Bashi Letsididi
8 April 2008
Gaborone — The second Office of the Former President (OFP) became operational on the day Ian Khama assumed the presidency, a senior government official has said.
Presidential spokesman Dr Jeff Ramsay said the office meant for former president Festus Mogae has been budgeted for in the 2008-2009 financial year. He said the office will have a small core staff, the most prominent being Senior Private Secretary and Executive Secretary. Oteng Tebape, who previously worked as Botswana's ambassador to Japan has been appointed Senior Private Secretary. "As with Sir Ketumile (another former president) we do not expect Mogae to remain active in public life," Ramsay said.
While not active in public life, there will be the odd event that Mogae will attend and as regards the national order of precedence, he will come after his predecessor, Masire. Unlike what would happen with some other people with their roots in the village, retirement in Mogae's case does not mean relocating to his native Palapye. His father established Thomadithotse ward in the Central District village and became its headman.
Ramsay says that while he suspects that Mogae will spend more time in Gaborone at his office, he will certainly not neglect Palapye.
From the State House, the official residence in the belly of the city, Mogae has relocated to his retirement home in Phakalane, a stockbroker belt north of the city. He moved into the P20 million mansion in January this year. Ramsay says that most of the expenses for Mogae's new home will be borne by the state.
Mogae's third home will be a farm somewhere in the country. At some of the meetings that he addressed during his farewell tour, he indicated that he intends to go into farming. In Molepolole he joked that lately, he had got into the habit of acknowledging the presence of members of Land Boards when he addressed Kgotla meetings.
This, he explained, was a ploy to ingratiate himself with the members so that they can allocate him land. Seriously though, he will need land to start a farm where he can keep the livestock he was given at almost every village he visited during his farewell tour. Ramsay says that he believes that details of this particular aspect of Mogae's life in retirement are still being worked out.
The former president's new home is a hop and a skip away from a world-class golf course. There is the likelihood that the Phakalane Golf Club may soon be joined by a national A-lister. Ramsay reveals that Mogae exercises regularly and may take up golf. He reveals that in his spare time, the former president unwinds with close friends. He likes reading, listening to music (classical, jazz and local), visiting relatives and dining.
Chances are when he is not shooting the bull with friends, stopping at red lights as he is chauffeured to a cousin's place, perfecting his swing on the golf course, listening to a Matsieng hit song, reading Tiger Woods' How to Play Golf or attacking lamb shank with a steak knife at Primi Piatti restaurant, Mogae would be in his study reflecting on his life as a top public servant and his fighting record in the national political ring.
"He intends to work on a number of writings, including memoirs," Ramsay said.
In addition to having worked closely with Mogae and having a really impressive First World work ethic, the American-born Ramsay is a published writer and would be very useful in the former president's writing projects. However, he could not say with certainty whether he would assist his former boss.
"I do not know if I will have the time to be of much assistance," he said.
Both Mogae's predecessors were knighted by the Queen of England and if the trend continues, an "Arise Sir Festus!" moment in Buckingham Palace may not be far away. Should that happen, MmaNametso (the wife of the former president) would, like both her predecessors, acquire the title of 'Lady'.
A knighthood expresses the greatness of the recipient's achievements in the eyes of the Crown. Mogae has strong views on republicanism. It would be interesting to see how he reacts to an offer of a symbolic title of honour. An acceptance of the honour would amount to tacit endorsement of the monarchy.
As a former African head of state, Mogae qualifies for the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The prize, which consists of US$5 million over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter, is the largest of its kind in the world.
It was launched last year. Among others, the Prize Committee comprises former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan and three former heads of state. Given his record of leadership, Mogae stands a pretty good chance of winning the prize.
Mogae's retirement on Tuesday last weekended a 10-year relationship with OK1 - the presidential plane that dramatically proved that it was not OK in Greek airspace three years ago and had to make an emergency landing. During his national farewell tour, Mogae told a Kgotla meeting in Molepolole that he will miss OK1 because it gave him countless opportunities to view Botswana's natural beauty from above.
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