Suvivor of 'The White Man's Battle', Powane speaks

He is a rare breed and his dimming eyes have seen more horrors than some of us will ever get to witness in our entire lifetime. Although Powane is as sprightly as they come, he is a World War II veteran, one of the few who are alive in the world today. Before the War, the only thing close to war that the man was involved in were his daring engagements in the mophato duties such as hunting for lions and bringing peace and order during disturbances.

Powane belongs to the Mafiri regiment, which was led by Rammogo-a-Isang-a-Pilane, so like his peers he is a 'Lefiri'.The 94-year-old from Madibaneng ward in Mathubudukwane, Kgatleng has lived to tell the tale of one of the world's most horrific wars. Interestingly, Powane calls the 1939-1945 war, 'The White Man's Battle', perhaps rightly so. Most of Batswana from the then Bechuanaland were forcibly conscripted to fight a battle they knew little about.