Mothiba served his people well
THE community of GaMothiba, in Limpopo, is mourning the death of its chief, Kgoshi Lesiba Ngwanalaka Christopher Mothiba.
Mothiba, 76, died on Saturday night after a short illness. He had ruled the community for more than 30 years.
Mothiba became chief of the tribe in 1981.
He was a former Minister of Public Works and later of Finance in the former Lebowa government under the leadership of the late Chief Minister Nelson Ramodike.
As part of his contribution to the tribe, Mothiba was credited with the building of Ngwanalaka High School at GaMothiba, which was named after him.
He loved tradition and would take part in traditional dances whenever they happened in his area. He was also an excellent footballer and played for Greenside Callies and Stonebreakers as a striker.
Mothiba started his primary education at the Mothiba School and went on to study for a junior certificate at the Bethesda Normal College between 1956 and 1959; and he later matriculated at the Emmarentia Geldenhuys School.
Mothiba then studied for a diploma in commerce at the University of the North between 1963 and 1964, before joining the Bantu Affairs Administration as a clerk. He also worked as a salesman forconsumer production companies in Boksburg, Gauteng.
Mothiba married Phyllis Lamola in 1966 and the couple was blessed with four sons and a daughter. He was elected as a member of the then Northern Transvaal House of Traditional Leaders in 1996 and also as chairman of the public accounts committee of the house in the same year.
Mothiba will be buried in his home village of GaMothiba at the royal cemetery on August 3 at 8am.