Bame Piet
14 March 2008
Gaborone — The inauguration of a President is not such a big event in Botswana, though it means a lot in the country's history.
All that happens is a parade by the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), an inspection of the Guard of Honour and the President is sworn in. According to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Ernest Mpofu, who is the coordinator of the organising committee, the event may last for less than an hour because there is not much to be done.
Mpofu said even foreign heads of state are not invited to the event: "It is just a routine thing that will take place in front of Parliament buildings," he said. Asked if there will be a press conference thereafter, Mpofu said they only facilitate the event as Parliament, and that related matters will be decided by the Office of the President. He said the April 1 event is not to be different from the inaugurations of Lieutenant General Ian Khama's predecessors Festus Mogae and Sir Ketumile Masire.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say Government has purchased three Hummer military vehicles for use in a motorcade to mark the event.
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