The Governor has drawn up a detailed itinerary during his state visit to Botswana

Botswana – Governor General, Ms. Cynthia Pratt, paid an extensive official visit to the Republic of Botswana this week, which included: official meetings in the Office of the President; a visit to the Diamond Trading Company of Botswana (DTCB); a visit to the National Museum and Art Gallery; a State Dinner; a visit to the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture and the Mokolodi Conservancy; a visit to the Gaborone Women’s Prison; a visit to Francistown (site of the first gold rush in southern Africa in the late 1800s); a visit to Lion Tutoring Services (a tutoring service for children with learning disabilities); and a joint departure press conference.

On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the Governor and President Masisi, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Fred Mitchell, the Permanent Secretary of the Governor’s Office, Jack Thompson, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of the Bahamas, Jerusa Ali, held formal talks with the President, His Excellency Mokgweetsi Masisi, at the President’s Office, where they spoke about ways to deepen relations between the two countries, raise public awareness of the impacts of climate change, and explore trade and investment opportunities.

Bilateral discussions between official members of the party and their Botswana counterparts included: multilateral cooperation; stability, security and economic development; climate change and renewable energy; digitalization and establishing an e-government framework; and cultural and historical topics.

Dame Cynthia’s prepared remarks for the official meeting:

“Dear President of Botswana Dr. Masisi and Mrs.
Her Excellency Ms. Serame, Minister of Finance
His Excellency Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas
Dear Deputy Ministers and Cabinet Ministers

Jerusha Ali
ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for your kind introduction.

I am honored to be in Botswana.
Your Excellency, look at how much progress we have made in the past 24 years of diplomatic relations and in the past year of visits and talks to deepen relations.

As I look around this room this morning, I can feel the joy of the present and the enthusiasm for the future of relations between our peoples.

Sir, I am very pleased to convey the best wishes of Prime Minister Philip Davis. He asked me to extend my warmest regards to you and your wife. The Prime Minister thanked you very much for visiting the Bahamas last September. He also remembered your visit in March this year.

Last year when you visited the Bahamas, you kindly invited me to visit Botswana. Today I am here to fulfill my promise and commitment to visit this amazing country.

Your Excellency, I currently serve as Governor General and Head of State of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and have a deep commitment to serving the community. My official program reflects my interest in history and culture and engaging with youth and prisoners. Thank you and your team.

Allow me to thank you and the organizing committee of the Ministry of International Affairs and Cooperation for the warm welcome and hospitality. This event will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I feel humbled, honored, and grateful.

Your Excellency, this is my first visit to the African continent and I consider it a blessing that Botswana is the first country I have experienced.

Botswana is the longest continuously operating democracy in Africa, having gained independence in September 1966. No wonder I have heard Botswana referred to as the “African Miracle” for its democracy, rule of law, non-discrimination and peace.

Your Excellency, Botswana truly feels like home to me. As I walked around Gaborone, I saw family, friends, and colleagues from the Bahamas.

This is the year we preserve and strengthen pan-African relations. We are separated by an ocean, but we are one people. Just as we fought together against colonialism and racial discrimination, we must now unite to fight for development and justice.

Please allow me to quote a passage from Romans 13:1-3 in the Bible: “All authority comes from God, and those who are in authority have been established by God… The authorities are a terror not to those who do good, but to those who do evil… Do good, and they will honor you.”

Let us continue to nurture and respect the Botswana-Bahamian relationship. Let us continue to do the right thing for our people.

Let’s raise a glass, may God continue to bless Botswana, may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Thanks.”