13 Mar 2016

The chairperson of Balekane Ba Botswana, Mmoloki Thomola says his committee is happy that the BOT50 celebrations will resuscitate the spirit of celebrating independence among Batswana.

Speaking at the launch of the Francistown BOT50 , Thomola said Balekane Ba Botswana have observed that most Batswana no longer convene at the dikgotla and stadiums to celebrate the day.

He said Batswana have turned the day into a time when they do their personal activities such as weddings and alcohol binging.

Thomola said he was hopeful that since a number of activities have been lined up for this year’s independence day, the spirit of patriotism would be resuscitated.

He further said that they have come up with a number of activities to celebrate the golden jubilee independence and their 50th birthday.

He said they would conduct a fashion show on March 18 with the aim of activating excitement in the city towards the independence celebrations.

Thomola noted that in 2014 a beauty contest was conducted and that the winners would represent Francistown at the national competitions.

Earlier on, the chairperson of Bot50 in Francistown, Kebaabetswe Bogatsu said this year’s celebrations would be aimed at promoting botho and culture.

He said as part of activities that build up to independence, there would be an exhibition of the history of Francistown before and after independence at the Francistown Records Centre from March 14 until 18. Bogatsu said other activities would include the roving torch, which would be in Francistown for three days from March 23.

He pleaded with the Francistown community to avail themselves in order to welcome and accompany the torch.

The chairperson said on independence eve, there would be activities that would correlate with those in Gaborone.

He said one of the exciting activities during Independence Day would be unity between the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Prisons and Police bands.

Bogatsu said a date for the visual and performing arts would be set, adding that since the city has a rich history, a number of heritage sites would be refurbished.

City mayor, Sylvia Muzila appealed to the community of Francistown to be part of all the golden jubilee activities, adding that they should not wait to be invited as all activities were open to the public.BOPA