One of the last surviving greats of the Republic's founding generation, for over a century Dr Chiepe distinguished herself as an educator, administrator, diplomat, and politician. An accomplished woman of many firsts, she was the first Motswana woman to earn a college degree and, subsequently, a postgraduate degree. She was Botswana’s first Director of Education, one of the first two female MPs (along with Kebatshabile Lorato Disele), and Cabinet Minister. In 1970, she was the only woman from either Africa or the Commonwealth to be the head of a diplomatic mission in London. Born in Serowe on October 20, 1922, from an early age Chiepe distinguished herself as a student. In 1939, she attended Tiger Kloof on a government bursary and became the school’s best student and head prefect. In 1944, she attended Fort Hare College, where, in 1947, she was awarded a Bachelor's degree of Science in Zoology and Botany and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
In 1958, she graduated from the University of Bristol in the UK with a master's degree. Her thesis was entitled 'An Investigation of the Problems of Popular Education in the Bechuanaland Protectorate in Light of a Comparative Study of Similar Problems in the Early Stages of English Education and in the Development of Education in Yugoslavia and Uganda'. From 1948 to 1970, she played an important role in educational administration. She was one of the first two indigenous Africans to be appointed to a senior administrative position in the colonial government. She served as Assistant Education Officer from 1948 to 1953, Education Officer (with administration and inspectorate duties) from 1953 to 1962, Senior Education Officer from 1962 to 1965, Deputy Director of Education from 1965 to 1967, and Director of Education from 1968 to 1970. In the latter position, she was a key player in establishing Botswana's public education system which barely existed before the 1960s. From 1970 to 1974 she served as Botswana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Nigeria and ambassador to West Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the European Economic Community (ECC, later EU). In 1974, she became a Specially Elected MP as a member of the Botswana Democratic Party. Beginning with her October 1977 victory in a by-election, she represented the Serowe South constituency for 22 years.
From 1974 to 1977, Chiepe was the Minister of Trade and Industry. Thereafter, from 1977 to 1984, she was the Minister of Mines and Natural Resources during a period when Botswana consolidated its position as a leading player in the global mining of diamonds. From 1984 to 1994, she was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during which time she actively participated in negotiations with EEC (EU) for Lome I, Lome II, and Lome IV trade accords and served as the chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity Council of Ministers. Many will remember her clarion call before the United Nations in 1985 for the world to take collective action against the increasingly desperate and deadly Apartheid Regime in the aftermath of the June 14, 1985 'Gaborone Raid'. Her term as Foreign minister coincided with delicate regional negotiations that facilitated Namibia’s independence and South Africa’s transition from apartheid. As Minister of Education from 1994 to 1999, Chiepe oversaw the rapid expansion of secondary education and the development of local syllabi. Chiepe retired from government in 1999 after over a half-century of public service.
Her other contributions include serving as the national deputy commander of Girl Guides in 1953, 1957, and 1963, chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in 1981, and chairman of the Africa Region of the CPA from 1981 to 1983. She has also served as Honorary President of the Kalahari Conservation Society and patron of the Forestry Association of Botswana. Chiepe had been awarded both the Presidential Order of Honour and the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service and has been made a Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by King Carl XVI of Sweden, a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and Grand Cordon, Order of the Rising Sun, by Emperor Akihito of Japan, Chief Councillor of the Royal Order of King Sobhuza II of Eswatini. She received honorary doctorates from the University of Bristol in Britain and De Paul University in the USA. May her soul rest in peace.
