Boko, Saleshando begin talks in April
News
UDC cum BNF president Duma Boko and BCP president Dumelang Saleshando
Opposition parties, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) this week stated that the official opposition cooperation talks will commence in April this year.
The consultations come after both parties have in the past committed to cooperation towards the decisive 2019 General Elections – which is expected to be more competitive.
Towards 2014, the umbrella talks which were inclusive of all opposition parties then, Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) collapsed although BNF, BMD and BPP forged ahead and contested under UDC banner.
Excluding the BCP in the cooperation, UDC went on to garner 17 seats against BCP’s paltry 3 which reinforced the conspiracy theories that the nation may be yearning for one opposition block that will make the buoyant ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) which has been in power since independence, run for its money.
In his preface statement the BCP president Dumelang Saleshando set the tone to allude that there are divisions in the BDP and indeed even on opposition. “Of course we have a divided opposition and on this one we have to take responsibility as opposition parties, to try and heal the society and come up with something to make them closer to each other,” he told a fully packed press conference on Thursday afternoon in Gaborone.
The former Gaborone Central legislator highlighted that indeed opposition division creates room for BDP’s misrule and mischief.
“And so we are here today not to sign any agreement yet, but to inform you that we have agreed on the document that will regulate the bye elections from now going forward, which documents will be signed on the 13th of this month in Sekoma where the UDC candidate will be launched for the coming bye election.”
According to Saleshando, the signing of the agreement will be the first step towards building the unity that the nation desire and possibly building a consensus of Botswana we all want to build and that it’s a very important milestone that they plan to celebrate when they actually get to it.
“It sends a strong message that the plan is to succeed. But I must also admit that its insignificant compared to trials that are ahead for us as BCP and UDC.”
Ofcourse the prophets of doom, he said will say ‘we have seen this before, they have done this before, but they ultimately failed.’ “Yes we have not succeeded in the past, but you know if life it’s not how many times you fail that matters, is what you do after failing whether you are able to stand up and dust yourself from the failures and say I will do a better job next time. So we are ready to do a better job,” the calm and collected Saleshando highlighted.
He also said that their members need to come closer to each other, as it is not only about the leadership of the parties coming together. In any case, he continued, “contrary to what many people have always suspected, there has never been any acrimony whether intense or mild between myself and UDC leader Duma Boko.”
Past failures he said were not on account of personal differences but was because they represented separate organisations that held separate positions and therefore it must never be construed that the 2 of them had not get along well.
“But ofcourse now we realize that we need to dialogue with each other for us to succeed and we want our members to do the same,” the BCP leader asserted. “And that is why we have decided to call our parties’ structures, constituency committees as well as regional committees that during the months of February and March we expect all structures to jointly hold at least one activity in their respective areas.”
Saleshando also maintained that he pins his hope on the nation to also support the activities that will be held countrywide as a build up to the full proper talks.
However he pointed out that “let’s remember that this agreement is only about bye elections and we believe it will keep the BDP away from victory stand on all bye elections that will be held until the 2019 General Elections.”
The BCP president added that it doesn’t matter what the locality is and that even in constituencies of BDP stronghold they will go there. He said the plan is to deny them any chance of victory nationwide while adding that it doesn’t help them if they only plan to win their strongholds against the BDP.
Of course we expect members of the cooperating parties to be cordial to each other and use the language that is consistent with people trying to build a relationship, he cautioned.
On his part, his counterpart UDC cum BNF president Duma Boko asserted in his prologue account marking the official declaration for the dates leading to the cooperation talks, “we will begin engagements,” he told the press conference.
“And to pre-empt the question that you will ask me members of the press, we have had formal engagements amongst ourselves at this level of leadership because it is important for us.”
He also added that they had informal whereabouts while emphasizing that it is important for them sometimes to hold these meetings away from the public and even away from their members, and he said some of these have not been discussions on the issue of cooperation but just to break bread together and just to have a cup of tea together as they have always done before.
Boko, who is also the leader of opposition chunk in parliament highlighted that “so those informal contacts, are a prelude to more formal engagements that we hope to begin and if I may put some time frame to it, the hope is that the beginning of April we may commence these formal discussions between Umbrella for Democratic Change and Botswana Congress party.”
According to the top notch qualified lawyer, “the nature, the scope and depth will define itself as we go out so I just wanted to clear this out so that you remain in absolute no doubt about what we are doing and that we make no apologies for it because it has to be done – as it’s about time” he asserted.
In those recent wine and dine meets, Boko told the journalists that they have touched on the thorny issue in the process of finding out what it is that has separated them from working with each other from the past.
“So yes we have met, all over the place in this country and even at each other’s houses so that you may be shocked and surprised,” he stated wearing his signature laugh with his eyes glued down from the audience.
He cleared the air by stating that it goes to reinforce the fact that there is no acrimony between him and BCP leader Saleshando, “we are not fighting with each other and we have never fought, and we have never insulted each other at least at the level of leadership,” the Gaborone Bonnington North law maker stressed.
So, he also insisted that “we are here today as you can see, in part to begin another step. We have responded to the budget speech yesterday, some issues that arose from our intervention yesterday are issues we will pursue together, both the leadership of UDC and that of the BCP and going forward we will jointly pursue these matters. And one of these matters include skyrocketing military expenditure.”
The Member of Parliament has also underscored that both parties acting jointly need to pursue the government to push it to account. “These are the things we need to pursue for the betterment of this country. We will call on this government to be as transparent as the situation demands. There are many issues that we will deal with together. Issues will be tackled from a common platform.”
He added that they will also refine their own issues together. We want solutions that work for our country, he said. He however cautioned that when they get to the terrain (of opposition cooperation talks) they should approach it with open mind. “We will quarrel from now and then, and we will strike a compromise here and there,” Boko stated.
He also advised that politics is more dynamic, more interesting, more engaging and that we need to rescue it from this caricature of “ideologues” but do what works for the country.
“So as I said to you, April we will engage in formal discussion about unity. I have no doubt in my mind that we will succeed. I have absolutely no doubt. And this is an ominous message to the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). They must be quaking on their boots as I speak and I know they are freaked out because if there is anything they don’t want to hear and see is in fact this opposition cooperation,” the UDC leader postulated.
So now we are giving them a sneak preview so that when they run around and tell us who their president is or is not they know, he stated to a thunderous applause from both the UDC, BCP party members who were present alike.
News
BTC launches the 3rd Francistown Marathon 2024 and handover proceeds to the 2nd Francistown Marathon beneficiaries
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) has announced that its 3rd Francistown Marathon will be held on Saturday 20th April 2024 at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown. The BTC Francistown Marathon is officially recognised by World Athletics and a Comrades Marathon Qualifier will offer race categories ranging from 42.2km, 21.1 km, 10km, 5km fun run, 5km peace run for children and has introduced a 5km and 10km categories for wheelchairs athletics.
BTC also used this opportunity to announce beneficiaries who received donations from proceeds made from the 2nd BTC Francistown Marathon that was held on April 23rd 203. BTC donated a play area, plastic chairs and wooden tables for pupils worth a total of thirty eight thousand, one hundred and three pula, fifty thebe each (P38, 103.50) to Monarch Primary School, Tatitown Primary School, Mahube Primary School and Gulubane Primary School. Ditladi and Boikhutso clinics each received a donation of benches, television sets and 10, 000 litre water tanks worth thirty seven thousan, eight hundred and ninety eight pula (P 37, 898.00). Additionally, BTC also donated seventy thousand pula (P70,000.00) to their marathon technical partner, Francistown Athletics Club (FAC) which will be used for daily operations as well as to purchase equipment for the club.
The BTC Francistown Marathon aligns seamlessly with BTC’s corporate social investment programme, administered through the BTC Foundation. This programme is a testament to BTC’s dedication to community development, focusing on key areas such as health promotion. The marathon, now in its third year, not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also channels all proceeds to carefully chosen charities as part of BTC’s commitment to impactful and sustainable projects.
Speaking at the launch, the BTC Managing Director Mr Anthony Masunga stated that the marathon underscores BTC’s commitment to community upliftment and corporate social investment. He stated that “the annual event which has been in existence since 2016, having taken a break due to the covid and other logistical issues, is instrumental to the economic upliftment of the city of Francistown”. He congratulated all the beneficiaries for having been nominated to receive the donations, adding that “the donation of proceeds from the 2023 marathon aims to highlight BTC’s commitment and heart for Batswana and our continued impact in the different industries”.
He further stated that through this marathon, “we demonstrate our steadfast commitment to having a good influence on our communities, this event is a manifestation of our dedication to promoting education and a healthier, more active society”. He concluded by stating that “BTC looks forward to another successful marathon that will leave a lasting positive influence on the greater Francistown community and the country at large” he said.
Giving welcome remarks, the Councillor for Donga, Honourable Morulaganyi Mothowabarwa stated that “he is ecstatic that BTC is collaborating with the City of Francistown on yet another installment of the Marathon”. He continued to offer his support to BTC to enable this marathon to continue over the coming years, stating that the “CSI element is a welcome development that helps empower our communities”, he said.
