29 Jun 2017

Former president, Sir Ketumile Masire has been hailed as an asset to Southern Africa, and that he will always be cherished for his selfless contribution to the socio-economic and political development of the region.

Delivering a moving eulogy to his personal friend and one time fellow Frontline States leader, elder statesman, Zimbabwean president Mr Robert Mugabe extolled Sir Ketumile’s virtues at his funeral in Kanye on June 29.

Mr Mugabe told mourners that Sir Ketumile was a great statesman who worked with ‘valour and honour’ for the development of Botswana and the liberation of the broader Southern African region.

“Sir Ketumile was an outstanding leader, an asset to us in so many ways. His ways and deeds commended him to our hearts. He is a national hero whose resoluteness for fighting for the betterment of the people of Botswana will forever be etched in our minds, and I am sure in the mind of each and every Motswana. His persistence and perseverance laid the foundation for the rapid economic transformation Botswana continues to experience,” Mr Mugabe said.

Mr Mugabe noted that Sir Ketumile governed Botswana at a difficult period in history when neighbouring states were under the yoke of apartheid and white minority rule, but stood his ground in assisting fellow Africans in their struggle for freedom.

“Sir Ketumile took over as the President of Botswana when the liberation struggles against apartheid rule in South Africa and Namibia were intensifying. He would not be intimidated by the powerful apartheid army into submission, as Botswana continued to render assistance to liberation movements. I also worked with him in the formative years of the Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC), now the Southern African Development Community (SADC),” Mr Mugabe said.

He singled out Sir Ketumile’s thinking, hard work and dedication as having been pivotal to Southern African states brining SADC into existence.

“It was his dedication, energy, and organisational ability which helped develop SADC. He served as the chairman and made Botswana the headquarters of SADC. Even after his retirement from office, he remained a servant of humanity who pursued peace.  He became involved as the facilitator of the Inter-Congolese dialogue and through his labour peace could be attained. Earlier, I had worked with him in bringing together the Mozambique government and the RENAMO rebels in 1990s,” Mr Mugabe said.

Mr Mugabe said Sir Ketumile was his best friend in the SADC region, and that their families had grown close.

“We will always cherish the legacy he left us, a more prosperous, progressive Africa. Let us look at the road he walked and get our children to walk in it. He gave us political pride and confidence as a neighbour, colleague and friend,” Mr Mugabe said.

Meanwhile, former Namibian president, Mr Sam Nujoma also praised Sir Ketumile for his role in the struggle against white minority rule in the region.

He said his country owes Sir Ketumile a debt of gratitude for always encouraging their freedom fighters during their struggle against apartheid South Africa rule, and in ensuring their safe passage to and from their country. ENDS