06 Nov 2016

President Lt. Gen Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has applauded Batswana for participating in preparations and the actual 50 year independence celebrations.

The President relayed the gratitude to multitudes who had attended the kgotla meeting he addressed in Kanye on Thursday (November 3).

He said Batswana displayed a high sense of patriotism, “and I was very happy and very proud to be a Motswana”.

President Khama said he was also impressed by the fact that Batswana had painted the country with national colours.

He stressed that Batswana should nurture and jealously safeguard the fabric that has held them together as a nation.

“We only got one Botswana, we don’t want to be refugees in other countries,” he said.

He  was reacting to Mr Kagiso Molefe, umbrella VDC chairperson who had told the meeting that Kanye residents led by Kgosi Malope II had organised a fund raising dinner to augment the shoe string budget they had for the celebrations.

On other issues, President Khama said government was still constrained to increase VDC allowances from P220 to P660 as Mr Molefe had requested.

He revealed that put together, there were about 735 VDCs and 7 350 members across the country. He argued that a monthly allowance of P220 for all the members translated into P20 million per year.

“But if there is any allowance I want to increase, funds permitting, it’s yours, because you work so hard for this country,” he explained.

Meanwhile Kgosi Malope II and dikgosi gave President Khama a sheep as token of appreciation for the visit. ENDS