Sehlare played vital role in the formation of Sadtu
Dedicated teacher will be remembered as family man, entertainer and talented pianist
Born: May 10 1956
Died: January 21
Funeral: February 4, at Jack Botes Hall, Polokwane, 7am Burial: Silicon Cemetery
The late Marks Sehlare was born in Alexandra township in Johannesburg. He was the son of the late Patty Othaniel and Nkadisha Sehlare.
He began his education at Ikage Primary School before moving to Bakenberg High School in Limpopo.
From there Sehlare proceeded to the Mokopane College of Education where he earned the primary teacher certificate.
From 1977 to 1979 he pursued a higher teaching qualification at the Kwena Moloto College of Education, where he completed a diploma in teaching.
It was during his time at Kwena Moloto that Sehlare met a fellow student, former footballer, coach and administrator Trott Moloto.
Moloto said Sehlare was affectionately known as Mingru at college and that he was a popular character who was never subjected to the ritualistic bad treatment accorded college freshmen of the time.
It also helped that he knew many seniors before arriving at Kwena Moloto.
“I met Mingru in 1977 when he arrived at Kwena Moloto College.
Because he was originally from Alexandra, in the south, he was held in high esteem because that was the norm in the north those years, to revere people from Gauteng.
“Mingru also accorded himself a mysterious persona as he also pretended to be coloured, using the surname Boom (tree in Afrikaans or sehlare in Sepedi) when he introduced himself. His Afrikaans was impeccable.
“We hooked up a lot in Joburg as I was also based there. He habitually spoke Afrikaans and I tried my best to learn the language through him.
“But Mingru noted my keenness to learn, then he started pestering me about the Sundowns tracksuits.
“And he demanded new ones. But when I checked closer, I realised that he was actually a Kaizer Chiefs supporter!”
On completing training, Sehlare returned to the south where he took up a teaching post in Diepkloof, Soweto.
He taught music at Bakgomana Primary School and he was a pianist of note and a very popular personality in the area.
Sehlare left Johannesburg for Polokwane once he got married, to start a new life as a family man.
He and his wife Sewela Sehlare (née Letsoalo) were blessed with three beautiful daughters.
He taught at Reholegile Secondary School at Zebediela from 1999 and in 2003 he moved to ME Makgato Secondary School in Seshego, where he taught until 2007.
In between teaching, Sehlare furthered his studies and earned a national diploma in public management and postgraduate diploma in public management at Regenesys. He was transferred to the Polokwane circuit from 2007 until 2015 when he retired from the civil service as an educator of note.
I was introduced to Sehlare in 1979 by my late cousin Leonard Chuene, the former president of Athletics SA.
Bra Marks was magnanimous in mentoring his community at Seshego, Polokwane and surroundings.
He was unassuming and humble to young and old.
He was thrilled by being a programme director at events and also used his piano to entertain at functions or soothe bereaved families during memorials and funerals.
A seasoned singer, Sehlare loved music across genres. But jazz and choral music were his passion.
He was also a soccer player and played the game up to semi-professional level as a striker in his younger years.
He was recruited to Seshego Naughty Boys FC by its owner, the late Jacky Tema.
Sehlare did not tolerate mediocrity and slovenly behaviour; he was a true gentleman, loving husband and caring father.
He was also a staunch member of the Evangelic Lutheran Church of SA and an active member of the men’s league.
He was instrumental in the formation of SA’s largest teachers union, Sadtu, and many social clubs.
On retirement, he remained active and became an administrator at various schools assisting in all matters.
We shared a lot of poems and poetry, he always encouraged me to read inspiring books. He was personally inspired by the poem The Phoenix by 14th century Persian lyrical poet Hafez.
Like a phoenix my beloved brother, you will rise from the ashes and fly off to a new universe.
Sehlare is survived by his wife, three daughters and grandchildren.