Phikwe to create 2000 jobs by March 2017-Molefhi
Selibe Phikwe will have created over 2000 job opportunities by March 2017, Selibe Phikwe East Member of Parliament, Nonofo Molefhi told residents on Wednesday.
Molefhi who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Housing announced that the textile firm which is awaiting loan approval from CEDA will create over 1500 jobs alone. “We have had many people doubting the practicality of our revitalization undertaking, but I am here to let you know that get ready, jobs will soon be advertised,” he said.
“A textile firm is waiting crediting of their loan from CEDA, and as soon as that happens production will commence and Selibe Phikwe youth will be hired,” Molefhi confirmed. According to Molefhi the textile industry this time around will be sustainable as they have put measures in place to make the investment airtight lest the 2008 instance of investors who enjoyed tax holidays and disappeared repeats itself.
Minister Molefhi also revealed at the meeting that the government of Botswana is devising a strategy under the Special Economic Zones Authority in which investors will be wooed to set up businesses in Selibe Phikwe with incentives and less cumbersome procedures. Molefhi stipulated that loosened procedures include allocating land to genuine investors which will be done in a week’s time, adding that Botswana Power Corporation and Water Utilities will take 48 hours to assist such serious investors.
“I am personally of the view that all chuck of fertile land allocated to investors should be retrieved if the land bearers are not serious with creating jobs and producing food, we have a serious situation here that needs serious investors and business people,” he explained.
According to the cabinet Minister, the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry will at the next cabinet seating present a strategic framework that entails findings of a brief research and recommendation on how Phikwe investments can be fast tracked.
“As we resume work this coming week, Minister Seretse will present to the cabinet of President Khama his ministry‘s recommendation on tax incentives, work permits, immigration procedures pertaining the investors that we want here , we don’t want any delays because we are moving against time’’ he said.
Agriculture and Food Processing
The soft spoken lawmaker who is addressing a series of meetings in his constituency also revealed that the National Agro Processing Plant (NAPRO) is now breaking into the lucrative retail market. “This morning I visited SPEDU and NAPRO, I was informed that just yesterday (Tuesday 17th) NAPRO signed a formal agreement with Choppies Superstore, one of the biggest and fast-growing retail chain stores in Africa,” he explained.
Molefhi expressed delight over this deal saying that it will automatically boost the plant‘s sales and eventually take the Haven Harvest NAPRO brand abroad as Choppies is a regional retail giant and a continental fast growing store. “This means that very soon NAPRO will expand its operation and start to processes more raw material, something which will translate to job creation at the plant and farms,” he observed.
Molefhi added that CEDA has NAPRO raw material suppliers backward funding, adding that with Talana farms revived, farms at Thune Irrigation Scheme, the NAFRTEC owned tomato sauce producer is heading for a success and will soon boost Botswana’s export value. According to Molefhi, the agricultural and food processing sector under the Phikwe economic recovery strategy will make a turnaround in the entire national food security status.
“SPEDU is currently arranging a 1000 hectare land for an investor who will set up Olive grains plantations here in the region adding that the land will be leased from communal farm land from one area and the grains will be taken to South Africa to be processed into Oil.
“This investor already has a processing plant in South Africa and in future we will explore possibilities of him setting up the processing plant here if he can successfully produce the grains locally,” said Molefhi. He also added that 300 hectares of land has been identified at Lotsane Dam for horticultural use proving beyond reasonable doubt that NAPRO will be a regional agro processing entity that has abundant raw materials.
Manufacturing and Machinery Assembly factories
For manufacturing businesses, Minister Molefhi told attendants that during Christmas Holidays the Selibe Phikwe Economic diversification Unit (SPEDU) was showing Indian Investors around town and discussing a lucrative manufacturing and assembly business.
“While you and I were resting during festive season, SPEDU met Indian investors who are going to setup a tractor assembly plant here, land has already been allocated and final paperwork is underway,” he explained, adding that this business will add to already existing arrangement by local cell phone and laptop assembly companies DItec & Almaz who will start operation and hire over 800 people by March 2017.
Molefhi also added that the long awaited pharmaceutical and medicine pack is no longer just a talk as the Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) has already began to determine the type of processing mechanism and plant technology to use in Selibe Phikwe.
SPEDU is fruitful
Meanwhile the Selibe Phikwe East legislator explained that the regional Economic agency mandated to resuscitate Phikwe is on top gear and working at high speed. While conceding that SPEDU has been in existence for many years without tangible projects, Molefhi explains that SPEDU has been making feasibility studies and investigating the region to asses and come up with best economic opportunities that can be salvaged from the area.
“SPEDU is now refurbished and reenergized now to transform the economy of this region.” Molefhi further revealed that the Selibe Phikwe Regional Chamber of Commerce which comprises of the region business community has been formed under the stewardship of SPEDU. “The chamber of commerce has already entered into an agreement with SPEDU and the agency will finance and incubate the Chamber for a period of 1 year until it can finance itself,” said Molefhi.
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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.