14 Aug 2024

It was a party on Tuesday as Batswana celebrated their own athletes who had shocked the entire world with their amazing and on-record performance at the just ended 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. 

Right from early morning, Gaborone streets were abuzz with people clad in blue, black and white, and people of all ages and colour, holding up the country’s national flag with pride and immense sense of belonging. 

As thousands made their way to throng the National Stadium for victory celebration, a lot more had earlier in the morning ditched their daily chores to pack the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport to welcome the Olympics team back home. 

The whole mood and jubilation was also a result of a half-day holiday designated to celebrate the Olympics team success, thanks to His Excellency President Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi. 

In fact, this was another mini-holiday, the first was on August 9 where the President made a declaration in Tebogo’s honour after he became the first African to win a gold medal in the men’s 200m with an African record time of 19.46, when he powered past Americans Kenny Bednarek and the popular Noah Lyles. 

Tebogo’s gold as well as silver in the men’s 4x400m relay, boosted the country’s total Olympic medals tally to four. Many who kept coming inside the fully-packed stadium were made to wait for their heroes by being treated to local musos from the likes of Drama Boi, Ezra Neething, ATI and Monnamogolo wa Thulaganyo of the Tlhoma Ka Serethe fame, just to name but a few. 

The much awaited team arrival moment came and the famous Dikhwaere music artiste, Dr Vom, together with dancers clad in traditional skin regalia and holding tree branches, belted out the Tsaya Thobane song, of which Batswana in social media have declared it the unofficial national anthem. 

Dr Vom, well known for his charismatic performances, gave the people what they wanted. His popular power and stadium presence was what he is loved for and his fans could not help but dance alongside singing. 

The whole stadium danced and jumped, as everyone let loose a joyous energy that came from the competition finally being over so that athletes and fans alike could come together in celebration of a truly splendid Olympics performance. 

The Botswana Police Service and bikers procession followed inside to a thunderous uproar from the public and at that moment, everyone knew and realised it was real. 

Finally, the celebrated athletes followed and paraded the stadium on a rooftop bus waving at fans in a joyous mood and the entire stadium just went crazy! 

Men and women of the moment alighted from the bus to a red carpet treatment which signified their status on the society and joined supporters, sponsors and various highly dignified officials, amongst them President Masisi as well as His Honour Vice President Slumber Tsogwane and other senior government officials. 

During his remarks, Dr Masisi assured the nation that every team member who took part in the competition, including the technical team would be rewarded. 

The President also appreciated all Batswana for rallying behind and supporting the team throughout. 

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Honourable Tumiso Rakgare also talked of government’s responsibility of rewarding athletes with houses as per the policy, which was reviewed three years ago. 

The golden Boy, Tebogo, thanked Batswana for the support they accorded them during and after the Games. 

“But most importantly I thank my team, my managers, the President and the government of Botswana for giving my family an opportunity to travel to France,” Tebogo said. 

The day, August 13, 2024, will forever remain engraved in the hearts of Batswana and as one supporter said, “I have never seen a day where Batswana, in every part of the country showed so much happiness and unity. 

I am praying and looking forward to more of such days where we celebrate and dance together as a nation.” Ends