Mr Melato Relebileng Collet Setshogoe, affectionately known as Bra Colly to his close friends and loved ones, was born on the 23rd of July 1948 to Mmebe Sheba and Mokutulwe Joseph Setshogoe.
Born and raised in the small village of Mabeskraal just outside of Rustenburg, Bra Colly was the youngest of six siblings. His early years were spent in Mabeskraal with his family, amongst his cousins, aunts, brothers and sisters. By his accounts, he had an adventurous and mostly fantastic boyhood and though he would always deny it, he was somewhat spoilt but loved by all. In later years, Bra Colly settled in the town of Mafikeng and subsequently moved to Rustenburg where he spent the autumn years of his life.
Bra Colly started his schooling journey at Mabeskraal Primary School in 1954 and went on to attend Rakoko High School. He obtained his Higher Primary Teacher’s Course and Matric at Bethel Training College in 1967 and 1969 respectively. During his early school years, Bra Colly was an avid footballer player and played for both Rakoko High and Bethel Training College.
His years in tertiary institutions were spent initially at the University of the North where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1972 with Geography and Setswana as majors, followed by the University of Bophuthatswana where he obtained a Diploma in Psychometric Testing in 1985, and later obtaining a Bachelor of Social Science Degree (Honours in Psychology) in 1988 at the same University of Bophuthatswana.
By profession and passion, he was an educator and spent the majority of his academic and working life in the education sector working first as a Teacher, then a School Principal, an Inspector of Schools and ultimately a Circuit Manager prior to his retirement.
In 1984, Bra Colly was involved in the establishment of Centres for mentally handicapped children and the training of select primary school teachers in the teaching and handling of these children in the erstwhile Bophuthatswana.
His interests included reading, debates on current affairs, watching news and sport on TV, particularly when Moroka Swallows had a match on!
Some of the scholarly articles Bra Colly wrote during his career included:
● Unemployment and Health: Popagano vol: 11 no 1: June 1990
● Learning disabilities: Popagano vol: 14 no 2: Dec 1993
Bra Colly sadly passed away while under the care of the medical staff of the Rustenburg Medicare Hospital on the 6th January 2022 after a short illness.
He is survived by his wife, his daughter and son, his 2 step-daughters, 8 grandchildren, his older sister, his daughter in-law and son in-law.
He will also be missed by his cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who loved him dearly.
Robala ka Kagiso Gopanyane a Phosuwa!
24 Comments
Lesangkgang Paul Montlhabaki
Posted at 08:04h, 11 JanuaryMy sincere condolences to the family of Rre Setshogoe, may his soul rest in peace mme ba losika ba gomotsege ba tswelele go itshegetsa ka kobo ya Morena.
Kena Setshogoe
Posted at 08:57h, 11 JanuaryUnable to die are the loved, for love is immortal. Farewell old man.
Z-Crew Family
Posted at 11:31h, 11 JanuaryTo Kena, Nosipho & the entire Setshogoe Family
Our most sincerest condolences. May God comfort you through this difficult period – Rockey & Keitu
Please accept our heartfelt condolences to you and the family on the loss in your family. No doubt his memory
will live forever in your hearts. – TT and Mabs.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I pray God sees you through this difficult time. – Theri
Condolences to you and the family sis. You are in our prayers – Love, Dudu
May the Lord hold you all in His palms during this difficult time and give you peace and comfort only He can provide. – Zanele
My sincere condolences to you and your family Kena! My family and I will keep you and yours in our thoughts and prayers.
