Two Lesotho football legends and two filmmakers visited Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela at his house in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, Mangaung.
The visitors were former Bloemfontein Celtics players, Tseliso “Frisco” Khomari (now the Principal-Secretary in the Lesotho Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology ), and Nnete “Lekoaetos” Mosala from Maseru in Lesotho, and filmmakers, Kalosi Ramakhula from Lesotho and Leslie Tlhabanelo from Mangaung.
When the visitors met Dr Molemela, they greeted him, shook his hand and hugged him. Then they did a short prayer. They spent about an hour chatting and laughing with the father, businessman and Honorary Life President of Bloemfontein Celtic. They discussed many things, including football in South Africa and Lesotho.
Lesotho’s Sunday Express dated February 2016 writes: “One player who cemented his place in Lesotho’s hall of football fame, is Tseliso “Frisco” Khomari, a utility player who piled his trade with Bloemfontein Celtic in the 1980s, as well as other South African sides such as the Hungry Lions, Rietfontein Mine, Matlama, armyside PMU and Maseru United.
Tseliso Khomari said: “Dr Molemela was admitted to the Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein when he became sick in October 2016. I went to see him at the hospital where he was recovering. Later on, during our communication, Dr Molemela informed me that he had been discharged from the hospital, so we are here to wish him a speedy recovery and a happy life.”
Nnete Mosala said: “Dr Molemela was at our side when we were playing for his team, Bloemfontein Celtic. All the players got along so well with him. He has been like a father to all the players. We regard him as a great teacher who has made a great difference in our communities. We love him with all our hearts.”
Leslie Tlhabanelo, the poet who published an anthology of Setswana poems titled Tsoga Afrika, was given an opportunity to read his poem dedicated to Dr Molemela. There was excitement in the house after the poet had read the poem.
He then presented the poem to Dr Molemela and said: “Through my poem, I thank you for all that you have done for the community of Mangaung, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu. We are what we are today because of your efforts.”
Kalosi Ramakhula from the Moroka-Pula Production in Maseru, Lesotho, who released the videos, The Free State Heritage Wealth for the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, and Moshoeshoe – The Mountain King for the Basotho Nation, said: “I am happy to inform you that Leslie Tlhabanelo and I have been very busy doing a documentary film about the life of Dr Molemela.”
In October 2015, the Premier of the Free State, Ace Magashule, officially announced the name change of Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Rocklands to the Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela Stadium. Following their visit to the house of Dr Molemela, Khomari, Mosala and Ramakhula paid a visit to the stadium named after the Honorary Life President of Bloemfontein Celtic. –Â Flaxman Qoopane
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