28 Jun 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corp, Dikgosi, councillors, senior government officials and Batswana at large paid last respect to the late second president, Sir Ketumile Masire as his body lay in state inside the National Assembly on June 27.

Sir Ketumile Masire, aged 91 passed on on June 22, at Bokamoso Private Hospital in Gaborone after a short illness.

Members of his family who were filled with emotions were allowed in the building to view his body first, followed by senior government officials and the public.

The body of Sir Ketumile arrived at the National Assembly under the procession of members of the Botswana Defence Force, with his casket draped in national colours.

Viewing of the body started at 6am and lasted until 7pm.

In an interview, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale said the lay in state ceremony was organised as a curtain-raiser, being part of a series of events to remember and honour the occasion befitting the fallen hero prior to the state funeralin his village, Kanye, on Thursday (June 29).

Mr Molale said Sir Ketumile served for 18 years as the Head of State and prior to that, he was vice president.

He said Sir Ketumile was one of the leading figures in the independence of Botswana, and played a crucial role in spearheading Botswana’s development at infancy stage, when the country was very poor.

“As you may be aware, during those years of ‘Bo-Rre RaGaone’ Botswana had nothing with no tarred roads. There was one narrow road in Lobatse from the station leading to the High Court. At the moment the entire country has accessible roads and electricity has reached the rural Botswana’’ he said.

Mr Molale said Sir Ketumile and his predecessor, Sir Seretse Khama used the national revenue to build Botswana, and that the current leadership was only building on top of the well-laid foundation.

He said Sir Ketumile would be remembered for his visionary leadership that has contributed immensely to the development of the country, the region and international organisations as well as his dedication in fostering peace across Africa and the world.

“Following his retirement in 1998, he never rested; he was involved in numerous diplomatic initiatives aimed at bringing about peace in a number of African countries. We would always remember that we once had a remarkable hero, who we should continue celebrating his life even during his absence,” he said.

Former cabinet minister who served during the then cabinet, Mr Kebatlamang Morake said Sir Ketumile had a good heart.

“We shall forever cherish the memories we shared with him. He was full of laughter that was so unique,” he said.

Mr Morake said Sir Ketumile’s leadership was exceptional and made everything simple for those who worked under him, even when things were tough.

He said Sir Ketumile was very tolerant, patient and at ease with life, something he said was a rare attribute for most leaders of his calibre.

His long standing friend and name sake, Mr Ketumile Kaboeamodimo said ‘’Quett’’ as he affectionately called him, had a rich language that was very unique and mouth-watering to emulate.

He said their friendship was solidified mostly by political affiliation as they used to travel to Lobatse during the early formation of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for lobby meetings, at the time when their party was less popular in his village of Kanye.

“I will forever treasure the fond memories we shared,” he said.

In an interview with a wheelchair-bound lady who braced the chilly weather to Parliament buildings for the glimpse of Sir Ketumile body, Ms Mpho Baatlhodi said she could not come to terms with the loss of Sir Ketumile.

“I needed closure because we never heard about his illness,” she said.

Former Bank of Botswana Governor, Ms Linah Mohohlo said the nation was caught off guard by the loss of the remarkable leader in Sir Ketumile.

She said she learnt a lot from Sir Ketumile during the time she worked as information officer with state media in the 1970s, while Sir Ketumile was a minister of finance and vice president.

“He was such a fine person. His shoes are too big to be filled-in,” May his soul rest in peace,” she said.

Former speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Patrick Balopi said he was very lucky to have interacted with Sir Ketumile at personal and party level.

He said Sir Ketumile was very instrumental in the reigning of democracy and peace that has branded Botswana in the international arena.

“I will forever remember his jokes and the rich Setswana language he used,” he said.

Sir Ketumile was born in Kanye, on July 23, 1925.

He will be buried in his village, Kanye today (June 29).  ENDS