16 Oct 2018

Retired Letlhakane chief Kgosi Onkabetse Modirwagale was laid to rest on October 15 in Letlhakane.

Kgosi Modirwagale died on October 9 and was buried on Sunday in Letlhakane. Kgosi Modirwagale was installed chief of Letlhakane in 1972 taking over from Kgosi

Letsweletse Gopolang. He retired in September 2008.

He was described as one leader who played a significant role in building the foundation of Letlhakane.

Kgosi Phillip Kopano of Mosu said the deceased was a attentive and cooperative person who made consultations with his people and other chiefs that worked under his supervision.

He said Kgosi Modirwagale handled cases in a fair manner and would give each person an opportunity to air their grievances before he could make a decision on any matter.

Kgosi Modirwagale, he said, respected everyone regardless of their age .

For his part, Kgosi Barontshi Kegapetswe, who also worked as Kgosi Modirwagale’s deputy, said he was a loving soft spoken person who could easily interact with people, noting that they worked together dealing with issues that needed the intervention of village leadership.

The brother in law to the deceased, Mr Meshack Thanke said he remembered him while with Matsosa ngwao clan that he initiated in 1979.

Mr Thanke said Kgosi Modirwagale knew the importance of making consultations with his tribe, saying he arranged kgotla meetings to inform the public on the intended plans by the mines for the surrounding villages.

Business community chairperson, Mr Anthony Dancho said he met Kgosi Modirwagale in Francistown where he asked him to open a motor parts workshop in Letlhakane.

Mr Dancho  said he ended up moving to operate his business in Ketchikan, and that one of his business partners opened a motor parts workshop in Letlhakane.

He also noted that Kgosi Modirwagale helped him to acquire an identity card in Botswana.
Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe described him as the pillar who made a huge impact in building the village of Letlhakane.

He said Kgosi Modirwagale knew  how to instill discipline and taught youngsters to respect, adding that he also respected culture.

One of his granddaughters, Ms One Modirwagale hailed her grandfather saying he supported her when she participated in My Star competitions.

He is survived by his wife, eight children, six females and two males, 23 grandchildren and seven great grand children. ENDS