15 Jan 2018

Multitudes of mourners on Sunday thronged Rakala ward in Ralekgetho village to bid farewell to the late Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Councillor, Mr Calvin Rakala.

Councillor Rakala died on January 7 at the age of 45 at Kanye Seventh Day Adventist Hospital after a long illness.

Ralekgetho residents celebrated Rakala’s life, with different speakers saluting the fallen hero, including BDP members clad in party regalia.

Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo, BDP central committee members and Southern district councillors were among mourners.

Mr Rakala contested the 2014 general elections under the BDP ticket and won.

The youthful councillor was described by several speakers as humble and hardworking.

Mr Masisi, who is also the BDP chairperson, said the death of Mr Rakala was not only a loss to the family but to the nation as a whole as well as the BDP.

He said Mr Rakala served the country diligently and was dedicated to nation building.

He was a Christian, preacher and a good singer at his church.

Mr Masisi said the late councillor was intelligent, a hard worker and encouraged team work.

He said it was upon the remaining democrats to make their mark during their time of serving the party and replace him with a person of his calibre.

Mr Masisi said he would be remembered for his easy going nature, selflessness and the love for his electorates and the country.

Mr Rakala was one of the leaders who contributed to the development of Ralekgetho village and the Moshupa/Manyana constituency, he added.

He was elected into various Moshupa Sub-district council committees, including being Social & Community Development Committee chairperson.

Mr Masisi, also Member of Parliament for Moshupa/Manyana said most of his electorates remembered him as a giving, sharing and loving person.

“He served BDP with honour, he served his country well. He was a visionary leader who would want to satisfy the interest of his electorates. I beg you please, ke a khubama fa pele ga lona Ralekgetho villagers to prepare to elect another democrat,” he requested.

Mr Masisi praised him for having represented Ralekgetho well at various platforms.

He said several development projects were taking place in Ralekgetho.

He said he was in the process of giving the village a new phase as streetlights are expected to be installed soon.

“The Moshupa/Ralekgetho road has been graded and graveled, electricity has been installed in Ralekgetho and a new development at Ralekgetho Primary School is underway,” he said.

For his part, Minister Tsogwane said Mr Rakala was a hard worker, adding that the ministry had lost a mature and loving leader from whom they were still expecting a lot .

Mr Tsogwane noted that after 90 days, they would be going for bye-elections, thus appealing to electorates to vote hardworking people.

The industrious man as described by the chairperson of Southern District Council, Mr Alec Seametso was a multi-talented individual and productive during council sessions.  

He appealed to BDP electorates of Ralekgetho ward to retain the ward in honour of Mr Rakala.

He said in his leadership position, he never placed his interest ahead of those who elected him.

Born on March 3, 1973, Mr Rakala is survived by his mother, father, wife, and daughter. He married Malebogo Rakala in 2000.

He did his basic education at Kubung Primary School in 1984 and Junior Certificate at Letlole Mosielele CJSS in Thamaga and his Cambridge at Moshupa Senior Secondary School.

He served his Tirelo Setshaba at Masunga. ENDS