Francistowners mourn Masire
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday June 27, 2017 17:13
Masire passed on last week Thursday night after being hospitalised at Bokamoso Private Hospital. The departed former head of state met his end, a month shy of his 92nd birthday.
Mmegi interviewed some residents of Francistown in remembrance of the former president.
Rachel Daniel, 59-years-old street vendor, said that she remembers Masire as an outstanding and visionary leader. She said that Masire believed in freedom of expression and interacted with everyone easily.
Daniel indicated that Masire also played a vital role in the development of the country’s economy. “As a country we have lost a legend. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.
Another resident Ronnie Chiabe (62) said that Masire demonstrated the quality of a good leader.
“Quett was a man of honour and loyal to the nation from the time he was the vice president to the late founding father of the nation Sir Seretse Khama and they even worked together to bring developments to the country,” he said.
He further said that Masire was not greedy but rather emphasised on freedom of opinions, which catered for everyone’s points of view to be heard in public.
He indicated that Masire was multi-talented and used his sense of humour to make his leadership more interesting and reduce tensions during meetings.
“He is one of the leaders, and if it was possible to communicate with God to bring him back to life, I would pray and beg for his resurrection. For his guidance in our nation is much needed.”
Chiabe offered his deep condolences to Masire’s family and wished his soul to rest in peace. Selomeng Mophosho (67) and Christinah Mompati (62) shared the same sentiments and sent their heartfelt condolences to Masire’s family. Mophosho and Mompati said that Masire was a man of integrity who maintained peace and democracy in the country.
They indicated that Masire was a highly principled leader who accepted when there were challenges and was committed to make things better. They said that Masire treated everyone fairly. Mophosho and Mompati wished for the Lord to have been merciful and to have increased the days of Masire to live longer.
They believed that due to the recent circumstances faced by the country, they still longed for Masire’s assistance on current leaders on issues of good governance. Sir Ketumile became president following the death of Botswana’s first post-independence leader Sir Seretse Khama in 1980.