26 Apr 2018

A retired public service guru, Ms Festina Bakwena has described the late Ms Batatu Tafa as a person who was devoted to her work throughout her career in various positions in the public service.

Tafa, 67, who was also wife to Justice Abednigo Tafa, was buried yesterday at Phomolong private cemeteries at Phakalane in a funeral that was attended by members of the law fraternity including the Chief Justice, Maruping Dibotelo, members of the public service and former colleagues.

The late Tafa passed on at Bokamoso private hospital on April 19.

Ms Bakwena, who worked with the late Tafa at the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) explained that Ms Tafa discharged her duties with distinction and believed in an apolitical public service.

She also said the late Tafa was a very good negotiator as evidenced by her role as the project coordinator of the new Public Service Act which established the Bargaining Council which is a negotiation body for conditions of service for public servants, adding that because of her negotiation skills Ms Tafa possessed, there was never a fight during negotiations.

Ms Bakwena remembers that the late Tafa described the public service as a “moving coach” something which she said she still admired.

Other speakers that included her husband Justice Tafa, described the late as as a mentor and a good friend to everyone.

Mr Tafa hinted that his wife, whom he started dating in 1973 and got married in 1975 was his best friend and that he had lost a companion who will be difficult to be replaced.

The late Tafa was born on July 15, 1951 in Nshakazhokwe and was the fourth child of Mr Kgosiemang Ndzinge and Ms Seamogano Ndzinge.

She started her primary education at Sebina primary school in 1959, later transferring to Nkange primary school and shortly thereafter to Tutume Primary School and completed her primary level in 1965.

She was later to commence her secondary education in 1966 at Mater Spei College and completed in 1970.

She then enrolled at the University of Botswana Lesotho and Swaziland at the then newly opened Gaborone Campus where she studied for a Bachelor’s Degree in administration.

Upon completion, the late Tafa was employed in the Ministry of Agriculture where she rose through the ranks to the position of Under-Secretary. She was later to be seconded to the Ministry of State President where she was one of the architects of Tirelo Sechaba.

In 1992, she was transferred to the then Department of Information and Broadcasting as deputy director (programmes) where she was one of the key figures in the conceptualization and establishment of Radio Botswana 2 and later, Botswana Television.

She was later transferred to the Directorate of Public Service Management where she was one of the two deputy directors. She was further transferred to the ministry of Health as permanent secretary, a position she held until her retirement from the public service.

The late Tafa is survived by her husband, four children, two daughters in law, five grandchildren and three siblings. ENDS