29 Jun 2017

Barolong value the respect that the late second president of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire showered them with.

A retired public servant and family friend of Sir Ketumile, Mr Matthews Sekgororoane 89, said the former president treated Barolong with reverence.

Mr Sekgororoane also said Barolong appreciated Sir Ketumile’s humble disposition.

He added that Sir Ketumile’s humour was also always on display when he addressed the tribe

He also said Sir Ketumile would rather make a joke about Bangwaketse than Barolong when addressing kgotla meetings in their area.

“You couldn’t say anything odd about Barolong in his presence,” he said, adding that he adored them.

Mr Sekgororoane said Barolong and Bangwaketse were tribal cousins and that although they usually made fun of each other, the gesture was displayed through Ra-Gaone.

He said the respect that Sir Ketumile showed Barolong was probably earned because the late Lady Olebile Masire was a Morolong from Disaneng in South Africa.

He said the late former president always advised anybody who wanted a woman to marry that they should come to Borolong.

He would jokingly say “just have a quick look at my wife, women of character are found in Borolong,” narrated Mr Sekgororoane.

Mr Sekgororoane also commended Mma Gaone for her warm heart, saying God was great because he brought together two  people who were in one way the same. 

“They loved people and never looked down on them,’’ he said

He said the late Sir Ketumile’s big welcoming smile would forever be in the hearts of Barolong. ENDS