18 Nov 2025

Endowed with relentless wit for pictorial communication, the prolific and multiple awards winner, Godfrey Mpuse has just retired his camera and transitioned to join his ancestors, leaving behind a trail of heavy, broken and harrowed hearts of family, friends, colleagues and fans of his art.

Goddy as Godfrey was affectionately called by colleagues, bore exceptional talent in photography. Unmatched. Many of his awards locally and even beyond the borders of Botswana are testimonials enough.

As this reporter gather strength and put on all his might, it dawns on him that the multiple awards conveyor belt for both the department and himself has suddenly come to a screeching stop. The man whom we got accustomed to greeting each other with a strong shout of “Khuwa khuwa” has reportedly succumbed to his ailments and all I’m left with is the memories we created together.

This is the first photographer I attended an Arts & Culture event with while a newbie at BOPA. 

I was some days old when Goddy, Mmopi and I were assigned to cover an event at Duma Grounds dubbed Summer Splash sometimes in December of 2008.

We hardly knew each other and because he could really bend his elbows he tested if I were part of the team. I passed with undoubtedly flying colours. So, before the event, on a Saturday evening, we went into some drinking hole and guzzled some holy waters while awaiting the driver to pick us up. Morale booster of some kind. It worked magic for colleagues who barely knew each other.

Fast-forward to midnight when the even started, many artists performed under the drizzling rains. He was hard at work painting memories with his lens. I had my notebook which barely was of any use since my excitement hit sky high.

When Deben Natale and his team of Kalakuta Records hit the stage, Goddy snapped a few pictures before delving into the unexpected. Yes, unexpected by I, the greenhorn. With his gumboots, Goddy stomped the waterlogged grass and led a choir that eventually bunged in numbers as everyone followed suit. At this point he retired his lens and hung his camera on his huge shoulders.

Sometimes I suspect he even surprised himself, too. But we nearly fell into trouble. He was late to submit the photos while I, too, was late to file the article on Sunday morning. It earned us the ire of the then Chief press officer the late Mr. Koziba Batungamile. But owing to Goddy’s experience and abilities to negotiate tough terrains, we prevailed over the fuming CPO. Our then assignment editor, Rebaone Tswiio, immensely backed us up with evidence of the article and photographs. We defeated the CPO and got our overtime claims, my first, authorised albeit with conditions.

The Summer Splash event opened doors to our closeness. Goddy would always consult with me on the angle of the story I intended to take so that he could work on pictures that augured well. He loathed a picture and article that we’re seemingly at war.

Since then, Goddy earned my respect. Not just as an experienced photographer, but as a brother.

 He knew how to cajole a younger colleague into negotiating for holy waters at events we were invited to, especially when the conveyer belt seemed to have lost power.

 At one point, at Gaborone Sun- the now Avani, Goddy played his cards on me. He told me that one of the waitresses was smiling at me. 

I checked her out and indeed she was. And so, Goddy thought I should use the opportunity to divert her attention to our table frequently. To cut a long story short, we had mad fun that night.

Goddy and I have enjoyed a cordial working relationship whenever we found ourselves attending various government activities together.

 At some point we covered the launch of Nyeletso Lehuma at Struizendam where he found me to be a nuisance after I bended my elbow a multiple times that evening. For every mistake, intended or honest, Goddy would call it a “foul,” a term synonymous with sport, especially football. He used this term on everyone who committed a mistake or error of judgement. He would do so in a provocative laughter to ensure that the next person knows about. But when it comes to himself, Goddy would crack in laughter of self-pity.

That night at Struizendam, he was afraid I was going to pull off so many successful ‘fouls’ that him and Thato Mosinyi avoided me greatly. However, I was the lucky guy that night. 

Details are withheld.

Then there was Rural Development Council event at Dikhukhung in Borolong. Goddy, Thato and I, graced the occasion together with one Aaron Moreeng. What a night we had under the spell of bonfire and holy waters that flew endlessly. We planned ahead for the nights as that one. Fearing that the then deputy permanent secretary, Mr. Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo may want to check on us and read our script, Goddy and Thato devised an anti-Kaboeamodimo plan: we put our holy bottles inside a litter bin provided for us at the campsite and laced them with ice.

Water and Kaboeamodimo-tight plan. But the bin ‘sweat profusely’ which nearly got us caught. That night of stories and laughter, Goddy got stung by an insect we called anaconda. He had to hide in his tent and burst in laughter to every hilarious piece from there.

These and many more stories we shared with Goddy, The Godfather of pictorial communication.

This is one guy who would, without a word, inspire one to put effort and be creative in their work so as to garner recognition and awards.

Now that his lens has retired, the shutter of his camera beat him to life, I can only look back and marvel at the towering photo journalist Mr Godfrey Mpuse was. I send my heartfelt condolences to his wife and children, family, relatives, colleagues friends and fans alike. Good night, The Godfather! ENDS