Several speakers and those who attended the funeral from across the political divide spoke highly of Nkamo and how she impacted their lives. Nkamo’s uncle, Murray Dipate, said his niece, who was also his comrade at the BNF, was a very resourceful individual in the family. “Just recently, her cousin was getting married and she told me not to hire catering services. She was such a great cook and her meals were delicious. She would distance herself whenever people were arguing,” he said. “She was an asset to all of us as a family. She was always there doing her best. Sometimes people waste words saying some people were good people after they die. But with Nkamo, this is a real loss to the masses here. At the BNF they have also lost.”
Katlo Ditshotlo of the BNF Women’s League said Nkamo had a huge heart and everyone around her would feel her warmth and love. “She was my big sister who was straightforward and not afraid to state her mind. We have gone on many political trips and she was very much hands-on. We were always sure of results from her and she didn't need a position to perform. She never missed any event and when we had to sell, she would make lots of money for the party,” she said. “We should appreciate our hardworking comrades while they still live. It is very rare to find someone as committed as she was. If we want to take over power, we should trust people who are like her. We should appreciate such activists going forward.” BNF Secretary-General According to Mmabakwena Dipate who briefed the funeral attendees about Nkamo’s demise, on May 30, she was told by elders that Nkamo called and sounded unwell.
She said she was then asked to bring her home in Thamaga. “It was a Thursday and we spent the weekend with her while she was still down. The following Wednesday, we took her to a private doctor here in Thamaga. She was attended and it revealed that some of her organs had collapsed. She was given medication which she took while home. She would on the Friday of the same week complain about shortness of breath and I took her to the hospital. We left her on oxygen machines around midnight that day,” she said. Mmabakwena said Nkamo had before then complained to her about a recurring headache. She said on Saturday morning, they took her back to the private doctor on Saturday morning and returned home with her later.
“On Sunday morning, she had prolonged breathing problems. At 10pm, she told me she was not okay and asked me to take her to the hospital. While we had to support her all the other days, on that day she stood on her feet, dressed herself up, and walked to the car on her own. “She was attended to and just after midnight, they admitted her. I rushed home to get her essentials. And then we headed back home. I went to work in the morning and as I arrived I got a call from Thamaga Primary Hospital calling us to the hospital and we eventually learnt she was late,” she explained. The 43-year-old is survived by her teenage son, her father, mother, and seven siblings.
