Lt Prince Harry meets Lt Gen Masire

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Tuesday June 15, 2010 00:00

 

He also spent more than five minutes chatting with Vice-President  Mompati Merafhe, himself a retired army commander. Both men appeared in full security with Masire accompanied by his bodyguards, while the Prince was also attended by his own security

The Prince is an army pilot, who trained at the famed military academy, Sand Hurst, which has also trained a number of Botswana's top military officials, including President Lt General, Ian Khama, whom he meets today at his office.

The 27 year-old prince who is the son of Prince Charles, fought in Afghanistan alongside British troops against the Taliban in 2008, before the world media made his presence there public, forcing him to leave for security reasons.

Botswana's rich and powerful also gathered at the British High Commissioner's residence to shake hands and chat with the visiting prince on the celebratory day that also marked the birthday of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

CEOs of various organisations, cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries, Vice-President Lt General Mompati Merafhe, Bank of Botswana governor, Linah Mohohlo, Phakalane Golf Estate's David Magang joined hundreds of VIPs who drank, ate and toasted the young Prince. It was Prince Harry's first official visit to Botswana although the 27-year-old army officer has often frequented the Okavango delta, which he has turned into his favorite holidaying spot since his teen years.

At the age of 20 he made news when he was reportedly chased by news hounds while holidaying with his girlfriend at the Okavango. After his military expedition in Afghanistan was disrupted he flew to Botswana to cool his head.Prince Harry also celebrated in the Okavango after successfully completing his military examinations. He was supposed to be joined by his brother, Prince Williams who did not appear yesterday.

No explanation was given. The prince however did not have much to say when he took to the podium to speak. He just said he was happy to be here and after hardly a minute, he was done, but he appeared to enjoy conversations with Botswana's VIPs.

According to the British High Commission in Gaborone, Prince Harry and his brother are here for a two-day official visit that will see them touring charity works in the Okavango. He is also scheduled to visit a primary school in Gaborone today. A meeting with President Ian Khama is also scheduled for the two royals.

According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, the royals, will also proceed for a stint on a houseboat with friends on the Okavango Delta.

The paper says the vessel costs £600 per night and guests can sleep under the stars or in one of three luxury bedrooms. The British newspaper also says the royals will have a camping safari while in Botswana.