Ramaotwana: Rechristened Nelson in honour of Mandela

“When I grew up from primary school, I ensured that I played the role of Nelson Mandela in school drama and other extra-curricular activities as I admired the man’s posture as a freedom fighter who successfully defeated apartheid together with dedicated South Africans,” Ramaotwana tells Mmegi in an interview this week.

Ramaotwana reminisced about how his parents were shocked to see their son’s name, Nelson, on his Primary School Leaving Examination certificate for the first time. It was then that the young Ramaotwana, now legislator for Gaborone South and Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, explained his choice and preference of the name to his parents.