Dikgosi agree to split the Central District
In a twist of events, the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi has this week unanimously agreed to split the gigantic Central District Council in Gamma-Ngwato territory.
The house passed the motion which was brought by the controversial Tswapong region’s Kgosi Galeakanye Modise who out rightly called for the creation of a new District in the Central region thereby splitting the area. This comes after the Central District has become a hot potato political subject in which some supporting Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi in the power struggle against ex-president Lt Gen Ian Khama has called for its split.
They observe that the split will neutralise the power in the party between the north and side divide of the country. Central District is the heartland of Bangwato who are led by Masisi’s rival and predecessor, Kgosi Ian Khama. The BDP has been seen as more powerful and strong in the Central District with more than 15 constituencies having been won uninterrupted by the BDP since first national elections in 1965.
Khama has solidified his presence in the territory and it appears to be seen how the BDP will fare in the area after Khama quit it and de-campaigned it in the area in support of newly formed Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF). The move has led to an interesting twists in the power struggle between the two strongmen as Dikgosi agreed to create the new District in the Central territory. They moved read “that this honourable house requests government to create a new District Council called Tswapong in order to provide good service delivery to many disadvantage people living in the area.”
When debating the motion the one-of-a-kind Specially Elected member of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, Kgosi Thabo Maruje III of Masunga reminded government that if government doesn’t make such reforms (splitting Central District) there will be very serious consequences. “Ultimately every government doesn’t listen to her people, there will be chaos,” he stressed out on the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi debating floor while adding that “so, this motion, to split CDC, is coming at the right time and it will be a model for the rest of the country.”
Kgosi Maruje pointed out that he believes going into the 2019 general elections, such matters should be topical especially as Batswana are more informed now. “If government continues with the idea that somebody should be like this and that one should not be like that is a problem,” he said when debating the Central District motion. Let’s agree that we don’t want anybody stripped off what deserves to them, but again, we need to give others what it’s rightfully theirs and deserve it, he said.
He continued: I believe our government has always been the driver of this national polarisation and this tribalism because government has never detached itself from this at any point in time. After 50 years, Maruje said, if you look at all this polarisation and tribalisation, it is now the source of discontentment today and will divide the country. “For years, tribal issues has been politicised. We have politicised tribal matters without giving due regard of giving Dikgosi space and chance to sit down and ponder on issues affecting them and how they can be solved.”
My plea is that, Kgosi Maruje said, the government should not look at these things from a skewed perspective as Botswana is different now and that the country is going through the winds of change. He emphasised to the members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi that there should be a model on how the country should resuscitate the people’s identity, to give them more power as is the cased with Central District motion.
“I believe therefore that district headquarters in all sub districts, not only in Central District as we also have the same issue in Good Hope, Tlokweng, Nata, Tswapong and others, so I think as the mover of the motion has stated this should be uphold. We can start with splitting Central District,” he said.
On his part, Kgosi Rapelang Khuwe of Tutume region also agreed with the motion citing thsat when the resources and budgets of the sub districts at Central District, are only done at Serowe and then sent to the sub districts, it puts the ordinary people on the disadvantage.
“Developments become slow, they reach the people very late owing to this long process. It means some Batswana become beggars to others who have more power on resources like it’s the case with CDC. This is notwithstanding that the constitution prescribe that we should be equal,” he pointed out.
Kgosi Khuwe said the government should review their current plan to create more sub districts but rather create a fully-fledged district in Tswapong away from the Central District. He added: “this will help the cry from disadvantaged Batswana from those areas. You should make Tswapong District rather than sub district and that maybe 2 or 3 fully fledged Districts in the CDC will help in service delivery.” According to Khuwe, when the government is bringing more sub districts in one districts as they adamantly intents to do in Central District, his assessment is that it’s even more expensive to tax payers as is currently now.
He explained that if one sub district is being created in Nata, one in Sebina, why so when there is still sub district of Tutume, why not turn the Tutume one into full District than spending the money recklessly with more sub districts. He added that the same goes to Tswapong, in that if the government wants to form a sub district there, they should just turn Palapye into a fully fledge District dividing it from the vast Central District. When responding to the motion, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Botlogile Tshireletso poured cold water on the motion saying it is not in government’s plans.
“At this time we don’t have plans to make Tswapong sub district a fully fledge district,” he stressed. But of course, she added that the mover of the motion has a point. However, Tshireletso said what government intends to do at this stage, is to create a sub districts at Sefhare and Lerala in the Central District. The sub district as you know is like a younger brother to the big district which is Central District here, she said. Kgosi Modise, subsequent to the Minister’s response, then took a swipe at the Assistant Minister and the government reminding them that all Batswana are and should be equal.
“God created us all equal and so we are all equal before the lord. But unfortunately, it appears like someone who is not thinking of doing something to someone, they feel that the person in question has therefore no right of pursuing such cause,” he lashed out. He observed that government should introspect and see if it is still relevant today to think that others may be inferior as opposed to others and that some people don’t deserve other facilities or services like others. “This will bring this country into chaos,” he said.
News
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.”
News
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.
News
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.