06 Jul 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has urged ambassador designate to Japan, retired Major General Gotsileone Morake, to use his diplomatic tour of duty to bolster the strong relations that Botswana has with Japan and other East Asian states. 

Speaking during a courtesy call by Maj. Gen. Morake at the Office of the President yesterday, Dr Masisi said the success of Japan as a nation state and economic powerhouse signified many of the ideals that Botswana aspired to achieve. 

“Japan in many ways represents a lot of what we experienced in Botswana; it is small in size, but has been a success and increasingly, an example, particularly after we pronounced our desire to transform from a resource to knowledge based economy. What better place to represent us than Japan and the other countries in the Far East that you will be accredited to,” Dr Masisi said. 

The President said Japan was a key example in breaking the barriers of technological advancement and urged Maj. Gen. Morake to use his period there to forge stronger ties in order to assist Botswana attain the milestones of Vision 2036. 

“We want you to do the best you can, bear in mind that we have institutions and personnel who share desire to achieve technological advancement. We have the University of Botswana, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), the private sector, particularly citizen owned entities premised on knowledge and even artificial intelligence. Forge partnerships to grow that space,” Dr Masisi said. 

With Japan being one of the world’s key diplomatic players, Dr Masisi also requested the ambassador designate to use his time there to leverage on the country’s importance in global multilateralism and the wide presence of foreign emissaries there to market Botswana’s diplomatic standing ‘in a manner as to yield success.’ 

Dr Masisi said he hoped the ambassador designate would continue with his consistent, ‘unblemished execution of duty’ that he had shown in his national service. 

Maj. Gen. Morake thanked the President for the appointment and promised to use his period as an envoy to promote the country’s interests with diligence. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the country as ambassador to Japan and other countries of accreditation such as South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines. As an ambassador, my duty will be to advance Botswana’s national interests, and to articulate our position on various issues after deriving direction from the President and Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation,” Maj. Gen. Morake said. 

He also pledged to look at boosting business and educational opportunities for Batswana and said he would look to draw lessons from Japan and South Korea in particular, in terms of technological advancement. 

Maj. Gen. Morake said his experience as a Botswana Defence Force employee and his education, which included a Masters Degree in International Relations had prepared him well for the assignment.  Ends