02 Oct 2016

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama officially received back the National Roving Torch from Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng after its 365-day long tour around the country.

Minister Olopeng officially handed over the torch to President Khama at a prestigious 50th anniversary Independence Day celebrations at the National Stadium on Friday.
Handing the torch back to President Khama, Mr Olopeng said the torch’s 365 days tour around the country passed through 471 villages and towns.

“It has achieved its objective. Batswana are united and proud. I am humbly honoured to return it back,” he said.
After receiving the torch from the minister, President Khama took it around the National Stadium for Batswana to appreciate it once more.

President Khama had, last year, assigned Minister Olopeng to take the torch across all villages of Botswana to enhance unity and pride among Batswana.  

Prior to handing back the torch to President Khama, Mr Olopeng, accompanied by this year’s Miss Botswana, Ms Thata Kenosi, received  it from Ntlo ya Dikgosi chairperson, Kgosi Puso Gaborone.

Kgosi Puso handed over the torch to Minister Olopeng, on behalf of other Dikgosi.

Handing it over to the minister, Kgosi Puso said the torch traversed all villages in Botswana and its return to President Khama was a sign that peace and unity would continue to prevail throughout the entire country. The official handing over of the torch was immediately followed by the cutting of a huge Botswana’s 50th Anniversary of Independence Day cake by President Khama.

President Khama also officially received the National Vision 2036 document from the Vision 2036 Presidential Task Team chairperson, Mr Neo Moroka.

Presenting the Vision 2036 Chapter to President Khama, on behalf of the national task team, Mr Moroka said the document embodied Batswana aspirations and provided the country’s development agenda over the next 20 years.

After receiving the Vision 2036 document, President Khama handed it over to the Minister for Presidential Affairs,Goverance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale. Ends