Ruling party mourns monumental loss of council chairperson
Speaker after speaker sung praises for the larger-than-life Boy Farayi Bonyongo, a 70-year-old Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) stalwart since 1994 when he joined the ruling BDP from the Botswana National Front (BNF).
Bonyongo doubled as Chairman of the North East District and party regional chairman. Former Member of Parliament for Tati West, Charles Tibone told mourners that Bonyongo must have been bidding him farewell when at the beginning of this year, he called him and offered that he would visit.
"He told me that now that the Mosojane-Masunga road is complete, he would do everything possible to lure investors to the district,” Tibone said.
To facilitate investment drive, Bonyongo intended to call a stakeholder meeting including dikgosi, civil servants and members of the community, Tibone said.
“I appeal to you as stakeholders to drive his projects and make sure that they come to fruition. Bonyongo's death is an enormous loss not only to the Mapoka-Nlapkhwane ward but to the nation at large,” he said.
According to Kudzani Tobokwani, who doubles as Councillor for Themashanga and Deputy Council Chairman, “Bonyongo had big plans for the District. He was in the process of making plans for a tour of the District with chairpersons of all the committees. He was also very discerning.
“For example, whenever he noticed that people were not paying attention at a rally, he would immediately break into song to shake everybody up,” said the councillor, who added that the late Councillor wanted to transform the North East District.
“He was rather jealous that people from Bukalanga are driving development projects in Gaborone when there is no development here. When I visited him, he had no hope that he would recover and he told me as much,” Tobokwani said.
Speaking on behalf of the BDP, Kgotla Autlwetse praised Bonyongo for having chosen a strong political organisation when he left the BNF in 1994.
“Hate ali nthu koga,” (He is not an ordinary person) Autlwetse said, adding that Bonyongo never did things half way.
At the same time, he was a very humble leader who is a loss to the entire nation, as well as his community. He always showed total commitment to his work and that is what gave him the positions he holds in the party and local government.
“If former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tati West, Chapson Jabavu Butale were still alive and here with us, he would give a very positive testimony about Bonyongo because they worked together for the party,” Autlwetse said.
He called upon all members of the BDP in the region and beyond to ensure that both the ward and constituency do not go to the opposition just because Bonyongo is no more.
Speaking on behalf of government, Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane described Bonyongo as a very honest leader who was always ready to sacrifice his time for the party he loved.
MP for Tati West, Simon Moabi pledged that he and his comrades will do everything possible to honour Bonyongo by making sure the BDP retains the constituency in the 2024 general elections. Bonyongo's daughter Maedzo Bonyongo remembered her father as a loving parent who never beat them as children even when they got naughty.
For Dr Koziba Majaha, the granddaughter, Bonyongo was a loving grandfather who was very kind to all his grandchildren.
“We all loved him because he always played and made us laugh. I achieved what I did because of him,” Majaha said.