Touching Lives

Source : Kutlwano

Author : Tshegofatso Odellah Lesotlho

Location : GABORONE

Event : Interview

Rentse`s profound influence of using her own life to improve the life of others is quite difficult to measure

Article: Tshegofatso Odellah Lesotlho

Photo: Ogopoleng Kgomoethata

She endured a troubled adolescence as a fatherless teen in the small village of Mogobane.  However, despite the hardships often associated with growing up in a single parent family, Rentse Ugokwe enjoyed support of her mother and grandparents who cherished her as their adorable child.  

Her profound influence of using her own life experiences to improve those of others is quite hard to measure. Today Rentse is yearning to become one of the world`s most generous philanthropists.

Her inspiration to help the need rubbed off from her mother, Segametsi Maganu, who used to cook and wash for old people who did not have caretakers in Palapye.  Born into this God fearing family probably best explains Rentse`s living of the Vision 2016 ideal of someone caring and compassionate.

As envisaged in the national social economic framework, by 2016 Botswana will be a compassionate and caring nation. Income will be distributed equitably. Poverty will have been eradicated, and there will be an efficient social safety net for those who suffer misfortune. All Batswana will have access to good quality health services, sanitation and nutrition.

Consequently, most Batswana are now beginning to come out of the closet to hold hands and work towards accomplishing this vision. Undoubtedly, there are a number of people taking part in charitable activities.

To mention a few, there is a group of villagers from Gabane who have come together to form LIVE GABANE GROUP with the aim of improving the lives of  the needy by visiting them to wash their laundries, donate clothes, school uniforms and food. Dulux Botswana has also come to the party to put smiles on the faces of Old Naledi residents in Gaborone, taking time out to paint their houses freely.

Now, Rentse, a bubbly beautiful self-propelled woman with a companionate heart is also determined to change the lives of our grandparents who we abandon with our children in the villages as we head out to look for greener pastures elsewhere. Rentse was raised at Mogobane by her grandparents, Khutsafalo and Christopher Maganu, after her father passed on while she was eight years old.

In 2004, she moved to the United States where she became an AIDS advocate. She registered RENTSE FOUNDATION in February 2011 in the US, launching it on September 30, 2011. Her wide ranging philanthropic efforts did not go unnoticed as she was awarded the MOTHERS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD by African Business Culture Development (ABCD). In July 2013, ANAKAZI CENTER also in United States, awarded her the HUMANITARIAN AWARD as one of the women making a difference living abroad.      

Indeed, the Maganu`s raised an angel to touch people`s lives positively as in 2005 she built a house for the needy at Lephephe while a second was built in at Palapye in 2007. It takes a uniquely caring person to dig deep into their pockets to build houses for people they do not even know. Such are the actions of Good Samaritan Rentse given she did not rely on donations to build the two houses.

Naturally it does not auger well to see other people sleeping on empty stomachs and crammed in small spaces and squalid environments. Consequently, Rentse was deeply touched to see an elderly Palapye woman living in such conditions.

“I have seen the structure, I have touched the structure, I have been inside the structure and I don`t see how anybody can live there,” she says with a crestfallen countenance.

Rentse has promised to build the family a house during the course of this year. “What passes for a house for this family is made out of black plastic bags and the old woman stays with 10 grandchildren,” explains Rentse.

Meanwhile, Rentse`s pledge is a response to the President`s housing appeal and a demonstration that Batswana are on course to attaining one of the Vision 2016 pillars of a caring and compassionate nation. ENDS