02 Oct 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has awarded certificates and medals to Batswana who have contributed to the development of the country.

The awards were part of the 48th Botswana Independence Day celebrations, whose main event was at the National Stadium in Gaborone on September 30. President Khama bestowed awards in accordance with the Botswana Honours Act schedule.

The highest award; Naledi ya Botswana (NYB), being an honour awarded for outstanding service to the Republic of Botswana, went to the Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe.

Dr Kedikilwe served the interest of Batswana at the best of his ability. He served in various key government and parastatal boards and commissions as the monetary preparatory commission (1974-1975) that established the Bank of Botswana, University of Botswana Council as chairperson from 1979-1984 and presidential commission on education in 1992 as chairman.

Dr Kedikilwe was elected a member of parliament for Mmadinare, in 1984, the position he successfully defended for five elections until 2014 when he will be retiring. He rose up the party ranks, becoming the BDP treasurer and later the party chairperson.

His portfolios included his appointment as an assistant minister of finance and development planning, minister of presidential affairs and public administration. Other portfolio ministries included commerce and industry, education, as well as minerals, energy and water resources.

He was awarded the Presidential Order Honour in 1992, received Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Botswana in 2007, and awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Emperor of Japan in 2011, which is the country’s highest award.

He was also bestowed with Honorary Doctorate Degree in leadership by the Linkokwing University of Creative Technology. He was appointed Vice President on August 2012, the position he currently holds and he retires from active politics this month (October 2014). 

President Khama also bestowed seven citizens with the Presidential Order of Honour (PH), being an honour awarded for efficient and devoted service to the Republic of Botswana.

Recipients included public officer; Mr Solomon Sekwakwa who served as an economist at various levels for a period of 14 years from 1983 to 1997, providing policy analysis instrumental to central government and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

His dedication, passion for the job aspiration for excellence led to his progression up to the permanent secretary position in 2009. Another public officer Ms Tswelelopele Moremi, the former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and coordinator of national rural development policy programmes was also awarded the Presidential Order of Honour.

She has just retired as SACU first executive secretary after serving for two consecutive terms of five years each and she is currently Botswana’s ambassador in Germany.

Justice Isaac Lesetedi also got the award for notable judgements in a number of legal areas ranging from commercial law, land law, procedural, family administrative, constitutional and customary law.

He was appointed the judge of the High Court in October 2000 and was then the most senior judge of the High Court by appointment after the Chief Justice.

Other awardees of the same award were cultural activist, Mr Batho Molema, the founding producer and presenter of Radio Botswana’s present day cultural programming embodied in Dipina le Maboko which epitomises the celebration of Botswana’s rich culture of traditional song, dance and poetry.

Pioneer educationist and philanthropist, Mrs Violet Hamilton also got the Presidential Order of Honour awards for achieving international reputation for Legae Academy’s IGCSE and A-level results which are consistently among the best in the region.

Also on President Khama’s list of Presidential Order of Honour was Kgosi Gonkgang Mankgatau of Rakops who managed to resolve tribal disputes between Baherero, Basobea, Banajwa and Basarwa.

Livestock farmer, Mr Piet Villander from Kisa who owns a cumulative 3000 plus cattle and 1500 sheep and goats also received the award for produce of improved breeding stock for sale and to the farming community.

The Presidential Order of Meritorious Service (PMS) went to eight recipients being Professional Advisor, Professor Clark Leith, SAFDICO Botswana (PTY) Ltd, a diamond company, Mr Satar Dada of Dada Foundation, Ms Gasemotho Gaolathe, Mr Ofentse Moleofe, Mr Raymond and Norma Watson, Mrs Edna Swaniker and the late Francistown West MP, Mr Tshelang Masisi, who his wife received the award on his behalf.

The award is awarded to any person for actions or services benefiting Botswana or any other community or organisation therein any particular field or sphere and for acts of courage or devotion to duty.

The Presidential Certificate of Honour (PCH), being a certificate for long and faithful service to Botswana went to Mrs Esther Madigwe, Ms Gabatsholwe Ntwe, Dr Johannes Kgwarapi, Mr Ishmael Legwaila, Kgosi Mbenga Buyendasi, Mr Gabolemelwe Ramaeba, Mr Mompati Thuma, Mr Sekai Tiroyamodimo, Mrs Ponatshego Tshiping, Kgosi Lobatse Beslag and Mr John Phirinyane. Ends