29 Jun 2017

Today (June 29) marked the end of the extraordinary journey of Botswana’s second president, Sir Ketumile Masire’s as his body was finally being laid to rest at his home in Motebajane ward in Kanye after hours of a state funeral service.

Mourners included President Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama, Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, former South African president Thabo Mbeki as well as other dignitaries from the SADC region, among them President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, King Letsie of Lesotho and the Queen South Africa Vice President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, Cabinet ministers, Dikgosi and other former heads of state and vice presidents.

The Botswana flag draped on his coffin was handed to his first born, Gaone Masire-Moyo before his body was lowered into the ground.

He was being laid next his wife’s grave Lady Olebile Masire, who died in 2013.

A 21-gun salute was carried out in honour of the fallen hero.

Earlier addressing hundreds of mourners, President Khama said government was considering to name locations after the late Sir Ketumile Masire.

He said the late Sir Ketumile contributed immensely to stability in the region.

Sir Ketumile was also described as a farmer turned statesmen, politician and a patriot, who together with his predecessor, the late Sir Seretse Khama helped solidify the country’s standing to become a stable economy from humble beginnings.

He served as president of Botswana from 1980-1998.

Sir Ketumile’s burial brings an end to six days of national mourning, during which hundreds of thousands of Batswana attended prayers at national assembly, paid tribute to him while he lay in state and graced the memorial service to honour and celebrate his life.

He died on June 22 at Bokamoso Private Hospital in Gaborone at the age of 91. He leaves behind six and grandchildren. ENDS