Global civil servant and former International IDEA Director of Global Programme, Keboitse Machangana, dies
International IDEA is deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Keboitse Machangana, an indefatigable defender of democracy and women’s rights. We extend our sincere condolences to her family.
For more than two decades, Keboitse worked in the democracy and governance field, with a specific focus on women’s human rights and gender equality, democracy analysis and assessment, and the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of democracy assistance programmes in various countries across the world.
At International IDEA, she diligently led a team of experts working within the Institute’s mandate of democracy promotion worldwide on Electoral Processes, Constitution Building Processes, Political Participation and Representation, Democracy and Development, and Democracy Assessments and Political Analysis. As the Director of Global Programmes, Keboitse oversaw the development and application of global comparative knowledge resources and tools to support democratic reforms. She collaborated with colleagues contributing to the shaping of global, regional and national policy agendas by bringing the democracy lens and perspective to debates at the different levels.
In recent years, Keboitse conceptualised and spearheaded the development of International IDEA’s flagship publication on the Global State of Democracy (GSoD). She worked with the team of experts to bring to fruition the GSoD reports in 2017 and 2019, helping thereby to fill analytical and policy gaps in democracy building at the national, regional and global levels.
In recognition of her skills, dedication and competency, Keboitse grew in her role and areas of responsibility during her over 13-years at International IDEA. Her previous roles: Head of the State of Democracy Programme, Head of Democracy Assessment and Analysis Unit and Acting Director of Operations, and Advisor-Democracy Assessment & Analysis at International IDEA.
Before joining International IDEA, Keboitse was the Democracy and Governance Advisor at USAID Regional Centre for Southern Africa. She was also Executive Director and Coordinator of the Political Education Project at Emang Basadi Women’s Association in Botswana. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Botswana; had a Post-graduate Diploma in Education from University of Botswana; and obtained Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the University of Botswana. She also studied at the College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, honing her private passion for supporting her neighbours and community.
Keboitse will be remembered for her substantive contributions to democracy building around the world. She bequeathed us with a legacy of holding on to an everlasting hope that we as individuals can, through our agency, improve the quality of our democracies with committed participation. Her family and friends have lost a loving mother, partner, and counselor. We, her colleagues, have lost a worthy example in diligent leadership. The democracy community has lost a faithful fighter for justice and human rights. As we mourn her, we also remember the good times she shared with us and pray for the repose of her gentle soul.
She died on 18 July 2020.
If you wish to share messages of condolences or remembrance, please do so in the Condolences Book for Keboitse Machangana.
