Speaking to The Monitor team yesterday, the family spokesperson and niece, Kelebogile Letsoge, said Dr Chiepe passed on Sunday at around 8am. She was 102. “She was the last surviving sibling in the family tree, well, up until yesterday (Sunday). She died peacefully in her home,” Letsoge said. According to the family, there will be daily prayers starting today at the home in Gaborone and a memorial service will be hosted on Friday at her church, UCCSA Trinity. She will then be laid to rest on Saturday at the Phomolong Cemetery in Phakalane, Gaborone. Dr Chiepe, who was born on October 20, 1922, 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 Members of Parliament (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, UK. In 1939, she attended Tiger Kloof on a government bursary. In 1944, she attended Fort Hare College, where, in 1947, she was awarded a Bachelor 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.
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. Dr Chiepe was appointed 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) from 1970 to 1974. In 1974, she became a Specially Elected MP as a member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).
Beginning with her October 1977 victory in a by-election, she represented the Serowe South constituency for 22 years. From 1974 to 1977, Dr Chiepe was the Minister of Trade and Industry. From 1977 to 1984, she was Minister of Mines and Natural Resources. From 1984 to 1994 she served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 1994 to 1999, she served as Minister of Education. Chiepe retired from government in 1999 after over a half-century of public service.
As tributes continue to pour in, her political party also shared, “A staunch member of the mighty BDP, Dr Chiepe dedicated her life to serving Botswana. She was a symbol of hope, wisdom, and resilience who dedicated her life to shaping Botswana into the proud nation we are today. Her legacy as an educator, diplomat, and political leader will forever remain etched in our history. She inspired generations with her courage and unwavering commitment to serving her country.” (Additional information source: Dr Jeff Ramsey)
