Mokgweetsi Masisi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mokgweetsi Masisi
Masisi in 2023
5th President of Botswana
In office 1 April 2018 – 1 November 2024
Vice President	Slumber Tsogwane
Preceded by	Ian Khama
Succeeded by	Duma Boko
8th Vice President of Botswana
In office 12 November 2014 – 1 April 2018
President	Ian Khama
Preceded by	Ponatshego Kedikilwe
Succeeded by	Slumber Tsogwane
President of the Botswana Democratic Party
In office 1 April 2018 – 10 May 2025
Preceded by	Ian Khama
Succeeded by	Mpho Balopi
Chairman of the Botswana Democratic Party
In office 1 April 2017 – 4 April 2018
Preceded by	Ian Khama
Succeeded by	Slumber Tsogwane
Member of Parliament for Moshupa-Manyana
In office 2009 – 1 April 2018
Preceded by	Maitlhoko Mooka
Succeeded by	Karabo Gare
Personal details
Born	Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (1961-07-21) 21 July 1961 (age 64) Moshupa, Bechuanaland (now Botswana)
Political party	Botswana Democratic Party
Spouse	Neo Maswabi ​ (m. 2002)​
Children	1
Alma mater	University of Botswana Florida State University
Occupation	Politician teacher author
Profession	Teacher
Nickname	Sisiboy

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi (born July 21, 1961) is a politician from Botswana who was the country's fifth president from 2018 to 2024. Before becoming president, he was the eighth vice president from 2014 to 2018. He also served as a Member of Parliament for the Moshupa-Manyana area from 2009 to 2018.

Masisi was chosen by the former president, Ian Khama, to be his vice president. At first, they had a good relationship. Later, they disagreed on important issues, like a ban on elephant hunting.

During the 2019 election, Masisi won, but the opposition parties claimed there were problems with the vote. However, observers from the African Union watched the election and reported that it was fair and met international standards. His government also managed the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Life and Schooling

Mokgweetsi Masisi was born in Moshupa, Botswana. His father, Edison Masisi, was a well-known politician who served as a Member of Parliament for many years. Masisi grew up in the city of Gaborone and went to Thornhill Primary School and Maru-a-Pula School.

As a student, Masisi enjoyed playing soccer and tennis, but he discovered his real passion was acting. In 1984, he received praise for his lead role in a play. He also acted in several South African movies.

After graduating from the University of Botswana in 1984 with a degree in English and History, Masisi became a social studies teacher. He later worked at the University of Botswana as a curriculum specialist, helping to plan what students learn. In 1989, he traveled to the United States to study at Florida State University, where he earned a master's degree.

Political Career

Masisi first tried to run for parliament in 2004 but was not chosen by his party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). He tried again in 2009 and won the election for the Moshupa constituency.

After being elected, he was given a government job as an assistant minister. In 2011, he was promoted to Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration. In 2014, he was re-elected to Parliament and became the Minister of Education and Skills Development.

Later that year, on November 12, 2014, President Ian Khama appointed Masisi as the Vice President of Botswana. In 2017, Masisi was also appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Botswana, a leadership role he held for five years.

Presidency (2018–2024)

Mokgweetsi Masisi became the fifth president of Botswana on April 1, 2018. Soon after, the former president, Ian Khama, left the ruling BDP party and started a new one. Khama began to criticize Masisi, especially after Masisi lifted the ban on elephant hunting. Khama said that choosing Masisi as his successor was a "mistake."

2019 Election Victory

In the October 2019 general election, Masisi led the BDP to victory, and he was re-elected as president. The election was challenging because of the split with Khama, but Masisi's party won a majority of seats in the National Assembly.

The main opposition group, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, went to court, claiming the election was not fair. However, the High Court dismissed their claims. International observers, including a team from the African Union, confirmed that the election was peaceful and well-organized.

During his campaign, Masisi promised to lift the ban on elephant hunting.

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began. President Masisi declared a state of emergency, which gave the government special powers to handle the health crisis. These powers allowed him to make rules by decree for 18 months, until September 2021. Some opposition parties protested this.

In early 2022, President Masisi tested positive for COVID-19 and had to self-isolate. The vice president, Slumber Tsogwane, took over his duties until he recovered.

2024 Elections

In the 2024 general elections, Masisi's party, the Botswana Democratic Party, lost its majority in the National Assembly for the first time since the country's independence. Masisi accepted the defeat on November 1 and promised a smooth transfer of power to the new president, Duma Boko.

Political Views

Some critics, including former President Ian Khama, have said that Masisi's leadership style weakened democracy in Botswana. In an interview, Khama claimed that Masisi did not allow people to express different opinions.

Masisi supports allowing elephant hunting in Botswana. He believes that selling ivory legally could provide money for wildlife conservation. In 2019, he gave stools made from elephant feet as gifts to the leaders of Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This action was criticized by some international media. He reversed the hunting ban that was put in place by the previous president.

Personal Life

In 2002, Masisi married Neo Maswabi, an accountant. They have one daughter.

Masisi is often called "Sisiboy" by people in Botswana, which is a playful nickname based on his last name.

See also

In Spanish: Mokgweetsi Masisi para niños