World War 2 Veteran Laid To Rest
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday June 19, 2017 16:45
According to speakers, during the WWII the tiny protectorate of Bechuanaland sent 10,027 recruits, at the time 20% of its able-bodied men to assist Mmamosadinyana, the legendary British Queen that had in the last century responded to pleas of magosi a Batswana to protect them from land-hungry ‘Boers’.
They said the chiefs organised the enlistment of those men and sent them off in 1941 and 1942 to join the British in the war zones of the Middle East and Europe. They returned to Bechuanaland as heroes.
Gaborone was regarded as the hero because together with other men they fought for their country. According to his son Moreetsi Gaborone, his father, who was also known by his other nickname, Dikobo tsa Basadi was the leader of Mafitlhakgosi regiments back in 1936. He was the last survivor in the regiments, as his peers had long died some years ago.
The deceased was also an athlete in the then Bechuanaland and was nicknamed Speed Fire at the military. He also worked in the South African Railways back in 1939.
According to the ward councillor, Nora Nkwe, Gaborone was a very hard working, loving and caring person who was equally loved by many. She said despite his old age, he always made sure that the old kgotla was clean. The deceased was also described as a humble person who respected every person irrespective of his or her age.
“I remember rre Trouble by his dog. We went to the same church together. He had a very big dog that always accompanied him wherever he was. That dog would get inside the church with him and whenever we tried to chase it away, it just looked at its owner and ignored you,” she said.
According to the master of ceremony Moagi Gaborone, the Batlokwa tribe had lost a pioneer, a pillar that the tribe was looking up to. He said the community always sought advice and words of wisdom from Gaborone. He said the deceased was very close to Batlokwa Kgosi, Puso Gaborone who is also a close relative. He is said to have draped Kgosi Puso and his late father with the traditional leopard skin as tradition dictates.
The son of the late Eni Bogatsu and Kgori Molefe Gaborone, he was born on August 20,1918. He was married to Banewang Gaborone for close to 70 years.
The couple had nine children and is survived by five of which two are men and three women. He is survived by his wife, sister, 22 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.