First Lady of
Botswana
Incumbent
Neo Masisi
since 1 April 2018
Inaugural holderRuth Williams Khama
FormationSeptember 30, 1966
(57 years ago) (1966-09-30)
Politics of Botswana
Constitution
Government
Parliament
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations

The first lady of the Republic of Botswana[1][2] is the wife of the president of Botswana. The current first lady is Neo Masisi, the wife of President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The role is largely ceremonial and has no salary. President Masisi has said that his wife does not have the remit to influence government policies.[3]

History

There was no first lady from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2018, as President Ian Khama was unmarried. The absence of a first lady was problematic for some official functions, and there were moves to find a substitute for some occasions.[4] President Kharma's unmarried status was controversial because of the requirements of tribal traditions.[5]

First ladies of Botswana

Name Portrait Term began Term ended President Notes
Ruth Williams Khama[6][7] 30 September 1966 13 July 1980 Seretse Khama
Gladys Olebile Masire[1][8] 13 July 1980 31 March 1998 Quett Masire
Barbara Mogae[9] 1 April 1998 1 April 2008 Festus Mogae
Vacant 1 April 2008 1 April 2018 Ian Khama President Ian Khama never married.[5]
Neo Masisi 1 April 2018 - Mokgweetsi Masisi

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Lady Gladys Olebile Masire – Board Member". Sir Ketumile Masire Foundatio. Retrieved 9 August 2012.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "List of Delegations To the Twenty-Seventh Special Session of the General Assembly on Children - Botswana (page 13)" (PDF). UNICEF. UNICEF's Information Management Unit. 20 May 2002. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  3. ^ Kgosikebatho, Keitebe (7 January 2019). "Neo Masisi inspires Women". The Patriot on Sunday. Gaborone. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  4. ^ Liang, Aislynn (9 June 2011). "Botswana seeks 'First Lady' to host Michelle Obama". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  5. ^ a b Hughes, Dana (6 December 2010). "President of Botswana Says No Short, Fat Wife for Him". ABC News. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Lady K a catalyst in life". Botswana Press Agency Daily News. 3 June 2002. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Lady K to be buried in Serowe". Botswana Press Agency Daily News. 24 May 2002. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  8. ^ Andrews, Jim (1 July 1986). "Botswana's First Lady Attends Pitt Seminar". Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  9. ^ "Message of Mrs. Barbara Mogae, First Lady of Botswana and Honorary Member of the National Committee for the International Year of Volunteers". National Committee for the International Year of Volunteers. 6 December 2000. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
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