15 Nov 2015

The Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC), Mr Thapelo Olopeng says cabinet has put in place a structure BOT50 National Organising Committee (NOC) to ensure successful celebrations.

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Olopeng said the decisions were outlined in presidential directive Cab 18/2013.

He said the main function of the BOT50 organising committee was to provide oversight and strategic direction to the secretariat to ensure successful Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Mr Olopeng noted that the NOC served as a board for the celebrations at village, district and national levels, adding that it held responsibility to guide the celebrations for the country.

Furthermore, the minister said key deliverables for the committee include, among others, communication strategy, countdown strategy and 2016 celebrations.

As for the membership and structure, Mr Olopeng said BOT50 NOC composed of five independent members and nine representatives from various institutions.

Meanwhile, he said the BOT50 NOC was accountable to the minister and reports to the cabinet on a monthly basis while the President, cabinet and the minister provides general direction and guidance to the process.

He further said the permanent secretary in the MYSC was available for guidance and facilitation of the BOT50.

On the same matter, Mr Olopeng said the committee was in the process of finalising drawing up a plan for the celebrations for endorsement by cabinet.

He also said the NOC was developing an ideas bank to solicit ideas from Batswana as to how they want to celebrate their Golden Jubilee.

As for empowerment, the youth, sport and culture minister said the committee would through the Botswana Musicians Union call all the artists to come up with a theme song for the celebrations.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had wanted to know if there was a board coordinating BOT50 and also the criteria that was used to appoint such.

Mr Nkaigwa also wanted to know the role of the private sector in BOT50, and how had the MYSC engaged stakeholders to be part of the celebrations. Ends