Bangwaketse not amused by Khama‘s kgotla politics
Outgoing president Lt General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama seems to have rubbed some of Bangwaketse morafe the wrong way when he chose to speak politics in their Kgotla during his farewell visit to the Bangwaketse capital this week Tuesday.
The morafe is not pleased that Khama whose days as state president are numbered turned their main kgotla into a political ground, and particularly that he made advances at a Umbrella Democratic Change (UDC) Member of Parliament (MP) who was at the same farewell meeting.
The BDP leader during his address cajoled Kanye South legislator, Abram Kesupile, asking him to rejoin the Botswana Democratic Party. Prior to that Khama had conceded that it was not allowed that he spoke politics in the kgotla, however insisting that he could not hold back the urge to recruit Kesupile. Khama told the fully packed kgotla that he wanted Kesupile to rejoin his party and return home. According to Khama, Kesupile’s being in the opposition was as a result of him being in ‘lost’ as he really belonged with the BDP.
“Ke leboga mopalamente Kesupile go bua sentle ka nna, ke nale regret lefa resa tshwanela go bua dipolotiki mo kgotleng, regret ke gore okile wane onale rona obo ore tlogela mme ke batla gore o boele mo gae pele ke tlogela tiro.” (I thank MP Kesupile for speaking so well of me, and though we are not supposed to speak politics in the Kgotla, I have my regrets, which is that you used to be with us but you left. I want you to come back home before I retire).
Khama went on to say that he will approach Kesupile to rejoin the ruling party as he will have ample time after his retirement to show Kesupile the way to retrace his footsteps. For some, Khama‘s politicking was a sign of disrespect as the president obviously knew he was not supposed to bring politics in the kgotla setup. One Kanye resident who is also a tribal leader told WeekendPost in the sidelines of the kgotla meeting that the president’s actions have the potential of making their kgotla lose its respect and integrity. “It is very surprising what the president did. We are not used to that kind of thing where political discussions are brought up in the kgotla, we don’t have a problem with politics but they are not to be brought up in the kgotla anymore.”
Another resident, who is also a UDC follower expressed concern about the conduct and stated that, had Khama recruited Kesupile to his party in any other set up there would have not been a problem, but the problem arises when he chooses to use the kgotla for that. He said that the kgotla should be turned into a freedom square by anyone. “Bangwaketse main Kgotla has been one of the most respected areas over the years but if now politicians can come and talk their politics in it, it loses that attached respect, it is not good and I am expecting our dikgosi to condemn this, it should never happen again in future,” the unhappy resident said.
When reached for comment about the president‘s remarks, Kesupile said UDC members should rest assured that he will not be shaken despite Khama’ s public courting of him to BDP. The soft spoken legislator pointed out that he has been aware of the ruling party’s being interested in him and said ‘‘I am not surprised about what he (Khama) said in front of the multitudes of Bangwaketse because they (BDP) have been courting me for some time and I will not join them.”
Kesupile said for now, he is committed to the UDC because he is in the position he is in because of the Botswana National Front ticket and he has been delegated by the people who he will not betray at all by joining BDP. “Nna ke romilwe ke ma BNF kafa tlase ga UDC ebile ga nkake ka tsewa ke phefo ka nna mo Domkrag, nyaa ga gona sepe seo.”
He also pointed out that he has been approached by three current cabinet ministers before and he turned them all down. He added that he knew that Khama was serious when he said he would approach him again in person and he is sure he would turn him down too. At the meeting, Khama told Kanye villagers that their water shortage crisis will be dealt with as the village will be connected to the North-South carrier project with the process to begin this year. He was responding to a plea by Kgosi Malope II who indicated that the village was faced with water supply challenges, and called on the government to rectify the issue.
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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.