24 Sep 2023

On a cloudy, rain soaked New York morning, a rendition of Fatshe Leno La Rona, with some humming the anthem chords off key, but in patriotic fervour nonetheless, signaled the start of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s meet and greet session with Batswana expatriates based in the American East Coast.

Leading the introductory pleasantries at Botswana’s permanent mission to the United Nations is Dr Gladys Mokhawa, until recently permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now the first Motswana woman to head the country’s mission to the UN.

Portraits of her predecessors adorn the chancery wall:  Professor ZK Matthews, Professor Thomas Tlou, Ambassador Elijah Legwaila, Ambassador Collen Kelapile among other males bear testament to the historic nature of her appointment.

After a rousing welcome from the envoys and Batswana migrants who reside in the American East Coast Tri-state area;  the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Dr Masisi extols the virtues of his latest international voyage.

Explaining that he had been in New York for the week, primarily to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Summit, Dr Masisi notes how the country got to add its voice to this important global platform attended by heads of state and government or their delegated representatives from the 193 UN member states.

Botswana partook in the international discussion on how best the world could attain the targets of the UN SDGs, which encompass improving the livelihood of ordinary citizens in areas such as housing, health, education, sanitation, food security, gender equality and the environment.

With the globe lagging behind in its progress towards fulfilling the SDGs targets by the planned 2030 timeline, Botswana and other Landlocked Developing Countries pleaded with the international community to do more to facilitate improved trade routes and linkages as well as a reform of the global financial architecture to ensure better development lending conditions.

On the sidelines of the UN engagements, Dr Masisi tells his audience,  he got to have bilateral meetings with the President of the Swiss Confederation, Mr Alain Berset, the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mr Alexander de Croo and President Hage Geingob of Namibia among other dignitaries.

Prior to his United States sojourn, Dr Masisi had first been to Australia where his delegation explored opportunities for the country’s mining sector and cattle breeding.

That was followed by a state-visit to The Bahamas with bilateral discussions on developing mutual beneficial relations on tourism, a field in which The Bahamas is among the top performers globally as well as in other sectors such as agriculture, education and health.

A trip to the Cuba followed  for the Group of 77 Developing States (G77 + China) meeting where a debate on multilateral issues took place preceding the UN General Assembly.

Towards the end of his speech, Dr Masisi turns to directly speak to his audience.

“We bring good tidings from home. I ask you to live honest, sustainable lives. Let’s recommit ourselves to the Republic of Botswana. On November 1 to 30 there is voter registration. Stick to the creed Batswana are known for, peaceful democratic elections. Please register to vote for the government of your choice. If you regret that choice, you can vote for someone else in 2029,” Dr Masisi said.

Through his international engagements, President Masisi says he is working to ensure Batswana gain jobs in international organisations, and to lure foreign investors to partner with citizen entrepreneurs, opening up business and job opportunities for Batswana. The quintessence of ‘ke a le tsamaela’.

After a lively engagement with Batswana, Dr Masisi bids them adieu as he completes the New York leg, setting off to Germany to explore further investment opportunities in a global conference on innovation.

Following a whirlwind month of travel in September, President Masisi reveals October will be spent at home, visiting communities, engaging with them through the kgotla structure.

After the President exits the Botswana mission on the 46^th street of the Manhattan borough of New York, where the coat of arms takes pride of place outside and the national slogan Pula is inscribed above the entrance, the Botswana diaspora file out onto the rainy streets.

Their own kgotla session away from home had just concluded with the age old Tswana blessing, A Pula e le nele (let it rain). Ends