My First Vote- 24/10/2014

The 24th October 2014 marked another historic moment (for me and my beloved country), it was the national elections day! As a first time voter I had my kind of lazy, about to give up and go home moments where I was like this queue is way too long and the sun was scorching phewww, I felt dizzy at some point and I texted a friend to tell him I was feeling. His response wasn't sympathetic or anything nah, he was like the future needs your vote just find a chair or something and sit down for a minute but whatever you do, do not go home without casting your vote. This was my first time to vote, I had always thought of politics as this dirty game that politicians play by making empty promises, throwing punchlines and insults at each other little did I know politics were shaping my everyday life in every way possible. I was just misguided really or that's an understatement I was an ignorant fool! Well, with that being said I took heed of my loving friend's advice and stayed put on that long queue for almost 3 and a half hours and finally cast MY FIRST VOTE, it was a proud moment for me smiles. Not only did I do it for my country, I did it for me and the future generation, I played a role by being an active citizen that I should be. I said what I wanted to say via that single vote and I'm convinced it is gonna go a long way in ensuring Botswana remains the epitome of democracy. As a young person I have reached a point where I am fully aware that my participation is critical in all aspects, be it social, political or economic so yaaaaay I did it for my country. The mood was calm, no violence, no threats, nothing, I am proud to be a citizen of this peaceful country. As our national anthem which was adopted upon the 1966 independence goes;

Blessed be this noble land,
Gift to us from God's strong hand,
Heritage our fathers left to us,
May it always be at peace.
Awake, awake, O men, awake!
And women close beside them stand,
Together we'll work and serve
This land, this happy land!
Word of beauty and of fame,
The name Botswana to us came.
Through our unity and harmony,
We'll remain at peace as one.

PROUDLY MOTSWANA!