13 Nov 2017

Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday joined hordes of mourners in Moshupa to pay his last respects to a fallen Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) foot soldier and community builder, Ms Mpho Kalane.

Ms Kalane of Moshupa died some few days before her 47th birthday at Thamaga Primary Hospital after a short illness.

Speaking during her funeral service, Mr Masisi, also area Member of Parliament (MP) for Moshupa/Manyana constituency described Ms Kalane as ‘democracy at work.’

He said Ms Kalane was also a hard worker who would vocalise her support for the party or any community project and use her hands to pull out all stops, to achieve the desired end.

Mr Masisi shared that Mr Ngaka Ngaka and Dr Margaret Nasha among others were voted to Parliament because of Ms Kalane’s tireless efforts.

He said the efficiency she exuded was desirable for service delivery across the nation.

Mr Masisi further shared that Ms Kalane had a special way with people, which entailed reading the ebb and flow of political moods and coming up with a message that would create a favourable impression on the target audience which he said made life easier for him as the area representative.

Mr Masisi also described the late Kalane as a straight talker who would speak nothing but the truth without pulling any punches, ‘but this she did with the intention to build not destroy, she never pretended and her word for me was as good as her bond,” he said.

The VP also thanked the Kalane family for having shared their daughter and mother wholeheartedly with the BDP and the community at large.

He also encouraged Batswana across the length and breadth of the nation to appreciate selfless people like Ms Kalane who have dedicated themselves to community service without pay.

He said their worth could never be measured in money.

Meanwhile, Mr Masisi revealed that President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who is scheduled to leave office on March 31 next year, would start his nationwide farewell meetings in Moshupa on December 14 and end them in Serowe.

He thus encouraged residents to attend the two-hour long historic event in large numbers and bring President Khama gifts.

Kgosi Benoni Mosielele had earlier described the late Kalane as a kind woman who demanded the best out of people.

Kgosi Mosielele has thus encouraged Moshupa residents to take a leaf from Ms Kalane’s purposeful life.

BDP representative and nominated councillor, Ms Ponatshego Tshiping said Ms Kalane was a voice for the voiceless.

A friend, Ms Sylvia Mokhutshwane said Ms Kalane was not the kind that would stab anyone in the back.

She said they loved BDP so much that they even called each other Jacqueline to suggest they were like sisters to President Khama.

Her first born daughter, Ms Gaone Modisaakgomo also corroborated that her mother had committed herself to community service.

She said she was proud of the woman her mother has created in her, to be strong for her four younger sisters and a brother. BOPA