07 Mar 2021

Mournful hymns echoed around the UCCSA Trinity Church in Gaborone on Thursday as friends and family remembered the late Mr Archibald Mogwe’s bustling life.

The late Mr Mogwe was described by many as one of Botswana’s erudite civil servants and a modest son of the soil.

He laid in his simple pine coffin  as mourners took turns to share the stories of the late Mr Mogwe, who had endeared himself to many across all walks of life.

His daughter, Ms Alice Mogwe said it was his will to be buried with no glitz and glamour.

First to take to the dais was Ms Tebo Thibedi from the Rakhuna UCCSA Church. She described the event as a celebration of a church stalwart.

As she fought back what she described as ‘sweet tears,’ Ms Thibedi said Mr Mogwe touched many peoples’ lives and borrowed from the holy script that “neither death nor life, nor angels nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything else in creation, would be able to separate us from the love of God.”

She said despite his advanced age, he was always first to reach church every Sunday, adding that the church had lost a great singer who loved the hymn Modimo wa Boikanyo from the Methodist Church hymns book.

Former UCCSA secretary general, Reverend Dr Prince Dibeela said the late Mr Mogwe was born into a beloved family that had embraced the Christian faith through the London Missionary Society (LMS).

“He was born into a family of clergymen and we are now gathered here to celebrate the life of a man who missed a calling to the ministry by a whisker.

He noted that Tigerkloof, where he schooled, was a citadel of Christian life. He added that he learned that life was meaningless unless devoted to serve God and others.

Dr Dibeela said Mr Mogwe discovered his Christian mission while serving as an ambassador in the United States.

He said as age caught up with him he focused on singing hymns with a beautiful baritone, adding that the deceased had fought a good fight.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape exalted the late Mr Mogwe for being exemplary and selfless in service to the nation.

He described him as a trailblazer who served Botswana at its infancy and shaped her foreign policy.

Dr Kwape said Mr Mogwe’s contribution to the country’s development was clear. He said his diplomatic activities were held high in the continent and even beyond.

Former MP, Mr Charles Tibone saluted Mr Mogwe’s service to the nation, and also thanked the Mr Mogwe family for showing unwavering love to their father all through the years.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of Former Members of Parliament (AFMBP), Mr Tibone said the association was established to demonstrate that in politics, life did not end when one left the House.

Mr Tibone said the late Mr Mogwe mentored him in his public service career as he worked under his wing as permanent secretary in the ministries of foreign affairs and mineral resources and water affairs.

He said because of his strong diplomatic skills, many projects for which Botswana sought assistance from outside the country came into existence during his tenure.

A representative of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi went down memory lane about the late Mr Mogwe’s political career from humble beginnings to an enigmatic statesman. He said his legacy at the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was visible.

He said Mr Mogwe remained a pride to the ruling party as he became the first politician to clinch victory from the Botswana National Front in Gangwaketse.

Former vice president, Mr Ponatshego Kedikilwe said Mr Mogwe was a hard working man with a sharp mind. He praised Mr Mogwe for his love and trustworthiness and said he was an effective popular diplomat.

BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi said Mr Mogwe played a part in Botswana’s peace and stability and served the nation tirelessly, adding that his party was proud of his work.

Mr Mogwe, who passed on six months shy of his 100th birthday, served Botswana’s foreign ministry from 1974 to 1984 and the ministry of mineral resources from 1985 to 1994 as well as ambassador to the US from 1995 to 1999.

He is survived by his daughters, Ms Maleta Mogwe-Lock and Ms Alice Mogwe as well as his grandchildren. ENDS