By Karabo Ntanzi
On Thursday, 16 December 2020, the Motsoari family, choral music fraternal and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture reeled with shock at the news of the passing on of Mokete Piet Motsoari, affectionately known as Mosue. Condolences started pouring in from various parts of the country.
It fitted for the Memorial and Funeral Services to be held at the Mayibuye Cultural Centre.
“Feisty, Galant, baton master, jolly fellow, a good chess player, and humble,” were words attributed to the 62-year-old. The former teacher was an avid Mabhaka-bhaka fan who used “#moteng” on his Facebook page when his team scored.
Mosue was the eighth child of the late Pulane and Tlokotsi Motsoari from Petrusburg. He was a doting father to his eleven children and had a special name for each child. He single-handedly raised two daughters, Nyakallo and Ntaoleng, from a young age, whilst the other children were raised by their mothers. Motsoari was the first in his family to study at tertiary institution and encouraged his siblings to follow in his footsteps.
After matriculating from St Boniface High School, he briefly taught at Tshireleco High School as a private teacher. He later went to the Transvaal College of Education to study towards a Teacher’s Diploma.
In 1984 he was a Geography teacher at Thabane High School, where he made his mark by elevating the choral music standard.
Through his dedication and discipline, he groomed leaners to be outstanding community members.
The Department of Sports Arts and Culture (DSAC) appointed Motsoari in 2002 as Assistant Director: Music and Dance Specialist until his death. According to colleagues and officials from DSAC, he unified structures within the department and promoted indigenous music to ensure that the Northern Cape is recognised in national competitions. He recruited talent from all over the country to ensure that the right candidates lead programs.
Motsoari was a Choral Music Maestro who could read and interpret a score sheet in his sleep. He coached and produced conductors, notably Mzi Mdunge, who sang and later conducted the University of Cape Town Choir. Mosue honed melodious voices, some of whom are accomplished musicians today.
Mosue founded the Galeshewe Melody’s after a being defeated in a choral competition at Alice in the Eastern Cape. It was there that the idea to establish a community choir in Galeshewe was born.
When they got home, the deceased and others went on a recruitment drive to enlist high school learners. The process was not easy, with some parents hesitant to allow their children to join the choir.
Galeshewe Melody’s was a young and vibrant choir that put Kimberley on the map. During those days, choral music was associated with being a gentleman. Choristers were
distinguished by their formal wear and neatly permed hair. In 1989, he invited the Mathew Singers, his favourite choir, to revive choral music in Kimberley. “Kimberley was not the same since that day,” remarked one of the speakers. Motsoari traveled extensively coaching and mentoring schools, churches and community choirs indiscriminately.
Mosue was instrumental in forming choral music structures and organisations such as the South African Choral Music Association, and the South African Conductors Forum. He influenced policies to afford lower grade choirs to participate in higher structures. He was a skillful fundraiser who took no nonsense from sponsors.
A colleague Mr Mokgwasi from the DSAC informed mourners that he took a liking to one of the EPWP workers. “Mosue treated that boy as his son, buying him food, coaching, mentoring and providing taxi fare when necessary,” he remarked.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, not all his peers could attend, their messages were read during the service. Neo Masithela delivered his message via zoom.
One of his daughters referred to him as her confidant, “it’s been a couple of days since you left us, but I already miss you,” she wrote.
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