DR. BETHUEL SETAI

Dr. Bethuel Pitori Setai was born on 30 April in 1939 at Shannon, Bloemfontein to Moeketsi Abraham and Jacobeth Setai.  He was the second born child into a family of 10 children, namely Mahlomola, Paula, Lisetle, Pompe and Thabiso and was predeceased by Mahase and Tshele, Malekoa, and Nthabiseng who passed away as a child. His early childhood was spent in Bloemspruit just outside of Bloemfontein, and he attended Estoire Primary School, which was renamed, Bethuel Setai Intermediate School in 1998 in honour of him and in recognition of his contributions to his community. He went on to attend Bantu High School in Bloemfontein.

In 1960 Dr Setai left home as a member of the ANC Youth League having heeded the call of the ANC leadership to continue the fight for freedom from outside of the country.  This was the beginning of what was to be a long and daunting, yet adventure filled, journey from Bloemfontein through Botswana, Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), Malawi (then Northern Rhodesia) and finally Tanzania (Tanganyika), where he remained for two years at the Buguruni camp. It was here that Dr Setai had the privilege of being introduced to the great O.R. Tambo, who took him under him wing and became his mentor, and whom Dr Setai regarded as a father-figure.  During his stay in Tanzania Dr. Setai was identified as one of the individuals for deployment to the United States to further his studies in order to prepare for a free South Africa.

In 1962 Dr. Setai travelled to the USA where he enrolled at Lincoln University before transferring to Columbia University in 1963 where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Economics (1966). This achievement was soon followed by a Masters in Education (1968), a Masters in Arts in Economics (1969) and finally a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (1973), all attained from New York University.  Dr Setai was one of the first black South Africans to have attained a PhD in Economics. 

In the 1970s and 80s Dr. Setai taught Economics as a Professor at Lincoln University, University of California (Santa Cruz), National University of Lesotho, Yale University and University of Vermont in the United States.  He also worked at the United Nations Institute of Namibia in Zambia.  During this period, Dr. Setai published a book, numerous scholarly publications and contributed to several books addressing questions related to, amongst other things, trade, economic development and economic integration.  During his time in exile, Dr. Setai was immersed in ANC activities representing the movement on many different platforms in a diplomatic capacity, including at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and working on the first ever-American divestment campaign.  Integral to his activities was advancing the message of the ANC and foregrounding the plight of the black population under apartheid through the distribution of ANC literature such as Sechaba and Spotlite on South Africa to various parts of the USA.

In 1970, Dr. Setai started a family with his wife, friend and inseparable companion for life, Mme Agnes Setai (nee Mokhitli).  During the course of their marriage they raised three children Moeketsi (Keke), Nthabiseng and Palesa. He and Mme Agnes were to become a formidable unit whose support for each other was unfailing as they walked together through life.  Their warmth, kindness, love and energy was felt by all who interacted with them.  They were renowned as generous, gregarious friends and hosts who spared no effort to make those around them feel welcome and comfortable. 

In 1991 Dr Setai and Mme Agnes, returned from exile, and he commenced a life of public service working initially with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, before being seconded to the Transitional Executive Council.  Later Dr Setai was to serve as the Director General of the Free State Province, where he was the administrative champion of the transformation project.  In January 2005, he joined ECI Africa, an international consulting agency for Economic Development and later that year, Dr. Setai was then appointed to the post of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), a body established in terms of the South African Constitution.  Beyond this,      Dr Setai also engaged in extensive consultancy work for the three tiers of government, as well as various international organizations.  He was a member of many local, regional and international professional bodies that deal in questions of economics and trade, and he also served on numerous boards in a non-executive or advisory capacity.

Dr Setai had a close affiliation with the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State having served for more than ten years as a Member of Council and the Executive Committee of Council; Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee of Council; member of the former Finance Committee of Council; and member of the Institutional Forum and the Honorary Awards and Honorary Degrees Committee – a joint standing committee of Council and Senate.  As a true son of the Free State, he was also proud to have been named and served as a "Community Champion" of Bloemfontein by the Executive Mayor of Mangaung, Clr Thabo Manyoni. The role was to help with the realisation of Mangaung’s Growth Development Strategy, which would determine the future of the city.  Dr Setai was also a Professor Extraordinaire at the University of the Free State (UFS).

"Daddy", as he was affectionately known to all his family, was a loving, compassionate and attentive husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle.  He was a true family man who always put family first and ensured that he remained connected to the greater Setai family network that held a dear place in his heart.

Dr Setai passed away on 28 April 2015 as a result of post-operative complications. He is survived by his wife Mme Agnes Setai, his children, grandchildren, siblings, and the greater Setai clan.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.  We are blessed to have known him.

Robala ka khotso Mofokeng oa ha Tshele.

The Obituary of Dr Bethuel Setai