26 Aug 2018

Batswana diplomats based abroad and the foreign heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Botswana have been encouraged to continuously engage in communication with one another and other stakeholders on how best to strengthen the country’s international relations and contribute to the global community.

This was said by the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Unity Dow during a reception hosted by President Mokgweetsi Masisi to honour Batswana envoys who have been in the country for this year’s Heads of Mission Consultative Forum, as well as the external heads to diplomatic missions to Botswana.

Batswana diplomats spent the whole of last week deliberating about how to best strategically position Botswana to the world after 50 years of independence, as the country enters a new phase in history.

“Our diplomats came to Gaborone to share experiences and get a new direction on messages about the country to send to the world,” she said.

She further noted, “That is at the heart of how we do things, we say mafoko a matlhong as the Setswana saying goes, that is; people should dialogue face to face, which is why government brings together our externally based diplomats into one place for what is essentially a kgotla meeting in a conference hall; to discuss ideas on how best we can improve our country’s international relations,” Dr Dow said.

She said the President had taken advantage of the presence of the Botswana envoys to bring them together with the foreign diplomats based in the country for a dinner where they could network informally.

“It is pleasing to have local and external diplomats as well as other stakeholders from government and businesses in one place so that we can exchange ideas and as we form new relationships and reaffirm existing ones, we can work on how we can practically work together for the benefit of the nation and the international community,” Dr Dow said. The host of the dinner, President Masisi was accompanied by First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi and some members of the cabinet, with senior members of the judiciary and legislature. ENDS