BDP out to appease ‘hostile’ groups
The war of relevance continues in the political stream, with Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) under the new leadership of Mokgweetsi Masisi determined to reach out to groups which were previously hostile to the ruling party.
Through his ‘policy of appeasement’ Masisi has started extending an olive branch to the troublesome trade unions, and has pledged to resuscitate All Party Conference among other things. Masisi’s latest gambit is his grit to garner votes from youth by promising a new deal for them.
Recently, Masisi, accompanied by a number of his cabinet ministers, addressed a student gathering held at Ba Isago University, at the invitation of student leader, Poloko Pitwane who is also the leader of self-styled Youth Need a Voice Movement (YNM). Prior to this event, Masisi has sanctioned allowance increment of tertiary education students, from P1420 to P1620.
Pitwane, who caught public eye in 2014 when he was expelled from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, and later entered parliamentary race for Gaborone Bonnington North— but dropped from the race at the eleventh hour to endorse Duma Boko— has been identified by the ruling party as a strategic ally.
The ruling party, under Masisi seem to have identified all the pitfalls that contribute to the party’s unpopularity in the urban areas, and is working to rectify that by appealing to young people as they constitute the highest number of opposition voters and addressing their frustrations and issues that were unattended to by the previous regime.
Though Pitwane may be considered a nonentity, he viewed, according to sources, as somebody who could be used to lure student votes on the side of the ruling party. There are over 30 000 government sponsored students in tertiary schools, a number which BDP is salivating for.
Gaborone has been a stronghold for opposition since 1984, with BDP having luck in 2009 general elections, when the ruling party took majority of parliamentary seats and control of the Gaborone City Council (GCC) for the first time. This control was however short-lived, with then resurgent Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) gaining majority seats in subsequent general elections.
UDC won all save one, parliamentary seats in 2014 and also won majority seats in the city council. UDC had benefited from endorsement from the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU). Owing to the animosity that existed between the government and public sector trade union in the wake the infamous 2011 public servants strike, BOFEPUSU took war to the ruling party.
The 2011 strike, dubbed ‘Mother of All Strikes” was nearly a three month industrial action by BOFEPUSU members in which several participants were victimised as a result. 700 employees were fired from work, while several ‘draconian laws’ were introduced to curb the freedoms of labour movements. One such contentious law was the Amendment of Trade Dispute Act which resulted in several cadres in public service being listed under the essential services category.
The watershed moment came last year, when the bargaining council collapsed, albeit with the aid of fellow union, Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU). Masisi, who was an instrumental figure during the reign of Khama as minister responsible for public service, and later as Vice President has moved to normalise relations with the trade unions.
He has already met the leadership of public sector unions and assured that ruling party will repeal all contentious legislations by end of July next year. Masisi has so far received a good will from the leadership of the trade unions. This has been helped by the fact that BOFEPUSU have fell out with UDC leadership following a crisis which led to split of the coalition.
Heading to next year’s general elections, it is highly unlikely that BOFEPUSU will endorse UDC. The BOFEPUSU Secretary General, Tobokani Rari has previously indicated that the federation’s support to UDC was not permanent and subject to review. Masisi has also moved on to warm up to the media and since assuming power. Masisi has addressed over five press conferences since taking over as BDP leader.
Recently, State dropped sedition charges against Outsa Mokone, the editor of Sunday Sunday, who was hauled before the courts during Khama’s reign. Khama presented himself as hostile to private media, at one point accusing them of being unpatriotic.
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.