Sylvia Cooke (1930 - 2018)

Abstract

This week (in November 2018) brought the sad news that Sylvia Cooke had died recently in the UK after a long stay in hospital. Sylvia was Executive Secretary of the Botswana Society from 1978 to 1990, a spell which coincided with much of its glory years when she formed, with the two heavy weights, Gobe Matenge and Alec Campbell, a remarkable trio. Sylvia, theoretically the junior partner, was the perfect foil for the other two. Alec was quiet and introspective; Gobe, particular and pedantic. Sylvia was outspoken, direct and jolly, a tonic. She was also a softie, generous and extraordinarily kind.