Mahikeng is celebrating one of its brightest stars as Lesley Mofokeng, raised in Gelukspan and Lotlhakane and born in Katlehong, proudly joins the circle of Wits University PhD graduates. His achievement isn’t only a personal milestone — it’s a victory for the entire North West province.
Mofokeng’s academic journey began at North-West University, where he completed both his BA in Communication and Honours degree. He then stepped confidently into the fast-paced world of media, carving out an impressive journalism career across some of South Africa’s biggest newsrooms, including Sunday Times, City Press, and Sowetan.
His voice became familiar to even broader audiences through radio, where he contributed to major stations such as MotswedingFM, MetroFM, YFM, and KayaFM — cementing his influence in South African media and storytelling.
Beyond journalism, Mofokeng made a powerful mark as an author. He penned high-profile celebrity biographies such as Bitch, Please! I’m Khanyi Mbau and Dominoes: The Story of Somizi Mhlongo. His latest book, The Man Who Shook Mountains, explores the life and legacy of his grandfather, Mongangane Wilfred Mofokeng — the evangelist responsible for building Gelukspan Hospital along with several schools and churches that shaped the community’s development.
For his PhD, Mofokeng explored “Solomon Tshekiso Plaatje’s Ink,” analysing the early Setswana public sphere through Plaatje’s writings. His research highlights Plaatje’s role as one of South Africa’s earliest Black journalists, particularly during the historic Siege of Mafeking (1899–1900).
After the siege, Plaatje served as a court interpreter and secretly submitted reports to English-language publications of the time. His detailed diary entries from this period later became Mafeking Diary: A Black Man’s View of a White Man’s War, offering a rare counter-narrative to colonial documentation.
After the war, Plaatje emerged as a pioneering journalist, editing and co-owning several influential newspapers — Koranta ea Becoana, Tsala ea Becoana, and Tsala ea Batho — all of which contributed significantly to political thought and cultural identity in the early 20th century.
Today, Mofokeng carries that torch forward as he lectures at Wits University, guiding young journalists and thinkers while continuing to expand South Africa’s cultural and academic heritage.
Mahikeng, the North West province, and South Africa at large can stand tall — this is a story of excellence rooted in homegrown brilliance.
Congratulations to Dr. Lesley Mofokeng — a true son of the soil whose journey continues to inspire.
