THIS MONTH IN HISTORY (1966)

Source : KUTLWANO

Author : J Norman England

Location : GABORONE

Event : Column-This month in history

With the coming of independence Her Majesty`s Commissioner will leave, and the Head of State in Botswana will be the President, Dr Seretse Khama, with Mr. Quett Masire as his Vice-President.

Under the republican form of Constitution the President of Botswana is elected for the period of the life of the National Assembly, unless he at an earlier date resigns. He is also the executive head of Government and presides over a Cabinet consisting of himself, the Vice-President and six other Ministers drawn from the National Assembly.

The Legislative power of the Republic is vested in the Parliament of Botswana, which consists of 31 elected members, four specially elected members and the Attorney-General (who can speak but not vote in the Assembly).

Under the Independence Constitution there is also a House of Chiefs, available to advise the Government in the exercise of its responsibilities, and in addition the National Assembly is prohibited from proceeding with any bill which particularly affects a defined range of subjects relating to matters of tribal concern unless it has been referred to the House of Chiefs.

The British Government has assured the Bechuanaland/Botswana Government of its desire to continue to provide budgetary and development aid and technical assistance after Independence, subject to the limitations imposed by Britain`s own economic position. Britain will be represented in Botswana by a High Commissioner, Mr. J. Gandee, who will reside in Gaberones. Botswana is applying for Commonwealth membership.

Preparations have been going on for the past three or four months for Botswana`s Independence Celebrations, which will begin on September 27, with the arrival of Her Royal Highness Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, who will represent the Queen at the celebrations. There will be bornfires on the hilltops throughout the country at midnight on September 29, when the Union Jack comes down and the flag of the new Independent Botswana Republic goes up in its place in Gaberones and other centres throughout the country.

Teaser:

AT THE END OF THIS MONTH (SEPTEMBER 1966) THE BRITISH DEPENDENCY, THE BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE, WILL CEASE TO EXIST, AND BE REPLACED BY THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA.