Mokgweetsi Masisi Biography
Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, known to most people as Mokgweetsi Masisi, served as the fifth President of the Republic of Botswana from 1 April 2018 until 1 November 2024. He is a teacher, development worker, and politician who rose through the ranks of the long-ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Before becoming president, he was a school teacher, a UNICEF programme officer, a Member of Parliament, a cabinet minister, and Vice President. Masisi is best known for trying to move Botswana’s economy away from heavy dependence on diamonds, lifting the ban on elephant hunting, and leading the country through the COVID-19 pandemic. This biography tells his life story in simple, clear words.
Mokgweetsi Masisi Early Life and Family Background
Mokgweetsi Masisi was born on 21 July 1961 in the village of Moshupa in southern Botswana. At that time, Botswana was still called the Bechuanaland Protectorate and was under British rule. Independence came five years later in 1966.
His father, Edison Masisi (1921–2003), was a well-known politician. Edison served as Member of Parliament for Moshupa for many years and held several cabinet posts after independence. Growing up as the son of a parliamentarian gave young Mokgweetsi early exposure to public service and politics. His mother, Neo Jane Masisi, raised the children while supporting her husband’s career.
Masisi spent his early childhood in Moshupa and later moved to the capital city, Gaborone, when his father’s work required it. He has several brothers and sisters, though the family has always kept a low public profile about private details. From a young age, Mokgweetsi enjoyed sports such as soccer and tennis and took part in school drama and acting.
Mokgweetsi Masisi Education
Masisi started his schooling at Thornhill Primary School in Francistown. He later attended Gaborone Secondary School and completed his secondary education at Moeng College in the eastern part of the country.
In 1984, he graduated from the University of Botswana with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and History, followed by a Diploma in Secondary Education. After teaching for a short time, he won a scholarship to study in the United States. At Florida State University, he earned a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Social Studies Education and Instructional Systems Design in 1989.
In 1999, he received the prestigious Chevening Scholarship from the British government and completed further studies in Economics and Social Policy at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. His strong academic background in education and social policy later shaped many of the programmes he introduced as a minister and president.
Mokgweetsi Masisi Career
Masisi began his working life as a high-school social studies teacher at Mmanaana Secondary School in 1984. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he worked with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Botswana as a programme officer focusing on child rights and HIV/AIDS education.
He entered full-time politics in 2009 when he was elected Member of Parliament for Moshupa-Manyana constituency under the BDP banner. His rise was quick:
- 2011–2014: Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration
- 2014–2018: Minister of Education and Skills Development
- November 2014–April 2018: Vice President of Botswana
On 1 April 2018, he automatically became president when his predecessor, Ian Khama, stepped down at the end of his ten-year term limit. In the general election of October 2019, Masisi led the BDP to victory and was sworn in for a full five-year term. His presidency ended on 1 November 2024 after the BDP lost the general election to the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
Mokgweetsi Masisi Controversies
Every leader faces criticism, and Masisi was no exception. The main points of public debate during his time in office include the following:
Lifting the elephant hunting ban in 2019. The previous president, Ian Khama, had banned trophy hunting in 2014 to protect wildlife. Masisi’s government lifted the ban, saying growing elephant numbers were destroying crops and threatening villagers. Conservation groups criticised the decision, while rural communities largely supported it.
Fallout with former president Ian Khama. After leaving office in 2018, Khama became a strong critic of Masisi. He accused the new president of moving away from democratic values and left the BDP to form a new party, the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), in 2019. The public disagreement between the two leaders became a major talking point in Botswana politics.
State of emergency during COVID-19. In March 2020, Masisi declared a state of emergency that gave the government wide powers for two years. Some citizens and opposition parties felt the measures limited freedoms for too long, even though Botswana achieved one of the highest vaccination rates in Africa by 2022.
2019 election disputes. Opposition parties claimed irregularities in voter registration and ballot counting. The courts dismissed most challenges, and international observers described the election as largely free and fair.
Mokgweetsi Masisi Personal Life
Mokgweetsi Masisi is married to Neo Jane Masisi (née Maswabi), whom he met while they were both students. They have one daughter, Atsile Masisi, and four sons named Tshelang, Precious Masego, Baruki, and Edgar. The family lives a relatively private life despite the demands of public office.
Masisi is a lifelong Christian and often speaks about the importance of faith and family. In his younger years, he acted in a few South African television dramas and still enjoys jazz music and watching football. Friends describe him as friendly, humorous, and approachable.
Conclusion
Mokgweetsi Masisi’s journey from a village classroom in Moshupa to the State House in Gaborone shows what education, hard work, and public service can achieve in a young democracy. During his six and a half years as president, he worked to reduce Botswana’s dependence on diamonds, modernise the education system, and protect rural communities from human-wildlife conflict. While some of his decisions divided opinion, few dispute that he left office through a peaceful democratic election, keeping Botswana’s proud record of stability intact. As of November 2025, the former president remains an influential elder statesman in the Botswana Democratic Party and Southern African politics.
FAQs
How old is Mokgweetsi Masisi?
He was born on 21 July 1961, so he is 64 years old in 2025.
Who is Mokgweetsi Masisi’s wife?
His wife is Neo Jane Masisi. They have been married since the 1980s.
Where did Mokgweetsi Masisi study?
University of Botswana (1984), Florida State University (1989), and University of Manchester (1999).
When was Mokgweetsi Masisi president of Botswana?
From 1 April 2018 to 1 November 2024.
Why did Masisi and Ian Khama fall out?
The main public disagreement started over the 2019 decision to lift the elephant hunting ban, but deeper differences about party leadership and governance style grew over time.
What is Mokgweetsi Masisi doing now?
As of November 2025, he is a former president and senior member of the Botswana Democratic Party, occasionally advising on national and regional matters.
Is Mokgweetsi Masisi still in politics?
He stepped away from the presidency in 2024 but remains active within the BDP structures.