02 Mar 2015

By Benjamin Shapi

 

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng has urged Batswana to look beyond 2016 in whatever they undertake to develop the country.

He said this at a ceremony to mark the 50^th anniversary of Botswana’s path to internal self-governance at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks’ Auditorium in Mogoditshane on Sunday. President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama and Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi also graced the occasion.

Minister Olopeng said the country prides itself for the achievements it has made so far and that Batswana should further take it to the next level. He said it was incumbent on Batswana to take the country beyond 2016, when the country would celebrate its 50 years of self-rule after getting independence from Britain in 1966.

Mr Olopeng said his ministry was preparing a catalogue of events leading towards self-rule and protection from Britain in 1885. Local theatre legends also presented Botswana’s long journey from a British protectorate to an independent country, and the formation of the country’s political parties.

The theatre group showed the three dikgosi who went to Britain to ask for protection against the Boers and John Cecil Rhodes who was constructing a railway line from Cape to Cairo. Their mission in Britain was a success as Queen Victoria acceded to their request after a long debate among the Queen’s counsel members.

Another highlight of the day was setapa by Morogo wa Ngwana, while a Ramotswa traditional dance group sang a song entitled Kgomo Khunwana e e mashi a monate. BOPA