18 Apr 2022

 In keeping with its history as a place of concealment, the Lobatse welcomed Southern African refugees and its residents never sold them out.

  According to Lobatse MP Dr Thapelo Matsheka, the town had been known as a place of concealment, as rustlers used to hide cattle in the mountains, hence its name. 

“We lived by the secrecy code, it was ingrained into us at an early age, that is why we were best suited to house struggle heroes,” he said during the official  opening of Samora Machel Museum in Lobatse on Thursday.

   He said the town housed many freedom fighter families thereby playing an integral role in the liberation of Southern Africa.

   Dr Matsheka said having had the opportunity to host former presidents, the late Mr Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Samora Machel of Mozambique was historic. 

“This is indeed a historic town,” he said.

About Mr John Kgaboesele, who accommodated Mr Machel, Dr Matsheka said he dedicated his time to the African people’s fight for liberation.

Lobatse mayor, Mr Essop Pandor detailed  the town’s rich history noting that it was the first capital of Botswana, housed the country’s first Parliament and hosted significant liberation fighters such as Mr Mandela and Mr Machel.

“This is a town of firsts,” he stated.

Mr Pandor said the museum’s opening was an achievement of the many milestones the town aspired to deliver.

Ms Beauty Kgaboesele, a representative of the family which housed Mr Machel, revealed that Mr Kgaboesele was born in Rusternburg, South Africa and later moved to Botswana.

She described Mr Kgaboesele as a nationalist politician who also served as headman of Peleng. 

“He later became a deputy mayor of Lobatse,” she said.

She said Mr Kgaboesele took it upon himself to accommodate liberation fighters from around Southern Africa as well as refugees.

Ms Kgaboesele said she regarded Mr Machel as her big brother after having been accommodated in  her  home. 

“Samora, we still love you and miss you a lot, you will always be remembered for your contribution in the region,” she said.

Recalling that his father was accommodated and protected by the Kgaboesele family 59 years ago, Samora Machel Junior, said the family was grateful that the gesture afforded him safe passage to Tanzania to join other struggle fighters.

Mr Machel Junior revealed that his father admired Botswana’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama as a wise diplomat who steered his country’s affairs towards independence.

On his family’s behalf,  he thanked government and the people of Lobatse for the warm hospitality extended to his father and other struggle heroes. 

ends