Florence Kgaboesele: An unsung heroine
In the township of Peleng in Lobatse, where the daily momentum of life is blurred by a deep-seated desire to not only live to see tomorrow, but experience a better life, one would not expect that greatness lies here.
But despite the misconceptions of it being a crime and poverty ridden melting pot of moral bankruptcy, there is also an unequivocal heritage legacy and a strong sense of community. There are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. Human beings of integrity, their hearts brimming with love for humanity.
It is also where a brave woman, Florence Kgaboesele (94), who died a fortnight ago, became a heroine of sorts for not only opening her heart, but her home to apartheid era “fugitives”. Kgaboesele was married to John Kgaboesele, who was the Headman of Peleng.
In the 1960s, the Kgaboesele family housed several famous struggle icons like South African’s Oliver Reginald Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Mozambique’s Samora Machel on transit or as they fled their respective countries in fear of attacks from the apartheid regime.
The African National Congress (ANC) has for one, often expressed its indebtedness to the Peleng community, especially the Kgaboesele’ for the instrumental role they played in protecting the struggle stalwarts.
In 2013, the Mozambique government bought the Kgaboesele house to turn it into a commemorative structure and built the family a house elsewhere. The house bought was the fourth house in the Lobatse Township to be built and it also housed the only shop.
Although the role Kgaboesele played in protecting the struggle stalwarts was selfless, it also put her life and that of her family in danger because the apartheid government could have very well sent a parcel bomb to her home, or even torched it.
In fact, in the mid-80s the country was gripped in fear when parcel bombs were distributed in Lobatse and Gaborone, reportedly by the apartheid government, killing several people.
Kgaboesele’s legacy is that of principle, humility and love. Kgaboesele has been known to be a soft-spoken woman – the true embodiment of femininity and strength. Through her conduct throughout, we can better appreciate that a woman does not need to be boastful or uppity for her greatness to shine through – it’s the untold stories that weigh in our hearts, the battles in our souls, the resilience of our spirit, and the compelling need to care for others, forgive and love unconditionally and relentlessly even if a piece of her sanity and livelihood is compromised, that reflect the power of a woman.
Kgaboesele’ untarnished legacy serves as inspiration for many seeking to recondition their minds and spirits to the important ethos of maintaining humility throughout life. Kgaboesele was laid to rest on Saturday (9 January 2016). May her soul rest in peace.