27 Aug 2017

The history of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is intertwined with that of the country and the sub continent, says President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Giving the keynote address at the BDP’s 55th anniversary celebrations at Serowe Sports Complex on August 26th, President Khama said the history was marked by momentous developments.

He said it would be limiting to perceive the anniversary as a mere milestone in the history of Botswana politics.

President Khama also said they were celebrating two 55th anniversaries, the BDP’s and their sister party, the ANC’s inaugural conference in exile in Lobatse after the ANC was banned in 1960 by the apartheid regime.

“The celebration of the two parties relationship is also a commemoration of the two organisations’ contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggle.”

President Khama also said although launched in 1962, the formation of the BDP could be traced to 1961.

 He said it was in Serowe where many people called for the banning of Botswana People’s Party (BPP) within Gammangwato, as they perceived it to be a threat to the traditional order.

 He said while others expressed reservations about the BPP, they spoke in favour of freedom of association, assembly and speech as part of moving towards democracy.

 President Khama said it was proposed that people should unite and form an organisation which would not only be able to stop the damage caused by BPP, but which would also be able to advise government on what should be done to further the interests of Botswana.

President Khama explained that the BDP was established to build democracy. He added that they have undergone transformation and that in the process also transformed the country.

He noted that despite the country’s humble beginnings, they have made headway due to the vision of the founding fathers.  He added that from that vision emerged a nation that has become a symbol of peace, stability and good governance. He expressed gratitude towards leaders such as the late Sir Ketumile Masire.

“We would not have achieved our current progress as a country were it not for these visionary men and women who came before us,” he said.

He noted that under the BDP government, the country began to play a significant part in international politics as a non-racial democratic alternative to South Africa’s apartheid.

President Khama also noted that at independence Botswana was among the poorest countries in the world with only one tarred road from Lobatse Railway Station to the High Court.

He added that there were no communications or power network at independence, and that economic prospects looked bleak.  

He urged BDP members not to forget where they were coming from, and that they should not squander their legacy with aimless materialism.

President Khama said with the discovery of minerals in the early 1970s,  the BDP government used its prudent management to develop infrastructure.

He added that over the years the country was transformed from one of the poorest to a middle income country, and that it brought challenges since donor funds dried up.

For his part, ANC secretary general, Mr Gwede Mantashe said they came to deliver a solidarity message because of the support Botswana afforded them during the apartheid era.

“Nobody grows and survives on their own and everybody in their lifetime gets under siege and needs support of sister parties,” he said.

He added that if not for international solidarity, they would not have attained their freedom.  He expressed gratitude towards Botswana for their unwavering support towards the formation of ANC.

Mr Mantashe said there was need for a monument in Lobatse in commemoration of the ANC’s first external conference, and a monument to remember the massacres that were carried out by the apartheid regime.Ends