29 Jun 2017

Central District Council chairman, Mr Peter Williams, who is also a member of Botswana Democratic Party, describes the former president Sir Ketumile Masire as the best-ever president to have led Botswana.

Amongst deluges of praises heaped on the deceased statesman, Mr Williams was of the conviction that QKJ, was deserving of a title ‘President of Africa’ after his shrewd approach and successes in his peacekeeping missions across Africa.

In an interview, Mr Williams attributed Botswana’s democratic credentials and the ultimate ‘Shining example of democracy in Africa’ tag to Sir Ketumile’s leadership.

“There won’t be any president like him,” said the CDC chairman who had met QKJ at the party structures and in his capacity as a councilor.

Although, he conceded that the late QKJ was criticised like any other leader, the CDC chairman hailed Sir Ketumile’s democratic credentials as incomparable.

He packed a mouthful of adjectives bequeathing reverence to the late statesman and recollected that it was during Sir Ketumile’s era that Botswana Democratic Party was most fashionable.

In an effort to quell and dowse raging fires in the party, Mr Williams revealed that Sir Ketumile would in many instances, pay some visits to disgruntled members of the BDP and convinced them to backtrack on their decisions to boycott the party.

Though, he was careful not to play a comparison game, Mr Williams found Sir Ketumile not only as having managed factions within the party but, an international peace-broker of note that many countries looked up to every time peace eluded them.

“He respected and associated with all party members; those in power and those down to perking order alike,” said Mr Williams.

Styled as the most patient and humorous leader of the BDP, Sir Ketumile ‘charmed’ the youth and the old alike, a move that rendered the party a force to reckon with.

Bangwato regent, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane wrapped Sir Ketumile’s life as a life well lived by a man who later became a moving library and source of wisdom.

This is because, Kgosi Kgamane said, he was one of the builders of this nation.

Kgosi Kgamane who met Sir Ketumile in 1988 whilst on government business together said that despite the latter leaving a gaping wound in many lives since he was a builder and a father of the nation, Batswana should not despair but, look to God for guidance in times of need.

The finest speaker of Setswana and a polished orator of repute, Rra Gaone as Sir Ketumile was affectionately known at home, was said to have been a pot humour that would crack in laughter in lighter moments.  ENDS