By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 12, 2023 – Bahamas Prime Minister Philip E. Davis today posted a collection of photos on his Facebook page on the arrival in Nassau of His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, for an official state visit to The Bahamas.
For more reasons than one, I absolutely had to share them with readers of my online publication, BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.
Prime Minister Davis posted the collage of photos with the following narrative:
“His Excellency President Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, First Lady Masisi, and the delegation touch down in The Bahamas. Greeted by Prime Minister Philip Davis, The Hon. Alfred Sears, Acting Foreign Affairs Minister, and others.”
Botswana and The Bahamas share an historical symbiotic relationship, as both are former colonies of Great Britain who currently are members of the British Commonwealth
Botswana is a land-locked country that is bounded by Namibia to the west and north (the Caprivi Strip), Zambia and Zimbabwe to the northeast, and South Africa to the southeast and south.
According to information gleaned from the Internet, “Before its independence in 1966, Botswana was a British protectorate known as Bechuanaland. It was also one of the poorest and least-developed states in the world. The country is named after its dominant ethnic group, the Tswana (“Bechuana” in older variant orthography). Since its independence, the Republic of Botswana has gained international stature as a peaceful and increasingly prosperous democratic state. It is a member of the United Nations, the British Commonwealth, the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).”
Earlier this week, the Office of The Prime Minister said that it “is honoured to announce the official state visit of His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana, to The Bahamas.”
The announcement added: “The visit, scheduled from the 12th to the 15th of September 2023, underlines the expanding diplomatic ties between The Bahamas and African nations as our country repositions itself on the global stage.
“As both countries explore the potential for cooperation in tourism and the environment, education, agriculture, health, and financial services, President Masisi is accompanied by the following Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament: Honourable Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Philda Kereng, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Honourable Fidelis Molao, Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Kgotla Autlwetse, Minister of Government and Rural Development, and Honourable Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Honourable Tumisang M. Healy, MP Gaborone Central, and Honourable Dr. Never Tshabang, MP Nkange.”
Continuing, the statement noted that Prime Minister Davis emphasized: “As we strive to solidify The Bahamas’ presence on the global stage, fostering strong ties with African countries like Botswana is essential. This visit provides an unparalleled opportunity to deepen our relationship and explore areas for mutual benefit and growth.”
“On Wednesday, 13th September, President Masisi will meet with Prime Minister Hon. Philip E Davis, KC MP, for official talks, laying the foundation for prospective collaborations that stand to benefit both nations. Meetings with counterpart Ministers will be held with a view to signing a Memorandum on Political and Technical Cooperation that will ensure that institutional relationships are forged now and in the future. As is customary during a State Visit, a state reception will be held in honour of His Excellency Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi.
“This visit signifies the Davis Administration’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic and economic relationships with African countries to diversify the Bahamian local economy and forge closer political and cultural ties between peoples. On Friday, 15th September, both leaders will depart for the Group of 77 States Summit on Science, Technology and Innovation.”
