Icons of Botswana

Snowy Tonoko
Correspondent | Tuesday May 21, 2013 00:00

 

Lawrence Diphetogo Lekalake was born on November 19, 1931 in Kuruman, South Africa. He is one of four children born to his father Kebopetswekgosi Gray Lekalake and his wife Elizabeth. Gray was the third son of Reverend Maphakela and Phemelo Lekalake, both originally Batswana who, because of their involvement in the London Missionary Society (LMS) had moved from Botswana to South Africa. Lekalake was born into a struggling world. He was brought up by his grandfather and his mother. This was so because his father died prematurely at the early age of 32.

Moving to his education, Lekakalake first entered a classroom in 1937 at 6 years of age at Central Primary School in Bothithong and completed there in 1947. In 1948 he entered Secondary at Tigerkloof Technical High School where he completed Junior Certificate in 1950 and Senior Certificate in 1952, obtaining training which qualified him to go to university.

Because of his financial position he could not go proceed to university the following year. He therefore took a temporary job at the Asbestos and Manganese Mines in Kuruman in 1953. Lekalake was employed by the mines as a 'mabalane'' which denotes keeping stock. The purpose of his employment was to raise funds to enable him to go for further studies.

His wishes came true in 1954 when he put together enough funds to take himself to Fort Hare University. He was able to do so because apart from his meager savings, he obtained a grant from his employers to cover one third of the fees. The other money was provided by his uncle who was one of the teachers at Tigerkloof High School.

Lekalake then pursued a degree in Bachelor of Science the same year at University of Fort Hare completing in 1956. ''I studied sciences and I obtained a very comforting pass with a Distinction in Chemistry. This achievement was indeed a blessing because it enabled me to apply for a scholarship which I obtained from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (C.S.I.R) in 1958'' he said with a smile. Lekalake became the first black student to study for an Honours Degree in Chemistry. He got married to Tutula Lekalake, a south african in 1958 at Fort Hare University and they were blessed with two girls and two boys.

He moved to Botswana, joined Geological Survey in Lobatse in 1961 and became the first Motswana Analytic Chemist in Botswana. The same year he started working for the Government as a temporary teacher at Lobatse Teacher Training College. When he started his job at the Geological Survey, Doctor Q.K.T at the time a founder and journalist of Naledi ya Botswana came to the laboratory in Lobatse to take photographs of him at work in the laboratory which was specifically built for him to work in.

Lekalake explained that his job involved analyzing rocks, soil, water and determining its quality. He also did analytic work on copper nickel, coal for Phikwe Mine still operating in Lobatse. Lekalake had the privilege of weighing the first diamond in Botswana at Geological Survey which he recalls was a good experience. He was employed there until the end of 1967.

He then left the Geological Services on promotion to the Ministry of Mines, Commerce and Industry in 1967 where he started working as Under Secretary. In 1969 he was appointed the Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry.

He then got transferred to the Ministry of Works and Communication in 1972 where he served for 5 years as Permanent before moving to the Office of the President as Director of Personnel.  In 1978 Lekalake retired from the government to take up a job as Assistant General Manager at Kgalagadi Breweries in 1979 and ultimately retired from full time employment as Group General Manager and Chairman of the Group in December 2012.

As a civil servant Lekalake performed and participated in a number of social programmes. Some of these included fund raising programmes for the Development of Batswana. ''I was in this respect involved in the fund raising programme of a number of essential programmes in the development of this country'' he said. As everybody is aware, in 1966 when Botswana got Independence, it was a poor country and dependent for its development on grants from its former colonial master, Britain.

The country had to devise and launch its own fund-raising programmes in order to improve economically and otherwise. ''I was one of those who entered the frail and participated in the task of raising funds locally from the general public. In this regard I voice the very successful program that raised money for the University of Botswana, the programme was launched under the name 'motho mongwe le mongwe kgomo''. The initiative was followed by the Maruapula Fund, and then came along the Moeding College building programme among others which Lekalake was actively involved in.

Among the things Lekalake adores is that he won the respect of Batswana while working for both government and the private sector. 'Motho le Motho Kgomo'' is one of the initiatives that he took part in the early seventies, the mandate was to raise funds to help in the upliftment of the standard of Education in Botswana, he also volunteered as a teacher of Mathematics and Science at Moeding College in the 60s.

Such programmes were launched in several centers such as Brigades and were very successful despite the meagre earnings of Batswana at the time. The lives of many Batswana were somewhat improved and still are. ''If I were at a freedom square I would say let the struggle continue''.

Lekalake added value to the lives of Batswana in terms of performance and reliability, especially to his juniors at the time during his working days.  He influenced them to perform better in the corporate world and beyond.Through his hard work and determination Lekalake held respectable positions in which he believes he achieved great satisfaction as well as uphold competitive qualities of a leader. From 1997 to December 2012 Lekalake was the chairman of Kgalakgadi Breweries Limited doing executive work and general administration. ''I was also available for consultation which made my job more remarkable and progressive''. From 1969 to 1974 he was the chairman of the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland and was still chairman from 1974 to 1979 but for the University of Botswana Counsel.

The humble-looking man learnt his business skills through courses such as Financial Accounting and Management in 1981 at The School of Financial Management in Cape Town and did Business Management in Switzerland in 1985. After working at KBL for 30 years Lekalake became grateful for his efforts and achievements in life despite the fact that there was no business when he started working in Lobatse in 1961. Lekalake has received National Awards in order to appreciate his contribution and diligence as well as to help sustain the work ethics. Certificate of Appreciation from Kgalagadi Breweries and was also awarded a Doctorate Degree by the University of Botswana.

The gentle looking man is currently reading 'The Perseverance' by David Magang and enriches his motivation and zeal in life any change he gets. He admires Barack Obama because of his oratory, he believes Obama has a natural voice and he never runs short of words. 'I am motivated by a number of things, first I am a cattle man (rear cattle), and I also enjoy reading. I indulge in protected dialogue but do it with a selected few, I like solitude so that I can sit back and dream,' he said gladly.

Lekalake refreshes with jazz and old music as well as watching tennis. Lekalake described himself as an approachable and direct man. 'I don't put on airs. On the whole I am considered worthwhile company,' he said.

His last words were that Batswana should know that the future looks bright if handled well, the country  has almost all the resources except water therefore people should fully utilise them for the benefit of the nation.