BDF Plane Crash Victim Laid To Rest
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday February 20, 2017 18:00
The 35-year-old deceased and two others Captain Lebogang Dinyao from Serowe and Corporal Dintle Dichaba from Shashe Bridge near Tonota died last Thursday evening after their aircraft crashed in mid-flight in the general area of Thebephatswa Airbase after take-off.
The aircraft was scheduled to transport Vice President, Mokgweetsi Masisi to Tsabong that evening to attend the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) National Youth League congress.
Speakers at the funeral described Makobo as a loyal person who was full of life. His long-time friend Gaoletse Pheto described him as a humble and loving person. He said that since he has known Makobo, he has never seen him show that he is angry or unhappy. “He had this laughter that was unique. He would just laugh even under pressing situations,” he said. Boineelo Hardy who spoke on behalf of the deceased’s former school mates (Class 3D) said that he remembers Makobo about his loyalty, commitment to his family and laughter.
“His family came first. There are two words that he spoke frequently, setoko and moraka. He often said that he has to deliver stock for his mother and go to the cattlepost,” she said.
Hardy who claimed to have known Makobo since they were four-year-olds also remembered his “unique laughter”.
“He would laugh at teachers at school. He once laughed at one teacher who struggled to pronounce his name. He was also a bit disorganised in school but he would always be top of the class,” she said.
Brigadier Anthony Dikeledi of the BDF who conveyed messages of condolences from President Ian Khama, BDF Commander Segokgo and the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Shaw Kgathi said that the deceased died in line of duty.
“He is a proud person because he died doing what he loved the most. He is a hero. I am sure that he was happy that he was called to perform a VIP duty at the time,” he said. He said that the BDF has lost a soldier whose commitment to work was unchallenged. The deceased is survived by his parents, two sisters and a son. Meanwhile, investigations as to what caused the accident are still ongoing.