Let Motswaledi rest in dignity

Mmegi Editor | Friday August 8, 2014 13:36

Motswaledi believed in law and order. He believed in a better, peaceful, prosperous, just and secure Botswana. Initial reports are to the effect that he died in a road accident near Pitsane village.

There is suspicion surrounding his death. Both the Botswana Police and UDC are telling us they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the road mishap.  Needless to say, the fact that the investigation has gone on well into the day of his burial has not helped allay fears there may have been foul play.

That notwithstanding, Batswana should not allow his death to be used as an excuse by some people to cause anarchy and bring division to this peace-loving nation. The events of Wednesday evening when young people blocked representatives of political parties other than the UDC from speaking at Motswaledi’s memorial service at the University of Botswana Stadium are to say the least shameful. Motswaledi would never have supported such behaviour, and like he would have, we all must condemn these young people’s lack of respect for his memory and our culture.

That is simply not Botho upon which this nation was founded. That goes against what Motswaledi cherished. But then some political leaders have also said words deliberately intended to incense these young people. It was wrong of President Khama to suggest – at a political rally, held on the eve of Motswaledi’s funeral - that Opposition party presidents whom he did not name, sent the young people to cause lawlessness. He even took a swipe at the clergy whom he said were in support of thewhat occurred at the stadium.

We are still mourning Motswaledi, who by the way was from your Village. You are his king and may even be related to him. He was not a nobody as you know, yet on the eve of his interment, and as thousands were gathered at his parent’s home, which is closer to your own house, you were busy addressing a political rally at which you attacked his party. Where is discipline in all this? Where is leadership Mr President?

There are reports that the young people who disrupted the memorial service are planning to do the same at the funeral this morning. We appeal to all to remain calm and exercise restraint.

Please let us be patient and let all investigation into Motswaledi’s death come to completion. We believe the investigation will inform us as to what happened. Should foul play be found to have been behind his death, then we will collectively persevere to ensure perpetrators are brought to book.  No one should look to make political mileage from Motswaledi’s death. Please let us all accord Motswaledi a peaceful and uneventful farewell. This is what he would have wished even for his enemies.

Today’s thought

“It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.”

 – Samuel Johnson