13 May 2026

Former Bakwena Regent, Kgosikwena Sebele has rained praises on the late former President, Dr Festus Mogae, describing him as an impartial and loving character.

Speaking an interview with BOPA on Monday, Kgosi Sebele said his passing was relayed to him while he was at the cattle post.

He described Dr Mogae as a close friend and will forever cherish the good memories of their friendship.

“My heart is filled with sorrow, he has been there for me through thick and thin. He has played a major role in my life and career even at the time when I was holding forth of the Bakwena reign,” he said

Even though not detailing much on Dr Mogae as a nephew of the Bakwena, Mr Sebele said, the deceased mother hails from Goo-Tshosa in Molepolole.

“I had little to share of his upbringing, we only became close when he was in government, as a public servant and as a politician,” he said.

He recalls that Dr Mogae’s presidency was among others faced with the debacle to combat the HIV and AIDS scourge as it was a leading threat to his reign and the future of the country.

“While I was still and the reign of the Bakwena chieftainship, at one point I travelled with President Mogae across the country, appealing to the nation to do their all in combating the HIV and AIDS pandemic,” he said.

Kgosi Sebele said the HIV and AIDS scourge was a predicament to Dr Mogae’s presidency, but given his determination as a true leader, through perseverance and desire to save the nation, he against all odds bravely fought and ultimately won.

He further said President Mogae was a bold decision maker who was fearless in carrying out his duties as a leader of the nation.

Kgosi Sebele said at one point he declined being appointed as president of the Customary Court of Appeal, as he was still young and on a learning curve, a position that was then taken over by a well-oiled machine on customary issues being the late Kgosi Linchwe II of Bakgatla.

“After his death, the then Minister of Local Government wanted to appoint someone else, and it was President Mogae who instructed that I be appointed to the position as it now ready to take,” he said.

He said Dr Mogae was a loving person and comical in nature, always ready to unleash something hilarious, including at kgotla meetings and other national gatherings.

Kgosi Sebele said his friendship with Dr Mogae was not even deterred by their political differences. Our companionship included the likes of the late Julius Molebatsi Bodigelo and Gobe Matenge. We remained friends despite following from different political parties,” he said.

Kgosi Sebele said his personality placed him as a unique as it was never shape by his political affiliation.

Kgosi Sebele said during the loss of his wife, President Mogae handsomely contributed P15 000 toward funeral expenses adding that the same gesture was similarly extended to the late Bodigelo after his wife passed on.

He said President Mogae worked closely with Dikgosi and on two occasions he was sent to on a special assignment to Mozambique to mediate a dispute between the FRELIMO government and traditional leaders.

“Go robetse monna wa banna who ran a peaceful government. He was clear and fair on governance,” he said.

Kgosi Sebele said powered by education, Dr Mogae was decisive in decision making, therefore ran a smooth government as he was able to deal with challenges that came with being a leader of a developing nation. ENDS