In their own voices
Kagiso Onkatswitse | Wednesday September 28, 2016 16:10
Angela Phatsimo Ranku (15-years-old)
I feel honoured and privileged to be part of BOT50. I am very proud to be Motswana because 50 years ago there was no development in the country and people were struggling. After Botswana gained Independence, we saw it developing to where it is today. More hospitals were built. Before Independence there were no good health facilities. Many diseases and sicknesses can be healed and controlled unlike in the past. Literacy has also increased because we see many young and even older people going to school, which is very commendable. We also have better roads than in the past. I am happy to be part of BOT50 and I will for the first time of my life be celebrating Independence at the National Stadium.
Reneilwe Manowe (15-years-old)
Our country has come from nothing 50-years ago to the better and developed country it is today. We see the number of literate people increasing. Botswana no longer has to send students abroad, which was costly. In the past few years we have seen the country building many universities and colleges that have enrolled many youth. Our tourism sector has also grown over the years and now we see the sector attracting many tourists. I am proud to say since we are afforded free education in Botswana, I see it relevant for me to partake in the celebrations and will be spending the holidays in Gaborone.
Lone Rebaone Malope (15-years-old)
Before we gained Independence, Botswana was classified among the poorest countries in Africa. Things changed after Independence as we saw our economy growing. It has since been stable for years and I am happy about that. At the time, there were few job opportunities in the country. Our uncles, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and relatives were forced to go look for jobs in neighbouring countries such as South Africa. Now we have more job opportunities created and people no longer have to leave their loved ones in search of greener pastures.
Otsile Mokubu (30-years-old)
from Francistown
As a young Motswana I understand that BOT50 signifies the commemoration of our country’s achievements. Since Independence, our country has been blessed with peace and tranquillity. We have seen many developments such as infrastructure, roads, education and health being brought to the country. However, we are still faced with some challenges and the biggest of them is the lack of employment. I hope government will strategise and find ways that it can create jobs for the youth than taking us to tertiary schools and afterwards we have no jobs. I say this because the government is spending a lot of money taking us to those tertiary schools and at the end of the day it does not benefit us at all. I completed my degree in 2010 and have not found a permanent job since. However, I am thankful to the government for having given me an opportunity to pursue my tertiary education even though I have not found a job I have been trained for. Just like any other Motswana I am looking forward the golden jubilee in hopes that it will bring us change and we will have more jobs in the country. I will be celebrating Independence in Gaborone.
Basiile Banda Stoffel(44-years-old)
I celebrate Botswana flag as you see me wearing Botswana colours. Our flag is very beautiful and so are Batswana. For decades, Botswana has been reigning with peace and harmony. We are a very focused nation. We are a nation that understand its self and we are determined to achieve our goals. However, I would be very grateful if the country can improve its education structure. The teachers and parents should help the government give their children better and quality education. Vocational training must also be given attention and recognition it deserves as it can help cut down the unemployment rate. With it our youth could not rely on the government to create jobs, but they can create jobs for their peers. I will be celebrating the golden jubilee at Charleshill and Kalfontein (Tsootsha) kgotla where there will also be horse training.
Pearl Bavela (22-years-old)
Since we are celebrating 50-years of Independence, I am proud to say I am proud of the Youth Development Funds and grants. I am one of the youths who have benefited from that programme as I struggled to get jobs. The fund had therefore come handy. However, when it comes to education, I have realised that there are hiccups because it has since been hard to get government sponsorship more especially when you were sponsoring yourself. Asking for progression sponsorship is not easy. Above all, I will join the nation in celebrating its 50-years of Independence. I will celebrate it at Francistown.
Chippo Bakani (49-years-old) and her brother Kegakgametse Bakani (38-years-old)
We are happy for the peace and harmony that have been reigning in our country since her first Independence. Even though it normally takes time to fulfill its promises, when our government promises us something it makes sure it fulfills that promise. We have been promised water and electricity and we have finally got them. However, we are concerned with the lack of jobs and some poverty eradication programmes that the government has pumped a lot of money in and they turned out to be a disaster. Look at backyard gardening; most of them do not exist yet a lot of money has been used to start such projects. We appeal to the government to start off with pilot projects to see if they will work for us. They don’t have to copy projects from other countries and insist that Batswana must follow suite without trying out if they would work for them. We will join our family in Tutume during the BOT50 celebration.
Leatile Motlhalamme(22-years-old)
I am proud to be Motswana because through the help of the government I run a modelling agency. The government has helped us where it could. Resources are there but only to those who are willing to use them. I would like to differ with people who blame the government for lack of jobs because I feel that it is up to an individual to make something out of his or her life. Furthermore, I am more thankful for the peace that Botswana had for these years. I will be working during Independence as I have a number of contracts lined up.
Sarona Nakedi (32-years-old)
I am happy that we are celebrating Independence as a country. We have been a quiet and peaceful country to date and that is commendable. Personally, I do not have anything to celebrate, as I have not achieved any of my goals. However, I will join my family in Shoshong during Independence.
Tshepang Molebatsi (19-years-old)
I see it fit to celebrate BOT50 because we are a united, proud and passionate nation. The roving torch that had united tribes across Botswana has signified this. As a street vendor, BOT50 has worked wonders for me as I gained a lot of profit from selling BOT50 merchandise. I will be celebrating Independence at home in Gabane.