12 Jun 2025

Batswana from different walks of life have showered the late former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse with praise for having been a selfless servant of the people.

BOPA caught up with former cabinet ministers who went to pay their last respects to one of their own, and the Autlwetse family yesterday in Serowe. Former minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng spoke fondly of Autlwetse’s vast experience in politics and leadership roles that helped them to tap into his wisdom.

The former cabinet ministers’ term, who worked closely with Mr Autlwetse, spanned five years from 2019 to 2024, were a delegation that included Mr Morwaeng, Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, Mr Kefentse Mzwinila, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ms Naniki Makwinja as well as assistant ministers, Ms Talita Monnakgotla and Mr Setlhabelo Modukanele of Local Government and Rural Development who consoled the family with P10 000.

Mr Morwaeng stated that Mr Autlwetse was a public orator who was eloquent in Setswana language and well versed in Setswana customs, traits that made his appointment to Local Government and Rural Development ministry an ideal choice. He said Mr Autlwetse used Setswana language to captivate his audience and his grasp of Setswana idioms endeared him to many. Go adima motho ditsebe, Go aga mo pelong ya motho, Sebotlhoko se lekwa ka ngwana, Ntsa ya kgosi ke kgosi ya dintsa, O ja o kaname jaaka selaga, Sejo sa kwena se elate e ntse, O e kgotletse magwata, Motlhanka wa kgosi ke kgosi and Motlhanka wa Modimo ke Modimo, are some the idioms Mr Morwaeng said he borrowed from Autlwetse.

He described him as a portal for Setswana tradition whose knowledge benefited the young and old, affluent and not, elite and non-elite, and more importantly, a powerhouse in mediating chieftainship issues and related matters that contributed to peace and stability of the country. Mr Morwaeng thanked the Autlwetse family for lending the previous administration and the Botswana Democratic Party a man in his mould, whose leadership skills and initiatives manifested into worthwhile projects and developments, a man blessed with perseverance, humility and was exemplary to many.

"Mr Autlwetse advocated for an enabling environment for citizens to thrive and I remember him as a master farmer who specialised in cattle breeding," said Mr Morwaeng.

Ms Monnakgotla said she was a close friend of Mr Autlwetse and remembered their lengthy phone chats. When she was appointed to assistant minister in 2022, she said she banked on Mr Autlwetse to support and teach her the ropes, a task the deceased executed meticulously. She said she also learned from Mr Autlwetse, how to answer Parliament questions with purpose.

"He believed that before a Parliament session, one should research and read extensively to ensure issues were adequately addressed," said Ms Monnakgotla, adding that she was tasked with overseeing Rural Area Development Programme (RADP), Ipelegeng and finance, areas that involved raising and managing revenues, budgeting and spending to fund public services like infrastructure, education and public health.

Hers, she said, was a critical aspect of governance that enabled local authorities to address needs and improve the lives of citizens. Ms Monnakgotla said Mr Autlwetse shunned corruption in all its facets and advocated inclusive participation in the economy for citizens. He said under Mr Autlwetse’s administration a lot of Batswana lives improved more especially those in far-flung areas, noting the nation has lost a father figure whose foot-print was unmatched and could not be erasable.

All former cabinet ministers wished his soul a peaceful rest, a gesture appreciated by Mr Autlwetse’s brother in law, Mr Goabamong Setlhaba who said such was a sign that they worked well together.

Botswana Democratic Party hosted a memorial service in honour of Mr Autlwetse in Serowe on yesterday, where party president Mr Mpho Balopi said speakers described him truly and the way he interacted with the world and how the world tested his greatness.  He comforted the Autlwetse family from the words of Isiah chapter 41 verse 10 that read; “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Mr Balopi said that was a powerful promise of God’s presence and strength during such circumstances because it showed the family that God was with them not just present but actively involved in their lives. He said Mr Autlwetse was his political mentor whom he met around the year 2000 and felt so blessed to have had the opportunity to interact and know him at a personal level. Mr Autlwetse died June 3, aged 76 and will be laid to rest in his home village, Serowe on Saturday. ENDS