- Thato Senganga Molosankwe was remembered as an independent thinker who remained committed to his beliefs despite criticism and opposition.
- His activism focused on corruption, economic empowerment, community interests and the future of North West Province.
- His death has left many reflecting on the impact of his ideas and the legacy he leaves behind.
The passing of Thato Senganga Molosankwe has left a deep sense of loss for those who knew him, worked with him and engaged with his ideas.
We have lost a man who dared to be different, a man whose bravery was unmatched, whose ideas could not be ignored and whose voice could not easily be silenced. He was a man who chose his own path and pursued it with determination, regardless of the obstacles before him.
Molosankwe was a trailblazer, a trendsetter and a fearless activist who believed strongly in the causes he championed. Whether one agreed with him or not, there was no denying the passion and conviction with which he approached every issue he believed mattered.
I first met him in Mahikeng in December 2018. He was camped near the Mmabatho Convention Centre, and during our first face-to-face conversation, he explained that his mission was to expose corruption within the North West government.
For almost an hour, he spoke passionately about corruption and the devastating consequences it has on communities and society. His commitment to the issue was clear and unwavering.
The common stereotype that Batswana men are weak could never be applied to Molosankwe. He possessed a strong character and lived according to his own principles. He believed in his convictions and remained steadfast in defending them. Through the years, I came to appreciate his deep attachment to Mahikeng and his determination to see the province restored to what he believed it once represented.
His vision for the North West
Among the many discussions we shared were conversations about governance, development and the future of North West Province. We agreed on some issues, particularly his belief that aspects of the former Bophuthatswana administration had served communities better than the current provincial government. He strongly believed that the former glory of North West, especially Mahikeng as the provincial capital, should be restored and protected from leaders whom he believed were failing the people.
Molosankwe was an activist through and through. On several occasions, I questioned whether he should not consider joining an organisation where his ideas could be advanced through collective action and documented within formal structures.
He rejected that suggestion. He was highly critical of organised politics, hierarchical leadership systems and what he regarded as elite interests disconnected from ordinary people. He preferred to remain independent and believed that meaningful change could be pursued outside established institutions.
Challenging convention
During the COVID-19 period, Molosankwe frequently challenged my views on Christianity and religion. Curious about his beliefs, I asked him about his spiritual convictions. He explained that he did not subscribe to organised religions rooted in Abrahamic traditions. Instead, he described himself as a spiritual person guided by personal conviction and inner belief.
Those conversations helped me understand him better. He was deeply sceptical of institutions and resisted any system that sought to dictate how people should think, believe or behave. He viewed himself as a free thinker whose actions were guided by principle rather than conformity.
In 2024, I encountered him again at the High Court in Mahikeng while I was involved in litigation concerning a mass eviction matter in Rustenburg. He had attended court to support affected residents. Curious about his interest in the case, I asked why he had come. His response was simple and direct. He said, "Batho ba ka se latlhegele ke magae."
That answer reflected his concern for ordinary people. He wanted to understand the matter and stand alongside those facing the prospect of losing their homes. After court proceedings ended, we spent considerable time discussing African unity, regional development and the possibility of an integrated transport system across the continent.
Committed to economic empowerment
The last time I met Molosankwe was in March 2025 at Mega City in Mahikeng. During that meeting, he spoke extensively about reclaiming township economies, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs and ensuring that economic benefits generated within North West remained within the province. He also spoke about several legal battles he intended to pursue in support of causes he believed would benefit local communities.
We exchanged contact details and went our separate ways, unaware that it would be our final meeting. A few days ago, my wife asked whether I had seen reports concerning Molosankwe. I had been occupied with court matters and had not spent much time on social media. She informed me that he had reportedly been killed by an unknown gunman.
The news was painful. It forced me to reflect on whether he had become an enemy of powerful interests or whether he was simply a man whose views challenged prevailing narratives. Whatever the answer may be, history has often shown that those who think differently and question authority attract hostility from those unwilling to tolerate opposing viewpoints.
Molosankwe was the kind of individual who deserved recognition and respect for his courage. He was prepared to speak openly, challenge authority and advocate for the issues he believed affected his community. He reached a level of self-awareness that allowed him to pursue his chosen path without fear, regardless of whether success was guaranteed.
His campaigns, long walks and daily acts of resistance reflected a commitment to ideals that he never abandoned. Whether his goals were ultimately achieved or not, his ideas reached people, sparked conversations and ensured that his voice would continue to resonate beyond his lifetime.
Those who took his life may have succeeded in silencing one man, but they cannot erase the ideas he championed. Others who share his convictions will continue to speak, organise and advocate for the causes they believe in.
As the saying goes, "You can kill a revolutionary, but you cannot kill a revolution." May Thato Senganga Molosankwe rest in peace.
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