News Release

LDS Church Wins First Place at Botswana Consumer Fair

The informative booth based upon the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints drew the interest of hundreds of visitors to the Botswana Consumer Fair.

 In an awards ceremony on August 28th, judges awarded the Church’s informative exhibit first place in the religious category. 

Accepting the award on behalf of the Church were Leonard Thebe (Botswana National Director of Public Affairs for the Church) and Caiphus Manganela (Assistant National Director of Public Affairs). 

The exhibit was open daily 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Caiphus led the team of Church volunteers staffing the exhibit, along with missionaries from the Mission. Volunteers donated nearly 400 hours manning the exhibit during the week.

The exhibit had three main themes:

  • Emphasis on families (to include family values, family history and strengthening families)
  • The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ
  • The humanitarian efforts of the Church in Botswana.  

Also featured was an automated slide presentation entitled “I am a Mormon” which consisted of member photos taken throughout Botswana, and brief facts about each individual.  Several people passing by were surprised to recognize some of the people and realize they were members of the Church.  Information pamphlets and a brief history of the Church in Botswana were available to those interested.  Videos of the Church and introduction of the Church in Africa were also shown during the exhibit.  

Officials estimated attendance at the 2014 Botswana Consumer Fair to be 65,000.

This is the second time the Church has displayed at the fair.  The Church’s last exhibit in 2012 was also awarded the best display in the religious category.  

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