Gladys Olebile Masire

Gladys Molefi Olebile Masire (30 July 1931 – 17 May 2014) was a Botswana teacher and political figure who served as the longest ruling First Lady of Botswana from 1980 until 1998.

Early life and education
Gladys Molefi Olebile was born in 1931 in the village of Modimola, Mafikeng, Union of South Africa. She was the daughter of Fenkwane Mogwera and Mabu Mogwera. From her maternal side, she belonged to the Tawana-a-Tshidi Mina Tholo royal family. After graduating from Tigerkloof, she followed in her mother's footsteps by becoming a teacher for many years, firstly in her hometown of Mafikeng and later at Kanye, Bechuanaland.

Career
In the 1980s, Lula Dawson, wife of U.S. Ambassador Horace Dawson, helped Olebile Masire establish Botswana's first charity. This charity was called the Child-to-Child Foundation of Botswana, and she was an honorary president of the foundation in 1996.

In 1990, Gladys Olebile Masire was a member of the Mandela National Reception Committee that helped prepare for Nelson Mandela's June 1990 visit to Gaborone after his release from Robben Island.

Personal life
She was married to the late former President of Botswana Quett Ketumile Masire in 1958 and had six children.

Honours

 * Patron of the Special Olympics Botswana from 1989 until 2013.


 * In the 1996/97 school year, the University of Botswana established the Lady Olebile Masire Prize in her name. This award is given to a student with the highest grades in the Faculty of Engineering.


 * Presidential Order of Honour Award in 2016 by President Ian Khama (posthumous honour)

Death
On 17 May 2014, she died at Milpark Hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa, aged 82. She was buried in Kanye, Botswana, on 25 May 2014, a week later.