Botswana’s Jubilee: An oddessy of the blue-eyed boy of Africa
WeekendLife
As a blistering wind tears across a little stadium at the eastern end of Gaborone at midnight on the 30th day of September 1966, a daring political and constitutional adventure is unfolding. A hitherto unknown black, white and blue striped banner makes a bold ascent up the flag mast, seemingly dwarfing the descending union Jack flag of the once mighty British Empire. A new republic is born in the family of nations.
Cradled at the centre of the Southern African subcontinent, Botswana in 1966 is a daring political experiment. Colonial tyranny and the subjugation of its African neighbours on its northern, southern, eastern and western frontiers is the order of the day.
Its economic fortunes are to both the daring and the fainthearted, doubtful. As the instruments of constitutional transfer are exchanged, the British Colonial Government's only bequest to the fledgling republic is a poor economy, with little next to no economic infrastructure.
However, the fervent zeal of the patriotism of the nation's peoples, is carving a bold and undaunted vision. A new national optimism is in the air, seemingly spurred on by the sheer thrill of a new democratic enterprise in the African continent.
The narrative of Botswana five decades on, is an epic tale of staggering economic strides, an unrivaled track record of multi party democracy, and a political stability and peace that has defied the odds of decades old regional political turbulence ,as well as a roller coaster of misrule in our continent.
As the nation stands on the jubilee threshold, emergent winds buffet the gains of our national project , and these summon the benign temerity and daring of our generation to not only protect a national legacy, but to also bequeath a just and equitable order to the next generation of our people.
Deeply embedded in the tale of Botswana’s stupendous odyssey, is a miracle hidden in the laying of its foundation stone, one hundred and thirty years ago. The mystery of a selfless and God fearing people ,whose Christian monarchs and peoples in 1885, surrendered their realms and sovereignty for the forging of greater Tswana nationhood.
Against the backdrop of sheer European colonial presumption, and the imperialist designs played out at the 1885 Berlin Conference for the partition of Africa, the founding fathers of our nation, Khama the Great, Kgosi Bathoen the First, and Sebele the Second, embarked upon a daring campaign throughout the British Isles in the year 1895, to defy the grand ambitions of the export capital of the British South Africa Company.
As their epic campaign reaches a crescendo, and with British public opinion firmly behind them, their engagement with the British government saves Botswana from annexation and control by the British South Africa Company. It is a major turning point in the history of the nation.
It is however what the three Chiefs do at their historic meeting with Queen Victoria that may very well be at the centre of the mystery of our nation's fortunes. Accompanied by their hand maiden and adviser, the Reverend Willoughby, the chiefs hand over to Queen Victoria the gift of a Bible.
Could it be that the powerful symbolism of a compact between the four monarchs, symbolised by the Bible as a token of exchange, served to indelibly etch God's ordinances into the very DNA of the foundation stone of our nation? Could this explain the relative peace and stability of our nation and its economic fortunes?
Does this mystery have anything to do with the remarkable pattern of Christian ministers who graced our key seats of governance at the founding stages of our nation, such as the Rev Dr Alfred Merriweather our first parliament speaker, the Rev Derek Jones, as the first mayor of our capital city of Gaborone, serving together with the first ten councillors of our capital, two of whom, Rev. Geoffrey Mogome and Rev Makhaola were God fearing leaders from the Assemblies of God tradition.
Or could the prayer of the Scottish missionary John Mackenzie, our nation's first colonial Governor, made on the banks of the Losie river in Elgin in Scotland, asking the Almighty God to send him to serve in foreign mission fields, have anything to do with it?
Not only has Botswana's stability been a blessing to its people, but many other people fleeing persecution and political oppression from the region and the continent, over the many years. Following the massacre and genocide of the Maharero people on the Namib desert by German colonialists at the beginning of the 20th century, the Maharero people of Chief Samuel Maharero took refuge in Bechuanaland.
Botswana has played host to most liberation political movements of its surrounding nations over the decades of political struggle. If any redemptive purpose has been ascribed to Botswana, it's the endowment by Almighty God to serve the nation's as a City of refuge, and to showcase peace, and a just and equitable order to the nation's.
One thing is abundantly clear, while the sheer industry of a people and its leaders may advance the fortunes of their nation, the enterprise of nationhood out with the providential intervention of the maker of the heavens and the earth, is consummate human presumption destined to flounder on the alter of humanist egotism.
The universal tenets of God make a clarion call to us at this hour of jubilee, to summon the nation to a moment of sober reflection, acknowledging His divine providence, and entreating Him to steer us into good fortune for the coming season and generations to come.
