Picture: The former SABC and Mafikeng FM reporter, Mompati Sylvester Bobby Serame laid to rest
By OBAKENG MAJE
The former SABC and Mafikeng FM reporter, Mompati Bobby Sylvester Serame was laid to rest yesterday at Magogoe Tlhabologo village, near Mahikeng. Serame (53), who passed away last week Wednesday after a short illness, was applauded for his enormous and fearless approach to journalism.
Former SABC Current Affairs editor, France Nong (75), who discovered Serame’s talent said, he showed a fierce determination at a tender age. Nong further said, he had to drag the reluctant Serame to SABC studios in Mahikeng.
“Serame was driven by a conviction that journalism must be in service of justice. I always monitored him while visiting his family. Even though he was afraid of people, I could see that Serame’s talent could be nurtured.
“When I started Tsele-letsele current affairs, I wanted us to have cutting-edge current affairs that speak to people. So, we started by using regional stringers and Serame worked with them. He joined the SABC in 1995 and he was exceptional.” Said Nong.
He further said they have produced so many talents, but what he liked about Serame, he always wanted to deliver news to his people in his own language. Nong added that, the death of a journalist, is a compromise to freedom.
One of Serame’s neighbours, Odirile Dikola described him as a bubbly person. Dikola said Serame complained about headaches and they rushed him to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, where he died the following day.
“He grew up in front of me and he was selfless. One day, Bobby slaughtered a goat and brought the goat’s head and trotters to my house. He said, you see now that my parents have died, I want you to become my uncle. That is where I realised that, indeed as a person, you create your own family,” he said.
Former SABC reporter, Dial Gaetsewe lambasted the SABC for allegedly ill-treating Serame. Gaetsewe labelled Serame’s life at SABC as an oxymoron.
“We grew up together at Magogoe Tlhabologo and he was an archetypal human being. Serame was a jolly person, who was dedicated to his work. It is sad that, Bobby was a stringer at SABC for 29 years.
“His presence was felt, yet not pompous. Bobby never forgot where he comes from and I can compare him to the late iconic Cebo Manyaapelo because he mastered his job. In many instances, we have earthly treasures and that’s what Bobby was,” he said.
Former SABC Current Affairs Executive Producer in North West, Charles Matlou said: “I knew Bobby back in 1996, while I was still working for Radio Setswana and he was working for Radio Mmabatho. When I moved to Mahikeng, we became friends. Three weeks ago, I called him because he was my entry point.
“Bobby was a celebrity yet, humble. He respected everyone and I think we should take a leaf out of his book. We are here to celebrate his life and he was not having a delusion of gradation. He created his own path and I have also learnt a lot from him.”
Meanwhile, the executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe congratulated the Serame’s family for giving birth to a giant. Molefe also questioned SABC’s decision to kick Serame out.
“If a man has served his people and served them well, he will receive this kind of send-off. You cannot divorce Serame from SABC because he was the ambassador. So, this is a befitting funeral for a martyr, a constant individual who was upright.
“This man did not deserve to die, as he was a true compatriot. His death is a heavy blow, but his teachings will remain with us. Bobby may not have occupied the highest position, but he served SABC well. As Batswana, we are afraid to preserve what is ours,” he said.
Molefe said Serame was ethical and it is so sad to see that SABC could not even contribute a bottle of water.
TaungDailyNews 