Overview:

The Monument of Sir Seretse Khama located in Serowe, Botswana commemorates the country’s first president, Sir Seretse Khama. The monument was built in 1996 to honour the first president who served Botswana until his death at the age of 59, in 1980. The imposing bronze stature stands 18 meters high and overlooks the village of Serowe. The statue was sculpted by Kenyan artist John Oyorokobi and stands behind the house where Sir Seretse Khama once lived, showing the former president’s dedication and leadership qualities. The open hands of the statue represent his openness and willingness to receive whatever comes his way. The bronze sculpture also reflects a sense of strength and courage, which symbolizes the resilience, wisdom and determination of the former president. The statue serves as a lasting reminder of Sir Seretse Khama’s legacy and his service to the people of Botswana. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Botswana
Prominent Features:

The Sir Seretse Khama Statue in Serowe, located in North Central Botswana, is a large bronze statue that honors the local leader and statesman, Sir Seretse Khama. The statue stands about 15 meters in height and was unveiled in 2002. The statue is considered to be a symbol of national pride for the nation of Botswana, also serves to celebrate Sir Khama’s legacy. It was sculpted by acclaimed Botswanan artist, Seth Molatisane. This national monument of Botswana portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Sir Seretse Khama Statue is a bronze monument located in Serowe, Botswana. It was unveiled in September 2015 to honor the legacy of Sir Seretse Khama, Botswana's first president, who served from 1966 until his death in 1980. The statue stands on a block of crimson granite at the center of the city, facing the central village greensward. The monument was commissioned in October 2009, when Botswana Government approved funding for the development of the statue. The original idea for the statue was put forward by the Botswana National Monument Council in 2009. The Royal family of the Bangwato tribe, of which Sir Seretse Khama was a chieftain, donated funds in 2011. They also provided an area of land in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, for its construction. The statue was sculpted by leading Botswana artist, Mose Mmopi, using clay and fiberglass, and was cast in bronze by a team of Italian sculptors. The completed statue stands 11 feet tall (3.34 meters) and occupies a prominent position in Serowe. The unveiling of the Sir Seretse Khama Statue in 2015 was marked by a ceremony attended by President Ian Khama, Sir Seretse's son, and tribal elders from the Bangwato tribe. During the ceremony, President Khama paid tribute to his father in a speech in which he thanked the many people who had worked towards the construction of the statue, saying he was “deeply humbled by this honor given to Sir Seretse”. The unveiling of the statue was also a chance for Botswana and the world to remember the legacy of Sir Seretse Khama. A descendant of Khama III, the first King of the Bangwato, Sir Seretse Khama was a trained barrister and served in the British Colonial Administration before being chosen as Chief of the Bangwato in 1949. Khama’s achievements while president included ensuring Botswana’s independence and the subsequent establishment of a multi-party system of government. He was also instrumental in diversifying the economy away from a dependence on diamonds. For these and other achievements, he is fondly remembered and honored by the people of Botswana. You must visit one of these historical places in Botswana on your Botswana tour

Interesting facts:

1. The statue was unveiled by Botswana’s current President, Ian Khama who is also the son of Sir Seretse Khama -the first president of Botswana - to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. 2. The 11m bronze and granite memorial is located at the site of Serowe Palace - the birthplace and ancestral home of Sir Seretse Khama. 3. The statue is designed in the style of Toutswemogolo, the traditional form of mourning that involves personal ancestral worship and memorials, as well as a way of honouring passed relatives. 4. It stands in front of the Serowe Palace Museum of Art and Culture, and marks a place of worship for Sir Seretse Khama- Botswana's national hero. 5. The statue was designed by two local artists, Leeds Bakwena and Lebo Modisi in celebration of Botswana's first president – Sir Seretse Khama. 6. The ceremonial unveiling was also attended by prominent local and international dignitaries such as the former South African president Thabo Mbeki, Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and the chairmember of the African Union Commission Dr Dlamini-Zuma. Visit one of the famous monuments of Botswana with your friends and family.