His Excellency the President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi has paid homage to his own father earlier today on the commemoration of the Sir. Seretse Khama centenary.
“It will be recalled that my father, who would have turned 100 years on 14th March 2021, served in Sir Seretse Khamaβs Cabinet for a long time in different capacities. Together, with their compatriots, they built this country literally from scratch, brick by brick. May their souls rest in eternal peace.” he reminisced.
President Masisi’s father- Edison Setlhomo Masisi served in the national assembly of Botswana from independence until 1999 when he retired from politics aged Seventy-eight. During his tenure in the national assembly, Edison Setlhomo Masisi served as an Assistant Minister Labour and Social services before being moved to Assistant Minister of Education, Health and Labour. After winning 1969 election he was promoted to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs where he served until 1972. He then served as a Minister of Education, then Minister of Health. When he retired from politics in 1999 he was the Deputy Speaker of the national assembly.
Talking about Sir. Seretse Khama, Masisi defined Seretse as an perspicacious icon, a Pan Africanist of note, and a man of his word.
“Sir Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama, born in 1921 in Serowe, remains one of Africaβs greatest icons, a Pan Africanist in his own right, and a man of his word. Ga a ise a ke a nne, βMotlhanka wa Mafoko a gagweβ – in other words he never was, βa servant of his own wordsβ. He took concrete steps to actualize the ideals he professed. The four celebrated national values of Democracy, Development, Self- Reliance and Unity, which our first President championed with vigour and tenacity, have carried us through good and bad seasons. These are the values premised on our Setswana culture that have delivered the sound socio- economic development, political stability, peace and unity that Botswana is known for globally” Masisi pointed out.
Concluding his remarks, the President said he too is building a legacy. Masisi says his “Reset Vision” is set to transform Botswana’s economy, and eradicate poverty with digitization as a central component. “Sir Seretse Khama did his part. A lot has changed since his departure, and we 12 have a lot of work to do in the face of the contemporary challenges which we continue to face.” he asserted.
