20 Jan 2019

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi paid homage to Mr Richard Eaton during a visit to his homestead near Qabo on January 18.

He was accompanied by First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi, former and current legislators, councillors and other dignitaries.

Dr Masisi, who described himself as a believer in celebrating people while still alive, said celebrating Mr Eaton was necessary given the role he played in transforming Ghanzi.

He said Mr Eaton was a brave man since he served the country when it was still poor.

Mr Eaton, he said, was the second cohort of Botswana’s legislature, having served a single term from 1969.

Consequently, he said it was befitting to thank him and his family for the sacrifices he made to serve Botswana all the way from his native South Africa.

“Thank you and tell your former South African’s to learn from you,” stated Dr Masisi.

“Batswana would also like to thank you, you have received national honours but we wanted to seat and converse with you,” he said.

Member of Parliament for Ghanzi South, Mr Christiaan De-Graaf described Mr Eaton as a father to Ghanzi and a gentle giant who made Ghanzi what it was today.

Former cabinet minister, Mr Ray Molomo said Mr Eaton served during a time when politicians went to Parliament with the sole purpose of serving the nation and not to enrich themselves.

 “Those days, people went to Parliament to serve and not to earn a salary. During those days there were no primary elections, you were just requested,” he said.

Mr Molomo thanked the President to have given him and other former cabinet ministers the opportunity to come and express thanks to a man who had served Botswana with dedication.

For his part, Mr Eaton, who turns 95 in March, said he had never been a good politician but whenever an opportunity to do something to benefit the country presented itself, he would seize it.

He explained that he arrived in Botswana from South Africa to survey farms and that it took them five years to complete their work.

After finishing his work, he said he no longer wanted to return to his country because he had come to love Botswana.

He served as the first chairperson for Ghanzi District Council until 1969.

Mr Eaton advised the President that monopoly was harmful to the country, adding that “we hope that the incumbent will do everything to fight monopoly of the BMC.”

His granddaughter, Ms Kim Eaton said her family was honoured by the visit.

President Masisi and the First Lady presented Mr Eaton with gifts as a sign of appreciation from government. ENDs