22 Jul 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi today (July 22) visited the family of Francistown West MP Mr Ignatius Moswaane to convey his condolences following the death of his wife recently.

Ms Priscilla Moswaane, died on July 18 after a long illness.

President Masisi, who was accompanied by First Lady Neo Masisi, encouraged the family to take comfort in the fact that death, though terrifying, was unavoidable.

Dr Masisi said the situation would have been even more traumatic for the family if COVID-19 had been the cause of death.

The President noted that given Mr Moswaane’s status as a politician and MP, most people would like to attend his wife’s funeral.

He therefore advised the family to consider limiting the number of funeral attendants explaining that the virus was a serious threat to humankind.

President Masisi emphasised the importance of respecting all COVID-19 protocols including social distancing, sanitizing and the wearing of face masks at all times.

On the funeral scheduled for July 25, the President said although he would not be able to attend, a Botswana Democratic Party central committee delegate would represent the party which Mr Moswaane was its life-long member.

Echoing the President’s words, speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Phandu Skelemani said adherence to COVID-19 protocols was the only way to contain the virus.

Huge gatherings defeated social distancing, he said.

For his part, Mr Moswaane said losing a spouse was a painful experience, especially since his wife was still young.

He said the deceased was in and out of hospital before finally succumbing.

“We tried our best as a family to seek medical attention but to no avail,” he added.

He thanked the President and his entourage for visiting his family during the difficult time and further praised Dr Masisi for his tradition of standing with bereaved families.

Mr Moswaane said he had received a lot of support from parliamentary colleagues, councillors and Batswana in general.

President Masisi was also accompanied by Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, MP for Selebi-Phikwe East, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana, Mmadinare MP, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi and senior government officials. ends