Africa-Press – Botswana. Multitudes thronged Nlapkhwane on Sunday to bid farewell to Mr Farayi Bonyongo, North East District Council Chairperson, who died February 6.
Born on March, 27 1953, Mr Bonyongo passed away following a short illness.
Eulogizing Mr Bonyongo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse described him as a hard worker, who believed in servanthood.
This, Mr Autlwetse highlighted, was why the late BDP stalwart could be assigned to serve Batswana anywhere, and he took up the assignment with gusto and passion. He added that leaders of Mr Bonyongo’s calibre were hard to come by hence had to be celebrated.
“Today we celebrate the life of a force that was Bonyongo, a man who wore many hats, who chose his path so that on his send-off, he would be surrounded by so much love from family, church and people in politics,” he said.
“E ne ele lepako, monna wa banna ere fa o tsamaa le ene o bo o kgopiwa a bo a go tshegetsa”. (He was a pillar, a man of honour who was dependable at all times).
Mr Autlwetse said Ms Bonyongo left his wife and children a legacy, which he advised them not to abandon.
A message of condolence from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi read that Mr Bonyongo was a BDP stalwart, who served with diligence and that his passing was a great loss to the party.
BDP Chairperson and Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane’s message of condolence read that Mr Bonyongo’s passing was a great loss, not just to his family, but also the political sphere. Mr Tsogwane said the late had achieved many milestones serving as NEDC chairperson and BDP-North East Regional chairperson.
His wife, Ms Esther Bonyongo explained that her husband suffered a foot ailment for a long time. She however stated that it was only during late January this year that he complained of an intense headache, which lingered on until he passed on at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital on February 6.
The deceased’s uncle, Mr Duncan Majinda said his nephew’s death came as a shock to them having suffered a headache shortly.
He stated that the late paved his way and left a lasting legacy as he served as a political and a spiritual leader, which affirmed who he truly was.
Mr Majinda highlighted that the late was passionate about his church and had a dream of it being massive.
The Head Mountain Apostolic Church representative, Mr Chapter Mafa said the late Mr Bonyongo joined the church in 1974, where he served diligently until his death.
“He was an embodiment of love and we learnt humility from him,” he said.
He thanked Ms Bonyongo for supporting her husband in his endeavour as a church minister.
Former minister, Mr Charles Tibone said the deceased was passionate about the North East District, saying he was always in talks with members of the business community to invest in the district.
He said Mr Bonyongo had a roadmap for the district to become the best developed, urging his successors to continue his legacy.
North East District Council Deputy Chairperson, Mr Kudzani Tobokwani stated that after Mr Bonyongo won council chairmanship on June 3, 2022, he rolled out his roadmap. He said the late’s plan was to traverse the whole district for consultations.
Mr Tobokwani described the deceased as a good coach who paid attention to detail.
The late Mr Bonyongo joined politics as a Botswana National Front member in 1989 and joined the Botswana Democratic Party in 1992.
He was elected a councillor in 1993, a position he held for 15 years.
“In 2014, he contested for Tati West parliament seat as an independent candidate, but did not win,” Mr Tobokwani said, adding that he returned to BDP in 2019 and vied for and won Nlapkhwane/Mapoka ward seat.
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