04 Jul 2023

The late Boatlaname Chief Representative, Rudolph Mojalemotho has been described as an embodiment of humility, a silent giant who was knowledgeable on many issues.

This was the message on the lips of everyone, who took to the podium to eulogize him at his funeral at Boatlaname on Saturday.
Mojalemotho who succumbed to a long illness on June 26, was described as a kind, soft spoken man who never raised his voice.

Ruu as Mojalemotho, was affectionately called by his friends and colleagues, left an indelible mark in tribal administration particularly on issues affecting Bogosi.

“The death of  Mojalemotho, who was a true nation builder, is a great loss not only to his family and friends but to the nation at large,” said Kgosi Kgari III when paying tribute to him
Kgosi Kgari III stated that when Mojalemotho took over the position of Chief Representative in March 2015, he saw it fit to deploy him to serve in the board of trustees of Kgosi Sechele I museum considering his qualifications since he was a dedicated heritage practitioner having read for a Bachelor of Arts in Socio-Cultural Anthropology and Political Science at Georgia State University in the United States.

He said, Mojalemotho contributed immensely to the department of tribal administration given his apt knowledge of issues hence he undertook a number of national assignments under his direction and that of the minister of Local government and rural development
Kgosi Kgari said since Mojalemotho was a peace-loving, compassionate and wise man, he was regularly assigned to reconcile and oversee royal incumbency conflicts across the country.

 In particular the late was assigned to oversee the bogosi issue of Thamaga in July 2018, the discussion on Bogosi Pitso in November 2008, the Bogosi issue of Bere in April 2019 as well as to intervene on Bogosi issue of Goo-Tau in August 2022 among others.

To demonstrate that he was born a peace-Keeper, Kgosi Kgari stated that even when Mojalemotho was to take over his position of kgosi in Boatlaname, he smoked a peace pipe with one of the uncles who was chief representative acting on his behalf at the time after a conflict on who was the rightful heir to the throne.

Kgosi Keineetse Sebele reiterated the words of other speakers saying that Mojalemotho was a great leader who was entrusted with responsibility of reconciling tribes over issues of Bogosi.

He said with his background on cultural issues since he was a trained heritage practitioner, Mojalemotho contributed immensely in securing P60 million to build state-of-the-art Kgosi Sechele I museum as part of the board of trustees for the museum.
Former MP for Lentsweletau Mr Moeng Pheto described him as a humble former civil servant, distinguished individual and a “silent giant” who was a great asset to the Bakwena tribe.

A friend, Mr Steve Mogotsi said they joined the national museum at the same time in 1982 after his short stint at Radio Botswana in 1981.
He said Mojalemotho was hired in the department of Ethnology as a trainee while he was hired in the art and design department.

Mr Mogotsi said the late Mojalemotho was an avid reader and very particular with the use of the English language.

He also liked writing poems, reviewing books and editing, a trait which later on made him the obvious choice for editor of the National Museum internal and external publications.

Another friend, Mr Philip Segadika said Mojalemotho was a soft-spoken man, who never raised his voice in board rooms. Also, he said he expressed his viewpoint and convictions with measured excitement.
“Having known him for a long time, Ke ipotsa gore a o ne a tle a jampe fela a le serious,” he said jokingly.
He went on to describe him as one of those disciplined people who probably had no genuine enemies.
“I still wonder how, as Kgosi he managed to sentence offenders given his inclination to mercy. He must have had a real headache in arbitrations,” he wondered.

His nephew Mr Boiki Mojalemotho said his uncle was a humble man who liked reading even when he was not well and very proficient in English, something that many of his nephews and nieces tapped onto as some ended up taking up professions such as journalism.

Mojalemotho was born on August 12 1959 in Molepolole. He did his primary and secondary education in Molepolole and moved to Gaborone in 1981 after completing  Certificate in Radio Broadcasting studies. He was employed as a presenter at Radio Botswana. After his short stint at Radio Botswana he joined the National Museum in 1982, rising through the ranks to become a heritage manager for most of his life. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Socio-Cultural Anthropology and Political Science from Georgia State University in the United States.
 

In November 2009 after opting for early retirement, he took up the role of kgosi in Boatlaname in 2015 where he served until his passing. He is survived by wife, and four daughters. Ends