20 Jul 2021

Behind his back, colleagues affectionately called him Bafuwi, which means Chief or Morena. It is a monicker that the Mr Koziba Batungamile will get to know as he reads through the messages of condolences, if indeed that is possible. 

It would be an interesting spectacle to watch his reaction.

The veteran journalist passed on July 15 after a short illness and was laid to rest in Gaborone yesterday. 

Current and former employees of the Department of Information Services share their condolences in remembrance of their departed colleague, mentor and friend. 

Mr Batungamile joined the media industry in 1986 and at the time of his demise, he was the Chief Press Officer. 

A former colleague, Mr Thomas Nkhoma, now with the University of Botswana has described Mr Batungamile not only as a former colleague but a true companion. The duo met at Moeng College. 

“I met Koziba in 1984 at Moeng College when I was doing Form 1. He was three classes ahead of me. Back then, Moeng was a small community, we were a closely-knit family. We knew almost everyone including staff. As boys then, we were like brothers. He joined the then Department of Information and Broadcasting in 1986, after completing his studies at Moeng in 1985.” Little did he know, that a few years later, they would re-unite. 

“We would reunite, four years later and picked where we left off. It was a brotherly reunion than anything else. He would always remind me that if there was anyone who would speak better of him, it was me. And he was right,” said Mr Nkhoma. 

He described Mr Batungamile as a brave fellow who once cheated death amid waning hope. 

“I cannot imagine myself coming more than 1 000km away to attend a meeting under stressful conditions. But that was Albert, as we knew him then. Coming all the way from Ghanzi to attend our Northern Bureau meeting lying on a mattress because he was seriously ill. That is how brave Albert was. He was a huge fan of Johnny Mokhali hence we nicknamed him ‘Sinkhanang’ because of his heavy iKalanga accent when he tried to ‘sing, se nkganang se nkgana le ena.” 

Mr Nkhoma added that in 1997, Mr Batungamile moved to join him in Kgale View. 

“We would visit each other to catch up on the latest news since he had just arrived from Australia after completing his degree in Media Studies,” he said. Mr Nkhoma said the Mr Batungamile was also a jolly fellow.

“We would drive around Gaborone playing the latest songs of Johnny Mokhali. We had our own little tiffs, but it was nothing to bring a wedge between us,” he said. Additionally, Mr Nkhoma said after leaving for UB, they never lost contact. 

Mr Thebeyame Ramoroka said the Mr Batungamile never held grudges against other colleagues. “Fairness and honesty were Mrena’s traits. With him, what you see is what you get. That’s the man who will tell you point blank when he is not happy or doesn’t like something. Gaa go sebe, o go itaya face to face,” said Mr Ramoroka. 

Notwitstanding his short fuse, Mr Batungamile was loved by many, as he had a good heart. “You could quarrel with him in the morning, but in the afternoon you you would be buddies again.  He never held grudges. The department has lost a manager of note. That’s the man who had staff welfare at heart. He would fight for the staff no matter the cost. He advised on personal and work related matters. What a good man! A very good man has fallen,” he said.

Another former colleague, Mr Edward Robert said the passing of Mr Batungamile has robbed Mass Media of a leader who knew how to empathise with his juniours. 

“That is why a lot of us preferred him over others, when one had a personal challenge that needed a little bit of level-headedness and empathy.”  

He said the deceased emerged during a time when it was not uncommon for a leader to tell a subordinate to their face that, “Ga re a hira ngwana, re hirile wena,” when an employee asked to be allowed to knock off early so as to attend to their unwell child. 

“It was not so with Koziba, he would offer to give you a whole week to attend to the sick family member.  To him, there was no how an officer could perform at their best when they had personal challenges at home. Putting himself in the shoes of his charges was something Koziba never struggled doing. That is why we nicknamed him Morena. The title was never about his position, for he was never one to flaunt his rank. It was talking to his disposition. It was talking to his enigma as a leader. He was gracious. E ne e le Morena.” Mr Robert said Morena modeled civil service very well. 

“His conduct was of a true servant. He never played truant. He never came back to work drunk  and we never knew him to even drink. 

The only time he would leave the office before time was when he would be going to fetch his children from school. Ooh boy, the man was committed to his children! They meant everything to him,” he said. 

Mr Robert said Mr Batungamile was the kind of leader who made one want to work even when they did not feel like. 

“You kind of want to do it for him. You look at him and say, if it was not for this guy, I would not be doing this”. He said Mr Batungamile was the reason why the DailyNews team hardly complained about working beyond official time, at times without monetary compensation. 

As for Mr Tebagano Ntshole, Mr Batungamile was fun and a truly wonderful person to work with. 

“Rajoelina si kae story? Ki bata front page!” he reminisced about his former superior. 

“I had fun working with Koziba particularly during this year’s budget speech. We had to break it down following the announcement of right sizing of the public service. Some believed it meant retrenchment, but we said it meant freezing of vacant posts. RIP Batungamile. You will always live in our memories.” 

Ms Thelma Khunwane also described Mr Batungamile as a straight talker who would not be afraid to tell it as it is. She remembers how he was moody yet friendly and a good listener. 

“I will always remember you with all your moods Morena and all the memories from the day you welcomed me back after I had left the department.” 

And today, she said despite his departure, this was one man who would not want anyone to mourn his death but rather to celebrate his life. 

“Here is a man, gone in some way, but his presence will be forever with us. Robala Bafuwi. Ke ta go thwaahalela thata ke le mo virtual meeting o ntse o re ‘muta microphone!’ And the way you took arrows and fought battles not only for me but others too, in you we’ve lost a great man and a leader, lesole la nnete. Rest in peace Koziba.” 

