Kgafela’s ally to replace Davids
Bakgatla ba Kgafela exiled chief, Kgafela Kgafela II, his deputy Bana Sekai and the royal enclave have given Kgafela’s regiment leader, Moagi Molebatsi blessings to contest Mochudi East constituency under the Botswana National Front (BNF) ticket as the race to replace Isaac Davids takes off.
Davids was stabbed to death by his two herd boys earlier this month. Kgafela’s regiment known as ‘Mangana’ under the stewardship of Molebatsi has been the driving force in advocating for the return of their chief and other community issues including the installation of Sekai as chief last year. Molebatsi, who is a close ally of Kgafela, long informed the royal family of his intentions and they right-away gave him their blessings.
“I have informed Kgosi Sekai and the regiment about my intentions and they agreed and wished me the best of luck. For protocol sake I wouldn’t personally tell Kgabo (Kgafela) about it hence I channelled it through Sekai to tell Kgosi. But for sure he does not have any problem with this – he could have long summoned me if he did,” Molebatsi said in an interview.
Although all concerned stakeholders are nudging him on, they have asked him to not disappear completely from the community and neglect communal works. “There still a lot of pending projects which need to be reported back to Kgosi. He was instrumental in bringing calmness and stability in our area which has been envied by others. Further our chieftainship and government impasse is not yet over and we need people like him to direct all these to their conclusion, so we will need him here and there,” a Mangana royal house source told this paper.
Molebatsi long declared his interest for the constituency when Davids defected to BDP. He then in subsequent meetings with the regiment and the royals informed them about his intentions, and they immediately endorsed the idea. Molebatsi is said to be Kgafela’s blue-eyed boy. Kgafela allegedly trusts him, and he won more affection from the self-exiled leader last year when he lobbied for the installation of Sekai as Bakgatla’s recognized Chief after five years of the tribe not having representation at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi.
According to Molebatsi, Kgafela, naturally a radical person wants change of political leadership in the Kgatleng area. “Mokgatla wants change in our area especially if it is instigated by his regiment because he believes mophato is the driving force of the Kgatleng community,” Molebatsi said. Molebatsi has a long way to go though, as he will have to win the primary elections first before he can proceed to contest the bye-elections, possibly against Mpho Moruakgomo of the BDP.
When contacted for comment, BNF Publicity Secretary Justin Hunyepa would not reveal when the primary elections would be held as well as candidate/s that have shown interest in the constituency. This publication has however been informed that a well-known activist, Obakeng Matlou is likely to take Molebatsi head on at the party’s primary elections.
Molebatsi, it is expected will work closely with the royal house in implementing the reforms that Kgafela has been preaching including land reforms, instilling discipline and other societal ills currently besieging the district. Among those reforms that Kgafela ordered his regiment to implement last year includes returning of floggings in the area to curb illicit behaviour. “Our area is troubled by murder cases and we should fight that with anything at our disposal,” Molebatsi said.
“Re tloo letsa moretlwa Kgabo, (We will flog wrongdoers) but it is not like we are bragging about it. We just want to instil discipline in our tribe of which after some time others will bench mark here,” Molebatsi said. Just like Batlokwa, Bakgatla also want a land quota system in which the indigenous members will be given preferable treatment over ‘aliens’ in land allocation.
While Molebatsi some believe that Molebatsi will have no problem bringing home victory, some quarters are of the view that Matlou might just surprise the royal house by defeating their preferred candidate it the primaries. Mochudi East is one of the strong holds of opposition parties which might prove difficult for BDP to retain.
Davids won the constituency as a BNF candidate before defecting to the BDP last year. In the 2014 general elections Davids won with 6,824 votes compared to BDP’s Moruakgomo 5,941. The then incumbent, Isaac Mabiletsa of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) was voted by 4,528 people. Mabiletsa won the constituency at the 2009 general elections with the Botswana National Front (BNF) ticket, before defecting to the BCP. The tensions between Bakgatla and government escalated in 2012 with a number of criminal charges laid against Kgafela. He later on fled to South Africa and government took a decision to de-recognize him.
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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.