03 Apr 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s daughter, Atsile, observed judiciously and shed tears of joy as she watched her father raise his right hand and place his left hand on the Bible to subscribe to a presidential oath. 

To her it was a surreal yet beautiful feeling.

History repeated itself as Mr Masisi took the oath of office before the country’s National Assembly in the presence of Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe and his immediate predecessor, Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, among other high profile dignitaries that crammed inside Parliament to witness the swearing in and inauguration ceremony of the country’s fifth Head of State.

The Constitution of Botswana limits presidential tenures to two five-year terms allowing the Vice President to fill in the post when it becomes vacant. 

The immediate past President Khama came to power in a similar fashion when he took over from the country’s third president, Dr Festus Mogae in 2008.

At the crack of dawn on this historic day, April 1, 2018, the eastern skyline morphed into a gigantic dark cloud, bringing heavy showers that eventually disturbed the order of service. 

A sizeable crowd had already filled up the carefully arranged Parliament grounds seating arena. 

It rained cats and dogs, but the anxiety to see the new President buoyed the crowd to stay on. 

Inclement weather disturbed proceedings and all activities of the swearing in ceremony had to be moved inside the National Assembly building.

Nevertheless, those who made it inside the house observed the same decorum befitting the occasion of this magnitude.

President Masisi’s 90-year-old mother, Precious Masisi formed part of the historical moment as she was ushered in to witness her son’s momentous occasion.

Mr Masisi became the first president of Botswana to be sworn in with his mother present to witness such.

A procession of judges led by president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ian Kirby filtered into the house and the arrival of the country’s fourth President Lt Gen. Dr Khama drew a deafening applause from the gallery and all from the invited guests. 

President Masisi lastly arrived in the company of his wife, Neo, the Chief Justice, Speaker of the National Assembly and Atsile to a standing ovation.

Reverend Tebogo Oduetse of the UCCSA delivered a spirited invocation likening the new President’s journey in his new office to the victory of the Biblical Joshua against the tribe of the Amalekites.

Reverend Oduetse encouraged Batswana to unite in prayer. The crowd liked his sermon.

They clapped in harmony. Immediately, President Masisi took an oath of office administered by Justice Dibotelo as tradition dictates. 

As President  Masisi was vowing to execute his duties at the highest office with diligence, there was deafening silence, but as he read out the last sentence, ‘So help me God...’ the crowd was thrown into joyful raptures.

President Masisi received a warm and delightful hug from Lt Gen. Dr Khama.

Cameramen jostled to capture the heart-warming moment as Ms Masisi kissed and hugged her husband. He went on to deliver his inaugural speech.

He paid homage to past presidents for the tremendous and selfless service they rendered to the people of Botswana.

He also took time to thank his late father Edison Masisi, one of the founding fathers of Botswana.

The new President joined the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice in a rare photo opportunity symbolising the three arms of government namely the executive, legislature and judiciary respectively.

Gentle drizzles outside Parliament were light enough for  the newly crowned Commander in Chief of the armed forces to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the Botswana Defence Force. 

Firing of cannons was also used as a customary gun salute to the new President. 

President Masisi and his family were finally chauffeured out of the Parliamentary precinct in an official black Mercedes Benz S500, marking the end of a smooth, peaceful and seamless hand over of power and the beginning of a presidency that is Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s.

Various traditional dance groups danced and sung praise songs following the oath ceremony, all in jubilation to show appreciation of the precious gift that President Masisi is to the the nation. ENDS