Africa-Press – Botswana. The late Ms Julia Molefhe, a remarkable nurse who contributed immensely to the development of a robust healthcare system in Botswana, was laid to rest on Wednesday.
Different speakers described the 85-year-old as God’s masterpiece.
They said for her, nursing was a calling, a lifestyle and a way of life with the true virtues of the famous Florence Nightingale she portrayed during her service.
Consequently, because of her selflessness as a pioneer and pillar of the country’s healthcare service, she enjoyed the naming legacy of Block 9’s Julia Molefe Clinic while she was still alive.
Speaking during the funeral service, Ms Molefe’s daughter Koketso Molefhe-Motalaote said her mother was a selfless person who had instilled in them the spirit of love, humility and giving back to the community.
“My mother worked tirelessly during her nursing career to develop a strong national healthcare system in Botswana and as a family, we are honoured that her contribution was memorialised in naming the last clinic built during her tenure the Julia Molefhe Clinic in Block 9,” she said.
Ms Molefhe-Motalaote said her family was also grateful to have learnt good qualities such as discipline and family values, something that she said they would transfer to generations to come.
Other speakers at the funeral also included Gender Activist, Ms Ntombi Setshwaelo, who is also a family friend of the Molefes.
Ms Setshwaelo remembers the diseased as a good leader who had strong moral principles, respect and kindness.
She said even though gone, Ms Molefe had left a legacy that would be valued and treasured.
To the Molefhe family, she said while in the process of grief, they should focus on the positive influence she left behind and observe the goals that she had achieved.
Meanwhile, during a memorial service in her honour on Tuesday, Batswana paid tribute in remembrance of her relentless dedication to the nursing fraternity in the yesteryears.
Her former colleague, Ms Ruth Manyelela said Ms Molefhe could be counted among those who laid the building blocks that changed the face of health facilities from rudimentary amenities to what exists yesterday.
Ms Manyelela noted that some of her footprints include turning mobile facilities into full-fledged clinics through the aid of the World Bank, an initiative she pushed to fruition when the healthcare system was still in its infancy.
“Ms Molefhe’s selfless commitment to service further saw her assist members of the public on medical issues and nursing care to nearby communities, even post her retirement,” she said.
She further described her as a charismatic and people-centred person who was passionate about her work and carried herself with diligence and integrity.
Veteran trade unionist, Mr Johnson Motshwarakgole said the legacy that Ms Molefhe left behind would forever be a constant reminder to many as she was an epitome of a good public servant.
Mr Motshwarakgole further said people like Ms Molefhe should be treated exceptionally in their retirement for the relentless service they rendered during their service.
“These people should highly be recognised.
Luckily the clinic was named after her when she was still alive.
She will forever remain a sung heroine,” he said.
The late Julia Molefhe was born in South Africa on January 2, 1937.
She attended her primary and secondary schools in Alexandra Township in South Africa and in 1958 she came to Botswana.
She completed her nursing studies in the United Kingdom in 1965.
In 1966 she began working at the Botswana Meat Commission as an Industrial Nursing Sister where she set up a clinic offering public health programmes for the BMC location in Lobatse.
In 1969 Ms Molefhe oversaw the transformation of Bontleng Clinic from a two-roomed structure to a modern health facility.
In the 1980s when Princess Marina was upgraded to a referral hospital, she embarked on an expansion project to serve Gaborone’s growing population and nearby villages.
Other milestones in improving clinic administration included the establishment of a dispensary in all council clinics and positions for pharmacy technicians.
Following a global call to immunise school-going children against various illnesses, she launched the first school health programme in Gaborone.
In 1998 she retired from formal employment and founded Botswana’s first home-based nursing agency, and continued to serve on various boards, the first old age home in Gaborone and the Botswana youth centre, among others.
Julia Molefhe is survived by husband Potlako Molefhe and daughters; Boitumelo and Koketso, as well as four grandchildren. Also present at the service were Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of Balete and Professor Sheila Tlou.
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