21 Mar 2021

Batswana have been asked to fully embrace and rally behind Mr Elias Magosi’s candidacy for the position of SADC executive secretary.

The position becomes vacant in August as the term of office for the incumbent; Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, ends.

Briefing the media upon his return from a one-day working visit to South Africa on Friday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi stated that  Mr Magosi’s nomination for the position represented the pride of the whole nation.

He said Botswana had decided to field a high profile candidate to denote the country’s profound commitment to the values and principles for which SADC was established.

In an effort to further illustrate Botswana’s eagerness to lead the SADC secretariat, President Masisi said he had taken it upon himself to lead a campaign for Mr Magosi’s appointment.

The campaign included meeting his regional counterparts to solicit their support for Botswana’s candidate, he said.

According to the President, Mr Magosi’s nomination spoke to values and virtues such as respect of the rule of law which he said were fundamental prerequisites to good governance and development that Botswana was known for  regionally.

President Masisi pointed out that the country had since independence upheld values that had enabled it to develop social and development indicators second to none.

Such values could be of great importance to the region with Mr Magosi at the helm of the SADC secretariat, he said.

He said the rationale to field a candidate was justified by the country’s 41-year wait since the establishment of SADC.

Dr Masisi described Mr Magosi as a man of impeccable credentials with a rich resume possessing a wealth of experience and requisite leadership competencies gained in executive management in both the public and private sectors as well as international organisations.

In addition, Mr Magosi possessed a comprehensive understanding and knowledge about the workings of SADC, having served in its human resources and administration from March 2017 to April 2018, he said..

At private sector level, he served as cluster head of human resources, consumer banking, Southern Africa at Standard Chartered Bank Botswana January 2013-October 2014 and as group head of human resources at Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited between July 2010  and December 2012.

President Masisi said Mr Magosi was well equipped to be instrumental in ensuring that SADC lived up to its core objectives, which included achievement of  regional development, peace and stability as well as creation of sustainable economic growth.

Mr Magosi is currently permanent secretary to the president, head of the public service and secretary to cabinet.ENDS