Hundreds turn-up to lay Dr Chimbombi to rest
The chilly winter weather did not deter hundreds of mourners from descending on the tiny village of Makopong early on Sunday morning to bid a warm farewell to the late Dr Micus Chimbombi.
The huge, high-profile turn-out included President Duma Boko and Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe, as well as several members of cabinet all keen to say a final goodbye to a man who touched many hearts during his 65 years on the planet.
Dr Chimbombi passed away in hospital on Saturday 26 July, a little over seven months after he was named Minister of Lands and Agriculture.
His health started to deteriorate in November last year; sadly, what was initially thought to be fatigue caused by the gruelling 2024 general elections campaign turned out to be liver infection, from which he never recovered.
Having started his working life in 1986 as Senior Veterinary Officer, through hard work and brilliance, Dr Chimbombi climbed the career ladder, eventually rising to the position of Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary (PS) in 2011.
His political journey with the Botswana National Front (BNF) began six years later, resigning as Kgalagadi Landboard Chairperson to focus fully on politics.
Although he suffered defeat at the polls in 2019, narrowly losing out in Kgalagadi South to BDP’s Sam Brooks, Chimbombi was not to be denied a second time.
Along with the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), he swept to victory in the 2024 general elections, winning Kgalagadi South with a margin of almost 3, 000 votes.
Cruelly, he barely took up the office of MP and Minister before his health started to fail.
Speakers shared their memories of the late leader, many of the stories linked by a common theme: a staunch Christian, willing servant of the masses and loving husband and father.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse described the deceased as a man of principle, one the country should be extremely proud of.
“I never knew him as this revered Christian. His time in Parliament was brief but it continues to burn with the intensity that illuminates far beyond its duration. I have no doubt that he was going to make a good and successful Minister and an MP had he lived longer. He is someone, who from his very first day, understood that the mandate entrusted to him was not merely a political position but a sacred covenant with the people he represented,” shared Keorapetse.
Similarly, former Minister of Agriculture, Christian De Graaf remembered Dr Chimbombi as an innovative, special soul and an excellent PS.
“He was the right man for the job and that he was going to deliver with competence given his wealth of experience the agriculture sector. As Permanent Secretary, Dr Chimbombi was highly instrumental in introducing new government programmes and policies among them ISPAAD, dry land farming as well as a horticulture programme,” said De Graaf crediting Dr Chimbombi with successfully controlling an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease during his time as PS.
A revered leader in both civil society and civil service, President Boko called the late Minister a selfless, courageous and visionary man who leaves behind a lasting legacy.
“I want to appreciate the Chimbombi family for raising a son who served the nation with passion and dedication. It is imperative to honour Dr Chimbombi’s memory by emulating his legacy. Chimbombi had a footprint and vast experience in animal health and production. His decision to join politics came with immense sacrifices and challenges but he did not budge,” praised the visibly emotional President.
