Snippets From The International Media On Sir Ketumile�s Passing

Galebolae Ngakane | Thursday June 29, 2017 14:03

 

“Botswana will officially mourn Masire until Sunday, and information about his funeral will be released in coming days, President Ian Khama said. The president’s father, Seretse Khama, was Botswana’s first president after independence from Britain in 1966.

Masire was Botswana’s second president and was in office from 1980 to 1998. He presided over the southern African country’s economic growth and record of clean governance on a continent frequently buffeted by turmoil.

The diamond trade and wildlife tourism are major sources of revenue for the country of 2 million people, which nevertheless faces poverty, a high HIV/AIDS rate and other problems.

The south African media says, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, established by another iconic African and anti-apartheid leader in Nelson Mandela,  on Friday cited comments by Mandela, who became South Africa’s first black president, at a state banquet for Masire in 1996.

“Our country has much to learn from Botswana — both from your towering successes and your efforts to deal with the difficulties,” said Mandela, adding that Masire was “a natural and capable leader of the region’s collective efforts towards growth and development.”

After his presidency, Masire became involved in reconciliation efforts and election monitoring in other African countries. In 2007, he started a foundation that seeks to promote development in Botswana and the region.

The Zambian media said its High Commissioner to the Republic of Botswana Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Tembo has sent his message of condolences to the people of Botswana on the untimely death of Sir Ketumile Quett Masire and has described the former President as a visionary. Brig. Gen. Tembo said Africa had lost a great son of the soil whose efforts in fostering social, economic and political development on the continent will fondly be remembered.

He noted that President Masire was a towering figure in the region that had helped advance great ties between Zambia and Botswana in many spheres of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.“He was a visionary, a man whose contribution to the development of the African continent will fondly be remembered. As we join you in mourning the departed, we pray that the Lord Almighty grants solace and strength to the family of the late President” he said.He further extolled President Masire’s contribution to Botswana’s liberation movement and its subsequent Independence in 1966.“I wish to convey, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia, our deepest condolences to the people of the Republic of Botswana” Brig. Gen. Tembo noted down in the book of condolences.President Masire led Botswana as its second post-independence Head of State from 1980 until stepping down 1998.

He passed away at Bokamoso hospital in Gaborone late on Thursday and a three day national mourning has since been declared.A news site, All Africa reports that the African Union (AU) mourns with Botswana following the death of former President Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, said a statement released by the pan-African bloc on Friday.It says the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has extended sincere condolences to the family of Masire, the government and people of Botswana on the passing of Masire on Thursday, according to the statement.Masire was born in 1925, and was the second president of Botswana from 1980 to 1998.The chairperson has noted with great appreciation that Masire played a critical role in facilitating Botswana’s independence and also hailed the contributions he made in seeking peaceful solutions to challenges in various African countries. Enditem The Nigerian media was also not left out in announcing condolences from its former and present leaders.

It quotes Obasanjo sending condolences with Botswana over death of ex-president Masire.Reporting for a Nigerian newspaper, published on June 23, 2017, Kehinde Akinyemi, says Ex-Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has condoled with the government and people of the Republic of Botswana, over the death of their former President, Sir (Dr.) Quett Ketumile J. Masire.The former president of the South African country died at the age of 91 on Thursday, with the home country, declaring a three-day of national mourning.

In a condolence letter to President Ian Khama, which was made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Obasanjo described the late Sir Masire as a true African that would be sadly missed for his notable leadership and contribution to the building of the Republic of Botswana.“President Masire lived a fulfilled life, having served his country energetically well in various capacities before he finally became the second President of Botswana for the Botswana Democratic Party from 1980 to 1998. “A man of principle and commitment, he embodied the virtues of labour and integrity. He was a gentle, seemingly shy, accommodating but firm and decisive.”Obasanjo recalled that he got closer to the late President Masire and interacted so well with him “when I was military Head of State of Nigeria and he was Minister of Finance of Botswana.

When he left government in 1998, we met fairly regularly on the international circuit of conferences, workshops and meetings. Indeed, President Masire will be remembered for his loyalty to all causes and institutions to which his heart belonged and, above all, loyalty to his country and his family.“I join the Government and the people of Botswana as well as millions of others around the world in mourning a man, who, in his very eventful political life, did much to shape the political tapestry of not only Botswana, but also that of Africa and the world at large.

“Under President Masire, Botswana was globally acknowledged as not only a frontline State that fought apartheid to its logical conclusion but one of the few African countries that have served as a beacon for democracy and hope of African Renaissance.

“The contribution of Botswana to the search for international peace, especially in Africa, is noteworthy, as President Masire undertook a mediatory mission in the Great Lakes region with a view to resolving the crisis in the Democratic Republic Congo at that time.“While earnestly praying for the repose of the soul of President Masire, I add that God Almighty should give the family, your Government and people of Botswana the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.