GOSEGO MOTSUMI
Memorable festivities should be expected around the country during golden jubilee celebrations despite ongoing challenges experienced by the BOT50 committee.
Charity Kgotlafela, the committee coordinator, said they will deliver “celebrations of repute”, starting on the morning of September 30th in Kgotlas across the country where celebrations have been decided to be held.
“During this day we encourage Batswana to stay at their respective districts. There will be parades by scouts and girl guides inspected by our respected Dikgosi, followed by the president’s message by district commissioners,” she said. Activities in villages will include music festivals by regional music groups as well as football tournaments that will be followed by midnight fireworks.
In Gaborone, over 6000 students will partake in Calisthenics parades, telling the country’s economic story. The government and private sector will also tell Botswana’s history, from 1966 to date, in a float through exhibition of old cars, machines, equipment and props.
“We will be lowering down the British flag and raising the Botswana flag to reconstruct what happened in 1966,” added Kgotlafela who also said there will be an exhibition of colonial era parade by the Botswana Police Services. Like in the villages, activities in Gaborone will be followed by a football match between Botswana and Angola before a music festival and fireworks in the night.
Prior to all this, still in Gaborone, a choreography production showing Botswana’s story through arts, theatre and dance will be held on 29th September. “We have encouraged Batswana who are celebrating abroad to celebrate either before or after the 30th so that they can have our artists perform in foreign countries for their celebrations,” said Kgotlafela.