Volume 52 Issue 3 - March 2014 : Others
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY (1965)
Author : Kutlwano
This is how Kutlwano covered the story of the swearing in of the new government as Botswana moved towards gaining independence the following year (1966).
OUR NEW GOVERNMENT
The Prime Minister, Mr Seretse Khama and other Ministers appointed on his advice took the oaths of allegiance and office at Government House, Gaberones on March 9.
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Those taking the oaths were:
Rt. Hon. Seretse Khama – Prime Minister
Hon. Q. K. J Masire – Deputy Prime Minister
Hon. A. J. Beeby – (Financial Secretary) Minister of Finance
Hon. B. C. Thema – Minister of Labour and Social Services
Hon. D. J. C. Morgan – Minister of Works and Communications
Hon. M. P. K. Nwako – Minister of Agriculture
Hon. A. M. Dambe - Minister of Mines, Commerce and Industry
Hon. Tsheko Tsheko – Minister of Local Government
Hon. E. M. K. Kgabo – Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Finance
The oaths were administered by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. J. A. Allison in the presence of Her Majesty`s Commissioner, Sir Peter Fawcus, Lady Fawcus and approximately 100 invited guests.
After the swearing in ceremony Sir Peter Fawcus in a speech, spoke of the events of the day and of the week preceding it as most significant in the history of Bechuanaland.
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Sir Peter assured the new Government of the support of civil service and of the good wishes of Great Britain and the world.
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He said ministers would not take lightly the difficulties, which included the signs of a drought that might be worse than previous years. But they took office knowing that they had the overwhelming support of the people.
Sir Peter was sure that the conditions would invigorate the Government, give confidence to investors, and help the economy as never before.
Kgosi Bathoen spoke on behalf of the House of Chiefs. He said that in the team of the new ministers he saw men ready to face facts, to counteract evil and to expel hatred and bitterness. The majority of the Black and White people of the country were behind the new government, he said.
Mr. Russell England spoke after Chief Bathoen on behalf of the former Executive Council. He expressed the utmost confidence in the new Prime Minister. On behalf of the residents of the country and on behalf of the European population he gave him the assurance of their support.
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The Prime Minister then replied to the speeches.
He said at this greatest moment for Bechuanaland he felt both happy and apprehensive. Happy at winning the election and at the confidence of all communities in the country in his Government, but apprehensive at what was expected of the new government and at the magnitude of the task that lay ahead, and the economic difficulties. However, with the help of his colleagues and of the civil service he was confident that Bechuanaland could go ahead.
Bechuanaland had demonstrated, he said, that racial harmony and toleration were not a dead letter, and that if people were determined to get on well together they could do so. He foresaw that Bechuanaland would be an example to its neighbours. Goodwill had prevailed, and Africans and Europeans had united to make a success of the new Government.
In the civil service the policy of localisation would continue, but the new Government did not wish to disrupt anything, and would not speed up localisation at the expense of efficiency. He assured expatriates that their services would continue to be needed.
The Prime Minister gave a special word of thanks to Kgosi Bathoen for his expression of the support of the Chiefs. It was not easy for people who had always been in a position of authority to accept the accession of somebody else to a position of greater authority. Kgosi Bathoen had been very gracious, and the Prime Minister was sure that other Chiefs felt the same way. It was they and the Government working together who could make the country progress.