While the nation mourned, residents of Bontleng, White City, New Canada, New Stands and Old Naledi were particularly heartbroken as they received in the news that one of their own, whom they could easily relate with, had passed on.
The 45 year old passed away on Monday at Sidilega Hospital where he had reportedly been hospitalised for some time.
Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane in his official announcement of the death of the Member of Parliament for Gaborone South, said Mthimkhulu was a passionate, courageous and gutsy minister.
Captured vividly in memory, fellow attorney Tebogo Sebego said Mthimkhulu aka “DMM” represented the true story of resilience, ambition, fearlessness and above all accomplishment and success.
“He, like many of us, was brought up in underprivileged neighbourhood where crime, lawlessness and school truancy was rife. He fought and earned his stripes both as a successful lawyer, an MP and Cabinet Minister,” Sebego said.
Sebego described DMM as a hero who was loved by Gaborone South and a fearless debater where at times he was rough and necessarily uncouth.
“I recall a time when we were at the Law Society of Botswana AGM in Kasane (I think in 2014 or 2016), where a faction of us were pushing for some reforms (the unpopular localisation of the bar) that DMM spoke his mind to the face of the Council. “And by his mind I mean exactly that, calling people out and literally bashing them! “Our fate was sealed, we lost. “He had no time for diplomacy and that was his strength and at times his weakness to those who didn't know him. “I still remember in one of the cases he handled at the Court of Appeal where he 'blasted' the judges, ke gore ke ha re tsena ka ga tlase ga ditafole rona magatlapa,” Sebego wrote.
He also wrote that he wasn't surprised when Mthimkhulu went to Britain and called them out on the 'elephant culling debate' as he was a straight talker when gloves off were required. According to Sebego, DMM never spoke behind anybody's back but straight to the face of the receiver.
“I think HE MEK (President Mokgweetsi Masisi) liked him not only for his intelligence but also straight talk antics and loyalty! “Just as a lesson if you want to know gore motho o tswa kasi..(s) he should be able to tell you how they feel about you straight to your face without fear, ga ke sa go cxame ga ke go cxame! Mawaza ke mawaza! “We lost a good son, a true and authentic breed of our hood,” Sebego said.
Leader of the Opposition and Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Dithapelo Keorapetse, remembered Mthimkhulu as brutally honest, jolly and relatable, while also being both “pleasantly and unpleasantly distinct”.
Dithapelo said the late Minister related well with every MP with a clear understanding that while in those hallowed chambers (Parliament) they stand with a difference of opinions on policy issues, once outside of the chambers, they are all human beings.
“Often, and in confidence, he would share his view on an issue but would articulate his party position steadfastly, cogently without equivocation. “He was a man who neither equivocated nor used euphemisms. “He lived by a Kantian principle of "If the truth shall kill them, let them die,’” Keorapetse wrote on social media.
He said that DMM was the kind of person that gave you what you ordered in terms of feedback. He was brave enough to annoy and infuriate anyone who would cross him and his view on any subject was always lucid.
“I enjoyed with fun my parliamentary exchanges the same way I did our personal and private interactions. “Hon Mthimkhulu was a very intelligent man who understood not only the law which was his training but other subjects as well. “He leaves an indelible mark in the legal profession, politics and social circles. “Like many, I will certainly miss both his larger than life personality and candid demeanour,” Keorapetse said.
Meanwhile, according to his biography Mthimkhulu was a lawyer by profession who fancied politics as young man in his university days.
Before fully joining politics he gained massive experience in the legal fraternity working at the Attorney General’s Chambers, private law firms and later starting his law firm in 2015 under the banner, DM Mthimkhulu Attorneys.
He dived into politics beginning his journey in 1998 when he was a law student at the University of Botswana.
In 2009 he became legal secretary for the BNF youth league and in 2014 proceeded to contest as an independent candidate, popularly known as 'mokoko,' where he lost.
A year later after gaining his footing, he joined the Botswana Democratic Party and in 2019 won the Gaborone South constituency whereupon he was then appointed assistant Minister for State President. Earlier this year he became a full minister heading the Environment and Tourism portfolio.
A month ago, Mthimkhulu won the BDP’s primary elections for Gaborone South constituency as he prepared to run for a second term.
