29 Jun 2017

The late Sir Ketumile Masire’s children rose to the podium and shared with mourners how much of his knowledge, charisma, character and integrity had rubbed on them.

His daughter Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba told mourners that she shared much in common with her late father.

“I grew up a strong willed child. My father taught me how thing could be done. We shared much in common, we had interests in the global political agenda, governance, peace and development, we discussed these things,” she said.

Ms Masire-Mwamba explained that they were humbled as the Masire’s to have had this ‘gentle giant’ walking by their side as a guide.

“He was not an imposing character; he made us see each other as different personalities. The biggest gift in life is to make people content with who they are, I salute my parents for this,” she said.

She dedicated a poem titled ‘If’ by British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling to her late father.

Matshediso Masire, the last born child of Ra-Gaone cherished the lesson her father taught her.

“My father had a way of making people feel special. Today we have so much to say about him because he made us feel that way. As my father not a politician or teacher he had a special relationship with his children,” she said.

Matshediso being the last born also shared memorable moments with her late father.

She told mourners that Sir Ketumile first broke the news of his retirement from politics to her while she was outside the country before announcing it in parliament.

She said her father was a strict disciplinarian and once whipped her.

Fighting back tears Matshediso told mourners that the last time she spoke at a funeral was during her mother’s funeral and since then she has become so close to her father.

Sir Ketumile’s son Moabi Masire also had a fair share of memories about his father.

He took mourners down memory lane about his association and engagements with his father until his final days.

He said he knew his father as a hardworking individual who always believed that the only time he would rest would be when he was lying cold in a coffin.

Sir Ketumile’s grandson Eno Mwamba explained the strong family ties to the gathering.

He thanked the nation for paying tribute to a person who possessed every quality you would look for in a parent.

“Nobody in the world will take his place,” said Mmasekgoa’s son.

Masire was married to Gladys Olebile Mogwera on the 2nd of January 1958 and were subsequently blessed with six children, three daughters Gaone their first born, Mmasekgoa and  Matshediso and their three sons Mpho, Mmetla and Moabi.

He is survived by four siblings, his children and twelve grandchildren. ENDS