HEAVEN COULD NOT WAIT: Fologang was a treasure trove

Mr Matshediso Leabilwe Kelatlhegile Fologang was born in Ramotswa on the 29th January 1953. He was the fourth child of Mme Bethseba Piledioa Fologang who predeceased him.

EDUCATION

He started his education at Bamalete National School from 1961 to 1967 and was later admitted at Swaneng Hill School where he did his Junior Certificate, he then alternated working as a Committee Clerk for the South East District Council and the Malete Landboard from 1971-1972.

He then went back to Swaneng Hill School to complete his form 5. Upon completion of his studies at Swaneng, he was re-employed as an Administration Officer by the South East District Council from December 1973 to July 1974.

Mr. Fologang furthered his studies at the University of Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland from 1974-1978 where he studied (BA (Economics), and temporarily taught at Ramotswa Secondary School during his school vacations. In 1982 he did his Post Graduate Diploma in Finance in Swaziland and in 1987 did his Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Project Finance and Appraisal in Milan, Italy. Mr. Fologang also did a Certificate in Labour Law through the University of Cape Town.

EMPLOYMENT

Mr. Fologang worked for the Department of Taxes as a Tax Inspector from 1978 to 1980 where he left to join the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFFPA). He was the first Motswana to hold that post and was reporting to the Regional Director who was based in Mbabane Swaziland. In 1982 he joined the National Development Bank where he retired as a regional manager in 1999 to join politics.

POLITICS

Mr. Fologang joined politics in 1999 as a Botswana Democratic Party member and became a Council Chairman for the South East District Council for two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2009. He then returned as a specially elected member of the South East District Council from 2014-2019. During the latter term he was appointed the Botswana Association of Local Authorities’ LED Commissioner as well as a South East District Council Audit Committee Chairperson.

He has also served in all BDP structures except the Central Committee.

Mr. Fologang was passionate about Labour issues and this was acknowledged when he was appointed Assessor of the Industrial Court. He also served in the Botswana Labour Movement as NDB Staff Union leader and later became its Secretary General and Chairperson.

He was at the same time serving as a member of Botswana Federation of Trade Unions and later became its Secretary General. Through the BFTU he served nationally in the Rural Development Council, he was also a very active board member of the National Employment Manpower and Incomes Council as well as Labour Advisory Board.

He represented Botswana Labour Movement at the Southern African Trade Unions Coordinating Council (SATUCC) and International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) Africa Body of Nairobi and Global Body in Brussels.

Mr. Fologang also actively and diligently served as a board member of Botswana Pensions Society, Bamalete Lutheran Hospital, Gamalete Development Trust and Camphill Community Trust.

He worked also with the Old Age Pension Working Group and assisted with Employment and Income Policy making.

Whilst on retirement, Fologang was approached by Kgolagano College where he worked until his untimely passing. He was also a farmer and spent most of his time at the farm in Lephaleng under a Motswere tree which was very dear to his heart. It is under this tree that he wrote most of his articles for his column, The Fireplace, which featured in The Midweek Sun.

SOCIAL

Mr Fologang was a very social and loving person who treated everyone with utmost respect and care. He was mostly a devoted father who loved his children immensely; he valued family more than anything. He was a problem-solver for everyone and enjoyed taking on challenging tasks both at work and within the family clan. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him. Mr. Matshediso Fologang is survived by his wife Nurse Fologang; two (2) sisters Winnie Sebolao and Dinah Moagi; his brother Rufus Fologang; five (5) children Seitebaleng, Boyce, Kagiso, Mompati and Nnini; two (2) daughters in law Gomolemo and Malebogo as well as six (6) grandchildren Phuti, Tito, Letang, Rafiwa, Ruri and Ori. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.