Ian Khama
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General
Seretse Khama Ian Khama (or Ian a Sêrêtsê; born 27 February 1953) is a Botswana
politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato
tribe. After serving as Commander of the Botswana Defence Force
, he entered politics and served as Vice-President of Botswana
from 1998 to 2008, then succeeded Festus Mogae
as President on 1 April 2008.
(1 July 1921–13 July 1980) the country's foremost independence leader who was President from 1966 to 1980) and Lady Khama
. He was born in Chertsey
, Surrey
during the period his father was exiled to the United Kingdom
due to the opposition by the colonial government and the emergent apartheid regime in South Africa
to his marriage to a white woman
. Tshekedi Khama is the younger brother to Ian Khama. He took over the Serowe North-West from his brother Ian Khama when the latter became president. Botswana Democratic Party activist and current Gaborone Central candidate, Gomolemo Motswaledi who was tipped to stand in one of the BDP's safest seats in the bye-election pulled out under controversial circumstances, giving way for Tshekedi. Tshekedi is believed to be poised for a cabinet post in the near future. Tshekedi is also a businessman, being in partnership with his twin brother Anthony.
Seretse Khama Ian Khama is also the grandson of Sekgoma II
(1869–1925), who was the paramount chief of the Bamangwato
people, and the great-grandson of Khama III
(1837–1923), their king; and the great-great grandson of Kgosikgolo Sekgoma I, the Chief of the Bamangwato people (1815–1885). The name "Seretse" means “the clay that binds together,” and was given to his father to celebrate the recent reconciliation of his father and grandfather; this reconciliation assured Seretse’s Khama's own ascension to the throne with his aged father’s death in 1925. Seretse Khama Ian Khama is named after his father to continue this historical legacy. He is also known simply as Ian Khama to differentiate between himself and his father. Tshekedi Khama II
, Ian Khama's brother, was named after their great uncle, Tshekedi Khama
who was the regent and guardian for Kgosi Seretse Khama the first President of Botswana.
, a United World College
in Mbabane
, Swaziland
.
He is a qualified pilot and attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
, where the British Army
trains its officers.
, announced on 16 December 1997 that he would retire from his command on 31 March 1998. Because this was the same date as the planned retirement of President Quett Masire
, it fueled political speculation about Khama. On 1 April 1998, when Vice-President Festus Mogae
succeeded Masire as President, Khama was appointed as the new Vice-President. However, Khama did not hold a seat in the National Assembly
, and so could not immediately take office as Vice-President. In early July 1998 he overwhelmingly won a by-election in Serowe North, receiving 2,986 votes against 86 votes for the candidate of the opposition Botswana National Front
. On 13 July, he took his seat in the National Assembly and was sworn in as Vice-President.
Following the victory of the Botswana Democratic Party
(BDP) in the general election of October 1999
, Khama remained Vice-President as well as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration. Mogae granted Khama a one-year leave later in the year, a decision that the opposition Botswana Congress Party
and the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations sharply criticized. Khama's leave became effective on 1 January 2000. He returned to his duties as Vice-President on 1 September 2000, although he was replaced as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration at that time.
Khama, already a member of the BDP Central Committee, was elected as Chairman of the BDP on 22 July 2003 at a party congress; he defeated the previous Chairman, Ponatshego Kedikilwe
, receiving 512 votes against 219 for Kedikilwe. Khama had been backed for the post by President Mogae, and the outcome was viewed as crucial, paving the way for Khama to eventually succeed Mogae as President.
Mogae stepped down, as he had long said he would do, On 1 April 2008, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, automatically succeeded President Festus Mogae to become the President of Botswana. At his swearing-in ceremony in Gaborone
, Khama said that there would be continuity in policy and no "radical changes", although he said that "a change in style and special emphasis on a number of issues" might be evident, and he emphasized his commitment to democracy. He immediately undertook a major cabinet reshuffle, and he appointed Mompati Merafhe
, who had been Foreign Minister, as the new Vice-President.
