11 Dec 2022

Different speakers on Saturday eulogised the late Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Lance Corporal Zikamee Kamai as a dedicated, hardworking, loving and respectable young man.

The 31-year-old hero fondly called The Great Yende by his colleagues, met his demise on November 29 when he succumbed to injuries sustained during an operation against Alhu Sunna Wal Jama terrorists in Mozambique where he was part of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).

As evidenced by the positive messages delivered by the speakers who took to the podium during his send off at his home village Kareng, a man writes his obituary whilst alive.BDF Special Forces Regiment Commander, Major Ditiro Bokwe said BDF had lost a dedicated and hardworking soldier.

“BDF has lost a true soldier with true workmanship,” he said.

Major Bokwe said Lance Corporal Kamai joined the army in 2013 and underwent the six months training before being posted to Selebi Phikwe where he served as private.

In 2019, he applied to join Special Forces which the major said was not for every soldier but the brave who completed the training.

The Great Yende was among the 30 out of the 200 who had applied at the time, said Major Bokwe.

“Realising his potential he was promoted to the position of lance corporal in the same year in 2019, a position he held until his death,” he said.

Major Bokwe said Kamai was selected to be part of the SAMIM contingent  in August.

 Brother to the fallen soldier, Mr Iruka Matundu said his sibling died a noble death.

 Noting that he died trying to help bring peace in SADC, he said it was appropriate for Botswana to help in such missions as instability could affect the country if not dealt with.

The deceased’s uncle Mr Uhuha Kandjou described Kamai as a jolly and loving person.

MP for Ngami Mr Caterpillar Hikuama explained that  Kamai first name translated into hero and that he died as one.

Kamai’s name, he said,  would go down into SADC history books.

“He did not die for Botswana only, he died for Africa as a whole for people to have peace and to control the terrorists’ attacks,” he said. ENDS