May the Almighty comfort you during this difficult time and give you peace! – Sham
May God give you strength during this time. – Josh & Mbali
Condolences to you and your family.May God comfort you through this difficult time – Thulani
Condolences to you and your family. May you be comforted through this difficult time and we are praying for you. – Lefa & Ntebo
Condolences to you and yours on the passing of your Father. May you find peace and comfort during this
difficult time. – Phenyo & Ria Mathopa
Condolences to you and your family. May God grant you strength during this time. – Love, Hazel
Condolences Setshogoe Family, prayers of strength to you and the rest of the family – Ntlanga
Condolences to you and your family. May the good Lord comfort and give you peace during this time. – Tebogo Mod
Aus Nosi, Homotjegang ka moka ka gae. Modimo a le fodishe. – Lesiba
Deepest and sincerest condolences to you and your loves ones in these trying times. Gomotsegang – London
Praying for strength and comfort during this difficult time. My sincere condolences – Keitumetse Tsotetsi
To Nosipho, Kena and the entire Setshogoe family
With love, from the entire ZCrew Family
Rachel Mashinini
Posted at 15:25h, 11 JanuaryKe latlhegetswe ke a cousin, a brother, a father figure, a caring someone to us all, a human being who loved everyone unconditionally and a peace loving soul. These memories will linger in our hearts for a very long time.
ROBALA KA KGOTSO MOGOPANYANE
Lubabalo Ngcaweni
Posted at 15:35h, 11 JanuaryOur sincere condolences 💐 family. Let us be strengthened by knowing that God has blessed us with such a gift as bra Colly and God saw it fit that it’s time that He must call him back to God. Let us continue to celebrate the 74 years of grace and favor from God. We pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen the entire family and give you peace in Jesus mighty name, Amen
What a gentle soul:-( Rest in Peace Gopanyane
CONNY MOTIA
Posted at 15:55h, 11 JanuaryGomotsegang Ditsala
Modimo o lorato. 💞
Zakhele Gumede (umalume kaNosipho)
Posted at 16:23h, 11 JanuaryPhumula ngoxolo Mkhozi wethu. We were hoping Kena and Nosipho will bring us together., but God’s time has come for you to go to be with him.
Condolences to the family and friends.
We will meet on the other side.
Collen Matlakala
Posted at 19:25h, 11 JanuaryWe will always miss you Malome…may your soul rest in eternal peace. From Collen, Otlotleng and Oreneile Matlakala
Phumzile Manzini
Posted at 19:56h, 11 JanuaryHeartfelt condolences to Kena, Nosipho and family. We wish you strength and pray that you find solace in the lord during this difficult time.
As your cycling club, we feel your pain and loss. We send you prayers and messages of support.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful memories of Bra Colly. Take pride in the man he was and celebrate his memories. May his soul Rest in Peace !
Some of the messages from fellow club members;:
May the Good Lord be yr guardian n guide during this difficult time uncle K. Be still n know that even, He is still God, seated on the throne, He never fails! Condolences. MHSRIP 💐 – Mme Ima
Strength to you and family K9 akwehlanga lungehlanga mfowethu – Bab’Khumalo
Hade K9….a mowa wa ga Rre o robale ka kagiso….Modimo a lo fe maatla a be alo alafe dipelo – K1
Condolences bra K to you & family. May your dad rest peacefully – Thando Makholoba
Condolences to you and your family K9. MHSRIP – Avela & V8
Condolences Kena on the passing of your Father. May God be with the family even greatly so, in this time of sadness. *Ntate Setshogoe a robale le ho phomola ka Kgotso*. – George Mashinini
Condolences Kena, prayers of strength to you and the rest of the family 🙏🏾 – Ntlanga
Ntate Setshogoe a “Robale ka Kagiso” Condolences Bra K9…🙏🙏 – Tim & Masta P
Condolensces to you and the family Uncle K 🙏🏼, May he rest is peace🕊️ – Tshidi Montsha
Sincere condolences Kena and the family, may your Dad’s soul rest in peace🙏🏾 – Josè
Deepest condolences uncle K. Strength to you and your family. 🕯️🕯️ – King Kamza
Condolences Mr Kena, may the Lord comfort you and your family in this time of sorrow. – Mpho Mofokeng
Condolences Kena, may the Good Lord give you and your family all the strength you need.🙏🙏🙏 – Tersia
Truely sad news to hear. We are with you @Kena Setshogoe in prayer🙌🏽 – Tshifhiwa
Condolences to you and your family Uncle K. May the good and almighty God give you strength and comfort in these difficult times. 🙏🏽🙏🏽 – Padioslki
Gomotsegang ko gae bra K9. The entire family is in our prayers🙏🏾 – Peo
Oh no. So sorry Kena. Homotsegang. *Hugs 🤗 – Motlatso
Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Our prayers are with you during this sad time 🙏🏽 – Chantal
Regards,
Phumzile Manzini
Secretary General: Proud Beginners Cycling Club
Tertia Ndlovu
Posted at 04:01h, 12 JanuaryTo you Kena, Nosipho and your family, May you find strength today to bid farewell to your father for the very last time. May his soul rest well and rest in peace.
