�Immortalise Sir Ketumile�

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday June 30, 2017 18:22

 

There are already loud calls to immortalise the departed statesman with a fitting monument.

Over six choppers, and dozens of VVIP black cars raised the dust on the streets of Kanye as Heads of States including Kgosi Letsie III, President Robert Mugabe (who received the biggest cheers from the crowd), former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, former president, Festus Mogae, former Namibian Presidents, Samuel Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, former Mozambique president, Armando Guebuza amongst others, were chauffeured to Goo Motebejane for the state funeral proceedings.

In his eulogy, President Ian Khama, who was addressing the public for the first time since Masire’s death, promised multitudes of people who descended to Goo Motebejane that they would make a fitting monument for the statesman who has been hailed as an ‘ideal African leader’ by world leaders.

Despite the accolades and praises about Masire’s contribution toward building Botswana, there is no single monument in his memory.

Khama was responding to BDP veteran Daniel Kwelagobe, who challenged the government to make an honours policy to acknowledge great people for the country.

“It is easy for Masire to be forgotten because there is no building or anything that has been named after him. It’s time to relook into our policies to honour people who have contributed immensely for this country.  Masire is one of the founders of our party and we met when he was touring the country recruiting members for the BDP,” Kwelagobe said yesterday.

Responding, Khama said: “I think Kwelagobe has forgotten that (an) honours policy has long been made during his time when he was an MP.  In fact, I discussed with BDP secretary general, Botsalo Ntuane on Wednesday that I would table it at the first Cabinet meeting when Parliament opens for us to discuss the matter.  The government will definitely act on it”.

Members of the public are already suggesting possible monuments that could be named after Masire.  Landmarks like University of Botswana, the National Stadium, A1 Road, new Kasane Airport, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN), Central Business District in Gaborone have been mentioned as fitting to be renamed after Sir Ketumile.

Meanwhile, Kwelagobe in his subtle attack at Khama’s administration challenged the government and his party to go back to the crossroads.

“Let’s not feel ashamed to go back to the crossroads when we seem not to see the road ahead clearly. Consultation with party elders or government leaders is the key because when they are no more ‘we’ will not consult them again. 

Botswana is where it is because its former leaders believed in consultation. We should not be finding ourselves where we are now, facing closure of certain mines. I challenge us to go back to the crossroads while time still permits us,” Kwelagobe said.

Khama, who was on his verbal sparring best laced with comic jabs said: “Le a mo itse Kwelagobe ga nke a thoka go tswa mo tseleng. We will go to the crossroads, mme ke tla tsamaya le wena kwa teng”.