19 May 2025

Different speakers have described the late Professor Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo as bold, intelligent and a game changer.

Professor Nyati-Ramahobo who passed away on May 9, and was laid to rest on Sunday in Maun.

Born in 24 October 1957, Prof Nyati-Ramahobo leaves a decorated legacy through her scholarly work and community involvement in advocacy for minority languages and cultures. She has served as the University of Botswana’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs from 2006 to 2015.

UB’s Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris said Prof Nyati-Ramahobo’s legacy deserved to be celebrated while she was still alive, an error the University of Botswana should correct even though she is no longer in life.Another speaker, UB’s Dean of Education, Prof Kgomotso Garegae said Prof Nyati-Ramahobo joined UB in 1983 and became a lecturer in 1985 to 1994, when she was promoted to a senior lecturer. In 2001 she was elevated to a post of Associate Professor and promoted to a full Professor in 2020.

Prof Garegae said Prof Nyati-Ramahobo has done many researches, published books and received many awards in line of her scholarly and community work.

The late Nyati-Ramahobo’s son, Mr Marang Ramahobo remembered his mother as a best friend and a star in everything she did with an unrelenting spirit. He reminisced how his mother supported his ambitions from his childhood in any area he participated in citing.

Mr Ramahobo observed that his mother’s name was synonymous with “Watshara Watshipi”, a slogan for Kamanakao Association which she was one of its founders and he urged the Bayei community to continue her legacy and avoid anything that may lead to divisions.

Member of Parliament for Maun West, Mr Dumelang Saleshando remembered meeting Prof Nyati-Ramahobo in her advocacy capacity while he was a political activist before being married to his father.

He said Prof-Nyati-Ramahobo spoke with calmness yet a bold person in her advocacy with the previous government. As a mother, he said she was a good mentor and active in all social activities.

A daughter to the late Prof Nyati-Ramahobo, Ms Kgalalelo Ramahobo said her mother had been unwell since 2016, and disclosed that her health deteriorated until her passing.

Prof Nyati-Ramahobo is also remembered for her role as one of the pioneers of Kamanakao Association and Reteng Organizations, promoting Seyeyi language and cultural heritage formed 30 years ago. ENDS