Botswana will hold a national memorial service on Thursday for former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae ahead of his state funeral this weekend.
Mogae is currently lying in state at the National Assembly in Gaborone, where citizens have been gathering to pay their respects to the late statesman.
Mogae has been widely praised for promoting good governance and for his leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS during his time in office.
Mogae served as Botswana’s third President from 1998 to 2008 and was credited with overseeing a peaceful transfer of power to his former Deputy, Ian Khama, after completing the maximum two terms allowed under the constitution.
Paying tribute, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Mogae possessed exceptional leadership qualities that contributed not only to Botswana’s development, but also to the growth and stability of the Southern African Development Community.
Mogae will be laid to rest in Gaborone on Saturday during a state funeral ceremony.
–ChannelAfrica–
