biography
| name: |
Masire, Quett (Ketumile Joni)
|
pronunciation:
[maseer]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1925– )
|
| biography:
| Politician and president of Botswana (1980–98). He began a journalistic career before entering politics, through the Bangwaketse Tribal Council and then the Legislative Council. In 1962, with Seretse Khama, he was a founder member of the Botswana Democratic Party, and in 1965 became deputy prime minister. When full independence was achieved in 1966 he became vice-president, and in 1980 president, being re-elected in 1984, 1989, and 1994. He continued his predecessor's policy of non-alignment, and helped Botswana become one of the most politically stable nations in Africa. |
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