On Tuesday, President Duma Boko announced that the government would honour Gaoberekwe's wishes by burying him in the CKGR, specifically in Metsiamanong, on December 10, 2024. This decision comes after a prolonged and contentious battle between his family and the government over his burial site, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). Gaoberekwe passed away on December 21, 2021, after being transported to New Xade for medical assistance following a critical illness. Following his death, the government argued that his relocation to New Xhade made it an appropriate burial site. However, his family strongly opposed this, insisting on honouring Gaoberekwe's wish to be buried in CKGR. This disagreement complicated burial arrangements for years. By early 2023, the family had publicly declared their decision to move on with their lives, stating that they would not participate in any government-led burial arrangements.
Speaking to Mmegi, the family spokesperson expressed their frustration, feeling undermined as a minority Basarwa group and disheartened by their repeated legal losses. Adding to their burden, mounting mortuary bills had reached thousands of pula, exacerbating their struggles. However, under the new administration, there is now a resolution. The government also committed to covering all the associated costs. This announcement was widely celebrated on social media, giving the family a sense of relief after years of anguish. With only two weeks left before Gaoberekwe would mark three years in the mortuary, family spokesperson, Smith Moeti, confirmed on Tuesday that funeral arrangements were underway. “We visited the mortuary today to view the body of Pitseng Gaoberekwe. As expected, the body is not in good condition after such a long time, but it remains in the mortuary,” Moeti stated. The mortuary owner, Joyce Dekop, also informed the family of a recent break-in, which had caused damage to the ceiling. This incident was the third of its kind, raising concerns about potential attempts to steal Gaoberekwe's body. Moeti thanked Dekop for her diligence in safeguarding the body over the years despite the challenges.
