02 Oct 2016

Independence celebrations mood started with high note in various villages in Southern district which started with Vision 2016 celebrations and culminated with BOT50 music festival.

From Moshupa Tshiamiso Mosetlha reports  that different former employees and elders said Botswana’s 50th anniversary calls on the nation to introspect and reflect on progress made in addressing issues that affect Batswana.

They said Batswana have every reason to celebrate the nation’s 50th independence anniversary given the political stability reigning in the country and being a beacon of democracy in the world.   

Former employee Mr Gaadingwe Gaadingwe of Moshupa took the audience through achievements the country made from independence to present in terms of developments.

Prior to European rule, he said, Batswana depended on pastoral and arable farming under tribal rule.

In Manyana, Kgosi Kebinatshwene Mosielele of Manyana said before independence, Batswana were not holding positions of authority.

He said a harmonious working relationship between the public and the leadership changed the economic landscape of the country and cemented political stability.

He appreciated government’s efforts in counteracting poverty. At Goo-kodisa settlement, Kgosi Molangwana Keleneilwe commended the government for declaring Gookodisa a recognised settlement in 2013.

He said land board is now allocating plots. Gookodisa used to be lands where farmers plough their fields.

It was established in 1933 after Kgosi Bathoen II had sent some men to stay there to look after the border between Bakwena and Bangwaketsi.

At Sesung, Seherelela, Lefoko, Maokane and the nearest lands and cattle post gathered at the kgotla to celebrate independence.

At Maokane area councillor Ms Tshupontle Kgetsi said they enjoyed the celebrations without any hiccups.

Ms Kgetsi said in an interview that they commended the government for servicing their village with various programmes that had improved their lives. She said they are expecting a lot from the government.

In Tsabong, Aobakwe Molefhi reports that speakers at the main event celebrations in Tsabong congratulated the founding fathers of Botswana who went to England to seek for protection and ultimately negotiated for independence from colonisers.

One of the veterans Ms Mariam Tsietso said that when she grew up there was only one shop in Tsabong, very few homesteads and no tarred roads and communication system.

Ms Tsietso said government did a good job by introducing different initiatives such as LIMID and countless programmes which are aimed at getting people out of poverty.

In Ghanzi, Ketshepile More reports that different speakers  implored residents of Ghanzi to celebrate and remember the founders of Ghanzi who played a role in building the district to what it is today.

Among the speakers was Ghanzi District chairperson Mr Thato Tshweneyagae who said  Bogosi and church institutions are the foundation of independence of Botswana and therefore they should also be celebrated and applauded. He said Bogosi institution played a role in uniting Batswana from diverse cultures and different ethnic groups.

On infrastructure, Mr Tshweneyagae said the country developed from only a few kilometres of tarred road in Lobatse to many across the country to date. He said today Ghanzi District is linked to all corners of Botswana through tarred road, which makes it easier to travel.

He said the road networks also link Botswana especially Ghanzi District to neighboring Namibia.  
With the road networks linking the district to all corners of the country, Mr Tshweneyagae said such developments have brought investment in the district.

“The landscape of Ghanzi township and the district has changed a lot since independence; today we pride ourselves of malls, tourism facilities, government, parastatal and private establishments operating in the district,” stated Mr Tshweneyagae.

The education sector, Mr Tshweneyagae also noted it was something to be proud of as a nation and also as residents of Ghanzi. He indicated that at independence Ghanzi district only had five primary schools with no junior or senior school.

Today, he said the district pride itself  with 21 primary schools, one junior school and one senior school with one brigade and numerous pre-schools and nurseries as well as a private primary school.

He said all Ghanzi district settlements has each a primary school with introduction of preschool education in almost all the settlements, where some are in the form of reception class to standard one while others are set up through Villages Development Committees as day care centers.

Meanwhile governor of Omaheke region from Namibia Mr Festus Ueitele applauded government of Botswana for developments since independence.

He noted that they were grateful and proud to have partnerships with the people of Botswana in the Ghanzi region.

He wished Botswana success in her efforts to sustain her “remarkable economic growth|” on the road to national development and to entrench her commitment to democracy.  Ends