Botswana: Ex-President Festus Mogae dies

"During his time in office from 1998 to 2008, the southern African country experienced steady economic growth and developed into one of the most prosperous on the continent. It now holds regular elections and is seen as one of the most stable countries in Africa. Mogae grew up in poverty: He was born into a family of cattle herders on August 21, 1939 in Serowe, a village in east-central Botswana. His father was the village head."

"After training as an economist at Oxford and Sussex Universities in the UK, Festus Mogae took up a position at Botswana's Ministry of Finance and Development Planning in Gaborone in 1968, where he rose to become director of economic affairs. This was followed by positions as permanent secretary, head of Botswana's Central Bank, and later Minister of Finance and Vice President. Determination and hard work characterized Mogae's professional career and his success as a politician from the start."

"On April 1, 1998, he took over as Botswana's third president, replacing his predecessor Quett Masire in a peaceful transfer of power. After two terms in office, Mogae left office after a decade at the head of state, in accordance with the constitution. According to experts, Mogae was one of the architects of Botswana's remarkable economic development, which has long been regarded as a model for Africa."

"Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world when it was granted independence by the UK in 1966. However, the discovery of rich diamond deposits in the early 1970s coupled later with Mogae's progressive"

Festus Gontebanye Mogae served as Botswana’s third president from 1998 to 2008, replacing Quett Masire in a peaceful transfer of power. Botswana experienced steady economic growth during his presidency and developed into one of the most prosperous countries on the continent. The country holds regular elections and is widely viewed as stable in Africa. Mogae grew up in poverty in Serowe, attended school for the first time at age 11, and later trained as an economist at Oxford and Sussex. He worked in Botswana’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, then held senior roles including director of economic affairs, permanent secretary, head of the Central Bank, minister of finance, and vice president. He was a member of the Botswana Democratic Party and is credited with helping architect Botswana’s economic development model.

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