Bright Bagwasi rests in peace

| Friday July 9, 2010 00:00

He passed away after a short illness on June 22 at Princess Marina Hospital. Dr Bright Bartholomew Bagwasi worked at Princess Marina as a specialist Surgeon from 1985 until his retirement as a Superintendent in 1996.

Born on January 19, 1947 to devout Christians, Boikutlo and Taolo Bagwasi, Bagwasi did his primary schooling, in Serowe and finished his form five at St Josephs College.

 He obtained his medical degree with a distinction at the University of Nairobi and went on to become a pathologist and a Urologist.

Apart from his profession as a medial practitioner he continued to qualify in other fields, he had an MBA in business administration and an MA in Theology.

Bagwasi was honoured with a full memorial service befitting a reverend at Christ The King Cathedral on June 30.  His burial the next day symbolised that of a man who had touched the lives of many. Bright Bagwasi was an easy-going person, humorous who served on the boards of several organisations.

According to the numerous speeches at his funeral, Bagwasi believed that health was not simply about the absence of disease, but was also about the physical, emotional and spiritual well being of a person. His children would like to remember him as a loving, patient but strict father.

Bagwasi was a devoted and staunch member of the Roman Catholic Church, an avid reader of the bible who accepted Christ as his personal saviour.

Being a qualified and ordained Minister, Bagwasi was able to serve in many capacities in the church.

He was a founding member of the Health research and Development Committee, which reviews proposals for research that deal with human subjects.

Bagwasi established the fellowship centre for the university, among other things, to provide spiritual needs of students. 

He was also instrumental in the rebirth of Christian Doctors Fellowship in Botswana and also helped with the supervision of Master's Degree students in counselling and human services. Bagwasi was a key person in the expansion and upgrading of Princess Marina to become a modern facility.

Upon leaving Princess Marina, Bagwasi joined Jwaneng Hospital as Chief Medical Officer from 1997 to 2000. 

He then joined the University of Botswana as Director of health services before going into private practice. Bagwasi also had a passion for farming particularly dairy farming and cheese production.

Dr Bright Bagwasi is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son, a son-in-law, two grandsons as well as two brothers and two sisters.