Africa-Press – Botswana. The late former Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Sethomo Lelatisitswe was a politician who had the ability to maximise and leverage relationships for the betterment of his constituents.
According to former Ambassador to Australia and Member of Parliament, Ms Dorcas Makgato, Lelatisitswe had built relationships with his constituents and advocated for core developmental beliefs that he planned to uphold through consultation with people. She indicated that she started working with former minister when she was at Ministry of Health.
“We met time and again because of Letlhakane Hospital, which was planned for, but was not funded,” she said.
She said Lelatisitswe compelled her to address a kgotla meeting in Letlhakane to apprise people regarding the district hospital. She said Lelatisitswe later approached Debswana for assistance and a pledge of P3 million was made, which was to be used for construction of a clinic that would reduce congestion from Letlhakane Primary Hospital.
Ms Makgato said she then proposed that the pledged funds be used to build a maternity wing at the primary hospital. She stated that when she was at Ministry of Transport and Communication, Lelatsitswe fought for development of roads in Boteti East.
She also described the deceased as an amenable and a hardworking person. She said Lelatisitswe was a determined young man who was fearless and also a good campaigner, adding that it was sad to lose someone who had the potential and capability to contribute to the country’s developments.
One of the elders in Letlhakane, Mr Meshack Thanke said Lelatisitswe gave his all for the people in the constituency. Mr Thanke said he differed with a lot of people in his party, indicating that he was not afraid to take a stand on what he believed in. He said he earned himself a nickname ‘Mr Projects’ because he had a vision and formulated developmental plan for Boteti, citing Letlhakane new police and new primary school.
“We have really lost in him,” he said.
One of the former councillors, Mr Ntebogang Kgosi said he got to know him in 2014, when the late former minister won a parliamentary seat. He described him as a good-hearted person who represented people in the constituency well, indicating that he assisted the youth by funding sports tournaments.
Through his leadership, he said the constituency received a lot of developments such as the water treatment plant project, installation of streetlights, construction of a maternity wing at the primary hospital and the Lucara Stadium, among others. Mr Kgosi further said Makgaba village was gazetted during his tenure and a primary school at the village was also built through his advocacy. Lelatisitswe, who died on August 2, will be buried in Letlhakane tomorrow.
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