25 Feb 2019

Mourners from all walks of life thronged Moshiwana ward in Lokgwabe on February 23 to bid farewell to specially nominated councillor for Kgalagadi North constituency, Mr Judge Molemele.

The late Molemele (70) passed away on February 14 at Gaborone Private Hospital after a short illness.

The deceased joined politics in 1984 under Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) ticket, the party he served for almost 35 years.

Speakers said Mr Molemele volunteered in many party activities and remained resourceful and played a remarkable role in assisting the party snatch the constituencies of Ngwaketse West as well as Kgalagadi North from the hands of the opposition party.

His activism earned him a specially nominated councillor seat at Kgalagadi North, chief whip position for Kgalagadi District Council and later in 2015 he was elected vice chairperson for Hukuntsi Sub-district Council until 2017.

BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi said the passing of Mr Molemele was a great loss to the party and the nation at large.

He said although the deceased had health issues, he displayed great ‘heroism’, as he never allowed his heath condition to stop him from performing party duties.

He said the deceased was a true democrat who served the party for 35 years because he believed in the BDP principles.

He described him as an intelligent person with incomparable character in addressing issues, the skill that will forever be missed in the party.

He said Mr Molemele was a straightforward person who encouraged other democrats to do things by the book because he believed that would protect the image of the party as well as promote candidates’ image before the voters.

Member of Parliament for Kgalagadi North, also Assistant Minister of Land Management and Water Sanitation Services, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi described Mr Molemele as a loyal, dedicated, hardworking party servant.

He said Mr Molemele was an exemplary leader and due to his remarkable duties in the party, he earned himself the specially nominated council seat because the party trusted that he could deliver to expectations.

He described him as a great intervener who was able to calm the storms when tempers were high in political or administrative meetings.

Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) president, Mr Mpho Moruakgomo said the association had lost a ‘gem’ as the man always displayed a great talent in pursuance of the association mandate.

He said the deceased was a great negotiator and through his contribution, they managed to establish a comprehensive approach on councillors welfare issues such as salary negotiations.

Hukuntsi Sub-district Council chairperson, Mr Joseph Banyatsang said the passing of Mr Molemele had left a void in their council as the late was respected for his wealth of experience after serving in government departments and private sector for over 30 years.

Through his vast knowledge, Mr Banyatsang said the deceased served in various council committees such as Self Helping Housing Agency SHHA, Audit, Health and Education, where he displayed great input in the advancement of such committees.

Despite his political life journey, Mr Molemele was also a devoted Evangelical Religious Protestant Unity church member since 1970 and due to his outstanding astuteness, he served in various church committees and rose through church leadership ranks.

He was recently appointed a church leader for Tshane branch, the congregation he led until his demise.

Mr Molemele is survived by his wife, four children; two women and two men, daughter in law, four grandchildren and one elderly sister.

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane also sent messages of condolences to the Molemele family and the nation at large. ENDS