08 Apr 2024

A local political icon and stalwart Mr Michael Kitso Dingake has died at the age of 96 years.

The founding president of Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and freedom fighter, Mr Dingake died on April 7 afternoon after a short illness.

The late Dingake’s daughter, Ms Sithembile Dingake said in an interview on April 8 that his father died after falling ill on Friday.

She stated that at this stage, funeral arrangements were underway, and the funeral would be held in Gaborone on a date to be communicated.

Ms Dingake said his late father leaves behind four children, 10 grandchildren and 11 grand-grandchildren.

Born in Bobonong in February 1928, the late Dingake joined the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa in 1952 and became its activist. In 1965 his anti-apartheid activism earned him a 15-year prison which he served in full on Robben Island prison.

Upon his release and return to Botswana, he worked for the University of Botswana before joining national politics and subsequently becoming Botswana National Front (BNF) vice president.

During the 1994 general elections, Mr Dingake was elected Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central, a seat he held until 1999.

However, following a fallout with the then president of BNF, Dr Kenneth Koma, Mr Dingake was among the 11 BNF MPs who broke away to form the BCP.

Also an author, Mr Dingake retired from active politics in 2004.

In a statement, the BCP described its former leader as an outstanding revolutionary.

“Michael Kitso Dingake was an outstanding revolutionary who spent 15 years in Robben Island with the late Dr Mandela and other freedom fighters. Cde Dingake’s name will be known as long as the world stands,” said a statement from the BCP. ENDS