22 May 2017

BotswanaPost has released the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) commemorative stamp to leave a legacy post the historic games to be held in Gaborone from July 8-16.

Unveiling the NWYC stamp at Masunga on Friday, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Kitso Mokaila noted that the NWYC stamp was not just a stamp, but a representation of Botswana.

He said it was more like a museum which carried the history of Botswana, stating that he was grateful to BotswanaPost for safeguarding such history.

BotswanaPost chief executive officer, Cornelius Ramatlhakwane indicated that the NWYC stamp was designed by a young Motswana artist, Irfan Kokabi.

According to Ramatlhakwane, the NWYC 2017 stamp conveyed aspects of the game in play and showed a few key action poses at various stages of the game.

“The 40 thebe stamp conveys a centre (C) position, 50 thebe stamp expresses the position of a centre (C) and a wing attacker (WA) whose position is to deliver the ball to the goal shooter whereas the P4 stamp conveys the positions of a goal attacker (GA) and goal defender (GD), the P5.90 carries the position of wing defencer (WD) whereas the P10 stamp shows the position of a goal keeper (GK) and goal attacker (GA),” he revealed.

Ramatlhakwane further stated that BotswanaPost released stamps that illustrated different themes depending on the issue at hand.

He explained that there were those illustrating a theme of international interests which were released every five years, and the commemorative issue stamps of which five issues were released every year.

He said the commemorative stamps illustrated themes of national interest such as special events like the NWYC 2017, environment, cultural or historical heritage.

NWYC chairperson, Prisca Mokgadi stated that the release of the NWYC stamp confirmed their readiness for the tournament.

She said the games would put Botswana on the world map and also that the country was honoured to be the first country in Africa to host such a big event.

The stamps, she said, would always be a reminder to Batswana of what once happened in their country. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” she noted.

She thanked BotswanaPost for giving them such a gift which they would exhibit at the games.