President Duma Boko has described Botswana's founding president, Sir Seretse Khama, as a staunch but not assertive pan-Africanist who fought tirelessly for economic and political emancipation of SADC.

In marking the Sir Seretse Khama Day commemoration in Gaborone on Friday, Boko said Seretse Khama played an instrumental role to the formation of frontline states.

Boko emphasised that Khama's democratic credentials are reflected in his commitment to the widening of the political space to allow multi-party contestation when it was not fashionable to do so at the time.

He said Khama's legacy manifests itself as the brightest and boldest use of courage, compassion and foresight.

“A staunch but not dogmatic pan-Africanist, Sir Seretse Khama was passionate about the importance of Batswana in particular and African people in general writing their own history. Botswana was an island in a sea of hostile minority regimes. He was instrumental in the formation of the Frontline States, a forerunner to present-day SADC.”

Former President Ian Khama described his late father as a promoter of unity, peace, and mutual respect by upholding the importance of chieftainship while strengthening democratic governance.

“His greatest and most important achievement was to build a nation and make it a respected democracy with a viable economy respected internationally. He brought together diverse tribes and communities under one identity – Batswana.”

Seretse Khama, born on 01 July 1921, died at the age of 59 following a short illness.

He has been described as a central cog in the liberation of Botswana who made an immeasurable contribution to the democratisation of southern Africa.