11 Feb 2018

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has emphasised the importance of exercising discipline.

He said discipline was the only way that would guide Batswana to live better lives. 

He noted that he introduced ‘Discipline’ as one of the five Ds to motivate the nation to instil a sense of discipline in their livelihoods.

President Khama said this when giving his farewell remarks to residents of Mookane at a kgotla meeting held to bid him farewell as he would be retiring from the presidency end of March.

President Khama said he also introduced ‘Discipline’ to curb the delinquency that was taking place among youths in general and students in schools around the country after being informed that they vandalised classrooms. 

This was of great concern to him in that children were heading in the wrong direction. He also mentioned that government was then obliged to ultimately do maintenance at great costs which was a setback. 

He called on parents to also be disciplined enough to be able to guide and teach children to live responsibly. 

While calling on parents to help enforce discipline among children, President Khama also touched on the issue of ‘time’ noting that time was an important factor that must be respected at all times. He said event schedules must be adhered to.

He said Batswana must always be timely and gave example that he as a President always adhered to time schedules and in that way he was being exemplary.

On other issues President Khama said he would be returning to the kgotla to assist Bangwato Regent Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane.

He also stated that regiments would continue and he would continue to support the initiative.

Regarding developments in the area President Khama explained that a company named CSC has been initially engaged at Mmamabula to setup a power plant to generate electricity and provide electricity needed locally and also export to South Africa. 

However, he said the idea was not realised and CSC had engaged another company which was currently operating at Mmamabula.

He explained that the company had expressed interest to setup a power generation plant and also start coal mining operations in the area. In response to residents request for Bufflesdrift Border between Botswana and South Africa to be open.

Meanwhile during the meeting President Khama acknowledged and commended the area Member of Parliament Ms Botlogile Tshireletso for the ‘good job’ she had done in rendering services to the people of Mahalapye East Constituency and Batswana in general.

He said that as she would be retiring from public service and would not be contesting in the next general elections, she left behind a foot print and a positive record.     

He said she worked hard for the country and stood up for women empowerment. 

He described her as a person with a solid foundation.    

President Khama mentioned that assistant minister Tshireletso also supported him in his work during his tenure as President and supported the government she worked for. 

He noted that Ms Tshireletso had worked for the country since 1979 as councillor before ultimately becoming a Member of Parliament and assistant minister. He said in 2019 when she retires, she would have worked for the country in different capacities for 40 years.

He commended Ms Tshireletso for doing well in rendering services to Batswana.

President Khama went on to thank residents of Mookane and Batswana in general for the support that they had given him during his tenure and the gifts they had presented to him. 

 He also called on Batswana to continue to support Vice President Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi as he will be ascending to the presidency when he retires end of March.

The residents gave President Khama gifts which included 47 cattle, goats, sheep and a horse as well as  cash amounting to P15 722. Ends