16/05/2026
A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO MOGAE THE UNFORGETTABLE
Today marks a terrible, yet historic, day for the Mogae family and the Republic of Botswana. A legend is laid to rest.
Overcome with emotions I could not express, I composed a song in memoriam of a great man. Saturday night, as I was composing, it disappear. I was not ok. With the encouragement of my uncle Karabo Tlhabiwe and mother Kealeboga Matthys I started again. Rre Mike Modise would later help me tweak it - Thank you Sir. This is a tribute to the memory of His Excellency the Former President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. Festus Gontebanye Mogae.
I tried recording it, and struggled. So, while this not the form I would have wished for the public to have heard it, it is nonetheless an expression of feelings I cannot express in words. I have drafted and deleted many-an-essay since the passing of the Former President.
Please accept this as a humble tribute by a young Motswana who is inspired by the towering tree under whose shade our fathers rested. May God bless the Mogae family, may God bless the Republic of Botswana, her leaders, and her people.
I pray that we can take Botswana to greater heights than Rre Mogae did, in his honour.
With the warmest love a mournful heart can proffer,
Gakeesi Mozart 'Sir G jnr' Tlhabiwe
Just a Young Motswana
Intriguingly, my father (Gomolemo Motswaledi) wrote 'Opelang Dikoma' for his inauguration, my mother (Kealeboga Matthys) wrote 'Mogae the Great' for his retirement, today I present 'Ke Ena Rre Mogae' on the day of his burial. While it is not sung, I hope the meaning will remain.