14 Oct 2026

Farming sector across Africa suffers devastating loss as Mr Basimanyana Masire, the younger brother of Botswana’s second President, the late Sir Ketumile Quett Joni Masire, passed away on 12 October 2026. He was 88.

Born into the Masire family of Kanye in Goo-Motebejane ward, he was the fifth and youngest of the siblings. Following the early deaths of their parents, Mr Joni Masire and Ms Gabaipone Masire, in the mid-1940s, the children were raised by Sir Ketumile Masire.

Representing the family, his third-born son, Mr Basimane Masire told BOPA in an interview on Tuesday that his father had been battling a long illness that required regular hospital visits. He succumbed to the illness on October 12, while admitted to Sedilega Private Hospital.

He said his father is survived by his wife, Mrs Alma Goitsemang Masire, and four of their five children being one daughter and three sons. One child predeceased him.

A dedicated farmer, Mr Masire operated a ranch at Bonyamabogo, some 40 kilometres south of Jwaneng, where he lived with his wife. Mr Basimane Masire added that his father was one of the founding members of the Southern District Beef Farmers Association (SDBFA), an agricultural organisation that represents and supports cattle and beef producers in the Southern District.

SDBFA Chairman Mr Mosimane Mophuting described Mr Basimanyana Masire as a staunch farmer who advanced his skills by taking strategic courses in countries such as Spain and Cuba. This training gave him a deep understanding of the anatomy of diverse cattle breeds.

Mr Mophuting said the dearly departed was a man of many firsts. He worked with a team that established the SDBFA and also helped build the last Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) fence in the Southern District around 1958 along the Werda village, where Mashampa Quarantine was established. He did this together with the late Mr Pius Mookodi, who was once Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture.

He said the late, Mr Masire, was known for his cattle breeds, which ranged from Romagnola to Afrikaner (both yellow and red). Mr Masire is also credited with introducing V8 cattle sperm for breeding American Brahman cattle in Botswana. In 1978, he carried out the first successful embryo transplant in his cattle post, applying knowledge he had gained from his studies overseas, Mr Mophuting said.

Furthermore, Mr Mophuting underscored that, when compared with fellow experts, Mr Masire stood out as a cut above the rest. “He knew a great deal about cattle and was intentional about seeking market access beyond the continent; as a result, his breeds met EU-market quality standards,” he said. 

Mr Masire is described as a farmer who strongly supported others, as evidenced by his generosity in donating some of his bulls for breeding purposes across Gangwaketse area. ENDS