How BNF YL election was won and lost
MAHALAPYE: Richard ‘Motsabakedi’ Khumoekae came out the man on top in the Botswana National Front Youth League (BNF YL) election, ending months of simmering tension, fears of a factional haemorrhage and anxiety over what will become of the youth wing.
Khumoekae was contesting BNF YL Presidency against Kago Mokotedi.
Congress proceedings which were billed to start Saturday morning went about in the most erratic of ways.
By 7PM Saturday, delegates had not eaten breakfast, official congress rites such as solidarity messages were done evening Saturday while delivery of treasurer’s report and passing of resolutions never saw the light of day.
There were even doubts as to whether the previous BNF YL committee had been formally and properly dissolved.
The abdication of responsibility by those in charge also appeared to continue after BNF leader Duma Boko had officially opened congress.
After Boko had opened Congress, voting, which was supposed to continue after evening meals, at around 7PM never took off.
Previous league president Kemmonye Makatane was nowhere to be seen and was said to not be taking calls on his mobile phone. His then deputy who is also Gaborone City Mayor Kagiso Thutlwe had also ‘disappeared’, leaving a power vacuum that left delegates hung in confusion.
The Khumoekae lobby group smelled a rat. They suspected that the Mokotedi lobby which was dominated and pushed by previous Youth League committee members was seeking to either cause the election to be suspended to a later date, buy time to register delegates at a time when elections were supposed to be commencing and that they were in cohorts with the delegate registering committee as well as the BNF National Executive Committee (NEC), appointed election board.
At 2am Sunday; in the ensuing power vacuum, where the election hall had turned into a dance party of sorts, lobbyists associated with Khumoekae sought to give election overseeing powers to congress. They took charge of the podium and engaged in a selection of individuals from the floor to oversee the election.
The two lobby groups had reached deadlock. Khumoekae had wanted election board member Kwenantle Gaseitsewe to withdraw, reasoning that he was a conflicted man. It emerged the reason was Khumoekae had ‘quarrelled’ with Gaseitsewe a few weeks before the election and the latter had penned a letter threatening to sue the former as he felt that he had been slandered.
Attempts to bring together the two factions were botched in a background of tight rope walking tension. Mokotedi and Khumoekae could not agree on what was to be done next.
The former wanted congress to continue with the presiding election board as he felt that it’s scrapping would be undermining the powers of the NEC while the latter felt that power was now in the hands of Congress. He wanted election overseers to be selected from Congress as he felt the system was littered with Mokotedi sympathisers.
Members from the two lobby groups were now at each other’s throats and sporadic fist fights which at this point did not involve lobby group members, but nevertheless undermined Congress security, would occasionally erupt in the voting hall.
In the ensuing chaos, it was then decided that elections will commence Sunday morning at 6am.
All the while, by all accounts, the Khumoekae lobby was formidable on the ground, shored up by the militating and all powerful Kgalagadi/Gantsi regions’ delegates while the Mokotedi lobby lacked a strong show on the ground, perhaps because a mass of his people had camped at a different venue.
Many felt the Mokotedi group was scheming to steal a mandate. A combination of botched Congress arrangements including lodging for delegates, timely serving of meals and the continued dilly dallying, which left delegates in the lurch, at the height of winter tilted delegate sympathy to the side of Khumoekae.
Some believed that Khumoekae was encircled, as a large chunk of recognisable previous youth league members were openly allied to the Mokotedi lobby while others were seeking re-election in his lobby. They also felt that if elected the Mokotedi lobby will be an extension of the previous Youth League committee, whose unpopularity out rightly emerged at the Congress.
Also, the fact that Khumoekae was said to be a perpetual victim of the opposing lobby, said to have been defeated in dubious ways in the 2012 Thamaga Congress and subsequently ‘pushed out’ of contesting the Village Council ward in Gaborone Central which was contested and won by Kagiso Thutlwe, in the 2014 general election did not help matters.
Furthermore, the Mokotedi lobby had hogged an image of flamboyance and ostentation. They had lodged at a separate venue from the rest of Congress goers. Their camp at Flowertown Primary School had quickly earned the moniker, ‘Dubai’.
They had also hired services of identically branded coaches from a local transportation magnate and they were generally believed to have been well-heeled and their delegates well-fed, who added to the indignation as meals Congress provided meals were scarce.
Khumoekae however had the blessings of Gantsi North and South, Kgalagadi North and South Constituencies and Jwaneng-Mabutsane constituencies; a powerful and militating swing bloc of constituencies that is feared for determining the direction of elections in the BNF.
The region had previously bestowed one of their own; Kemmonye Makatane in the BNF youth league Presidency in the 2012 Thamaga Congress. A youth from the region was also being given a Sports and Culture post in the Khumoekae lobby.
Voting proceedings had not started by 6AM Sunday morning as promised. At 10AM both lobbies and Congress agreed that two individuals be selected from both lobby groups while another two will come from the election board and some calm momentarily prevailed while tension, suspicion and extra alertness never left.
At around noon Sunday, fist fights ensued over ballot box stuffing accusations, with the suspicious Khumoekae lobby leading the charge. In the ensuing furore, a confrontational Khumoekae sympathiser stormed the election door manned by two strongmen, lunging at election officers.
Afterwards both Mokotedi and Khumoekae settled to call their lobbies to order and a decision to bring in the Botswana Police was reached while the militating and song singing Khumoekae lobby group was restrained.
At one point the melee, a passing Khumoekae was celebrated by the crowd while Mokotedi was jeered and heckled.
Voting started Sunday afternoon and by then delegates from both camps had left without casting their votes. Voting continued into the night without further incident.
By early Monday morning when election results trickled in, they confirmed many congress goers’ opinion that Khumoekae will emerge victorious. The Khumoekae lobby members were winning positions without break, all with a safe margin of over 200 votes while Khumoekae himself defeated Mokotedi with 457 to 240 votes.
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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.