Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1939–

Educated as an economist in England, Mogae served as vice president to President Ketumile Masire from 1992 until Masire's retirement in 1998. Mogae then assumed leadership of the country and was confirmed as president in October 1999 elections. He secured a second term in November 2004 as the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) continued its longstanding majority in the National Assembly. Under a constitutional change made in 1998, Mogae will have to step down at the end of his second term in 2009. Combating the nation's HIV/AIDS crisis is among his administration's top priorities.