01 Mar 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has described the late Ambassador Bruce Palai as a great patriot who worked tirelessly for the betterment of Botswana.

Accompanied by First Lady Neo Masisi during a condolence visit to the Palai family,  March 1,   the President said Mr Palai,  who was Botswana’s ambassador to China, would be greatly appreciated for the promotion of bilateral relations between Botswana and China.

Dr Masisi said he found it fitting to convey his condolences in person, not only as head of state but also as a citizen.

Government and the entire nation were deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Palai, he stated.

President Masisi said government was committed to offering the late Mr Palai all the necessary medical attention with the hope that he would recuperate and continue serving  the nation he loved.

Mr  Palai’s demise has  left many with heavy hearts as evidenced  by the speeches given at his memorial service held yesterday at the  Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation gardens.

Mr Palai’s illustrious career at the ministry and as an accomplished civil servant was well chronicled by various speakers.

“It  is befitting that instead of uttering  sombre words of sorrow, we  reflect with hearts  full of  joy on the  illustrious life  of  Ambassador Palai, and more importantly take a leaf from the deceased as he left a lasting legacy that the Ministry will continue to benefit  from,” said the minister, Dr  Lemogang Kwape.

Dr  Kwape said the  deceased would be  remembered as an accomplished civil servant  who served Botswana in different capacities during his 40-year public service career.

Noting that he  transitioned to diplomatic life when he  was appointed Botswana’s permanent representative  to the  UN’s Geneva headquarters in 2011, the minister outlined some  of the deceased’s key contributions  in advancing the  country’s national interests abroad.

He said they  included his  promotion of Botswana’s  economic diplomacy agenda  while  serving  as World Trade Council chairperson on trade related aspects of  intellectual property  rights in 2014. Due to his incredible disposition and ability to make people from all nationalities and cultures feel at ease, Mr Palai represented the country effectively and with much success, said  Dr  Kwape.

He acknowledged  the role Mr Palai played  in revitalizing  Botswana-China relations which resulted  in President Masisi’s   state  visit to the country in 2018.

Dr Kwape commended Mr  Palai for his  strong  determination and compassion in providing unprecedented consular services to citizens at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He  worked tirelessly with  commitment and empathy to ensure  that students  and nationals resident in China and  other countries of accreditation were safe and well catered for, said the minister.

Charge d’Affaires at the Botswana embassy in Beijing, Ms Daphne  Mlotshwa described  the  deceased as a  humble, unassuming  pleasant  individual who dedicated  his  life  to serving his  country and fellow citizens.

“Mr  Palai was a man of many attributes including being an avid sportsperson who contributed  immensely to the development  of  softball in the country both as a player and as a coach,” she said.
Mr Palai will be laid to rest in Mochudi today. Ends