28 Apr 2020

Former Member of Parliament for Ngwaketse South, Mr Kebadire Kalake has been laid to rest in his home village of Kanye on April 28.

In a send-off ceremony, mourners celebrated the illustrious life of the late hero in all commands and speakers took turns to describe Mr Kalake as humble and a friend to all.

Mr Leach Tlhomelang, also former MP, described Mr Kalake as a hero who wanted to make a difference in politics and other spheres of life.

Mr Tlhomelang, who was an MP for Kanye under the Botswana National Front (BNF) ticket back then, described Mr Kalake affectionately known as ‘KK’ as one of the few who upheld integrity, thus making him a cut above the rest, adding that the nation had lost a great man.

Mr Tlhomelang, who said he started school in 1961 at Molapowabojang Primary School, said Mr Kalake joined him in 1962, pointing out that such was enough evidence that he knew the late very well, especially that they had a lot in common. He said Mr Kalake was a unique figure who loved Batswana across the political divide, saying people should borrow a leaf from him.

Mr Tlhomelang said the late Mr Kalake was a pioneer of agriculture, whose skills benefited many in the Southern District and the country at large - he succumbed to illness while a master farmer at Molehisi lands. He therefore implored family members to preserve the good name of Kalake as he believed in goodwill.

For his part, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) representative, Reverend Prince Dibeela thanked God for blessing Batswana with a man of Kalake’s calibre.

He said his outer appearance resembled his spirit of ‘cleanliness’ which made him believed in politics of integrity that placed him in high pedestal to peddle development. 

Mr Dibeela said the late Kalake, who passed on on April 24, believed in unity and advocated for opposition parties to unite to address national challenges through one voice.

A longtime friend, Mr David Maswabi said he knew the late since 1954 during their childhood days and joined politics together in 1976, where they followed in the footprints of Kgosi Bathoen II, affectionately known as B2 under the BNF ticket.

Mr Maswabi, a former mayor for Lobatse Town Council under the BNF ticket said his friend was a veteran politician, who saw Botswana transforming into what it is today.

A renowned master farmer, Mr John Phirinyane said he learnt a lot from the late Kalake, who helped him to transform from an ordinary farmer to a master farmer.

He said Mr Kalake was passionate about farming, both pastoral and arable, adding that they worked together to improve agriculture in the region.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Phandu Skelemani expressed his deepest commiseration to the family for losing such a great leader in a message that was read at the funeral.
The message further pointed out that the nation had lost a great man who worked tirelessly in socio-economic development of the country.

“Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you. Mr Kalake will deeply be missed,” the message further reads. Mr Kalake entered into a holy matrimony with Ellen in 1977, who passed on in 1990 and thereafter married Violet in 1994.

 

He did his secondary education at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School in Kanye from 1969 to 1971 and thereafter furthered his education at the then Botswana College of Agriculture from 1972 to 1973 and also advanced his education at the then Botswana Institute of Administration and Commerce.

He started working as a clerk in 1974 at the then Ministry of Finance and Development Planning headquarters in Gaborone and then American Embassy, Southern Rural Development Association in Kanye, and then Botswana Telecommunications.

His prowess in politics earned him a place as MP for Ngwaketse South from 1996 to 2004, blending politics with other areas of life such as agriculture that helped to improve the lives of Batswana in Kanye, Maisane and Mpaphadikwe, among others, before becoming a master farmer at Molehisi farms.

He was a staunch member of International Pentecostal Holiness Church and  is survived by wife, Violet, six children (three daughters and three sons), a daughter in law and eight grandchildren. ENDS