03 Mar 2021

The mother to Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas will be laid to rest Saturday at Mmaphethu cemeteries.  

Mma Boipuso as Ms Gaboselwe Lucas was known, died on February 26 at Bobonong Primary Hospital after succumbing to a three-week long illness that saw her hospitalised for a term her son, Mr Christopher Lucas found to be ‘the longest time in her life.’

“In all my 46 years of life, I have never seen her sick and if by any chance she gets a knock she would be up in no time,” Mr Lucas said.

Ms Lucas, a member of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), is also a mother to councillor for Rasetimela ward in Bobonong, Mr Thulaganyo Lucas and four others.

Before joining BCP in its formative days, Ms Lucas was up to then a member of Botswana Democratic Party.

After decamping to the BCP, Ms Lucas reportedly committed to waging war of unseating the BDP from the constituency, a move that only came to fruition in 2019.

Mr Lucas described her mother as a super active and business-minded woman who ran an array of businesses after abandoning farming.

Some of the businesses, Mr Lucas said, were tuckshops and tailoring, where she was famed for her exquisitely cut garments on German prints.

In her written obituary, Ms Lucas, who started her tailor business in 1969, grew to become one of the finest tailors in the area, where she scored opportunities in school uniforms, wedding gowns and regalia.

She was also described as an active woman who, in 1970 partook in Young Women Christian Association and Botswana Council of Women activities.

Regarding the burial and adherence to COVID-19 protocols, Mr Lucas was worried at the numbers of people who may wish to attend since ‘E ne e le moruti yo motona yo a neng a itsege thata mo Bobirwa.’

However, Mr Lucas hastened to reveal that the family had been compliant to COVID-19 protocols regarding gatherings.

“So far we have not been exceeding the 50 people required, but I’m afraid many people may want to come and pay their last respects on Saturday,” said Mr Lucas, who found that close family members alone exceeded the required 50 to attend a funeral service.

Mr Lucas also added that the family had been encouraging some people who wanted to grace the funeral to stay away and take solace in the fact that they had lived to know the departed Mma B.

“Batho a ba itumelele hela gore ba utlwile leso,” said Mr Lucas, urging people not to come in droves to send his mother off. ENDS