Mokgweetsi Masisi

Botswana's current President since 2018

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Botswana's current President since 2018

Mokgweetsi Masisi, born in 1961, is Botswana's 5th President. He served as Vice President and Member of Parliament before clashing with former President Ian Khama over elephant hunting ban. His government faced criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cyril Ramaphosa Évariste Ndayishimiye Wangari Maathai Mahatma Gandhi Nelson Mandela Macky Sall African National Congress Henri Matisse Faustin-Archange Touadéra Masayoshi Son

1961-07-21

Mokgweetsi Masisi's Birth

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, the current President of Botswana, was born on July 21, 1961. He has been actively involved in Botswana's political landscape and has held various significant positions.

2002

Marriage to Neo Maswabi

In 2002 Masisi married Neo Maswabi, an accountant who later worked for the United Nations in New York and in Addis Ababa. They have a daughter.

2004

Unsuccessful Nomination for 2004 General Election

Masisi sought the nomination of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to stand in Moshupa constituency in the 2004 general election, but was unsuccessful.

2009

Won Seat in 2009 General Election

Masisi obtained the BDP nomination for the Moshupa constituency prior to the 2009 general election and won the seat.

2011-01

Appointment as Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration

After a little more than a year as an assistant minister, Masisi was appointed as Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration in January 2011.

2014-10-28

Appointment as Minister of Education and Skills Development

Masisi was appointed as Minister of Education and Skills Development on 28 October 2014.

2014-11-12

Masisi Appointed as Vice President

Mokgweetsi Masisi served as the 8th Vice President of Botswana from November 12, 2014, to April 1, 2018. His role as the Vice President was significant in the country's political landscape.

2017-07-05

Appointment as Chancellor of the University of Botswana

Masisi was appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Botswana on July 5, 2017, following the death of former President Quett Masire.

2018-04-01

Sworn in as the 5th President of Botswana

Masisi was sworn in as the 5th President of Botswana on April 1, 2018.

2018-10-13

Received Honorary Doctorate from the University of Botswana

Masisi received an honorary doctorate from the University of Botswana on October 13, 2018.

2019-10

Re-elected President in 2019 Elections

In October 2019, Masisi was re-elected president after the BDP faced the biggest threat to its unity in more than five decades, following Khama's move to the opposition.

2020-03-31

Declaration of State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Masisi responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by declaring a state of emergency on March 31, 2020, allowing him to rule by decree for a period of 18 months.

2022-01-03

Masisi tests positive for COVID-19

On 3 January 2022, it was announced that Masisi was in mandatory self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 during routine testing. Vice-President Slumber Tsogwane would assume the president's responsibilities while Masisi was in isolation.

End of the Timeline
Mokgweetsi Masisi