Event
2nd Annual Distinguished Lecture in African Studies
featuring His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi
VIRTUAL SEATING ONLY NOW AVAILABLE - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-distinguished-lecture-in-african-studies-tickets-558103882737
Join us for our 2nd Annual Distinguished Lecture in African Studies (featuring His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E. K. Masisi).
Talk Title: "Good Governance, Democracy, and the Management of Natural Resources in Botswana: Lessons for other Resource-Rich Countries in the world"
Bio:
President Mokgweetsi Masisi was born in Gaborone, Botswana. His father, Edison Masisi was a government official for the village of Moshupa. As a youth, Mokgweetsi enjoyed athletics and played soccer and tennis, while also refining his skills as an actor – even acting in several South African films and receiving accolades for his role in a stage version of Cry The Beloved Country. In 1984 he graduated with a B.A. in History and English from the University of Botswana. He would return to the university of Botswana in 1987 to serve as a curriculum specialist before resuming his studies at Florida State University; earning a M.A. in social sciences education and instructional system design in 1989.
After returning to Botswana and serving as the national coordinator for social studies education, Masisi worked as a project officer for UNICEF in Botswana. In 2009 he was appointed as Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration political career with the Botswana Democratic Party and then, Minister of Education and Skills Development. His experiences in education and politics led to President Ian Khama tabbing Masisi as the Vice President of Botswana in 2014. In 2018, he was elected as the fifth President of Botswana and was reelected in 2019.
President Masisi has focused on numerous initiatives including committing Botswana to the Paris Agreement and working towards reducing its overall carbon emissions by 15% by the year 2030 (climate change); UNDP (United Nations Development Program) launched a program to support SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in Botswana (job creation); Botswana is said to be on track to completely eliminate AIDS as a public threat by 2030; and Botswana’s national development plans are based on the goal of ensuring that every citizen is entitled to social services (such as free basic education and free health care services) by the State.