NANCY MWAPE, Kazungula
FORMER President of Botswana Festus Mogae says Zambia’s golden jubilee celebration is of great significance to its citizens and the entire southern African region.
Mr Mogae commended the country for playing a great role in the liberation struggles of the sub-region and praised Zambians for maintaining the peace.
“Zambia’s first President Kenneth Kaunda played a key role in the liberalisation struggle of southern Africa countries.
Dr Kaunda first visited Botswana when it attained its independence and the two countries have since developed strong bonds,” he said.
Mr Mogae said this yesterday when addressing journalists after touring the Lupani Community School constructed by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) of which he is a trustee.
He arrived in Livingstone on Sunday to attend the AWF board meeting focusing on combating illegal wildlife trade and promoting conservation.
The AWF board left Zambia yesterday for Botswana where the meeting will end.
Mr Mogae said it was through Dr Kaunda and his Tanzanian counterpart Julius Nyerere that the rest of the world came to know Botswana.
He also commended Zambia for offering scholarships to Botswana students to study in Zambia.
Mr Mogae who is among the former heads of state that have confirmed participation in Zambia’s golden jubilee celebrations this week described Zambia as a leading pan-African country.