To be slim, famous and black
Bongi D D M Radipati | Thursday July 31, 2025 11:00
Actually, he could even be self-effacing about his self-deprecation! His favourite way of describing himself as a farmer on loan to politics was apt.
He always thought of himself as nothing special, just an ordinary man who happened to ascend to high societal positions through an accident of circumstances, maybe even as a burden as much as a gift to him. There has to be more to him than this. It seems that many who knew or worked with him thought that there was. Otherwise, how could he have been a running mate of a charismatic chief, and later his Vice President? How could he have simultaneously been the highest and longest serving treasury head at two significant time periods for Botswana? At one period, with Botswana being one of the world’s poorest nations, and at another, with Botswana as the country with the world's highest GDP growth rate?
As you may know, Sir Ketumile (meaning, presciently, 'I am famous' in English) Quett Joni Masire was born on July 23, 1925, in Kanye. His life as an educated native, rare then, was as enviable as that of a teacher and a news reporter, uncommon then, which he later became. But with the accumulated force of an enquiring mind obviously aided by ambidextrous hands, natural brilliance and application, he made them worthy stepping stones to a higher status outside his home village.
Two factors may explain his leadership style and proclivity for consensus building in politics: having been born a commoner and having been raised in a village. In that sense, his past private life may have served as a template for his later public life from which it emerged. A statesman’s character and a long life allowed him to work in an abundance of life experiences. He did this by forging lasting relationships and adopting a pragmatic stance against both the drumbeat of a bipolar political world, and the anxiety imposed by a racist neighbouring country.
As with the services of a cardiologist which are delicate and unseen, the work of a long-term deputy like him, is easily unacknowledged although it too makes a lot of difference. Here was Sir Ketumile’s difference. He became the first in many things by being the second in a long time.
And by being the second citizen for a long time – 14 years – he must have been prepared for being the first citizen for a much longer time – 18 years – surpassing everybody before and after him. Between 1965 and 1998, essentially in the first 35 years of its independence, the economy of Botswana grew at an astonishing rate of 7.7 percent per annum, something that is implausible today.
During that time, he was, successively the country’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, and President. Doubtless, he did not alone propel Botswana to an unprecedented level of economic development in the first decades of the country’s independence. But he was in the centre of every effort that gave rise to that epoch. It is no coincidence that he was knighted in 1991 for exceptional achievement, for protecting the legacy of his predecessor and for continuing to promote good governance, human rights, and the rule of law in Africa. An African statesman who was knighted after Sir Ketumile is so rare that no one can point to him.
He built a long, sedate marriage, and a large family life with Lady Olebile Gladys Masire. This is symbolised in the couple’s photo taken by no less an authority as 'The New York Times'. The photo was taken at a 'kgotla' somewhere in Botswana in 1980, after he had ascended to the presidency. Those of us who came of age in the first decade of his administration recall that it was then that we enrolled at tertiary institutions, in Botswana and abroad, in unprecedented numbers, and on his government's funded or supported scholarships. This was indicative of a mindset of one who was always willing to hold the ladder for those coming up after him.
Nonetheless, it must have been his hard work, spontaneous wit, and an easy way with language that made him a compelling commoner when tribal status still mattered. Sir Ketumile’s work ethic serves as a primer on duty to one’s own country. It is also an example of the dignity of selflessness. Consider that he himself was widely regarded as a competent politician and leader.
Yet he was sincere in his acknowledgement of the priority of the first citizen then and served him with devotion and loyalty without being impatient about when his turn would come. Of course, he was not a saint. But for all his faults, he made common-ness special which is why his ordinariness begot some tremendous good in this country and abroad. Significantly, unlike many of his contemporaries, he ended his tenure without a constitutional term limit and became the first President of the country to retire from office. To date, he remains the only politician in Botswana to have written his autobiography and to have done so whilst in office. The book makes it clear that even in print he was meticulous, possessed an absurdist humour, and was utterly himself.
Sir Ketumile's life and service, are in their own ways, a denouement of the era of an irrepressible black man, a cautious and conservative man, of and for his times. He was a man who began his political career at the start of something big, being Botswana's independence, then moved completely linearly through that period for the next three decades, and finished it when what he had started with a few others took on a new complexion.
He died in 2017 at 91 years. This was a month before he turned 92 and three years after the death of his wife. Then it was and still remains a rarity in this country for a husband to survive his wife. His longevity perhaps came partly from the fact that he was a vegetarian; perhaps partly because he was slim; and perhaps partly because he had a health bias. These are lifestyle choices that continue to be uncommon in Botswana just as they are elsewhere.
But to continue to recall Sir Ketumile and to honour and commemorate him as he deserves, is to remember that eras do not end when their great leaders die. Eras are merely validated by lesser mortals like us, who remain behind.
In any case, as the celebrated American writer and Nobel laureate, William Faulkner reminded us: “The past is never dead. It is not even past.”
And so we shall continue to have him in our recollection. Happy 100th would-be birthday to Sir Ketumile Quett Joni Masire.
*Radipati is a regular Mmegi contributor. Former President, Sir Ketumile Masire’s 100th birthday anniversary was on Wednesday, July 23, 2025