Rantsieng was a dedicated teacher
Aus Tsidi loved her learners
Born: Born: February 16 1955 Died: Died: September 3 Funeral: Funeral: Today at house 37 Leeubekkie Heidedal in Bloemfontein, starting at 8.30am Burial: Burial: Heidedal Cemetery
The act of passing on in itself is inherently painful. But when those who die are very close to us, the pain becomes excruciatingly unbearable. The sudden death of Motshedisi “Ausi Tsidi” Rantsieng has shocked her family, friends and the teaching fraternity in the communities of Virginia in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. Rantsieng was born in 1955 in Mangaung.
She was the sixth child of the late Steven Lemako and Mokgantsho Esther Nketsi.
Rantsieng began her primary education at Phahamisang Primary School and proceeded to Batho Primary both in Mangaung. She then went to
Lereko High School, where she completed her junior certificate, enabling her to enroll at the then Tshiya Teachers College of Education in QwaQwa. She then acquired a primary teachers’ certificate in 1979. Rantsieng met her husband Modise Rantsieng at Tshiya College and the pair got married in 1980. The couple later got teaching posts at Harmony Mine Primary School, where they taught until 1992.
Her first teaching post was at Karabelo Primary in Rocklands and while teaching, she continued with her studies and acquired a matric certificate and a secondary education diploma, respectively.
In 1981, Rantsieng then got a post at Waterbron Intermediate School, where she taught until she retired in 2014, having achieved her higher purpose in life, that of effecting change in others.
I met Rantsieng and her husband in 1982 at Harmony Mine Primary School, where I was a learner in standard 4 (now grade 6). The arrival of this dynamic couple at the school was so zestful and energetic as the husband carved out a reputation for himself, as a master in teaching science and mathematics subjects. The teaching couple seamless integration into the institutional culture of Harmony Primary was facilitated by seasoned educators such as Ausi Makgala “Mimi” Mogoregi and the late Ausi Winnie Tsuaeli, among others.
Rantsieng was a stunningly gorgeous woman. With the love for children, Rantsieng spared the rod, but cunningly still managed to get the best out of her learners without breaking a sweat. Rantsieng has done so much for her community and her effort will forever be appreciated. It so sad that Ausi Tsidi, as she was popularly known, is no longer with us. She will be sorely missed.
Rantsieng is survived by her husband, three daughters, grandchildren and two sisters. Robala ka kgotso Mokoena. She will be buried in Bloemfontein today.