Batswana Betsho!

1. Today, marks the 37th Anniversary of our existence as an independent and sovereign nation. We have reason to celebrate. We have worked hard to build and consolidate a united, democratic, non-racial and peaceful society. Since 1966, we have made substantial progress in growing the economy, creating employment and providing infrastructure. Roads, schools, health facilities, electricity and telecommunications systems as well as housing have grown in a manner that is unprecedented in the history of this country. The result has been a positive impact on the lives of many Batswana.

2. The challenges we faced 37 years ago were formidable. In 1966 we were poor. Through hard work, modesty and self reliance we committed ourselves to turning what appeared to be a hopeless and bleak Kalahari Desert into an oasis of peace, economic growth and development, and we have succeeded. We have now created among others, national wealth, infrastructure, an educated and skilled nation.

3. With such success, we have reason to celebrate, but remember success will always come with its own challenges.

The challenges will obviously cause celebration to give way to condemnation as our detractors take these to be our failures. I have always reminded you and will continue to do so, that these successes must not lull us into complacency. We must work hard to sustain the gains of the past and build on them in order to forge ahead to achieve more successes. I have confidence and abiding faith in the resilience of this Nation to succeed.

4. On an occasion such as this one, let us remind each other that we committed ourselves to a long term vision, Vision 2016: Towards Prosperity for All.

We have 13 years left within which to turn our Vision into reality. In order to attain our goals we must confront and overcome the challenges which we face. Some of these major challenges are HIV/AIDS, economic diversification, employment creation and poverty reduction, rural development, disaster management, development of science and technology, sound natural resource and environmental management, and above all human resource development.

5. Let us also remind ourselves of our National Principles of Democracy, Development, Self-reliance, Unity and Botho.

These are time tested and honoured principles, that guided and informed our national development plans. The objectives of our national development planning, which are derived from these principles are rapid economic growth, social justice, economic independence and sustained development.

These Principles are as important and as relevant today as they were 37 years ago. I call upon you, the nation of Botswana, to constantly remind yourselves of these principles which have and continue to hold our nation together as well as make it possible to progress.

6. As we move closer to the end of the fourth decade of our national independence and the beginning of the fifth and Golden Jubilee, I urge the youth of Botswana to rise to the challenge of participating in constructing a better future for present and succeeding generations. The youth have the right to inherit the future of Botswana but the future may never come unless the youth themselves are active participants in constructing it and addressing the challenges of today. Let us therefore rekindle the spirit of commitment to our national principles, by engaging in practical actions to give these principles their full meaning.

DEMOCRACY
7. As a nation we must be proud of our national institutions and symbols. General elections will be held next year. It is the right and responsibility of each and everyone of us to register and vote for a political party or representative of his or her choice.

This is the cornerstone of our democracy. Those who manage the public affairs of Botswana must do so on the basis of the expressed will of the people. That is the foundation on which good governance, honest and accountable government are based.

8. The National Anthem must be sung and not just played in tape recorders or left to the Botswana Defence Force Band, Botswana Police Service Band or Botswana Prisons Service Band alone to play it. Batswana must know the lyrics and melody of their National Anthem.

I urge everyone especially Dikgosi, Headteachers, in fact all teachers, musicians, non-governmental organizations, associations, trade unions and other registered societies including political parties to make the singing of the National Anthem at meetings a national patriotic duty.

9. The National Flag is a symbol of our fortitude and confidence in ourselves, our very existence as an independent and sovereign people. There can be no nation or sovereignty without the people. The National Flag, therefore, belongs to the people.
It does not belong to the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary to the exclusion of the people. It is your flag and you must be proud to fly it. In this regard, I appeal to the business community to ensure that the National Flag, in the right colours and dimensions in accordance with the law, is readily available for purchase.

I also appeal to Batswana, to develop pride in this important national symbol and to inculcate a sense of ownership of the flag amongst children by flying it in a respectful and dignified manner at all times. It would be a mark of self-respect and self-confidence if beginning next year, on Independence Day, the Flag could be flown in each and every home across the entire length and breadth of our country.

DEVELOPMENT
10. It is the responsibility of every Motswana to assume ownership and thus partake in the implementation of development policies, programmes and projects.

Development planning in Botswana is a process that involves the nation as a whole. It is imperative, therefore, that all participate in the implementation stage, irrespective of their station in life. We live in a global village in which productivity, competiveness and efficiency in the public and private sectors are essential if we are to achieve the objectives outlined in NDP9.

