Excited family says BDP's disrespect to Basarwa ancestors cost them power
The late Gaoberekwe Pitseng will finally be laid to rest on December 10, 2024 in his ancestral home of Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) after nearly three years of contentious legal battles, financial strain, and emotional turmoil.
The announcement was made by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, marking a major moment for the Pitseng family.
"One of our people is unable to rest, far from his home. Country road, hear him yearn. Please take him home to the place he belongs, the soul of a son of the soil, home to CKGR, where he can finally
be at peace. These words hit my soul like bolts of lightning, and now they leave my lips, carrying his yearning."
President Boko's decision ends a long-standing dispute between the Pitseng family and the previous government, which had denied the family’s request to bury their patriarch in CKGR, citing his relocation to New Xade under a social welfare programme.
The deceased's body has remained at Joyce Funeral Parlour in Ghanzi since his passing on Christmas Eve in 2021, accumulating a bill exceeding P1 million.
The Pitseng family has consistently maintained that Gaoberekwe must be buried in CKGR, as it is the land of his forefathers.
Despite a Court of Appeal ruling in 2022 allowing them to bury him elsewhere, the family refused to comply, vowing not to participate in any burial outside CKGR.
The family has remained unwavering in its position, refusing to compromise on their father’s dignity or their ancestral rights. They have stated that if anyone chooses to bury him outside the CKGR, it will be without their participation.
The family’s determination saw them turn to international legal avenues, engaging lawyers to present their case to the African Court on Human and People's Rights after exhausting local judicial remedies.
While the family fought for their cause, the mortuary keeping Pitseng's remains bore the brunt of the financial and emotional toll.
Joyce Dikkop, owner of Joyce Funeral Parlour, described the situation as a nightmare as she has been stuck with the body for a long time.
President Boko’s decision to grant the family’s burial request is seen as a victory for the Basarwa community, who have long struggled for recognition of their rights to their ancestral land and cultural practices.
However, Boko long assured during his campaign that if his party is voted in power, he will restore the family's dignity, by allowing Pitseng burial in the land of his forefathers, CKGR.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun shortly after President Boko's announcement, Pitseng family spokesperson, Smith Moeti expressed excitement, stating that the family would forever praise the new government for prioritising the rights of indigenous people.
"We were just arriving from the mortuary, and the bill is still pending. We are thrilled that at last, the old man will be laid to rest!
“As Batswana, we should never ignore our culture. Perhaps the Botswana Democratic Party's loss was due to its failure to respect our ancestors," he said.
Moeti added that even though President Boko has only been in office for a month, they are already seeing positive changes. He urged Batswana to trust that the country is heading in the right direction.
The announcement was made by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Tuesday, marking a major moment for the Pitseng family.
"One of our people is unable to rest, far from his home. Country road, hear him yearn. Please take him home to the place he belongs, the soul of a son of the soil, home to CKGR, where he can finally
be at peace. These words hit my soul like bolts of lightning, and now they leave my lips, carrying his yearning."
President Boko's decision ends a long-standing dispute between the Pitseng family and the previous government, which had denied the family’s request to bury their patriarch in CKGR, citing his relocation to New Xade under a social welfare programme.
The deceased's body has remained at Joyce Funeral Parlour in Ghanzi since his passing on Christmas Eve in 2021, accumulating a bill exceeding P1 million.
The Pitseng family has consistently maintained that Gaoberekwe must be buried in CKGR, as it is the land of his forefathers.
Despite a Court of Appeal ruling in 2022 allowing them to bury him elsewhere, the family refused to comply, vowing not to participate in any burial outside CKGR.
The family has remained unwavering in its position, refusing to compromise on their father’s dignity or their ancestral rights. They have stated that if anyone chooses to bury him outside the CKGR, it will be without their participation.
The family’s determination saw them turn to international legal avenues, engaging lawyers to present their case to the African Court on Human and People's Rights after exhausting local judicial remedies.
While the family fought for their cause, the mortuary keeping Pitseng's remains bore the brunt of the financial and emotional toll.
Joyce Dikkop, owner of Joyce Funeral Parlour, described the situation as a nightmare as she has been stuck with the body for a long time.
President Boko’s decision to grant the family’s burial request is seen as a victory for the Basarwa community, who have long struggled for recognition of their rights to their ancestral land and cultural practices.
However, Boko long assured during his campaign that if his party is voted in power, he will restore the family's dignity, by allowing Pitseng burial in the land of his forefathers, CKGR.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun shortly after President Boko's announcement, Pitseng family spokesperson, Smith Moeti expressed excitement, stating that the family would forever praise the new government for prioritising the rights of indigenous people.
"We were just arriving from the mortuary, and the bill is still pending. We are thrilled that at last, the old man will be laid to rest!
“As Batswana, we should never ignore our culture. Perhaps the Botswana Democratic Party's loss was due to its failure to respect our ancestors," he said.
Moeti added that even though President Boko has only been in office for a month, they are already seeing positive changes. He urged Batswana to trust that the country is heading in the right direction.
