Brig. Gen. Tembo said Africa had lost a great son of the soil whose efforts in fostering social, economic and political development on the continent will fondly be remembered.
He noted that President Masire was a towering figure in the region that had helped advance great ties between Zambia and Botswana in many spheres of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
“He was a visionary, a man whose contribution to the development of the African continent will fondly be remembered. As we join you in mourning the departed, we pray that the Lord Almighty grants solace and strength to the family of the late President” he said.
He further extolled President Masire’s contribution to Botswana’s liberation movement and its subsequent Independence in 1966.
“I wish to convey, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Zambia, our deepest condolences to the people of the Republic of Botswana” Brig. Gen. Tembo noted down in the book of condolences.
President Masire led Botswana as its second post-independence Head of State from 1980 until stepping down 1998.
He passed away at Bokamoso hospital in Gaborone late on Thursday and a three (3) day national mourning has since been declared.
Indeed, he was a great visionary who was so down to earth that he interacted freely with all of us the time we served as expatriates. He could find time to come wherever we were to personally tell us how he valued our service to the great people of Botswana. We can only celebrate his great life by emulating his great deeds not only for his country but Africa at large. We can also learn from his example of believing and investing in our own health facilities unlike some who always want to think evacuation to other countries is always the answer! MHSRIP!
I pray everyday that KK hang in there not to die under PF, please lord.
Stopping people from mourning is unZambian.
Great observation @ Mwila……”He passed away at Bokamoso hospital in Gaborone” for Zambia it would have been something like….”He died at X hospital in Y where he had earlier been evacuated to from UTH in Lusaka” Only KK had respect for and faith in local health institutions. KK would have made good of them.
Nose demons are influenced by Under Five Card Clinic!
Sir Ketumile Masire is one of the rare breed of African leaders whose dedication to public service and development of his country is exemplary.Him and the founding father Sir Seretse Khama laid the foundation for a Botswana where corruption is virtually non existence. He was a real democrat and he ensured the country’s mineral wealth benefited Botswana unlike our mines here where we have nothing to show for. May his soul rest in peace. In his memoirs,An African democrat: “You either brave or foolish”, he clearly spells out how he did not want to make same mistakes Zambia made the management of economy. He never discussed economics with KK because KK lived in economic dream world.
Bokamoso private hospital was sold to and is owned by the South African Lenmed group…..agreed Botswana has enviable medical services and medinsurance schemes that work…..
Bokamoso private hospital was sold to and is owned by the South African Lenmed group…..agreed Botswana has enviable medical services and medinsurance schemes that work…..
That man was great he has left Botswana better than he found it. I remember during youthful days early 1980’s when he visited Zambia among other Heads of State, Late Julius Nyerere, Samora Machel, Robert Mugabe. It should have during SADC meeting hosted by Zambia. I was at the KKIA it was a live day. Remember walking all the way from Mtendere to KKIA, it was exciting watching the Zambia Army mounted Guard of Honour and the / UNIP vigilantes/cadres dancing. Though the day ended sadly with ZAF buffalo plane crashing. Marshel slagon VIVA FRERIMO. Dying in his own country not us leaders and prominent people dying outside and being brought in as cargo. Though SAD but He was a great leader who contributed to the development of Botswana. And when you say SONTAPO, Positive things are all over…
Why did Lungu leave such an important task to his high commissioner? I often hear him mourning British victims of bombing. He doesnt mourn fellow Africans?