Kokorwe to retire, Tawana pulls out
Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Kokorwe will voluntary retire from her seat post the 2019 general elections after serving her term under President Ian Khama only, WeekendPost has established.
The decision to call it quits after the Khama administration was long made in 2014 when the former Kweneng South legislator was voted in as the speaker. By then, Kokorwe enjoyed backing from President Khama whose influence ensured the former Speaker Dr Margret Nasha bit the dust.
She defeated the previous speaker, Nasha, in a 41–21 vote which was done along party lines, Nasha having been re-nominated by opposition parties. By then, Nasha was also a BDP member, but had a fall out with President Khama.
Now, with Khama out of scene a source has told this paper that Kokorwe believes she has done her part under the past administration and now its turn to hand over the baton to others.
“She has always been clear that she will do the job during Khama’s reign and now that his term has elapsed it is anticipated that she leaves, more because President Mokgweetsi Masisi has his own circle which should surround him,” said a source.
It is highly maintained that the speaker does not enjoy as snug a relationship with Masisi as she did with Khama. “That’s the reason why she will go, gase motho wa ga Masisi and obviously for you to work you need support of your boss. It is not like Masisi dislikes her, no, she is not comfortable under him tota,” added a source.
Kokorwe could not be drawn to comment on th matter, rather, telling this reporter: “I will engage you at the right time with other journalists.” This publication could establish when the announcement would be made as her Secretary too, would not divulge any details pertaining to a press briefing. For the better part of her term, opposition members have decried that she and her deputy Kagiso Molatlhegi were biased towards them.
At the beginning of her term, she was known to be stern and would without flinching set parliamentary security officers on members she deemed was them trampling on parliamentary standing orders. Most notably Gaborone Central legislator Dr Phenyo Butale and Gaborone North MP Haskins Nkaigwa have been manhandled by parliament security officials.
However, Nkaigwa told this publication that the speaker has since improved. “She has improved a lot. Initially when she started she was bit harsh. But nowadays whenever she is around I have a chance to speak in parliament,” Nkaigwa said. All the while this publication has been made aware that the deputy speaker Molatlhegi has been earmarked for the position. “Who do you think will replace her; it is clear Cde Molatlhegi will take the seat. He won’t be contesting for elections in 2019 because he knows where he is going.”
On the other hand Nkaigwa believes Molatlhegi is harsh and biased whenever he is in charge of parliamentary proceedings. Efforts to solicit comment from Molatlhegi were unsuccessful at the time of print. Maun West legislator Kgosi Tawana Moremi who is said to have hinted previously that he would contest for the post told this publication that he was only joking at the time. “No sir, it was just a joke I won’t be contesting for the position,” he said when asked about his ambition.
Informants told this paper that Tawana who has disclosed that he won’t be running for a second term, has made it clear to them that he will be vying for the speakership once parliament is dissolved next year. Already, it is said he has been asking for support from legislators across the political divide.
Meanwhile, former speaker of the national assembly, Pono Moatlhodi believes the current speaker just like her predecessor, Nasha, could have advocated for the independence of the parliament. “That’s what Nasha advocated for but because of the leadership then those motions were labelled as disruptive, and never saw the light of the day. Further she never threw MPs out of the house; she knew how to deal with legislators.
We only learn about this in the current parliament and it is highly undemocratic for a Commonwealth parliament to be administered like it is done currently.” Kokorwe is also said to have failed to address intensively the issue of live broadcasting of parliament proceedings.
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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.