Caption: President Sir Ketumile Masire, the chief architect of Botswana\'s democratic development
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Centenary Tribute To Sir Ketumile Masire
The late Sir Ketumile Masire, Botswana’s second President and founding architect of the nation’s stability and peaceful rise after independence, would have turned 100 years on July 22. Born in 1925, Sir Ketumile rose from humble beginnings as a teacher and farmer to become a central figure in building the country’s democracy, helping lay the foundation for its strong economy and stable institutions. He served as President from 1980 to 1998, leading with integrity, discipline and a deep belief in dialogue. Even after leaving office, he continued to serve as a respected elder stateman and peacemaker across Africa. He died on June 22, 2017. As the country reflects on his centenary, the memory that endures is not only of the leader, but of a humble and thoughtful man with a great sense of humour, who was deeply committed to the belief that leadership was rooted in service. His legacy lives on in the values he championed and the nation he helped shape.
Caption: Bechuanaland Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Ketumile Masire (fourth right), Prime Minister, Dr Seretse Khama (third right), The Queen\'s Commissioner, Sir Hugh Norman-Walker (right), Kgosi Bathoen II (second right) and Leader of Opposition, Mr Phillip Matante, at the opening of the historic Bechuanaland Independence Conference at Marborough House on February 25, 1966 in London.
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Caption: President Julius Nyerere on Tanzania (left), Sir Ketumile Masire (centre), President Samora Machel of Mozambique (right) and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, during SADCC Summit in Zimbabwe, 1983.
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Caption: Vice President and Minister of Finance, Dr Masire arriving at Parliament to deliver the Budget Speech in 1978
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Caption: President Dr Kenneth Kaunda (right), Vice President Dr Ketumile Masire 9centre), Sir Seretse Khama (right) and other heads of state and government at the formation of Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), now Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Lusaka, Zambia 1982
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Caption: President Dr Nelson Mandela (left), Sir Ketumile Masire (right), Ms Winnie Mandela (second row left) and Lady Olebile Masire during President Mandela\'s state visit to Botswana in 1995
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Caption: President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama (right) honouring Sir Ketumile Masire with a Presidential Order of Honour award during the awards for Builders of Botswana in 2016.
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
Caption: Sir Ketumile (left) and Lady Olebile (right) with their children (from left to right, Mpho, Moabi, Mmetla, Mmasekgoa, Matshidiso, Gaone
Location: Gaborone
Photographer: BOPA
Event: Centenary Tribute
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