24 Jan 2016

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama and Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi on Friday, joined Cabinet members in refurbishing monuments in front of the National Assembly Rockery.

They painted the area in Botswana colours and cleaned its surroundings.

Giving a brief overview of the day’s objective, Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, said a total of 45 community service projects had been undertaken.

The day, therefore, Mr Makgalemele said marked yet another example of the public service’s commitment to undertaking projects of direct benefit to the community.

He noted that as Botswana would be celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence this year, Cabinet decided that it would be important for them to lead by example and restore the look around the monuments.

Since launch of the community service day by President Kham in October 2010, Mr Makgalemele said the day had always remained important in their calendar, saying “that is why as Cabinet we always make time to engage in a variety of initiatives that support and strengthen volunteer work.”

Community service day, he said, assisted in improving social and moral responsibility of an individual, whilst at the same time instilling desirable traits such as compassion, botho and ipelegeng. 

The National Assembly Rockery, Mr Makgalemele said, was important to the history of Botswana because it served to teach the upcoming generations about the country’s roots. 

As such, he added that it was upon the nation to take pride in it and take good care of it. 

The rockery consists of the late Sir Seretse Khama Statue, World War II Monument, the Lesoma Monument showcasing a rifle and the water fountain. 

The Sir Seretse Khama statue was erected in memory of the late First President of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama, as the founding father and first President of Botswana who led Botswana to become a unified, democratic, multi-party, multi-racial and developed society. 

The statue was unveiled on the occasion of Botswana’s 20th anniversary of Independence in 1986.

The World War II Monument was erected in memory of Botswana soldiers who participated in World War II and lost their lives while the Lesoma Monument, showcasing a rifle was erected in memory of the Botswana soldiers who died in the late 1970’s in Lesoma, whilst the water fountain was constructed to give monuments and the statue an aesthetic look. 

 

Activities of the day, Mr Makgalemele said were made possible by Plascon which donated paints and accessories and while Gaborone City Council donated trees. Ends