The First Parliament

First parliament
First parliament

I see that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is advertising for companies and individuals to track this country’s development path since Independence. Some of us attempted to do something similar for the 40th anniversary but the attempt proved to be more difficult than first thought, and was eventually abandoned.

It may be as well, therefore, that enquiries about this renewed attempt can be made to the ministry. In the meanwhile we can look at this photo of 22 of the BDPs first Members of Parliament in 1966 and wonder what each of them, had they the chance, might make of the government’s development achievement (and failures) in the 50 year period 1966-2016? The one person whose opinion really does matter is obviously, Sir Ketumile Masire and maybe a filmed documentary could be made based on his interviewed recollections of those years, supplemented by those of his successor, HE Festus Mogae. Between the two of them, the outcome could only be a comprehensive, fascinating over-view. It could be a winner.

In this photo, I can identify 13 people, being from left to right, Tsheko Tsheko, B.K. Kgari, B. Thema, Eyes Reokwaeng, Q.K.J. Masire, E. Masisi, President Seretse Khama, Jimmy Haskins, Moapare, Ben Steinberg, G. Koma, George Sim and Amos Dambe. But to tweak the memory of those old enough to have been there and hopefully to stimulate the interest of those who were not, let me provide the full list of those first members.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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