It was either I quit or commit suicide—Boko
Innocent Selatlhwa | Tuesday March 26, 2024 06:00
He later conducted several media interviews explaining his position.
The youthful former legislator said throughout his political life, he went through betrayals and backstabbing and endured a lot from people he was close to in the constituency and party. It was only a fortnight later that Boko would face the people who made him weep uncontrollably to bid them farewell. His first stop was a Kgotla meeting called by Kgosi Tshipe Tshipe to launch some community committees.
Kgosi Tshipe said it was only fair that Boko addresses Mahalapye residents on his reasons as they had only heard through Facebook, while they had expected he would have at least forewarned them. “As you have heard, I have resigned from Parliament. I will not be able to say all that led me to quit.
But I did quit my job after being a legislator for over four years. I gave my all as a Member of Parliament.
God was with me. I was only 32 years old, only two years into marriage without a child,” Boko said. “God has been there to keep my home solid. I would like to thank you, Mahalapye people, for showing me the way.
Please forgive me for all the wrong I did you. I am also proud of my achievements as a legislator. I am leaving as a happy man as I achieved a lot of what I wanted to,” he added. Boko admitted that he was scared to approach the Kgotla and face the people, as he feared some would not want to see him. “I am grateful that when I arrived, you ululated, I was treated well, escorted, and given a seat at the top table.
“This shows I am still well-regarded. I hurt a lot of you, but you embraced me,” he said. Boko emphasised that he could not dwell on the reasons because they were at the Kgotla, however he said he had only two options. “The other decision would have been taking my own life as I was overwhelmed. Whenever my wife and I were away, I would see a noose coming towards my head from the roof. I resisted it for a long time as I was not well emotionally,” he shared. Boko was, however, quick to point out that suicide should be discouraged and rather people be encouraged to cry to deal with their emotions.
“I want to encourage you that as you embark on mentoring our young people in our community, please tell them that they should cry. Even at my house, when I am being reprimanded by my wife, I cry. Whether fake or real tears. Crying helps me deal with my emotions and not act haphazardly. It helps me heal,” he said. He said boy children should also be told that it is not wrong for them to cry. “Nna bagaetsho, fa ke bone nako ke a lela gore kutlo botlhoko ya me e tle e tswe. Ke bone kagiso mo go leleng,” he said. Boko warned that mental health issues are serious and if it means one quitting their job, they should do so. He told the constituents that he had left politics and was ready for work. He promised the constituents to bid them a proper farewell at their respective Kgotlas in his constituency. Boko would then donate chairs to the Kgotla.
He also went on to Kudumatse village where he donated chairs to Dikgatlho Junior School and Kudumatse Primary School. He also went to Dovedale where he donated chairs to the Kgotla and a printer to Dovedale Primary School. Kgosi Tshipe thanked Boko for coming over to speak to his people as they were worried about him. He also thanked him for the chairs and said they would be looking to utilise him as an attorney.