WeekendLife
BOTSWANA TO HOST MISS WORLD 2026
Even though Botswana has over the years been performing extremely poorly at the Miss World competition, the country has confirmed that it will be hosting the beauty festival in 2026. Initially, the country was to host Miss World next year, something it failed to confirm before deadline. Director at Miss Botswana, Benjamin Raletsatsi, says Botswana will be ready then to host all participants. Miss Botswana Top 25 finalists left the boot camp yesterday. Quite shocking though, Miss Botswana team is still failing basics as responding to media inquiries on time yet it is dangerously hoping to host an event of high status
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DJ Sway ‘saved’ the YAMAs
DJ Sway, the daring and ambitious on-air presenter of Yarona FM, played a crucial role in saving the radio station’s music awards, known as the YAMAs. The event was initially dry and disorganized, but DJ Sway, who co-hosted with Pearl Thusi, injected life into the show. However, things took a turn for the worse when Pearl Thusi abruptly left the stage, leaving DJ Sway to carry on alone. Despite the unexpected setback, DJ Sway rose to the occasion and captivated the audience, effectively putting an end to the drama caused by Pearl Thusi.
In an exclusive interview after the YAMAs, DJ Sway revealed the behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolded during the event. He acknowledged the script editors, Phalana and Hope, who worked tirelessly to reedit the script and adapt it to a one-host format. Despite the last-minute changes, DJ Sway remained composed and focused, thanks to the support of his colleagues, such as Owen Rampha, Katlego Rakola, Tshepang Motsisi (DJ Easy), and LB.
When asked about his initial reaction to the unexpected turn of events, DJ Sway admitted to feeling saddened by how things ended. However, he credited Pearl Thusi for giving him a much-needed confidence boost during his moment of doubt. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he didn’t need big stars to succeed. With her words of encouragement, DJ Sway regained his composure and approached the rest of the show with the same professionalism and charisma he displays on the radio.
To overcome the challenges he faced, DJ Sway relied on his radio skills and calm personality. He engaged with the audience as if he were speaking to a single person, pointing out individuals in the crowd to create a more intimate connection. He also expressed gratitude for his backstage team, who provided support and ensured the smooth running of the show.
DJ Sway expressed satisfaction in being seen as the saving grace of the YAMAs. He believed that he fulfilled his role as a host and brought joy to the Yarona FM board, his family, and his fans. Despite his success, DJ Sway’s journey has not been without hardships. He has experienced the loss of his mother and sister, which has left a lasting impact on him. While he continues to grieve, he seeks solace in therapy sessions and relies on his father for emotional support.
DJ Sway’s dedication to his craft and ability to overcome adversity make him a remarkable figure in the radio industry. His vibrant personality and deep knowledge of music have made him a perfect fit for Yarona FM. Despite the challenges he has faced, DJ Sway remains determined to make a positive impact and bring joy to his listeners. With his talent and resilience, there is no doubt that DJ Sway will continue to thrive in his career and leave a lasting legacy in the world of radio.
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Chef Gustos walk of shame
Chef Gustos, the renowned hitmaker, recently experienced what can only be described as a walk of shame at the 8th edition of the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs). Despite being nominated a whopping seven times, he failed to secure a single win. Ouch!
The night was filled with surprises, drama, and controversy, but the biggest winner of the evening was Han C, who walked away with three awards, including Best Pop and Best Male Single for his hit song, “Sebinki.” Han C graciously announced that he would be donating P10,000 from his winnings to his fellow nominees, promoting a spirit of togetherness among artists. What a noble gesture!
Meanwhile, Chef Gustos found himself on the losing end of several categories, including People’s Choice Artist of the Year, which he had won in the past. He seemed unfazed by the loss, stating, “People know that ‘Away’ was big, but they won’t stop me.” It’s clear that Chef Gustos is determined to continue making music, regardless of the awards he receives.
However, he did express his frustration with the outcome, suggesting that the awards may be corrupt. He declined to comment further, citing the need to protect his brand and maintain good relationships with corporate clients. It’s understandable that he wants to avoid any potential damage to his future prospects.
In fact, Chef Gustos went so far as to request that Yarona FM not nominate him for future YAMAs. It seems he wants to distance himself from the disappointment and focus on his music without the pressure of awards. Perhaps this decision will allow him to create freely and without the burden of expectations.
While Chef Gustos may have experienced a walk of shame at the YAMAs, it’s important to remember that awards do not define an artist’s talent or success. His fans still appreciate his music, and he continues to have gigs with corporate clients. So, despite the disappointment, Chef Gustos remains optimistic about his future in the industry.
In the end, the YAMAs may have been a letdown for Chef Gustos, but he’s determined to keep moving forward. He won’t let a lack of awards dampen his spirits or hinder his creativity. And who knows, maybe next time he’ll come back stronger and prove that he’s deserving of recognition. After all, the true measure of an artist’s success lies in the hearts of their fans, not in shiny trophies.