02 Oct 2017

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has awarded certificates and medals to Batswana who have contributed to the development of this country.

The awards, held on September 29, were part of the 50+1 Botswana Independence Day celebrations held on Saturday.

Khama bestowed six citizens with the Presidential Order of Honour, an honour awarded for an efficient and devoted service to the country.

Among awardees were Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe and Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr Carter Morupisi.

Prior to her appointment as Speaker, Ms Kokorwe was appointed Botswana’s ambassador-designate to Zimbabwe in 2009, also accredited to Malawi, Mozambique and Mauritius.

She also served as Cabinet minister in various ministries, among them as Assistant Minister of the then Local Government and Youth, Sport and Culture.

Mr Morupisi is currently Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Botswana Public Service as well as advisor to President Khama.

He also represented government in a number of Boards of Directors by providing strategic and sound advice to parastatal organisations and other economic players.

Others were Mr Gabriel Seeletso, who pioneered the establishment of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Phophi Nteta, a former teacher and former general manager of Botswana Building Society (BBS) and Lobatse businessman, Mr Farouk Ismael, who heed to the Presidential Housing Appeal by building houses for the less privileged.  

He also built three Eretsha and Kajaja health posts in the Okavango District and Letoreng Health Post in Mahalapye.

President Khama also awarded six citizens and one company the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service, which is an honour awarded to any person for actions or service benefiting Botswana or any community or organisation in any particular field or sphere and for acts of courage or devotion to duty.

Among them were Kgosi Puso of Batlokwa, Ms Akanyang Mokwena, the founder and director of RE FA KA BONE, a non-profit making day care centre for the elderly and the mentally challenged in Ramotswa.

Others were Mr Mogomotsi Otsetswe, who is the current national athletics coach, Ms Mmasekgwa Makgatlhe, an elderly living human treasurer from Mochudi, Dr Jay Salkin, who made major contributions to Botswana’s economic development by advising in areas of manpower and human resource planning, among others.

The award also went to Mr Jim Legge and his wife Irene, who dedicated 50 years of their lives to the betterment of the people of Serowe and surrounding areas, physically, mentally and spiritually.

The company that also received the same award was NSW Rural Fire Services from Australia, which donated six single cab 4X4 Mitsubishi Canter fire tanks, which have since arrived.

Meanwhile, 15 citizens were awarded the Presidential Certificate of Honour, being a certificate awarded for long and faithful service to Botswana.

Among them was the athlete of international repute, Isacc Makwala and Ms Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego, who is the current President of the Botswana Netball Association (BONA) and Mogogi Gabanamong, who contributed to Botswana football as a player.

There were two posthumous awards,which were awarded to the late Mr Soares Katumbela and Mr Sam Koboyankwe.

The late Katumbela was a music promoter and managing director of Streethorn Company while Mr Koboyankwe was a renowned businessman in the Southern District.

Speaking at the awards, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale explained that those who were honoured were drawn from across the country as they have contributed to the advancement of the country.

Giving a vote of thanks, one of the recipients, Major General Bakwena Oitsile (retired), who received a Presidential Certificate of Honour, thanked the recipients for their selfless sacrifices to make this country what it is today by contributing to its development.

The event, which was broadcast live on Botswana Television and Radio Botswana, was attended by among others, the Vice President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo, Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps. ENDS