Tsogwane could become oldest president

The VP, who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1999, will be 68 years old if he takes the baton from Masisi in 2028 as has been the norm when a sitting president’s two terms end.

History shows that Botswana presidents have been ascending to power between the ages of 45 and 59. Founding president of Botswana, the late Sir Seretse Khama, became the first president in 1966 when he was 55 years; the late Sir Ketumile Masire took over the presidency in 1980 when he was 54 years; Festus Mogae was 59 and in 1998, Ian Khama was 45 when he took office in 2008 while Masisi was 57 in 2018. It will be the first-time in the history of the country to have a president who is in his late 60s should it happen.