27th June 2017: The SADC Acting Executive Secretary, Ms Emilie Mushobekwa today joined other heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations accredited to the Republic of Botswana at Parliament of Botswana to pay their last respect to late former president of the Republic of Botswana, Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire.
Ms Mushobekwa went to the Parliament building where the body of the late former President is lying-in-state. Sir Ketumile Masire, who died on 23rd June, 2017 will be buried in his home town of Kanye on Thursday, 29th June, 2017.
Meanwhile the SADC Secretariat has sent a message of condolence to His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the Sir Ketumile Foundation and family and all the people of the Republic of Botswana on the passing on of the second president, Sir Quett Ketumile Masire.
In a statement, the SADC Secretariat said the late Sir Ketumile Masire will always be remembered as a visionary leader who worked to promote the social and economic well-being of the people of Botswana and more importantly, as a former chairperson of SADC and former Vice Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
“Africa has lost one of its greatest sons,” reads the statement.
