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LIKEABLE: Cocky 'Two Bull' Tlhotlhalemaje

Tlhotlhalemaje, 75, died of a heart failure in hospital on Friday night.

Tlhotlhalemaje's knack to "slang" like an African-American, earned him a place in the broadcasting industry. He was born Cocky Poohopedi Tlhotlhalemaje and when he went to the US in the early 1980s, translated his Tswana name to English (Two Bull), for the benefit of the Americans who could not pronounce it.

Tlhotlhalemaje joined Channel 702, now Talk Radio 702, in 1980 as the first black announcer. At the time of his death he was involved with TV mini movies as well as radio and TV adverts.

Station manager Pheladi Gwangwa described the former radio personality and jazz musician as "a great man".

"We are saddened by the passing of Cocky. He was still part of us. He was still boisterous with a lovely personality," said Gwangwa.

According to Gwangwa, Tlhotlhalemaje joined the then music station as a DJ in the 1980s at the height of apartheid.

"We had four DJs, a black, a white, an Indian and a coloured. Because of the laws back then we had a licence to broadcast from the outskirts of GaRankuwa in the then Bophuthatswana.

"Cocky was among the first people in the station's first line-up."

Cassius Tlhotlhalemaje, his elder son, said his father had a "humour that would disarm even his worst enemy".

"He loved his family and was always available to lend a helping hand to us, his neighbours and the community of Central Western Jabavu, where he lived," Cassius said.

Tlhotlhalemaje was born in Alexandra in 1937 and attended schools, among others, the famous Orlando High, in Soweto.

His funeral service will be at St Francis Anglican Church in Rockville, Soweto, from 8am and the cortege leaves for the cemetery at 11am.

He is survived by two sons and a daughter, and several grandchildren.

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Wed Jun 19 09:22:46 SAST 2013 ::

Mar 5, 2012

NDA

Rest in peace Cocky two bull.
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Mar 5, 2012

Mxcm!!

An end of an era. Fare thee well.
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Mar 5, 2012

Punkies

R.I.P Cocky..thank you for your great musical contribution to this beautiful country. Condelences to your family.
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Mar 6, 2012

EJW

RIP! You are a legend!
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Mar 7, 2012

Bosele

Kneeling with one knee,taking my hat off and bowing my head to the legend,how will be greatly missed.May your soul rest in peace.
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