Lenyeletse Koma: End of an era
Kabo Ramasia | Friday January 9, 2026 12:17
A giant of the struggle has fallen!
When the nation stood in ululation(s) anticipating the dawn of a new year, on the other hand, a new dawn away from earth was indeed setting in for one of Botswana’s gigantic opposition political figures, Lenyeletse Koma. He succumbed to death on December 31, 2025.
This week, his family confirmed that Koma, 86, who was related to the late Botswana National Front (BNF) leader, Dr. Kenneth Shololo Goabamong Koma breathed his last.
“Koma was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be remembered for his love, guidance, and important role he played within the family and community,” wrote the family.
Although departed, Koma, like many other veteran opposition politicians would certainly have died a proud man. Despite having been expelled from the BNF in the 1980s for reportedly questioning the party leadership, Koma whose contribution was invaluable to the formative years of the party, lived long enough to see regime change. The BNF was founded in 1965 and had been the main rival to the then ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) at the time when Koma and co were firebrands. However, the BDP was finally defeated in October 2024 signalling a new era of political leadership under the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
To many, he is regarded as a proper communist, possibly the last of a dying breed, Koma is described by those who knew him as a well-grounded BNF cadre who is said to have gone through the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) programme in the 1970s.
As tributes pour in, many have described the former teacher as one of the few who lay their lives for the struggle when it did not make sense to do so. In recounting the life and times of Koma, some perceive him as that shrewd economic thinker who guided the BNF strategies during its formative days.
As a stalwart of politics, Koma’s contribution to the local landscape goes a long way. History notes that, after being expelled from the BNF for what termed indiscipline was, he forged on to form the Botswana Labour Party (BLP). But the party never grew to the stature of the BNF which at the time was regarded as a yardstick of opposition under the guidance of the astute Kenneth Koma.
Against all odds, Koma’s legacy remains inscribed in Botswana’s politikos. From being among those instrumental in the formation of a party which now forms part of government, sacrificing his livelihood to the struggle and ultimately founding a party thereby standing by his ideals, it remained clear that he was what the doctor had ordered for Botswana.In an interview with Mmegi in 2010, he stressed that he was still living by his political ideology. “I became interested in politics during the time of African nationalists like Kwame Nkurumah and Jomo Kenyatta. We became interested in politics before Botswana gained independence,” he told Mmegi in the interview.
The former BNF Political Education Secretary and member of the Central Committee has been hailed for his crucial role in teaching party members about Marxism and converting new souls into the party beliefs.
Although he will be remembered as a giant who lived to see regime change, it remains to be seen how a party he bore it all for will fare as it seemingly navigates unprecedented challenges as it manoeuvrers to deliver the much-promised social transformation.
He will be laid to rest tomorrow (Saturday) in Lobatse.