WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Botswana High Commissioner to Jamaica Alfred Majaye Dube (right) celebrates closer ties with Jamaica with (from left) Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade K. D. Knight and Geoff Brown, Jamaica's Consul to Botswana. High Commissioner Dube hosted a reception at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday February.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
ON FEBRUARY 4, Botswana's High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alfred Majaye Dube, finally got his wish.
Not only had he never hosted a reception since being assigned to the island, but he was proud to preside over the opening of the republic's consulate in Kingston. So there was double reason to feel satisfied as he hosted guests at the Knutsford Court Hotel.
High Commissioner Dube felt that the consulate's opening reaffirmed the strong bond between the two countries. He stated that the people of the South African territory had always held Jamaicans in high regard and pointed out that the officials of both countries had stood together on many issues.
Both countries are members of the Commonwealth and the G77, a group of developing countries within the United Nations.
WE NEED A CONSUL
Of course, if we're going to have a consulate, we need a consul. So who will fill the seat of 29 Keble Crescent? Drum roll, please! Geoff Brown, step right up! Brown, according to High Commissioner Dube, was the man for the job because of his broad knowledge, numerous contacts and strong sense of family and community.
Brown was overwhelmed by the appointment and hopes that the consulate's creation will have great effect on relations with Jamaica.
He described Botswana as a stable and prosperous nation with tremendous opportunities for investment. Brown is a well-travelled businessman and columnist who has extensive knowledge of the country he will now officially represent.
Among the guests at the function were medical students from Botswana who are studying at the University of the West Indies, Mona. This was seen by all as further testament to the respect that Jamaica and its institutions continue to garner from all parts of the globe.
Other guests included Dean of the Consular Corps Arnold Foote and wife Patricia; Chris and Andrew Issa, honorary consuls of the Slovak Republic and Finland respectively; Ecuadorian consul Clelia Hunter; Argentine Ambassador Fernando Gonzalez and wife Ines; Colombian Ambassador Dr. Kent Francis and wife Cecelia; Kirk and Stacey Francois; Consul of Lithuania, Lois Lake-Sherwood; and Wayne McCook.
