22 Jun 2016

With the country set to celebrate 50 years of independence on September 30, Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture has announced that government broadcast media would from September 1 play only local content.

Speaking at the launch of the 100 days countdown towards Botswana’s 50 years of independence, Mr Thapelo Olopeng indicated that all activities and celebrations countrywide would also be headlined by local artistes only.

“It is time for us to give our own the chance to prove themselves and I know a lot of people may be worried about the capacity and quality of the local content, but let me assure you that I am confident that they can deliver,” he said.

He further challenged artistes to strive for quality at all times.

Mr Olopeng also indicated that there would also be another event in August to celebrate the 50 days countdown.

“I cannot for now divulge the date of the event,” he said, adding that there were other activities lined up between now and September 30 including festivals in Francistown, Kasane, Maun, Ghanzi and Mahalapye.

He said celebrations should not appear to be an event for Gaborone but should be inclusive of the rest of the country.

“We need to keep motivating the rest of the country to celebrate our country’s milestone,” he said.

Speaking on the theme for this year’s celebrations, United and Proud, Mr Olopeng challenged everyone regardless of their standing in society to look at themselves and ask how they were contributing to the theme.

“Our forefathers have done it for us and now it is time for us to introspect looking at what we want to leave behind for our kids who would be leaders by then,” he said.

He also indicated that on September 25, the National Stadium in Gaborone would host the first of the independence celebrations being a church service.

Mr Olopeng said he had consulted various stakeholders regarding the various aspects of the celebrations and he would continue doing so.

“So far I have consulted close to 200 dikgosi and 150 church leaders and they have come up with various ways in which we could celebrate and teach the youth of today of where we come from,” he said.

He further said BOT50 has collaborated with various institutions to celebrate their 50^th anniversaries this year. 

“One such key institution is Radio Botswana. The station is collaborating with BOT50 in taking radio to the People to celebrate this key milestone and to remind Batswana of where we come from as a nation. 

The station has so far broadcast live from seven villages and the intention is to cover at least 50 villages. This is a good example of government entities cooperating to achieve one common goal in providing services to Batswana,” he noted.

For his part, the Mayor of Gaborone Mr Kagiso Thutlwe urged the BOT50 committee to come up with other events besides festivals in order to give others the platform to celebrate and get in the mood for Botswana’s milestone.

Mr Boyce Sebetela, BOT50 chairperson, indicated that there would be fan parks on September 30 around Gaborone for those that would not be able to make it to the national stadium. ENDS