02 Jul 2026

Batswana and the international community continue to honour the enduring legacy of democracy, unity, and socio-economic transformation left by Sir Seretse Khama.

Forty-six years after his passing, it is evident that his influence remains strong, proving the adage: “Great leaders leave physical mortality, but their legacies and impact live on.”

This year on July 1, the nation commemorated the 105^th anniversary of his birth on July 1, 1921.

During this time, the country reflects on the monumental legacy of Sir Seretse Khama and his vision for a united Botswana.

In recognition of Sir Seretse Khama’s global contributions, Ukraine has launched an initiative to

honour Botswana’s founding president with a gold-plated commemorative coin.

Presented by the Embassy of Ukraine to the Republic of Botswana, the coin symbolises friendship, mutual respect, and the enduring international impact of Sir Seretse Khama’s leadership.

While handing over the coin to Kgosi Khama IV of Ba-Gammangwato at the Khama III Memorial

Museum on Monday, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Botswana, Dr Oleksiy Syvak, noted that a traditional wildflower was incorporated into the design to represent Botswana’s rich flora and fauna.

He stated that presenting the coin to the museum served as a launchpad for future partnerships and assured museum curators of Ukraine’s continued support.

Dr Syvak remarked that the name of Sir Seretse Khama echoes far beyond the borders of Botswana.

He described the late president as an embodiment of humanity who believed that the past was not behind us, but beneath us-serving as the very ground upon which everything was built.

He recalled Sir Seretse Khama’s famous belief that “a nation without a past is a lost nation, and a people without a past is a people without a soul.” Sir Seretse Khama used these words to inspire his people to write their own stories and preserve their traditions.

Dr Syvak noted that Ukraine had adopted a similar philosophy, understanding the vital importance of preserving its own history and safeguarding centuries of Ukrainian stories against suppression.

For Ukraine, protecting cultural heritage has become a defining national effort.

Furthermore, Dr Syvak emphasised that Ukraine understood deeply why museums matter.

Keeping memory alive, he noted, was both a sentimental and a political art. He highlighted that few people in history were chosen to become larger than themselves, a trait that perfectly fits Sir Seretse Khama.

Despite facing exile and the injustice of being forced from his homeland for the ‘crime’ of loving across racial lines, he returned without bitterness. Instead, he focused entirely on transforming one of the poorest countries on earth into a beacon of economic stability, democracy, and a model for the entire African continent.

Dr Syvak added that history was shaped by individuals who refused to accept the world as it is.

He cited Ukraine’s national hero and poet, Taras Shevchenko, who was exiled by the Russian Empire for daring to write in the Ukrainian language.

Shevchenko continued to write secretly in notebooks, eventually becoming Ukraine’s most prominent cultural figure and a symbol of resilience and freedom.

Today, there are more than 1 400 monuments dedicated to Shevchenko worldwide. In March 2006, the Ukrainian Embassy opened the very first monument on the African continent at the University of Botswana as a symbol of friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.

“Without their persistence, vision and sacrifice nothing that followed would have been possible,” Dr Syvak said, adding that both nations shared a deep belief in democracy.

He described democracy as a living commitment that required daily courage from ordinary people.

He praised Sir Seretse Khama’s definition of democracy.

“Democracy is like a little plant, it does not grow on its own but must be nurtured, practiced, and defended to survive.”

The gold-plated coin, crafted in Ukraine, features a portrait of Sir Seretse Khama. Dr Syvak presented it to the museum to enrich its collection of history.

“Sir Seretse Khama changed the course of the nation. He was born into royalty, yet he chose

service,”said Dr Syvak, noting that true greatness lied in leaving behind strong institutions and a generation of leaders to carry the torch forward.

Expressing appreciation for the gesture, Kgosi Khama IV called the coin a special gift from a resilient country.

He noted that Botswana is well aware of external attempts to rob Ukraine of its sovereignty, identity, territory and citizens, but expressed confidence that these attempts would fail.

Kgosi Khama IV attributed this inevitable victory to the determination of the Ukrainian people and the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he compared to Sir Seretse Khama for leading a people determined to protect their independence and democracy.

The event was held under the theme: A Legacy of Relations, matching the national Sir Seretse Khama Day theme: Democracy, Unity, Peace, and Harmony: Ideals for All Batswana.

As the custodian of local heritage, Kgosi Khama IV concluded that the museum would continue to strengthen international partnerships and foster cultural dialogue. He extended his sincere gratitude to Dr Syvak, noting that the gift honoured the enduring values of unity, diplomacy, and nation-building that continued to inspire future generations. ENDS