05 Dec 2022

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane has issued a condolence message following the death of former Chinese president Mr Jiang Zemin recently.

“On behalf of the government and Batswana, I express my deepest condolences on the passing of former President of China, whose reign was momentous and historic,” he said in an interview after signing the book of condolences at the Chinese ambassador Mr Wang Xuefeng’s residence in Gaborone yesterday. 

Describing Mr Jiang as an icon of stability and beacon of morality in the service of his people, the  vice president noted that the deceased was the same generation of leadership as the late Sir Ketumile Masire and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

It was a generation that demonstrated selfless dedication to the interests of their countries as well as to the growth of mankind and the global economy at large, Mr Tsogwane said.

He said the generation, determined to bring development, were the pillars of strength, unity, peace and stability.

Mr Tsogwane said China had always followed the principles of pursuing the greater good, shared interests, sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.

 As a powerful country, China had been assisting to help developing countries such as Botswana, said Mr Tsogwane.

He described Botswana and China as close friends and reliable partners.

As a friend of China, Botswana’s thoughts and prayers were with the country, said the vice president.

Mr Jiang, 96, died last Wednesday. Ends