BDP bids Mma Tshelang farewell
Innocent Selatlhwa | Friday June 9, 2023 14:37
While little has been documented about her, speakers at her memorial service organised by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) here this week spoke highly of her invaluable contributions to the party, especially in the Moshupa area.
The BDP hosted a memorial service for Mma Tshelang, as she was affectionately known, and party members came in large numbers. Amongst notable dignitaries at the memorial service were former President Festus Mogae and party veterans including Daniel Kwelagobe, members of Cabinet, members of the central committee and BDP members who served with Mma Tshelang.
Though there is no public documentation of her works, and her biography has not been shared, the speakers presented Mma Tshelang as a staunch member of the BDP till she departed.
It was revealed that she served as chairperson of the BDP women in Moshupa for 15 years. She was also said to have been a dressmaker of note who would dress up BDP members in Moshupa for free. “Mma Tshelang has been there for the BDP from as long as when we were young until her last day. I am the current Women’s league chairperson for Moshupa- Manyana and I welcome you to speak of the legend Mma Tshelang. She was the first ever women's league chairperson in the constituency.
She was a parent to all of us and always guided us to do well. I would love to listen to you as you all speak of the great woman she was,” Lenah Tebogo said as she welcomed mourners. Councillor Ponatshego Tshiping reminisced of the great times they had with Mma Tshelang, serving the BDP. “She was a daughter of Pastor Tlharatlhane Otsheleng and Mma Otsheleng. Her father was a UCCSA pastor and unlike most children, she followed in the footsteps of her parents as a devoted Christian until she passed on.
It is rare to find those whose parents were pastors following footsteps, but she did,” she said. Tshiping also said Mma Tshelang was fully behind her late husband when he quit his teaching job and became a founding member of the BDP. She said Mma Tshelang would then be blessed with her son Tshelang as a councillor and eventually a legislator in Francistown.
She said Mma Tshelang was also blessed with her other son Mokgweetsi as President. “In 1985, we elected the first Women’s Wing chairperson in Moshupa. She was a tailor and she made skirts for us with BDP branding. She also got T- shirts which had Sethomo Masisi’s face. Moshupa was a leader in designing party merchandise because of her. And for us in Moshupa the good news was that we were getting all these for free. She would say those from outside would cover costs by buying,” she said.
Tshiping said they would look great even their choir, which led to BDP’s then secretary-general Kwelagobe insisting that all constituencies form party choirs. Mma Tshelang was also praised for encouraging people to use their hands to make money. “She would buy oranges and distribute them around the whole constituency for branches to make money. We had metshelo and stokvels and invited other constituencies for support. We never had to make councillors or legislators to pay for delegates.
Our constituency made a lot of money under her stewardship because of her dedication,” he said. For her part, Ellen Orekeng said Mma Tshelang worked hard and selflessly for the BDP. “She was my chairperson in Moshupa and would traverse the terrains of the whole constituency. The roads were bad in most cases and Mma Tshelang and her husband would even spend nights stuck on the campaign trail. She was very instrumental in making us work hard to raise funds for the party,” she said.
Orekeng said Mma Tshelang taught them a lot and got to stay in power for 15 years. She said Mma Tshelang was against factionalism and taught them to resolve conflicts amicably and put the party first at all times. Several other speakers who would follow reiterated the enormous contribution from Mma Tshelang to the BDP. She will be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday) in Moshupa.