15 Dec 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama officially lit Botswana’s biggest Christmas tree so far at the Rail Park Mall in Gaborone on Thursday evening (December 11) amid pomp and excitement.

The majestic tree that emits fairy lights that make the modern mall sparkle at sunset is said to be 12 metres high and 6 metres wide and boasts of 16 000 decorations of lights.

President Khama’s launch has brought a shimmer of hope and marked auspicious Christmas celebrations. It has also added colour and vibrancy as well as changing the mall’s landscape.

Magnitudes had thronged the Rail Park Mall to witness the tree lighting, which was designed and constructed by 60 individuals comprising professional workers and Limkokwing staff and students. Limkokwing regional director of corporate and media relations, Ms Mercy Thebe said the idea was conceived upon realising the need to fill the obvious gap.

“We had noticed that there was a lack of outstanding and magnificent objects or decorations associated with Christmas celebrations when we walked around the city during jovial times like this,” she said, adding that the observation led them as a creativity and innovation driven university to come up with such a beautiful tree.

Through the university’s Heal the World Foundation, the school has been able to raise funds and contribute to the government’s initiative of Adopt-a-School. They have adopted Poloka Pre-School and have given the school a cheque for P 50 000.

After lighting the tre, President Khama handed out Christmas hampers to children from SOS Children’s Village. The Vice President and Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi also attended the ceremony and added his voice.

“This is a period when most of us make time to be with our families to enjoy the festive season as well as give thanks for the year 2014 and our contributions on all levels and service to our fellow Batswana,” said Mr Masisi.

He thanked Batswana for their benevolence, adding that they had proved to be a compassionate, just and caring nation by contributing to the welfare of their fellow countrymen in order to make their lives more bearable.

“As we celebrate, let us also think of those who are in difficult circumstances in hospitals, at home recuperating or otherwise working through a difficult time in their lives,” said Vice President Masisi. ENDS