11 Sep 2016

The Gaborone region has unveiled its lineup towards the country’s 50^th anniversary of independence.

The line up kick-started with a beauty pageant and a music festival on September 9.The organising committee revealed on Thursday that there would be a number of activities leading to September 25 when the roving torch arrives in Gaborone.

Gaborone mayor, councillor Kagiso Thutlwe, announced that on September 17, the city would host the Mr and Mrs 50 Years Beauty Pageant at Limkokwing University, followed by a three-day music festival dubbed the 50 to 50 years festival and fashion show.

He highlighted that the festival would run for 50 hours from September 23 to 25.

He emphasised need for the business community to support their course if the celebrations were to be successful and give the city the pride it deserved.

The deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Jimmy Opelo noted that tourism involved hospitality and travel; hence the independence event buildup contributing to tourism.

He expressed doubt if some of the Gaborone dwellers really knew their city, saying this was the time to know it better and to reflect on how far their place has come.

He said tourism should be sustainable as it spoke to social, economic, and environmental aspects which must be well balanced.

Opelo said critics who viewed tourism as belonging only to the northern parts of Botswana were wrong because every area offers its own unique tourism which needs to be explored.

He called on the business community to help make Gabaorone a tourist destination.

“Let’s give Gaborone the stature and flavour that makes her stand. ENDS