November 30 was not an ordinary day at Dikgang Publishing Company (DPC), publishers of Mmegi and The Monitor newspapers as well as Mmegi Online, as the company bid farewell to one of its longest-serving staffers, Modiri ‘Uncle Mod’ Seaganeng.

Uncle Mod, as he is fondly addressed by staff members, joined DPC in 1993 as a Messenger, having started his journey as a worker in 1975 at the age of 17. “I started working at the age of 17 in South African mines, before returning home in 1980.

When I came back home I worked for BCL Mine in Selebi-Phikwe and Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) in Maun before I ultimately joined Mmegi in 1993,” he explained. Uncle Mod went on to explain that all the while he worked for other companies, the thought of acquiring assets did not cross his mind until he started working for DPC.

The 64-year-old retiree, says he leaves his job a happy man because, in his 29 years of service at DPC, he has not only created long-lasting relationships, but has also been able to develop his two plots and start a family, accomplishments that he is very proud of. Uncle Mod, who leaves as a Senior Driver, is a well-known figure around the company as well as to DPC clients.

An astute member of staff, Uncle Mod has never been shy to voice out his concerns. Throughout his years of service, Uncle Mod ensured that he performed his responsibilities to the book and would never be one to be swayed. While performing his duties, he would not be shy to express his concerns with higher-ranking officers if he felt they were not doing things in an organised manner. One example is when on one of the busy days, Uncle Mod was asked to return to the bank to cash a cheque as there were emergencies that called for more petty cash.

As he rushed back to the bank, he made his disapproval known as he blatantly told all seniors they could have planned properly. That is our Uncle Mod, strict yes, but very humble and understanding at the same time. He was always one of the first people at the office and never missed work in his 29 years of service.

“I have never come to work late, missed work or come to work drunk in my 29 years of service because I believe when you are given a responsibility, you should embrace it and perform the duties to the best of your abilities.

I often hear young people saying ‘ba lekanya tiro le madi’, but that is not the way to go about it. You have to do your work to the best of your abilities and the rest will follow,” he said.

DPC Managing Director, Titus Mbuya said: “Modiri and I grew up together at Mmegi. He joined the company a year or so after me. He is one of the legends of the company and that includes people like Steven Kuhlman, Lesang Maswabi, Letsema Molome, Thalefang Charles, Ben Setumbeko and others.

Modiri is honest, reliable and dependable. For all the 29 years he has been with the company he never appeared before a disciplinary committee. He set a good example. Above all, Modiri was loyal to the company. He served diligently at times working long hours and getting things done.

While a very strict individual, Uncle Mod also has a softer side or rather a humorous side. While working as a driver for the Editorial Department many years ago Uncle Mod would take employees who reside outside Gaborone to task.

One such incident is when he asked one of the former DPC Graphic Designers, why she left her home village to come and seek work in the city, only to end up renting a house in a village. Words as spoken by Uncle Mod: “Motho wabo Mary o ta bo a tswa ko gae a re o tile go bata tiro mo Gaborone, a bo a ya go hirisa ntu ko gae. Ke eng a ne a sa nne hela ko gae?” While we understand that our Uncle had to retire at some point, we are going to miss his dedication, commitment, loyalty, hard work and humour. We bid you adieu, Uncle Mod!