The Pheko family, through Mrs. Ellen Pheko, has expressed  deep gratitude to Daystar University for 
the moving tribute paid by the University in honor of the late Dr. Motsoko Pheko.

The appreciation came in a written message dated May 10, following Dr. Pheko's burial on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Mrs. Ellen Pheko’s thank you note read in part,
“Thank you the to the entire delegation and Dr. Julisa Smith-Rowe on behalf of Dr. Don Smith for making the time to come and honor the co-founder of Daystar University. Thank you for the beautiful tributes published in “A Celebration of Life - Dr. SE Motsoko Pheko.“ What a generous gesture,” said Mrs. Ellen Pheko.

Mrs. Ellen Pheko (front right), hosting the Daystar team at her home

The Daystar University team which was led by Company Board Chairman Rev. Dr. Matthews Mwal’wa and DVC ARSA Prof. Faith Nguru, travelled to South African on Friday 3rd May 2024, to attend the burial that took place on 4th May. In the team was Former Company Board Chair Rev. Dr. Macmillan Kiiru, Company Board Member Mrs. Bernice Gatere and Council Secretariat, Ms Patricia Wambua. Representing Don’s Smith’s family was his daughter Dr. Julisa Rowe.

Dr. Pheko went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2024. His send-off ceremony was held in the north of Johannesburg and he laid to rest at Fourways Memorial Park off Witkoppen Road, on Saturday 4th May 2024. Later the Daystar team visited the family at their residence 42 Edward Street, Westdene, Benoni.

Dr. Pheko was born in rural Sehlabathebe in Lesotho on November 13, 1930, as the first-born son of Sofonea Makhetha Pheko and Mateng Ethel Makatse.  He gave his life to Christ in 1956.  He was husband to Nts’iuoa Ellen and father to three daughters: Mohau, Mamello and Llebohang Lliepolo, and grandfather to several. 

Dr. Pheko was involved in the early beginnings of what would later develop into Daystar University. Together with Rev. Prof. Donald Smith and the late Mrs. Faye Gladys Smith, they founded Our Africa magazine in Johannesburg in 1958 and later Daystar Publications in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), in 1963. 

He personally proposed the name ‘Daystar’, which was adopted for Daystar Publications, and later Communications, the precursor of Daystar University.

Click the following link to listen to the DVC ARSA, Prof. Faith Nguru as she reads the University tribute.