18 Apr 2016

Kgosi Mmirwa Malema of Bobonong has hailed Botswana for preserving the rule of law since attaining independence in 1966.

Since independence, Kgosi Malema said, the country enjoyed peace and tranquillity.

He said this when welcoming the roving torch at Bobonong kgotla on April 17.

The kgosi said the rule of law and respect for human rights were mainstay of the country’s democracy.

He said the roving torch signified unity among tribes and he pleaded with the youth to preserve the peace and tolerance the nation enjoyed for years.

Kgosi Malema said democracy had enabled the nation to enjoy integrity and discipline because during the British rule, the country was poor.

During the colonial era, he said, there were no jobs, which led to some people seeking employment in neighbouring countries such Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and South Africa.

The discovery of minerals propelled the economy leading to construction of schools, university, hospitals, clinics as well as other amenities that improved the lives of Batswana.

Bobirwa, he said, had no schools but today it boasts 18 primary schools, seven secondary schools, a vocational training centre, clinics, telecommunications, electricity in all villages, roads that link all villages expect pending ones for Lepokole, Moletemane and Mothabaneng localities.

Kgosi Malema stated that the country’s 50 years of achievement also included construction of dams and establishing its own currency and advised that every Motswana must learn from the past to plan for the future and development in the next 50 years.

Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Shaw Kgathi, welcomed the roving torch in his constituency and urged the constituents to happily welcome it since it was a symbol of peace and unity.

Mr Kgathi also Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, said the 50 years of independence were worth celebrating because the country has never witnessed any political and civil unrest.

He said government as a way of uniting the nation established laws that all minerals and natural resources are to benefit the nation not individuals or ethnic groups.

Mr Kgathi cited the Mineral Act that all minerals were to benefit the nation, Land Act that each and every citizen was free to apply for a plot anywhere in the country and Water Act which he said from dams were used to provide portable drinking water to the entire nation.

The roving torch was expected to spend two days in Bobonong and it would visits some of the historical sites such as London Missionary Society (now UCCSA church), silos, Fort Motloutse grave yard, the colonial tax house, Malekoro Clinic and first police station at Famo river.  

On the second day on April 18, the roving torch will moved around all schools in Bobonong. ENDS