Written by: Badr Ahmed

Botswana held a memorial service for the late Simon Hirschfeld, the first Botswana citizen to lead the national police force, during a ceremony attended by his family, former colleagues, current police officers, and a number of officials and citizens, who gathered to celebrate his career and national legacy, following his death on June 3 at the age of 90.

Botswana bids farewell to one of the builders of the modern state

During the memorial service, participants praised Hirschfeld's historic role in developing the Botswana police force, stressing that his leadership marked a turning point in the security establishment's journey and contributed to laying the foundations for modern policing in the country.

The speakers emphasized that the deceased was a pioneer in the field of law enforcement, having established the principles of discipline, professionalism, integrity, and public service, values that still represent the fundamental pillars upon which law enforcement institutions in Botswana are based to this day.

The participants considered that Hirschfeld’s contributions went beyond the limits of the position he held, as his influence extended to building strong institutions capable of performing their tasks efficiently, as well as his role in preparing generations of officers who were inspired by his professional experience and his commitment to serving the nation.

The eulogies also highlighted the efforts made by the deceased to enhance citizens’ trust in the police force and to strengthen the relationship between the security establishment and the community, which contributed to supporting stability and strengthening the rule of law in the country.

Those present described Hirschfield as a model of a devoted patriot who answered the call of duty and dedicated his life to serving Botswana, stressing that his legacy will remain present in the institutions he helped build and in the professional values he instilled within the police force.

This occasion serves to reaffirm the high regard in which the deceased is held in the national memory of Botswana, as one of the figures who played a pivotal role in building the institutions of the modern state after independence.

The memorial service concluded by emphasizing that Botswana was not just bidding farewell to a former official, but celebrating the career of a pioneer of public service who left an indelible mark on the country’s history, and whose name remained associated with strengthening security, the rule of law, and serving citizens, so that his legacy would remain an integral part of the republic’s journey and the future of its institutions.