Lusaka, Zambia – A delegation from the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Office paid a courtesy call on former Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Lusaka, Zambia, on August 13, while the former leader is observing elections.
Masisi is the head of the Election Observation Mission for the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The MISA delegation comprised MISA Regional Director, Dr Tabani Moyo, and the MISA Botswana Chapter National Governing Council Treasurer, Ms Tsaone Basimanebotlhe.
The meeting aimed to deepen MISA’s relations with the network of former presidents who continue to actively engage in continental and regional roles to resolve the challenges affecting the continent and the region.
“Your Excellency, firstly, we want to express our gratitude for your continued dedication towards resolving the multiplicity of challenges affecting the peoples of Southern Africa, and the continent at large.
“Secondly, we never had the opportunity to relay our appreciation for accepting to serve as our guest of honour and hosting the Southern African Regional World Press Freedom Day commemorations 2024, held in Gaborone, Botswana, which MISA jointly organised with the UNESCO Regional Office,” said Dr Moyo.
“This is where you committed to gazetting the Access to Information Bill, of which you did, Sir, before you departed from the highest office of the land.
Dr Moyo highlighted the efforts and support the government of Botswana has rendered i in the organisation’s interventions to support free expression and media freedom as exemplary evidence of how organic collaboration between African governments and civil society yields fruitful policy shifts and practices. .
“At MISA … we are invested in these organic approaches to collaboration, wherein we bring evidence-based interventions to public policy formulation and the government utilises the interventions to inform policy shifts.
“In our view, this helps showcase the shining example of how collaboration evolves in the region and shapes the sharing of experiences as we learn from each other across the region.”
The MISA Regional Director highlighted the importance of the strategic role of the pool of former Presidents of the African Continent in addressing the challenges affecting the continent, including freedom of expression, access to information and the right to privacy.
“It is in this regard, Your Excellency, that we are here before you as the MISA delegation to further strengthen the relationship built while (you were) in office and … as you serve the broader region and continent beyond the confines of the unitary boundaries of the People’s Republic of Botswana,” said Dr Moyo.
“We are keen to strengthen cooperation towards the attainment of our respective mission and vision statements.
Dr Masisi expressed his gratitude to MISA for reaching out and meeting with him.
He said he was happy that, in his small way, he had assisted in the journey towards a dynamic access to information and media freedom regime, which continues to be work in progress across the continent.
He expressed concern that the continent’s media is facing sustainability nightmares and highlighted the need for a holistic approach wherein governments take bold steps towards supporting media viability and sustainability.
“My take is always that we must take an active role as African governments to finance the nurturing and maturing of our democracies and the evolution of society at large,” he said
He said governments support opposition parties with funding as a way of strengthening democratic existence. In that regard, the media, as the fourth member of the State, should occupy the same space in furthering its role as the vehicle and enabler of the enjoyment of factual information as a public good.
MISA Botswana NGC Treasurer, Basimanebothle, highlighted that MISA, as a network, has remained outward-looking.
The organisation has thus connected with more than 12 former heads of state and government on the continent as a progressive way of utilising continental and regional mechanisms for early warning and addressing the challenges confronting the continent.
She said free expression, access to information and the media remain critical and foundational towards the attainment of the continent’s developmental frameworks.
“As we conclude, Your Excellency, we would like to appreciate your opening the doors to our delegation. This is part of our broader strategy, as the Regional Director highlighted.
“As we speak, you are our 12th former Head of State and Government with whom we are engaged, as we are keen to connect the dots in our attempts to resolve the ever-changing and complex challenges on the continent.
“We say this is the beginning rather than the last chance as we take this journey forward,” Basimanebotlhe said.
The MISA Regional Office Delegation is accredited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to observe the Zambia 2026 General Election.
MISA Regional Communique
