10 Apr 2024

The late Dr Michael Dingake was a selfless man whose love for humankind transcended borders. 

Commiserating with the family in Mogoditshane yesterday following the death of Dr Dingake on Sunday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said Dr Dingake, who was once imprisoned at Robben Island in South Africa for his anti-apartheid activism, was the embodiment of a true Motswana. 

He said Dr Dingake, who had gone for further studies in South Africa, despised the racist tactics by the then South Africa government, adding that he was concerned about the well-being of fellow Africans. 

He noted that upon his return, the late Dr Dingake worked for the University of Botswana before joining politics where he was also in leadership. 

Dr Masisi said the deceased eventually left for a new political party which he led. President Masisi said Dr Dingake was a humble and respected man who related well with people from across the political divide. 

Mr Dingake’s sister, Ms Mary Dingalo thanked President Masisi for visiting the family during their loss. She said it demonstrated that Dr Masisi was a parent to all Batswana regardless of their affiliations. A family representative, Mr Letsweletse Dingake told President Masisi that the late Mr Dingake died on Sunday afternoon after falling ill on Friday. 

The late Dr Dingake was a prominent figure in the country’s opposition politics and was once Botswana National Front (BNF) vice president. 

In 1998 following a fallout with the BNF leadership, he led a break away party, the Botswana Congress Party, which he became its first president. 

He retired from active politics in 2004 and was a regular newspaper columnist as well as being an author and human rights activist. 

The late Dr Dingake was born in Bobonong on February 11, 1928. 

He joined the African National Congress in 1952, was arrested by the apartheid regime in 1965 and sentenced to 15 years at Robben Island. 

Upon his release in 1981, he returned to Botswana, joined politics and became a Member of Parliament from 1994 to 1999. ENDS