BOTSWANA TURNS 55
Francistowners anticipate subdued Independence Day celebrations
ON Thursday, Botswana will celebrate 55 years of Independence. In 1965, Batswana’s proposal for self rule was accepted by Britain, leading to the first General Elections which were won by the Botswana Democratic Party under the leadership of Sir Seretse Khama. Now 55 years and five Presidents later, citizens are looking forward to once again celebrate the historic day, albeit under very different circumstances. The Voice Journalist, KABELO DIPHOLO went to the Francistown streets to find how much this day means to citizens.
THABO RONALD
Life
LEFOANE (26) is tough, bro. I’m faced with so many challenges that I really have no time to think about Independence Day.
My focus is on my many life challenges. It used to be a day to look forward to but, for me, next week Thursday will be business as usual. I’ll be taking pictures on the Francistown streets, hoping to make some money. Besides, it’s not like people will be going to the stadium or kgotla to feast like we used to do back then, there’s Covid-19 to think about.
ONALETHATA ODUETSE (37)
It’s a day I’ve been celebrating from my growing
up years as a boy.
I’ve good memories of Independence Day celebration, but next week Thursday I’ll be home with my family in Francistown. I don’t really expect much on Thursday because this is a totally different era. This will probably go down as the quietest Independence holidays ever.
THAPELO MALEKA (50)
On
any other Independence week, I’d be out of Francistown making money, but this time around I’ll probably be in bed. It is yet not clear whether artists will be allowed to host events and perform so I’m not looking forward to anything
exciting. It has been tough for us artists because we found ourselves holding out a begging bowl to government. That should never happen.
Artists don’t depend on government, we’re self employed and if regulations are not restrictive we can go on with our lives without bothering anyone. My concern is also on the excitement that has come with the opening of night clubs, young people should be careful and not let this go to their heads.
THUSANG BONTSIBOKAE (30)
I’m going to have a very strange Independence Day. I have a wedding to attend in Lobatse, so most of my day will be spent on the road. It’s a day that has great significance for us as Batswana. It defines who we are and hope the celebrations could be taken seriously just like in other countries.
Despite my very busy schedule, I’ll find time to celebrate the day.
DINEO KEORENG (32) At this time last year, I was preparing to host a show in Maun. I had bookings in Gantsi and Bulawayo, and it was one of the best Independence weeks ever.
I’m currently involved with Mascom, registering people for the Batanani Virtual walk. This is what has been keeping me busy, otherwise I don’t know what I’d be doing on Thursday. I haven’t
lost hope, though; I do believe our leaders know how much some industries have suffered and will ensure we safely return to normalcy. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but for now let’s all register for the walk.
REFILWE CHONGWE (34)
will be spending Independence Day at the Francistown Tennis Club,
where I have organised a traditional event to celebrate Botswana turning 55.
We will be braaing and there will also be cultural cuisine, like bogobe jwa lerotse and legala, dikgobe and seswaa. Stewed beef and chicken as well as pap are also on the menu. I encourage anyone interested to come early so they can work up an appetite on court. The bar will be open and I’m sure the good times will flow.
30th September is a very spe
cial day for this country. It’s been a tough year, we should be happy that we managed to survive when so many did not. We should be grateful for life and celebrate our nation’s proud history.
SAADIA ROSSENKHAN Botswana Independence Day is a very special day for the country. For me, this is when we celebrate the seamless passage from someone’s grip to self rule without any bloodshed.
We should celebrate this day because we’re very lucky that it happened the way it did. I’ll be relaxing at home, just being hopeful and positive that finally we might be out of danger of Covid-19. We’ve been battered and bruised and people should be positive and use this day to be responsible. If it rains, I’ll be happy... if it doesn’t, I’ll still be happy.
GEOFFREY MATHEAKGOMO Independence, for me,, means family time, so I’ll be with my family at our farm in Gamodubu.
It is time to have fun, cookout, braai some meat and mingle with relatives and other village fellows. This is a day for us, Batswana, to look back as a nation at how hard our forefathers worked to make Botswana what it is today.