01 Oct 2024

 As the Gaborone skyline glittered with the majestic fireworks display from the National Stadium on the evening of September 29, Botswana retraced the steps taken the night the British Empire handed over Bechuanaland Protectorate to the independent Republic of Botswana.

On a celebratory evening, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and First Lady Neo as well as cabinet ministers and other dignitaries joined the crowd that packed the National Stadium to the rafters, to view a symbolic re-enacting of the events of September 29, 1966.

Lt Colonel Raymond Rampape of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) explained the significance of their ceremonial commemoration in an interview with BOPA.

“We have a retreat drill, which on the eve of independence symbolised the transition from a protectorate administration to an independent Republic of Botswana. Our retreat parade consists of two guards; the old guard wearing kakhi uniform, hats and caps to represent the old Protectorate administration, and new guard wearing modern BDF uniform,” Lt Colonel Rampape said.

During the drill, the British flag, the Union Jack is lowered while the Botswana flag is hoisted, in front of the National Stadium grand stand; with another Botswana flag raised on top of the eastern Panda stand opposite the grand stand.

This reflects the transfer of power that took place at midnight at independence, culminating in the fireworks display that also mirrors what transpired in 1966, Lt Colonel Rampape added.

In another interview, historian Dr Jeff Ramsay added further historical context. He noted that between the March 1965 general elections and independence on September 30, 1966, Bechuanaland Protectorate was a nominally self-governing territory with Sir Seretse Khama as Prime Minister and head of government, with the British monarch Queen Elizabeth II remaining the head of state.

In February 1966, Prime Minister Sir Seretse, Deputy Prime Minister Ketumile Masire, Leader of the Opposition Mr Philip Matante and royal representative Kgosi Bathoen II met British authorities at Marlborough House in London to conclude constitutional and independence talks.

“On September 29,1966 in Gaborone, Sir Seretse, the Queen’s Commissioner, Norman Walker, and Princess Marina from the British royal family, representing the Queen, signed an instrument at Parliament building, that at midnight Botswana would be an independent republic, with Sir Seretse now President, and both head of state and government.This instrument cemented what had been agreed upon at Marlborough House, " Dr Jeff Ramsay said.

He added that this laid the foundation for the events of later that night, as the British symbolised their final hours in charge of the Protectorate, then the transfer of power at midnight.

“A visiting British honour guard, the Lancashire Fusilers, accompanied Princess Marina and did the fireworks display at the National Stadium that night,” Dr Ramsay related.

A military parade took place culminating at midnight with the lowering of the British flag, the Union Jack, to the singing of their anthem, at the time ‘God Save the Queen," and the hoisting of the Botswana flag, to the tune of ‘Fatshe Leno La Rona,’ as Botswana became an independent republic at the stroke of midnight.

“It was a night of terrible weather, thunderstorms, strong winds, but everything proceeded from the reception at Government House, now State House to the National Stadium festivities,” Dr Ramsay said.

On Sunday night at the National Stadium, festivities included cultural ensemble and music performances, marching band parades by the Botswana Police Service and Botswana Prisons Service, culminating with the BDF re-enactment of the original independence eve. ENDS