02 Oct 2016

Botswana’s 50th independence celebrations presented an opportunity for the country to rewrite her story marking a milestone for a nation whose odds were stacked against her at independence.
With an archived article published by the Southern News Services in 1966 resurfacing and going viral on social media, this year’s historic 50 years independence anniversary was an opportunity to rebut the grim picture that had been painted about Botswana and to re-write our own story of who we are as a people and how far we have come as a nation whose future was written off by the likes of Charles King with his scathing article ahead of Botswana’s independence in 1966.
Charles King, who unfortunately is not alive to correct the error of his words, described Botswana as impoverished, a land without hope and went as far as call it an empty desert land.
Fast forward to 2016, and Botswana is the beacon of hope in Africa. It is a reference point for academics and researchers alike on how a country which was destined to fail by the likes of Charles King can get it right on both the political and economic front. As Botswana celebrates 50 years of independence, it is worth noting that democracy has prevailed and elections have been described by many observers as free and fair.
The head of government communications and historian, Dr Jeff Ramsay notes that over the last three decades Botswana has been the world’s leading producer of gem diamonds by value following the discovery of diamonds shortly after independence. Additionally, Botswana has one of the highest per capita incomes of any landlocked country outside of Europe and Botswana has loaned money with interest to the World Bank. That says a lot for “a land without hope of achieving economic stability.”
That said, in Chobe district, independence celebrations were an opportunity to reflect on the good relations that Botswana has had with her neighbouring countries. This comes naturally as Chobe is home to a quadripoint, which is a unique point on the earth that touches the border of four distinct territories. The point exists at the confluence of the Chobe/ Zambezi River where it borders four nations being Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
As such, Chobe district used the celebrations to acknowledge the fruitful and cordial relations that have existed between the four nations. The district commissioner for Livingstone, Zambia Ms Pascalina Musokotwane who had graced the occasion congratulated Botswana for the 50th independence anniversary milestone and thanked Botswana for being a friend and sister country to Zambia.
In the same spirit, chairman for Chobe district council Mr Mwanota Kachana thanked the Zambian government for their support and noted that Zambia was one of the first countries to open a high commission in Botswana. “I also wish to thank Zambia for their continued attendance of our annual council chairman’s ball as this shows the warm relations between the two nations,” he added.
The day was also characterised by the unveiling of a BOT50 monument in Kasane and donations to orphans and the needy. End