Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe has described Botswana’s late former President Festus Mogae as an institution in African leadership, praising his integrity and disciplined approach to governance.

Speaking during Mogae’s state funeral service in Gaborone, Gaolathe said the best way to honour the former leader would be to uphold the values he lived by throughout his life and public service.

He said Mogae guided Botswana through difficult economic and political periods while ensuring the country remained stable and forward-looking.

“The pressures were immense and the temptations were real. Across the continent, economies struggled under debt and weak institutions, but Botswana stood firm. Its currency remained credible, institutions stayed strong and diamond revenues were reinvested into the future of the republic,” Gaolathe said.

Mogae served as Botswana’s president from 1998 to 2008 before going on to represent Africa on the global stage as a United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Change.

He also held positions at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Southern African Development Community.

Gaolathe said Mogae’s leadership during challenging times helped strengthen Botswana’s reputation for good governance, economic discipline and political stability.

–ChannelAfrica–