28 Jun 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will on Thursday host guests to observe at national level, the centenary of Botswana’s  founding president, Sir Seretse Khama. 

An Office of the President news release says President Masisi will make a statement on the occasion in remembrance of Sir Seretse Khama who led the country to independence from British colonial rule and became its first head of state in 1966. 

The occasion,  themed “Living the legacy 100 years on”, will be held at Parliamentary Grounds.

According to the release,  the iconic internationally renowned statesman, Sir Seretse Khama, is best remembered for his commitment to the principles of democracy, peace, self-reliance, development and national unity.

 It further states that the compassionate Sir Seretse Khama also played a significant role in southern Africa’s liberation struggle against white minority regimes of the time.

 “He was one of the founders of the Southern African Development Community, SADC.  Sir Seretse was also a staunch advocate for international relations and diplomacy,” it says.

  It was during his tenure, at the height of the liberation struggle in the sub-region, that Botswana was often referred to as an island of sanity in a sea of chaos, the release says. Ends