BY PHUMELELE MKHONTA
MBABANE– Former Botswana President, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Ian Khama, might be attending the newly-announced 55/55 celebrations in April.
This conclusion comes after Khama published on his official social media pages that during his visit to His Majesty King Mswati III, the Eswatini Head of State, he was invited to celebrate their birthdays together. He published this yesterday.
Worth noting is that the Eswatini King’s birthday is on April 19 and Khama’s birthday is on February 27.
“I had a great time with His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday. He invited me to celebrate our birthdays together in Eswatini. We reinforced the legacy of our close relationship that began with our two fathers, King Sobhuza and Sir Seretse Khama (sic),” said His Excellency.
Worth noting is that last Friday, His Majesty King Mswati III, during the official opening of the last session of the 11th Parliament, announced that this year, the country would host the 55/55years of Independence Days and his birthday.
The former Botswana President is now a regular visitor in the country.
About three months ago, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr. Seretse Ian Khama, made it public that he visited tourist attraction sites in the country.
The former President stated that leading his tour was the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Moses Vilakati.
However, Khama did not reveal the days on which he toured the different sites in the country.
“Hon. Moses M. Vilakati, Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, led us on a tour of the Ngwenya Glass Factory, which only uses recycled glass. Each one is entirely handcrafted and mouth-blown.
“We also went to Ngwenya Mine, the world’s oldest iron ore mine, which is significant not only to the Swazi people but also to the history of early industrial development in the Southern African Region. The tour was completed with visits to the Malolotja Nature Reserve and the Maguga dam (verbatim),” read Khama’s Facebook post on his tour.
When sought for comment, Vilakati, the Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs said it was he was honoured to take Khama for a tour in the interesting sites of the Kingdom of Eswatini. “This is a positive for Eswatini. It is evident that we will attract more tourists through his approval which he showed by posting,” briefly commented Vilakati.