Upon becoming President, Khama left his post as Chairman of the BDP; Daniel Kwelagobe
was chosen to replace him.
Khama is a member of the Board of Directors of the US-based organization Conservation International
, which is also active in Botswana
. In 2007, Khama appeared on British television in the BBC
's Top Gear motoring programme and he met the presenters as they prepared to cross the Makgadikgadi Pan
in northern Botswana by car. In 2009, Khama appeared on CNN
's African Voices which painted a positive picture of the outgoing and physically fit Khama who is leading a new generation of African leaders.
The Media Practitioners Law has been criticized both inside and outside of government as inhibiting free speech. The bill's language seeks to encourage a more professional journalistic standard, but detractors counter that it leaves this standard in the hands of politicians.
Under Khama, the government has also established the Directorate of Internal Security (DIS) with police powers, which is seen as the Botswana equivalent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
in the United States. Although this type of organization is not new and is found in many countries, it has critics in Botswana who charge that there are very few domestic or transnational threats that the police and the military could not handle. Some have argued that the institution, headed by President Khama's close friend Issac Kgosi, could easily be manipulated and used against political enemies or others who criticize the President or his administration. There have been reports of extrajudicial killings in Botswana, linked by many to the DIS. One such high-profile killing was that of John Kalifatis, whose death resulted during the course of a robbery investigation, in which it was believed that Kalifatis was armed and dangerous.
Khama had some recognized successes during his interim term. He got international and regional kudos for his stance against the Zimbabwean government, particularly Robert Mugabe
. He did so by not recognizing the government unless and until it included members of the Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) headed by now-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai. That showed Khama's democratic creditials, his willingness to be unpopular with some of his SADC
colleagues when it came to a matter of principle, and his willingness be an active leader rather than be just a passive observer. Khama also condemned the action of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir
in the region of Dafur and has become a vocal critic of despotic governments in Africa along with President Jakaya Kikwete
of Tanzania and the late former President Levy Mwanawasa
of Zambia
.
On the economic front, Khama has been a vocal proponent of in moving Botswana away from its over-reliance on diamonds and diversifying its economy, especially to the agriculture and tourism sector. Under his watch, the number of siteholders licensed to operate diamond polishing and cutting operations in Botswana has grown, creating employment opportunities in the downstream diamond markets. Botswana, under Khama, hopes to have not just cutting and polishing factories set up in Botswana, but jewellery manufacturing and vendors, as well as security firms, banking, finance, insurance and training facilities that will make Botswana a diamond hub. ABN/AMRO, the Dutch-based diamond trading bank just announced that it will be headquartering its African offices in Botswana.
Politically, Khama's interim term was dominated by internal squabbling in the BDP
. The BDP is now clearly divided into two major factions, the A-Team and the Barata Phati factions. The A-Team is led by President Khama, Jacob Nkate, the former Minister of Education, and Vice President Mompati Merafhe
. The Barata Phati faction is led by Daniel Kwelagobe
, the Chairman of the Party, Gomemelo Motswaledi, and Pontashego Kedikilwe, who wish to bring about constitutional reform not only to the BDP but also to the country's constitution. Things got so bad in the run up to the 2009 elections that Motswaledi, who gave up on his ambition to run for a seat in Serowe in order to make way for Ian Khama's brother, Tshekedi Khama II
, was also excluded from representing Gaborone when he ran afoul of President Khama. After this incident, critics accused Khama of authoritarian tendencies, while others say that he was simply playing instilling discipline as part of his role as the head of the party.
to claim the Presidency at a future date.
