Former president Mokgweetsi Masisi has described the late former president Festus Mogae as a patriot and genuine democrat whose leadership embodied Botswana’s core values and commitment to national development.

Delivering his eulogy during the State Memorial Service at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena on Thursday, Dr Masisi said Dr Mogae was among the pioneers who helped shape and safeguard Botswana’s democratic system after independence.

He described Dr Mogae as “an exemplary statesman who served the country with impeccable honour and distinction.”

“Mogae was part of the maze and tapestry of our uniquely Botswana democratic image. He ruled by the constitution and left peacefully and seamlessly for his successor 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 further hailed Dr Mogae as a transformative leader who helped shape Botswana’s economic trajectory, particularly through laying the foundation for diamond beneficiation at the turn of the century.

Dr Masisi said Dr Mogae played a pivotal role in redefining Botswana’s relationship with De Beers by spearheading the relocation of diamond valuing and sorting operations 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 securing a better future for Botswana,” he said.

Dr Masisi said the greatest honour Botswana could bestow upon Dr Mogae would be for citizens to remain united, serve with purpose and continue working towards the country’s development.

He also called on government to name one of the country’s landmarks after Dr Mogae and consider establishing a national heroes burial park, revealing that his administration had already initiated internal discussions on the matter towards the end of its term.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse said Dr Mogae firmly believed in Botswana’s democratic architecture, parliamentary order and procedure.

Mr Keorapetse said the late statesman was respected for supporting parliamentary oversight, robust debate and consensus-building in pursuit of policies that improved the lives of ordinary citizens, including those in remote areas.

He said the parliamentary record, the Hansard, reflected Dr Mogae’s preference for meaningful debate over political theatrics.

“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.BOPA…EDITEDLT 16/05/26