Morwaeng hopes for ‘lady luck’ in BDP primaries
Former Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) National Organising Secretary, Kabo Morwaeng has confirmed that he will be trying his luck again the upcoming Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections.
The former Barataphathi stalwart will battle it out with another perennial loser Shima Monageng for Molepolole South, currently under Dr Tlamelo Mmatli of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). The constituency was previously held by Daniel Kwelagobe until his loss to Dr Mmatli in 2014 general elections. Morwaeng, somewhat a gifted politician, has had a political career dominated by controversies which borders on bad luck. He was among the first young generation of cosmopolitan professionals that joined the BDP in the early 1990s when the party was only known to be a party of rural folks.
“He was blue eyed boy, the rising star under tutelage of DK [Daniel Kwelagobe] and GUS [Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri]. He was all set to win Mogoditshane which previously was BDP stronghold,” said his close ally. Ahead of the 1994 general elections, Morwaeng was destined for stardom in future cabinet of President Sir Ketumile Masire. During that era, it is reported that Kwelagobe’s influence was so huge that he literally decided who makes it to the cabinet. With Morwaeng being DK’s blue eyed boy, his feat was sealed.
However, the factional battles within the party were at their gravest. In the wake of Kgabo Commission scandal, which pitted Kwelagobe/Mmusi faction against The Big Five comprising; Mompati Merafhe, David Magang, Roy Blackbeared, Chapson Butale and Bahiti Temane — saw the party at war with itself. In the preceding year, The Big Five have lost big time against Kwelagobe/Mmusi faction in Central Committee elections, which made the former to seek revenge. Although The Big Five did not have control of the party, they held key ministerial positions to frustrate their opponents. Morwaeng became the victim of such undoing.
“A yellow monster was sent a few weeks before the general elections and everything else changed; voters rebelled,” said the source. “He was one of the causalities of 1994. Had he won at 29 he would have became the youngest MP; gone into cabinet and today we could be talking President Morwaeng. But such is politics and life.” Morwaeng lost the constituency to Mokgweetsi Kgosipula of Botswana National Front (BNF). In that election year BNF moved from three seats to a historic 13 seats in parliament.
After the ignominy of losing Mogoditshane to BNF, another opportunity came in Kweneng South. The constituency was left vacant by the death of former Vice President, Peter Mmusi, who died few weeks ahead of general elections. Morwaeng won the subsequent primary elections. However, as bad luck would have it, the central committee overturned the decision and instead put Gladys Kokorwe as the BDP candidate.
Morwaeng then grew delusional; dumped the party and headed to opposition politics — joining the burgeoning BNF. It was anticipated that following the 1994 electoral success, BNF was in a pole position to win power in the 199 general elections. It needed only eight more seats to send BDP to the cleaners. Just on the eve of general elections lighting hit home; BNF started tearing itself apart. Morwaeng found himself entangled in the factional wars which eventually gave birth to Botswana Congress Party (BCP). He was among those who founded the BCP.
In 2002, Morwaeng made up his mind to return home. The opposition poltics were not delivering the goods as he had expected. His return to BDP however was not a happy home coming. His arrival saw the party being divided over his decision to participate in the 2003 primaries. Two years had not elapsed as a BDP member to qualify him to contest, but central committee gave him a good ahead. However he lost the subsequent elections to party stalwart Matlhabaphiri in a bid for newly created Molepolole North constituency.
Few years down the line, Morwaeng as among a group of Barataphathi stalwarts who went on to form Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) in the wake of another bout of factional wars. He was elected as member of BDP Central Commitee in 2009 Kanye Congress, but later the suspension of the late Gomolemo Motswaledi and subsequent court battle triggered the resignations en mass from the party. After two years at the party Morwaeng returned to BDP again. He however did not participate in the 2013 party primaries.
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.