Botswana: The government and people of Botswana over the weekend commemorated the life of the founding President of Botswana, Seretse Khama.
Leading the commemoration at the National Assembly grounds under the theme: Remembering Sir Seretse Khama: The Framing of Democracy, Peace and Good Governance as Attributes of Development and Nation-Building.
President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said Sir Seretse Kham’s administration 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 organizational culture to listen to the advice of experts, but without abdicating their leadership role as representatives of the people.
He said the greatest enemy of unity, harmony and peace is the experience of social inequalities and disadvantage, and exclusion and discriminatory practices.
President Masisi said it was important to learn from Sir Seretse Khama’s illustrious life, which he dedicated to fighting for his freedom as well as his commitment to fighting for the greater freedom of his people and those within the region.
“He was a remarkable leader who made an indelible mark on our country’s history and future. Sir Seretse Khama was a champion of democracy, peace, human rights, good governance, the rule of law and national unity,” he added.
President Masisi said Seretse Khama worked tirelessly to promote economic and social development in Botswana and the region; therefore, its everyone’s 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.
Meanwhile, Minister for State President Kabo Morwaeng said appreciating and celebrating founding fathers is most fitting with his compatriots, whose combined wisdom laid a solid foundation for this nation.
Morwaeng said it is the same foundation that gave a compass to the national trajectory and continues to anchor Batswana as a people. “Fifty-Seven years on, as a sovereign nation, we recall and relive the principles espoused by the founding President, which are Therisanyo, Popagano, Boipelego, Puso ya Batho ka Batho le Botho, which are the pillars that laid the foundation for present-day Botswana,” he added.
