Botswana: The President of Botswana, Mokweetsi EK Masisi organized the Sir Seretse Khama Half Marathon in Serowe on Saturday. The event was part of activities aimed to remember and celebrate the founding father of the country the late Sir Seretse Khama.
More than a thousand athletes and fitness enthusiasts participated in the half marathon hosted in honor of Botswana’s founding father.  The half Marathon race attracted both local and international runners.
Participants came from as far as United Kingdom, Japan, Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and South Africa.
The half marathon, 21.1km race was attended by President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi. He was accompanied by First Lady Neo Jane Masisi and the Chief Executive Officer of Halfway Toyota Riaan Grobler.
Other dignitaries that graced the marathon, include the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane. The Vice President commissioned the 10km race while the 5km race was commissioned by Kgosi Serogola Seretse.
The winners of the 21.1km race were awarded with P20 000 for both male and female categories. Meanwhile, the winners 10km and 5km races received P10 000 and P5 000 respectively for both male and female categories.
At the finish line every one who participated in the marathon received a medal symbolizing their victory in completing the race.
There were lots of prizes for various categories in each of the three races. There were also prizes under the 5km race to appreciate the community’s efforts.
This marathon provided an opportunity for Batswana to celebrate the late Sir Seretse Khama .
Immediately after the marathon the President Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi made a keynote address. He also appreciated the contributions of Sir Serestse khama as the first President of Botswana.
He expressed how he has hopes for this event to continue happening, noting that the marathon was indeed a success .
After the marathon, a cultural celebration was hosted to celebrate Batswana’s culture and Unity. The event featured musical cultural performances from various traditional groups from Serowe Shakawe and North East as well as the likes of Cultural Spears.
The cultural event was held at the same venue where the marathon kick-started.
These two big events ,The Sir Seretse Khama Commemoration half Marathon and The Cultural Musical Festival brought Batswana together joining in the celebration. Event sponsors played a crucial role in ensuring that the event was a success.
The sponsored include this included MYSC (Ministry of Youth ,Gender Sport and Culture),Diagno-firm, Gambling Authority, Halfway Toyota, Food Botswana, BPOMAS, Orange Botswana, Phodiso Etsile medical centre, NAHPA and Serowe District Council.