In Memoriam: Olorato Mongale, 14 December 1994 – 25 May 2025
It is with great sadness that we at the Wits LINK Centre share the notification of the death of our young and powerful Olorato Mongale. This is something that should never have happened, not to Olorato, not to any person. Brutality, gender-based violence and femicide must not be our future! We must heed the message of Olorato and the many young South Africans like her to change our society for the better! We offer our heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family and friends.
Olorato was registered for LINK's Master of Arts in ICT Policy and Regulation, commencing in February 2025, and was taking the research methods course, for which she had prepared an initial diagnostic report. The focus of her proposed research was ICT sustainability for economic growth with specific interest in infrastructure access, digital literacy and digital adoption. Her writing shows strong technical research skill and intellectual depth. In this short period, she took the initiative to organise her fellow students for regular communication through WhatsApp. She contributed to the interactive class engagement, showing her dynamic personality and enthusiasm. She was in class on Thursday 22 May and her absence was noticed on Monday 26 May.
Reading Olorato’s LinkedIn profile, from which this photo is taken, she shares that she held a Bachelor of Journalism from Rhodes University and was a Golden Key Rhodes University New Member from 2013. She held a Certificate to Teach English as a Foreign Language (CTEFL) and was a Communications and Engagement Specialist with an English programme in Daegu, South Korea.
She had many accomplishments, including as a radio presenter at Motheo FM, as a Communications Officer in the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and as a Digital Marketing and Social Media Associate at Oliver Wyman consulting firm.
Robala hantle Olorato, you are missed.
Memorial arrangements will be shared following engagement with family.
In Memoriam: Olorato Mongale (PDF)