28 Jun 2015

Multitudes thronged Blue Town location in Francistown on Saturday (June 27) to pay their last respects to the self-styled 'King of Kings', Mr Emmanuel 'Mothoosele' Mogomela.

Mr Mogomela (88), who passed away last week, was a permanent feature during national events such as Independence day. He was well known for his decorated bicycle, which was a historical archive on its own as it carried a lot of messages on the history of Botswana.

A man of people, Mr Mogomela who was born in Tsienyane (Rakops), was ultimately laid to rest at New Gerald Cemeteries. Speakers took turns to describe the humility and the loving kindness that characterised King of Kings and set him apart from other people.

His uncle, Mr Mogodi Galeboe, described him as a man of the people who had ample love for everyone and was also loved by all, the young and old. He also described the late Mogomela as a true patriot who loved his country wholeheartedly.

Mr Galeboe also mentioned that the King of Kings’ knowledge of people`s historical lineage across the width and breath of the country surpassed all understanding.

Furthermore, he indicated that Mr Mogomela grew up with no formal education, but he went to seek greener pastures in Serowe, where he started working as a garden boy for some white colonial masters and that was where he started learning to read and write, making every effort to master the Queens language.

He also mentioned that Mr Mogomela was conscripted in the World War II military services in the 1940s and upon his return, he went back to settle in Serowe.

King of Kings was converted to Christianity and started attending London Missionary Society, school, after which he started working in the mission where he rose through the ranks from cleaner to reverend.

He then left the mission and served in the Bechuanaland Police Force and later was employed by the Department of Veterinary Services where he worked for a long time until his retirement.

King of Kings was based in Francistown but settled in Makaleng and upon his retirement, he pursued his passion for writing history materials and contributed some of his knowledge and materials toward the compilation of some books written by notable history scholars.

Member of Parliament for Francistown West, Mr Ignatius Moswaane said the lifelong cyclist and self-styled historian was instantly recognisable for his branded bicycle on which he had inscribed labels such as ‘King of Kings’ or ‘Kgosi ya Dikgosi’.

In addition, MP Moswaane stated that at times the King of Kings would go around with the national flag hanging on his bicycle declaring his pride for Botswana. He always carried a briefcase full of books, manuscripts and pictures of former presidents, which he used to educate people.

Mr Moswaane thus encouraged the family to keep safe the King of Kings’ briefcase full of books because some people would need information for future reference. He added that Mr Mogomela believed in evidence and always requested that his material be stamped every time he visited government officials.

The MP also described Mr Mogomela’s death as a great loss to the entire city, saying the deceased was known for his teachings on world history.

MP Moswaane also said the Professor was knowledgeable of the country’s history before and after Independence and was always willing to share his knowledge.

“We have lost a lot in Blue town location as well as Francistown as a whole because the old man used to encourage members of the public to be agents of peace,” he said.

His friend, Mr Morgan Moseki said he met Mr Mogomela in 1986 while he was working at Lobatse and discovered that he was a man of love. Since then they became friends and described him as a man of his words who believed in writing.

Mr Moseki highlighted that in his heyday, Mr Mogomela would cycle around Francistown offices, at the High Court in Lobatse and Parliament to challenge Batswana’s knowledge, especially on issues around Bogosi.

He would often regale strangers around the city with tales of how he had fought in World War II after which he was appointed a King by King George of Great Britain.

In fact, among the documents he carried and showed around was the ‘letter’ declaring his royal status purportedly from the late British monarch.

His son, Martin Mogomela spoke on behalf of the children and indicated that his father was a multi linguist who mastered several languages within and beyond Botswana borders such as, but not limited to Ndebele, Shona, Kalanga, Herero, Subiya, Nyasa and Lozi.

He described him as a great man who had abundant love for his wife, children and grandchildren. Also, he noted that his father was a comedian but people took him for granted and had often mistaken him for a mad man.

Rather, he said his father would tell more about people`s origins than they thought or expected.

Mr Mogomela, he said, was a devout member of Roman Catholic Church, adding that he was a principled man with high morals and integrity.

King of Kings is survived by his wife and 13 children (five sons and eight daughters), a sister, three sons-in-law, a daughter in-law, 29 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Ends