Masire, who died on Monday at Sidilega Private Hospital after battling a long illness, was a staunch farmer, who ran a ranch at Bonyamabogo, some 40 kilometres south of Jwaneng.

He is credited for being 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.

According to SDBFA chairperson, Mr Mosimane Mophuting, Masire was a staunch farmer, known for his cattle breeds, which ranged from Romagnola to Afrikaner (both yellow and red).

He said the late Masire was 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 said when compared with fellow cattle farmers 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.

He also described him as a farmer who strongly supported others, as evidenced by his generosity in donating some of his bulls for breeding purposes across Gangwaketse area.

Mr Mophuting said Masire advanced his skills by taking strategic courses in countries such as Spain and Cuba; trainings, which gave him a deep understanding of the anatomy of diverse cattle breeds. Also, he said the late worked with a team that established the SDBFA and also helped build the last Foot and Mouth Disease fence in the Southern District around 1958s along Werda where Mashampa Quarantine was established.

A family representative, Mr Basimane Masire said his father was survived by wife, Ms Alma Masire and four children.

Born into the Masire family at Goo-Matebejane ward in Kanye, he was the youngest of the five siblings and a brother to Botswana’s second President, Sir Ketumile Masire, who died in 2017. ENDS