Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Briefing Report 15th June 2016

1  In order to achieve the countdown towards 2016, Cabinet has put in place structures to ensure successful celebrations. The decisions are outlined in Presidential Directive Cab 18/2013 as follows:

 A Unit named Fifty Anniversary Coordinating Unit”, to be abbreviated “BOT FIFTY” (BOT 50)

 BOT 50 Secretariat established under the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture to coordinate plans for 50th Anniversary of Independence and attainment of Vision 2016 in collaboration with the Parastatals, Private Sector and the Civil Society; Minister of Youth, Sport & Culture

NOC Board

BOT 50 Secretariat

National District Organizing Implementation Embassies Committee (DOC) Committee (NIC) The purpose of the celebrations is to reflect on Botswana’s achievements since the attainment of Independence in 1966 and further enhance patriotism, national identity, unity and pride;

The countdown to 2016 is a nationwide phenomenon that calls for self- introspection as a nation. Further there is need to reflect on Botswana’s achievements in the implementation of the Vision 2016 pillars. Therefore, all stakeholders need to take stock of their achievements, challenges and come up with interventions.

This nation aspires to have Botswana placed high in the world map as our pride and everybody’s destination.

Therefore as we are counting down to 30 September 2016 it is imperative that every individual, family, community, organisation and institution should put Botswana First in everything that they do. RELIGIOUS SERVICE PROGRAMME 25thSEPTEMBER 2016 () 0600 hrs Gates open for public at the National Stadium 0700 hrs Arrival of Church members and members of the public 0855 hrs Arrival of the Hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Mr. Thapelo Olopeng 0900 hrs Arrival of Hon. Ministers 0905 hrs Invited Guests arrive 0910 hrs Arrival of the Chief Justice 0915 hrs Arrival of the Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly 0920 hrs Arrival of His Honour the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana Mr.

0925 hrs Arrival of His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama the President of the Republic of Botswana and is met by the Hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture

0930 hrs Arrival of Procession of Ministers of Religion at the Platform The National Anthem is sung 0935 hrs Religious Service 1130 hrs End of the Religious Service

1800 hrs Gospel Concert 5 RELIGIOUS SERVICE UPDATE 25thSEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE) • A consultation with Baruti (115) on the 31st May 2016 was held to discuss the Combined Church Service. • To date 26 churches have confirmed their participation. • The intention is to replicate this in all the 16 Districts. • Despite the dominance of the Christians on the programme of the day, invitations will be extended to other faiths to attend. • A draft programme has been developed and awaiting approval by Cabinet.

6 INDEPENDENCE EVE PROGRAMME 29thSEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE)

1300 hrs Gates open for public at the National Stadium 1755 hrs Arrival of the Hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture 1800 hrs Arrival of Hon. Ministers 1805 hrs Invited guests arrive 1810 hrs Arrival of the Chief Justice 1815 hrs Arrival of the Hon. Speaker of National Assembly 1820 hrs Arrival of His Honour the Vice President Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi 1825 hrs Arrival of Heads of State 1850 hrs Arrival of His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama the President of the Republic of Botswana and is met by the Hon. Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture 1855 hrs The National Anthem is led by Botswana Police Band 1905 hrs Independence Eve Ceremony 2210 hrs Visiting Heads of State leave the National Stadium. 2235 hrs His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama the President of the Republic of Botswana leaves the National Stadium.

7 INDEPENDENCE EVE UPDATE 29thSEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE)

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS

Production for the Opening Ceremony • Talent Search for the cast of the Independence Eve production started on 28th May 2016 to 2nd July 2016 across the country. Talent Search 28/05/2016 – 2/07/2016 • Airing of the Talent Search on BTV will commence on 5th August 2016 to 23rd September 2016 (every Friday 1830hrs). Training of the • Training of the identified participants will commence on the 11/07/16 – 29/09/16 participants 11th July • Other participating groups (cultural performance) will be identified through the normal President Day Celebration Cultural 25/07/2016 - 29/07/2016 Winners. Performance • Rehearsals for the Independence Eve Cast is scheduled to start on 14th to 24th September 2016 • Retreat Ceremony Training is scheduled to start 25th July Retreat Ceremony 25/07/2016 – 28/09/2016 2016 to 28th September 2016. • National Stadium and the 14 Districts Head Quarters excluding Kasane and Sowa Town. Due to wild animals in the Fireworks 29/09/2016 – 30/09/2016 localities. • Request for regulatory procedures have been issued to Ministry of Mines, BDF, Botswana Police and CAAB Full Dress • A full rehearsal of the performances to be held on the 29th and 27/09/2016 Rehearsals 30th September will be held on the 27th September 2016

8 INDEPENDENCE DAY PROGRAMME 30th SEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE)

0500 hrs Gates Open for the Public at the National Stadium 0630 hrs Participants and members of the Public take their seats 0730 hrs VIP’s arrival 0800 hrs Arrival of Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Hon. Thapelo Olopeng 0810 hrs Arrival of the Hon. Ministers 0815 hrs Arrival of the Chief Justice 0820 hrs Arrival of the Speaker of the National Assembly 0825 hrs Arrival of His Honour The Vice President Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi 0830 hrs Arrival of Heads of State Arrival of His Excellency The President of the Republic of Botswana Lt. Gen. 0900 hrs Dr. Seretse Khama Ian Khama

Arrival of the National Roving Torch to be handed over to His Excellency the 0905 hrs President of the Republic of Botswana

Independence Day Mass Parade 0925 hrs His Excellency the President inspects the parade and receives Naledi ya Botswana

9 INDEPENDENCE DAY PROGRAMME 30th SEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE)

Colonial Handing Over Parade Calisthenics Band display by Disciplined Forces Traditional performance by various groups Obstacles & Tug of War Competition Float Procession Fly Past and Parachuting • Visiting Heads of State leave the National Stadium • His Excellency The President of the Republic of Botswana leaves the National Stadium • His Honour the Vice President leaves the National Stadium • Chief Justice leaves the National Stadium • Speaker of the National Assembly leaves the National Stadium • Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture leaves the National Stadium • Football Game (Nigeria has accepted. We are awaiting a proposed Budget from BNSC).

