Requiem to the genius - maetros of our time

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In this moving tribute GOMOLEMO MOTSWALEDI mourns and celebrates the recent fallen heroes of our cultural and political space, Chamza, Stampore and Tsilo

I have been so obstinately associated with politics that I as well visit inadequate regard to the fact that music makes the better of me. Four of Botswana's human monuments have hitherto passed on recently and I thank those who aired their prayers and eulogies publicly to punctuate the wonderful lives of these heroes. Just at the end of 2012 Golo Rampholo 'Chamza' Molefhe met his demise and was peacefully laid to rest. A legend, a thinker, social prophet of our time, a man who enjoyed a ride outside the box and a mortal who refused to be under the spell of our moment that has sucked men and women in to fear, non engagement, survivalism, false consciousness and obsequiousness.  A man whose thoughts about the country, its people and collective destiny was as mighty as the sword that his pen was.

His music and concept of the arts and national culture in general mirrored the broadness of his imagination and intellect.  A versatile, adaptive, compelling and convivial man he was.  Much as he was a mortal, I should hasten to note that he was not an ordinary one. For those who wanted to understand him, my advice had always been, savour the parts you do understand, for men like him live to demonstrate the profundity of human kind at least and at most, the gravity of the one in whose image human kind is said to be created. 

Editor's Comment
Gov’t must rectify recognition of Khama as Kgosi

While it is widely acknowledged that Khama holds the title of Kgosi, the government’s failure to properly gazette his recognition has raised serious concerns about adherence to legal procedures and the credibility of traditional leadership. (See a story elsewhere in this newspaper.) Recent court documents by the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Kgotla Autlwetse, shed light on the intricacies of Khama’s recognition process....

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