The 2009 election saw a major shift within the opposition parties, still were unable to break the grip of the BDP's hold on government, but saw the rise of the Botswana Congress Party
as a new powerful force in opposition politics and a relative decline in the Botswana National Front
(BNF). The BNF's decline was due to its own internal squabbling and the lack of effective leadership and a coherent message.The newly born Botswana Congress Party outclassed BNF to become the fastest growing opposition party in Botswana led by Mr Saleshando Snr now by Dumelang Saleshando, the son of Saleshando Snr. Things did not go well for the ruling party, as there was the birth of BMD from the ruling party, due to some issues circulating around the party.
was able to make a first for Botswana
, by electing the first female speaker of Parliament in the form of Ms. Margaret Nasha
.
Source: http://www.botswanaembassy.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,print,0&cntnt01articleid=17&cntnt01showtemplate=false&cntnt01returnid=77
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Seretse Khama Ian Khama (or Ian a Sêrêtsê; born 27 February 1953) is a Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato
Bamangwato
The Bamangwato can be said to be one of the eight 'principal' Tswana tribes of Botswana, and just like any other Tswana tribe in Botswana, constitutes a small percent in the central district even in their capital serowe. They ruled over majority Bakalangaand other tribes such as the san,bitwa and...
tribe. After serving as Commander of the Botswana Defence Force
Botswana Defence Force
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. It was formed in 1977 and has approximately 9,000 members. The commander is Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. The commander in chief is the President of Botswana...
, he entered politics and served as Vice-President of Botswana
Vice-President of Botswana
The Vice-President of Botswana is the second-highest executive official in the Government of Botswana.-List of Vice-Presidents of Botswana:-See also:*Botswana**Heads of state of Botswana**Heads of government of Botswana...
from 1998 to 2008, then succeeded Festus Mogae
Festus Mogae
Festus Gontebanye Mogae is a Botswana politician who was President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He succeeded Quett Masire as President in 1998 and was reelected in October 2004; after ten years in office, he stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Ian Khama...
as President on 1 April 2008.
Early life
He is the first born son and second child of Sir Seretse KhamaSeretse Khama
Sir Seretse Khama, KBE was a statesman from Botswana. Born into one of the more powerful of the royal families of what was then the British Protectorate of Bechuanaland, and educated abroad in neighbouring South Africa and in the United Kingdom, he returned home—with a popular but controversial...
(1 July 1921–13 July 1980) the country's foremost independence leader who was President from 1966 to 1980) and Lady Khama
Ruth Williams Khama
Ruth Williams Khama, Lady Khama was the wife of Botswana's first president Sir Seretse Khama, the Paramount Chief of its Bamangwato tribe. Lady Khama was a former WAAF ambulance driver from Blackheath, London. She met the then Prince Seretse Khama while he was attending law school in England and...
. He was born in Chertsey
Chertsey
Chertsey is a town in Surrey, England, on the River Thames and its tributary rivers such as the River Bourne. It can be accessed by road from junction 11 of the M25 London orbital motorway. It shares borders with Staines, Laleham, Shepperton, Addlestone, Woking, Thorpe and Egham...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
during the period his father was exiled to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
due to the opposition by the colonial government and the emergent apartheid regime in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
to his marriage to a white woman
Interracial marriage
Interracial marriage occurs when two people of differing racial groups marry. This is a form of exogamy and can be seen in the broader context of miscegenation .-Legality of interracial marriage:In the Western world certain jurisdictions have had regulations...
. Tshekedi Khama is the younger brother to Ian Khama. He took over the Serowe North-West from his brother Ian Khama when the latter became president. Botswana Democratic Party activist and current Gaborone Central candidate, Gomolemo Motswaledi who was tipped to stand in one of the BDP's safest seats in the bye-election pulled out under controversial circumstances, giving way for Tshekedi. Tshekedi is believed to be poised for a cabinet post in the near future. Tshekedi is also a businessman, being in partnership with his twin brother Anthony.
Seretse Khama Ian Khama is also the grandson of Sekgoma II
Sekgoma II
Sekgoma II Sekgoma II Sekgoma II (1869-November 17, 1925 was the king of the Bamangwato people of Bechuanaland in modern-day Botswana.He was the son of King Khama III by his first wife, Elizabeth MmaBessie. In 1923, Sekgoma II ascended the throne at the age of 54 upon the death of his father....
(1869–1925), who was the paramount chief of the Bamangwato
Bamangwato
The Bamangwato can be said to be one of the eight 'principal' Tswana tribes of Botswana, and just like any other Tswana tribe in Botswana, constitutes a small percent in the central district even in their capital serowe. They ruled over majority Bakalangaand other tribes such as the san,bitwa and...
people, and the great-grandson of Khama III
Khama III
Khama III , also known as Khama the Good, was the kgosi of the Bamangwato people of Bechuanaland , who made his country a protectorate of the United Kingdom to ensure its survival against Boer and Ndebele encroachments.-Ancestry and Youth:During the 18th century, Malope, chief of the Bakwena...
(1837–1923), their king; and the great-great grandson of Kgosikgolo Sekgoma I, the Chief of the Bamangwato people (1815–1885). The name "Seretse" means “the clay that binds together,” and was given to his father to celebrate the recent reconciliation of his father and grandfather; this reconciliation assured Seretse’s Khama's own ascension to the throne with his aged father’s death in 1925. Seretse Khama Ian Khama is named after his father to continue this historical legacy. He is also known simply as Ian Khama to differentiate between himself and his father. Tshekedi Khama II
Tshekedi Khama II
Tshekedi Khama II is a Botswana Member of Parliament from Serowe North-West. He is member of the Botswana Democratic Party or BDP. He is also the brother of the current President of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, and one of the three sons of the first President of Botswana, Seretse Khama and...
, Ian Khama's brother, was named after their great uncle, Tshekedi Khama
Tshekedi Khama
Tshekedi Khama was the regent of the Bamangwato tribe in 1923 after the death of Sekgoma II.-Background:...
who was the regent and guardian for Kgosi Seretse Khama the first President of Botswana.
Education and training
Ian Khama is an alumnus of Waterford KamhlabaWaterford Kamhlaba
Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa is one of thirteen international UWC schools and colleges and is located in Mbabane, Swaziland...
, a United World College
United World Colleges
UWC is an education movement comprising thirteen international schools and colleges, national committees in over 130 countries and a series of short educational programmes. The UWC movement aims to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future...
in Mbabane
Mbabane
-References:...
, Swaziland
Swaziland
Swaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
.
He is a qualified pilot and attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst , commonly known simply as Sandhurst, is a British Army officer initial training centre located in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England...
, where the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
trains its officers.
Political career
Khama, serving as Commander of the Botswana Defence ForceBotswana Defence Force
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. It was formed in 1977 and has approximately 9,000 members. The commander is Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. The commander in chief is the President of Botswana...
, announced on 16 December 1997 that he would retire from his command on 31 March 1998. Because this was the same date as the planned retirement of President Quett Masire
Quett Masire
Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, GCMG was the second President of Botswana for the Botswana Democratic Party from 1980 to 1998. He stepped down and was succeeded by the then Vice-President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who became the third President of Botswana...
, it fueled political speculation about Khama. On 1 April 1998, when Vice-President Festus Mogae
Festus Mogae
Festus Gontebanye Mogae is a Botswana politician who was President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He succeeded Quett Masire as President in 1998 and was reelected in October 2004; after ten years in office, he stepped down in 2008 and was succeeded by Lieutenant General Ian Khama...
succeeded Masire as President, Khama was appointed as the new Vice-President. However, Khama did not hold a seat in the National Assembly
National Assembly of Botswana
The National Assembly of Botswana is the legislature of the country's unicameral Parliament. It is advised by the House of Chiefs, which is not a house of Parliament....
, and so could not immediately take office as Vice-President. In early July 1998 he overwhelmingly won a by-election in Serowe North, receiving 2,986 votes against 86 votes for the candidate of the opposition Botswana National Front
Botswana National Front
The Botswana National Front has been the main opposition party in Botswana since the 1969 elections.It achieved its greatest electoral success in the 1994 elections, when it won 37.1% of the vote and 13 of 40 parliamentary seats. A factional conflict in 1998 led to the departure of 11 of these...
. On 13 July, he took his seat in the National Assembly and was sworn in as Vice-President.
Following the victory of the Botswana Democratic Party
Botswana Democratic Party
The Botswana Democratic Party is the governing conservative party in Botswana. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe.BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it...
(BDP) in the general election of October 1999
Botswana general election, 1999
The Botswana general election of 1999 was fought between the Botswana Democratic Party and four opposition parties. 40 seats in the Parliament were contested, with the largest opposition party, the Botswana Congress Party losing its leader and ten seats, reducing the party to a mere seat...
, Khama remained Vice-President as well as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration. Mogae granted Khama a one-year leave later in the year, a decision that the opposition Botswana Congress Party
Botswana Congress Party
The Botswana Congress Party is a social-democratic political party in Botswana, considered the third largest party in Botswana.The BCP was founded in 1998 in a split from the Botswana National Front, with most of the BNF's sitting Members of Parliament joining the new party after a leadership...
and the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations sharply criticized. Khama's leave became effective on 1 January 2000. He returned to his duties as Vice-President on 1 September 2000, although he was replaced as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration at that time.
Khama, already a member of the BDP Central Committee, was elected as Chairman of the BDP on 22 July 2003 at a party congress; he defeated the previous Chairman, Ponatshego Kedikilwe
Ponatshego Kedikilwe
Ponatshego Kedikilwe is a Botswana politician and member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. He has served as the Minister of Mineral Energy and Water Resources and MP for Mmadinare.-References:*...
, receiving 512 votes against 219 for Kedikilwe. Khama had been backed for the post by President Mogae, and the outcome was viewed as crucial, paving the way for Khama to eventually succeed Mogae as President.
Mogae stepped down, as he had long said he would do, On 1 April 2008, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, automatically succeeded President Festus Mogae to become the President of Botswana. At his swearing-in ceremony in Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
, Khama said that there would be continuity in policy and no "radical changes", although he said that "a change in style and special emphasis on a number of issues" might be evident, and he emphasized his commitment to democracy. He immediately undertook a major cabinet reshuffle, and he appointed Mompati Merafhe
Mompati Merafhe
Lt. Gen. Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe is a Botswana politician, currently serving as Vice-President. He is a retired Lieutenant-General and was Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.-Biography:...
, who had been Foreign Minister, as the new Vice-President.
Upon becoming President, Khama left his post as Chairman of the BDP; Daniel Kwelagobe
Daniel Kwelagobe
Daniel Keatametse Kwelagobe is the current Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party and previously served as Minister for Presidential Affairs on two occasions...
was chosen to replace him.
Khama is a member of the Board of Directors of the US-based organization Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
, which is also active in Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. In 2007, Khama appeared on British television in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Top Gear motoring programme and he met the presenters as they prepared to cross the Makgadikgadi Pan
Makgadikgadi Pan
The Makgadikgadi Pan is a large salt pan in the middle of the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world...
in northern Botswana by car. In 2009, Khama appeared on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's African Voices which painted a positive picture of the outgoing and physically fit Khama who is leading a new generation of African leaders.
Interim term (1 April 2008-19 October 2009)
Even though President Ian Khama was not elected to the Presidency, which some political commentators see as a flaw in the electoral system in Botswana, he governed as if he was elected and proceeded to make some fundamental changes to the way the Botswana was governed during his "interim term". President Khama first articulated his desire to impose a 70% alcohol levy, meant to combat the scourge of excessive drinking in Botswana which had become a real problem, especially amongst the youth. Although the idea was laudable, the practical effect of such a levy was soon seen to have a deleterious effect on the brewing industry who resisted the imposition of such a levy, along with bars and other drinking establishments. The President shifted his policy to focus on prevention and education but still, at the end of the day, imposed a 30% levy after consulting with industry leaders. Unpopular as this was, it showed that the Khama was willing to do not just what was popular but what he felt was right for the country.The Media Practitioners Law has been criticized both inside and outside of government as inhibiting free speech. The bill's language seeks to encourage a more professional journalistic standard, but detractors counter that it leaves this standard in the hands of politicians.
