Marking a day which Botswana and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) founding President could be turning hundred years, Sir. Seretse Khama Day will be observed tomorrow, and the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) is accusing BDP of downplaying the centenary.
The government announced an event in which His Excellency the President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi would host dignitaries during the day to celebrate the centenary. According to the BPF, that is not enough, in fact, the organization views that as an afterthought.
“Under Masisi’s BDP, we see a centenary being marked by roguish event announced just 24hrs prior as an afterthought, and at which they will host an unnamed guest for a moment and deliver a speech and that is it. This is contempt towards Sir. Seretse’s centenary celebrations. A centenary Is usually marked by a series of events and activities. For all we know, this event is an afterthought for some tenderprenuer friend to setup a tent and provide certain services at exorbitant prices as is the norm under this record breaking state of emergency. It is not about Sir Seretse Khama. In any case, Sir. Seretse Khama and his contemporaries would not have accepted that a President run this country under a state of emergency for this long.” Lawrence Ookeditse, BPF Publicity Secretary backlashed.
The BPF, which was formed two (2) years back as a breakaway party from the ruling BDP, is of the view that much could have been done in observance of the day since it marks an important milestone.
“You could’ve run a series of events and activities speaking about the legacy of Sir Seretse Khama. You could have done a series of BDP events celebrating and owning Sir. Seretse. He died while BDP President. Masisl is President today because of the selfless foundations laid by Sir. Seretse, Sir. Ketumile, Tsoebebe and their contemporaries. Your celebration of Sir. Seretse Khama would actually win you hearts among the generations knew and loved him, a generation whose support you’re parting with faster than a fool parting with his money.” the BPF lambasted.
According to the BPF, the centenary could have been used to promote the arts and creative Industry Sector in Botswana. As the arts and creative Industry have been on its knees since the emergence of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), the BPF believes that this was an opportunity to support the industry “through heritage activities and also film festivals, musicals, documentaries and the like.”
