22 Apr 2018

Batswana living in the United Kingdom have been urged not to forget their nationality and heritage.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi made this remark in a short stop-over meeting in London on April 20 night to meet and greet Batswana working and studying in the UK.

He said despite their lengthy stay here, they should have it at the back of their minds that they have loving families back home, a national flag, the national anthem, and the Pula! slogan, which denotes peace, happiness and abundance of life to Motswana.

Mr Masisi told the small crowd that he was honoured to have travelled to London in a very short period of time. 

He was last here as vice president in December last year.

He appreciated the warm reception he got from The Queen and the two hosts, UK Prime Minister, Theresa May and Commonwealth Secretary General, Patricia Scotland.

The next two sessions of the summit would be held in Rwanda and Samoa in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

A Motswana living in the UK and spearheading the formation of the Botswana Diaspora, Ms Lame Mmolawa said they were extremely grateful of Mr Masisi’s visit. 

“In many years the opportunity to meet and greet our leadership has eluded us and we cannot thank you more sir. This is important to us.  In your journey, don’t forget us, we are the face of Botswana here. We brand Botswana better and we still want to make a meaningful contribution,” she said.

For his part, the Botswana High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Roy Blackbeard said that it was an honour to have President Masisi visit London in his first official trip outside Africa. 

He said the rain that swept Gaborone when when President Masisi was sworn in was an indication of good things to come during his reign.

Mr Masisi returned home yesterday. ENDS