Under Khama, the government has also established the Directorate of Internal Security (DIS) with police powers, which is seen as the Botswana equivalent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
in the United States. Although this type of organization is not new and is found in many countries, it has critics in Botswana who charge that there are very few domestic or transnational threats that the police and the military could not handle. Some have argued that the institution, headed by President Khama's close friend Issac Kgosi, could easily be manipulated and used against political enemies or others who criticize the President or his administration. There have been reports of extrajudicial killings in Botswana, linked by many to the DIS. One such high-profile killing was that of John Kalifatis, whose death resulted during the course of a robbery investigation, in which it was believed that Kalifatis was armed and dangerous.
Khama had some recognized successes during his interim term. He got international and regional kudos for his stance against the Zimbabwean government, particularly Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
. He did so by not recognizing the government unless and until it included members of the Movement for Democratic Change
Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is a political party and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.-Foundation:...
(MDC) headed by now-Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangarai. That showed Khama's democratic creditials, his willingness to be unpopular with some of his SADC
Southern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
colleagues when it came to a matter of principle, and his willingness be an active leader rather than be just a passive observer. Khama also condemned the action of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir
Omar al-Bashir
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the current President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister...
in the region of Dafur and has become a vocal critic of despotic governments in Africa along with President Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Kikwete
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is the 4th and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Kikwete was born in Msoga, Bagamoyo District, Tanganyika in present day Tanzania...
of Tanzania and the late former President Levy Mwanawasa
Levy Mwanawasa
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa was the third President of Zambia. He ruled the country from January 2002 until his death in August 2008. He is credited for having initiated a campaign to rid the country of corruption...
of Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
.
On the economic front, Khama has been a vocal proponent of in moving Botswana away from its over-reliance on diamonds and diversifying its economy, especially to the agriculture and tourism sector. Under his watch, the number of siteholders licensed to operate diamond polishing and cutting operations in Botswana has grown, creating employment opportunities in the downstream diamond markets. Botswana, under Khama, hopes to have not just cutting and polishing factories set up in Botswana, but jewellery manufacturing and vendors, as well as security firms, banking, finance, insurance and training facilities that will make Botswana a diamond hub. ABN/AMRO, the Dutch-based diamond trading bank just announced that it will be headquartering its African offices in Botswana.
Politically, Khama's interim term was dominated by internal squabbling in the BDP
Botswana Democratic Party
The Botswana Democratic Party is the governing conservative party in Botswana. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe.BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it...
. The BDP is now clearly divided into two major factions, the A-Team and the Barata Phati factions. The A-Team is led by President Khama, Jacob Nkate, the former Minister of Education, and Vice President Mompati Merafhe
Mompati Merafhe
Lt. Gen. Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe is a Botswana politician, currently serving as Vice-President. He is a retired Lieutenant-General and was Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.-Biography:...
. The Barata Phati faction is led by Daniel Kwelagobe
Daniel Kwelagobe
Daniel Keatametse Kwelagobe is the current Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party and previously served as Minister for Presidential Affairs on two occasions...
, the Chairman of the Party, Gomemelo Motswaledi, and Pontashego Kedikilwe, who wish to bring about constitutional reform not only to the BDP but also to the country's constitution. Things got so bad in the run up to the 2009 elections that Motswaledi, who gave up on his ambition to run for a seat in Serowe in order to make way for Ian Khama's brother, Tshekedi Khama II
Tshekedi Khama II
Tshekedi Khama II is a Botswana Member of Parliament from Serowe North-West. He is member of the Botswana Democratic Party or BDP. He is also the brother of the current President of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, and one of the three sons of the first President of Botswana, Seretse Khama and...
