I first set eyes on him as a fresher at Moeng College while he was beginning to study for his two-year Cambridge Overseas School Certificate (COSC) in the same institution almost four decades ago.
He was my senior at college and I continued to regard him as such even later in our adult lives and consequently as his junior I revered and admired him from a respectable distance. Roy, as he was affectionately called was a quiet, calm, measured and guarded student. This is a personality he maintained throughout his entire period of existence. He was a handsome, smart and clean character (both in and outside) and true to character, left Moeng College with not only glittering academic grades but also with an enviable, unblemished record.
Humility was his trademark. Only few at the college knew that he was a scion of a prominent Palapye entrepreneur. His family background was a private affair that he kept to himself. Youthful exuberance could have easily tempted him to flaunt his affluent and eminent position and perhaps look down upon those coming from less fortunate backgrounds. Others unfortunately fell into this trap but not Roy. This kind of behaviour was not consistent with Roy’s personality. His demeanour was always self effacing and unassuming.
Roy’s journey of life won’t be complete without a mention of his academic prowess. Academically, he was arguably one of the finest students that Moeng College ever produced. He belonged to a rare breed of students called the 1984 class. This special crop comprised other intellectual power houses such as Dr Oatlhokwa Nkomazana (nee Sebusang), Dr Japhter Masunge, Dr Boipuso Nkwae and the late Jobe Silver Gabasiane to name but a few. These were the crème dela crème of the then institute of repute - the mountain college of Moeng.
Aided by an entrenched culture of good teaching and good governance, the 1984 class catapulted Moeng College to national prominence with attainment of 100 % academic feat. This feat achieved by Roy’s class 40 years ago has been an elusive target and the college has since struggled to come anywhere closer. Those of us who knew Roy’s academic prowess at high school were certain that he was destined to go places and traverse new unchartered territories. It was not much of a surprise that later in life he pursued an engineering field at a time when it was not fashionable to do so.
It takes a sharp razor mind to rise beyond the limitations of one’s time. Roy was ahead of his time. He knew that engineering solutions would in future unlock and unleash Botswana’s economic potential. He was very much passionate about making Botswana a better place to live in.
Issues that vexed his mind among others were economic diversification, poverty, citizen empowerment, rising unemployment figures and marginalisation of business and private enterprises. To address the issues, he was very instrumental in the formation of the Botswana Forum for Action and Reform (BFAR). This is a nonpartisan entity aimed at mobilising the nation to take an active role in removal of roadblock standing on the way to economic prosperity. Towards the end of his journey on earth, Roy focused his attention on the family business. He was the only surviving child following the demise of his siblings. He was a rare gem, a national asset. The country is much more poorer without Roy. May his family find solace in the book of Psalm 34: that the Lord is close to the broken hearted and that He saves those crushed in spirit.
