Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Feature
How they celebrate indepedence
Author : Ndingililo Gaoswediwe
Botswana is not paradise. However, she boasts an environment conducive for prosperity and business. Growth and success, peace and harmony, are some of the attributes the country has, for over four decades, cherished.
Of all the attributes the small populated country prides itself in, peace tops the list - since 1966 when it gained self-rule.
Kutlwano reporter, Ndingililo Gaoswediwe, took to the streets and outskirts of Gaborone to guage the hype as the countdown to celebrate the country`s 47th independence continues.
Kagisano Lebang and Tshepo Mogomotsi
Lebang and Mogomotsi are friends and go to Metsimotlhabe Junior Schools. Aged 15 and 16 years respectively, the form two students will celebrate the day differently. While Mogomotsi will visit friends and relatives, his friend will travel to Mahalapye to join his family to celebrate the second birthday of her little sister, One. Since One was born, the Lebang family celebrates independence by hosting a party for their little princess. The two lads believe independence means happiness, time for unity and mostly appreciating government`s efforts to provide free education.
Keone Sejo
She spends most of her time in Gaborone where she works. Sejo will celebrate independence day by paying her mother-in-law a visit in Botlhapatlou and reuniting with the family. For the reason that Botswana is a peaceful nation, the 24-year-old will also join other residents at the kgotla where the main celebration will be held. During her school days, Sejo used to celebrate at school with her colleagues where they would feast on meat and other delicate foodstuffs. Now the hype that used to characterise Botswana day seems to be waning and Sejo encourages other Batswana to always cherish the day for the country is blessed with peace and a government that cares for people.
Ramolekwa Moepi
Sixty-one year old Metsimotlhabe resident says to him independence means celebrating the peace that has so far defined Botswana. He says boipuso will never lose meaning despite transforming the way it has been celebrated. Prior to the big day, he says residents make contributions to complement the little that the local authority normally shares. The money is used to buy food that for the villagers to enjoy at the kgotla. During their heydays, Moepi says villagers would contribute their harvest towards the celebrations that pulled a crowd unlike today where people buy from shops.
Sethunya Molefe
Because many people prefer celebrating independence in the countryside, for the 29-year-old, street vending is a boon for her business. Unlike during her childhood days where she would go to the kgotla and join other Mmopane residents to feast and play traditional games like koi and mhele, September 30 is a business day for her. “Botshelo jwa gompieno ke madi, bo dira gore ke bo ke le fa ke dira letsenonyana ka ebile batho ba tla a bo ba sepela le kgwedi e fedile.” Though Molefe will spend her day at her stall, she appreciates the peacefulness of her country.