07 Nov 2016

Multitudes of mourners on Saturday (November 5) thronged the Kenosi compound to bid farewell to the deceased Boikago/Madiba ward councillor, Mr Richie Kenosi.

Mr  Kenosi stood for a council seat in the 2014 general elections under the BDP ticket and secured victory.

He was elected deputy chairperson of the Palapye Administration Authority’s SHHA committee and also held the position of deputy treasurer for the BDP Letswapo region.

What was supposed to be a day filled with grief turned out otherwise as residents of Palapye celebrated his life, with speaker after speaker saluting the fallen hero, including members of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) who were clad in party regalia.

The Member of Parliament for Palapye and Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Mr Moiseraele Goya remembered him as a giving, sharing and loving person.

“He served BDP with honour, he served his country well,” he said.

A staunch member of the BDP from an early age, Penda, as he was affectionately known by his friends, had an illustrious career as a music conductor.

He cemented his status as a choir master of repute and a creative song composer which saw him traverse the corners of Botswana winning musical competitions and teaching choral music.

Richie’s love for music, song and dance as well as his charisma has been credited for his ascendance to council chambers.

His footprints in this regard were visible in the sweet melodious voices of BDP choir during their rendition of his favourite song.

The choir was summoned by the Central District Council chairperson Mr Peter Williams, who shared that he understood Richie as a “very secretive individual,” to the laughter of many.

His friends, family, colleagues and fellow party members described him as a peace loving man.

The industrious Richie, as described by the deputy chairperson for Palapye Administrative Authority, Mr Kabo Ketshogile, was a multi-talented individual and productive during council sessions.

He appealed to residents of Boikago/Madiba ward to retain the ward in honour of Richie.

Born on 29 November 1979 in Palapye and the fourth child of Ms Dingongorego Lesogo, he did his basic education at Central Primary School in 1987 and Mmaphula CJSS in 1995.

He is survived by his mother, wife, daughter and four siblings. ENDS