In the late 1980s, Koma was expelled from the BNF, the then-main opposition. He went on to form a party that he called the Botswana Labour Party (BLP). Electorally, having existed from 1989, the BLP was not gaining traction, but Koma clung to the name.
It was only recently that the name gained more prominence following others leaving BNF, and Koma granting his former comrades permission to use it. “Koma was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He will be remembered for his love, guidance, and important role he played within his family and community,” reads the family notice.
A memorial service held in honour of the veteran opposition activist will be hosted this Thursday at 2pm at the Peleng Community Hall. The crimes detailed elsewhere in this edition from the loss of a former minister to the heartbreaking murder of a child, and public arson to relentless gender-based violence, paint a distressing picture of a society under strain.These are not isolated tragedies. They are a collective alarm bell, ringing out as we enter a period meant for peace and goodwill.The festive season, while a time of joy, can also amplify existing pressures.
