12 Jan 2025

President Advocate Duma Boko has commiserated with and expressed profound condolences to the Udus following the demise of Mr Mosimanethebe Udu who was the husband to Ms Mosetsana Udu, an employee at the Office of the President.

Speaking during a visit to the Udu residence in Gaborone on January 11, President Boko emphasised the need for the deceased’s family and friends to remain steadfast in their faith during their time of bereavement and encouraged them not to despair, but to draw comfort from Setswana tradition of sticking together during trying times.

President Boko said it was on that note that he found it befitting to personally console the bereaved family as it was in line with the Setswana culture to support those who grief.

He said he had earlier on sent a condolence message in writing, but nonetheless found it fit to personally visit the Udu homestead to provide some solace.

“It is in line with our tradition for one to find time to console those in mourning,” President Boko said.

 As much as death should not be proud, President Boko indicated that it was however comforting for the deceased to have lived long enough to raise his children to adulthood and passed on the necessary survival skills on them.

“We need to look back and reflect on the role that the deceased played in raising his children to be responsible young adults during these challenging times where young people tend to be victims of many social ills and violence,” he said.

President Boko thus encouraged young people and the community to find peaceful means to conflict resolution rather than resorting to violence, which sometimes leads to loss of life. “It is of great importance to always talk issues over and ensure that we find cordial resolution to any disagreement. 

We need to build each other as a nation rather than destroy or hurt one another. 

We should also pray for the serenity to accept the things we cannot change as well as consult with those with better guidance on conflict resolution and psychosocial therapy,” President Boko said.

Additionally, President Boko reaffirmed governments’ commitment to the improvement of health services as a possible way of reducing mortality.

A family representative, Mr Kobamelo Sekalaba commended President Boko for sparing time from his busy schedule to console the family, thus expressing appreciation for the comforting words of compassion.

Such a gesture, he said, was true testament of the President’s love towards the citizenry. Ends