04 Feb 2014

Former Member of Parliament for Bobirwa, Mr Walter 'Gosiame' Mosweu was laid to rest on February 1.

Mr Mosweu, who was the area’s legislature under the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from 1979 to 1989, was born in 1930 and died on January 24.

The message read to mourners by his wife, Mrs Sarah Mosweu indicated that WG, as he was affectionately called, died from a long illness that dated back from as far as 1984 when he was attacked by a stroke. The stroke later developed into other complications such as high blood pressure that forced him not to contest for the party’s legislative position in 1989.

Despite the illness, Mr Mosweu did not despair and never let the disease take toll on him, but instead he continued to be active and engaged in business ventures and farming activities. A relative, Mr Baitseng Direng described him as a humorous person, a generous and good hearted man who also liked to revive family ties. Mr Direng said WG was not a choosy person, someone who but mingled with everyone irrespective of their societal status.

Another former MP, Mr James Maruatona who took over from Mr Mosweu in 1989 described him as a hard worker who started his professional work as a teacher, chief educational secretary, politician and a businessman of repute. Mr Maruatona said as education secretary, Bobirwa had an influx of foreign teachers and he employed a lot of locals to be teachers in the area as well. He appealed to the family to ensure that Mr Mosweu’s legacy lives on.

Current Bobirwa MP and also Minister of Youth of Sport and Culture, Mr Shaw Kgathi read the message from President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama. The President’s message stated that Mr Mosweu would be remembered as great representative and active member of the ruling BDP.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moathodi also conveyed the message from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margret Nasha. Mr Mosweu, a devoted Roman Catholic was also honoured by the church for being active member of that congregation and his contribution led to the construction of the Parish Pelo e e Boitshepho in Bobonong.

Mr Mosweu was among the Botswana leaders who schooled at Tigerkloof in South Africa and afterwards became a teacher. He started his professional career in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in 1960-1963 and became the headmaster of various local schools namely St Martins, Madikwe and Mafetsakgang Primary Schools in Bobonong.

He won a British Council scholarship to pursue a Post Graduate Programme in Education at the Institute of Education in Cambridge in the UK in 1968. Prior to joining politics, WG was the chief education secretary in Serowe, Molepolole and Selibe Phikwe. Mr Mosweu leaves behind his wife, 6 children and 11 grandchildren and was a businessman of repute and has left various businesses in the area. ENDS