27 Jun 2017

The young brother to the late second president Sir Ketumile Masire has described him as a father, friend and tower of strength for the entire family.

Mr Basimanyana Masire and fourth born son of the late Mr Joni Masire and Ms Baleohi Masire told BOPA this in an interview yesterday.

Mr Masire said his mother died in 1944 and father in 1947 while they were still very young at which time the late Sir Ketumile was studying at Tigerkloof college in South Africa from 1947-50.After completing his studies, although he had acquired a bursary and had an opportunity to further his studies overseas, he decided to come back home to take care of his five bereaved siblings.

 Mr Masire described his late brother as a profound mentor and a follow-worthy leader who transplanted into all his siblings confidence, faith and a burning desire to strive to become the best they could be in life.

Mr Masire said Ra-Gaone as the former statesman was best known, who was also a teacher by profession, loved education and inspired his siblings to study through any means available.Although he loved farming, he said the late father of the nation let his siblings have their own way in terms of career choices but remained generous with time, encouragement and responsibility which fostered a caring environment and earned him respect, trust and confidence from them.

“He never imposed anything on us, he was very open with us that’s why we never doubted anything he asked us to do. But like a loving father, he never spared a rod unnecessarily that’s why we came this far in life,”he said.  

 Mr Masire shared that he did a course in embryo transplant which was viewed as a very complex subject at the time with the University of Denmark in 1981 and subsequently worked in countries like Costa Rica, Gautamala, Cuba, Panama and Brazil as an embryo transplant instructor thanks to his late brother’s unfailing love and support.

“There was a language barrier for me when I started but I acquired the services of a translator because the ambition and faith he had planted in me, which would go with me through life, could not allow such factors to conspire and prevent me from acquiring that knowledge.I was very proud of him so I persevered with a desire to make him proud of me too. I am honestly and earnestly what I am today because of him,”he said.

Second born sister Ms Gabalengwe Koma, retired teacher and second born child of the family said her elder brother was everything to the family. “He raised all of us together with our own children thus far, “she said.

Ms Koma said Sir Ketumile also gave her and her younger sister Ms Morufi Masire a monthly living allowance until the day he departed.”And  he was there for me every step  all the way even before I retired from public service.

The finest thing is when I got married, he gave me all the bride price that was due to him as our elder. We have never felt at any loss with him around after our parents died, its only now that we profusely feel orphaned...ke gone re ikutlwang re le masiela ha Quett a tsamaile one a re lebatsa bosiela batsadi ba sena go tlhokafala,”she said with an affected smile.

Last born uncle to the Former President Mr Kabo Masire likewise shared that he was raised by the former when he came back from school in South Africa.”I was 10 years old in 1947 when he returned from South Africa, registered me for school and raised me together with his own siblings.He gave me life and everything I have today is because of him,”he said. ENDS