In memory of Baledzi Gaolathe

| Tuesday June 1, 2010 00:00

His career in the public service, particularly at the Bank of Botswana, Botswana Development Corporation and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning where he served in different capacities and at different times before becoming minister, was distinguished. As Minister of Finance, he was hailed across the continent for his prudent husbanding of our nation's resources. Botswana will remember Rre Gaolathe as an astute economist and an unassuming politician. But despite the heights he commanded, the soft-spoken gentleman remained humble and accessible to all. He epitomised botho to a fault.  Towards the end of his illustrious life, Rre Gaolathe demonstrated the increasingly rare quality of political tolerance. His son, Ndaba, was recently estranged from the father's party, the BDP, but Rre Gaolathe accepted it graciously and would not allow it to poison their relationship.

We are all thankful to have been touched by the life and service of Rre Gaolathe. Indeed, many among us would do well to take a leaf from this humble hero's life for lessons in many spheres. Rest in peace, Baledzi!We applaud the appointment of Dambe and Moroka

We congratulate Rre Lot Moroka and Mme Leatile Dambe on their appointment to the High Court bench and are pleased that vacancies at there are being filled with men and women of substance. Moroka has served the Department of Administration of Justice for many years in the magistracy until he reached the pinnacle of Regional Magistrate. In his courtroom, Moroka was well known for dispensing justice without fear or favour.

Although he handled some of the toughest cases, he never lost sight of objectivity and sense of balance. Even those who disagreed with his judgments saluted him for his knowledge of the law. In Moroka, the magistracy has lost a champion and a steadying hand. He has tirelessly campaigned for the appointment of Batswana to the magistracy and above. We believe his addition to the High Court bench will advance jurisprudence in Botswana.

Moroka's colleague, Dambe, is well respected for her independence and toughness. Similarly, she has prosecuted many of the tougher cases and should add her unshakeable sense of justice to what she finds at the bench. As Botswana's first Director of Public Prosecutions, she has proven herself to be undaunted by uncharted territory.

Unfortunately, such as she often leave a void when they are called upon to tackle even more serious challenges.But it would be a travesty if Dambe's position were to be filled by an apologist or political lickspittle. We call upon those responsible to look long and hard before appointing Dambe's replacement.

                                                   Today's thought

'For those who would joyously march in rank and file, they have already earned my contempt, for they were given a large brain by accident when a spinal chord would have sufficed.'

                                                    - Albert Einstein