Messages for Motswaledi

| Friday August 8, 2014 15:56

 

Message from the son

Writing about a man whose mental, political and physical stature was of great magnitude is a challenge.

Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become SILENT about things that matter.” My father was the type of person who believed that, therefore he never kept silent about things that ‘matter’

My father and I had a tight bond. Our connection was one words could not describe. My mother tells me that I used to cry a lot every time I was given to people since I was used to her hands, but when my father took me in his arms for the first time I never cried, the bond was sealed.

A time crosses my mind when we were together on the way to Durban, he put his left hand on my head while steering with his right. He said,” Ke go baa diatla. You are now SirG junior”. This was beginning of 2011.

There are too many memories to share but all in all, I had THE WORLD’S GREATEST DAD.

GAKEESI “SIR G JUNIOR” TLHABIWE is Motswaledi’s 14-year-old son

 

Message from the family

Why should it not concern us that there was a time when we were not, but, trouble us when we cease to be? We are sojourners in this world and shall all depart. It therefore matters not how one departs, for such is an indiscriminate reality that faces everyone. What matters then, is how one lives his life.

To live in the hearts we leave behind is in essence not to die - it is not end if we can live on in the hearts of younger generations for they are us, our bodies are wilted leaves of the eternal tree of life. For a giant like Goms, who shall leave eternally, death is just a horizon and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

We, the Motswaledi family, fervently believe that the bitterest tears shed over losing a loved one are called forth by the memory of the hours we held back the expression of love. It has afforded us astounding equanimity not to have squandered any of the moments we shared with Goms. We have:

- Enjoyed his unparalleled humour

- Supported his courses and quests as he expressed selflessness

- Benefited from his benevolent disposition; his vast and myriad wisdom, artistry, creativity, oration and musicality that epitomized his rich spirituality.

- We have allowed ourselves to be influenced by his boldness, firmness, assertiveness and ability to provide good guidance. Goms has transcended his time in deed; he was such a preponderance of a man. We therefore send him off to rest with open hearts and await the time when he shall rise to the sound of the trumpet.

 

Message from Ndaba Gaolathe 

Many will live much longer than you have, but rarely will they, in any generation, live a life as whole as the one you led. My tears, hopes, laughters, celebrations, sufferings, failures and achievements were yours and so were yours my own. Your victory is certain - the path you have carved for your people is blazing with an undying light that illuminates with the most magnificent glow. God should be pleased with the conduct of your life - it 1 was complete - and it towers here on earth as it surely will tower in heaven.!

Our people will now know that, among us, was a man who comes along once in a generation. They will now know how privileged they were to have had you laugh, speak, sing, pray, lead and live among them. They will now understand the love that burned within you for them.

They will now understand that your work was inspired by a genuine and authentic love for your people. They will now fully comprehend the full extent of your rare talent, your diligence and exquisite craftmanship.  How I wish they had also fully experienced every path we travelled and the joy we shared, for if they had they would be content with the moments you spent here.

Your work is done, and your mission is accomplished. Nothing and no one will be able to take that away. We will finish the work for you, and we will do so with the same sense of excellence you exemplified. Mozart, your son, (and his mom Kealeboga), your father “Tax” and brother Gape will make it through the storm for God is with them as he is with you. The imagination in me, of a reunion in heaven with you and with those dear to us past departed, tears my spirit with unspeakable joy. And surely, most surely, your people will make it to the promised land.

Ndaba Gaolathe, Vice President, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) of the UDC

 

Below embeddded is the video of an eulogy by Duma Boko, UDC President