Morupisi mentioned that the Northern Letlhafula Cultural Festival was a great ESP enabler under the Agriculture pillar, through which government passionately advocated for commercialization of the critical sector to not only create jobs for locals, but also diversify the economy and most importantly feed the nation. He therefore implored farmers, potential farmers and indeed investors to fully harness all opportunities available in agriculture in its entirety in the North, and capitalise on those for economic enhancement. Morupisi said while the ESP fully advocated for the Buy Botswana concept, the event was celebrated under the theme: Take Pride in Promoting Botswana Culture and Heritage, so they both emphasised the value of celebrating who they were as a nation, and elevating everything Botswana to an all new level. He also encouraged the business community in the Northern region, to take the lead in the implementation of ESP.
The High Commissioner of Namibia Mbapeua Muvangua appreciated the support given, which contributed significantly to the successful execution of their historic mission to free their country from apartheid colonialism. Muvangua also applauded EBAT for spearheading and hosting an important event, noting that the association with the annual event shall remain in the annals of this country’s rich history and the city of Francistown in particular. Furthermore, he said culture was an important ingredient of any nation because a nation that failed to promote and preserve its culture was doomed to fail. He said with the presence of communities of Namibian descent in Botswana, he was convinced that the city of Francistown and the country at large should be able to show case all the cultural activities of its diverse but united people without any constraints.
For his part, the chairperson of BOT 50 Boyce Sebetela urged the Tati Siding residents to clean the village and the country so that by September 30, the village shone with the blue, black and white stripes. He said the purpose of the celebrations was to reflect on Botswana’s achievements since the attainment of independence in 1966 and further enhance patriotism, national identity, unity and pride.
Sebetela said they came also to appreciate Tati-siding village to know their place of origin, noting that this nation aspired to have Botswana placed high in the world map as their pride and everybody’s destination
