James G. Haskins

James Haskins
Minister of Finance
In office 1968–1970
President	Seretse Khama
Preceded by	Quett Masire
Succeeded by	Quett Masire
Personal details
Born	1914 (1914) Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)
Died	1990 (aged 75–76) Botswana
Political party	Botswana Democratic Party

James George Haskins (born 1914, died 1990)[1] was a Rhodesian-born politician and businessman from Botswana.

Haskins was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. His father was James Haskins from Bristol who ran coffee business in the Tati Concessions Land and later a trading store chain headquartered in Francistown.[1] Haskins founded the Francistown Chamber of Commerce.[2]

Haskins entered politics in 1948 as a member of the European Advisory Council. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Bechuanaland between 1961 and 1964. He was a member of the Bechuanaland Democratic Party.[1]

Haskins could be considered a spokesperson of the white community in Botswana and an advocate for Botswana's independence. In 1966, he became a member of National Assembly of Botswana. The same year he joined cabinet and held offices of minister of commerce, industry and water affairs, and later minister of finance,[3] of agriculture, and communications. In 1979 Haskins retired from the cabinet and returned to family trading business.[1]

From 1979 to 1989, he served as the Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana.[4]

References

1. Ramsay, Jeff; Morton, Barry; Morton, Fred (1996). Historical Dictionary of Botswana. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-3143-8.
2. "Standing on Shoulders of Great Giants". CEE Bulletin. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
3. "About Us - Ministry of Finance". www.finance.gov.bw. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
4. "Former Speakers of Parliament". Parliament of Botswana. 27 June 2009. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009.