The holiday is supposed to be more than just a day off from work during which people can eat drink and be merry. It has to have some sort of meaning to us as a nation and individually as Batswana. We should see it as a day to think about the man who led this nation as its first head of state, and to glean lessons from his life. Sir Seretse Khama remains immortalised in many people's minds. We should reflect on his leadership and with that hopefully play a meaningful role in helping ourselves and our leadership reach a higher level. We are told of his humble, easy-going demeanor. At times, he would unexpectedly visit ordinary people and find ways of helping out when there was need.
He is by far seen and still regarded by many as a symbol of honour and dignity. It is sad though to realise just how little regard is given to the day meant to honour him. Very little, if anything is ever done to celebrate this noble man. The holiday is anything but a day to reflect on the life of Sir Seretse. This should not be the case. Here is a man who led this country's first government after independence. We believe that a national leader of Seretse's calibre, and more importantly one who was the first president of an independent Botswana should be given the right recognition. This country needs to redesign this day in Sir Seretse's honour as part of an effort to reaffirm our shared national heritage. A redesign of the day will help us to re-memorialise Sir Seretse's work, and pass to future generations the life of the man who led their beloved country during its formative years. It is wrong that too many people, especially the younger generation have no idea what this holiday is about. In redesigning or re-branding the day, provided government appreciates the value of this day as we do, we hope every child, every adult would have an opportunity to read and reflect on the life of Sir Seretse Khama.
