06 Sep 2024

When 2024 is recorded in the annals of history as a year Botswana grappled with global dispute over its management of animal, in particular elephant conservation, the recently deceased Minister of Environment and Tourism, Mr Dumezweni Mthimkhulu will be protagonist.

Mr Mthimkhulu had barely settled into his ministerial seat at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in February when Botswana had to deal with the 'elephant in the room’ plans by European parliaments to ban importation of hunting trophies, which would have an adverse effect on wildlife management and community trusts in the country.

Such were the last days of the departed minister, whose memorial service was held at Gaborone’s Botswana Public Service College yesterday, where Acting President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane described him as a hardworking, trustworthy and punctual individual who contributed immensely to the nation during his five years as part of the country's national executive.

Mr Tsogwane said during his four-year tenure as the Assistant Minister for State President, Mr Mthimkhulu displayed a keen knowledge of procedure, working well and respecting the seniority of the substantive minister, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, and then carried on his industrious nature over onto this year as a full minister.

“Given an opportunity to lead a ministry, Mr Mthimkhulu demonstrated that he is a leader, displaying responsibility, fully accountable in taking decision, and giving his best at work. He represented the people well in Parliament. Unfortunately, we could not end our term together, but we got to know him as a reliable person you could trust,” Mr Tsogwane said.

He added that even during the period of illness, Mr Mthimkhulu continued to display the fortitude to continue working hard for the benefit of the nation.

“Unlike others who might present sick leaves and refrain from work during illness, it was amazing how Mr Mthimkhulu was fighting the illness, we were the ones who could notice that he was not well. He would carry on serving with passion, and this means he lived a life of hope,” Mr Tsogwane related.

Conveying a message of condolence to the family, Mr Tsogwane urged Mr Mthimkhulu’s loved ones to keep the faith, holding on to the gratitude of the gift of life that had been in their midst.

For his part, Mr Morwaeng said from November 2019 until early this year, he had worked seamlessly with Mr Mthimkhulu, whom he described as a good team worker.

“We were appointed to the ministry by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, and we were grateful to serve under the guidance of the national leader. We worked very well together for four years, and he became a younger brother to me, he was respectful to those in authority,” Mr Morwaeng said.

He added that they had become an example of how a minister and his deputy could work together since their cooperation was of a high level and displayed loyalty to the government and national administration.

“Mr Mthimkhulu was one trustworthy politician. As a government and nation we have lost a high calibre individual who would not shy away during difficult times, and would give honest advice,” Mr Morwaeng said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Mr Boatametse Modukanele had earlier told BOPA in an interview that Mr Mthimkhulu had been steadfast in expressing Botswana’s position that trophy hunting in the country was conducted in an orderly manner that supported conservation, reduced human-wildlife conflict and earned revenue to improve the livelihood of rural communities.

Barely a month into his portfolio, Minister Mthimkhulu led a Botswana delegation to London in the United Kingdom and lobbied British Members of Parliament against passing the Hunting Trophies (Prohibition) Bill, whose intent was to discourage trophy hunting by banning British import of body parts of hunted animals.

“The minister came in and we worked very closely together, and we were tasked with a campaign against the ban of trophy hunting. Minister Mthimkhulu led our delegation to various European countries starting in the UK, and communicated our narrative that Botswana had done extremely well in animal conservation and we deserve to be supported in our effort,” Mr Modukanele said.

He added that in addition to the elephant campaign, they had worked together on issues such as fire management and the development of fire breaks, drought management, water sources for wildlife and engaging global partners on Botswana’s community conservation and the private sector.

“He was a very strong advocate for conservation, community support and development. I worked with him for a short time, but I really enjoyed working with him. He came in at a time when we had to handle sensitive issues, but he handled them in a mature manner”.

While Mr Mthimkhulu had already taken ill, Mr Modukanele said the late minister bravely executed his tasks with much vigour throughout his ministerial tenure. Among the dignitaries who graced the event were First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi, various cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, Gaborone Mayor, Mr Austin Abraham, senior government officials as well as relatives and friends. Ends