Former Botswana President Sir Ketumile Masire dies aged 91

Sir Ketumile Masire  ??

Born: July 23, 1925, Kanye, Botswana ??
Died: June 22, 2017

Sir Ketumile Masire, who was Botswana’s second President, has died aged 91. He had been hospitalised in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit at Bokomoso Hospital since June 18.

The Board of Trustees of the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation (SKMF) issued a statement last night announcing his death.

Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, GCMG (born 23 July 1925 in Kanye, Botswana) is the second President of Botswana for the Botswana Democratic Party from 1980 to 1998. (source wikipedia)

He stepped down and was succeeded by the then Vice-President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who became the third President of Botswana.

Prior to this, he was a leading figure in the independence movement and then the new government, and played a crucial role in facilitating and protecting Botswana’s steady financial growth and development.

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Since his retirement in 1998 Sir Ketumile Masire has been involved in numerous diplomatic initiatives in a number of African countries, including Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Swaziland. Between 1998 and 2000 he served as Chairman of the International Panel of Eminent Personalities Investigating the Circumstances Surrounding the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, and between 2000 – 2003 was the facilitator for the Inter-Congolese National Dialogue, which had the objective of bringing about a new political dispensation for the Democratic Republic of Congo, in terms of the Lusaka Ceasefire Accord.

In 2007, Sir Ketumile Masire set up the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation to promote the social and economic well being of the society of Botswana.

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STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF SIR QUETT KETUMILE JONI MASIRE / Co – Founder & Patron of SKMF.
The Board of Trustees of the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation (SKMF) and the Masire family wish to inform all friends and supporters of SKMF of the passing on of Rre. He died peacefully at Bokamoso Private Hospital surrounded by his family at 2210hrs on 22 June 2017.
We thank well-wishers and friends from near and far, for their prayers, thoughts and comforting messages of support during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Sir Q

REACTION ON TWITTER

1. President Masire was the main architect of what may have been Africa’s most successful economic transition.

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

2. For almost three decades, Botswana grew faster than any of the Asian Tigers #RIPMasire https://t.co/wtlD4HdCJm

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

3. Sir Ketumile became president when I was in standard one. He provided exemplary leadership during the most difficult drought years.

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

4. After I graduated from university, I remember attending a party in his honour at my uncle’s farm, around the time of his retirement…

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

5. Pres. Masire, at his retirement party, didn’t only focus on the invited guests.

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

6. He took the time to go round and greeted everyone – every farm worker, everyone helping, individually. With genuine sincerity and warmth https://t.co/y3rI8T2nJs

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

7. He may have overseen the most impressive economic transition in Africa, but he was always humble. A true leader. Loved by his people https://t.co/kUzUEeMyvr

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017

8. We were blessed to have had him as our president. His leadership example deserves to be celebrated. It should be better known. #RIPMasire https://t.co/3WilJ2o2FS

— Razia Khan (@raziakkhan) June 22, 2017