BY REGINALD KANYANE
NORTH West provincial government said that they will continue to build a relationship with the Botswana, and put in place few projects that will benefit both countries.

MEC for Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs Tebogo Modise said that South Africans and Batswana people from the Republic of Botswana, must be inspired to write about events of the past and work together towards uniting the two nations.

Modise said this on Saturday in Gaborone, where she was representing North West premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the 1985 June 14 raid in Gaborone.

Speaking at the commemoration which was attended by amongst others, survivors of that horrendous  night in Gaborone, which included Nathaniel Mooketsi Serache and Abel Masifi from Mahikeng, and Moitse Botshelo from Gaborone, MEC Modise said information on the history of our liberation struggle must be documented for future generation.

“In the spirit of preserving our heritage, we must retrace the steps, highlight the memorable events of the apartheid regime, and ensure that stories of South Africa and Botswana are properly told,” Modise said.

She deeply thanked people from Botswana for their sacrifices and selfless support to South Africans during the struggle for freedom.

Dignitaries who attended the commemoration visited the Gaborone Cemetery in Extension 14 where Modise was joined by the South African High Commissioner to Botswana Mdu Lembede in laying wreaths in memory of the fallen heroes and heroines.

Most of the freedom fighters who were in exile are buried in this cemetery.

Narrating his ordeal to those in attendance, Nathaniel Mooketsi Serache who survived the June 14 attack when the then South African Defence Force (SANDF) crossed the borders illegally and indiscriminately attacked innocent people in Gaborone, leaving 12 South Africa and Botswana nationals dead and scores seriously injured, said 1985 was the year that Botswana really demonstrated its undivided support to South Africans.

“I am lucky to have survived that dreadful attack as the house I was sleeping in that night was bombed, and that nothing was left of it except rubbles. As a result of that, I am often referred to as the one who rose from the dead.” Serache said.

He said that Botswana was at the forefront of making sure that South Africa is liberated, and assisted some of them to get the best medical treatment ever.

The Executive Mayor of the City of Gaborone, Cllr Kagiso Thutlwe said Botswana was proud to have played a significant role in the fight against apartheid, and that through this commemoration, people from these two countries must be more united and tolerant towards one another.

These sentiments were shared by the Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in Botswana, Kgosi Gaborone, who said it was important to revisit the history of the struggle, and draw inspiration from the courage of those who died while in exile.

The 30th commemoration of the Gaborone June 14 raid was attended by amongst others, South African High Commissioners to other SADC countries, Ambassadors, and the delegation from the North West Province led by MEC Tebogo Modise.

-TDN

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