Tribute to Roseline Panzirah -Matshome

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) would like to send its profound and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, leadership and the general membership of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) following the passing away of Roseline Panzirah-Matshome. No words can express the loss and sorrow that you are going through.

We join you in mourning this comrade who was one of the refined female politicians this country has had. A real Mensch. She became the secretary-general of the BPF not by chance or accident. Resilience and hard work took her there and without doubt was destined for a much higher destiny. Death has robbed us once more.

She has left us but she will never leave us because her spirit will always be with us. It will nourish and nurture the opposition cooperation project. Roseline believed in cooperation of opposition parties and fought hard to ensure the commencement of the Talks. Sickness denied her the opportunity to be at the table when the Talks began. Fortunately she left after a foundation had been laid in the form of a By-Elections MOU by opposition parties.

It is for those she has left behind to take the project to a higher level and ultimately work together in the 2024 General Election. She has left us prematurely, but her legacy shall be long lasting.

It is difficult if not impossible to describe the sadness felt after her demise. A bit of our past, our present and our future is gone. However, her legacy will not disappear like the mist at the sight of the first rays of the morning sun. We will draw inspiration from her legacy and carve our milestones.

There is much more to say about Cde Roseline but for now may our God give all of us the strength to mourn her and pay our last respects. We thank this outstanding comrade for having existed.