03 Jul 2023

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi Saturday led proceedings at the National Assembly grounds to commemorate the birthday of Botswana’s founding President, Sir Seretse Khama.

July 1 has been marked as a remembrance day of the birth of the late President Khama and traditionally been observed as a public holiday for the longest time, but in 2020 President Masisi took a decision to elevate Sir Seretse Khama Day with a befitting honour.

Celebrated with pomp and ceremony befitting a great statesman, the Sir Seretse Khama Day was commemorated under the theme ‘Remembering Sir Seretse Khama: The Framing of Democracy, Peace and Good Governance as attributes of development and nation building.

President Masisi said it was important to remember the late President Khama’s illustrious life, which he dedicated to fighting for his own personal freedom as well as his commitment to fighting for the greater freedom of his people and those within the region.

“Sir Seretse Khama was a champion of democracy, peace, human rights, good governance, rule of law and national unity. It is, therefore, our individual responsibility to ensure that his great legacy continues to inspire future generations here in Botswana, across the African continent, and in the rest of the world,” said Dr Masisi.

He said the prospects for Botswana’s future were entrusted in the leadership of Sir Seretse Khama and his team.

Dr Masisi said this year’s theme provided the canvass upon which to reflect and pay tribute to the leadership of Sir Seretse Khama between 1966 and 1980. He said Khama left behind remarkable footprint, which beckoned to be followed in the making and re-making of Botswana society.

President Masisi said an immense burden rested on the leadership and stewardship of Sir Seretse Khama and his colleagues to put in place a firm political and economic foundation for the viability of the national project called Botswana.

“The indigenous leadership that took the reins of power from the British colonial administration, when Sir Seretse Khama ascended to the office of the Prime Minister following the landslide electoral victory of March 1965, and later becoming the President of Botswana in September 1966, had a tall order of economic problems and challenges to attend to as one of the countries ranked among the world’s poorest,” added Dr Masisi.

He said President Khama underscored the centrality of planning in the development process and the fact that priorities ought to be determined, choices and decisions needed to be made in order to guide the allocation of resources for addressing competing needs of the public.

He credited Khama’s administration for having ensured the laying of the foundations of a state that was eager to foster development, subscribe to the principles of good governance marshalled by the technocrats and political principals who made it their organisational culture to listen to the advice of experts and not abdicating their leadership role as representatives of the people.

President Masisi applauded Sir Seretse Khama’s role in the struggles for the liberation of the majority of black people surrounded by a volatile political environment of white minority rule in the region and his key role in the establishment of SADCC.

Reflecting on his association with the late President Khama, former Botswana Police commissioner and diplomat, Mr Norman Moleboge said few people were blessed to have the kind of approach and exposure that the late Khama had.

He said Sir Seretse Khama was a parent figure and a great statesman.

Former MP, Mr Leach Tlhomelang thanked President Masisi for advancing the ideals of socio-economic development as espoused by the late Khama.

He thanked traditional leaders for their sterling role in the unity of Botswana and gave credit to the late President Khama and late veteran educator, Patrick Van Rensburg whom he associated with in their youthful days in Serowe. Ends