The Bucaneers have lost an avid fan, Neo Christopher Teledimo, fondly known as Telex, Talk of the Town, Naakse-Joe he insisted to be addressed as Sir. He was frequently spotted walking up and down the streets dressed in his Olando Pirates regalia. The funeral service was held at Galeshewe Social Centre on Saturday, 7 July 2018.
The 65years old retired Teacher, was the only son of Kelepile David and Tshitsa Hilda Teledimo. Neo grew up in Sesing Street, White City, Kimberely. Sir began schooling at St Dominic Primary School (currently known as St Boniface Day Care Centre) then proceeded to Tshireletso High School where he completed his Junior Certificate, then obtained his Teachers Certificate from Taung Training College of Education.
He taught at Greenpoint High School, later known as Redirile Senior Phase.
His peers pondered about his expensive and imported clothes and shoes, including imported suits.
They told mourners that Sir was even adored by strangers because of his great sense of humour which often got him into trouble.
Mr Letlhogonolo Jacobs an ex leaner who was the Program Director indicated that he is an engineer because Sir. He remembered who his then teacher used to affectionately call him “Wit Mannetjie” because of his completion.
Redirile, former Principal, EB Dikgetse, took the opportunity to educate the community about the rich history of the school. He said the school relocated from Ou Greenpoint, during the apartheid era to Thulash, in Rosa street, Greater Number Two. “The school was surrounded by walls as it used to be a hostel as a result it was sometimes called Jerusalema.”
Currently the building is housing the Sinothando Care Centre.
“Leaders such the late Mr Mohapanele, Mr Teledimo and others, approached the Department of Education and requested that a decent school be built, that’s how Redirile the first double storey school in Galeshewe was established, said Mr Dikgetsi.
He told mourners that Neo did not allow his disability to define who he was. “Every Saturday morning, he could be seen coaching children to play cricket at Yorkshire ground.”
Mr Dikgetsi also described the injustices that Neo’s went through during the Group Areas Act, he was unable to complete his Teachers Certificate at Perseverance, a teachers training college in Kimberley and newly appointed teachers were subjected to a three months unpaid probation period; they only received their salaries towards the end of the third month. “Hence Neo was very vocal and instrumental in the establishment of the South African Democratic Teachers Union” said Dikgetsi.
Family spokesperson Prof Sheila Mmusi a Lecturer at the University of Limpopo told mourners that teaching runs in their family. She praised Kimberley for producing a crop of highly educated people but lamented over the fact that they leave the province for greener pastures.
Neo’s niece, Mrs Bonolo Litheko, said his uncle was a loving and caring man who used to pamper his nieces, nephews and grand children by buying them clothes from Foschini. She mentioned that he was the life of the party whose favourite song was “Let’s go dancing” by Cool and the Gang, especially when it gets closer to a weekend. Bonolo took care of her uncle when he was sick and proudly said, “Uncle taught me to listen and appreciate music, now I am a huge fan of Teddy Pendergrass due to his influence.”
Mrs Pinky Mqina, Neo’s baby sister said her brother was very spiritual. He always insisted that they pray together. She shared fond memories that she spent with her brother, like attending The Commodores concert and watching movies at Lyric Cinema.
She vividly remembers the day her brother surprised their mother with a house. “He came home and said “mma we are leaving I bought a house for us in Ipeleng.”
A family choir led by his sister, Mrs Pinky Mqina, nephews, nieces and grand children paid tribute through music, one of the things that he liked.
It felt like a comedy show when his White City Square boys and childhood friends, Mr Monyobo and Mr Wele Moilwa, reminisced about how they grew up including the mischief, jokes “gwarras” and street fights they used to be involved in.
Mrs Stompie Motabogi, Block Leader from St Charles Catholic Church said Neo used to attend mass regularly and was a Eucharist Minister sometimes ago. “He was always happy to see us when we came to pray for him and requested us not to forsake.” said Mrs Motabogi.
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