23 Apr 2018

Different speakers have described the late former Chobe MP, Mr Gibson Nshimwe as a humble, loving, hardworking and peace loving person who found it easy to harmoniously interact with everyone even if he had different views with them.

Ms Ikageng Nshimwe, daughter to the late Nshimwe, described her father as a person who loved everybody for what they were. She indicated that as a result of his love they were always surrounded by relatives and other politicians.

Ms Nshimwe thanked his father for always being there for them despite his busy schedule as a politician. She thanked everybody who supported them during the hard time they went through.

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security who is also the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) deputy secretary general, Mr Shaw Kgathi described the late Nshimwe as hard core politician who never at any point attacked characters of his opponents, but instead focused on advocating for issues that affected the community of Chobe.

Mr Kgathi said the late MP was one of the opposition members that the BDP admired because of their good character. 

Mr Kgathi told the mourners that during the tenth parliament, Mr Nshimwe demonstrated his good understanding of the issues that affected the Chobe electorate and he debated the issues with passion.

He said it was Mr Nshimwe’s concern that the constituency was lagging behind in developments, adding that he is however hopeful that with the completion of the Kazungula Bridge the area will become a hub of development.

On behalf of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Lerala-Maunatlala MP, Mr Prince Maele said Mr Nshimwe was one of the MPs who made things happen instead of just watching and wondering why they happened.

Mr Maele described the late MP Nshimwe as a rare breed and self-made person who was always friendly to all MPs despite their different political affiliations. He said the late Nshimwe was passionate about issues affecting the workers.

Mr Maele said in one of his trips to Maun, he visited Mr Nshimwe at his lodge in Maun and the late advised him to venture into business a thing that he said demonstrated that Mr Nshimwe’s political affiliation did not deter him from loving others.

Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration and also Chobe MP, Mr Machana Shamukuni described Mr Nshimwe as a fearless and straight talker .

Mr Shamukuni said his late father and Mr Nshimwe were Botswana National Front (BNF) and he as he grew up he saw them together studying the BNF ideologies. 

Mr Shamukuni indicated that Mr Nshimwe paved the way for him because his was only to make follow ups on the motions and questions that he tabled during his time as the MP. He said Mr Nshimwe will always be remembered for his demonstration of respect and love when he articulated issues. 

Mr Shamukuni said Mr Nshimwe’s politics were clean as he did not portray any hatred and did not belittle others when campaigning.

A Namibian MP who is also related to the late Mr Nshimwe, Mr Lankas Sankwasa described the late former MP as a man who had great passion to see the lives of the people of Chobe improved. Mr Sankwasa said Mr Nshimwe believed the people of Chobe were in a rich area, but living in poverty. 

He added that while he concurred with Mr Nshimwe they always differed because he was in the opposition party as he served in the ruling party.

“I was always telling him that it was always better to fight inside ring and not outside and he will firmly tell me that it was better to fight while outside because you will be free from the referee,” he said. Mr Nshimwe’s elder brother, 

Mr Maxon Ntonda said at some point in 2009 his younger brother became very ill, but because of his hard work he still managed to win the elections. He thanked Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president, Mr Dumelang Saleshando for the support he granted his younger brother and even spending his money to pay for the late’s medical expenses.

Mr Saleshando thanked the Nshimwe family for availing him to serve the nation. Mr Saleshando said a lot should be learnt from the late former MP because he contested for the then new party and there was no guarantee that he would win.

He said that the late Mr Nshimwe demonstrated that he was not into politics to make a living, but to advocate for the needs of the people he represented. 

Other speakers at the funeral were Kasane district commissioner, Mr Keabetswe Lesiela who read a message from the Acting President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane a representative of the workers union, Mr Patrick Mathulela, Botswana Guides Association representative, Mr Lebogang Nxoo, a representative of the Umbrella for Democratic Change, Mr Moffat Mwezi and Mr Gilson Saleshando. Among the mourners were Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, Chobe district council chairperson, Councillor Paul Chabaesele and other senior government officials.

Mr Nshimwe was born on April 24, 1958 in Satau and he attained a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply from Damelin. Before joining politics he worked at Botswana Minestone, NZA Group Consulting and the department of Supplies where he became a representative of the workers in then Manual Workers Union.

Mr Nshimwe served as a councillor for Plateau Ward in Kasane for two terms before he became the MP for Chobe from 2009-2014. 

He is survived by his mother, five siblings, three daughters and two grandsons. ENDS