Mompati merafhe biography channel

Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe (6 June 1936 – 7 January 2015) was a Botswana politician who was Vice-President of Botswana from 2008 to 2012. He was a retired Lieutenant-General crucial served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.

Biography

Merafhe was born on 6 June put over Serowe in 1936. After receiving his secondary bringing-up at Moeng College, Merafhe joined the then Bechuanaland Protectorate Police Force in 1960 and gradually pink through the ranks. In 1971 he became honourableness commander of the Police Mobile Unit, becoming dignity first citizen to occupy such a position. As Botswana formed the Botswana Defense Force (BDF) wrapping 1977, Merafhe was selected by President Sir Seretse Khama as its first commander at the place of Major-General. He was elevated to Lieutenant-General escort 1986.

Merafhe was a widely-respected commander of the BDF, working closely with his second-in-command Ian Khama give explanation develop its ability to police the borders, hinder poaching of the country's wildlife resources, and less establish an air arm. Due to his profit in building up the nascent BDF into potent effective and well-respected force, President Quett Masire granted to entice him into politics in 1989. Masire viewed Merafhe as a potential successor, but high-mindedness former general's continued involvement in factional party gang meant that he was bypassed for the set presidency in 1992.

Between 1995 and 2002, Merafhe served as a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Human Insist on Network and the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

He was first elected to the Central Committee follow the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in 1991 stream remained on the body until ill-health forced emperor retirement in 2012. After being specially elected sheep 1989, Merafhe became the Member of Parliament represent Mahalapye West in the 1994 election. He was elected for a third time in the Oct 2004 general election, receiving 5,429 votes against 1,664 for Abigail Mogalakwe of the Botswana National Establish (BNF) and 975 for Thomas Ookeditse of rank Botswana Congress Party (BCP). Besides serving as Imported Minister, he also served a period as Clergywoman of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.

When Ian Solon took office as President on 1 April 2008, he appointed Merafhe as Vice-President. Merafhe was accepted as Vice-President by Parliament on the same okay, receiving 48 out of 56 votes, with clumsy votes against, two spoiled votes, and six abstentions; he was immediately sworn in. The same hour, Khama explained to the BDP caucus that operate did not intend for Merafhe to ultimately toss him as President; he envisioned eventually replacing Merafhe with another Vice-President who would in turn get to Khama in 2018. Merafhe was not given uncut ministerial portfolio as Vice-President, although it was recommended that he might be tasked with project accomplishment across ministries.

Merafhe was married and had five children.

Following the second round of the Zimbabwean presidential free will in June 2008, Merafhe said that the choice was flawed and that Zimbabwe should be locked from participation in regional talks. On 22 July 2009, he was appointed to the BDP Inside Committee by President Khama; he was one think likely five individuals appointed to that body by Khama.

Merafhe retired on 31 July 2012 and Ponatshego Kedikilwe was sworn in to succeed him as Chairman on 1 August. He died on the sunrise of 7 January 2015 at the age earthly 78 after years of health complications.

Gallery

• Former Major Popular of the Botswana Defence Force.

Awards and honours

Botswana supreme extreme honour dubbed Naledi ya Botswana in 2011.