Sir Ketumile Masire – The early years

Talented individuals can spring up from any part of a nation's soil. Sir Ketumile Masire was born into a comfortable but modest family in Kanye. That village was, and still is, the capital of the Bangwaketse people, located in what was then known as the Bechuanaland Protectorate. There was nothing about Masire's heritage that gave him any real advantage.

The first-born of Joni (or Johnny) Masire and his wife Gabaipone (née Kgopo), Ketumile was born in Kanye on the 23rd day of July, 1925. Gabaipone had retained a traditionally calm demeanour while awaiting the birth of her first child. Her husband, though, was extremely excited. She named her son Ketumile1, after one of her uncles. Her son was also given the European name of Quett. The young boy would operate with two different names for the rest of his life. When, as was fairly common, he was given the names of his father and grandfather, he became Q.K.J. Masire.