02 Oct 2016

As the country celebrated its Golden Jubilee, Friday, Batswana from all walks of life  thronged different Kgotlas to mark the country’s major milestone.

The celebrations were marking the end of many events which began a while ago and have now reached a happy and successful ending.

From Selebi Phikwe, Tshepo Mongwa reports that the Mayor of Selebi Phikwe said celebrations meant that Batswana should retrospect and see within themselves who they were, where they came from and where they were heading as a people.

He also mentioned that as Batswana celebrated 50 years of independence, they should remember the achievements of the country’s great leaders of the past and current for visionary leadership that ensured peace and tranquility continued to prevail.

He added that as residents of Selebi Phikwe, they should work together to overcome the social ills that were experienced in the mining town. He also called on residents to commit to revive the economy of the mining town which suffered a setback due to the challenges BCL Mine which was the main economic contributor of the town faced.

Meanwhile, an elderly Ms Oemetswe Waheng gave a brief narration about the history of Selebi Phikwe on how the  mining town came about to be as well as how it got its name. She also mentioned how BCL Mine came about and the way they used to live back in the days growing up in the area.

In Serowe, Manowe  Motsaathebe reports that a retired matron, Ms Egna Monyena has urged youth to take up government programmes to uplift their lives and shun the spirit of expecting handouts, but tap in government programmes to enrich themselves.

She said many leaders were products of various government programmes something which young people could emulate.

In utilising government programmes, the retired nurse called for transparency and openness, arguing that corruption could lead the country into difficulties.

She said celebrating Botswana’s half century of independence should be an opportunity for Batswana to introspect whilst with a hindsight simultaneously appreciating the strides made to graduate from poverty.

Whilst lauding the country for development, Ms Monyena hailed the past leaders as ‘heroes of humanity not veterans of war’. She said those born pre-independence could appreciate and attest to the successes that the country achieved.

She said unlike pre-independence, Botswana has developed her infrastructure to international levels. She argued that the ubiquity of schools and hospitals were a clear testament that the country has made great strides.

For his part, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane advised Batswana to bury the hatchet and forget their trespasses against each other. He said the same spirit of celebrations should spinoff to more coming years.

From Bobonong - Goratileone Kgwadu reports that Bobirwa residents celebrated 50 years of golden jubilee in an emphatic mood at district headquarters of Bobonong where multitudes of people joined motorcade organised by the local BOT50 committee in the morning around various wards of the village prior to gathering at the kgotla to listen to independence messages.

At the same venue, BCL divisional manager asset engineering, Mr Morse Mosienyane thanked the predecessors for giving the country peace and tranquility something which is not a norm in other countries that are facing political instability and bickering.

He challenged citizens of the modern Botswana to introspect and not take things for granted and preserve peace and tranquility that prevails.

Mr Mosienyane said Botswana was built of the cornerstones of development, botho, self-reliant, democracy and unity which formed the country’s heritage.

He said due to visionary leadership, the country has experienced development such as roads, schools, hospitals and clinics, dams, electricity and many others which were not present when the country gained independence from Britain in 1966.

In Molalatau, residents were also in a jovial mood donning national colours and celebrated the day with traditional dance and songs.

A villager elder, Mr Willie Kgalushi said in an interview that Botswana from infancy in 1966 had nothing to celebrate, but after 50 years of self-rule the nation has managed to spend its resources wisely to develop the country.

In Tsetsebye, residents stated that though their village was faced with shortage of water, the situation cannot deter them from celebrating.
Residents commended a local resident, Mr Domi Jeremiah of Mane Blocks Sorghum Milling Company for ensuring food security in the country.

They said his company which produces Farmers Pride sorghum meal has created employment for local people and providing the villagers with water freely.
The celebrations were also successfully hosted in villages of Mathathane, Gobojango, Semolale, Mabolwe, Lepokole and Moletemane. Ends