11 Mar 2018

President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama says he is humbled that Batswana appreciated his efforts while at the helm of the country.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting at Takatokwane to bid residents farewell, President Khama said when he assumed the presidency, it was his desire to see Batswana living improved lives hence his initiatives that were meant to emancipate them from poverty.

President Khama said the initiatives included President’s Housing Appeal, which was meant to give the less privileged dignity.

He also appreciated the support that Batswana gave to him while at the helm, and said that it was his hope that the same would be extended to his successor.

He also said he was happy to have disappointed those who fuelled rumours that he would refuse to relinquish the presidency when his term expired.

He said he would leave a happy man after the construction of the Mahupu Unified School at Takatokwane, saying that he was determined to have it done before he left office.

Meanwhile, President Khama also said it was the responsibility of premier league teams or any other teams that want to benefit from the constituency tournament to go around the country and scout for players.

He said the initiative only laid down the hunting ground, and that a number of players had managed to make it to the top leagues in the country after being scouted at constituency tournaments.

President Khama was responding after various speakers had expressed their appreciation of his leadership of the country and the many initiatives that he came up with to improve their lives.

Speaking on behalf of the youth of the constituency, Ms Boitumelo Ditaola said they appreciated initiatives such as the Youth Development Fund and Back-to-School.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Makgabana Tsiane also commended President Khama for his smooth running of the country despite taking the helm at a tough time when the world was going through a recession.

Kgosi Tsiane also hailed President Khama’s habit of visiting villages to be in touch with ordinary citizens so that he could be able to experience first-hand their daily challenges.

For his part, the Member of Parliament for Takatokwane constituency, Mr Ngaka Ngaka also commended President Khama for his intervention through a Presidential Directive to have Mahupu Unified School build despite it not being in the National Development Plan 10.

He said this was because he had realised the need for a senior school in the area.

Mr Ngaka also praised President Khama for the support that government gave to parents of the Matsha accident victims in 2015. Ends