Private sector supports BIUST Phikwe campus debate
Botswana’s private sector lobby group, Business Botswana, has practically thrown all the advocacy weight behind the idea of relocating Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)’s Departments of Mining and Geology from Palapye to Selibe Phikwe.
The private Sector federation has welcomed the suggested move saying that it would first and foremost go a long way in turning around the economy of Selibe Phikwe and surrounding areas. Business Botswana Vice President, Palalani Moithobogi told WeekendPost in a previous interview that BIUST is a partner to the private sector as a research, innovation and ground breaking solution seeking institution.
Moithobogi had observed that Phikwe has all necessary equipment to establish a department of geology and Mining or a fully fleshed college of engineering campus. Moithobogi’s view was that, the campus would complement the revitalization efforts in Phikwe as well as government’s mission of turning Botswana into a knowledge based economy.
Selibe Phikwe West Member of Parliament, Dithapelo Keorapetse had tabled the motion in parliament a fortnight ago. In the motion debated in parliament on the 10th of March, Keorapetse had asked Parliament to request government to relocate BIUST Mining and Geology academic services to Selibe Phikwe with a satellite engineering campus established in Phikwe. Keorapetse had argued that the relocation would develop Selibe Phikwe into an innovation and research academic centre, a move he added would undoubtedly go a long way in turning around the economy of Selibe Phikwe and the entire SPEDU region.
“Mr Speaker, when you go to other countries, I will give two examples from South Africa. When you take the town of Stellenbosch, the mainstay of the economy of the town of Stellenbosch is Stellenbosch University. So the university is very important in breathing economic life to the town of say Stellenbosch, when you go to Grahams town, there is Rhodes University,” he said
”Mr Speaker, another practice when you go to other countries is that you can have a university headquartered in a city or a town and then have faculties or schools or departments relocated in the neighbouring towns, When you look at the distance of Palapye and Selebi Phikwe, it is around plus 100 kilometres. It is very possible that we can relocate the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering of the College of Engineering and Technology at BIUST from Palapye to Selebi Phikwe to establish a BIUST Selebi Phikwe Campus,” he explained to parliament.
Keorapetse observed that for purposes of practicals, the BCL Mine would come in handy. “It will be even more appropriate if the mine is re- opened with either private investors partnering with Government or whatever the case may be, It will be even more appropriate if the mine is running,” he said.
Business Botswana strongly accedes to this view: “Before the liquidation, there were apprentices who did their practicals for various disciplines at Selebi Phikwe Technical College at the BCL Mine. So I think that when you go to a country like France, to prevent what formerly was mining towns from becoming ghost towns, those places which were mined were turned into museums and they also offered practical’s for disciplines in mining related science and engineering programmes.”
Business Botswana who noted that their interests in the issue are business facilitation and concept commercializing anchored, are of the view that entrepreneurship and other private sector led economic activities can emerge simultaneously form such a development.
“ We are looking at long term SPEDU region economic transformation, thus when an institution of the magnitude of a university campus is built here, the Small, Medium Enterprises will flourish, accommodation rentals, transport; the economic activities unearthed as a result are very obvious and clear even to lame man,” said Moithobogi.
In an interview this week, Keorapetse further told WeekendPost that the move will be a long term complementation to Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Phikwe Revitalization Efforts towards fulfilling the aspiration of making sure that Selibe Phikwe does not become a ghost town.
It will be costly for government
However the move has received mixed reactions from the legislators, Minister of Tertiary Education, Research and Technology, Mr Alfred Madigele aggrieved that the undertaking would be costly to his ministry. “The proposal to relocate the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering to Selebi Phikwe from BIUST in Palapye is not plausible as it will come at a huge cost to the Government of Botswana. It will be tantamount to building another BUIST in Selebi Phikwe,” he said. He further argued that BIUST’s academic service delivery will be negatively affected.
“Detaching and relocating the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering to Selebi Phikwe will cost daunting logistical and operational difficulties for both the students and the staff, in particular there is the need for comprehensive library facilities and resources as well as teaching laboratories which we all believe are an integral part of the education process and cannot be over-emphasized,” he said.
Madigele noted that various departments and colleges at BIUST share common resources, from sharing common facilities like lecturers, professors, laboratories, libraries to other administrative and logistical facilities. “By the current structure which is currently being used at BIUST, year ones and year twos in the College of Engineering and Technology have to take common courses like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Statistics like their counterparts in the College of Information and Communications Technology; that is the first and second year students, ” he noted and further stated that the departments of Mining and Geological Engineering offered programs which comprise common courses offered by the three (3) colleges at BIUST and use the same laboratories, using the same workshop facilities like others in the three colleges.
Government to consider the move in future
Meanwhile, Business Botswana believes that the cost can be overlapped by coming up with an arrangement that allows for partnership in setting up the campus: “The government doesn’t have to bear the costs alone, when you look at the research labs, innovation packs, the BCL metallurgy and mechanical workshops, they can be run independently by private sector businesses and BUIST would just have to devise a partnership model.”
According to Business Botswana, the campus arrangement, especially support services like accommodation for lectures, university staff as well as other institution sectors like business facilities, can be developed by private sector or other government parastatals like Botswana Innovation Hub and BITRI just to name a few.
Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, Ndaba Gaolathe, was among those who supported the move to have the BIUST campus relocated to Phikwe. According to him, the development would also enhance learning at BIUST and turn the institution into a world-class research and innovation academic institution.
“Thank you Honourable Member of Parliament Keorapetse, for a motion that I think is worth considering. If you look at the tradition of universities, the tradition of academic rigor, the tradition of intellectual pursuit, you will find that universities that have been successful around the world, that have contributed profoundly to the body of knowledge are universities that have multiple campuses,” Gaolathe said.
He observed that the move would provide yet another opportunity not only for BIUST, but for Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI), both of which fall under Minister Madigele’s portfolio. Parliament ended up amending the motion to move from the house requesting government to relocate the campus from Palapye to Phikwe and settled for “Government to consider the relocation in future.” Member of Parliament for Nata-Gweta Polson Majaga moved the amendment.
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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.