The funeral transformed from a sorrowful event into a celebration of the life of an amiable man who imparted knowledge to people throughout Botswana. Kerebotswe's burial was an expensive affair and a well-organised ceremony befitting a king. As a measure of humility and ability, the man being mourned - or celebrated, rather - became the campaign manager for the sitting MP for Serowe North East, Ramadeluka Seretse, after losing to him in the 2003 primary elections. The MP, who is also the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, described the late Kerebotswe as a hard worker who was methodical in everything he did. Seretse said after he decided to contest the primary elections in 2003, he approached everyone in the race except Kerebotswe because he was scared of him, not knowing that he would be the one to save him.
"After he lost the primaries, Kerebotswe pledged his support for me," Seretse said. "He would send me around the constituency to campaign while he remained behind. He expected me to give him a report on my return. I was on a learning curve for my political career." Former mayor of Gaborone, Harry Mothei, took mourners through fond memories of his youthful school days with Kerebotswe, to whom he referred to as SBM, the affectionate sobriquet by which the affable man was widely known.
