Ramsay tipped as envoy to US
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday January 7, 2015 14:54
The post fell vacant after the tenure of former cabinet minister, Tebelelo Seretse was cut short in November amidst reports that she would resume her political career ahead of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) elections in July this year.
Yesterday, various diplomatic sources said Ramsay was set to represent Botswana in Washington, having emerged tops from a two-horse race.
President Ian Khama constitutionally holds the exclusive right to appoint the country’s ambassadors. “Two names had been mentioned in relation to Seretse’s successor, being Ramsay and a prominent High Court judge,” one source said.
“However, Ramsay has emerged the favourite and an official announcement on his appointment is expected soon.”
Ramsay’s appointment could raise eyebrows in Washington as he was reportedly the author of the hard-hitting response Botswana made to the US at the height of the Sunday Standard matter last September.
In the response, quoted by regional and international media, Ramsay suggested the US government “might wish to put its own house in order before rushing to hastily comment on the judicial affairs of others”.
The US had raised concern about freedom of the press, following the arrest and detention of Sunday Standard editor, Outsa Mokone on sedition charges and the flight of the paper’s reporter, Edgar Tsimane.
A diplomatic posting for Ramsay will see him return to the country of his birth, the United States, which he left in July 1990 as a lecturer and administrative assistant at Boston University.
Ramsay’s rise to the OP saw him work for a year at the Tonota College of Education and another 10 years at Legae Academy, before his appointment as Press Secretary to the President in May 2003. He has largely been the government’s chief communicator since then, being viewed publicly as close to both former president, Festus Mogae and Khama.
In the years between his permanent move to Botswana and his ascension to the OP, Ramsay established himself as a published authority on Botswana history. Yesterday, he expressed ignorance on his reported appointment. “I do not think it is true and I have not heard anything about the issue,” Ramsay said.
Meanwhile, Information Services director, Russ Molosiwa is tipped to take over from Ramsay as government spokesperson.
Molosiwa’s deputy, Marea Leshongwana is reported to have been acting as director since December, when he departed to the Botswana Government Communications and Information System (BGCIS).
Leshongwana is tipped to take over from Molosiwa. Molosiwa was unavailable for comment yesterday, while Leshongwana referred all enquiries to Ramsay. Ramsay said he was unaware of Molosiwa and Leshongwana’s upward movements.