, was also excluded from representing Gaborone when he ran afoul of President Khama. After this incident, critics accused Khama of authoritarian tendencies, while others say that he was simply playing instilling discipline as part of his role as the head of the party.
Khama's first cabinet
Botswana's cabinet is headed by the President, who is also head of government (source).| Office | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| President | Ian Khama |
| Vice president Vice-President of Botswana The Vice-President of Botswana is the second-highest executive official in the Government of Botswana.-List of Vice-Presidents of Botswana:-See also:*Botswana**Heads of state of Botswana**Heads of government of Botswana... |
Mompati Merafhe Mompati Merafhe Lt. Gen. Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe is a Botswana politician, currently serving as Vice-President. He is a retired Lieutenant-General and was Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.-Biography:... |
| Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration | Lesego Motsumi Lesego Motsumi Lesego Motsumi is a politician from Botswana. Motsumi was the Minister of Health until November 2004, when she became the Minister of Works and Transport. In the 2008 cabinet reshuffle, held upon the appointment of new president Ian Khama, Motsumi reverted back to her old post as Minister of... |
| Minister of Local Government | Lebonaamang Mokalake |
| Minister of Trade and Industry | Dorcus Makgatho Malesu |
| Minister of Finance and Development Planning | Kenneth Matambo |
| Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture | Shaw Kgathi Shaw Kgathi Shaw Kgathi is a Botswana politician. In 2009 he was elected as the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture. He is a member of Parliament of Botswana and represents Bobirwa.... |
| Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources | Ponatshego Kedikilwe Ponatshego Kedikilwe Ponatshego Kedikilwe is a Botswana politician and member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. He has served as the Minister of Mineral Energy and Water Resources and MP for Mmadinare.-References:*... |
| Minister of Communications, Science and Technology | Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is a Motswana journalist and politician representing the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. She was appointed to the National Assembly of Botswana in 1999 as one of the four specially selected members and was re-elected in 2004 general elections.Venson-Moitoi was the Minister... |
| Minister of Defence, Justice and Security | Ramadeluka Ndelu Dikgakgamatso Seretse |
| Minister of Agriculture | Christian De Graaf |
| Minister of Works and Transport | Johnnie Swartz |
| Minister of Labour and Home Affairs | Peter Siele |
| Minister of Health | Dr.Reverend John Seakgosing |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation | Phandu Skelemani Phandu Skelemani Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani is a Botswana politician of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party , currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs... |
| Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism | Onkokame Mokaila |
| Minister of Education and Skills Development | Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is a Motswana journalist and politician representing the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. She was appointed to the National Assembly of Botswana in 1999 as one of the four specially selected members and was re-elected in 2004 general elections.Venson-Moitoi was the Minister... |
| Minister of Lands and Housing | Nonofo Molefhi |
2009 parliamentary/presidential election
A general election was held on October 16, 2009. Seretse Khama Ian Khama was sworn in as the fourth President of Botswana after his party, the BDP, garnered more than 45 seats in the 57 seat Parliament. There has been speculation as to whether Khama will drop his current Vice President, Mompati Merafhe, who has been roundly criticized by some political commentators for not giving practical political advice to the President during the imposition of the alcohol levy and the extrajudicial killings allegedly committed by Government agents. Some commentators speculated that President Khama might select his cousin Ndelu Seretse, the Minister of Defense and Security, for the Vice Presidency paving the way for the ascension of President Khama's brother, Tshekedi Khama IITshekedi Khama II
Tshekedi Khama II is a Botswana Member of Parliament from Serowe North-West. He is member of the Botswana Democratic Party or BDP. He is also the brother of the current President of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, and one of the three sons of the first President of Botswana, Seretse Khama and...
to claim the Presidency at a future date.
