Mocwaledi was a dedicated patriot

The provincial control inspector, Olebogeng Reginald Mocwaledi, fondly known as ‘Oom Babes’, has passed away after a short illness. He will be laid to rest tomorrow in Petrusburg.
Mocwaledi was born in 1948 in Kimberley. He started working as a Bantu Inspector Assistance for the Free State government in 1967, in Boshoff, but became permanently employed in 1968. Mocwaledi left his position and got married in 1974.

However, he was re-hired as an inspector of the same region in 1986. The government transferred him to Petrusburg in November 1994 and was promoted to senior provincial inspector in 1996. He was still working in this position at the time of his death.

Because of his outstanding performance in the department, the MEC for transport in the province, Butana Khompela, awarded him for his long service after working for department for 45 years.

Mocwaledi has four children; two girls and two boys. Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased’s son, Ongopotse Mocwaledi, said his dad was an old fashioned strict dad but he was a good role model for his children.
Ongopotse said his dad was a pillar of strength to the community as he founded a football club in the area called, Royal Chiefs, which plays in the Vodacom League. He said his father was once a councillor during the 1980’s, while he was still young, and people respected him for the role that he played during the struggle times.

“Before my daddy passed away, he was complaining about short breath. My sister accompanied him to the hospital. It was a blow to the family when we learnt that he had passed away because we were expecting him to come back as he usually did,” said Mocwaledi’s grieving son.

Ongopotse remembers his dad’s sense of humour that had always kept the family laughing. He described him as a loving father who wanted to see his family happy all the time.

Mocwaledi was considered by his friends and family as Orlando Pirates’ number one fan, because he always took his sons to the soccer games to express his love for the game.

Khompela also expressed his shock over this loss of life and shared his experiences with Mocwaledi.

“He was affectionate and loyal to the department during his 45 years of service. He rendered such an untainted service that every Traffic Officer should pause and proclaim, indeed and truly Oom Babes epitomised what an honest, selfless and hardworking officer should be,” said Khompela.

Komphela urged all traffic officers to dip their banners and take a leaf from the life and times of ‘Oom Babes’. He sent, on behalf of the premier; the Free State provincial government and his department in particular, their sincere messages of condolences to the Mocwaledi family.

“May God Almighty give you courage and strength to deal with this painful experience,” conclude Komphela.