Botswana's historic achievement of winning its first-ever Olympic gold medal, thanks to sprinter sensation Letsile Tebogo's victory last Thursday, prompted an unprecedented response from Members of Parliament.

They unanimously agreed to bypass the usual procedures, taking turns to celebrate what they hailed as one of the greatest achievements in the nation's history, rather than simply questioning the responsible Minister. This was one of the rarest moments where legislators from both sides of the aisle were united, speaking with one voice. They called for increased resources to be allocated to arts and sports, the revival of school sports programmes, and a nationwide talent search initiative.

Minister of Youth, Gender Sports and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare kick-started the proceedings by delivering a powerful unity-building speech as he gave credit for the historical victory of not only his government, but all stakeholders, including opposition political parties, sponsors, sport leaders and the nation in general and above all, Letsile’s late mother, Seratiwa.

Rakgare stated that Team Botswana's triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is not just a personal achievement but a victory for every Motswana and Africans. He emphasised that Letsile Tebogo has demonstrated the power of determination, resilience, and self-belief.

Rakgare noted that Letsile's performance on the global stage has not only inspired aspiring athletes but has also encouraged many young people across the nation and the continent to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. He acknowledged that Letsile’s journey to this moment was far from easy, marked by countless hours of training, sacrifices, and overcoming personal challenges.

"Yet, through it all, he has shown unwavering commitment and an unyielding spirit. His stellar performance in Paris, competing against the world’s best, is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication."

Rakgare highlighted that Letsile’s success is a collective triumph, built on the foundation of support and encouragement from those around him. He paid special tribute to Letsile’s mother, Seratiwa, whose unwavering support and dedication were crucial to his success. From travelling with him around the world to managing his diet and character, she played a vital role in shaping him into the elite athlete he is today. Rakgare expressed gratitude for her efforts, noting that she must be beaming with pride and joy at her son's incredible achievements.

While Legislators were still showering Team Botswana with praise, miles away in Paris, Letsile took off with blazing speed leading Team Botswana composed of himself, Collen Kebinatshipi and Athony Bayapo Ndori to book a place in the finals in which they ultimately scooped silver after losing to the USA on Saturday, making it the third Olympic medal ever since Botswana started its maiden appearance at the Moscow summer games.

After Rakgare’s statement, legislators took turns convincing the Speaker, Phandu Skelemani to allow them to contribute instead of going with the usual and normal parliamentary proceedings of asking the minister questions.

Leader of Opposition and Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Dithapelo Keorapetse emphasised the need for the government to reintegrate sports into schools.

"This will help uncover more talents like Tebogo," he remarked. He also called on the private sector to contribute to the development of sports in the country. Additionally, Keorapetse advised that in celebrating Tebogo's achievements, the nation should also honour other athletes who excelled at the Olympic Games.

Ngami MP Caterpillar Hikuama noted that Tebogo's success was not only a victory for Botswana but also for the African continent, as it marked the first time in Olympic history that an African athlete had won gold in the 200m.

Kanye South MP, Dr Lemogang Kwape, expressed gratitude to Tebogo's parents for raising him well and urged the government to consider rewarding his coach and the technical team, acknowledging their significant role in the athlete's success.

MP Sam Brooks called on the government to make a more concerted effort to reach remote areas like his constituency in the search for and development of talent.

"The government needs to do more than it has been doing to reach these areas. We need to be as proactive in developing athletics as we have been with football," he said. He also proposed including athletics in the constituency tournament.