H.E Ambassador Mogolori Modisi was born in what was formerly known as Limpopo Province, now Polokwane in South Africa in 1947. He grew up there in Ga Mphahlele under the care of his grandmother Makgolo Meladi. He completed his primary schooling there and came to Bechuanaland Protectorate, as it was then, in 1962 to study at Moeng Secondary School, near Palapye.
During school holidays he would stay with his parents who lived in Mahikeng. He moved with his family to Gaborone just before independence in 1965. In 1967 , after finishing high school with outstanding results, he was awarded a scholarship by the Botswana government to study in the USA.
Ambassador Mogolori Modisi served the nation with distinction and excellence in may different capacities. Diplomatic service In 1976, he functioned as the First Secretary Charge d'Affaires ad interim. As a diplomat he served in a number of diplomatic roles in Washington DC and New York in the USA. His final diplomatic role in Foreign service was as Botswana Ambassador to Zambia. Civil service As a civil servant he also served in many influential positions. As the former director of the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) he was a champion and strong advocate of citizen economic empowerment.
He was also the the Senior Private Secretary,to former President, Sir Ketumile Masire. During his tenure as SPS, he and former President Masire were fortunate to survive a plane crash which ensued after the Presidential jet, OK1, was shot down over Angola. Fortunately the plane was able to successfully make an emergency landing at Cuito Bie airstrip, which had been 2 en-route to the Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC) summit in Luanda, He also played a key role in the establishment of the BNPC, Botswana National Productivity Centre which was established to address laxity in civil service and improve on productivity Communication and Media He also left a great mark and footprint in the Communication and Media field.
In the late 1970’s and 1990’s he headed up the Public Broadcasting Services and pioneered and founded the private radio station GABZ FM and functioned as the Chairperson of the radio station. Businessman and entrepreneur Ambassador Mogolori Modisi was a very successful business man and entrepreneur in his private life and spearheaded many successful business initiatives. His successful business ventures resulted in him being selected to represent Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) as it’s Vice-President.
He was also selected to represent the Confederation of Trade, Industry and Labour, as its Vice President Sports Ambassador Modisi was an avid and accomplished sportsman in the area of tennis and football, earning himself the nickname “Pro” in football. He was a founding member of Notwana football club. Ambassador Modisi passed away on 13 January, 2025 and leaves behind his loving wife of 51 years, Mrs Sefalana Modisi, his children Thema and Taola Modise and his siblings and nieces and nephews. We celebrate the great legacy and giant footprint that he left behind in the nation of Botswana and beyond.
