Gudu: The mighty veteran has fallen

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday October 22, 2024 11:25

Molapise further said it was very unfortunate that they lost a loyal, committed, dedicated member of the party of the opposition struggle. He stated that Gudu was one of the long serving members of the BPP and remained faithful to the party over the years. The BPP president further revealed that Gudu started his political activism under the BPP in the 80s. Molapise further said he once served with Gudu in the youth league of the BPP years back. He stated that ever since Gudu joined the BPP, he had never defected to any party. 'When the BPP experienced a major split in 2000 as a result of the formation of the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM), many of its members left to join the new party, but Gudu and I were amongst those who stayed behind,' Molapise noted. BAM was a progressive political party in Botswana led by Ephraim Setshwaelo. Prior to the 2009 General Election, the party merged with the Botswana Congress party (BCP). Molapise stated that Gudu was a highly experienced politician who was also one of the party leaders who represented the BPP in the 2015–2019 all-party conference negotiations. “Gudu was a diehard of the opposition politics, particularly the BPP. When assigned to represent the party, he would not change his nor the party's position. He was a man of integrity and ethics,” he added.

Molapise indicated that Gudu contributed a lot to the BPP and was a key member in all aspects particularly in North East District. He added that Gudu's services to the BPP were comparable to those of the former High Court Judge, Justice John Mosojane and the late Kenneth Nkhwa, a party veteran and the first Member of Parliament (MP) for the North East. Nkhwa, alongside Phillip Matante (Francistown and Tati East) and Thari Motlhagodi (Mochudi) were the early opposition MPs in Botswana's first Parliament, who all represented the BPP. Molapise described the trio as rare breeds that selflessly served in Botswana politics before and after the allure of money permeated politics. He also recognised Gudu as a pan-Africanist, revolutionary and a son of the soil whose legacy will forever remain in the BPP and opposition struggle. Meanwhile, former BPP vice president , Mbaakanyi Lenyatso described Gudu as an honest man who contributed a lot to the BPP and UDC struggle. He said that he is one of the veteran politicians who built classroom politics in the country. According to Lenyatso, Gudu supported the opposition movement and deprived himself of many luxuries. 'He was the cornerstone of the UDC who remained loyal to the political struggles and a walking manifesto of the BPP,' he added. Furthermore, he stated that they have lost and didn’t expect him to leave them soon.

'I wish he were here to witness the UDC win the Tati East constituency during the upcoming polls,' stated Lenyatso. Additionally, he characterised the fallen veteran politician as one man who has remained faithful to the BPP. He added that Gudu made a significant contribution to their campaigns despite his old age and health problems as he was in and out of the hospital. “He was a mighty man, and we will always be grateful to him,” he concluded. Gugu served the BPP leadership under both the central and national executive committees (NEC) as the chairperson and publicity secretary. Funeral arrangement are underway for Gugu to be laid to rest in his home village Mulambakwena.