Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda in GABORONE, Botswana
VICE President Kembo Mohadi is expected to arrive here on Friday evening to attend the burial of the late former Botswana President, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, who died last Friday at the age of 86.
VP Mohadi will represent President Mnangagwa at the burial ceremony on Saturday as Zimbabwe joins Botswana and the rest of the Southern African region 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 on Friday, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Botswana, Batiraishe Henry Mukonoweshuro, confirmed that VP Mohadi will attend the burial at the Phonolong Memorial Park.
“We are grateful that His Excellency the President Dr ED Mnangagwa has chosen Honorable Vice President Kembo Mohadi to come and commiserate with the Botswana government following the passing on of their former President Dr Festus Mogae,” he said.
“He is set to arrive this evening in Gaborone, Botswana where he will meet other Heads of State to attend the burial ceremony at Phomolong Memorial Park.”
Amb Mukonoweshuro said Zimbabwe and Botswana continue 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 in their way to other places,” he said.
“Botswana did suffer the wrath of trying to assist us. We continue as neighbours to come together and as you know barely last Botswana President Boko Duma was in Zimbabwe chairing a BNC with President Mnangagwa.”
The late 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 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.
The late Former President’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 the late 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 the late 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,” he said.
“The late President will also be remembered for the role he played in the formation of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.”
The President said the passing on of 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.
