25 Sep 2017

President Lieutenant General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has been hailed for preserving peace and stability as well as ensuring that Botswana continues to shine among nations.

These words were uttered by President of Organisation of the African Instituted Churches (OAIC) Pastor Tebogo Motlhagodi during a combined national church service at Boipuso Hall to kickstart  BOT50+1 Independence Day Celebrations.

He said President Khama was leaving an indelible mark in preserving stability of the nation.

“He has fought the good fight, as he steps down next year we must thank him as the church. He has preserved peace,” he said.

Pastor Motlhagodi noted that under President Khama’s rule basic human rights were upheld, adding that freedom continued to reign in the country.

“During the BOT50 celebrations last year we witnessed the roving torch, which brought light to all corners of the country. These things happen where there is freedom. Many countries do not have the peace that we have here. When the sun sets people are not sure if they would still be alive the next day,” he said.

Further, the man of the cloth said that the independence celebrations were meant for every single Motswana to retrospect and define their role to ensure that the nation forged forward. 

Further, he encouraged the church to pray for the nation and ask God to help it to deal with issues of hunger and poverty, HIV and AIDS and every other challenge that the nation faced.

He called for more integration and consultation on national issues, which he said brought the nation together.

Pastor Motlhagodi called for the nation to be thankful and sing songs of thanksgiving this independence to thank God for the land.

“There is no other Botswana except this one,” he said.

When praying for the nation standing against social ills and asking for good health for the nation, Prophetess Golekwang Ndwapi of the Battle Cry Church requested for restoration of church leaders.

She noted that church leaders played a critical role in building morals and values of the society, but some were not genuine pastors as they swindled the poor.

Further, the prophetess noted that some people in churches were not genuine pastors as they bought spiritual powers to deceive the masses.

Pastors of different church denominations thanked God for the good rains and harvest received for year 2016/2017.

They prayed God to sustain the nation and give in abundance to the nation.

In the combined church service an offering of P8 000 was received from congregants, which will be used towards the construction of a rehabilitation centre by the Gaborone Ministers Fraternal.  

The service was organised by, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development in collaboration with Gaborone Ministers Fraternal.  

Some officials in attendance were Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, Mr Thapelo Olopeng, Minister  of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Nonofo Molefhi, Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi and senior government officials. ENDS