01 Jul 2015

Botswana is mourning the demise of two former members of cabinet, Messrs Pelokgale Seloma and Bahiti Temane. The duo passed away over the weekend (June 27-28).

A press release from Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi, stated that government learnt with a "deep sense of loss" about the passing away of Messrs Seloma and Temane. He described them as "two of our nation's senior statesmen."

"During their long and distinguished careers, both gentlemen served the nation in various protfolious and capacities. Mr Temane will be especially remembered for his leadership of the ministries of health and labour and home affairs.  He further served as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly," the press release stated.

"After leaving cabinet, as the Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Mr Seloma was appointed Botswana's ambassador to Zimbabwe, where he served until his retirement," the release stated.

The government further sent a message of comfort to the bereaved during this period of grief. "Our condolences and prayers go out to members of the Seloma and Temane families in their time of loss.  May the souls of the departed rest in peace," the statement concluded.

A family member stated in an interview that Mr Seloma (71) would be buried on Sunday (July 5).  He passed away on Saturday (June 27) at Gaborone Private Hospital in Gaborone where he had been hospitalised for some time.

The deceased’s nephew, Mr Kitso Seloma, said his uncle was born on June 1, 1944 in Pilikwe in the Central District. His political career started in 1989 and became the Member of Parliament for the Tswapong area until 2004.

In 2005, Mr Seloma was appointed Botswana’s High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, a position he held until his retirement in 2009.

While in Zimbabwe, Mr Seloma donated 3,7 tonnes of water purification chemicals to Zimbabwe on behalf of the Botswana government to help the neighbouring country combat a cholera epidemic that had killed nearly 2 000 people in five months.

His wife and three children- two sons and a daughter- survive Mr Seloma.

ENDS