Traditional leaders, crime prevention activists, and well-wishers including political leaders thronged the Topisi main kgotla on Saturday (24/09/11) to pay their last respect to the peace loving hero and crime combatant Kgosi Keseitse Chakaloba who passed away on (17/09/11).

Countless revelations about Kgosi Chakaloba’s compassion, commitment and guidance by different speakers showed that his personality was still demanded by the community and national leadership across the country. And for that degree of demand, his departure was clearly too soon for burial and too soon for heaven. Residents of Topisi wanted more of his warmth and encouragement and possibly longed for an equally committed leader as Keseitse to complete unfinished projects.

His achievement in both community development and the fight against crime was described as unquestionable. The Commissioner of Police Mr. Thebeyame Tsimako told the mourners that Kgosi Chakaloba was one of the first community leaders to join Crime Prevention Committees in 1985 and remained committed and actively involved in crime prevention initiatives in his area and beyond.   

His contribution to the fight against crime enabled him to earn popularity as one of the most decorated Crime Prevention veteran of his time. Kgosi Chakaloba’s chain of accomplishments started with his appointment as chairperson of the Palapye Police Station Crime Prevention Committee in 1985 and his further election to the chairpersonship of the No. 2 Police District Executive Crime Prevention Committee in 1994, the positions he held until his passing on. No. 2 District which incorporated Palapye, also embraced Serowe, Mahalapye, and Machaneng. For his dedication and selfless contribution, Kgosi Chakaloba was awarded certificate of appreciation by the Botswana Police Service in 1994.  

According to Mr Tsimako, Kgosi Chakaloba participated in a national workshop that followed the drafting of the ‘Community Policing in Botswana’ booklet in 2001. He was further invited to participate in a consultative workshop that laid a foundation for the development of ‘Building Effective Community Policing Strategic Framework’ document in 2006. Mr Tsimako said Kgosi Chakaloba also joined a team of twenty one (21) Batswana who undertook a Crime Prevention benchmarking trip to Swaziland in 1999.

As No. 2 District Crime Prevention chairperson, Kgosi Chakaloba helped the District to win medals during the Community Policing National Awards in 2010 and 2011. Mr Tsimako, nevertheless, regretted the fact that Kgosi Chakaloba could not live to see the 2011 award ceremony which was being organized. He (Mr Tsimako) appealed to Batswana in general particularly the Topisi residents to emulate Kgosi Chakaloba who was able to mobilize the community to participate in crime prevention and help the Police record reductions in most crime nationwide.

Molefhe Mangadi, the retired police Senior Superintendent, who worked with Kgosi Chakaloba under No. 2 District Crime Prevention Executive Committee, said as the Chairperson, Keseitse remained unchallenged until he passes on, due to his commitment and visionary leadership. He said Kgosi Chakaloba hated crime with all his heart, the statement which was corroborated by Keseitse’s elderly daughter Poloko Mokoka. She said her brothers could not bring home trapped or slaughtered animals such squirrel and hare because they knew Keseitse could not accept them. They would instead roast such animals and eat them in the bush before returning home.

Kgosi Chakaloba who started customary functions in 1978 as headman of record was born in 1947 in Serowe. He was the second born child of Ms Kgaogano and Lephole Chakaloba. He started primary education at Palapye, and completed secondary education at Swaneng Hill School in Serowe. He furthered his education at the now Botswana College of Agriculture and worked at Mookane village as agricultural assistant. He later joined the Central transport organization (CTO) before returning home to help his parents as a farmer.

Keseitse Chakaloba played in the Tlokweng Pirates football team and later joined township Rollers when it was formed. He was a celebrated football player dubbed “Chainpuller Makeetane”.  He trained Topisi United (TU) until his inauguration as Kgosi in 1978. He is survived by his elder sister and younger brother, wife Mothata Chakaloba, four (4) children and five (5) grand children.