The Independence Day programme

Sandy Grant | Wednesday September 7, 2016 15:42

 

From memory, particular emphasis was made by Princess Marina to the country’s cordial race relations which was hardly surprising given the contrast with the appalling situation in South Africa at that time. 

She also referred, sympathetically, to the persisting, cruel drought. Race relations in this country has fallen away as a topic during the past 50 years whilst drought has continued to be a major concern.

Were these two key speeches merely required waffle, formal statements on the part of both key actors which had no particular meaning, or relevance, a ritual in which both were obliged to perform?

The crucially important role played by Princess Marina seems to have been little understood here. 

The scenario played out in the new National Assembly was far from being a meaningless ritual.  It was, in fact, a legal imperative, which, step-by-step, smoothly, correctly and properly transferred power from the British Government and Parliament to the new Botswana Government and National Assembly.

In sum, the newly installed BDP government was given immediate legitimacy, something which no government anywhere in Africa, in subsequent years, has been able to achieve by means of a coup.

Punch drunk poor, devastated by drought, with a killing South Africa to the south and otherwise surrounded by white controlled states, the outlook for the new Botswana could have hardly have been worse.  But somehow, it didn’t, at the time, seem to be wholly that way.

Looking back, I remain curious about the fate of the many official presents which were made to the newly installed President.

Could I be  wrong in recalling that South Africa gave office furniture, a desk and so on which I assumed was routinely bugged? What happened to this present and to the others given by the British and the Americans, for instance?

Is there any record?  But then it would also be interesting to know what present was given by Seretse to the departing HRH? But zero in on that programme and other questions arise. 

What film was privately shown to Princess Marina by the Prime Minister? What would have been thought appropriate? There couldn’t have been too many options.

And then tucked away at the end, a last minute thought, as it were – the President received from the Asian community a gift of low cost housing at the ‘low cost housing estate’ – presumably White City.

Now there is a mind-blowing item for you! A marvellous 50-year tradition implanted from Day One of the new Botswana.