10 Jan 2016

Mourners from Mozambique and Botswana thronged the Kgaboesele homestead on Saturday morning to pay their last respect to Ms Florence Kgaboesele.

 Ms Kgaboesele was married to the late Mr John Kgaboesele who was the headman of Peleng Township in Lobatse. He was also considered one of the leaders of the Botswana People's Party (BPP) and the chairperson of the party's Lobatse branch. He died in 1975.

During the early sixties the couple hosted a young Mozambican refugee, Samora Machel, who later became the first President of Mozambique (1975-1986).

Botswana contributed in the liberation struggle by offering refuge to freedom fighters from various countries such as South Africa, Lesotho, Angola and Namibia.

In honour of the role played by the Kgaboesele family during the 1960s Mozambican liberation struggle, the government of Mozambique transformed the family house in Lobatse into a museum. 

After several visits to Lobatse, the Mozambican government bought the Kgaboesele family a double story house in Lobatse.

Speaking at the funeral, Ms Seipone Kgasa, who took care of the late Ms Kgaboesele, said she was attacked by an illness that started on December 23 and lasted for four days before she departed.

She described her as a peace loving person who mediated between many families to calm storms.

She thanked Ms Kefilwe Kgaboesele and her sisters who stood by her mother after the passing of their father.

Ms Kgasa also described Mr Kgaboesele as a firm stem that offered life to all people irrespective of the colour of their skin, religion or origin.

A representative of the deceased family, Ms Edna Mauco described Ms Kgaboesele as a 'mother of all nations' as she took care of every individual who stepped at her doorstep for assistance.

She said she taught them good morals and to live dignified liveswhich were envied by their peers.

She also said she taught her children home management irrespective of their gender, which they still pride themselves with.

Ms Mauco said Ms Kgaboesele was multi-talented and ensured that she performed her duties persistently.

 “We are not here to cry, but to celebrate a well spent life,” she said.

For her part, Lobatse mayor, Ms Malebogo Kruger informed the gathering that the purpose of the funeral service was to celebrate the life of an attentive veteran.

She said Ms Kgaboesele was a 'lady' as she was involved in a lot of community responsibilities to the extent of accommodating refugees without any fear.

She also said Ms Kgaboesele exercised one of the greatest commandments in the Bible that reads 'love your neighbour as you love yourself' by extending her love across borders. Ends