24 Jun 2014

Multitudes of mourners thronged Magoriapitse on June 21 to pay their last respects to a prayer warrior.

Ms Kagelelo 'Mmaarona' Nkemelang (81) died on June 15 in the comfort of her home in Magoriapitse. Speaking in an interview after the funeral, Ngwaketse South MP, Mr Siele said Mmaarona's death, which he described as a peaceful sleep, was a loss not only to residents of Magoriapitse but to the entire nation.


Mr Siele said Mmaarona, as she was affectionately known, had immensely contributed to the well-being of the nation through her unflinching faith in God.


He said Mmaarona was a selfless leader who had bequeathed the nation spiritual wealth adding if all Batswana could follow in her footprints the country would enjoy dividends.

Mr Siele, also local government and rural development minister, advised Bontle Bethesta African Church (BBAC), which was founded by Mmaarona, to remain united and look unto God for guidance and cast all their cares upon God.


Although he said she never mentioned having been to a theology school in her life, Mr Siele appreciated the fact that he never heard of any internal feuds within the church under her leadership, which he described as testimony that hers was a calling from above.


The minister urged the church to stay strong and keep guard warning that the signs of the end of the times were already evident.


Mmaarona founded BBAC in 1973, but it was officially registered in 1980 with branches in Kanye, Gaborone, Good Hope, Mmathethe, Magoriapitse, Mokgomane and Gathwane according to Mr Augastine Thabano, a church elder.


Like the Biblical star that had led the wise men to the baby Jesus Christ in the holy city of Bethlehem, Mr Thabano said Mmaarona had also led the church from strength to strength to the full knowledge of God.

Mr Thabano also described Mmaarona or our mother in English, as her name suggested, as having been a mother and tower of strength particularly for the weak, orphans, needy and vulnerable members of her community.


A church deacon, Ms Godiraone Keatsutswe shared that Mmaarona foretold her departure from this world in 2011.

“She told the church assembly in 2011 that she had accomplished her mission on this side of life and was about to depart. But she said if we still wanted her to stay any longer we could pray for her time to be extended, but emphasised that only a 3-4 year wish could be granted ,” she revealed.

Mmaarona had dedicated 59 years of her life to God, it was revealed. 
She is survived by two daughters, 12 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Ends