15 Feb 2018

Multitudes of Bakgatla thronged the main kgotla yesterday (February 15) to bid farewell to President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Bidding them farewell, President Khama appreciated Batswana for giving him the opportunity to lead them in his 10-year term.

He said after completing his term in the next six weeks,he would  continue to work with Batswana as he would be taking his chieftainship role as Bangwato kgosi Kgolo and would honour invitations concerning bogosi and other community activities.

Member of Parliamen for Mochudi West, Mr Gilbert Mangole extended his gratitude to President Khama for serving the nation. He said the President respected the Constitution of Botswana in that there was going to be transition of power without anyone being forced to vacate office.

Mr Mangole said Bakgatla were happy that Kgosi Bana Sekai had been reinstated something he said showed government listened to the pleas of Batswana.

He commended President Khama for his efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic after taking over from his predecessor Dr Festus Mogae.

He said the Treat All programme launched by government to treat everyone who tested HIV positive regardless of CD4 count was a welcome development which would save the lives of many people.

Mr Mangole further thanked President Khama for the Presidential Housing Appeal initiative which was established to restore dignity to Batswana through provision of housing which helped many across the country.

Nevertheless, he said Bakgatla were not happy that as morafe they seemed to be sidelined in development in the district as most projects were stalled citing shortage of funds as the reason for the delay.

He said they were worried that most projects  were affected while other districts benefitted more than them.

Mr Mangole cited delayed Modipane-Mabalane road which had taken many years and still had not been constructed.

He added that lack of kgotla offices at their main kgotla was a concern while Ithuteng Junior Secondary School had long requested a multipurpose hall.

He also asked the President to update Bakgatla on the planned district hospital which he said could not be  undertaken due to lack of funds.

On bogosi, Mr Mangole asked President Khama to recognise kgosi Kgolo Kgafela II as Bakgatla kgosi kgolo.

In response, President Khama said he was aware that they owed Bakgatla a hospital but government was still faced with challenges to refurbish health facilities across the country due to lack of funds.

Nevertheless, he promised that the hospital would be built during NDP 11 citing that due to the magnitude of the project, the design plan of the hospital was estimated at P175 million which meant a lot of money was needed for its construction.

He reiterated the importance of respecting the Constitution which had proved to be good for Botswana as it retained peace while other countries in Africa had leaders who refused to vacate office after their term ended.

As such, President Khama warned other African presidents that if they refused to leave office, they would  force MPs to exercise their rights and push them out of office.

He said he had served his term and would leave office peacefully and suggested that perhaps time was ripe for MPs  and councillors to serve their two terms and give others a chance to lead.

He told Bakgatla that their kgotla office was being designed and would soon be constructed.

On the issue of bogosi, President Khama asked Bakgatla to request their kgosi kgolo to come back to Botswana and apply for citizenship adding only then would he be recognised as a Motswana.

Meanwhile, President Khama wasgifted with 10 cows and a bull, 11 goats, seven sheep, P44 000, four ducks, 30 chickens,  paint wall papers, sculptures, 16 chairs and  a traditional chair, among others. ENDS