G-West communities invite Boko, Masisi to celebrate peaceful power transition
Communities from Gaborone West, spanning both the Gaborone Bonnington South and Bonnington North constituencies, are in the final stages of preparations for a unique celebration.
They are inviting President Advocate Duma Boko and former President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi to share the stage just as they did during last October’s smooth transition of government.
These communities, like many across the country, had been meeting regularly in public spaces to pray for transparent, peaceful, and fair 2024 general election.
They believe it is now time for the nation to give thanks to the Creator for answering those prayers, as Botswana once again demonstrated to the world its status as a shining example of democracy, achieving a peaceful change of government without bloodshed, a rare occurrence on the African continent.
A technical committee comprising residents from both constituencies, under the Phase 4 Customary Court, is working to ensure the event allows the world to celebrate Botswana’s historic and bloodless political transition, proof that Africans are capable of changing governments peacefully.
The two constituencies under the Phase 4 Customary Court of Kgosi Arnold Somolekae cover several wards: Diphetogo, Bophirima, and Morula in Gaborone West Phase 1; Mosewapula (Phase 2); Marulamantsi (Phase 4); Tlogatloga (Block 5); Difethamolelo (Block 9); Boseja North and South in Block 6; and Kgale View.
Details of the event were shared on Tuesday at a special gathering at the Phase 4 Kgotla organised under the auspices of Project MABU — a nationwide community initiative that unites the public sector, private sector, and social enterprises to support an important demographic: newborn babies in public hospitals and their mothers.
MABU, a Setswana word meaning warmth, kindness, benevolence, and a strong maternal embrace, is the brainchild of South Africa’s Ambassador to Botswana, Thaninga Shope-Soumah.
Speaking at the meeting, constituency representatives Pastor Tumelo Mogotsi and Tsholofelo Sethoko explained that as the Gaborone West community, they made a deliberate decision ahead of the 2024 general election that, rather than celebrating Independence Day with the usual festive meals, they would instead dedicate the occasion to prayer for peaceful elections.
Mogotsi recalled that their prayers took place during a turbulent period, as the elections were highly contested and sparked heated debates across the nation.
Yet, in God’s grace, Botswana astonished the world by achieving a smooth, bloodless transition of government, something rare on the African continent.
He explained that moving forward, the community decided to return to God in thanksgiving.
“As a nation, we have a tendency not to celebrate our milestones or invite the world to celebrate with us. We rarely publicise our achievements and say, ‘Look at us, this is possible across Africa.’ This time, we want to change that by hosting a major event.”
Their first step was to approach Peermont Hotel and Casino for a partnership, specifically to request use of their conference facilities. Peermont responded positively, offering the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) free of charge.
Before mobilising the broader community, the organisers engaged local leadership, starting with the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, also the Vice President and Minister of Finance, Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe, who welcomed the idea.
The next step is engaging the government, as their hope for the event is to have both the current State President, Advocate Duma Boko, and former President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi share the stage.
This public display would symbolise Botswana’s peaceful democratic transition and reaffirm that, despite differing opinions and heated debates, the nation remains united under the spirit of Botho
'It is widely recognised that Botswana, as a republic, is a gift from God, not from any individual, and was entrusted to us by our visionary forefathers. As a community, we aim not only to launch this initiative but to instill the spirit and importance of open dialogue among people.
We want to begin a national conversation about reconciliation and social cohesion, affirming, 'Re ntse re Batswana', we are still, and will always remain, Batswana.
This is our project, and we are inviting everyone, including the companies sponsoring Project MABU, to join us in making it as impactful as possible.'
The goal is to expand this event beyond Gabroone West community and replicate its success nationwide.
'We must remember that our greatest treasure is not diamonds though we are among the world’s leading producers but the spirit of Botho. That is what has sustained us.'