In 1966, when Botswana gained its independence, the country’s first President, Seretse Khama, was given a Bentley by the United Kingdom. The vehicle served the presidency of Botswana well, surviving Sir Seretse Khama to transport Dr Quett Ketumile Joni Masire and then Festus Gontebanye Mogae, who took up office in 1998.

A few years after Mogae’s inauguration, the car started spluttering and began to break down. By then the limousine was over three decades old. Mogae resisted pressure to buy a new car, saying the Bentley was just fine and could be serviced. He was worried that buying a new limousine would be a waste of taxpayers’ funds, which should rather be channelled into social development or economic growth.