Part 6/9:
The symbolic celebrations surrounding independence, complete with a newly formed National Guard trained by South African instructors, masked a deeper truth. Many attendees of the grand festivities were housed in makeshift accommodations, while others opted for a newly opened hotel that stood in stark contrast to their traditional dwellings. Chief Mangope’s speech on the dignities of independence may have resonated with the crowds, but the irony of a celebration funded by South African resources served as a constant reminder of the state's dependent status.