10 30th SEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE) INDEPENDENCE DAY UPDATE

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS Independence Day Parade 25/07/16 - 30/09/16 Botswana Defence Force • BDF working on the Retreat Ceremony • Training will start end of July training Colonial Handing Over Parade 33 member Division 23/04/16 - 30/09/16 • Training of the participants continues twice a week from needed 23rd April 2016 at the Special Support Group Camp.

• To date 22 members are undergoing training at the Special Support Group Camp. Sir Seretse Khama and 01/02/16 – 30/06/16 • Advert and jingles running on Radio Botswana and BTV. Lady Khama Look-alike • The Deadline is end of June 2016 • To date 9 Sir Seretse Khama and 2 Lady Khama look-alikes have been received. Calisthenics

25/04/16 - 18/05/16 • 150 participants drawn from Ministry of Education, the Training of Trainers Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police and Botswana Prisons were trained. School training 23/05/16 - 30/06/16 • Standards 5-6 and Forms 1& 2

Mini Rehearsals 11/07/16 - 28/08/16 • Rehearsals take place at 5 different locations

Mass Rehearsals 1/09/16 – 12/09/16 • Rehearsals take place at National Stadium

11 30th SEPTEMBER 2016 (GABORONE) INDEPENDENCE DAY UPDATE ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS Combined Band display • BDF Band 04/04/16 - 30/09/16 • Training started and is coordinated • Botswana Police Band by the Botswana Defence Force • Botswana Prisons Band Traditional performance by various groups (250) • Setapa • Awaiting 2016 President’s Day • Phathisi 25/07/16 - 29/07/16 winners • Tsutsube • Hosana Obstacles & Tug of War Competition • Training to be coordinated by the Botswana Defence Force • BDF • Botswana Police • There is need to organise the 4th • Botswana Prison Group consisting of NGOs and the Private Sectors

12 CHECKLIST

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS Float Procession 01/04/16 - 30/09/16 All Ministries and their • Five workshops have been held to date Parastatals and the 01/09/16 - 12/09/16 • Production of props, artworks and Private Companies preparation of machinery has commenced • Ox wagon production is on-going, two of them have been completed and the third Ox-wagons 01/04/16 – 31/07/16 one will be completed by 30 June 2016. • All the five Ox wagons will be completed and delivered by end of July 2016. • To date 32 oxen have been identified and trained (24 from Jwaneng and 8 from Oxen 01/04/16 – 31/07/16 Botlhapatlou)

• In the process of identifying the remaining 24 Donkey Carts • The Ministry of Agriculture is assisting with Two 2 wheeled and two 4 01/04/16 – 31/07/16 the identification of the donkey carts and wheeled Carts the donkeys • BDF has started the process of taming two Zebra x 2 1/05/16 – 29/09/16 Zebras 13 CHECKLIST

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS Parachuting BDF • BDF working on the process Fly Past • BDF • BPS • The BDF are coordinating the training • Wildlife • Air Botswana • Football Match • Nigeria has agreed

14 CHECKLIST

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS

• To date 16 ministries and their Parastatals have confirmed their participation 01/04/16 - 30/09/16 Float Procession • Five consultations held with the participants for guidance on the production of artworks, props, machinery, etc

• BDF to setup some protective platforms Tug of War 30/09/2016 facing the 4 stands for purposes of clear viewing by the audience

Daimler • MEWT to procure a Daimler in South Africa • Murray & Roberts have provided a Relocation of the Exit Gate quotation that is currently under review. at the National Stadium • It has been indicated that the project will take 6 weeks

15 BUILDUP ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME Venue

Music Festivals

Gospel Music Festival July • Palapye

Poetry & Comedy Festival July • Maun

Contemporary Music Festival July • Kasane

Jazz Music Festival August • Francistown

Dikhwaere Music Festival August • Molepolole

Traditional Song and Dance Festival August • Gantsi

Choral Music Festival September • Masunga

16 NATIONAL BRANDING

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS BOT50 Branded 30/06/16 – • Blimps will be distributed to all districts (1 per Blimps 17/07/16 district) AIRPORTS BRANDING Gaborone 02/06/16 – • Branding of All Airport Information desks. Francistown 20/07/16 Maun Kasane

FLAGS Flags on Towers Started last year July. • Replacing of old and torn flags is continously done Ongoing until across the country. 30/09/16 Flags for Strategic 25/07/16 – • Will commence 1st September 2016. areas in Gaborone 15/08/16 Flags for Districts 23/06/16 – • 20 flags are currently distributed to district 07/07/16 BOT50 National Project 25/09/15 – Signage installed in all the District Head Quarters and Signage 30/06/16 the following Border posts  Tlokweng  Ngoma  Kazungula  Ramatlabama  Martins Drift  Ramokgwebana  Middle pits  Mamuno 17 NATIONAL ROVING TORCH

ACTIVITY DATE/TIME COMMENTS National Roving 01/10/15 – 30/09/16 • To date 362 villages and towns have been Torch covered within 232 days

• 108 days are left and will cover the remaining 3 districts; Kgatleng, Kweneng, and Gaborone.

• Currently the Torch is still in the Central District.

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I thank you

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