27 Feb 2020

 Multitudes  of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) members among them the leadership of the party led by the Secretary General Mr Mpho Balopi and Kweneng Region Member of the Central Committee Mr Jagdish Shah on Wednesday gathered at the late Metsimotlhabe councillor’s homestead to bid him farewell in a memorial service organised by the party.

The departed councillor Andrew Sebobi died on the wee hours of Sunday morning in a tragic car accident after he lost control of the car he was driving and hit a tree.

The former coucillor had won  Metsimotlhabe ward seat under the BDP ticket in last year’s general elections.

When bidding him farewell, speaker after speaker described the late councillor as a hard working cadre who was deeply involved in party activities.

Mr Balopi said they were pleased about his dedicated service to the party saying he was selfless member who put party interests before his personal interests as evidenced by his rise through the ranks of party structures. 

Mr Balopi thanked Mr Sebobi’s family for having allowed their son to serve the party until his last days of his life.

Mr Balopi told democrats that a true BDP politician was one that abided by the constitution as the late councillor did.

The secretary general further said a politician could not succeed if they failed to build a cordial relationship with the electorate, something that the late councillor mastered hence he was able to represent the party and won the council seat with ease.

Therefore, Mr Balopi stated that they were grateful for his service and hoped that other cadres had learnt great lessons from his exemplary life.

Kweneng East Regional Chairperson, Mr Driver Motlokwa said the former councillor was an enthusiast in everything he did. 

Mr Motlokwa also remarked that he carved his path during his service at Botswana Defence Force.

Mr Motlokwa revealed that after he left the army he went into business combining it with politics but remained dedicated to the party despite his busy schedule.

Mr Moemedi Mokgachane, councillor for Gaphatshwa ward and also a close friend said they had a lot in common with the late Sebobi. 

He said they were both members of the audit committee at Mogoditshane/Thamaga sub-council as well as at the Kweneng District Council.

He described him as an individual who was true to himself and loved consultation.  Further, he mentioned that he was actively involved in community based initiatives and had a remarkable contribution in the development of Metsimotlhabe.

Gabane/Mmankgodi chairperson,Ms Baby Chalebgwa said the passing of Mr Sebobi was  a huge loss not only to Metsimotlhabe but to the constituency as a whole. 

She explained that out of ten wards that form the Gabane/Mmankgodi constituency, BDP won eight wards and lost two. 

She said that they were pleased for Mr Sebobi to have won Metsimotlhabe ward with large numbers.

Mr Sebobi won the ward with 1 109 votes against 632 and 372 of his opponents.  She said this showed his popularity among electorates owing to his humility and hard work.

Mr Sebobi became an active member of BDP in 2010.  In 2015 he became a member of the Gabane/Mmankgodi branch committee and ultimately became victorious as a councillor for Metsimotlhabe ward  in the 2019 general elections.

Ms Chalebgwa said it was regrettable that Sebobi did not live to fulfil the promises he made to the electorate. ENDs