JM Ntsime Biography ( 30/09/1930 – 26/04/2020 and Educational Background: Joseph Motlhasedi Ntsime was born on 30th September 1930 at Ramatshabalomao Village, an extension of Moruleng (Saulspoort) near Rustenburg in the Bojanala Region of the North West province of South Africa. He graduated with a BA degree in the University of South Arica, majoring in Setswana and Psychology. He is a teacher by profession.
Re Ntsime’s contribution to the Setswana language goes back to the days of his teaching when hew excelled in languages and literature. In the early sixties and in the Rustenburg area, Re Ntsime became the first Motswana to provide editorial leadership in the publishing of the first local magazine, ”Utlwang” which covered news, articles and current affairs.
As a Setswana teacher he was passionate about the development of the Setswana as an African language. Because of his passion and dedication, he was in 1964 appointed an examiner and moderator of the Setswana school examination papers. He also served in the many committees, including Setswana language Committee of the department of education and the Setswana language Committee of the then Radio Bantu. In 1969 he was instrumental in the establishment of Language Services Section in then Department of Education and Training and was subsequently involved in the in the translation of government documents, including Hansard and the development of terminology in general.
After serving with diligence and dedication, he was promoted to the position of Director in the same department. In 197 he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Setswana dictionary in the Institute of African Studies of the then University of Bophuthatswana. In addition to his official duties, Rre Ntsime unselfishly mentored and empowered many of his contemporaries in the areas of editorship, examiner ship and authorship. He also contributed to the development of Setswana radio programmes as a way of creating awareness of the Setswana language and literature.
Rre Ntsime is a renowned Setswana author. He has published extensively in the area of language, general science and religious instruction at primary and secondary school level. he has also published Setswana poetry, folklore takes and short stories.
JM Ntsime Awards
Rre Ntsime has received amongst others the following awards: the Sol Plaatjie literature Award in the 1980’s; National Award Winner for the Outstanding Author in Setswana Literature (awarded by the Department of Arts and Culture in 2005); Multilingualism and Nation Building Author of the Decade in Setswana ( Awarded by pan South African language Board in 2008); and the prolific Author in Setswana (awarded by the Setswana National Language Body (PANSALB) in 2008)
JM Ntsime wife and family
He is married to Fanny Seasebeng Matlhodi (nee Pooe) and they are blessed with seven children, two of seven children, two of whom have since passed away.