Festus Mogae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Festus Mogae
|
|
|---|---|
Mogae in 2009
|
|
| 3rd President of Botswana | |
| In office 1 April 1998 – 1 April 2008 |
|
| Vice President | Seretse Ian Khama |
| Preceded by | Quett Masire |
| Succeeded by | Seretse Ian Khama |
| 4th Vice-President of Botswana | |
| In office 1991–1998 |
|
| President | Sir Ketumile Masire |
| Preceded by | Peter Mmusi |
| Succeeded by | Seretse Ian Khama |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 August 1939 Serowe, Bechuanaland |
| Nationality | Botswana |
| Political party | Botswana Democratic Party |
| Spouse |
Barbara Mogae
(m. 1967) |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford University of Sussex |
| Profession | Economist |
Festus Gontebanye Mogae, born on August 21, 1939, is a politician and economist from Botswana. He served as the third President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He took over from Quett Masire in 1998 and was re-elected in October 2004. After ten years as president, he stepped down in 2008. His successor was Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama.
Biography
Early Life and Career
Festus Mogae studied economics in the United Kingdom. He first attended University College, Oxford, and then the University of Sussex. After his studies, he returned to Botswana. There, he worked as a civil servant, which means he worked for the government.
He later held important positions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of Botswana. The IMF is an international organization that helps countries with their money matters. From 1980 to 1981, he was the governor of the Bank of Botswana. This role is like being the head of the country's main bank.
Mogae also served as the Minister of Finance for Botswana from 1989 to 1998. This job involved managing the country's money and economy. From 1991 to 1998, he was the Vice-President of Botswana.
Becoming President
Mogae's political party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), won the general election in October 1999. A general election is when people vote for their leaders. On October 20, 1999, Mogae was sworn in as president for a five-year term. The ceremony took place at the National Stadium in Gaborone, the capital city. Chief Justice Julian Nganunu led the swearing-in.
When he became president, Mogae promised to work hard. He said he would focus on reducing poverty and creating more jobs for people.
Leading Botswana
The BDP won again in the October 2004 general election. Mogae was sworn in for another term on November 2, 2004. He repeated his promise to fight poverty and unemployment. He also made a strong commitment to stop the spread of HIV-AIDS in Botswana by 2016.
On July 14, 2007, Mogae announced he would resign nine months later. He stepped down as president on April 1, 2008. His Vice-President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, became the new president. Mogae would have had to leave office in 2008 anyway. A change to the country's constitution in 1997 limited a president to serving a total of 10 years.
After the Presidency
After leaving office, Festus Mogae continued to work on important global issues. He became a Special Envoy for the United Nations Secretary-General on Climate Change. This means he helps the UN with issues related to climate change.
In 2010, he joined the advisory board of TeachAids. This is a US nonprofit organization that creates educational materials. He also serves as the chairman of the Choppies supermarket group.
In 2013, Mogae worked with former President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania. They co-chaired a meeting about sustainable development. This event was hosted by the UONGOZI Institute and Club de Madrid.
Personal Life
Festus Mogae married Barbara Mogae in 1967. They have three daughters together. Their daughters are named Nametso, Chedza, and Boikaego. They were born between 1969 and 1987.
Honours and Awards
Festus Mogae has received many awards for his leadership. These awards recognize his efforts in making Botswana a strong democracy.
- In 2008, French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave him the Grand Cross of the Légion d'honneur. This is a very high award from France. It was given for his "exemplary leadership" in making Botswana a "model" of democracy and good governance.
- Mogae won the 2008 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. This prize is given to African leaders who have done great things for their countries. He received a large amount of money with this award.
- Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan praised Mogae. He said Mogae's leadership helped Botswana stay stable and prosperous. This was especially important during the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
He has also received many other honours, including:
- Presidential Order of Honour of Botswana (1989)
- Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws – University of Botswana (September 1998)
- The Global Marketplace Award by the Corporate Council on Africa (May 1999)
- Distinguished Achievement Award for AIDS Leadership in Southern Africa (June 2000)
- AIDS Leadership Award by Harvard AIDS Institute (December 2001)
- Africa-America Institute National Leadership Award (September 2002)
- Honorary Fellow – University College Oxford (2003)
- The Knight Commander of the Most Courteous Order of the Kingdom of Lesotho (April 2004)
- The Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI) International Leadership Award (October 2004)
- The Golden Plate Award by the Academy of Achievement (June 2005)
- Doctorate of Humanity by the University of Limkokwing, Gaborone Botswana (January 2008)
- Taylor and Francis Award for significant contribution to women's development and welfare (July 2008)
- Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Southern California
- Croix - Highest award in Madagascar (June 2006)
Since 2010, he has been a Trustee of the Rhodes Trust. In 2016, he became a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
See also
In Spanish: Festus Mogae para niños
