Maitisong will this month see the screening of a documentary film titled ‘The African Democrat’, about Botswana’s former President, Sir Ketumile Masire. Produced by BKDS Film Director, Billy Kokorwe, the documentary is about Masire’s life as a politician and his role as one of the nation’s founding fathers.
Kokorwe said that the film bears testimony to the great legacy Masire has left for Botswana and Africa.
Kokorwe told the Telegraph that since it’s not a major event, only a selected few will comprise the audience that will attend the screening before it is shown in Europe.
Kokorwe was recently in Geneva, Switzerland, where he interviewed former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan. The interview took place at the Kofi Annan Foundation last Tuesday. It will be featured in his existing and future documentary films.
Whilst in Geneva, Kokorwe also did a pre-production for the documentary by visiting and conducting research at the headquarters of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
“President Masire managed Botswana’s economic resources prudently and to the benefit of the nation. He ensured that the nation felt secure by maintaining the rule of law and human rights throughout his leadership,” said Kokorwe. “If leaders could adhere to the principles of good governance and democracy then citizens would buy into the development processes and work hard to ensure that Africa can feed itself.”
Among the other eminent persons that Kokorwe has had a one-on-one interview with are Botswana’s former presidents Sir Ketumile and Festus Mogae; Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba; South Africa’s former Presidents FW De Klerk and Thabo Mbeki; former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the late Dr Kenneth Koma.
Kokorwe said plans are afoot by BKDS to launch a website. He said the next documentary, as yet untitled, will be about human rights and democracy as perceived and practiced around the world.
The international film will be shown in all continents but will basically explore the role of organizations such as the United Nations, International Criminal Court and International Media, said Kokorwe.