11. In talking about development, I must emphasize the vital importance of fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The epidemic adversely impacts on everything that we do to improve our living standards.

It is a matter of national priority that as individuals, as communities and as a nation, we give greater attention to combating HIV/AIDS. If our agricultural, industrial, commercial, retail and construction workers as well as teachers, public servants, engineers, health workers, doctors and many other skilled employees continue to be infected and die from HIV/AIDS, then our objective of people centred development will not only be unattainable but would also, be devoid of purpose.

SELF-RELIANCE
12. We must always remember that as a nation we are captains of our own destiny. However, we must be prepared to collaborate and enter into partnerships with others for mutual benefit. But we must never forget that at the end of the day, we are responsible for our own future. Just as we were determined at independence to establish a viable and vibrant nation against all odds, we must believe and have confidence in ourselves to respond to the challenges of today. We must espouse hard work and not demand entitlements.

13. As we celebrate independence day, there are many of our compatriots who are unable to join us due to HIV/AIDS related illnesses. But Government has and continues to send out messages on abstinence, prevention, condom use, behavior change and anti retroviral therapy.

It is a matter of deep concern to me, that insufficient numbers of people are coming forward to be assisted. Not enough expectant mothers, for instance, who test HIV positive take advantage of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Programme and ARV therapy.

Consequently, we lose opportunities of saving the unborn child from HIV infection as well as securing the life of mothers for several years.

14. This is unfortunate because it happens simply because husbands, partners and family members do not support expectant mothers. It must be recognized that it is within our power to fight and defeat HIV/AIDS. We are receiving generous assistance from the international community to fight HIV/AIDS but ultimately we must rely on ourselves to do the right thing.

Fathers, in-laws and relatives must realize that unless they support expectant mothers they will have no offspring to succeed them when they die. And let us never forget that a nation is made up of families and communities. The death of families means the slow death of communities and ultimately the death of a nation. I appeal to you all to appreciate the importance of first helping yourselves and your loved ones to stay alive. This way you can together with others be in a position to join hands and take part in self-reliance activities at the local and national levels.

UNITY
15. Later this year, my Government will submit a Constitution (Amendment) Bill to Parliament, seeking to amend Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Constitution of Botswana. The objective of the Bill is as stated in the motion adopted by Parliament on 17 February 1995, "to promote Nation Building by amending Sections 77, 78 and 79 to render them tribally neutral". We must continue to celebrate the compositeness of our culture and promote our unity in diversity. The strength and success of our nation depends on our ability to appreciate and manage our differences.

Tolerance and the recognition of the importance of compromise is essential to live and let live.

16. I urge everyone to remember, at all times, that we exist within the frontiers of this Republic as one nation with a common destiny. Our future lies in our ability to work together in building a better and brighter future for ourselves and generations yet to be born. We cannot and should not, wish each other away. We must therefore emphasize the things that unite, rather than those that divide us.

BOTHO
17. Botho as a national principle is an important heritage of our African traditions and culture. As stated in NDP9, Botho is a state of being humane, courteous and highly disciplined. I am however deeply saddened by the behavior and conduct of some of our compatriots.

18. There are some amongst us who have no respect for the sanctity of life, and yet the value attached to life is central to the principle of Botho. We recently witnessed some of the most heinous crimes in the form of murder, rape and abuse.

There is carnage on our roads due to excessive speed, mainly as a result of alcohol and substance abuse. These accidents cost us dearly in terms of lives lost, especially lives of many young, educated and skilled people educated at great public expense. HIV/AIDS prevalence rates have remained high and I strongly believe that this is partly related to alcohol and substance abuse.

19. Botho is premised on a society, which adheres to good values. Government cannot legislate for and enforce Botho.

It is society that must inculcate Botho in each and every individual because, after all, it is society, which is the beneficiary of an individual who is responsible, well-mannered, courteous and disciplined. In this respect, I appeal to you, the nation of Botswana, to join hands in fighting violent crimes such as rape, murder and abuse. We must also be prepared to develop national consensus on measures that can be taken to reduce the number of fatal accidents on our roads and alcohol related HIV infections.

CONCLUSION
20. Let me conclude by wishing each and everyone of you a happy 37th Anniversary of Independence. As this is the period of the beginning of the rainy season, may we all pray to God that we have good rains. And when it rains, let us express our gratitude by ploughing and planting crops that can produce nutritious food as well as earn income for our families.

I thank you for your attention.

P U L A ! P U LA !