Baledzi Gaolathe Dies In South Africa

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Monday May 31, 2010 00:00

 

The Nkange born 68 year-old who was Member of Parliament for Tonota North passed away at a Johannesburg hospital, South Africa after a long illness. A great and humble man who came to be known as 'MR Briefcase' he served as the Minister of Finance and Development Planning from 2004 - 2009 when he was given leave on account of illness.

Gaolathe had served for a long time as a civil servant and rose through the ranks to assistant secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Water Affairs from 1968 to 1970.

He was appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Water Affairs where he served from 1973 to 1976 and PS for the Ministry of Finance Development Planning from 1976 to 1992. During that period he served as Alternate Governor for the World Bank Board of Governors, African Development Bank Board of Governors, Member of Bank of Botswana Board from 1977 to 1992 and member of the University of Botswana Council from 1980 to 1999.

Gaolathe was the Governor of the Bank of Botswana from 1997 to 1999 where in the same period he became member of the International Monetary Fund Board of Governors before leaving to join politics under the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). During his time as an economist he held the position of chairmanship for Botswana Power Corporation, Water Utilities Corporation, Botswana Development Corporation, Barclays Bank of Botswana, West End Property Co (PTY) LTD, Botswanaalano Properties (Pty) Ltd, DABO Properties (Pty) Ltd and Sefalana Holding Ltd.

He also held positions of directorship for the following companies, Botswana Development Corp Ltd, Debswana Diamond Co (Pty) Ltd, BCL Ltd, BRST Ltd, Botswana Diamond Valuing Co (Pty) Ltd, Botswana Book Centre Board of Trustees, Diamond Trading Co, Diamond Trading Company, 1989 - 1992 De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd, 1989 to 1992 De Beers Centenary AG, 1990 - 1992 Managing Director of Debswana Diamond Co (Pty) Ltd, 1992 - 1997 he was director of Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund and in 1995-1999 he was member of World Bank Board of Governors. 'It was very sad for us to receive this unfortunate news soon after the party had sent Satar Dada and Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi to check on him last Thursday in South Africa,' commented Segaetsho Garekwe, BDP spokesperson.