Bond between North West Provincial Government and Botswana to be reinforced
In a move that seeks to cement the existing connection between South Africa and the neighbouring Botswana, the North West Province will initiate an exchange programme which will benefit Librarians from this province and Botswana.
This was pronounced by MEC for Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs Ms Tebogo Modise while addressing scores of people who attended the memorial lecture in honour of the late stalwart Prof Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews at Moeding College in Otse village outside Lobatse, Botswana. The memorial lecture was delivered on Friday evening.
MEC Modise said this exchange programme will not only enable Librarians to learn best practices from one another, but will promote professionalism and foster strong ties between the two countries.
Leading a delegation from the North West Provincial Government on behalf of Premier SOR Mahumapelo, Modise unveiled the Prof Z.K. Matthews Library plaque at Moeding College, this to symbolise the North West Provincial Government’s commitment to the partnership with Moeding College. MEC Modise further donated literature books to this library and committed the Province to ensuring that the library shelves are immediately refurbished.
“As we continue to tell our stories and recognise the role played by stalwarts like the late Prof Z.K. Matthews during the struggle, we must hold hands together and carry on the legacy of all those that have led the struggle”, said MEC Modise adding that all must work towards ensuring that the ideals of the Freedom Charter are attained.
Responding to the lecture and the North West Province’s pledge, the Minister of Education and Skills Development in Botswana, Dr Unity Dow, challenged learners from both countries to do research and write stories that tell the history of our struggle, saying the ideals of the Freedom Charter can be realised through their writings.
The Prof ZK Matthews memorial lecture in Moeding College coincided with the 60th Anniversary of the Freedom Charter, which was drawn up through the assistance of Prof ZK Matthews.
The memorial lecture was organised by the South African High Commissioner to Botswana in partnership with the North West Provincial Government as part of celebrating heritage month, and came after the launch of the Ngaka Modiri Molema Heritage Liberation Route project in April this year.
Among the dignitaries who attended the colloquium was the late Prof ZK Matthews’s daughter and grandchildren, Minister of Education and Skills Development in Botswana, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Chair of Chairs in the Provincial Legislature, Executive Mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District, Traditional Leaders led by the Deputy Chairperson of Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, representatives from of the United Congregational Church in Southern Africa in Botswana as well as Moeding College management and learners.
For enquiries:
Mr Brian Setswambung
Acting Provincial Head of Communication
Cell: 084 702 3775 or 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
