Sir Ketumile Masire, former President of Botswana, has died at the age of 91
after being admitted in hospital since last Friday in Bokamoso with critical
condition. He was reported to have died peacefully at Bokamoso Private
Hospital surrounded by his family at 10:10pm on 22 June 2017.
after being admitted in hospital since last Friday in Bokamoso with critical
condition. He was reported to have died peacefully at Bokamoso Private
Hospital surrounded by his family at 10:10pm on 22 June 2017.
See eight things you should know about him after cut…
1.
Masire
was the country’s second president.
Masire
was the country’s second president.
2.
The
deceased was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
The
deceased was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
3. The
Botsana’s first Vice President after independence in 1966 has been considered
as the main architect of what has been one of Africa’s most successful economic
transition.
Botsana’s first Vice President after independence in 1966 has been considered
as the main architect of what has been one of Africa’s most successful economic
transition.
4. He
replaced President Seretse Khama in 1980 and served as president for 18 years
until he voluntarily stepped down in 1998.
replaced President Seretse Khama in 1980 and served as president for 18 years
until he voluntarily stepped down in 1998.
5.
Masire
played a leading role in the independence movement and thereafter in the
southern Africa countries’ steady financial growth and development.
Masire
played a leading role in the independence movement and thereafter in the
southern Africa countries’ steady financial growth and development.
6.
He
was also the chairman of the International Panel of Eminent Personalities
investigating the circumstances of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, from 1998 to 2000.
He
was also the chairman of the International Panel of Eminent Personalities
investigating the circumstances of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, from 1998 to 2000.
7.
He
founded the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation in 2007 to promote the social and
economic well being of the citizens.
He
founded the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation in 2007 to promote the social and
economic well being of the citizens.
8.
Masire
had been actively involved in numerous diplomatic initiatives, leading efforts
to resolve political crises in a number of African countries including
Mozambique, DR Congo, Lesotho and Kenya.
Masire
had been actively involved in numerous diplomatic initiatives, leading efforts
to resolve political crises in a number of African countries including
Mozambique, DR Congo, Lesotho and Kenya.