Mokgweetsi Masisi

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Mokgweetsi Masisi (2018)

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (born July 21, 1962 in Moshupa ) is a Botswana politician ( Botswana Democratic Party ). He has been President of Botswana since April 1, 2018 . Previously he was Minister and Vice President.

Origin, education and first professional activities

Masisi's father was the longtime MP for the constituency of Moshupa / Mangana and Minister Edison Setlhomo Masisi , his mother Precious Masego Masisi. He grew up with seven siblings. Mokgweetsi Masisi attended Thornhill Primary School and Maru A Pula School. He has appeared in theatrical productions, including the play Cry the Beloved Country in the presence of the author Alan Paton . He also played in several South African amateur film productions. Masisi attended the University of Botswana (UB) and graduated in 1984 with a degree in English Language and History. He taught at the Mmanaana Secondary School in Moshupa before moving to the UB in 1987 as a curriculum expert for social studies , such as: social studies. In 1989 he began studying at Florida State University , which he completed with a Master of Education . From 1995 he worked for UNICEF in his home country.

Political career

Masisi belongs to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party . His older brother Tshelang Masisi, who died in 2013, held the Francistown-West constituency for the BDP. In the run-up to the 2004 election, Mokgweetsi Masisi tried for the first time to win the Moshupa / Mangana constituency; he was subject to an opposing candidate in the internal party vote. In 2009 he was finally successful and entered the National Assembly . From 2011 to 2014 he was Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, including: Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration. In 2014 he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament. He has been appointed Minister of Education and Skills Development, such as: Minister for Education and Skills Development. In addition, President Ian Khama appointed him Vice President on November 12, 2014. On July 5, 2017, he also became Chancellor of the University Library in place of the late Ketumile Masire .

On April 1, 2018, Masisi was appointed to succeed Ian Khamas as the fifth President of the Republic of Botswana after his predecessor had constitutionally resigned after ten years in office. Shortly thereafter, he introduced his new cabinet including Vice President Slumber Tsogwane . In his first address to the nation, he sharply criticized Khama. He fired the secret service chief Isaac Kgosi, who was considered a close ally of Khamas. Kgosi was arrested in January 2019 for tax evasion .

In addition to Masisi, long-time minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi , who is considered a supporter of Ian Khamas, announced her candidacy for the election of the BDP president in the run-up to the 2019 parliamentary election . She withdrew her candidacy a few hours before the vote on April 6, 2019. Had she been elected, Masisi would have had to resign as President of Botswana. The Botswana government assumed that Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe, sister-in-law of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and wife of Jeff Radebe , had planned the overthrow of Masisi, whereupon the South African government distanced itself from Motsepe-Radebe.

After the 2019 election victory, Masisi presented his cabinet of 18 ministers and seven assistant ministers , including six women. Vice-president remained Slumber Tsogwane.

Private

Mokgweetsi Masisi has been married to Neo Masisi, née Maswabi, known as "Mma Atsile", since 2002 and has one child with her.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c His Excellency President Mokgweetsi Masisi - profile. yourbotswana.com (English), accessed April 24, 2018
  2. ↑ Masisi - the BDP rising star? mmegi.bw of February 11, 2011 (English), accessed on April 1, 2018.
  3. ↑ a b c d e Masisi is the vice-president of the republic. gov.bw, accessed April 1, 2018.
  4. ^ Francistown mourns the people's MP. thevoice.bw of August 30, 2013 (English), accessed on May 2, 2019
  5. ^ Vice President Masisi appointed UB Chancellor. ub.bw (English), accessed April 1, 2018.
  6. ↑ Botswana swears in its 5th leader, President Mokgweetsi Masisi. africanews.com, April 1, 2018, accessed April 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ Fabian Urech: Botswana's President Ian Khama is an exception in Africa - nevertheless, he leaves his successor with a difficult legacy. Neue Zürcher Zeitung , March 30, 2018, accessed on April 1, 2018 .
  8. ^ New Botswana president names his team. allafrica.com (English) April 4, 2018, accessed April 27, 2018
  9. ↑ Ian Khama, Masisi feud hits alarming levels - coup possible in Botswana? bulawayo24.com dated February 3, 2019, accessed on February 6, 2019
  10. ↑ Kago Komane: Botswana arrests ex-spy boss. Mail & Guardian of January 18, 2019 (English), accessed February 11, 2019
  11. ↑ Botswana's Masisi says he is not afraid to die. herald.co.zw of February 4, 2019 (English), accessed on February 4, 2019
  12. ↑ Eric Oteng, Agencies: Botswana's ruling party picks president Masisi to contest October poll. africanews.com, April 6, 2019, accessed April 6, 2019
  13. ↑ Peter Fabricius: Botswana accepts SA government was not part of alleged political interference by Ramaphosa's sister-in-law - Lindiwe Sisulu. Daily Maverick, April 30, 2019, accessed May 5, 2019
  14. ^ Masisi's balancing act. thepatriot.co.bw of November 14, 2019, accessed on January 12, 2020
  15. ^ President Masisi clarifies First Lady's role. yourbotswana.com, October 2018 (English), accessed October 22, 2019
predecessor Office successor
Ponatshego Kedikilwe Vice President of Botswana
2014–2018 		Slumber Tsogwane
personal data
SURNAME Masisi, Mokgweetsi
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Masisi, Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Botswana politician (Botswana Democratic Party)
DATE OF BIRTH July 21, 1962
PLACE OF BIRTH Moshupa