Austin entrepreneur and educator Khotso Khabele has died at age 46
https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/20200518/austin-entrepreneur-and-educator-khotso-khabele-has-died-at-age-46
Letsie James “Khotso” Khabele, entrepreneur and co-founder of Austin’s Khabele School, which became the Headwaters School, died Saturday in a drowning accident. He was 46.
Born in Abraka, Nigeria, on April 20, 1974, Khabele was the grandson and son of civil rights activists and lived much of his life in Austin.
By Michael Barnes
@outandabout
Posted May 18, 2020 at 8:48 AM Updated May 18, 2020 at 6:37 PM
Letsie James “Khotso” Khabele, entrepreneur and co-founder of Austin’s Khabele School, which became the Headwaters School, died Saturday in a drowning accident. He was 46.
Born in Abraka, Nigeria, on April 20, 1974, Khabele was the grandson and son of civil rights activists and lived much of his life in Austin.
“I think that he was one of the most highly spiritual people in the world,” said his sister, artist Inonge Khabele. “He was kind, generous, loved to have fun, extremely disciplined, a gracious leader, always learning, extremely compassionate, an amazing father and a father to my kids as well.
“He was excited about new technology and thought we were on the cusp of a golden age, melding technology and spirituality to make the world better together.”
His grandmother Bertha Sadler Means, an educator and businesswoman, was among the city’s most effective civil rights pioneers. She is the namesake of the Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy. She is 101.
His grandfather James H. Means Sr. was a distinguished professor of mathematics at what is now Huston-Tillotson University. He also invested in real estate and owned local businesses, including Austin Cabs.
His mother, Joan Means Khabele, was among the first African Americans to attend Austin High School and helped integrate Barton Springs Pool. She served as an African studies professor at the National University of Lesotho.
His father, Paseka Khabele, originally from South Africa, earned his doctorate from Fordham University and fought against his country’s apartheid regime. He was a dean and professor of biology at the same university as his wife.
As a boy, Khotso Khabele lived mostly in Lesotho, but at age 12 he was sent to Austin to attend St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Texas and studied in training programs at Fielding Graduate University and Harvard Business School.
Along with his former wife, Moya Khabele, now McIntyre, and co-founders Hector Perez and Lisa DuBuque, Khotso opened the Khabele School in 2001 with an eye to international education.
In 2011, the school merged with Primavera Montessori. By 2012, the combined schools operated on a $6 million budget, and in 2013, enrollment was more than 400 students. The school attracted the backing of celebrities and business stars, such as Whole Food’s John Mackey and Circuit of the Americas’ Bobby Epstein.
Khabele died at his ranch house in Wimberley. He was discovered alone in his hot tub. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.