Bakalanga to build statue of Chief Nswazwi

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Wednesday October 13, 2010 00:00

 

Secretary of the project organising committee, Lewis Malikongwa said their plan is to erect the statue of their chief at the popular Nswazwi Mall in Francistown. He said the idea to construct the statue was inspired by the fact that the mall was called after the late chief.

He revealed that they have made consultations with the property owners of Nswazwi Mall to erect the statue at their premises. 'We are still negotiating with the manufacturers to try and find those that could make the statue at a cheaper price without compromising quality,' said Malikongwa.

According to Malikongwa, the erection of a statue in the mall is of historical significance at it could help the young generation understand the history of the country. He emphasised that Chief Nswazwi is a public figure who needs to be recognised as he contributed to the history of Botswana.

He said the erection of the statue could also boost the city economically as statues are tourist attractions. 'When cities grow they tend to become tourist attractions of some sort with the erection of statues of public figures who somehow contributed to the development of the country,' he stated.

He further pointed out that such initiatives should be encouraged all over the country as they have the potential of boosting local economies of such towns or cities that create historical monuments.

Malikongwa also appealed to Batswana and other well-wishers to assist in donating money for the construction of the statue. He said according to the quotations they have got so far, they are hoping to raise the sum of about P600,000. He also indicated that the moulding and bronze stages of the statue will be done locally.

Nswazwi is a former chief of the BaKalanga Baka-Nswazwi who ruled from 1910 to 1960 having succeeded his father, Kuswani Nswazwi (Nswazwi VII). He was born in Nswazwi in then Bechuanaland in 1875 and was exiled to Mafikeng in 1947 by the colonial government as a result of a conflict with the Bangwato regent Tshekedi Khama.

After he was released in 1948, Chief Nswazwi went into exile to Rhodesia. He died on May 14, 1960 and was buried in Jetjeni. His remains were later transferred to Nswazwi village in 2002.