The life and death of Sir Russell England
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Today, almost nothing is known about him. His entry in the latest edition of the Historical Dictionary of Botswana reads: "Leading white politician, Lobatse rancher and business man, probably of Polish origins.
He served as Chair of the Joint Advisory Council and European Advisory Council during the 1950s and as a member of the Legislative Council from 1961-64. England played a significant role in reconciling white and African interests during the transition to Independence. He was knighted in 1965. A slightly shadowy figure, he was murdered in 1970 in highly unusual circumstances."
It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...