02 Jun 2022

The death of Kanye-based herbalist, Mr Mothibedi Mosimakoko has been described as a blow not only to  Bangwaketse, but to the nation at large.

The 87 year-old herbalist  was found hanging at his residence on May 27.

A friend and colleague, Mr Outlule Thebe remembered Mr Mosimakoko as a loving and generous man who treated many people for various ailments, using herbs.

“O ne a thusa morahe o o senang selekanyo, Botswana o latlhegetswe. O ne a itsege lehatshe le lotlhe, le dingaka tse di neng di sa kgone go epa di ne di reka mo go ene.”

He reminisced about their youthful years when they both went to South Africa to work.

While he was employed in the mines, the deceased worked in town, and later started selling medicinal herbs, moving from house to house.

Even though their work conditions kept them apart most of the time, they kept in touch and re-united in the late 60s when they came back home.

“Ke ne ke dira ke le ngaka ya setso ene a rekisa melemo, ya Sekgoa le ya Setswana. E re ntswa a ne a sa laole, o ne a thusa batho ba bantsi thata mme ba bangwe a ba romela ko go nna ba ba tlhokang go tlhatlhobiwa,” he said.

Armed with a Diploma in Herbal Medicine from the African Herbal College of South Africa and a Traditional Healers Induction Course from Dingaka tsa Setso Association, his brainchild, Mosimakoko’s Herbs and Medicine House became popular in Kanye and across the country.

He was particularly trusted in treatment of abdominal illnesses.

His cousin, Mr Montisetsi Mosalakatane described him as a loving and peaceful person.

He said Mr Mosimakoko was famous for effectively treating abdominal problems with a traditional herb named Semakwati or service kit, as his clients code named it, which he imported from South Africa.

Even though Mr Mosimakoko learnt herbal medicine in South Africa, his choice of career did not come as a surprise since his maternal grandmother was a traditional doctor, he said.

His friend, Mr Sam Seretse said the late Mosimakoko was a people’s person and always went out of his way to help others.

He said his relationships with his patients were long-lasting because of his humility and patience.

“E ne ele ngaka e e pelotelele, a itse go dirisanya le batho. Bontsi jwa dingaka di ne di sa tlhole di epa, di reka hela mo go ene.

Re ne re tsamaya mmogo re epa ditlhare, nako tse dingwe a nthoma,” he said.

Mr Mosimakoko, is survived by three daughters and a son. He will be buried in Kanye on Saturday. ENDS