Real Name/Full Name | Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi |
Nick Name/Celebrated Name: | Sisiboy |
Birth Place: | Moshupa, Bechuanaland |
Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 21 July 1962 |
Age/How Old: | 62 years old |
Eye Color: | Black |
Hair Color: | Black |
Parents Name: | Father – Edison Masisi Mother – Unknown |
Siblings: | Sister, Phadi and three brothers |
School: | Maru A Pula School and Thornhill Primary School |
College: | University of Botswana |
Religion: | Christianity |
Nationality: | Botswana |
Zodiac Sign: | Cancer |
Gender: | Male |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Marital Status: | Married |
Girlfriend: | N/A |
Wife/Spouse Name: | Neo Maswabi |
Kids/Children Name: | Daughter |
Profession: | Teacher, Politician, Author |
Net Worth: | $2 Million |
Last Updated: | December 2024 |
Mogweetsi Masisi is the current president of the Republic of Botswana, having won the elections and assuming office in April 2018. He is well known for his victories and achievements up the political ladder in the Botswana political arena. He had also been vice president for one term before he finally made it to the presidential seat.
Biography and Early Life
Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi was born in Moshupa, back then when Botswana was still Bechuanaland. He was born to a family deeply rooted in politics, hence his unmatched experience in the field. His late father, Edison Masisi, was a successful politician, having been a member of the Botswanan cabinet several times and being the Member of Parliament for Moshupa constituency, where Mogweetsi would later lead as a leader Member of Parliament too.
Mogweetsi was raised up In Gaborone, where he attended primary school. He had senior siblings, one of whom was a General in the Army in Botswana. Another brother of his was the Member of Parliament for Francistown West Constituency for quite a long time. Mogweetsi was talented exceptionally at drama and acting, which he participated in during his primary school and won and lead role. Besides drama, he did sports, too, a passion that has never died to date.
Education
His Excellency, the former president of Botswana, attended Maru A Primary school and Thornhill Primary School for his early education before he proceeded to High school. He graduated from High school and enrolled at the University of Botswana, where he studied Arts in English and History. He practised his speciality in Mmanaana High school, Moshupa, where he taught History. He later returned to the University of Botswana as a curriculum development specialist in 1987.
After two years, Mogweetsi went to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences Education in the Florida State University, after which he officially began his teaching career having been employed by the UNICEF back in Botswana, right after he had graduated from the Florida State University.
Personal Life
Besides his academic and career feats, the former president of Botswana has so much more to his personal life, too, though not so much is available, publicly. Mogweetsi tied the knot with the love of his life, Neo Maswabi, an accountant, when they met. Together, they celebrate a happy marriage for more than 19 years now. Neo also worked for the UN in New York and later in Addis Ababa.
Mogweetsi and his wife have a daughter together.
Professional Career
After working for some time for the UNICEF, Mogweetsi’s political aspirations led him to seek a nomination for Member of Parliament for Moshupa in the then ruling party, Botswana Democratic Party, unsuccessfully in 2004. He made similar efforts in 2009, which bore fruits, and besides obtaining the nomination, he won the parliamentary seat. His status raised as he was appointed Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, and subsequently, Minister in the same field, in 2011.
Mogweetsi also served as Minister of Education and Skills Development in 2014, being the Member of Parliament for Moshupa at the same time. His political prowess hit a higher notch when he was appointed Vice President of the republic by President Ian Khama in November 2014. Mogweetsi was also appointed to be the Chancellor of the University of Botswana in July 2017 and served for 5 years.
He finally became the President of Botswana on April 1, 2008, when he was sworn in as president. He left the political party he had been loyal to for many years and founded the Botswana Patriotic Front.
Masisi faced accusations that he was an authoritarian after he lifted the ban on elephant hunting in his country, believing that it would allow for conservation funds, a move that raised eyebrows within the international community. He was also accused of electoral fraud after he won the elections in 2019.
Awards and Achievements
Among the many awards that the former president of Botswana has received in his teaching and political career, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Botswana in October 2018.
Net Worth, Salary & Earnings of Mogweetsi Masisi in 2024
Mogweetsi’s net worth is estimated at $2 Million and is attributed to his political and teaching career. He is the former president of Botswana. With this, he received much earning and currently receives some retirement benefits from the high position in the country. In addition to this, he has several businesses from which he also earns from.
Some Interesting Facts You Need To Know
- His nickname, ‘Sisiboy,’ is a play of words on his family name.
- Mogweetsi is a fan of sports, especially soccer and tennis.
- He supported the One China policy, according to the Chinese Embassy to the United Kingdom in 2021.
- He supports elephant hunting, which according to many, is a bold and reckless move.
Masisi has had a rigorous yet successful political career and a wonderful legacy as a teacher. He is an icon to emulate, especially for his relentless efforts in achieving his political aspirations and serving the people he belongs to. Though criticised by many, his clarity and freedom in the expression of his views reveal the fearless nature that is praiseworthy, which should be practised cautiously.