Mompati Merafhe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lieutenant General Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe
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Mompati Merafhe at Gaborone in 2007
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| 6th Vice President of Botswana | |
| In office 1 April 2008 – 31 July 2012 |
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| President | Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama |
| Preceded by | Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama |
| Succeeded by | Ponatshego Kedikilwe |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana | |
| In office 1994 – 1 April 2008 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 June 1936 Serowe, Bechuanaland Protectorate, now Botswana |
| Died | 7 January 2015 (aged 78) Gaborone, Botswana |
| Political party | BDP |
Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe (born June 6, 1936 – died January 7, 2015) was an important politician from Botswana. He served as the Vice-President of Botswana from 2008 to 2012. Before that, he was a retired Lieutenant-General in the army. He also worked as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for many years, from 1994 to 2008.
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Early Life and Military Career
Mompati Merafhe was born on June 6, 1936, in a place called Serowe. After finishing his high school education at Moeng College, he joined the police force in 1960. At that time, Botswana was known as the Bechuanaland Protectorate.
He worked hard and moved up in the police ranks. In 1971, he became the leader of the Police Mobile Unit. He was the first citizen of Botswana to hold this important position.
When Botswana created its own army, the Botswana Defense Force (BDF), in 1977, President Sir Seretse Khama chose Merafhe to be its first commander. He was given the rank of Major-General. Later, in 1986, he was promoted to Lieutenant-General.
Merafhe was a highly respected leader of the BDF. He worked closely with Ian Khama, who was his second-in-command. Together, they helped the BDF become strong. They focused on protecting Botswana's borders and stopping the illegal hunting of wildlife. They also helped create an air force for the country.
Moving into Politics
Because he was so good at building up the BDF, President Quett Masire encouraged him to join politics in 1989. Merafhe became a Member of Parliament for Mahalapye West in 1994. He was re-elected two more times, including in the October 2004 election.
He was also a member of the Central Committee of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from 1991 until 2012. Besides being the Foreign Minister, he also served as the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration for a period.
Vice President of Botswana
On April 1, 2008, when Ian Khama became President, he chose Mompati Merafhe as his Vice-President. Parliament approved Merafhe as Vice-President on the same day. He was sworn in right away.
As Vice-President, Merafhe did not have a specific ministry to lead. However, it was suggested that he might help with making sure projects across different government departments were completed.
Merafhe was married and had five children.
Later Years and Retirement
In June 2008, after the election in Zimbabwe, Merafhe stated that the election was unfair. He believed Zimbabwe should not be allowed to take part in regional discussions.
Merafhe retired from his position on July 31, 2012. Ponatshego Kedikilwe then became the new Vice-President on August 1.
Mompati Merafhe passed away on January 7, 2015, at the age of 78. He had been dealing with health issues for several years.
Awards and Honours
In 2011, Mompati Merafhe received Botswana's highest honour, called Naledi ya Botswana.
Images for kids
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Former Major General of the Botswana Defence Force.
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