06 Jul 2015

Former minister, Mr Bahiti Temane, was laid to rest in Maun on July 4.

Former presidents, Sir Ketumile Masire and Mr Festus Mogae, were amongst thousands who thronged Sanyedi ward to pay their last respects to Mr Temane (81).


He served two terms as a Member of Parliament for the then Maun/Chobe constituency and became the deputy speaker of the National Assembly in 1999.

He was a Botswana Democratic Party legend who also served as minister of health and labour and home affairs.
 Different speakers at the funeral described him as a hard worker, a visionary leader as well as a parent who demonstrated love and compassion to all despite their status.

They said the nation had lost a remarkable man who took the country to great strides.
 Sir Ketumile described Mr Temane as a humble man who liked peace and stability. Sir Ketumile said Mr Temane was a son of the nation as he served in government with support from his tribe.


He said he contributed meaningfully to the development of the country, noting that Mr Temane was a man of integrity who performed exceptionally well during his term.

Mr Mogae said he worked with the late Mr Temane for a long time as a civil servant, politician and a minister.

He said they were friends as they met in a training and localisation committee where Mr Temane represented the then Botswana Civil Service Association (BCSA) now called Botswana Public Service Union (BOPEU).


Mr Temane’s friend, Mr Lerumo Mogobe explained that they had known each other for two decades and that Mr Temane was a confident father and valued client of his associates. He described him as a distinguished, focused man who was down to earth. 


Mr Mogobe noted that his friend was always giving him courage to soldier on during difficult times. He said the late Mr Temane was a republican who always protected the reputation of the country.


One of the family members, Mr Rammuso Kaamona said Mr Temane was a parent and a pillar of the family.

In addition, he said he liked consultations, interventions and also addressed family issues fairly and truly. 
A message of condolence from the National Assembly was read by South East South MP, Mr Samuel Rantuana on behalf of the deputy speaker of the National Speaker.

He described Mr Temane as a great leader and a truly blessing to the nation of Botswana as he worked tirelessly towards the development of the country. Maun West MP, Mr Tawana Moremi said Mr Temane loved farming so much and that he reared quality cattle. 


He also said the late Mr Temane was a visionary leader who was diligent when executing his duties.

He said he used to advise him when he was at Ntlo ya Dikgosi. He said they learnt a lot from him, noting that he was the one who introduced him to politics.

Mr Moremi said he would be remembered for having his constituents’ interest at heart, adding “we would never have an area MP like him.”
He also acknowledged his contribution towards the formation of Botswana Movement for Democratic  Change (BMD), saying the late Mr Temane was a true BDP, but was supportive as he always advised them.


Mr Temane served in several government departments such as Ministry of Agriculture from 1955-1969 and then became the secretary general of BCSA in 1966-1970 when the country gained its independence.

He became the chief personnel officer for industrial relations, localisation and training committees from 1969-1972. He also served as permanent secretary in the then Ministry of Local Government and Lands.


The late Mr Temane assumed the position of the clerk of the National Assembly for a year in 1982 up to 1983 where he served as a roving ambassador from Africa, Botswana under the Department of External Affairs.

In 1999, he was elected the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, the position he held until his retirement in politics in 2004. BOPEU president, Mr Andrew Motsamai said Mr Temane left the public service with a remarkable contribution ever made by a sitting Minister of Labour and Home Affairs.

“Those who admired him as a true unionist would never forget that it was him who in just one year ratified at once 12 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions.”


He said by then, he was the Minister of Labour and that marked a landmark development in the country’s industrial relations. Mr Temane is survived by his wife, seven children and six grandchildren. Ends