Quett Ketumile Joni Masire was the second President of Botswana for the Botswana Democratic Party from 1980 to 1998.He stepped down and was succeeded by the then Vice-President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who became the third President of Botswana. Prior to this, he was a leading figure in the independence movement and then the new government
Background
Quett Ketumile Joni Masire was born on July 23, 1925, at Kanye, a big town 50 miles south of the capital. Son of a minor headman, he grew up in a community where male commoners, such as himself, were expected to become low-paid migrant labourers in the mines of South Africa.
Education
After graduating at the top of his class at the Kanye school, he received a scholarship to further his education at the Tiger Kloof Educational Institute in South Africa. Entered journalism in 1958 as reporter on the “African Echo”. A fast learner, he rose to be a director of the newspaper. His journalistic ability was subsequently employed as editor of “Therisanyo”, the party journal.
After the setback of losing his seat at the 1969 general elections in his home town, he was astute enough to check his tendency towards over-confidence. He has travelled extensively in Africa as well as visiting England, the United States of America and the Far East.
His political roots go back to his service on the Bangwaketse Tribal Council, the African Council and, in the days of British administration, to the Legislative Council and the Executive Council in 1961. He helped launch the Bechuanaland (later Botswana) Demo¬cratic Party on January 29, 1962, and he became secretary-general of the party.
He won Kanye South at the general elections on March 2, 1965, and was appointed Deputy Prime Minister on March 3. A year later the portfolio of Finance Minister was given to him.
Always eager to take on new challenges, he became the country’s first Minister of Development Planning when the ministry was created on September 1, 1967.For a time he became so engrossed with all his responsibilities in the administration that he lost touch with his constituency. He paid the penalty by being defeated at Kanye by ex-Chief Bathoen of the Botswana National Front at the 1969 general elections.
He was returned to the National Assembly at once as one of the four specially elected members chosen by the Assembly itself. Re-appointed Vice-President and Minister of Development Planning, he was also made Finance Minister again when J. G. Haskins, the only white cabinet member, was switched from Finance to Works and Communications. In Development Planning he has made a quickened pace of Africanisation one of his priorities.
Founder member of the party, he has always been at the elbow of Sir Seretse Khama and is assumed to be the first choice as successor—the only reservation being the possibility of hostility because of his strong ties with the Bangwaketse tribe.
Personality
Small in size, big in ambition, a politi¬cian whose ideas and energies provide the main thrust to get things done inside the administration.
Honorary Knighthood of the Grand Cross of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG), UK (1991)
Awards
Honorary Doctorate of Law,
United States of America
Three Honorary Doctorates of Law (L.L.D.) from St. John University, New York, and Williams College, Massachusetts, in the United States (1980), and in the United Kingdom (1988)
Three Honorary Doctorates of Law (L.L.D.) from St. John University, New York, and Williams College, Massachusetts, in the United States (1980), and in the United Kingdom (1988)
Honorary Doctorate,
United States of America
Two Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Ohio University (1989), and DePaul University (1994) in the United States.
Two Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Ohio University (1989), and DePaul University (1994) in the United States.
Royal Order of Sobhuza II,
Swaziland
Grand Counsellor of the Royal Order of Sobhuza II, Swaziland (1989)
Grand Counsellor of the Royal Order of Sobhuza II, Swaziland (1989)
Order of the Welwitschia,
Nabia
Namibia's Order of the Welwitschia (1995)
Namibia's Order of the Welwitschia (1995)
Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger (1989)
Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger (1989)