Dr Lindiwe Simelane
Posted at 04:42h, 12 JanuaryThe passing of a loved one is never easy. Even as the world seems dark now, you will see some light in the many happy memories that will stay with you forever and bring you joy whenever you remember him.
Cherish those memories.
May Mkhozi find find perfect peace and restless with his maker.
Lala ngoxolo.
Akwehlanga lingehlanga.
Mikaylah Borland
Posted at 05:11h, 12 JanuaryRest in perfect peace and soar with the angels Grandad. Thank you for my Dad. Love Mikaylah Borland
Magcino Gule
Posted at 05:13h, 12 JanuaryThis is a beautiful tribute and send off. Our deepest condolences for the passing of Babomncane. Thank you for allowing us to pay last respects. Love from The Gule’s
Obakeng Setshogoe
Posted at 05:52h, 12 JanuaryRobala ka Kagiso Gopanyane wa Phosuwe, You have ran your race.
Keitumetse Zani Mashinini
Posted at 06:25h, 12 JanuaryTo my loving Uncle I won’t forget the love you showed me ALL the years What you did for me was beyond any words Thank you Malume Rest well and always continue to guide us and look over over us
Basetsana Elizabeth Letsholo
Posted at 06:36h, 12 JanuaryRest in peace, You have served your purpose in life,I pray for your family and friends to get comfort from God
Abby Leander
Posted at 06:37h, 12 JanuaryBarbara-Accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. I’ve only got to know him from what you told mw while we were working together in Saudi Arabia. Seeing his picture.. having read the obituary, and seeing the live stream, I wish I had known him personally. Especially as an educator and mentor, so passionate about his roles as leader in the education field and as head of his family. May His Soul Rest In Peace.
Aggy Kgasoe
Posted at 06:53h, 12 JanuaryOur heartfelt condolences all the Setshogoe family. May God be with you and the family in this sad time. We pray for all the family and keep you in our thoughts. May God grant you and the family the strength to bear this loss..
Solofelang and Aggy Kgasoe
Gabonewe Mothoagae
Posted at 07:17h, 12 JanuaryMo botshelong jaaka ngwana o na le batsadi ba ba go tsetseng le ba ba o kopanang le bone mo tseleng. Mme gape jaaka motsadi o na le bana ba gago ka madi, mo tseleng o nne motsadi go bana ba e leng ditsala tsa bana ba gago. Bra Colly is my father through my brother Kenaope! Gomotsegang ko lapeng…
Robala ka kagiso MoGopanyane a Phosuwa
Gregory and Thokozile Moloto
Posted at 07:41h, 12 JanuarySincere Condolences to the Setshogoe family. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace . Amen 🙏
Neo Tsholanku
Posted at 07:47h, 12 JanuaryDeath be not proud – May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Tone
Posted at 07:52h, 12 JanuaryRobala ka Kagiso motlhako.
S K Matlawe
Posted at 08:43h, 12 JanuaryMay his soul rest in peace and condolences to the family
Thabeng Ratefane
Posted at 17:57h, 12 JanuaryWhen death comes to our loved ones, we know it has to happen at some point, but very hard for us to understand. The pain of thier passing cuts like a knife because of the love we feel for them. Rest assured the whole Setshogoe family has many friends, family from their journeys who will constantly pray and be there for them, whether. near or far. K9 thinkinh of you and the family and I ask God our Lord to comfort all of you. May He give strength to face another day, bring smile to the good memories you shared with. Ra Colly. Gomotseng ba losika ka bophara.🙏🏼😇