Inside the Vision 2036 document
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Immediately after the fanfare celebrations for the 50th independence next weekend, this country will open a new chapter of vision 2036. The new national vision tagged ‘achieving prosperity for all’, has been in the oven for over a year and is ready to be served to the nation.
The vision is hailed as a game-changer in the socio-economic and political space where most of antagonists have been arguing that this country is failing on. It is anchored on four pillars that are expected to maneuver Batswana to the “Botswana we want by 2036.” The pillars are Sustainable Economic Development, Human and Social Development, Sustainable Development and Governance, Peace and Security. The vision was arrived at following three broad questions; what kind of Botswana do we want to build by the year 2036? what kind of person would a Motswana like to be in 2036 and lastly in order to achieve these dreams and aspirations, what should be done, and by who?
The draft document seen by this publication suggests that, “by 2036, Botswana will be a high-income country, with an export led economy underpinned by diversified, inclusive and sustainable growth driven by high levels of productivity.”
Economic diversification has been a go area but has proven to be a pie in the sky as the economy continues to monotonously rely on minerals and tourism for its GDP. However, according to the document the think tanks have adopted a new strategy of focusing their energy on changing this country to be a knowledge based economy.
“We will promote the use of science, technology and innovation,” again this nation will be a destination of choice for investment as all will be availed to attract the investors by creating a facilitative regulatory environment, supporting infrastructure, competitive and highly productive work-force. Manufacturing sector which is hailed as un-tapped niche will also be explored this time around. “Our manufacturing will produce commercially viable, high value products targeted at the export market”.
The second pillar, human and social development wants Botswana to be a moral, tolerant and inclusive society that provides opportunities for all. The marginalized population groups, including the disabled and the elderly will have an equal access to services and socio-economic opportunities. The youth group who are said to be a time ticking bomb especially at a time when they are hard-hit by unemployment, are also included since they hold potential to contribute to the overall development of Botswana and making it a global competitor. “Botswana will have made relevant investment in its youthful population in order to reap the demographic dividend, this will be achieved by better education, creation of economic opportunities, the opening up of political space and the provision of requisite governance structures for their participation,” explained Presidential team’s king chef, Neo Moroka in the document.
Governance peace and security one of the most topical issues in this country has been added as one of the pillars. The Presidential task team says, “Batswana will live in full enjoyment of their constitutionally guaranteed rights, and will be among top countries in the protection of human rights.” On the other hand this pillar will also include the press and civic associations like trade unions and political party as key components in a robust, tolerant and healthy democracy. Separation of powers, effective oversight, civil society participation have also been considered as some of the components of this pillar.
“Botswana’s religious institutions in partnership with government with government will play an increased role in safeguarding morality, promoting tolerance and assuring progressive governance,” further reads the vision document.
The other interesting pillar is about sustainable environment which preach about the optimal use of natural resource to transform our economy and uplift our people’s livelihoods. The team responsible for crafting these pillars maintains that there will be utilization of natural resources especially non-renewable that should be equitably shared by generations. Furthermore the vision envisages that, “we will be a water efficient and secure nation. We will pursue and promote integrated water resource management strategies.”
Energy as an important key potent resource in social and economic development will be abundant with diversified safe and clean sources and a net energy exporter. The draft further posits there should be sustainable land use and management, and the expectation is our “cities, towns and villages will be safe and clean and will be providing decent and affordable housing and economic opportunities for all.”
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Botswana despite less threat of natural disaster will be putting on a bullet proof in case nature strikes. “Global warming and climate change are unequivocal and could dampen a country’s desired economic growth and development,” the vision suggests and adds that, “We therefore take a strong stance to include climate change vulnerability assessments, adaptation and mitigation into our development planning.”
The vision was developed by king chef, Neo Moroka and others as a Presidential Task Team. The group says they traversed the breadth and length of this country addressing Kgotla and focus group meetings.
“We listened very carefully and with admiration as our fellow citizens responded eloquently and passionately about the future Botswana that they would like to see, and live in, by 2036,” Moroka explained.
WHAT WE LEARNT FROM VISION 2016?
For Moroka the maiden vision 2016 is not a total scrap like others suggests, he believes that the performance shows mixed results. “A key lesson from vision 2016 is that there is a need for a strong delivery system that will ensure implementation of policies geared towards the attainment of a national vision.”
Another lesson he pointed out, is the need to have monitoring and evaluating system from the onset, while the national development plans need to be aligned to the national vision for it to be attained.
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Pep Stores donates sanitary towels to Popagano JSS
The Guidance and Counseling unit at Popagano Junior Secondary School received a donation of 790 sanitary towels from Pep stores on Thursday.
When presenting the donation, Mareledi Thebeng, the Dinokaneng Area Manager, highlighted their belief in giving back to the community, as their existence depends on the communities they serve. Thebeng pointed out that research indicates one in four girls miss school every day due to the lack of basic necessities like sanitary towels. Therefore, as a company, they strive to assist in alleviating this situation. She expressed hope that this donation would help ensure uninterrupted learning for girls.
Upon receiving the donation on behalf of the students, Charity Sambire, the President of the Student Representative Council, expressed her gratitude. Sambire specifically thanked Pep Store for their generous gift, speaking on behalf of the students, especially the girl child.
She conveyed their sincere appreciation for Pep Store’s compassion and quoted the adage, “Blessed is the hand that gives.” Sambire expressed the students’ hope for Pep Stores’ prosperity, enabling them to continue supporting the students. As a gesture of gratitude, the students pledged to excel academically.
