Gladys Molefi Olebile Masire (30 July 1931 – 17 May 2014) was a Botswana teacher and political figure who served as the longest ruling First Lady of Botswana from 1980 until 1998.
Gladys Olebile Masire | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 2nd First Lady of Botswana | |
| In role 13 July 1980 – 31 March 1998 | |
| President | Quett Masire |
| Preceded by | Ruth Williams Khama |
| Succeeded by | Barbara Mogae |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gladys Molefi Olebile 30 July 1931 Modimola, Mafikeng, South Africa |
| Died | 17 May 2014 (aged 82) Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | Tiger Kloof |
| Profession | Teacher |
Early life and education
editGladys Molefi Olebile was born in 1931 in the village of Modimola, Mafikeng, Union of South Africa. She was the daughter of Fenkwane Mogwera and Mabu Mogwera. From her maternal side, she belonged to the Tawana-a-Tshidi Mina Tholo royal family. After graduating from Tigerkloof, she followed in her mother's footsteps by becoming a teacher for many years, firstly in her hometown of Mafikeng and later at Kanye, Bechuanaland.[1]
Career
editIn the 1980s, Lula Dawson, wife of U.S. Ambassador Horace Dawson, helped Olebile Masire establish Botswana's first charity.[2] This charity was called the Child-to-Child Foundation of Botswana, and she was an honorary president of the foundation in 1996.[3]
In 1990, Gladys Olebile Masire was a member of the Mandela National Reception Committee that helped prepare for Nelson Mandela's June 1990 visit to Gaborone after his release from Robben Island.[4]
Personal life
editShe was married to the late former President of Botswana Quett Ketumile Masire in 1958 and had six children.[5]
Honours
edit- Patron of the Special Olympics Botswana from 1989 until 2013.[6]
- In the 1996/97 school year, the University of Botswana established the Lady Olebile Masire Prize in her name. This award is given to a student with the highest grades in the Faculty of Engineering.[7]
Death
editOn 17 May 2014, she died at Milpark Hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa, aged 82. She was buried in Kanye, Botswana, on 25 May 2014, a week later.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Fare thee well...Mother of the Nation". gov.bw. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "National Headliners". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 6 August 1990. p. 12. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ Pridmore, Pat (1996). Children as health educators : the child-to-child approach (PDF) (Ph.D.). University of London.
- ^ Makgala, Christian John (2006). "The BNF and BDP's 'Fight' for the Attention of the ANC, 1912-2004: A Historical Perspective". Botswana Notes and Records. 38: 115–133. JSTOR 41235991.
- ^ Morton, Fred; Ramsay, Jeff; Themba Mgadla, Part (2008). Historical Dictionary of Botswana (4th ed.). p. 208. ISBN 9780810854673. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "Commission inducts pioneers". dailynews.gov.bw. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "Undergraduate Academic Calendar 2016/2017". ub.bw. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ Motsamai, Mmoniemang. "Botswana: Khama Honours Builders of Botswana". allafrica.com. Retrieved 15 November 2016.