FARE THEE WELL Minister Mthimkhulu remembered by friends and associates

The death of Botswana’s tourism Minister Dumezweni Mthimkhulu, who was also Gaborone South Member of Parliament was confirmed by his family on Tuesday.

News of his death broke on Monday night, and the family on Tuesday said he died after a long illness. Many of his friends and associates in the legal fraternity remembered him as a straight talker who almost lacked diplomacy when dealing head on with issues.

Gaborone South has lost it’s son – a very sad day for us in Mdeni, Bontleng, White City, New Naledi and Babusi (Newstands and New Canada). Dumisweni Meshack Mthimkhulu aka DMM represented a true story of resilience, ambition, fearlessness and above all accomplishment and success. He, like many of us were brought up in underprivileged neighborhood where crime, lawlessness and school truancy was rife. He fought and earned his stripes, both as a successful lawyer, an MP and Cabinet Minister. I still remember the day he decided to stand as an independent candidate after his fallout with the BNF; he hurt the BNF badly at the 2014 General Elections and BDP through Hon. Kagiso Molatlhegi swept the heart of the BNF, thanks to DMM. When he stood under the BDP ticket in 2019, the writing was on the wall – he was one of our own; the voters in the area found him to be authentic, their son. BDP took us to the cleaners, with Senyolonyolo (Oarabile Motlaleng) as one of the few survivors. DMM was loved by Gaborone South; he was our hero – a fearless debater, at times rough and where necessary uncouth! I still remember at the Law Society AGM in Kasane (I think in 2014 or 16), where a faction of us was pushing for some reforms (the unpopular localisation of the bar). He spoke his mind to the face of the Council. And by his mind I mean exactly that – calling people out and literally bashing them! Our fate was sealed; we lost! He had no time for diplomacy and that was his strength and at times his weaknesses to those who didn’t know him. I still remember in one of the cases he handled at the Court of Appeal where he ‘blasted’ the judges – ke gore ke fa re tsena ka fa tlase ga ditafole rona magatlapa. I wasn’t surprised when he went to Britain and called them out on the ‘elephant culling debate.’ He was a straight talker – gloves off where required. Never spoke behind anybody’s back, straight to the face of the receiver! I think HE MEK liked him not only for his intelligence but also straight talk antics and loyalty! Just as a lesson, if you want to know gore motho o tswa kasi, (s)he should be able to tell you how they feel about you – straight to your face without fear. We lost a good son; a true and authentic breed of our hood. Good night laitiyaka. [TEBOGO SEBEGO

Dear God

It has been a painful experience watching a dear friend struggling with sickness. He did all was necessary to fight the illness. Dumezweni Meshack Mthimkhulu was one of a kind, a different person at all who never saw his appointment as minister as anything worth taking him away from his people. Even in the deepest worst cases of his illness, he spent a night with his team of the recent Bulela Ditswe campaigns. My last experience with him was only two weeks ago, to be specific on the 11th of August 2024 when he picked me to go to his farm – his last visit to one of his dearest places. As usual he asked me to buy myself some beers. He gave me P200 and I got six pack of my Blacklabel. We drove to and back as if all was normal but yes, he was not well. He asked his farm attendants to get me and Gaborone North Chair tswana chickens on our way back from the farm. He also asked us to stop and confirm if we needed more beers and we obviously agreed. Just recently, a day after the passing of his mother, we had the same experience and he would joke that instead of consoling him nna jaanong ke tetse go mo nwa. I saw him not well even when he came to visit me when I was not well too. I always thought seeing from his strength in pain he was going to pass the test. That was what I hoped for – he was not only just a friend like all others. He was available to assist me financially when there was need to. To be honest the last time help was coming from my side was then in 2019 when I worked with him and Salim Thabang Kegodile. Yes I was blessed financially and did release a good amount to assist his campaign. Unlike many, he never ever forgot that until his last days. The rest we engaged, each time was him rebuking me and politics that I can not talk much about now. If indeed it’s true my friend, Rest in peace [RAYMOND MALINGA]

Goodnight Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu. Condolences to your family, your community and this nation at large. I remember when you came to our graduation ceremony at Ditshupo hall and you gave a very important piece of advice about integrity – one that has become my core principle. “Integrity starts with knowing who you are.” Re a leboga Honourable Minister. Yours is a life to celebrate [ONTEBOGILE MAROKU]

I am deeply saddened by the passing of our brother, friend and Student of Politics, Hon Dumezweni Mthimkhulu – a remarkable individual whose impact was felt across political divides. To most people he was an MP and Minister while to some of us, he was a brother and friend who spoke his mind with unwavering conviction, yet never sought power for himself. This guy was immensely proud of his Kasi roots and his profession as a lawyer, demonstrating dedication and integrity throughout his career. His subsequent transformation and commitment to his work were truly inspiring. When he expressed interest to stand as MP, most of us were shocked. At UB, Mthimkhulu never imagined being in power, instead, he was content to support others from the sidelines, arguing passionately for his beliefs during MASS BNF meetings at night until the early hours. As we remember him, we reflect on his service and the legacy he leaves behind. Rest in peace, Dumizweni. You join the ranks of great student leaders like Mandela Manyenyengwa, Caster Dicheleketo and others who have departed. Your contributions will not be forgotten. [MMOLOKI OSSIE MMOLOTSI]