Letsile Tebogo Flips Cancer the Middle Finger

Sunday Standard

Letsile Tebogo Flips Cancer the Middle Finger

For the past few months, Letsile Tebogo’s tattoo on the front shoulder, boldly written ‘F*ck Cancer’ had set tongues wagging. Some chided him for what was deemed an expletive tattoo, while many others supported him.

Behind the tattoo however lies a deeper, personal meaning. It is a painful reminder of the loss he and his sister suffered when the disease claimed their mother’s life two years ago. And most importantly, it also shows the Olympian’s defiant resolution to transform his grief into a race for hope.

This past week, the young track star, accompanied by his sister, officially launched the Letsile Tebogo Charitable Foundation. The charity foundation is a tribute to his late mother, a woman whose unwavering love and strength shaped his life.

The foundation’s launch, which was hosted in Gaborone, was graced by Botswana’s First Lady Kaone Boko, Chairman of Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Malope II, government officials, corporate partners, cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, and members of the public.

At the launch, Tebogo, through a heartfelt speech read by his younger sister, Ano Tebogo, opened up for the first time about the painful nine-year long journey his family endured while their mother, Seratiwa Tebogo, battled cancer.

“We watched the strongest woman we have ever known fight a battle that no human being should ever have to endure. Cancer did not only attack my mother’s body. It changed our conversations. It changed our family. It changed our dreams.”

“As a son, there is no pain greater than watching your mother suffer while feeling completely helpless to take that pain away. I remember watching her smile even when she was hurting. She comforted us when she was the one in pain. She encouraged us when she was the one fighting for her life.”

“When my mother passed away in May 2024, a part of me died with her. Even today, there are moments when I instinctively reach for my phone because I want to call her—to hear her voice, to ask for advice, or simply to tell her about something exciting happening in my life. Then reality reminds me that cancer took away that opportunity. The silence she left behind cannot be described. Grief never truly disappears. You simply learn how to carry it.”

From that devastating pain, Tebogo made a vow. His mother’s battle would never in vain. While he could not save his mother, he vowed ‘to help another mother, another father, another child, and another family avoid walking this difficult journey alone.”

The foundation will focus on providing psychosocial counselling, emotional support, cancer awareness campaigns, early detection initiatives, survivor support groups, empowerment programmes, skills development, healthcare support projects, and strategic partnerships aimed at improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and their families.

Its first flagship initiative will be the Botswana Cancer Survivorship Summit, scheduled for November 2026. The summit will bring together all stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, cancer survivors, caregivers, and the general public, to share knowledge and develop practical solutions for those affected by cancer.

Speaking during the launch, Kgosi Malope II, said the occasion represented much more than the unveiling of a new organisation. “Today is not merely a ceremonial moment. It is a powerful declaration of our commitment to confront one of the most devastating challenges of our time—cancer.”

“It is about launching hope for Botswana. Cancer does not discriminate. It affects anyone, and in one way or another, it affects us all. We need to act before it is too late, and this foundation is a bold step forward in the fight against cancer.”

The launch also received significant backing from Orange Botswana, which pledged P250,000 towards the foundation’s vision. Meanwhile, the BW Women’s Race, led by Kesego Okie, announced that this year’s event, scheduled for 5th of September, will be dedicated to cancer survivors and patients.

“My mother’s life may have ended, but through this foundation her kindness, compassion, strength and love will continue touching thousands of lives across Botswana. That will forever be her legacy,” Letsile declared in his message.

The post Letsile Tebogo Flips Cancer the Middle Finger first appeared on Sunday Standard and is written by Anita Rannoba