23 Jul 2017

Vice President, Mr  Mokgweetsi Masisi was among mourners who came to bid Mr Henry Vickerman goodbye on July 20. 

Mr Vickerman was laid to rest in Ghanzi.

He died at the age of 93 on July 15. He served as a councillor for Ghanzi from 1966 to 1999. 

In his message, Mr Masisi stated that Mr Vickerman was a noble and distinguished figure, and that the most befitting adjectives to describe him were humble, workaholic, honest, firm and principled man.

He explained that although his late father was slightly older than Mr Vickerman, they were friends and that his late father described the late Mr Vickerman as cheerful, warmhearted and a true democrat.

“Usually when men are like that, it is their better half that made them so,” said the Vice President and attributed the character of Mr Vickerman to his wife’s good attitude.

The contribution Mr Vickerman made to the country, Mr Masisi said, was beyond reproach.

“He volunteered and gave up his salary for all the time he served the council. He served the people with pride and dignity,” the Vice President said. 

 Mr Masisi stated that Mr Vickerman helped him to achieve his political ambitions, saying that even when he lost in the 2003 primary elections, Mr Vickerman told him that “it was the beginning, one day you will come right.”

“When I met him last Friday, he reminded me how I was a loser, but I told him I won because we were just from the congress,” he said. 

He stated that he was a father figure to him, but related to him like a friend.

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama sent a message of condolence. It stated that the death of Mr Vickerman was not only a loss to his family, but to the nation as he contributed immensely to the country. 

President Khama’s condolence message also noted that Mr Vickerman served the council with diligence when he was finance committee chairperson.

Other messages embraced his character and some suggested that he portrayed the character of a living God.

Reverend Albertus Louw said Mr Vickerman’s favourite song was Psalm 121. “It was more than the song, it is a statement of faith… and life of character.”

He said during his last days, he told him he was ready to die because he lived a good life. “He was an inspiration to me, and I suppose to most of us,” he said.

The late Mr Vickerman is survived by his wife, his son and daughter. ENDs