14 Nov 2021

Ledumadumane East councillor, Mr Otlaadisa Kgwatalala affectionately known as “Jim-Brown” among his colleagues and close associates was laid to rest on Saturday at Phomolong.

The Bobonong native died last Tuesday after a long illness.

The late councillor was a former soldier. He became an active member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 2014 when he first contested a council seat under the BDP ticket and managed to wrestle the seat from the opposition.

He died while still serving his second term after he won the seat during the 2019 general elections.

The Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane and the BDP secretary general Mr Mpho Balopi relayed their messages of condolences and comfort.

Meanwhile different speakers at the funeral described him as a hard worker, straight talker, humble and an honorable man who worked tirelessly for his constituents.

MP for Mogoditshane and also minister of youth empowerment, sport and culture development, Mr Tumiso Rakgare reiterated that Jim-Brown was a hard worker, very organised and relentless in anything that he embarked on.

He noted Kgwatalala had interests of his constituents at heart as he never ceased to speak out for them. Mogoditshane/Thamaga sub council chair, Mr Dux Mafoko said the late councilor was always resolute in what he believed in.

He strongly believed that councils should be autonomous in decision making and not be influenced by parliament.

Mr Mafoko said his achievements included several paved internal roads in his ward; setting up of a number village development committees in his constituency as well as Leobo la kgotla that he financed and many other ongoing projects.

A representative from the BDP party Major General Tebogo Masire said Mr Kgwatalala was an asset to the party and was used by the party as one of their front men in party politics.

He said in 2014 he proved his political mettle as he managed to wrestle the council seat from opposition and went on to retain the seat in 2019 under the BDP ticket.

He further shared that in 2019 during the famous BDP Kang congress that decided on the party’s chairmanship, Mr Kgwatalala was used as one of the front runners to safe guard the party’s interests, which he did very well.

Colleagues at Mogoditshane/Thamaga sub council described him as the “mediator” when paying tribute to him. The fact that he offered counsel to council leadership and to his peers, earned him a nick name “Mogakolodi” since he wanted the house to always be in order.  

Kweneng District Council chairperson Mr Motlhophi Leo said he was a trustworthy man and this was demonstrated by his constituents who voted him into council for two consecutive terms from 2014 to date.

He also said that he contributed meaningfully in all proceedings of the council.

Councillor for Kumakwane, Ms Winnie Cassim said some of Jim-Brown’s projects that he would be remembered for among included Ledumadumane-Pindane road that was paved and some ongoing projects such as the Pula Spar Mmankgodi Junction road as well as the Ledumadumane kgotla shelter towards whose construction he not only mobilised resources, but also personally financed it.

Further she stated that he died at a time he was fighting for Goo Modisane and Goo Sethebe wards to get water.

His close friend and associate Mr James Lekgetho who is also councillor for Mmopane said Mr Kgwatalala contributed immensely in a long standing land issue in Ledumadumane commonly referred to as “Mpeele bana ba masimo.”

This was one of the most debated issues in Mogoditshane/Thamaga sub council where people of Ledumadumane whose ploughing fields were taken by the land board demanded that they be compensated with residential plots.

He said they would from time to time engage the then minister of lands water and sanitation, Mr Prince Maele to intervene in this matter until an amicable solution was taken by former President Dr. Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama to accede to Ledumadumane residents’ plea.

Also in attendance to bid him farewell were MP for Lentsweletau/Mmopane, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja, Former MP for Mogoditshane Mr Patrick Masimolole and Kweneng Land Board chair Mr Kgang Kgang.

Late councilor Kgwatalala is the 12th councillor who died this year while still serving their term and fourth in the entire kweneng district. Mr Otlaadisa Kgwatalala was born in Bobonong on June 06 1959.

His wife, two children and three siblings survive him. ENDS