Although the fallen councillor spent much of her time in Gaborone Central, where she contested the Notwane Ward in the 2009 and 2019 elections, her political influence extended far beyond the constituency. For decades, she was regarded as one of the party’s iconic activists and a steadfast defender of its ideals and aspirations. Her contribution to the BNF was also reflected in her service on the party’s central committee. Akambakamba also served as an additional member under successive BNF presidents, including founding president, the late Dr Kenneth Koma, Otsweletse Moupo and Duma Boko. However, after the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) won the 2024 General Election and formed government, she opted out of the BNF central committee. By then, Akambakamba had already spent decades in the trenches of opposition politics, earning the respect of generations of activists who regarded her as a political mother and mentor. What distinguished Akambakamba from the crowd was her willingness to stand her ground. She belonged to a generation of BNF activists who were prepared to endure political difficulties and make personal sacrifices for what they believed was a just cause.
Indeed, some members affectionately referred to such committed activists as “Maforanta” cadres who were prepared to remain loyal to the front even during its most difficult periods. A cadre forged in struggle For many of her comrades, Akambakamba’s political legacy cannot be separated from the difficult years of opposition politics in Botswana. Mohammed Khan describes her as a “hard-working, outspoken, committed and brave revolutionary fighter” whose political credentials were forged during some of the BNF’s most challenging years. According to Khan, Akambakamba proved herself at a time of prominent BNF figures such as Koma, Maitshwarelo Dabutha,Paul Rantao, Joseph Kavindama and Gilson Saleshando. Khan recalls the period of the BNF’s pact with Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) as part of the political environment in which she operated. Those, he says, were difficult years for opposition activists, who faced what he described as intense political pressure from the then ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Khan argues that the BNF’s survival was partly due to cadres who refused to abandon the organisation despite the difficulties confronting it. “Comrade Akambakamba stood straight and spoke out and campaigned going house to house,” Khan recalls. Her activism was not confined to formal political meetings. She was also involved in mobilising young people, encouraging them to understand their political rights and inspiring them through songs of freedom and political activism. For Khan, this made Akambakamba one of the genuine warriors who helped keep the BNF alive during difficult times. He says he is proud to have been part of a generation that resisted what they believed was an attempt to weaken and disintegrate the BNF.