Ms Thandy Tebogo remembers the care and understanding that Mr Batungamile had towards his juniours.  “Not many had the privilege of working under someone who is as caring and understanding as you. I am grateful for that, and if I had to pick a boss again I would definitely pick you. In you, I had a big brother whom I could confide in, either on work related or social issues. Your legacy lives on Mr Koziba Batungamile. Ms Tebogo remembers that he once saved one of her colleagues who had a serious issue at work. 

“He stepped in to save her, big ups to you Bafuwi,” she said. And he was not fussy about titles and rank. “I remember that one day I called him by his first name saying, Mr Koziba, and he would say, ‘Ke eng o sa mpitse hela ka first name, if that’s what you want, o tsenyetsang Mr.’ She added that at a time when she was being transferred to Letlhakane and appeared frustrated by the decision, Mr Batungamile jokingly said to her, “‘Just go, u tlaa bona moshimane o mongwe”. 

“He used to send me on errands and I would gladly oblige. Rest well Bafuwi, your departure is a blow to us; the media industry has suffered a great loss.” Ketshepile More says in her message: “When we were still cub reporters, we were scared to approach your office for we knew being called to that office meant ‘transfer’ and often to remote areas. “After being told gore ke ya Ghanzi and I decided to take my time in the city, he called me and said, “Tshepi u tsamaa ling kanti,” and I responded, “Nnyaa ke a ipaakanya Mr Batungamile,” to which said “ako arrange li truck u tsamaye u raa u ipaakanya ing?” I was left puzzled by that, wondering where I was going take my stuff when I arrived at a place I’ve never been to,” she said. 

However it was apparent Mr Batungamile was only joking. “Behind that strict face was a soft, wonderful human being admired by all at BOPA. We shall hold onto your memory as we bid you farewell. Rest well Murena.” 

One of the former scribes, Mr Rebaone Tswiio has described Mr Batungamile as a principled leader and mentor. “Rest in peace Bafuwi, rest in the bosom of the Lord. Your legacy of principled leadership, sincere stewardship and impeccable mentorship will remain with us. We will always be grateful for having shared a life with you. Rest my boss, rest Murena,” said Mr Tswiio. 

Ms Mmoniemang Motsamai was among those who will remember him for giving his staff endearing nicknames.  “Robala ka kgotso Rraagwe Lame. You called me Mma Mupalamente. I know you meant well. I will accomplish that,” said Ms Motsamai. 

As for Ms Felicity Male, the deceased was not only her supervisor but also acted as a brother. “Mr Batungamile, we will dearly miss you our brother, boss and colleague. I will remember you with the jokes you shared with me. Rest in eternal peace.” Mr Batungamile was equally known for not mincingwords when dealing with issues said Ms Tidimalo Mosarwa. “Rest in peace my mentor. You were one of the people who called a spade a spade. It took a very open minded person to understand you. I will always cherish the advice you gave me. I will rectify my shortcomings that you have pointed out.” 

“Fare thee well Bafu. I miss the morning calls, where I would pass by your office to say hello before unlocking mine. You always gave me a smile despite all,” said Ms Lucretia Chima.

Ms Chima recalls that sometime in 2008, Mr Batungamile helped her heal after she had come to his office in tears as a result of some challenging issues. “A smile you gave me in 2008, when I came to your office in tears about some issues. You told me, Lucu, don’t stress yourself, things will be ok. And indeed they were ok. The kindness you expressed, on day one of my arrival at work never changed. Morena, you will always be remembered. Bafuwi, the one who says die and I perish!” she said. 

Ms Anastacia Sibanda remembered the deceased as good listener, who was also passionate about sport. “I am lost for words. Mr Batungamile was not a boss, but a colleague, who will always listen to his juniors.” 

As a sports writer, Ms Sibanda said “I interacted with him a lot after realising that we had something in common. He loved athletics. We used to discuss the future of track and field events in the country. In our last conversation, he encouraged me to also give attention to field events, with the Olympics approaching. I am going to miss your sports analysis. RIP Bafuwi.” Another former colleague, now with Radio Botswana, Ms Tshireletso Stoffel shared her encounters with Bafuwi. 

“You were the Lion King of BOPA when we met in 2009. Your roar was heard in all corners of the Gaborone newsroom and in out stations. We loved and hated you at the same time. “It didn’t take long for us to clash. Funny enough it was never personal. Boy, we gave each other a fight Boss man. I flatly refused my transfer to Tsabong, but then you didn’t want to listen... It was gloves off, but we eventually buried the hatchet when I moved to Radio Botswana. 

“You became Basekulu, when you realised that I am actually one of yours. You made me a tough coconut to crack and I will forever be grateful. I wouldn’t trade our experience for anything else, because it made me who I am. I am assertive because of you Bafuwi. 

Though you became grumpy at being addressed as uncle, you secretly loved it . Ezela ne dothodzo, Bafu, the one who says die and I perish! So long Basekulu.” Ms Keamogetse Letsholo cherished the guidance and leadership offered by the deceased. “Foromane you are gone from my sight, but never from my heart. You were not just a leader but, a brother, who offered me guidance. May your soul find favour in the Lord,” she said. Another friend and colleague, Mr Epena Ngatangue described Batungamile as a loving family man, who was always fond of talking about his children.

“Koziba was a straight talker who would always speak his mind. Although short-tampered he would recall and apologise for anything he deemed to have been his fault. He has crossed lines with many but he showed respect for me. May Kgosi Bamile, as I used to call him, rest in peace.” BOPA