10 Jul 2022

Staunch Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) member and former councillor for Mokgomane council ward in the Southern District, Mr Ketumile ‘Kidoh’ Kaboeamodimo was laid to rest in Kanye on Saturday. 

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi who attended the funeral described Mr Kaboeamodimo as an honest, principled, trustworthy and selfless man, who dedicated his life to serving the BDP, his community and the nation. 

“He was a principled man. He fully understood the ideals and principles of the Botswana Democratic Party. He used to lecture those principles to others. 

I also learned a lot about the history of this party from him,” said the President. President Masisi also said Mr Kaboeamodimo was instrumental in the decision-making process of the party, especially when he served as a regional organiser in the southern region. 

He further said as a social democrat, Mr Kaboeamodimo wanted to see positive changes in society and ardently believed that the BDP social democratic policies were the best suitable to develop the country.Former cabinet minister and Serowe South MP, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi called on BDP members to honour the legacy of Mr Kaboeamodimo by being as devoted to the party as he was. 

“He was always available to serve the party without complaining or expecting material benefits,” said Dr Venson-Moitoi. 

The eldest sister to Mr Kaboeamodimo, Ms Keneilwe Sekaba said her brother was always loving, caring and respectful to his sisters and brothers. She said Mr Kaboeamodimo was one of 10 siblings born to former Bangwaketse traditional poet Mr Sekokotla Kaboeamodimo and his wife Ms Dikeledi. 

Five of them had since passed on, she said. His son Mr Mogomotsi Kaboeamodimo thanked President Masisi, the BDP and the community for their support during the difficult time of the death of their father. Cabinet ministers Dr Lemogang Kwape and Dr Edwin Dikoloti as well as former minister Mr Peter Siele also came to bid him farewell. 

Messages of condolences from former President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, former vice president Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe and former BDP Secretary-General Mr Daniel Kwelagobe lauded Mr Kaboeamodimo as an embodiment of BDP principles. According to the obituary, Mr Kaboeamodimo was born in 1938 in Kanye. 

After completing standard nine at Middle School (now Segopotso Primary School) in 1959, he worked as a tribal court clerk in Kanye from 1960 to 1963. 

He then had a spell working in the mines in South Africa before returning home to work as assistant superintendent in the Department of Prisons. He later worked as a tax collector and assistant revenue officer in the Southern District. 

He took up active politics in 1974 as a member of the BDP and was unsuccessful in local government elections between 1979 and 1989. 

He was, however, nominated as a councillor by the then minister of Local Government and became a vocal councillor as well as deputy council chairperson in the Southern District Council. In 1994 he won the seat for Mokgomane council ward. 

He was said to be a close confidante of the late former President Sir Ketumile Masire. Mr Kaboeamodimo is credited with presenting a motion in council that led to the tarring of Kanye/Mmathethe/Ramatlabama road. 

He was also a reputable farmer. The 83-year-old is survived by a son and two daughters, as well as 10 grandchildren. ENDS