17 Jan 2015

Lt Gen. Mompati Merafhe was a man of impeccable taste, a true statesman, a jovial individual and a light hearted man.

In and outside the state office ‘The General’ as he was affectionately known was a man of many trades. From his eloquent and stylish outfits, to his taste of different cuisines and cheerful persona, Lt Gen. Merafhe was described by those who worked closely with him as a charismatic leader. 

“A gentleman he was, a true Motswana who had an essence of traditional Tswana cuisine cooked with a pleasant taste,” said his former chef at State House two, Mr Walter Kenalemang.  “On a weekly basis I juggled his menu around Tswana cuisine too often and his classic English menu were done sometimes especially when he had visitors,” he said.

Mr Kenalemang said Lt Gen. Merafje’s favourite meal was anything traditional, but he loved goat and kgaka meat. Fresh seafood and vegetables were also a must have in the house. “We also envied him. The uniqueness of the aroma of his perfumes, matching clothes and the watches he wore were splendid,” he said.

Mr Kenalemang said Gen. Merafhe was one of the few leaders who would make one feel important, as he was appreciative of everyone’s. His former private secretary, Mr Masego Ramakgathi said the General was “one of the most striking, interesting and influential figures of our time”.

"Rraetsho Rra Reobonye was one of the outstanding political figures within living memory with a critical rather than imaginative endowment of mind,” he said. Mr Ramakgathi referred to Gen. Merafhe as a master of his craft, a rare genius, who will stand high in the records of fine achievement in the fields of diplomacy and leadership. 

He said his years, as Botswana's principal diplomat would always be marked with distinction, above all for being the exceptional custodian of Botswana's foreign policy. 

“His most enduring memorial will be his handling of Botswana's position in global affairs. Botswana's tireless, true patriot will undoubtedly take his place in the roll of principled modern time leaders,” he said. 

In addition, Mr Ramakgathi also recalled the times when Gen. Merafhe was a foreign affairs minister alongside his colleagues from Tanzania, Mr Jakaya Kikwete, Nkosazana Zuma of South Africa and Leornado Simio of Mozambique.

“The three were too famous from the African region, who accounted well for the region especially in the promotion of south cooperation,” he added.  Gen. Merafhe’s former personal secretary, Ms Jane Mathware said her boss had zero tolerance for laziness.

She said Gen. Merafhe wanted wanted assignments to be delivered on time, adding that he was a results orientated. Another aspect of Lt Gen. Merafhe, she said, was the parentally love that he displayed throughout her tenure in the office because in 2010, she had an ailing husband, but was always excused from work whenever her husband was attending medical check-ups.

Mr Pelotshweu Bothate, his long-time driver since he left the army in 1994, said, “he left a void in our lives and I am just finding ways, every day, of working around it. Respecting and remembering and getting on at the same time,” he said.

He said he retired together with Gen Merafhe in 2012 and they continued being close as he was with the family even during the trying times. ends