remain in the comfort of your literature and your good deeds.”
In December 2016, MEC for sport, arts and culture Onicca Moloi recognised Motimele’s writings by conferring the department’s lifetime achievement award on her.
Last year, Motimele received another lifetime achievement literary award for her tireless work towards promoting Pedi at the South African Literary Awards.
Moloi described Motimele’s death as a great loss, to her family, the province, the country and the literary sector.
“Mme Aletta Motimele was undoubtedly an icon when it comes to Sepedi drama, poetry and prose. She passes away just a few days before the world and Unesco [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation] celebrate International Mother Language Day (IMLD) on February 21 under the theme ‘Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education’,” Moloi said.
“At this time of grief, our thoughts are with the Motimele family and all the people she has touched throughout her journey of life.”
Motimele, the second and last child of Tjale Lesiba and Rahab Nnanyane Sefara, was born at GaLekgothoane village in GaMolepo.
She started her schooling at Moria Primary School in 1946. In 1951, she moved to another part of McClean Farm, where she continued her schooling in an arranged setting. That setting was to become Sione School in later years.
Motimele then moved to Subiaco, a Roman Catholic Church mission school in 1953, where she did Standard 5 and 6 (now Grade 7 and 8).
She then moved to Tshebela High School in GaMolepo.
In 1956, she proceeded to Emmarentia Geldenhuys in Bela Bela to study towards a lower primary teachers’ course, making her the first person in her community to qualify as a teacher.
Motimele later obtained a secondary education certificate and diploma.
She started working at Sione School in 1958 and left in 1976. In 1977 she started teaching at Makgoka Secondary School until 2000 when she retired.
She met John Makapara Motimele in 1960 and got married in 1963. The marriage was blessed with 10 children. She will be buried tomorrow in GaMolepo, east of Polokwane.
‘ ‘ Motimele was an icon when it comes to Sepedi drama, poetry, prose