Mbeki thanks Masire for support during apartheid
Staff Writer | Friday June 30, 2017 18:35
Mbeki was amongst thousands of mourners who braved the cold Thursday weather to bid farewell to departed statesman Sir Ketumile Masire who died last week at the age of 91.
Mbeki told mourners that Masire was never intimidated by the South African apartheid government and contributed immensely to the success of the liberation struggle against apartheid.
Mbeki said there were other South Africans who had to come back to Botswana to maintain an organised presence, which served as an indispensible link in the communication chain, which made it possible to work with various struggles in this region.
“For many years Botswana served as a bridge, many liberation struggles in our region used to access the rest of independent Africa. And among those who passed through this country helped by the sister people of this country were Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela, President Mugabe here, Samora Machel, and Sam Nujoma, including many liberation fighters, especially from South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.”
He added that it was inevitable that the apartheid regime would do everything possible to make Botswana pay a price for its role and many Batswana were killed by the regime.
In 1985 and 1986 there were raids and bomb attacks in Gaborone and Mogoditshane respectively, but Mbeki said these attacks did not deter Batswana who continued to support their South African counterparts in the struggle against the apartheid regime. South Africa finally got her liberation in 1994.
“I am certain that I speak for all of the people of the Southern Africa region, when I pay a heartfelt tribute to Sir Ketumile for the central role he and his colleagues played in assuring that this country and its people remain steadfast in their support for the total liberation of Southern Africa.”
Other former heads of state in attendance were Manoel Guebuza of Mozambique, Hefekepunye Pohamba of Namibia, and Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania. Also present amongst the mourners was King Letsie of Lesotho, former secretary general of Organisation of African Unity, Salim Ahmed Salim and Deputy President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mbeki stated that had Masire succumbed to the intimidation of the apartheid regime, the liberation struggle would not have succeeded. He said Masire and his predecessor Sir Seretse Khama stood their ground and made necessary sacrifices to help bring down the tyrannical minority apartheid regime next door.
“Personally I was very honoured to experience this magnificent, skilled and courageous leadership at close quarters, given that from 1973 onwards I was privileged to work closely with the government and the people of Botswana – President Sir Ketumile Masire, President Ian Khama who was leading the Botswana Defence Force. These were the people who supported us during those years,” Mbeki said.
He said he was moved by the personal friendship that was born from that working relationship and that Masire was a principal architect of modern-day Botswana transforming it from one of the poorest to a middle income state.
Mbeki described him as an outstanding African who lived a life that brought good for millions of people who live in and outside Botswana.
“He was a great son of Botswana and Africa.”
The former President attributed the birth of Southern African Drevelopment Community, and the success of frontline states to Sir Masire who also contributed in the Democratic Republic of Congo peace deal, the resolution of the aftermath of Rwanda genocide and other regions in the continent.