Parliament lobbied to divert NDP 11 funds to Phikwe
Tati East Member of Parliament, Samson Guma has called on legislators to sacrifice projects allocated to their constituencies and instead divert the funds to Selebi Phikwe, which plunged into economic crisis following the closure of the BCL mine last month.
The BCL closure has been viewed across the entire political divide as the worst economic crisis ever to hit the country apart from the 2008 global economic recession. Although the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo, has indicated that the closure of BCL will have a minimal impact in the country’s overall economic growth, it is generally agreed that the development will leave the people in Selebi Phikwe and surrounding areas in dire economic status.
Guma expressed that when government conceptualised the plan, it was not anticipating the closure of BCL and Tati Nickel or that people in those areas would be under such difficult economic conditions. “We need to be very open and honest as Members of Parliament that there may be a need for us to adjust this plan to accommodate the challenges that we are facing,” he said.
“It cannot be business as usual when people in Selebi Phikwe and Francistown have no jobs. It cannot be. If the plan does not address these particular issues we need to look at it very carefully and say what we are going to do.” The maverick MP remarked that it is imperative for MPs to make amends to the NDP 11 Plan in order to make some sacrifices because once the plan is passed as it is, it could no longer be changed.
“If I had a project in my constituency that may have to be deferred to cater for the issues as arising in Selebi Phikwe and Francistown, I would forgo that project because the situation as is right now requires that all of us make sacrifices,” he stated. According to him, the budget should be focused on what is seen as having economic growth potential for the country in the next six years and also showing potential to grow targeted sectors.
“If the focus of unpacking economic growth lies in agriculture, we are going to be looking at the budget allocation for agriculture. If at some point in time we find that the budget allocation in here does not assist us in terms of realising this theme, we must look at it very carefully,” he said. “There is no point in building roads in areas that do not assist us with economic growth even if it gives us political advantage.
Look, at some point in time if it means me losing my popularity and losing a constituency but the country benefits, so be it,” he said. Furthermore, the one time Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning remarked that infrastructural projects in the NDP 11 must be aimed at basically attending to what government sees as having potential for growing the economy.
“Economic growth is key and without economic growth you have got no employment. You cannot fight poverty eradication issues when an economy is not growing.” Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, Ndaba Gaolathe stated, when debating the plan that in order for government to realise significant growth, its NDP 11 should be linked with the country’s vision.
“In the Vision 2036, the overall vision is Botswana to achieve a high income status; very clearly as a vision. What I am saying is that, that is not coming out in the National Development Plan. What I am saying is that, it needs to be coming out at every corner that this is the vision, this is where we need to go,” he said.
Gaolathe contended that the first thing that Botswana needs as a country is to agree and decide that the country needs to develop only a few globally competitive sectors or clusters and grow them to a major scale and grow them aggressively and put everything on these forecast clusters. He mentioned the Tourism Cluster, the Diamond Cluster, the Cattle and Agricultural Cluster, the Financial and Services Cluster as the sectors that Botswana need to give the biggest fight.
“The second principle is that we need to be able or we need to build and attract globally competitive manpower. This should speak to the manner in which we train our people, the manner in which we target those who should come and how easy we should make it for them to come to this country,” he said. Gaolathe further added that government would also have to create an environment in which it is easy for industry and different stakeholders to take up technology, to go into business and achieve what needs to be achieved.
“You also need to create targets for yourselves as a country so that after five years, we are able to account for our achievement and failures and be able to say that we have achieved this or not.” Bogolo Kenewendo, a renowned rising economist and newly nominated Specially Elected MP also made her debut contribution in the legislative house.
The youthful MP stated that government should spend ‘smart’ and put its money not only in areas where it has comparative advantage but also in areas where it has competitive advantage. Kenewendo indicated that business confidence has declined from 82 percent in 2008 to 36 percent in 2016 and noted that government can no longer afford to let it go lower than that.
“The main concerns are to do with water and electricity, I see those two are prioritised but we need the speed to regain back the confidence and growth rates to pre-economic downturn,” she said. “The buzz word nowadays is disruption. Things are moving at a light speed pace and we need to respond and adapt in an agile manner. We need to pick up our pace in relation to this agenda and be able to compete with the best; Rwanda, Mauritius and Singapore.”
Kenewendo, who had a short stint working for Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry as a Trade Economist prior to being elected to parliament, highlighted that there is need for parliament to look at the NDP 11 through youthful lenses and use it as an opportunity to cement the foundation that will carry the nation to the end point of a generation’s horizon.
“Our population structure has changed. We have a youth bulge which has led to the growth of the working age population from 46.9 percent in 2001 to 64.9 percent in 2011. Our dependency ratio has also changed as a result, when previously we would only focus on the ratio of those aged 0-14 and 65 upward to that of working age, we now have to consider some of those among the working age as dependents too,” he said.
“This is as a result of high unemployment in our country. I believe that with this glaring reality, we can therefore justifiably say that this document should have a youthful face, represents the hopes and dreams of young people.”
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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.