Dr. M..Nasha

Patron

Dr. Margaret. N. Nasha is Speaker of National Assembly. She is the first woman to hold that position since establishment of the legislature house. She has held various ministerial capacities as Assistant and full minister in the Ministries of Local Government, Lands and Housing and Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs.

Dr. Nasha started her career as a public broadcaster- producer, news writer and reader. She was appointed Head of Women’s’ programmes where she progressed to Director of Information and Broadcasting. She served as Botswana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, accredited to Romania and former Yugoslavia. She also served as chairperson of the Commonwealth Foundations and SADC ambassadors, member of Botswana UNESCO Commission and the Women’s Development Planning Advisory Council.

Upon venturing into active politics she became specially elected Member of Parliament. She became the first female Member of Parliament for Gaborone North constituency after a landslide victory in national parliamentary elections.

Dr. Nasha’s involvement in the national service projects dates back as she is the founder of Mosasana Self Housing Association aimed at helping the low socio- economic income to house themselves, a former Patron of University of Botswana ‘s charitable society and Somarelang Tikologo, an environmental watch non-governmental organisation.

As an avid fighter for women’s rights, she is a founding member and President for Botswana Caucus for women in politics, an NGO, which draws membership from all registered parties in Botswana.

Her commitment to children’s rights and welfare led to the establishment of Masiela Trust fund which was launched by his Excellency Former President, Mr. Festus Mogae who bestowed Dr. Nasha with the honor of ‘MMABANA’. Upon noticing her valuable efforts and passion, The Board of Trustees appointed her the Patron of the Trust.

She has presented several papers on women and politics; the obstacles they face in their struggle for political empowerment in the SADC region, other parts of Africa, Germany United Kingdom and United States of America. She also presented position papers on the situation of children in Botswana.

Dr. Nasha read for Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities majoring in English and History from the University of Botswana. She holds numerous Diploma courses in Programme Production and Media Management from Kenya, UK and Australia. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by Central College of Iowa, a liberal arts university in USA in recognition of her track record in the fight for women’s rights.