Serowe is now Opposition ‘stronghold’
Opposition politics have shifted from the capital Gaborone to the capital of the central district, Serowe. Former President Lt Gen Dr Ian Khama used his influence as paramount chief of Bangwato to lure voters from the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in the central district. The BDP lost in Serowe for the first time in history this week.
Bangwato had vowed to follow Khama wherever he goes in his political trajectory after he accused President Masisi of destroying his legacy and not treating him well. However the move by Khama also came back to haunt the opposition which he had professed to supporting in the south based constituencies. The cold war been Khama and his successor forced him to form the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) which snatched three Serowe constituencies from the BDP after Wednesday’s elections.
In Serowe West constituency, Tshekedi Khama garnered 4394 votes, followed by BDP parliamentary candidate, Moemedi Dijeng who scooped 2405 votes, followed by Rolent Kambule of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) with 749 votes; while Leremela Bogosing of Alliance for progressives (AP) managed 387 votes. In Serowe North constituency, the BPF parliamentary candidate, Baratiwa Mathoothe garnered 5394 votes, followed by Kgotla Autlwetse from the BDP with 4356 votes, while the UDC parliamentary candidate, Keaobaka Kgano was voted by 1656 people; independent candidate Ndelu Seretse trailed with 926 votes.
In Serowe South constituency, the BPF parliamentary candidate garnered 4 653 votes, while Lesedi Phuthego of the BDP came second with 4237 votes. Moremi Mareka of the UDC was voted by 2 362 people, followed by AP candidate, Iphemele Kgogkothwane with 393 votes, Prince Moitoi of the BMD with 234. Independent candidates, Oteng Thankane and Ian Khumo got 33 and 247 votes respectively. BPF won four council seats in Serowe West constituency – that is in Serokolwane, Kgosing, Dimajwe and Palamaukuwe wards – and the BDP won 2 council seats in Mmashoro and Malatswai wards.
Three weeks ago Tshekedi Khama dropped a political bomb shell and dumped his father’s party, to join his elder brother, former president Ian Khama at the BPF. BDP candidate, Moemedi Dijeng came late in to the race to save his party. The time factor worked against him because the constituency is vast. Furthermore, since he was facing a member of the Ngwato royal family some viewed him as being rebellious and disrespectful to their chieftainship. He was joining a campaign that has already been soiled because former president Ian Khama had thoroughly de-campaigned the BDP.
Dijeng is the son of a former councillor and council chairman in the same constituency who served at the time Blackbeard was Member of Parliament. Dijeng has also challenged for the chairpersonship of the BDP at the Mmadinare elective congress though not well known within the party; he came third with 69 votes. The contest was history in the making as the constituency has always been the reserve for the BDP and Ngwato Royals for the past 53 years. Tshekedi is the first opposition Member of Parliament to win the constituency and Dijeng is the first BDP parliamentary candidate to lose the constituency.
The first MP for Serowe West constituency was the late Sir Seretse Khama, the founding president and also Tshekedi’s father who handed over to Collen Blackbeard, who later handed it over to Ian Khama who in 2008 handed to his younger brother Tshekedi Khama.
Tshekedi has been MP of the constituency since 2008. Gomolemo Motswaledi by then was advised not to challenge Tshekedi in the primaries. In 2009 general elections, Tshekedi garnered 1,869 votes while Botswana National Front (BNF)’s Gagolepe Nthebolang got 119 votes.
Fast forward to 2013, Tshekedi was infuriated when Prince Kgwaneng challenged him in the BDP primaries. He called on the BDP to suspend him on allegations of flouting party rules and regulations. However he sailed through in the primaries garnering 3 081 votes against Kgwaneng. Last year Tshekedi was at it again, suing BDP Central Committee for allowing Dijeng to contest in the primary elections despite the fact that he had been disqualified during the vetting process by the branch committee. Tshekedi lost the case where many felt he will bolt out of the BDP but stayed put. In the primaries Tshekedi won again with 2 , 797 votes while Dijeng managed 1, 594 votes. Rakhudu was distant third with 462 votes.
Tshekedi has been accused by his constituents of neglecting them. Khama had to assist him during BDP primary elections campaigns in some instances. Residents of Dimajwe, Mmashoro, Malatswai complained that Tshekedi doesn’t visit their areas and is less concerned about their welfare. The same concerns were again raised ahead of the 2014 general elections where Khama assured residents that Tshekedi will start consulting them.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.