Sir Ketumile Masire-Celebration of a life marked by humility and love
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Idah Basimane
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
For the next centuries, Batswana will continue to busk in the legacy and in the shadow of its iconic democrat, an extra ordinary and remarkable man, a great son of the soil, a symbol of intellect and integrity.
A man who carried the ethos of governance, a man who championed economic growth and rural development, a giant whose legacy is woven into the fabric of the history of Botswana, a nation builder; Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire.
He is a man who penned an autobiography, ‘Very Brave or Very Foolish?’ edited by Steven Lewis.
Thousands gathered for the centenary celebrations of the life of a man and his wife with community members spotted jostling at the entrance pleading for security to allow them to listen to how one man turned a dream into reality.
This historic gathering was pertinent for them to also pay tribute and celebrate the lives of Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire and Lady Olebile Masire. Affectionately known as Rra-Gaone and Mma-Gaone respectively.
Sir Ketumile ascended to the position of President of Botswana in 1980.
Together with Lady Olebile Masire, their lives were marked by humility and enduring love.
Many described him as the chief architect of democratic development and this year marked his 100th birthday.
During the early years of democracy in Botswana, Sir Ketumile played a chief role in the country’s political sphere, organising election campaigns for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
The party, backing on Serowe as a strong base, gained popularity as its founding president; Sir Seretse Khama recruited people from across the country.
One of them was a young journalist at the then Naledi ya Botswana newspaper, Sir Ketumile.
At independence, as stated in ‘Very Brave or Very Foolish’, the country was experiencing constant droughts and with undeveloped industry, Botswana was headed for economic uncertainty.
Matshidiso Masire, the youngest in the Masire family, saw the centenary as a celebration of two lives, which lived in extra-ordinary grace, adding the memorial site was a space lovingly dedicated to her parents.
She viewed the lives of their parents as a symbol of wisdom and service. “It’s a moment for us not only to acknowledge a legacy that continues to shape us today,” she says.
The memorial site is a lasting tribute, she observed, noting to their parents, it is a heartfelt offering in honour of their lives milestone, what they continue to mean to them and to the nation.
She noted that future generations have the opportunity to reflect and draw inspiration from the lives lived with a purpose and principles, emphasising that the designs and messages in tombstones are chosen to reflect the grace, strength and quiet dignity that defines Sir Ketumile and Lady Olebile Masire.
‘Modala-Special’ was the description title of Matshidiso Masire speech.
Applauding dignitaries, Matshidiso observed that their presence at the event signifies the life and story of their father, expressing that he was a people’s person.
“Ra-Gaone was not ours alone. He was an international speaker. We recall how the United Nations held a special session through then Ambassador Charles Ntwayagae in New York, marking his passing and tribute from leaders across the world,” she reminisced.
Historian, Mr Jeff Ramsey said Sir Ketumile was appointed the Minister of Finance and Development Planning in the 1970s, becoming a key political figure in an era of apartheid in South Africa and Ian Smith’s rule in the then Southern Rhodesia. “It’s hard for the youth to believe that all of Gaborone was built from 1964. If we overcame the challenges by then, we can overcome the challenges now,” Mr Ramsey noted.
A family friend, Thabiso Simmery, enjoyed the celebrations as people ululated, saying the two depicted principles of Botho and humility to the young people.
Another family friend, Cynthia Tsumake said the unity of Masire’s siblings emphasised what Botswana is, a transition and transformation of the stability including the political phase.
The Vice President (VP), Mr Ndaba Gaolathe startsed his eulogy from the time Sir Ketumile Masire assumed the presidency in 1980.
“Botswana stood at the cross roads and there was a turbulence in Southern Africa. The years were marked by Zimbabwe’s exit from liberation struggle and independence, Namibia’s fight for independence and the shadow of apartheid looming upon borders,” he explained.
Sir Ketumile, he pointed out, assumed the presidency seat during one of the worst drought years in Botswana and the region, describing the reign of former late President Masire as a steady hand, where Botswana remained an oasis of stability, and a beacon of economic success story.
