President of Botswana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Botswana Tautona wa Botswana
Presidential flag
Incumbent Mokgweetsi Masisi since 1 April 2018
Style	Mr President His Excellency
Residence	State House
Seat	Gaborone
Appointer	Parliament of Botswana
Term length	5 years, renewable once
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Botswana
Inaugural holder	Seretse Khama
Formation	30 September 1966
Deputy	Vice-President of Botswana
Salary	1,075,056 Botswana pula

The president of the Republic of Botswana is the head of state and the head of government of Botswana, as well as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, according to the Constitution of Botswana.

Presidential term

The president is elected to a five-year term that runs concurrently with the term of the National Assembly. Since 1997, the tenure of presidency has been limited to a total of 10 years (equivalent to two full terms), whether successive or separated. For example, if current president Mokgweetsi Masisi were to leave office in 2024, he could run again in 2029, but would have to leave office for good in 2034.

The first president for whom the term limits applied was Festus Mogae in 2008.

Election

The president is elected via a form of double simultaneous vote. All candidates for the National Assembly declare whom they endorse for president when they lodge their nomination papers, and the candidate who receives a majority of endorsements from the elected members of the National Assembly is automatically elected. If no candidate receives a majority of endorsements, the National Assembly elects the president by simple majority, before it co-opts the specially elected members. If no president is elected after three ballots, or if the Speaker determines that no candidate has enough support to be elected, the legislature is automatically dissolved. In practice, the president is the leader of the majority party in the Assembly.

Presidents of Botswana (1966–present)

Political parties

     Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)

Symbols

Died in office

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Elected	Term of office			Political party
				Took office	Left office	Time in office
1		Seretse Khama (1921–1980)	1965 1969 1974 1979	30 September 1966	13 July 1980	13 years, 287 days	BDP
2		Quett Masire (1925–2017)	1984 1989 1994	18 July 1980	31 March 1998	17 years, 256 days	BDP
3		Festus Mogae (born 1939)	1999 2004	1 April 1998	1 April 2008	10 years	BDP
4		Ian Khama (born 1953)	2009 2014	1 April 2008	1 April 2018	10 years	BDP
5		Mokgweetsi Masisi (born 1961)	2019	1 April 2018	Incumbent	6 years, 17 days	BDP

Lifespan timeline of presidents of Botswana

This is a graphical lifespan timeline of presidents of Botswana. The presidents are listed in order of office.

See also

In Spanish: Presidente de Botsuana para niños