This month in history
Source : KUTLWANO
Author : Kutlwano
Location : GABORONE
Event : History column
Ministerial Reshuffle: Flexibility to meet needs
His excellency the President, Sir Seretse Khama, has opened 1972-the fifth year of Botswana`s independence-by making a dramatic ministerial reshuffle, along with major diplomatic and public Service changes. It is the largest reshuffle in the five-and –half years of the country`s independence. It is noteworthy that as Botswana emerges economically from dependence on donor and friendly countries, she surges forward as well in providing herself with once scanty trained manpower.
The Hon. Amos M. Dambe (61) M.P FOR Mmadinare, Former Minister of Agriculture who resigned from Parliament in April, will leave Botswana at the end of May to assume a senior diplomatic post abroad. He will replace Chief Linchwe II Kgafele as Botswana`s Ambassador to the United States of America, and as the non-resident High Commissioner to Canada.
Chief Linchwe, who for the last two years held this post, will return home and resume his traditional position as Paramount Chief of the Bakgatla. Chief Linchwe, now aged 34, was one of the three chiefs who, on behalf of the Botswana Chiefs, endorsed the conclusions of the 1963 Constitutional Conference.
Thanking Chief Linchwe for his valuable services to the nation, His Excellency the President , Sir Seretse Khama said: “As you are aware, I want to make rural development a major priority in our planning and policy-making. I believe that in the struggle to achieve rural development and to reconcile growth with stability, the role of our traditional leaders could be of the outmost importance, if they make use of the opportunities open to them in a constructive and progressive manner. I therefore hope very much that you will assist us in this field and help us to apply our policies for development in the interests of the majority.”
The Hon. E.S. Masisi, (51) M.P for Moshupa and Minister of State for the last two years has assumed the portfolio of Minister of Agriculture. Before he was appointed Minister of State, Mr Masisi was Assistant Minister of Education. During this period he travelled extensively representing Botswana in crucial international meetings both in Africa and overseas.
The Hon Bakwena Kgari (50), (Serowe North) who was previously Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has now assumed the portfolio of Minister of State. Last year in October, Mr. Kgari represented Botswana at the fifth celebrations of the Independence of the Lesotho Kingdom at Maseru.
A Bill - which was presented to Parliament in the session of the National Assembly - gives the President greater discretion in the creation of a number of ministers and assistant ministers. The need for a greater for greater flexibility in the establishment of senor posts became apparent with quickening pace of development.
The passage of this legislation thus permitted the appointment of Mr. L. Makgekgenene (38), M.P for Tonota as Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and Mr. Daniel Kwelagobe (28), Molepolole North, as Assistant Minister in the Office of the President, with special responsibility for Information and Broadcasting. Though youngest of the Botswana Members of Parliament Mr. Kwelagobe is an active debater in the National Assembly.
H.E the President has also effected some changes in the Public Services. As part of the re-organisation of the President`s Office, a new post of Director of External Affairs has been created to which Mr. Bias Mookodi (44), former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, has been appointed with effect from the first of May.
The creation of the new External Affairs post and the appointment to it of one of Botswana`s most experienced administrators and a former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, reflects the growing volume and increasing importance of external work, the Office of the President announced.
Mr Mookodi is succeeded as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education by Mr. T.J Molefhe, currently Botswana` s Ambassador and Permanent Secretary to the United States. The new ambassador at the United Nations will be Mr. T.D Mogami who has been acting as Under-Secretary, External Affairs.
With these public service changes, the youngest officer, Mr. Lebang Mogaetsho Mpotokwane (28) is now acting as clerk to the Cabinet until August 1, when Mr. B.M Setshogo will be appointed to the post . Mr. Setshogo will be replaced as First Secretary in the London High Commission by Mr. C.M Tibone, who is currently completing a Foreign Service course at Oxford University.
Mr D.W Finlay (32), formerly Clerk to the Cabinet is now Assistant Director (Personnel). He is a Motswana National. Born 1939 in India, Mr. Finlay graduated M.A ( Hons.) in history at Edinburg in 1961 and Diploma in Anthropology at Oxford in 1962.
