Africa-Press – Botswana. Industrious, resilient and beautiful at heart sums up the life of Ms Precious Masego Masisi who was described by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) women as a pillar of strength and a mother to many in the party.
MmaTshelang as she was popularly known, is the mother to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and she passed on last Friday.
Speakers among them the BDP Women’s Wing chairperson Ms Peggy Serame took to the podium during a memorial service in her honour in Moshupa, Wednesday and evoked memories of a life lived by a remarkable woman.
“We have learnt a lot from her deeds and she has given us a lot, so this is a time to celebrate her rather than mourn,” Ms Serame said.
Ms Serame, who is also the Minister of Finance, hailed MmaTshelang’s strength in that she managed to keep together a family of politicians; a husband who was a minister and two sons who were both members of parliament, with the other ultimately becoming a head of state. “In that regard, we have lost a soul and on behalf of the BDP Women’s Wing, we send our sincere condolences to the family,” she said.
She said the fact that MmaTshelang was in a leadership position in the party for more than 15 years was no fluke, but a testimony of her leadership qualities.
She also saluted her for advocating for women to be given leadership positions. “She believed, and rightfully so, that women are the strength of the party and that they should take care of the party as they do of their families. She taught us that no member can be bigger than the party no matter what,” she said.
Another speaker, Ms Motlhagodi Molomo described the late MmaTshelang as a true sister and a mother to her ever since they met in business circles. “She was admirable and simply the best, beautiful inside and outside and humble at heart,” she said.
She said MmaTshelang never bragged about what she had achieved in life and that her humility came deep from the heart.
“She was full of wisdom beyond measure, and her children surely benefited from her humility brought about by her union with God. In that, I urge her children to thank God that they enjoyed her for so long,” she said.
Ms Molomo therefore, urged members to be grateful for what she did for the party during her time.
Specially elected councillor, Ms Ponatshego Tshiping said MmaTshelang was a Christian from a young age as her father was a London Missionary Society preacher.
She said she then managed to sustain her Christian beliefs throughout her life, something, she said, was a rarity as not many children raised by Christian parents could sustain that.
Ms Molomo said being the good tailor that she was, MmaTshelang ensured that Moshupa BDP women became fashionistas as she tailored party regalia for them.
“The most fashionable party regalia was only found in Moshupa because of her, and she was very crucial in forming party choirs,” she said.
She said that during her tenure as the Lehuka regional chairperson, MmaTshelang encouraged branches to raise funds for the party by holding stokvels and concerts, which enabled branches to be financially sustainable.
Another speaker, Ms Ellen Orekeng described the late MmaTshelang as a tireless foot-soldier who worked for the party during challenging times. She said that she did not ride her husband’s tailcoat for leadership positions in the party, but achieved them on her own right.
“She taught us campaign strategies that we still hold dear to this day. She paved the way for us and taught us to persevere in tough times,” said. MmaTshelang, who died at age 95, will be buried in Moshupa on Saturday.
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