THE GIRL WHO DECLINED A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT Today I had a different encounter. Usually people know me as the little girl who does charity works, motivational speaking and runs a community organization. Thats what most people say when they meet me for the first time. But some days ago, I met a gentleman who is a lawyer and his best memory of me is that of the little girl who declined a meeting with the President. I did not think many people knew that story. His words took me down memory lane. It was in the year 2007, I was 12 years old. The President of Botswana was H.E Festus Mogae. Actually I did not decline to meet him. I only kindly asked that the meeting be postponed to a later date. Which it was. My reasons? Well, at the time when Mr President invited me to his office I was already on a countrywide tour addressing Kgotla meetings in various communities across Botswana and donating to the less fortunate and disadvantaged people. The meetings were meant to empower Batswana about the 5 National Principles, Vision 2016 and the Millennium Development Goals. The tour had been planned months ahead and all relevant stakeholders including the public had been informed and were all awaiting our arrival at their respective locations. Although a meeting from the highest office in the land is a priviledge and an opportunity one does not get ordinarily, I still felt that I should not betray my loyalty to the community which I serve. I felt that it would not be right for me to drop everything and cancel my prior set Kgotla addresses inorder to meet the President. And even shutter the hopes of those who were expecting to receive donations courtesy of my organization. Honestly it was not an easy decision to make, but I consulted my parents and humbly requested that my meeting with the President be postponed to a later date, stating my comprehensive reasons. Gladly, President Mogae agreed and I later on had a fruitful meeting with him. So no, I did not decline the meeting with the President, I just had it postponed. On that note, I thank you all who attended the Kgotla meetings I addressed that year and those who humbly accepted the donations. Most importantly, I commend those who since attending the meetings went back to give back to their communities and contribute positively towards the development of our beloved country. BLESSED EVENING
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 18:05:23 +0000
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