Letlhakeng — Preparations for this year's Motokwe Agricultural Show are said to be at an advanced stage.

Speaking in an interview, the Secretary General for Motokwe Farmers Association, Mr Timon Kelebeng said the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia would officially open the show.

He said they were currently receiving exhibits with the deadline being June 26.

"After that we will no longer be receiving any exhibits, and so we urge farmers, who are interested to make sure they meet the deadline, then on June 28, there will be exhibition and judging as well as beauty pageant before the official opening by the minister on Friday," he said.

Still on Friday, Mr Kelebeng said they would hold the soccer finals as well as two horse races for the pleasure of the minister, and that on June 30 there will be an auction sale.

He said horse racing, which is one of the most anticipated activities at the show, will take place on July 1 with a total of 10 races.

"We will have four races for Tswana breed as well as six for the Thorough breed, and we are expecting horse racers from our localities and even from as far as Charleshill, Kokotsha and Good Hope," he said.

Mr Kelebeng said the show, which will be on its second year, will henceforth be an annual fixture on the calendar and that they are still in consultations with relevant stakeholders such as the Botswana Tourism Organisation to slot the show annually at the end of June.

"In this way, it will be easier for publicity purposes because the date would be fixed. So every year around June, Batswana will be aware of the show," he said.

Mr Kelebeng said although the first show, which was held last year, was very successful, they are expecting this year's to be even better as they have managed to solicit support of various stakeholders, including government departments and parastatals.

He therefore pleaded with Batswana, especially those in Kweneng West ,to come and support the show.

Source : BOPA