Bachelor Botswana President skips marriage talk in speechBy MTOKOZISI DUBE in Gaborone | Tuesday, February 28   2012 at  19:05

Botswana’s President Ian Khama had to deliberately omit a part on marriage when reading out his speech during the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 50th anniversary celebrations over the weekend in Gaborone.

President Khama, who is single, took a brief pause after reading the word ‘marriage’ in his speech and went on to say: “Hang on; who put marriage in my speech? I am not better placed to talk about it.”

The 58-year-old leader has been silent about his quest for the ideal woman, who he once described as tall, beautiful, slender and interested in the marriage commitment.

He recently said he wanted to devote all his time to his work and marriage would disturb him.

The BDP celebrations were attended by several political leaders in Africa.

President Khama said the long-term existence of any organisation was a laudable achievement.

“Fellow democrats, every 50th anniversary - whether it be in the lifetime of an individual, or the endurance or subsistence of a marriage, or the existence of an organisation, including a political

party such as our own, is a laudable and worthy achievement, and is a significant milestone,” President Khama said.

He added that BDP had a valid cause and justification to celebrate the triumph over diverse adversities and challenges during those years. 

“We in the BDP are entitled to be immensely proud of the fact that Batswana, in every successive General Election since 1965, have consistently and convincingly returned our party to office.”