H.E. the President to be Chief Guest at Mauritian National Day Celebrations

Republic of Botswana (10/3/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 6 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President “Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline”

C1) 9/3/09: H.E. the President to be Chief Guest at Mauritian National Day Celebrations

This is to confirm that on Wednesday H.E. the President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, will depart for a three day (from 11 to 13 March 2009) State Visit to the Republic of Mauritius.

While there, His Excellency will be the Chief Guest on the occasion of Mauritian National Day Celebrations. He will be accompanied on the State Visit by the Minister for Defence, Justice and Security, the Hon. D.R. Seretse, the Minister of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism, Hon. K.O. Mokaila, and senior officials.

In Mauritius His Excellency will hold Tête-à-tête, talks, with the Mauritian President, the Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, and Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

For your further information below please find a press release from our colleagues in the Government Information Service (GIS), Office of the Prime Minister, Mauritius:

Botswana President to be Chief Guest for National Day Celebrations 2009

GIS - Mar 06, 2009: The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, will be the Chief Guest at the 41st anniversary of Independence and the 17th anniversary of the Republic of Mauritius. The President of Botswana is coming to Mauritius on March 11.

During a press conference held yesterday in Port Louis, the Minister of Education, Culture and Human Resources, Dr. Vasant K. Bunwaree, gave details of activities which will be held at the national and regional levels for the National Day celebrations. The official ceremony will start at 18 30 hours at Champ de Mars on the 12th March and will comprise march past by disciplined forces, uniformed organizations and sports federations, helicopter fly-past, and a procession of floats by Local Authorities. The flag-raising ceremony will take place at 19 00 hours followed by a cultural show presented by the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, the Conservatoire de Musique François Mitterrand and local artists. The celebrations will culminate with a ten-minute musically synchronized giant fireworks display.

Dr. Bunwaree recalled that the theme "Nou Pays Nou Fierté" which was used in 2006 for the National Day celebrations will be used till 2010. It is a very strong theme which aims at promoting and consolidating national unity amongst the population, he said.

"This is a special occasion whereby the whole population feels a sense of patriotism and belonging to the country", the Minister pointed out.

Several other activities have also been organised at the national level. A national flag campaign will be mounted so as to encourage the people of Mauritius to float a national flag on that occasion. There will also be a distribution among school children of a bookmark focused on "Maurice - Ile Durable". With a view to ensuring greater mobilisation around the country, cultural shows will be put up by the various District Councils and Municipalities.

Government Information Service, Prime Minister's Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: infserv@intnet.mu