GABORONE, Botswana — The Botswana government has declared Friday, May 15, 2026, an unpaid public holiday to enable the nation to pay final respects to former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae, who passed away recently.
President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko issued the declaration under Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, gazetted on May 8, 2026, and the Office of the President confirmed in a public notice dated May 12, 2026.
Holiday Terms
The public is advised that the holiday will be unpaid. The notice, reference BGCIS 9/9/2 II (36), encourages citizens to observe the mourning period with dignity, solemnity, and respect in honour of the former president.
About Festus Mogae
Mogae served as President of Botswana from 1998 to 2008, succeeding Sir Quett Masire and handing over to Ian Khama.
He was widely credited with maintaining Botswana’s reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies and for his leadership during the country’s HIV/AIDS crisis.
The declaration reflects Botswana’s constitutional practice of honouring former heads of state with national mourning periods, while the unpaid designation limits the fiscal impact on employers and the public sector.
