14 Mar 2017

Commonwealth day is an opportunity to promote the Commonwealth’s shared values of peace, democracy and equality.

Speaking during the occasion to celebrate the 2017 Commonwealth day deputy permanent secretary - corporate services, in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment Sports and Culture Development, Mr Peter Mongwaketse in Gaborone  on Monday, Mr Mongwaketse said the commonwealth continues to support international efforts for peace and is committed to the security, development and prosperity of all Commonwealth nations.

“Today as a country we reaffirm our commitment to the commonwealth charter principle of international peace and security, sustainable economic growth and development and the rule of law as essential tenets for the progress and prosperity of all citizens,” he said.

Mr Mongwaketse said significant on this year’s day, Queen Elizabeth II would launch the 2018 Queens Baton Relay that would leave the Buckingham Palace on what is termed the longest in history and most accessible ever.

“The baton will connect communities across the six continents on its way to Australia for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, I am informed that the baton will arrive in Botswana on May 1 and leave on May 4. It is my sincere hope that Batswana from all walks of life will get the opportunity to interact with the baton,” Mr Mongwaketse said.

When conveying the 2017 Commonwealth Day message from the Commonwealth Secretary General, Ms Patricia Scotland, a student at Bokamoso Junior Secondary School, Onkabetse Molokotima said Commonwealth was another way of saying common good.

She said a peace-building Commonwealth starts with ‘each one of us’ taking individual responsibility, then joining with others so that with mutual support and encouragement, there is sharing of the good from home to community then to the world.

“As we share our joy in belonging to this great global family, wherever we are, whatever our position, let us commit ourselves through our own relationships and networks to think and act as proud and active members of a peace-building commonwealth,” she said. ENDS