His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi was sworn-in as the fifth (5th) President of the Republic of Botswana on 1st November 2019. This followed his party’s, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), victory in the country’s General Elections which took place on 23rd October 2019. Before assuming his substantive five-year first term, President Masisi succeeded former President Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, on 1st April 2018, at the conclusion of President Khama’s two five-year terms in office. Prior to this, President Masisi served as Botswana’s eighth (8th) Vice President from 2014-2018. In this capacity, he oversaw Government programmes, and was the Leader of the House of the National Assembly. Preceding the Vice Presidency role, President Masisi held a number of Ministerial positions. These included, the Minister of Education and Skills Development (2014) and Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration (2011). President Masisi also served as the Member of Parliament for the Moshupa-Manyana Constituency. In this capacity, among others, he contributed towards the enhancement of livelihoods and household food security through initiatives such as, the Moshupa Constituency Development Show. Additionally, President Masisi worked in other capacities nationally, particularly in the education sector. From 1995-2003 he was an Education Project Officer with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) office in Botswana. In this role, he was responsible for initiating educational policy and program reforms. This included developing and implementing education programmes for youth living in remote areas and supporting continued education for pregnant students. There are other portfolios that President Masisi held in his effort to contribute towards the country’s national development agenda. In this regard, he served with a number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Boards, including the Kalahari Conservation Society. On regional and international platforms, President Masisi has held various leadership positions, including representing Botswana as the Chair of
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security (2020-2021). President Masisi was born in Moshupa on 21st July 1962. He is married to Neo Jane Masisi (nee Maswabi), and the two have a daughter, Atsile Masisi. He is a Graduate of Florida State University where he attained a Master of Science Degree, and the University of Botswana where he obtained a Diploma in Secondary Education. He also undertook graduate studies in Economics and Social Policy at Manchester University in the United Kingdom, under the Commonwealth Chevening Scholarship programme