Mompati merafhe biography of albert

Mompati Merafhe

6th vice-president of Botswana from to

Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe (6 June – 7 January ) was a Botswana politician who was Vice-President of Botswana from to ^{[citation needed]} He was a retired Lieutenant-General and served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from ^[1] to

Biography

Merafhe was born on 6 June in Serowe in ^[2]^[3] After receiving his secondary education at Moeng College, Merafhe joined the then Bechuanaland Protectorate Police Force in and gradually rose through the ranks.^[3] In he became the commander of the Police Mobile Unit, becoming the first citizen to occupy such a position.^[3] When Botswana formed the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) in , Merafhe was selected by President Sir Seretse Khama as its first commander at the rank of Major-General.

Biography of albert einstein Share Tweet Share Email sms. A key member of the Botswana Democratic Party BDP , he showcased his leadership skills and strategic thinking during a time when Botswana was navigating the complexities of post-colonial governance. Gallery [ edit ]. Log in here.

He was elevated to Lieutenant-General in ^[3]

Merafhe was a widely-respected commander of the BDF, working closely with his second-in-command Ian Khama to develop its ability to police the borders, deter poaching of the country's wildlife resources, and to establish an air arm.^{[citation needed]} Due to his success in building up the nascent BDF into an effective and well-respected force, President Quett Masire decided to entice him into politics in Masire viewed Merafhe as a potential successor, but the former general's continued involvement in factional party infighting meant that he was bypassed for the vice presidency in ^[3]

Between and , Merafhe served as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Human Rights Network and the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).^[3]

He was first elected to the Central Committee of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in and remained on the body until ill-health forced his retirement in ^[2] After being specially elected in , Merafhe became the Member of Parliament for Mahalapye West in the election.

He was elected for a third time in the October general election, receiving 5, votes against 1, for Abigail Mogalakwe of the Botswana National Front (BNF) and for Thomas Ookeditse of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).^[4] Besides serving as Foreign Minister, he also served a period as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.^[2]

When Ian Khama took office as President on 1 April , he appointed Merafhe as Vice-President.

Merafhe was approved as Vice-President by Parliament on the same day, receiving 48 out of 56 votes, with no votes against, two spoiled votes, and six abstentions; he was immediately sworn in.^[2] The same day, Khama explained to the BDP caucus that he did not intend for Merafhe to ultimately succeed him as President; he envisioned eventually replacing Merafhe with another Vice-President who would in turn succeed Khama in ^[5] Merafhe was not given a ministerial portfolio as Vice-President, although it was suggested that he might be tasked with project implementation across ministries.^[6]

Merafhe was married and had five children.^[2]

Following the second round of the Zimbabwean presidential election in June , Merafhe said that the election was flawed and that Zimbabwe should be barred from participation in regional talks.^[7] On 22 July , he was appointed to the BDP Central Committee by President Khama; he was one of five individuals appointed to that body by Khama.^[8]

Merafhe retired on 31 July and Ponatshego Kedikilwe was sworn in to succeed him as Vice-President on 1 August.^[9] He died on the morning of 7 January at the age of 78 after years of health complications.^[10]

Gallery

Awards and honours

Botswana highest honour dubbed Naledi ya Botswana in ^[11]

References