15 May 2026

‎Mogae Embodied Botswana Values- Masisi ‎ ‎As a genuine democrat who gravitated his public service towards national development, the late former President Dr Festus Mogae was a patriot whose conduct in government embodied Botswana values. ‎ ‎Those were the sentiments echoed by former President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in his eulogy of Dr Mogae at the State Memorial Service held at the UB Indoor Sports Arena on Thursday. ‎ ‎Dr Masisi said the late statesman was one of the pioneers of independent Botswana's democratic system who was an "exemplary statesman who served the country with impecable honour and distinction." ‎ ‎"Mogae was part of a maze and tapestry of our uniquely Botswana democratic image. He ruled by the constitution and left peacefully and seamlessly for his succesor to continue uninterrupted as per the constitution and the Botswana democratic DNA. In this relay of leadership, he is part of a team of leaders who have held our identity proud," Dr Masisi said. ‎ ‎He added that Dr Mogae was a "transformative leader" who helped shape the nation's economic trajectory particularly in laying the foundation for diamond beneficiation at the turn of the century. ‎ ‎"He played a pivotal role in redefining Botswana's relationship with De Beers, spearheading the relocation of diamond valuing and sorting from London to Gaborone. By championing diamond beneficiation he ensured that our mineral resources were not merely extracted but were cut, sorted and valued domestically, thereby ensuring a better future for Botswana," Dr Masisi said. ‎ ‎He further said that the greatest honour the country could give Dr Mogae would be to be united, serve with purpose and work hard towards developing the country further. ‎ ‎Dr Masisi called on government to name one of the country's landmarks after Dr Mogae and consider creating a national heroes burial park, disclosing that his administration had started internal debates on these matters towards the end of their term in office. ‎ ‎For his part, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse also said Dr Mogae strongly believed in the nation's democratic architecture, parliamentary order and procedure. ‎ ‎He said Dr Mogae was fondly remembered by his peers for having supported parliamentary oversight, the need for robust debate and engagement before reaching consensus towards policies that would serve ordinary people in the remotest parts of the country. ‎ ‎The parliamentary debate record, the Hansard bore testament to the fact that Dr Mogae believed in meaningful debate over the theatrics that traditionally spruce up deliberations in the august house, the Speaker remarked. ‎ ‎"He did not indulge in the populism that often plagues political discourse; instead he viewed the National Assembly as a theatre for policy refinement rather than a stage for empty rhetoric," Mr Keorapetse said. ENDS