Segolame Lekoko Ramotlhwa was the winner of the German Africa Award in 2006. He was honoured for his initiation and implementation of the AIDS therapy programme MASA (“a new tomorrow”) in Botswana.

It was only under his leadership that this programme became an extraordinary success and was considered a landmark for the African continent. The therapy programme provided free medical care to 70,000 people, and Ramothwa’s commitment increased the treatment rate to 85%. This made an enormously important contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

Born and raised in Botswana, Ramotlhwa studied pharmacy in Boston and Belfast. During his studies he participated in various workshops and training programmes of the Botswana Ministry of Health, in programmes at the Harvard AIDS Institute of the World Health Organisation and in other programmes for management and distribution of medicines in Africa.

The Award was presented by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier.