Leselekwane Kgasa

Please, meet my late grandfather, Leselekwane Kgasa – the father to my father. He was well known as Rra-Lekgoanyana, by my father – his fist born child. He is the son of Sebetlela, son of Seohela, son of Kgasa.

He passed when I was only 10 years old – in 1991. Just like his son (my father) he worked at the Batswana-employing, Apartheid, South African gold mines and he was also a farmer. However, his other son (late) did go to school; and went on to work in the Botswana copper-nickel mine – at Selebi Phikwe. I barely remember his wife, my late grandmother, who passed around 1985. Most importantly, I vividly remember she always kissed my small hands whenever I visited her. Leselekwane and family are survived by two daughters, sisters – my aunties.

I have been told with great interest that his late brother went to war – the World War 2. Word is my grandfather’s legendary brother, together with his regiment were stationed in Italy. I was further assured that, he at some point was in Scotland, during the war and as a result earned the nickname ”Glasgow”.

I remember Rra-Lekgoanyana, very vividly.

I remember he used to shout furiously and actively chase the naughty boys: my brother, our friends, such as Mmeikho, and I; with his wooden walking stick – off the legendary mokabi tree that we loved climbing all the time. The mokabi, located in front, just by the edge of the kgotla cattle kraal. Of course, him and the stick never caught us – to our amusement.

I remember, he once happily declared to the makgoa Peace Corps: ”I know Pusoeng”, – when the makgoa were talking about their friends who lived at or closer to Goora-Pusoeng ward.

I remember, he called my cousin Shima: ”Shema Shema”. My cousin Memey: ”Nene”. My then baby cousin Thapelo: ”Korotman”.

I remember, I got in trouble in 1991, in my standard 4 classroom, because I brought his folded black and white funeral program to show to my friends. The strict class teacher caught me showing my mates during lessons; raging, she snatched away the program.

I remember, I ‘stole’ another program.

 

Swagger: The talkative Leselekwane Kgasa & the famous stick. Here, chilling on the mud wall.