18 May 2026

Former President Festus Mogae's footprint as a statesman was felt across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and beyond, former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano has said.

Delivering his eulogy at the State Memorial Service held on Thursday at the UB Indoor Sports Hall in honour of the late third President of Botswana, Mr Chissano said Dr Mogae was a principled leader in the region.

He said Dr Mogae was “one of the architects of stability in Southern Africa” who would offer wise counsel in regional deliberations with clarity of thought.

Mr Chissano said current Mozambique President Daniel Chapo had sent him as an envoy to convey their country’s deepest condolences to former First Lady Barbara Mogae, President Duma Boko and the people of Botswana upon the passing of Dr Mogae, whom they considered “a true friend of Mozambique.”

He said they had worked together as “brothers in arms” and “companions in vision” in leading their sister republics and later in various fora as elder statesmen.

“When I remember when we were Presidents of our respective countries, I remember Mogae as a man of whole principles. I recall our discussions in SADC when our region sought to consolidate peace and stability, Mogae’s voice was the barometer of prudence and good governance,” Mr Chissano said.

He added that Dr Mogae taught the region that democracy is not built on elections alone “but on the rigorous management of resources.”

Additionally, Mr Chissano praised Dr Mogae’s “pioneering, fearless fight against HIV/AIDS” as having served Botswana and inspired the African continent.

“I had the opportunity to work with him and after the end of our presidential terms we continued to exchange ideas in Mo Ibrahim Foundation activities, as Champions of an HIV Free Generation and at the forum of former African heads of state alongside other leaders committed to good governance, and the health and wellbeing of future generations,” Mr Chissano revealed.

Presenting himself as a “friend of Botswana,” Mr Chissano said the people of this nation would take inspiration not only from the founding fathers Sir Seretse Khama and Quett Ketumile Masire, but also Dr Mogae, and maintain the national culture of democracy, unity and stability. ENDS