Gaolathe laid to rest

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Monday June 7, 2010 00:00

 

Speakers at his funeral service on Saturday, spoke about his distinguished contribution to the civil service and even after his retirement.

Former President Festus Mogae described Gaolathe as a workaholic.  Mogae said Gaolathe was one person with a lot of humility. 

The former president said even if he disagreed with you, he would never raise his voice.  'He would just be courteous as if you have an agreement.'

Mogae said Gaolathe was a dedicated and committed man filled with integrity. 

Another former president, Sir Ketumile Masire described Gaolathe as a coat of many colours.  Masire recalled that when Gaolathe was still a student at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS), they kept an eye on him at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.  He said they wanted to recruit him, but were disappointed when he was poached by another ministry.  However, Gaolathe was to later end up at the finance ministry. 

Masire described Gaolathe as a hard worker who was straight and honest.   Gaolathe, he said, was respectful of authority and even to his juniors.   

'He was a dedicated person,' Masire said.

He said Gaolathe acquainted himself credibly in all the senior positions that he served.  'He was such a wonderful man,' he said.

Masire said Gaolathe's death is a great loss to the country and the region as a whole.  The former president said he valued Gaolathe greatly as a friend. 

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Mathambo, said Gaolathe was gifted in a special way, adding that he was a unique person. 

He told mourners who were gathered at the Trinity church in Gaborone that Gaolathe was a pleasant person to work with.  'I never saw him angry,' said Mathambo who took over from Gaolathe as the Minister of Finance. 

Mathambo who also worked with Gaolathe in the same ministry, said he has personally gained from working with him. 

'He was a true leader.  When you are a true leader, you must produce other leaders,' he said.

A former school mate, Ephraim Setshwaelo reminisced about their days at Moeng College and Roma University in Lesotho.

Setshwaelo recalled that when they were at Moeng College, Gaolathe would be reading when they were playing.  'He was studying for knowledge and we were studying for grades,' he said.

He said Gaolathe displayed his leadership skills at a young age.  'He distinguished himself as a much more serious person.'

To him, Gaolathe was not a political person.  He was not a member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) or the Botswana National Front (BNF).  'He regarded politics as a vehicle where he would serve the nation,' he said.

The Vice President, Mompati Merafhe, said the noble achievements that this country has attained is due to the invaluable contribution of Gaolathe and colleagues of his generation.

'He worked tirelessly in promoting the socio-economic development of this country.  The history of this nation will be incomplete without taking into account the contribution of Baledzi,' Merafhe said.

'Baledzi was a principled and consummate diplomat who commanded a high degree of tolerance and humility.  He was indeed a role model par excellence.'  He said Gaolathe served the country diligently and with great distinction for 42 years.   He said Gaolathe began his illustrious career as an assistant secretary in the then Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Water Affairs at the age of 26.

He said Gaolathe was endowed with intellectual prowess.  'He steered with success the course of Botswana's fiscal policy, amidst various socio-economic challenges.  His superior intellect made him a valuable member of the National Assembly at all times.  He was an excellent debater in parliament,' he said.

Another speaker was Lesotho's Minister of Finance, Dr Tim Thahane.  'Botswana has lost a son.  We have lost a friend and a colleague,' the Lesotho minister said.

Gaolathe acquired a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland in the '60s.  He also studied Economics at the University of London after which he accomplished an MA Economics at Bradford University. 

In 1968, he joined the public service as an assistant secretary at the then Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Water Affairs. He rose rapidly through the ranks and within five years, he was the Permanent Secretary of the newly-established Ministry of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs.  In 1976 he became the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, a post he held for 16 years. 

After he retired from the civil service, he was appointed as the Managing Director of Debswana.  After his stint at Debswana, he took over as the Governor of the Bank of Botswana to succeed Quill Hermans. 

In 1999 he was nominated as a Specially-Elected MP and took over as the Minister of Finance and Development Planning.  He served as the finance minister until last year when he was deployed to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.  Gaolathe has also served on the boards of local companies and parastatals.

Gaolathe is survived by his wife, Isabella and his three children, Tendani, Tawana and Ndaba, his daughter-in-law Cecilia as well as many grandchildren.  His eldest daughter, Zingisa passed away in a tragic road accident in 2008.  He also leaves behind his mother, Gasemotho Gaolathe and two siblings.