During her speech, Motlalepula Madome, the Senior Teacher in Guidance and Counseling, highlighted that many students at the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds where parents struggle to provide basic necessities. Consequently, some students miss school when they experience menstruation due to this lack.
Madome emphasized the significance of the donation in preventing the girl child from missing lessons and its potential to improve the school’s overall results. She expressed the school’s gratitude and expressed a desire for continued support from Pep Stores.
Popagano Junior Secondary School, situated in the Okavango District, holds the second position academically in the North West region. Despite its location, the school has been dedicated to achieving excellence since 2017
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Botswana misses out critical PAP committee meeting
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) committee on gender, family, youth and people with disability in its sitting considered, adopted and recommended to the plenary session the preliminary report on the framework for the model law on gender equality.
According to the last week’s media release from PAP which is sitting with its various committees until June 2nd, the committee is following up the PAP initiative to draw up a model law on gender equality to enable national governments to harmonize, modernize and standardize their legislations to address local needs is set to be discussed in Plenary.
However, what is concerning is the fact that Botswana which is a member state missed the deliberations. Kgosi Mosadi Seboko who sat in the committee representing Botswana has since been ejected by parliament and this is a huge blow for a nation that is still battling equity and gender balance.
“Although PAP has no legislative powers it makes model laws for member states to adopt. PAP also develops protocols to be ratified by countries. The input of countries at Committee state is extremely critical. It now means the voice of Botswana is missing the discussions leading up to development of protocols or model laws,” said one of Botswana’s representative at PAP Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang who is attending the current session.
While Botswana is missing, the committee meeting took place on the sidelines of the Sixth PAP second ordinary Session being held under the African Union Theme of the Year for 2023, “The Year of AfCFTA: Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area” in Midrand, South Africa and will run up to 2 June 2023. Chairperson of the Committee, Hon Mariam Dao-Gabala expressed satisfaction with preliminary processes undertaken so far towards the formulation of the Model Law,” a release from the PAP website reads.
“The law should be suitable to all countries whatever the predominant culture or religion is. The aim is to give an opportunity to women to participate in the economic, political and social development of the continent. Women are not well positioned and face a lot of obstacles. We are introducing the idea of equity in the Law because we cannot talk about equality without equity,” said Hon Mariam Dao-Gabala in the press statement.
The release has stated that among issues to be covered by the Model Law is the migratory movements of women. The Committee proffered that this has to be addressed at the continental level to ensure that migrant women enjoy all their rights and live with dignity in their destination country. The members of the Gender Committee undertook consultations to consolidate the contributions of the various stakeholders that will be the logical framework format for the Model Law.
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BDP MPs demand review of Ministers performance
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) backbenchers were left frustrated when State Minister Kabo Morwaeng failed to furnish them with reports from various ministries at a party retreat held last month.
The two-day retreat of BDP MPs at Notwane Farms was held to discuss the implementation and progress of government projects in line with the party’s 2019 general elections manifesto, in order to assert themselves and press the President to take action against ineffective members of his cabinet. They believed that the laxity of these members could cost them the elections next year.
To accomplish this, the party had requested that each ministry submit their reports to the State Ministry, as it was the most senior ministry. These reports were expected to be assessed at the retreat to evaluate service delivery and the implementation of the party manifesto.
The ministries submitted their performance reports to the Ministry as agreed, but Masisi and the MPs did not have the opportunity to review them. This was the main agenda of the retreat, but when it commenced, and many were anticipating the reports, they were nowhere to be found.
“Minister Morwaeng told us (MPs) that he forgot to prepare them, and as a result, there was nothing to discuss. He said he would share those reports in our WhatsApp group. To us, that was an insult because it is a very serious matter, and we needed to discuss it and see which ministry is failing and how it can be assisted to ensure that service delivery is met,” revealed one MP to WeekendPost.
Reliable sources have informed this publication that one of the reasons why the reports were not shared is due to the poor performance of the State Ministry. It is said that the Minister decided not to share the reports because it would portray him as incompetent, especially since President Masisi was present and seeking suggestions from MPs.
It is understood that the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, as well as the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, performed well, while the Ministry of Health and the State Ministry performed poorly.
The MPs are primarily concerned about the lack of correlation between the ministries’ recurrent and development budgets.
“You would notice that in some cases, a ministry would spend their recurrent budget accordingly, but when you look at their development expenditure, it is at 15 percent. That’s the money that should ensure that people receive services and amenities, and we wanted to advise ministers to communicate with bureaucrats to address this,” added the MP.
Without the reports, and with the expected agenda now in tatters, it is said that President Masisi asked MPs to come up with suggestions on how to win public confidence to secure victory in the next elections. It was at this point that backbenchers asked President Mokgweetsi Masisi to crack the whip on ineffectual ministers who had failed to fulfill their mandates. MPs expressed their concerns to the President, particularly regarding the state of affairs at the hospitals.
“There is a serious shortage of medicines and personnel in our areas, especially in rural areas. We have been complaining about this situation for some time, but there seems to be no change,” one MP told WeekendPost.
“The state of our roads and infrastructure is in disrepair. What irks us the most is that we have been complaining about these things for some time, but there has been no change. We demand progress.”
The issue of poor delivery and the significant deficit in the ruling party’s election promises is so severe that President Masisi had his ministers sign performance agreements and annual performance plans. The President effectively read them the riot act, informing them that they would be fired if they continued to fall short in delivering on their mandates.
He told journalists at a press conference that he recently had a serious engagement with Minister of Health Minister Dr. Edwin Dikoloti and Assistant Minister of Health Sethomo Lelatisitswe regarding the deplorable state of affairs at public health facilities.
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