25 Feb 2018

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama had, on Saturday, visited the late former Ngami MP, Mr Gaerolwe Kwerepe’s residence to convey message of condolences and comfort the family during their time of bereavement.

The veteran politician died on February 16 aged 90 at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun following a long battle with hypertension. 

He was buried on February 25 in Maun.

Meanwhile, senior private secretary to the President, Rt Brigadier George Tlhalerwa said the President’s visit was to pay tribute to the late former Ngami legislator and comfort not only his family, but the entire Ngamiland region for having lost their icon and a man who had significantly contributed to the development of the country and its people.

A family spokesperson, Mr Raymond Kwerepe, who is also a son to the late former MP, acknowledged the President for supporting his family during their period of mourning.  He said the President’s support would see them through their difficult time.  

“We might be grieving, but we are celebrating the life of a great man who selflessly served this country from pre-independence to post independence,” said Mr Kwerepe.

The late former MP was hailed as a man who introduced politics to the people of Ngamiland and the entire country.

He was one of the first members of the country’s first national assembly having been elected in 1965 to represent Ngami constituency under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) ticket. He would continue to serve the constituency.  He was the MP for the next 29 years before passing the button to younger politicians.

A true democrat at heart, BDP members remembered him as a man who put the people first, even above his family as he spent his resources on the needy, including on the growth of his party.

Speakers at his memorial service reminisced on how the late former MP travelled to Xaixai for days riding a donkey, equipped with a 303 shotgun and 30 bullets to protect himself, should the need arise, just to go and sell BDP to the people in those remotest areas.

According to BDP elders in the region, GM as the late Kwerepe was affectionately called by those close to him, loved education and he was committed to seeing people of his constituency educated so much so that he once paid a teacher’s salary from his own pocket. 

Meanwhile,  Esther Mmolai reports that the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi was among those who came to pass condolences and offer support to the bereaved family since he would be out of the country during the burial day.

Mr Masisi, who is also BDP chairperson, was accompanied by wife, the party’s secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi, some cabinet ministers and MPs.  The Vive President described Mr Kwerepe as a father, a teacher, a jovial true democratic leader who worked for the country and the party with an open heart, adding that he went an extra mile in assisting with his own resources. 

He said the late Kwerepe was one of the four remaining founders who fought for the development of the country during independence era, hence he was part of the first batch of 31 elected MPs who made up Botswana’s first post-independence National Assembly.

He said it was a pity that the country was losing resourceful icons, citing Mr Kwerepe and the late former President Sir Ketumile Masire who died last year.

Mr Masisi underscored the need to take advantage of the remaining veterans namely, Mssrs Kenneth Nkhwa and Obed Chilume and get information on the country’s history and document it for future generations. He recalled his recent visit to Mr Kwerepe’s homestead, noting that he had a sharp memory as he narrated some of the beautiful events of the olden days and also shared special songs they used to sing when at political rallies and believed such information could be archived for future use.

“I took some videos of our discussion as I found them useful and I will donate some to the family for future use,” he added.

As the Bible verse says ‘Go sego baswi ba ba swelang mo Moreneng and the Setswana idiom, ‘mogaka yo o tlhabaneng ntwa e e molemo’ were befitting to describe political veteran, former MP for Ngami, the late Mr Gaerolwe Kwerepe, who worked tirelessly for his people.

This was revealed at Mr Kwerepe’s memorial service as different speakers took turns to talk about his good deeds, faith in  God, contributions to development of the country and all described him as a hero, a man of integrity, an icon of reckon, mostly loved and respected by all because of his character.

Laughter and memories filled the ceremony as every speaker made a speech that elicited laughter from the mourners as they remembered the celebrated leader.

He was remembered for his role in various activities, be it locally or nationally and it was highlighted that even after his retirement from active politics in 1994, he continued to be the servant of his people.

They alluded to the fact that he did not rule his community in a tyrannical, but principled, loyal, loved and respectful manner. 

His was an unprecedented memorial ceremony, which would remain ingrained in the hearts of those who attended, especially those who were not from Ngamiland.

Another speaker, BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi said the Ngami community should not mourn, but rather celebrate the good life lived by a hero and a veteran, adding that the late Mr Kwerepe had left a legacy that needed to be maintained. He said he worked for the party wholeheartedly and tirelessly, adding that his life should be a lesson to many democrats to ensure the party continued to grow and lead. 

He said Mr Kwerepe died a staunch member of the ruling BDP, which he joined in 1965 and expressed happiness that he raised true fellow democrats, citing some of his children, Mr Raymond Kwerepe who is the chairperson of Phakalane ward in Gaborone and the current MP for Ngami, who is also the Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe.

For his part, Mr Thato Kwerepe said his father believed in excellent results in whatever he did and liked sharing information, which aimed to improve the lives of the people. 

He said he was a smart gentleman who loved the word of God, adding that they learnt a lot from him.

He stated that they were taught to have good characteristics, be independent and promised to uphold his legacy.

“I also learnt strategies in politics as my father taught me that politics is expensive and that one has to work round the clock to ensure all the time he/she knew where his/her electorates are,” he added. BOPA