Justice Legwaila hailed as a man of honour
Tefo Pheage | Thursday August 4, 2016 14:11
Legwaila who passed on last week began his career in the public service in 1972 as a state counsel in the Attorney General’s Chambers rising to the post of a judge in the Court of Appeal in 2011.
He has held many other positions such as permanent secretary in the Office of the President and a diplomat.
At Legwaila’s memorial service held at the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) Trinity Church, the industrial court president Justice Tebogo Maruping described him as a man of honour, hardworking and thorough who always delivered thought-provoking and well researched judgements on time.
“He left a mark and a legacy in our judicial system which some of us, his successors, will take forever to reach. He always remarked that judges are like wine, they mature with age,” said Justice Maruping.
He informed the congregants that Legwaila was a happy man who always implored others to do the right thing because it frees one.
A church elder, one Ms Mokama said Justice Legwaila was a devoted Christian who played a leading role in the development of the church.
“He was everything to us, an advisor, father, friend. He contributed immensly to our constitution because he entered when we were still having constitutional issues and he appeared like a God-sent angel to put our troubles to sleep,” she said.
Mokama said Legwaila was a singer who loved music with his whole heart and could be heard at the corner unleashing his barritone during church services. “He possesed qualities of modesty, firmness in everything, patience and teamwork, He was an internationally respected lawyer and judge,” she said.
He was further hailed for playing a crutial role in bringing the Namibia-Botswana dispute over Sedudu Island to rest after urging the churches from both countries to take the leading role.
Legwaila also served as chairperson of the University of Botswana (UB) Council for a period of over 14 years. His service at UB began in 1998, a time when the university was undergoing a number of changes that included amongst other things, semesterisation, full implementation of the 1999/2000 restructuring exercise, quality assurance and the performance management system.
He served under three UB vice chancellors - Sharon Siverts, Bojosi Otlhogile and Thabo Fako. Legwaila who is survived by his wife and children will be buried in his hometown of Mathathane in the Bobirwa sub-district on Saturday. Also in attendance was President Ian Khama, who had sent a condolence message to the family.