VZCZCXRO7261
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #0832/01 2951437
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P 221437Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6124
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0414
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0246
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0229
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
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RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GABORONE 000832 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/S 
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM BC
SUBJECT: BOTSWANA: PRESIDENT AND PARLIAMENT SWORN IN, 
CABINET ANNOUNCED 
 
REF: GABORONE 815 
 
PRESIDENT INAUGURATED 
---------------------- 
¶1. President Seretse Khama Ian Khama was sworn in as the 
fourth President of Botswana in a ceremony early on the 
morning of October 20.  In his acceptance speech President 
Khama focused attention on the need to increase food 
production in Botswana, improve education and skills 
development, encourage continued gains in communication, 
science and technology and diversify the economy.  The 
inauguration was attended by the 57 elected members of 
Parliament, the judiciary, the military and local diplomats. 
No foreign dignitaries were invited.  In typical fashion, 
after his swearing-in ceremony President Khama skipped the 
reception with local dignataries and quickly got to work.  He 
immediately held a caucus meeting with the incoming Botswana 
Democratic Party (BDP) parliamentarians to discuss his 
nominations for the four specially elected MPs, the Speaker 
and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the Vice President. 
 
SPECIALLY ELECTED MPs APPOINTED 
------------------------------- 
¶2.  Several hours after the inauguration, a special session 
of Parliament was convened to elect four specially elected 
members of Parliament.  President Khama forwarded four names 
to the Speaker, and though all the MPs were eligible to put 
forward nominations, none did so.  Because Khama,s four 
candidates were unopposed, they were accepted with no formal 
vote.  Although there was pressure from some groups to use 
the special MP positions to promote women in politics, only 
two of his four candidates were women: Lesego Ethel Motsumi 
and Dorcas K. Makgato-Malesu.  The other two specially 
elected MPs were Ontetetse Kenneth Matambo and Vincent 
Seretse. 
 
FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER ELECTED AND VICE PRESIDENT ENDORSED 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
¶3.  The Parliament of Botswana was officially opened by 
Presidential Proclamation Wednesday October 21 at 8:30 am. 
After the Members of Parliament were sworn-in, the first 
order of business, as required under the Constitution, was to 
elect a Speaker.  While the Speaker can be a Member of 
Parliament, historically it has been a person who is not a 
currently sitting member.  Margaret Nasha, a retired Member 
of Parliament and the prior Minister of Presidential Affairs, 
was elected into the position.  She is the first woman in 
Botswana to become Speaker.  In her acceptance speech she 
spoke of the need for greater political representation by 
women and her desire to foster a Parliament which will have a 
lot of debate about ideas on how to lead Botswana, but debate 
that will &have a high degree of mutual respect8 between 
all members. 
 
¶4.  Speaker Nasha then lead the process of endorsing the Vice 
President, who will remain Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe. 
Under the Constitution the President appoints the Vice 
President, who must be one of the elected members of 
Parliament.  (Specially elected MPs are not eligible to be 
the Vice President.)  A secret vote then confirms the 
Qthe Vice President.)  A secret vote then confirms the 
endorsement of Vice President.  Comment: There had been some 
speculation about whether Merafhe would remain as Vice 
President.  His appointment may be a sign that the President 
wants continuity during this time of party infighting within 
the BDP, and may not feel the need to line up a successor 
now. End Note. 
 
NEW CABINET NAMED 
----------------- 
¶5. On October 21 President Khama announced his new Cabinet. 
According to the Botswana constitution, all Cabinet members 
must be Members of Parliament.  Th new Cabinet Ministers and 
Assistant Ministers ae: 
 
GABORONE 00000832  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration 
Minister ) Lesego E. Motsumi 
Assistant Minister ) Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi 
 
Ministry of Defence, Justice, and Security 
Minister ) Dikgakgamatso R. Seretse 
 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 
Minister ) Phandu T.C. Skelemani 
 
Ministry of Finance and Development Planning 
Minister ) Kenneth O. Matambo 
Assistant Minister ) Charles Mbiganyi Tibone 
 
Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology 
Minister ) Johnnie K. Swartz 
 
Ministry of Lands and Housing 
Minister ) Nonofo E. Molefi 
 
Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs 
Minister ) Peter L. Siele 
 
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture 
Assistant Minister ) Shaw Kgathi 
 
Ministry of Trade and Industry 
Minister ) Baledzi G. Gaolathe 
Assistant Minister ) Dorcus Makgato-Malesu 
 
Ministry of Local Government 
Minister ) Lebonamang T. Mokalake 
Assistant Minister )Botlogile Mogogo Tshireletso 
Assistant Minister )Kentse Rammidi 
 
Ministry of Agriculture 
Minister ) Christian De Graaff 
Assistant Minister ) Oreeditse Molebatsi 
 
Ministry of Transport and Communication 
Minister ) Frank Ramsden 
 
Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources 
Minister ) Ponatshego H. Kedikilwe 
 
Ministry of Education and Skill Development 
Minister ) Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi 
Assistant Minister )Keletso Joseph Rakhudu 
 
Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism 
Minister ) Kitso Onkokame Mokaila 
 
Ministry of Health 
Minister ) John Seakgosing 
Assistant Minister ) Maxwell Motowane 
 
¶6. Post will report more biographic information about the 
Ministers SEPTEL. 
NOLAN