10 May 2021

 of Khwee ward in the Boteti East constituency was laid to rest in Moiyabana on Sunday,. 

Speakers at his funeral described Mr Gobotswang, who succumbed to a short illness on May 4, as an astute businessman, a staunch Christian and a dedicated and resolute politician. Botswana National Front (BNF) Secretary General, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said death had robbed the party of a valuable asset, as the late Gobotswang had been instrumental in keeping the party intact in the Boteti region. 

Mr Mohwasa said the deceased deserved commendation as he added great value to opposition politics in Botswana, thereby adding on to efforts to enhance and keep democracy alive. 

He went on to show how the late councillor was a man of admirable character. 

“Mokaulengwe Gobotswang o ne a sa rate modumo le manganga. E ne e re fa bangwe ba kukegile maikutlo fa re kopane, a di goge kwa tlhogong go ba reba maikutlo le go busetsa seemo mo taolong,” he explained, showing how Mr Gobotswang would often help quell the situation whenever tempers flared, during party meetings. 

Boteti Sub-district Council Deputy chairperson, Mr Batsweletse Kgagamedi said Mr Gobotswang loved the ward he represented the same way he did his very own life, highlighting how the departed councillor held the interests of Khwee ward close to his heart. Mr Kgagamedi described the deceased as a reliable leader, who added much value not only to the sub-council, but also to the entire Central District Council. 

A former colleague, Mr Phankgi Resetse said Mr Gobotswang advocated for community empowerment. 

This, he said was shown by his incessant calls for communities, particularly the marginalised ones, to be assisted with decent housing. 

“Mr Gobotswang wanted to see communities in the sub-district empowered. At some point when he was chairperson of the SHHA committee, he pushed hard for deserving residents to be provided with decent housing,” noted Mr Resetse, who is former Mokubilo ward councillor. 

He added that at the time of his passing, Mr Gobotswang was grooming some promising Khwee politicians so that they would be in a position to take over, once he exited political office. 

This, Mr Resetse said was a symbol of the late councillor’s love for Khwee residents as he wanted them to eventually elect one of their own as ward councillor. Speaking on behalf of the Boteti branch of the BNF, Mr Thomas Kgethenyane said Mr Gobotswang was among the strong pillars that held the BNF together in the region. 

Mr Kgethenyane said the late councillor loved the BNF and spread its message and ideologies with passion in the Boteti region. 

Mr Molatedi Maroku, a Khwee ward representative said Mr Gobotswang was more of a parent than just a councillor to the people of Khwee. 

He hailed the departed leader for having embraced the Khwee community and treating it as an extension of his own family. 

The Moiyabana-born Mr Gobotswang, who died aged 65, is survived by his wife and 12 children. ends