07 Oct 2026

Government is considering renaming the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) after the late former president, Dr Festus Mogae, to immortalise his memory.

Speaking during consultative meetings at the Botalaote and Serowe Main Kgotla on October 5, the Minister of Higher Education, Mr Prince Maele, said that naming universities after departed presidents and statesmen was a deeply rooted global tradition driven by the desire to honour a legacy, preserve institutional prestige, and establish a foundational identity.

Furthermore, he stated that naming universities after late leaders served core historical, financial, and cultural purposes.

Minister Maele said that Dr Festus Mogae’s ideals, specifically democratic and scientific advancement aligned perfectly with the BIUST mission, signalling that the institution valued these same principles.

He explained that naming the university after such a towering figure would give the institution a sense of gravity, authority, and national importance, noting that this was a deliberate effort to build a unified national identity and instil patriotism in students.

To this end, he noted that linking the institution with such a revered leader would attract donors, alumni support, and government funding from entities wishing to align with and preserve Dr Mogae’s historical legacy.

Mr Maele emphasised that Dr Mogae was deeply connected to BIUST, making this renaming the most appropriate honour the country could bestow upon him.

Buttressing his point, he highlighted that Dr Mogae was the university’s founding chancellor, who successfully advocated for the inclusion of the word ‘International’ in BIUST to ensure the institution gained global recognition.

“Dr Mogae was instrumental in establishing BIUST during his presidency from 1998 to 2008 and served as its inaugural chancellor starting in 2012,’’ he said.

The minister confirmed he had conducted broad consultations with Dr Mogae’s family, who responded affirmatively and acceded to the request to use his name.

Mr Boikefho Motalaote, a royal uncle to the Botalaote chieftainship where Dr Mogae hailed from, praised the minister for the extensive consultations.

He noted that the process aligned with Setswana culture and governance, where consultation was a foundational pillar of traditional democracy, deeply tied to the proverb ‘Mmualebe o bua la gagwe’.

He added that Dr Mogae was such a towering figure that naming the institution after him was highly befitting.

Another royal uncle to the Botalaote chieftainship, Mr Royal Senna expressed his approval of the request, stating that renaming the institution after Dr Mogae was undoubtedly the right thing to do.

At the Serowe Main Kgotla, residents also praised the minister’s words and acceded to the request. Kgosi Botswelelo Mogapi of Ditimamodimo, a headman of arbitration, said immortalising Dr Mogae would preserve his legacy for posterity and gave the request a green light, noting that it matched a man of his stature.

Kgosi Sechele Kgari, a headman of records, also granted his approval, noting that he was part of the minister’s delegation that consulted Dr Mogae’s family.

For his part, the Council Chairman of BIUST, Dr Howard Sigwele, agreed that naming higher institutions of learning after prominent statesmen was a long-standing tradition.

Dr Sigwele noted that the practice spanned several continents and was categorised by the regional or national roles those statesmen played; therefore, Botswana was simply adopting global best practices.

He cited examples from the United States of America, where several prominent universities carry the names of early statesmen or modern presidents, such as George Washington University, Truman State University (named after Harry S. Truman), and Lincoln University (named after Abraham Lincoln).

In Africa, he highlighted the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, named after Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first prime minister and president of Ghana.

Having personally worked with Dr Mogae, Dr Sigwele described him as a visionary leader who recognised that for the country to move forward, it must harness science and technology as the primary vehicles for national growth, economic modernisation, and sustainable development. ENDS