# Festus Mogae

_President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/festus-mogae
Last updated: 2026-11-08

> Festus Gontebanye Mogae was a Motswana economist and politician who served as the third president of Botswana from 1998 to 2008. He previously served as vice-president from 1992 to 1998 and minister of finance and development planning from 1989 to 1998 under Quett Masire. A member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), he led the party throughout his presidency.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 21 August 1939 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Serowe ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P19))
- **Died:** 8 May 2026 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P570))
- **Place of death:** Gaborone ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Botswana ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P106))
- **Political party:** Botswana Democratic Party ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P102))
- **Education:** University College, Oxford; University of Sussex ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P69))
- **Spouse:** Barbara Gemma Mogae ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P26))
- **Positions held:** President of Botswana (1 April 1998 – 1 April 2008); Vice-President of Botswana (1992–1998); Minister of Finance (1980–1989) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P39))
- **Awards:** Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour; Knight of the National Order of Mali; Officer of the National Order of the Ivory Coast ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238#P166))

## Questions

**When was Festus Mogae born?**  
Festus Mogae was born on 21 August 1939 in Serowe.

**What positions has Festus Mogae held?**  
Positions held by Festus Mogae include: President of Botswana (1998–2008); Vice-President of Botswana (1992–1998); Minister of Finance (1980–1989).

**Where did Festus Mogae study?**  
Festus Mogae was educated at University College, Oxford, University of Sussex.

## Related

- [Ian Khama](https://diginpl.com/people/ian-khama)
- [Quett Masire](https://diginpl.com/people/quett-masire)
- [Seretse Khama](https://diginpl.com/people/seretse-khama)
- [Duma Boko](https://diginpl.com/people/duma-boko)
- [Mokgweetsi Masisi](https://diginpl.com/people/mokgweetsi-masisi)
- [Sylvia Muzila](https://diginpl.com/people/sylvia-muzila)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Festus Mogae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festus_Mogae) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q193238](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193238) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Festus Mogae 2009-06-23.jpg by Greenweek (CC BY 2.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Festus_Mogae_2009-06-23.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Festus Mogae, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Festus Mogae 2009-06-23.jpg — Greenweek, CC BY 2.0.

## Cite this page

"Festus Mogae". DigiNepal. Last updated 8 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/festus-mogae. Retrieved 10 November 2026.