Phandu Skelemani
Encyclopedia
Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani (born January 5, 1945) is a Botswana
politician of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party
(BDP), currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs
. He is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Botswana
and a member of the Pan-African Parliament
from Botswana; previously, he was Attorney-General of Botswana from 1992 to 2003.
Skelemani was born in Mapoka Village. He earned a degree in law from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland
and worked in the civil service for 30 years, beginning when he became a state counsel in 1973. Subsequently he became Senior State Counsel in 1975, Principal State Counsel in 1978, and Deputy Attorney-General in 1980. He was appointed as Attorney-General in 1992; in that capacity, he advised the Cabinet and attended Cabinet meetings.
When Joy Phumaphi resigned from Parliament in August 2003 to become Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization
, Skelemani in turn resigned from his post as Attorney-General and stood as the BDP candidate in the by-election held in Phumaphi's former constituency, Francistown East. In campaigning for the seat, Skelemani pointed to his background in the area, saying that this would enable him to represent it well in Parliament. Skelemani won the by-election and took his parliamentary seat in November 2003. A year later, on November 9, 2004, he was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.
Skelemani was moved to the position of Minister for the Administration of Justice, Attorney General's Chambers, Botswana Defence Force
, Police, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, and Security in January 2007. When Ian Khama
took office as President on April 1, 2008, he appointed Skelemani as Minister of Foreign Affairs instead.
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 of the ruling 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), currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
. He is a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of Botswana
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 a member of the Pan-African Parliament
Pan-African Parliament
The Pan-African Parliament , also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union and held its inaugural session in March 2004. The PAP exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, lasting for the first five years...
from Botswana; previously, he was Attorney-General of Botswana from 1992 to 2003.
Skelemani was born in Mapoka Village. He earned a degree in law from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland
University of Botswana
The University of Botswana, or UB was established in 1982 as the first institution of higher education in Botswana. The university has four campuses: two in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. The university is divided into six faculties: Business, Education,...
and worked in the civil service for 30 years, beginning when he became a state counsel in 1973. Subsequently he became Senior State Counsel in 1975, Principal State Counsel in 1978, and Deputy Attorney-General in 1980. He was appointed as Attorney-General in 1992; in that capacity, he advised the Cabinet and attended Cabinet meetings.
When Joy Phumaphi resigned from Parliament in August 2003 to become Assistant Director-General of the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, Skelemani in turn resigned from his post as Attorney-General and stood as the BDP candidate in the by-election held in Phumaphi's former constituency, Francistown East. In campaigning for the seat, Skelemani pointed to his background in the area, saying that this would enable him to represent it well in Parliament. Skelemani won the by-election and took his parliamentary seat in November 2003. A year later, on November 9, 2004, he was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.
Skelemani was moved to the position of Minister for the Administration of Justice, Attorney General's Chambers, 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...
, Police, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, and Security in January 2007. When Ian Khama
Ian Khama
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe...
took office as President on April 1, 2008, he appointed Skelemani as Minister of Foreign Affairs instead.