Hon Speaker, the government of Botswana has not communicated with the South African government about the statements attributed to the said organisation. Botswana is a democratic country. It holds democratic elections. Whatever the government in that country does is in line with the will of the Botswana people.
Political relations between South Africa and Botswana remain strong, cordial and mutually beneficial, and with good reason. History has bound the two countries and peoples in a friendship and kinship that goes beyond normal diplomatic relations. Our relations were cemented during the days of our struggle for liberation from colonial oppression and apartheid.
Driven by the desire to see their South African brothers and sisters liberated, the successive governments and people of Botswana hosted our freedom fighters under very difficult conditions. Botswana was the only border and only route for our freedom fighters for a long time when other routes, such as to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, were not yet open for freedom fighters to use.
This solidarity was accorded to our people at great cost to Botswana and her people as the apartheid regime retaliated with bombings and attacks on the citizens of Botswana. Botswana and South Africa are also bound together by cultural, linguistic and family ties between the two nations owing to our geographic proximity.
The president of the Republic of Botswana, Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama, paid a state visit to South Africa from 5 to 6 October last year. During that visit, we elevated our bilateral relations to the level of a binational commission, chaired by the two heads of state. The commission will meet annually, alternating between Tshwane and Gaborone.
Our co-operation is currently very strong in the areas of agriculture, water, transport, environmental affairs, tourism, trade, aviation, search and rescue, science and technology, health, justice, sport, and arts and culture.
I have been invited to undertake a state visit to Botswana and I have indicated to President Khama that I will do so early next year. Let me reiterate that our relations with Botswana can only grow from strength to strength. I thank you. [Applause.]