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Botswana farmer gifts Tsvangirai

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A Botswana farmer gave Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai a bull during his recent visit to the neighbouring country

GABORONE — A Botswana farmer gave Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who showed unbridled excitement throughout his tour of Kgatleng Farm, a bull during his recent visit to the neighbouring country, a local newspaper reported.

After the tour, Tsvangirai dined with Bakgatla royals and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Office of the President. He was spoiled with a Tswana prepared meal of papa, morogo wa dinawa, seswaa and ginger.

After lunch, he went back to the kraal where he was shown his gift – a Cahrolais bull. He repeatedly thanked the farmer.

Tsvangirai was accompanied by Vice-President Ponatshego Kedikilwe, who too could not hide his excitement.

According to Senior Private Secretary to the Vice-President Ontiretse Letlhare: “This was a special occasion indeed for Tsvangirai who was in Botswana for a four-day visit at the invitation of the Vice-President.”

He revealed that Tsvangirai and Kedikilwe discussed matters on important bilateral relations.

He added that the Premier had chosen to visit a farm for the leisure part of his itinerary, saying he had not visited one on his many visits to Botswana.

He said various agricultural co-ordinators were contacted including in Mochudi.

“We then went to Mochudi at the invitation of the agricultural district co-ordinator Malefane Segonetso, who then took us to Lesley Matlhaga’s cattlepost,” he related.

He said Matlhaga’s farm emerged a clear favourite owing to its natural set-up.

Suspended president of the Customary Court of Appeal Kgosi Mothibe Linchwe and the chief’s representative Kgosi Seikanelo Pone, Kgatleng West MP Gilbert Mangole and senior officials from Kgatleng District Council made the dignitary list.

For his part, Matlhaga said he was very glad and honoured to have hosted the dignitaries.

He said the visit “will put me on the map, not only in Botswana, but even outside the borders”.

He said he started his cattlepost in 2004 with only four beasts (Cahrolais breed), which he said he bought from South Africa.

Now he has 15 Cahrolais and eight mixed breed beasts bought locally.

He also rears sheep and goats. –Mmegi