Botswana - Head of Government

HE Mr Seretse Khama Ian Khama was sworn in to a second term in office as President of Botswana on 20 October 2009 following the victory of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) at the general election on 16 October.

Mr Khama was appointed president on 1 April 2008 by his predecessor Mr Festus Mogae.

Mr Khama is the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe. He is the son of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana’s independence leader who was the country’s first president (1966 to 1980).

Mr Khama was elected Chairperson of the BDP in July 2003.

He retained the post of Vice-President of Botswana following the victory of the BDP in the general elections of October 2004 and October 1999. From October 1999 to January 2000, Mr Khama also held the concurrent post of Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.

He was first appointed Vice-President in the Mogae Cabinet in July 1998 after winning a by-election as a BDP candidate. Mr Khama continued to hold the concurrent post of Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration to which he was appointed in April that year after retiring as Commander of the Botswana Defence Force at the rank of Lieutenant-General to pursue a political career.

Mr Khama, a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, UK, is a qualified pilot.

He was born on 27 February 1953 in Chertsey, Surrey, UK.

More at: www.gov.bw