04 Aug 2013

The three-year tenure of German Ambassador to Botswana, Ms Annett Gunther has ended. Ms Gunther had been her country’s ambassador to Botswana since 2010.

On August 1, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation hosted a farewell ceremony for her. And Minister Phandu Skelemani paid tribute to Ms Gunther for her role in helping to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Mr Skelemani explained that Ms Gunther was tireless in promoting bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Botswana and Germany. “She was a formidable representative of her country. To the diplomatic community, particularly her European colleagues, she was a point of reference on life in Botswana,” said the minister.

The minister said the fact that President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama visited Germany last year was proof of growing friendship between the two countries. Ms Gunther described her time in Botswana as enjoyable. She said although her job was demanding, she would leave Botswana with happy memories, especially the fascinating culture of greeting strangers in the streets.

The two countries have maintained cordial relations since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between them in 1974. They have bilateral relations in areas of wildlife, geological survey, HIV/AIDS and vocational education. ENDS