29 Oct 2026

Paying tribute to the late Botswana Congress Party (BCP) stalwart and former councilor for Boseja South, Molefe Molefe, attendants concurred that his passing marks a painful moment in the history of opposition politics.

Molefe, affectionately known as Phankgachuchu, died at the age of 72 following an illness.

Mourners, who attended his memorial service in Mochudi on Wednesday, said Molefe would be remembered as one of the pioneers of BCP, who formed part of the first cohort of BCP councillors following the party’s breakaway from Botswana National Front in 1998. 

One of the speakers, Mr Gerald Bodika, said he became closer to Molefe after he won the 1999 election under the BCP ticket, having served one term under the BNF from 1994 to 1999. 

“Phankgachuchu, Peter Mogwera and Stephen Makhura were the first BCP councillors in Kgatleng who were significant in shaping our story as a breakaway movement,” he said.

Mr Bodika said Molefe would always be remembered as an embodiment of the ideals and values that today constituted the tenets of BCP and that he left behind an indelible footprint that would remain a reference point for upcoming politicians.

Former MP for Kgatleng East, Mr Stephen Mabiletsa, said Molefe was a gentle soul, and a selfless being who shared his wisdom with young and upcoming politicians, having learnt the BNF doctrine in the party study groups and went around campaigning for the movement.

“He was learned, he had been groomed under the tutelage of the great giants in Dr Kenneth Koma, enyeletse Koma, Obonetse Menyatso and Mareledi Giddie, to mention, but a few,” he said.

As an MP in whose constituency Molefe was, Mr Mabiletsa said the late politician was also a product of his tutelage as he had set the tone for issue-based politics in the constituency. He said Molefe was also a peoples’ person who also shunned dirty politics, and believed in representing the masses and fighting for the emancipation of ordinary and underprivileged people.

BCP deputy president, Dr Unity Dow called on members of the community to emulate the late veteran politician. 

She said the deceased’s legacy should be preserved and be lived.

“As we remember and celebrate his life, let us look back on his contributions to our democracy. We must hold a mirror against ourselves and determine whether we have managed to emulate his efforts or not,” said Dr Dow. BNF representative, Mr Gomolemo Gouwe described Molefe as someone who had an engaging personality and a witty, noticeable character.

“He was a doer, not a theoriser. He was able to stand for what he believed in even if it meant holding views that were in variance with those of others. He defended them when pushed to do so,” he said.

Mr Gouwe said Molefe had footprints in the ward that he served for four consecutive terms from 1994 to 2014. He said some of the projects that he advocated for included the Morwa-Mmapole road, a primary school and Boseja 2 clinic.

Botswana Democratic Party’s Mr Fox Magole said Molefe was a skillful politician, had a disarming character and was attractive to politicians and members across the political divide. Another political stalwart, Mr Phagenyana Phage said the first time he became a councillor in 1994, he learnt a lot fromvMolefe who was one of the seasoned politicians of the BNF study groups at the time.

“Opposition politics at the time was very difficult, we had nothing. We only relied on our knowledge,” he said. He said Molefe was instrumental in growing the BCP.

Molefe, whose political career started in the 90’s, will be buried in Mochudi tomorrow. ENDS