For Jennifer Anderson, coming to Botswana three years ago started out as huge risk that eventually turned out to be a big win. Three years later, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Botswana recalls the fond memories of her experiences as she bid farewell to a crowd of Botswana’s elite at the High Commissioner’s residence.
Anderson said that in the past three years as the High Commissioner to Botswana, the embassy had sought to update the Britain-Botswana relations through high-level visits, work exchanges as well as support for local initiatives. During Anderson’s time the High Commission was able to facilitate visits for the Foreign Secretary, the Queen’s daughter Princess Anne, Prince William and his brother Harry.
Under her leadership, the High Commission worked with Botswana Tourism to secure maximum coverage for Botswana wildlife and eco tourism and in the process built links with charities supported by Prince William including Mokolodi and the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust.
“Along with my colleagues at the British Council, we have supported links between schools in Botswana, the UK and other Africa nations, with IT hubs, reading programmes, literacy seminars and school exchanges in locations as varied as Gantsi, Mochudi and Palapye. I have met some of Botswana’s emerging leaders as they take up Chevening Scholarships for study in the UK,”said Anderson.
The High Commission also supported a range of bilateral projects and supported the Independence Independent Electoral Commission, a Gender Pitso on the SADC Gender and Development Protocol, parliamentary climate change seminars, dialogue in the CKGR, reform of the beef sector, managing unionized public sectors, equipment for the DCEC and government media training.
“At a personal level, I must confess nothing will compare with the joy of watching Botswana win its first Olympic medal at the London 2012 Games. For 18 months we worked side by side with the Botswana National Olympic Committee, raising awareness about the games across Botswana and the opportunities that awaited team Botswana,“ said Anderson.
