01 Oct 2024

September 30! The day evokes a variety of emotions to Batswana. To some, it is a moment of jubilation, a moment to bask in the glory that the freedom that came with the attainment of independence brought about.

To others, it is a time of reflection, a time to look back at how the country’s journey post-independence has been like, while to yet another citizen, it is an opportunity to look ahead and determine how best to approach the future.

In Jwaneng, Kehumile Moekejo reports that the town’s mayor, Ms Olga Ditsie adopted the forward-looking stance in her address of residents on Independence Day.

She implored them to individually and collectively contribute to efforts to lead Botswana’s economyaway from being mineral-based, through the adoption of progressive ways of improving its state.

“Let us be at the forefront of economic diversification. We need to position ourselves through other industries, including manufacturing companies aimed at diamond mining value chains, she said, highlighting how the manufacturing sector and opportunities within the diamond value chain could help change the direction of the country’s economy.

Ms Ditsie further called on residents, right from household level, to prioritise environmental cleanlinessand ensure that they protect the image of Jwaneng as the sparkling town of diamonds.

Still in Jwaneng, customary court president Kgosi Segale Letshele said the celebrations should challenge every Motswana on their responsibility and the roles expected of them towards making Botswana better.

“This is the time to evaluate our individual roles and responsibilities,” he said.

While reminiscing about her childhood in Jwaneng before independence, a resident Ms Gosaitse Moreti spoke with pride at how she saw the landscape of the township evolve over time.

The infrastructure developments not only made Jwaneng a sight to behold but they brought education and other important aspects of today’s life within reach.

From Ghanzi, Malebogo Lekula states in her report that Ghanzi Township court president, Kgosi Annah Rankho has implored Ghanzi residents to embrace the 58 years of independence as a remembrance of the struggles and sacrifices made by the nations’ forefathers prior to the attainment of independence.

“58 years ga se dinyana, batsadi ba rona ba mmereketse, a re tshwaraganeng go tsweledisa serodumo sa bone” she said.

She said all efforts made towards attaining independence laid the foundation to Botswana of today where the absence of key infrastructure such as schools and healthcare facilities is a thing of the past.

Kgosi Rankho attributed the pace of developments post-independence to the country’s noble governance structures whose key objective was to drive the country to a point where citizens led dignified lives.

Like the Jwaneng mayor, Kgosi Rankho called on Batswana to unite and help the country upgrade its economy from middle to high income status.

In Moshupa, scores turned up at the main kgotla to celebrate Botswana’s 58th year of independence.

According to BOPA reporter Naomi Leepile, the day was filled with pomp and fanfare as residents celebrated it by dissecting different themes that were derived from the President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s speech.

Some of the covered topics included Gender Based Violence, mindset change and raising awareness for disabled community members and the role of parents in tackling social ills.

In Kanye, Keonee Majoto reports that only a handful of residents turned up for the Independence Day celebrations, a state of affairs that displeased Bangwaketse kgosikgolo, Kgosi Malope II.

Kgosi Malope II said it was disappointing that Kanye residents seemed to want to be invited to partake in the day’s activities when they knew its significance in the country’s calendar of events.

“These celebrations are an annual occurrence. Why then do you want to be invited to attend?” he asked.

He said the ever-decreasing numbers of those who go to the kgotla on Independence Day were a sign that people no longer held the day in high regard, something that he noted called for Bangwaketse to introspect.

Kgosi Malope II said there was a new tradition that was gaining momentum in Kanye, whereby events such as dikhwaere competitions, weddings, tombstone unveilings and other social events were held on Independence Day.

Such he said, prevented the community from celebrating the day in unison as was the case in the past when it was not allowed to host any events on Independence Day in Kanye.

Chairperson of Kanye District Council, Mr Mpho Dithole said the poor turnout of residents was disappointing, and painted a gloomy future for the village with regard to its role in the nationwide boipuso celebrations.

Mr Dithole said council would help address the situation by, beginning next year, not issuing permits for events scheduled for September 30 including dikhwaere and others that could keep people away from taking part in the national festivities.

The poor attendance, particularly by the youth was also reported in Hukuntsi by BOPA reporter Thuso Kgakatsi where the District Commissioner Ms Veronica Rabakane chastised the youth for generally not showing keenness to participate in district activities.

Ms Rabakane said the celebration of Independence Day should stir in residents the spirit of patriotism for their district and country.

She said the principle of self-reliance, which had been the cornerstone that has been instrumental in driving the country to where it was today should also be resuscitated.

Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneyagae of Hukuntsi underscored the need to celebrate Independence Day as the country had acquired so many strides since independence.

Kgosi Tshweneyagae said the many milestones that Botswana reached in her development story were a strong enough reason for the community to take pride in their country and commemorate the day.

Aobakwe Molefhi in Good Hope reports that following a poor turnout of residents at Good Hope kgotla, Barolong kgosikgolo, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II urged people to stop taking the day lightly as it carried a lot of significance.

“We are blessed to have attained our independence without having gone to war, and this is the reason why we should not grow weary of celebrating this important day,” he said.

This call was echoed yet again in Ghanzi, where council chairpersonship, Mr Jeremiah Tibi said the absence of youth during independence Day celebrations was worrisome.

“What information will they relay to generations that will come after them if they stay away from platforms like this where important information about the country is shared,” he wondered. ENDS