BDP is bigger than Khama – Balopi
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary General Mpho Balopi has reiterated that former President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama is not bigger than the party. The party, BDP was founded by Khama’s father, the country’s founding father Sir Seretse and others in 1962.
Speaking to Weekend Post this week, Balopi said so there is no how one man, Khama, can hold the party at ransom as the party is an institution and therefore bigger than an individual. Balopi said therefore there is no crisis as they are dully following the constitution as currently President Mokgweetsi Masisi is the effective president and in total control of both the party and the country. “We have BDP as an institution; and our constitution stipulates that when in power the president of the party becomes that of the country. Masisi is therefore currently in charge of everything,” Balopi stated.
“I do not believe that there is an institution smaller than an individual. BDP is not smaller than an individual. It is bigger,” Balopi further contented. Balopi emphasised that there cannot have a single minded individual claiming to be bigger than the party. He went on to stress: “I represent matters of interest to the party or those that can benefit the party and not any particular individual.” As secretary general he said he deals with issues on bases of delegated power by current President Masisi and no one else.
DOES BDP CURRENTLY SEE OPPOSITION AS A THREAT OR WALK OVER?
In terms of UDC, Balopi said in a battlefield or competitive environment everyone has to sharpen their strategies so as to defeat the other political party and so, “it is what BDP is doing.” He continued: “As such where there are differences in the UDC, it is none of BDP’s business. We cannot benefit or base our successes to the flaws of the others.” Balopi emphasised that they have a strategy to help Batswana so they continue to trust them.
“We are not losing focus on what is alleged in the opposition. If what is alleged in the opposition, with regard to disunity, at some point it becomes an opportunity for BDP to achieve what they intend it will be a welcome development but we will not be reactive.” Look at where we have come from, Balopi said, “we are the only party that have been going through elections using the same colours, slogan, symbol and so it speaks to issues of consistency and trust, tried and tested and they have to be given more years.”
BDP TO BE SUBJECTIVE WHEN ASSESSING BULELA DITSWE APPEALS
Meanwhile Balopi said the appeals registered with the party so far, they are not in any hurry to give verdict without looking closely or thoroughly through due process, lest they be construed to be taking sides. He said he agrees that the party primary dubbed Bulela Ditswe is not a perfect system and probably hence the appeals. He pointed out that some want their appeals to go directly through regions, others through office, and others have withdrawn thus far and therefore was not in a position to tabulate and see how many have appealed.
“There are certain complaints or a protest that needs guidance as opposed to a protest where they may have erred for an example in Lentsweletau/Mmopane in which it was never an issue of a complaint but an issue of other things not done properly; irregularities; and flaws,” Balopi highlighted. He said the Electoral Board is also satisfied with the Bulela Ditswe in general and that is why they ordered a re-run in other areas where they saw they need. Balopi observed that some of the complaints are interesting, he said, adding that they are not necessarily calling for a re-run but just advising the party on how it should improve.
He said in other complaints, party members have concerns that their hearings should not be taken through the party regions because of suspicion of biasness. However, the BDP secretary general believes the regions should be given the benefit of a doubt as a party structure if they are indeed competitive to be listened to as there is a procedure in the party. Balopi highlighted that the Bulela Ditswe was very competitive and will accommodate the appeals and dissenting reasonable voices.
“In such environment obviously there will be dissenting voices. But how do we respond to that as a party. Regions went through some of the appeals, and then they make recommendations to the Central Committee.” According to Balopi, anything that may happen in the elections; the constitution, rules and regulations should be followed.
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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.