31 Jul 2016

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama says the public is free to visit the State House.

The President, who hosted  for residents of Gaborone at the State House, said it was imperative for the public to know where their leader lived.

The State House accommodated the British resident commissioner during the colonial years, but became the presidential palace when Sir Seretse Khama became Botswana’s first president.

President Khama said students were also allowed to tour the State House, adding it was not the President’s house but belonged to Batswana.

He said while he had visited Batswana in their various villages, he would host others in the State House. The President treated his guests to a soup dinner and distributed blankets to the 288 guests who were destitute persons, people living with disabilities and children.

Some of the guests praised the him for the gesture saying although they had lived in Gaborone for years, they never had the privilege to visit the State House.

For Ms Sephetso Baoki (74), this was a dream come true as she had always passed the State House wondering what was behind the giant walls.
She thanked President Khama for his kindness.

Mr Mosimanegape Sello said he had lived in Gaborone since the 1970s, but this was his second visit after several decades.

He thanked President Khama for giving Batswana an opportunity to get first-hand information about the State House.  ENDS