Source: VP Mohadi in Botswana for Mogae burial – herald
Mashudu Netsianda in GABORONE, Botswana
VICE President Dr Kembo Mohadi arrived here yesterday to attend today’s burial of former Botswana President Dr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, who died last Friday at the age of 86.
VP Mohadi, who is representing President Mnangagwa at the burial, joins Botswana and the rest of Southern Africa in mourning one of the continent’s most respected statesmen.
Botswana President, Advocate Duma Boko has declared a three-day national mourning period in honour of the late former leader, whose death has drawn tributes from across Africa and beyond.
In an interview soon after signing the condolence book at the Botswana Parliament last night, VP Mohadi described the late former Botswana leader as a great statesman who contributed immensely to the entire African continent.
“We remember him as a great statesman, not for Botswana, not in Botswana, but in the Southern African region and the entire continent of Africa. We will miss him, we will miss his wisdom, we will miss his contribution. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
According to the programme, the ceremony starts at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Centre before the Dr Mogae is laid to rest at Phomolong Memorial Park in Gaborone.
Speaking earlier, Zimbabwe’ s Ambassador to Botswana, Batiraishe Henry Mukonoweshuro, said Zimbabwe and Botswana continued to enjoy cordial relations dating back to the time of the liberation struggle.
“As neighbours we are like siblings and even before independence, a number of our luminaries passed through here and were housed as refugees on their way to other places. Botswana did suffer the wrath of trying to assist us. We continue as neighbours to come together and, as you know, last month Botswana President Boko Duma was in Zimbabwe chairing a BNC with President Mnangagwa,” he said.
Dr Mogae, Botswana’s third President, served from 1998 to 2008 and was widely credited for strengthening the country’s democratic institutions, economic management and public health systems during a critical period in the nation’s development.
Under his leadership, Botswana consolidated its reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies while continuing to benefit from the prudent management of its diamond resources.
The late statesman also earned international recognition for his bold response to the HIV/Aids epidemic. His administration championed free antiretroviral treatment programmes and prevention initiatives, including measures to curb mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Dr Mogae’s predecessor was the late Sir Ketumile Masire, while his successor was Dr Ian Khama, the son of Botswana’s founding President Sir Seretse Khama, who assumed office in 2008.
Even after leaving office, Dr Mogae remained actively involved in regional and international affairs, serving in advisory, governance and peace mediation roles across Africa. He was also respected as a strong advocate for regional integration and sustainable development.
In his condolence message last week, President Mnangagwa described Dr Mogae as a distinguished Pan-Africanist and principled leader whose contribution to Southern Africa and the continent would endure for generations.
He said Zimbabwe stood in solidarity with Botswana during the difficult period of mourning.
President Mnangagwa said Dr Mogae served Botswana with honour and distinction and would be remembered for his commitment to peace, good governance and regional integration.
“As Zimbabwe, we will forever remember the enduring contributions in his various roles within the SADC region and the African continent at large. The late Former President will also be remembered for the role he played in the formation of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme,” he said.
The President said the passing on of Dr Mogae was a huge loss not only to Botswana, but to the entire Southern African region and the continent.
He also assured Botswana of Zimbabwe’s unwavering support during the mourning period.
In a statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), also paid tribute to Dr Mogae, describing him as a distinguished statesman whose wisdom, humility and commitment to peace, good governance and health advocacy continue to inspire the region and beyond.
“His courageous and principled leadership in the development and deepening of public health care and capacity to respond to the HIV and Aids pandemic stands out as an example of high-level leadership and commitment to be remembered for generations to come,” he said.
“President Mogae rallied the nation of Botswana in responding to the pandemic with compassion and resolve. His example inspired the nation and lifted SADC as a region. We remember him with gratitude and salute his remarkable contribution to public health.”
President Ramaphosa said as chairperson of SADC from August 2005 to August 2006, Dr Mogae provided exemplary leadership during a pivotal period in the regional bloc’s history.
“Upon assuming the chairship of SADC at the 25th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Gaborone, Botswana on 17th August 2005, he reaffirmed the collective resolve of SADC Member States to pursue the shared vision of prosperity through deeper regional integration,” he said.
On the margins of the 25th SADC Summit and the Silver Jubilee celebrations commemorating 25 years of the organisation’s existence, Dr Mogae led fellow Heads of State and Government in laying the foundation stone for the construction of the SADC Headquarters in Gaborone.
“Today, the SADC Building, which President Mogae championed, remains a towering symbol of regional integration and cooperation of 16 SADC Member States and positioning SADC as key player in international relations and diplomacy,” said President Ramaphosa.
VP Mohadi was received at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport by Amb Mukonoweshuro, Deputy Chief in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Kudakwashe Mupamhanga.
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