The Book of ProVerb. Tebogo Thekisho
for what she believed in, even until the very end. I really admire that quality in a person. As a Christian, she could quote the Bible back to front, and was always clear about what she stood for and against – there was no middle ground.
I find it admirable when people are so sure of who they are, as some of us can be easily swayed by others’ opinions and viewpoints. Even though Si had her own dream for me when I was young, when she started supporting my career, she outsupported everyone else. Man, she would tell me all the time, ‘Go for it, my child! Just do it. I saw how you commanded the audience, and I just loved it.’
On one occasion I had a performance in Kimberley, and Si and Mami picked me up at the airport because I hadn’t rented a car. I told them not to attend the event, and specifically said, ‘Please don’t come, it would be weird.’ And guess what? After the event, when they came to pick me up, they told me that they’d loved my performance. They had watched me on stage the whole time. Before that, I had never rapped or performed in front of them, and I couldn’t believe they’d watched me without my knowledge. If I had known they were there, I would have felt embarrassed. In hindsight, I am glad they saw me perform.
Si was an exceptional grandmother to my children, Ditshupo and Kgosi, and always spoilt them rotten. Sometimes she’d even book me and my wife into a hotel so that she could have the kids all to herself at home. If you didn’t know us, you would have thought my wife and I existed only as a lift club to transport the children to her. My mother simply doted on them. I used to joke and say, ‘Nna ge (What about me)? Before your grandkids were born I used to be the main guy, mara ke tswile fashioneng mo (but it looks like you’ve forgotten about me).’ We’d laugh about it.
She never said no to Ditshupo and Kgosi. They got everything they wanted, much to their parents’ horror. There isn’t much to do in Kimberley, but Si took them to every cool, child-friendly place she could think of. She loved taking them to the movies and would let them eat takeaways all the time. One year, Ditshupo and Kgosi visited her during their school holidays and picked up quite a bit of weight – I imagine they were force-fed day and night. My children and their grandma had some beautiful times together; I am sure they miss her as much as I do.
Si had attained her second doctorate by the time she passed. Like me, she never settled – she was always pushing herself to be better and achieve more. I admired the way she pursued her goals and then knocked them out the park. I miss listening in on the intellectual conversations she and my dad used to have. Because they were both academically inclined, they connected on that level, which I always found interesting and special.
Rest in peace, Si. You did an amazing job raising me, Tumelo and my own children, and I know you are smiling down on us every day. We miss you dearly, and even though your loss still hurts, we will continue your amazing legacy.
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