“His leadership was defined by resilience, a trait tested when his plane was shot in 1988. True to his character, he remained stronger. His famous words were a leader must listen more than he speaks and act only after careful thought,” he remembers Sir Ketumile.
Mr Gaolathe noted it was the endearing traits of his sharp intellect and mastery of Setswana language, which made him a formidable negotiator and a unifying figure.
He is also remembered for reforming the country’s Constitution, introducing limits to presidential terms to two, in an era where leadership was often measured by sound binds rather than substance.
Mr Gaolatlhe said in his diplomatic status, Sir Ketumile elevated Botswana’s voice on the global stage to be a proud member of the Non-aligned movement of the Frontline states.
He said Botswana continued to provide statutory to freedom fighters, regionally and globally and in mediating and negotiating peaceful political resolutions in Africa.
The VP further said Sir Ketumile chaired a panel of eminent persons who investigated the 1994 Rwanda genocide, was the facilitator of the Inter Congolese Dialogue and Southern African Development Community (SADC) and mediator in Lesotho.
Over and above that, he added that Sir Ketumile’s participation in international organisations allowed him to elevate Botswana’s voice in the region and global stage in the 1980s and 90s.
Among some of his positions, Mr Gaolathe recalled, were: Chairman of (SADC), Vice Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity and Chairman of the Global Coalition for Africa and a member of the UN Group of Africa’s development.
Mr Gaolathe remembered Sir Ketumile as a man of integrity, a leader who believed in Botho, a man of courage even when facing economic crisis or regional conflict, a man of calm determination, a pioneering farmer.
He said long before he was a president, Sir Ketumile understood that true development began with self-reliance, a son of the soil who governed without greed, leaving the office with same humility that he came into it with. “As we reflect on this centenary, let us ask ourselves whether we are upholding the values he stood for, building on the foundations he laid. Let us re commit the nation he dreamt of. O ne a na le talente ya go gomotsa batho, ebile a rata thata go bua ka bokamoso jwa lefatshe. Re lesego gore re be re kile ra nna le mpho ee tshwanang le Rre Masire le Lady Olebile,” VP Gaolatlhe remarks.
Mr Mogolori Modisi’s wife, Ms Sefalana Modisi appreciated Lady Olebile Masire, saying she chose to marry her husband despite knowing he carried the responsibility of caring for his siblings.
Ms Modisi mentioned that Lady Olebile embraced the role of becoming a mother and a steadfast pillar of the family.
“Lady Olebile Masire’s graceful and determination stood beside her husband, dedicated herself to the youth, community and the vulnerable, did charitable efforts with passion from her Youth Centre to Red Cross, to her patronage of Sebotho Modisi National School,” she noted.
Kgosi Motswakgakala Sealetsa, the headman of Arbitration of Goo-Motebejana ward, where Sir Ketumile was born, described Bangwaketse in his area as ‘Ba Goo Motebejana, babina phiri e thamaga, makakabele, phiri yo motona ga phure marapo.’
Kgosi Sealetsa said sometime after the death of Sir Ketumile, his children made a decision to erect a monument for their parents.
It was only this year that they decided to unveil the monument upon which the government took it to lead the unveiling ceremony.
He also implored the government to assist with resources of renovating the kgotla where Sir Ketumile was born.
Kgosi Mogakolodi Masibi of Batlharo Boo-Tokwane in Disaneng in South Africa, where Lady Olebile was born, attested that he met Lady Olebile in
1996.
By then his grandmother, who was a Mohumagadi of Disaneng chieftainship, introduced Mma Gaone to him as a family friend during family gatherings.
Kgosi Masibi says Mma-Gaone was a sociable and a down-to earth public figure.
“I even told some of her children that we should always respect her friendship with my grandmother. As First Lady of the 70’s, she was very loyal to her family and community,” he says. ENDS
