The First Parliament
Sandy Grant | Wednesday October 22, 2014 16:55
It may be as well, therefore, that enquiries about this renewed attempt can be made to the ministry. In the meanwhile we can look at this photo of 22 of the BDPs first Members of Parliament in 1966 and wonder what each of them, had they the chance, might make of the government’s development achievement (and failures) in the 50 year period 1966-2016? The one person whose opinion really does matter is obviously, Sir Ketumile Masire and maybe a filmed documentary could be made based on his interviewed recollections of those years, supplemented by those of his successor, HE Festus Mogae. Between the two of them, the outcome could only be a comprehensive, fascinating over-view. It could be a winner.
In this photo, I can identify 13 people, being from left to right, Tsheko Tsheko, B.K. Kgari, B. Thema, Eyes Reokwaeng, Q.K.J. Masire, E. Masisi, President Seretse Khama, Jimmy Haskins, Moapare, Ben Steinberg, G. Koma, George Sim and Amos Dambe. But to tweak the memory of those old enough to have been there and hopefully to stimulate the interest of those who were not, let me provide the full list of those first members.
Hon. Seretse M. Khama - Serowe North)
Prime Minister
Hon. Quett J. Masire - (Kanye South)
Deputy Prime Minister
Hon. Archelaus Tsoebebe - (Bobirwa)
Minister of Labour and Social Services
Hon David J. C. Morgan - (Specially Elected)
Minister of Works and Communications
Hon. Moutlakgola P. K. Nwako - (Tswapong
North) Minister of Agriculture
Hon. Amos M. Dambe - (Mmadinare)
Minister of Mines, Commerce and Industry
Hon. Tsheko Tsheko - (Okavango) Minister
of Local Government
Hon. Alan G. Tilbury - Attorney General
Parliament Secretaries
Mr Englishman Kgabo (Molepolole East) -
Ministry of Finance
Mr Ramsey D. Molefe (Specially Elected) -
Ministry of Agriculture
Mr Motlatsi K. Segokgo (Kgatleng and Tlok
weng) - Ministry of Labour and Social
Services
Other Government Members
Hon. Basenyapelo R. Chibana - Kanye North
Hon. Obed Β I.Β Chilume - Nkange
Hon. James G. Haskins - Specially Elected
Hon. Bakwena Kgari - Serowe South
Hon. Gaolese K. Koma - Mahalapye
Hon. Gaerolwe M. Kwerepe - Ngami
Hon. Lemme Makgekgenene - Tonota
Hon. Edison S. Masisi - Moshupa
Hon. Mudongo Maswikiti - Sebina and
Gweta
Hon. Boy M. Moapare - Kgalagadi
Hon. Norman C. Molomo - GaboroneΒ and
Ramotswa
Hon. Dikgothi R. Monwela - Maun and
Chobe
Hon. Goareng S. Mosinyi - Shoshong
Hon. Johnson O. M. Nkoane - Kweneng
South
Hon. Eyes G. Reokwaeng - Kweneng West
Hon. Pulafela M. Sebotho - Ngwaketse and
Kgalagadi
Hon. Ntwakgolo S. Sekga - Ghanzi
Hon. George W. Sim - Specially Elected
Hon. Benjamin Steinberg - Boteti
Hon. Rev. Stephen A. Thobega - Molepolole
Opposition Members
Hon. Phillip. G. Matante - Francistown and
Tati
Hon. Thari W. Motlhagodi - Mochudi
Hon. Kenneth M. Nkhwa - Tati West