29 May 2018

Press Photo’s photo journalist, Monirul Bhuiyan dedicated his time capturing former president Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s moments, both light, humorous and serious, over his 10-year presidency.

The work has culminated in a book titled KHAMA THROUGH THE LENS, which was launched in Gaborone on May 28.

Speaking at the launch, fourth president, Lt Gen. Khama said there was need to establish an archiving facility for former presidents to promote the culture and history of Botswana.

He noted that he used to see Bhuiyan at many of his official engagements, but did not know he was working behind the scenes to produce a publication on him.

He said Bhuiyan had done him a big favour in the sense that he did not need to pen a book on his life but will just refer people to the photo documentary. 

For his part, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said the book gave readers an opportunity to reflect on the works of a man who even after retirement from service, offered to be of service to a greater pool of the population.

“These works of art is a monumental masterpiece, something that we have to continue to celebrate, something we have to keep for posterity,” he noted.

Minister Molefhi further said in celebrating the photographer, his colleagues in the media fraternity more especially fellow photographers, must walk side by side him to learn from him.

“That which you started will continue serving the community and the greater public of this republic,” he added.

Editors’ Forum chairperson, Mr Spencer Mogapi described the author as a passionate photographer whose book was a living testimony to the fact that giving media access to information was important. 

“This book is a living example of why it is very important as a nation to keep records of our history and why as government officials, it is important that we give media access at all times,” he said.

Mr Mogapi further said the book was more about the history of Botswana, a gift to the former president and the nation and again a gift of posterity as years from now, researchers and people who will be living then will see it and get to know what was happening now.

“Some may not fully appreciate the contribution Monirul has made with this, but it will become clearer with time. We are not able to see the value of these pictures but there will be those people, many years from now, who will hear of a person called Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama and they have never seen him in their lifetime and to them he has made a high input in their lives,” he added.

Author and photographer of the book, Monirul said the book was about archiving Lt Gen. Dr Khama’s presidency for future generations. 

“We hardly see pictures of the previous presidencies. We hardly see pictures of their historical archives. So I thought it would be good to compile Dr Khama’s 10 year presidency in one book for the future,” he said. ENDS