🕊️ “𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍” — 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐊𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐆𝐀𝐄 President Duma Boko delivered a deeply reflective tribute to former President Festus Mogae at his funeral, describing him as an uncommon leader whose humility, intellect, and commitment to democracy helped shape modern Botswana. Recalling the moment he learned of Mogae’s passing, Boko referenced writer Joseph Conrad, saying: *“He won’t be forgotten. Whatever he was, he was not common.”* The President described Mogae as a technocrat of humble beginnings whose rise to the presidency was unconventional, crediting former President Quett Masire for recognizing his qualities early — appointing him from Permanent Secretary to Minister of Finance, Vice President, and eventually successor. Boko praised Mogae as a leader who welcomed debate, listened to opposing views, and strengthened Botswana’s democracy through open discourse rather than silencing criticism. “He listened and he responded,” Boko said, describing Mogae as “erudite and opinionated” yet respectful and deeply committed to democratic values. Above all, Boko remembered Mogae as authentic, humble, and a leader whose impact on Botswana would endure far beyond his time in office. 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. #FestusMogae #DumaBoko #StateFuneral #Botswana #Leadership #Democracy #RestInPeace #SnapFlash #BWNews #botswana