21 Jun 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has encouraged the late Tshepo Masire’s family to keep alive the memory of one of Botswana’s farming giants by continuing where he left off.

During a visit to convey his condolences in Kanye Sunday, President Masisi said the family should mourn but also relive the beautiful memories he left behind.

The President said Masire, 55, who died last Wednesday, had built an extraordinary resume as a commercial farmer and Botswana Meat Commission board member. 

 He epitomised the best any parent could ask for in a child, Dr Masisi said.

 Describing the deceased as a brother and friend, he said it was still hard for him to process and vocalize his emotions about Masire’s untimely death.

The President urged the family to continue giving Masire’s widow and young children, who were  going through unimaginable pain, support. 

He also pledged to give the young family support.

President Masisi expressed the wish that the family event planned for next week that Masire had been spearheading could go on to honour his memory.

Members of Southern District Beef Farmers Association, which he chaired, were advised to pick up the pieces and follow their shared vision by way of tribute.

Family elder Mr Motswakgakala Sealetsa described Masire as a giant of a man who would forever remain in their hearts. 

The deceased represented the best of their values as a family, Mr Sealetsa said.

He said the deceased spent most of his life at the farm cementing a farming legacy handed down from generation to generation.

Family spokesperson Mr Moabi Masire thanked President Masisi and area MP Dr Lemogang Kwape for the support they rendered and promised they would do their best to continue where the deceased had left off, either individually or as a collective. 

He said Masire had the good fortune of becoming a “father” to his own parents.

The deceased is survived by his wife, two children, parents and four siblings. 

He will be buried in Kanye on Friday. Ends