Ponatshego Kedikilwe

Ponatshego Kedikilwe
7th Vice President of Botswana
In office
31 July 2012 – 12 November 2014
PresidentIan Khama
Preceded byMompati Merafhe
Succeeded byMokgweetsi Masisi
Minister of Finance
In office
1998–1999
Preceded byFestus Mogae
Succeeded byBaledzi Gaolathe
Minister of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources of Botswana
In office
January 2007 – ?
PresidentFestus Mogae, Ian Khama
Personal details
Born (1938-07-07) July 7, 1938 (age 86)
Bechuanaland Protectorate, now (Botswana)
Political partyBDP

Ponatshego Honorius Kefaeng Kedikilwe (born 7 July 1938) is a Motswana politician who was Vice-President of Botswana from 2012 to 2014. A member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), he has also served as Minister of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources since 2007.

Career

Mr Kedikilwe was inaugurated as the founding Vice Chancellor of Botswana Open University (BOU) which was previously Botswana College of Open and Distance Learning (BOCODOL) in 2018.[1] He was also a board member for Sefalana Holdings, joining them in 2014,[2] later becoming the board's chairperson. He retired from the position in 2020.[2]

Political career

Kedikilwe was educated at the Kikuyu College of Social Studies, the University of East Africa, Nairobi 1963–64; University of Rochester, NY 1964–65; University of Connecticut 1965–68; Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University.[3]

He was first elected to the National Assembly as the Member of Parliament for Mmadinare in 1984. He served as Minister of Finance from 1998 to 1999.[4]

Kedikilwe served as Chairman of the BDP until 2003. President Ian Khama was elected as Botswana Democratic Party Chairman at a party congress on 22 July 2003, defeating Kedikilwe; Khama received 512 votes against 219 for Kedikilwe.[5][6] Khama had been backed for the post by Former President Festus Mogae,[7] and the outcome was viewed as crucial, paving the way for Khama to eventually succeed Mogae as president during that time[5]

Kedikilwe was appointed as Minister of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources in January 2007.[8][9]

Vice-President Mompati Merafhe retired on 31 July 2012. President Ian Khama nominated Kedikilwe as vice-president on 1 August 2012, and the National Assembly promptly approved the nomination; 38 MPs voted in favor, while 12 abstained from the vote. Kedikilwe was sworn in later in the same day. The government said that Kedikilwe would retain his portfolio as Minister of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources.[10]

Following the 2014 general election, Khama instead nominated Mokgweetsi Masisi as vice-president on 12 November 2014.[11]

References

  1. ^ Bothoko, Pini (25 January 2018). "Open learning is the alternative - Kedikilwe". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b Reporter, Sunday Standard (15 October 2020). "Former Vice President Kedikilwe steps down from Sefalana board | Sunday Standard". Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  3. ^ editor, Online (6 August 2012). "Parliament endorses Kedikilwe as VP | Sunday Standard". Retrieved 24 January 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "About Us - Ministry of Finance".
  5. ^ a b "Botswana: Khama win eases Mogae's concerns", IRIN, 23 July 2003.
  6. ^ "Botswana: Vice-president wins ruling party chairmanship", Business Day, Johannesburg, 22 July 2003.
  7. ^ "Botswana: President Mogae defends decision to back Khama for party chairmanship", Radio Botswana, 19 June 2003.
  8. ^ "Botswana's cabinet reshuffle", The Economist, 25 January 2007.
  9. ^ Daily News (Government of Botswana). 2010-01-12
  10. ^ "Kedikilwe sworn in as Vice President", Mmegi, volume 29, number 113, 2 August 2012.
  11. ^ "Parliament Endorses Masisi As VP", BOPA, 12 November 2014.
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Political offices
Preceded by Vice President of Botswana
2012-2014 		Succeeded by


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