11 Mar 2018

Kgosi Segale Letshele of Peleng in Lobatse has commended President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama for displaying true democracy in his leadership. Speaking at the President’s farewell in Lobatse on March 9, Kgosi Letshele said President Khama had been a selfless leader in his 10-year tenure as President of Botswana.

He said President Khama has been an example not only to Batswana, but to other African leaders as he has been able to demonstrate that a leader should not hold on to power but rather exercise democracy and step down for others to carry on.

He further said although President Khama took power at a difficult time of economic recession, he managed to diligently deal with challenges that were before him.

Among the challenges he said included the decision not to scale down the public service, saying it showed how he has been a true leader to the people of Botswana.

An elderly resident of Lobatse, Mr Simon Molatlhegi said President Khama has strengthened the ideals of his father in leading Batswana.

Mr Molatlhegi noted that the first president, Sir Seretse Khama’s principles was to have a united and peaceful Botswana. He said likewise, unity and peace continued to prevail under leadership of President Khama.

Mr Molatlhegi also noted that President Khama managed to bring together different ethnic groups in Botswana, giving Batswana an opportunity to learn about each other’s culture and norms through the arts competitions.

Furthermore, Mr Molatlhegi applauded President Khama for his legacy of providing the less privileged Batswana with accommodation through the Presidential Housing Appeal.

In his farewell address, President Khama appreciated the gifts he received from residents of Lobatse, and also recognised the contribution made by other Batswana leaders to the development of the country.

He said people such as Mr Archibald Mogwe and others played a big role in building a democratic, peaceful and united Botswana. He encouraged his successor to uphold democracy, adding that he condemned those leaders who wanted to hold onto power, saying such people were motivated by self-interests.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Lobatse and Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang described President Khama as a humble and loving man.

Adv. Kebonang said President Khama has been his role model as well as mentor. He applauded President Khama for his love and compassion that he showed Batswana during his leadership, saying that was the legacy that Batswana would remember him for among others.

President Khama received gifts ranging from cattle, goats, chicken, two electrical motorbikes, water tank, camping equipment with luxury tent, braai stands and cooler box and binoculars, safari suit and hat, fruit trees of apples, mango and oranges, decorative plants as well as cattle water troughs and a cheque of P73 000. Ends