Matlhabaphiri dies at 68

Correspondent | Thursday June 28, 2018 18:55

 

Born in Molepolole on 6 November 1949, Mr Matlhabaphiri, who was the Member of Parliament for Molepolole North before the last general elections, started his career as a bank clerk in 1971 and later became a teacher at Capital Continuation Classes in Gaborone.

He then proceeded to work as a diamond sorter at the then Botswana Diamond Valuing Company (BDVC) from 1976-1979. At the time he was appointed the general secretary of Botswana Diamond Sorter/Valuers Union.

In 1979, Mr Matlhabaphiri, who was popularly known by his acronym GUS, was elected to Parliament for the first time and subsequently became the Assistant Minister of Agriculture. He also served as the governor of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) until 1985. 

The late Mr. Matlhabaphiri also served as a High Commissioner and Ambassador based in London and Stockholm between 1985 and 1996. 

He was again elected MP in 1989 and served in various parliamentary committees from the public accounts committee, law reform committee, parliamentary labour relations to the International Parliamentary Union (Botswana branch).

He also thereafter served as High Commissioner of Botswana to Namibia, Ghana and Angola respectively. Mr Matlhabaphiri served as assistant minister of labour and home affairs, health and presidential affairs and public administration between 2008 and 2014.

He has served in several boards, clubs and church organisations. In 2015 he was awarded the Presidential Order of Honour. May His Soul Rest in Peace.