The 2009 election saw a major shift within the opposition parties, still were unable to break the grip of the BDP's hold on government, but saw the rise of the Botswana Congress Party
Botswana Congress Party
The Botswana Congress Party is a social-democratic political party in Botswana, considered the third largest party in Botswana.The BCP was founded in 1998 in a split from the Botswana National Front, with most of the BNF's sitting Members of Parliament joining the new party after a leadership...
as a new powerful force in opposition politics and a relative decline in the Botswana National Front
Botswana National Front
The Botswana National Front has been the main opposition party in Botswana since the 1969 elections.It achieved its greatest electoral success in the 1994 elections, when it won 37.1% of the vote and 13 of 40 parliamentary seats. A factional conflict in 1998 led to the departure of 11 of these...
(BNF). The BNF's decline was due to its own internal squabbling and the lack of effective leadership and a coherent message.The newly born Botswana Congress Party outclassed BNF to become the fastest growing opposition party in Botswana led by Mr Saleshando Snr now by Dumelang Saleshando, the son of Saleshando Snr. Things did not go well for the ruling party, as there was the birth of BMD from the ruling party, due to some issues circulating around the party.
First full term (20 October 2009)
President Ian Khama began his first full term with a reshuffled Cabinet which saw only two women in key positions. However even with few women in primary cabinet positions, the Botswana Democratic PartyBotswana Democratic Party
The Botswana Democratic Party is the governing conservative party in Botswana. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe.BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it...
was able to make a first for Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, by electing the first female speaker of Parliament in the form of Ms. Margaret Nasha
Margaret Nasha
Margaret Nnananyana Nasha is a politician from Botswana, the first female speaker of the Parliament of Botswana. She represents the Botswana Democratic Party....
.
Khama's second cabinet
Botswana's cabinet is headed by the President, who is also head of government.| Office | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| President | Ian Khama |
| Vice president Vice-President of Botswana The Vice-President of Botswana is the second-highest executive official in the Government of Botswana.-List of Vice-Presidents of Botswana:-See also:*Botswana**Heads of state of Botswana**Heads of government of Botswana... |
Mompati Merafhe Mompati Merafhe Lt. Gen. Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe is a Botswana politician, currently serving as Vice-President. He is a retired Lieutenant-General and was Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.-Biography:... |
| Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration | Lesego Motsumi Lesego Motsumi Lesego Motsumi is a politician from Botswana. Motsumi was the Minister of Health until November 2004, when she became the Minister of Works and Transport. In the 2008 cabinet reshuffle, held upon the appointment of new president Ian Khama, Motsumi reverted back to her old post as Minister of... |
| Minister of Local Government | Lebonamang Mokalake |
| Minister of Trade and Industry | Baledzi Gaolathe |
| Minister of Finance and Development Planning | Kenneth Matambo |
| Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture | Shaw Kgathi Shaw Kgathi Shaw Kgathi is a Botswana politician. In 2009 he was elected as the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture. He is a member of Parliament of Botswana and represents Bobirwa.... |
| Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources | Ponatshego Kedikilwe Ponatshego Kedikilwe Ponatshego Kedikilwe is a Botswana politician and member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. He has served as the Minister of Mineral Energy and Water Resources and MP for Mmadinare.-References:*... |
| Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology | Johnnie Swartz |
| Minister of Defence, Justice and Security | Dikgakgamatso Seretse |
| Minister of Agriculture | Christian De Graaf |
| Minister of Works and Transport | Frank Ramsden |
| Minister of Labour and Home Affairs | Peter Siele |
| Minister of Health | John Seakgosing |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation | Phandu Skelemani Phandu Skelemani Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani is a Botswana politician of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party , currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs... |
| Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism | Onkokame Mokaila |
| Minister of Education and Skills Development | Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is a Motswana journalist and politician representing the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. She was appointed to the National Assembly of Botswana in 1999 as one of the four specially selected members and was re-elected in 2004 general elections.Venson-Moitoi was the Minister... |
| Minister of Lands and Housing | Nonofo Molefhi |
Source: http://www.botswanaembassy.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,print,0&cntnt01articleid=17&cntnt01showtemplate=false&cntnt01returnid=77