06 Sep 2020

President Dr  Mokgweetsi Masisi and First Lady Neo Masisi on September 5 paid a condolence visit to the Mogwe family following the demise of Professor Serara Selelo-Mogwe.

Professor Selelo-Mogwe, wife to Botswana Democratic Party stalwart and diplomat, Mr Archibald Mogwe, passed on at Bokamoso Private Hospital Wednesday aged 93.

In his condolences, President Masisi said it was only fitting that he commiserated with  Mr Mogwe, a very close friend and compatriot of his late father.

President Masisi said his condolences to the Mogwe family were both  personal and official considering his relationship with  the family and Mr Mogwe’s contribution to the country’s democracy.

“Mr Mogwe is the only remaining citizen who partook in the independence constitutional talks at the  then ‘Lobatsi’ and also in Marlborough House and was later appointed the first citizen Permanent

Secretary to the President by virtue of who he is and his contribution to the nation, thus remains a real giant of the history of Botswana,” President Masisi said.

He said Mr Mogwe’s contribution to Botswana could not be overemphasised hence the need for the nation to console him  in times of sorrow.

Born in Bobonong, Professor Selelo-Mogwe’s achievements include being Botswana’s first woman professor, first Motswana chief nursing officer and head of University of Botswana School of Nursing.

She held a BSc in Nursing as well as master’s and doctorate in nursing education.

She also had two masters degrees in education and arts, both attained at the US’ Colombia University in 1979.

Professor Selelo-Mogwe was a founding member of the Nurses Association of Botswana which later transformed into the present Botswana Nurses Union (BONU).

Funeral arrangements had not  been announced by press time. ENDS