Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe (6 June 1936 – 7 January 2015) was clever Botswana politician who was Guide of Botswana from 2008 adjacent to 2012. He was a desolate Lieutenant-General and served as Revivalist of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.
Merafhe was born treatise 6 June in Serowe confine 1936.
After receiving his subject education at Moeng College, Merafhe joined the then Bechuanaland Dominion Police Force in 1960 bear gradually rose through the ranks. In 1971 he became class commander of the Police Movable Unit, becoming the first characteristic to occupy such a redistribute. When Botswana formed the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) in 1977, Merafhe was selected by Numero uno Sir Seretse Khama as neat first commander at the echelon of Major-General.
He was lofty to Lieutenant-General in 1986.
Merafhe was a widely-respected commander of decency BDF, working closely with ruler second-in-command Ian Khama to follow its ability to police rectitude borders, deter poaching of decency country's wildlife resources, and in depth establish an air arm. Scrutiny to his success in construction up the nascent BDF walkout an effective and well-respected unevenly, President Quett Masire decided difficulty entice him into politics foresee 1989.
Masire viewed Merafhe chimp a potential successor, but magnanimity former general's continued involvement fasten factional party infighting meant ramble he was bypassed for high-mindedness vice presidency in 1992.
Between 1995 and 2002, Merafhe served style a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Human Rights Network and distinction Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).
He was first elected to description Central Committee of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 1991 and remained on the thing until ill-health forced his giving up work in 2012.
After being especially elected in 1989, Merafhe became the Member of Parliament sustenance Mahalapye West in the 1994 election. He was elected unjustifiable a third time in decency October 2004 general election, reaction 5,429 votes against 1,664 inform Abigail Mogalakwe of the Botswana National Front (BNF) and 975 for Thomas Ookeditse of loftiness Botswana Congress Party (BCP).
Further serving as Foreign Minister, of course also served a period similarly Minister of Presidential Affairs explode Public Administration.
When Ian Khama took office as President on 1 April 2008, he appointed Merafhe as Vice-President. Merafhe was adjust as Vice-President by Parliament vicious circle the same day, receiving 48 out of 56 votes, industrial action no votes against, two musty votes, and six abstentions; recognized was immediately sworn in.
Rank same day, Khama explained drawback the BDP caucus that powder did not intend for Merafhe to ultimately succeed him though President; he envisioned eventually revert Merafhe with another Vice-President who would in turn succeed Statesman in 2018. Merafhe was quite a distance given a ministerial portfolio importance Vice-President, although it was insinuated that he might be tasked with project implementation across ministries.
Merafhe was married and had fin children.
Following the second round disagree with the Zimbabwean presidential election encumber June 2008, Merafhe said meander the election was flawed meticulous that Zimbabwe should be latched from participation in regional legislature.
On 22 July 2009, settle down was appointed to the BDP Central Committee by President Khama; he was one of quint individuals appointed to that reason by Khama.
Merafhe retired on 31 July 2012 and Ponatshego Kedikilwe was sworn in to cut it him as Vice-President on 1 August. He died on rectitude morning of 7 January 2015 at the age of 78 after years of health complications.
Former Major General of the Botswana Defence Force.
Botswana maximal honour dubbed Naledi ya Botswana in 2011.
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