The 3rd BTC Francistown Marathon is officially open for registrations and athletes may use the following platforms to register and pay; through Smega by dialling *173# and choosing opton 5, then choose Option 3 for the Francistown marathon, at any BTC store or by visiting the BTC website and clicking on the BTC Francistown Marathon and choosing the relevant options.
News
Letsholo lauds President Masisi’s digitization in fight against corruption
Thapelo Letsholo, Member of Parliament for Kanye North, delivered a moving speech at the United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration, praising President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi’s digitalization initiative in the fight against corruption. Letsholo highlighted the importance of embracing digitalization in governance as a crucial step in curbing corrupt practices.
According to Letsholo, the implementation of digital systems in government services can significantly reduce direct interactions between citizens and officials, which often serve as fertile grounds for corruption. By minimizing these opportunities for illicit activities, the efficiency and transparency of public services can be enhanced. Letsholo pointed to Estonia’s success in digital governance as an example, where public services have become more transparent, accessible, and efficient.
The MP commended President Masisi’s commitment to digitalization and E-Governance, emphasizing that it aligns with global anti-corruption standards. He called for full support and active participation from all sectors to ensure the success of this initiative.
Letsholo also stressed the importance of improving detection methods and refining whistleblower laws to effectively combat corruption. He highlighted the unseen and unspoken facets of corruption as its lifelines, emphasizing the need for robust detection mechanisms and a system that encourages and protects whistleblowers.
Addressing the societal role in fighting corruption, Letsholo focused on the crucial role of everyday citizens and civil servants who often witness corrupt practices firsthand. He acknowledged the existing reluctance to report corruption due to the perceived risks of repercussions. To change this narrative, Letsholo advocated for creating an environment where staying silent is deemed more detrimental than speaking out. He called for a cultural shift where the potential benefits of exposing corruption outweigh the risks, ensuring that whistleblowers are protected and feel secure in coming forward.
Letsholo called for collective responsibility and action in creating a system that not only detects and reports corruption but also supports those who stand against it. He expressed hope that under President Masisi’s digitalization initiatives, the future of governance in Botswana will be characterized by integrity, transparency, and accountability. Letsholo’s speech resonated with the sentiments of hope and determination that permeated the commemoration, emphasizing the need for unity in the fight against corruption.
In summary, Letsholo lauded President Masisi’s digitalization initiative in the fight against corruption, highlighting its potential to curb corrupt practices, enhance efficiency and transparency in public services, and align with global anti-corruption standards. He emphasized the importance of improving detection methods, refining whistleblower laws, and creating an environment where speaking out against corruption is encouraged and protected. Letsholo called for collective responsibility and action in creating a future characterized by integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance.
News
FaR property assets value clock P1.47 billion
FaR Property Company (FPC) Limited, a property investment company listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, has recently announced its exceptional financial results for the year 2023. The company’s property asset value has risen to P1.47 billion, up from P1.42 billion in the previous year.
FPC has a diverse portfolio of properties, including retail, commercial, industrial, and residential properties in Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia. The company owns a total of 186 properties, generating rental revenues from various sectors. In 2023, the company recorded rental revenues of P11 million from residential properties, P62 million from industrial properties, and P89 million from commercial properties. Overall, the company’s total revenues increased by 9% to P153 million, while profit before tax increased by 22% to P136 million, and operating profit increased by 11% to P139 million.
One notable achievement for FPC is the low vacancy rate across its properties, which stands at only 6%. This is particularly impressive considering the challenging trading environment. The company attributes this success to effective lease management and the leasing of previously vacant properties in South Africa. FPC’s management expressed satisfaction with the results, highlighting the resilience of the company in the face of ongoing macroeconomic challenges.
The increase in profit before tax can be attributed to both an increase in income and effective control of operating expenses. FPC managed to achieve these results with fewer employees, demonstrating the company’s efficiency. The headline earnings per linked unit also saw an improvement, reaching 26.92 thebe, higher than the previous year.
Looking ahead, FPC remains confident in its competitiveness and growth prospects. The company possesses a substantial land bank, which it plans to develop strategically as opportunities arise. FPC aims for managed growth, focusing on consumer-driven developments and ensuring the presence of supportive tenants. By maintaining this approach, the company believes it can sustainably grow its property portfolio and remain competitive in the market.
In terms of the macroeconomic environment, FPC noted that inflation rates are decreasing towards the 3% to 6% range approved by the Bank of Botswana. This is positive news for the company, as it hopes for further decreases in interest rates. However, the fluctuating fuel prices, influenced by global events such as the war in Ukraine and oil output reductions by Russia and other Middle Eastern countries, continue to impact businesses, including some of FPC’s tenants.
FPC’s property portfolio includes notable assets such as a shopping mall in Francistown with Choppies Hyper as the anchor tenant, Borogo Mall located on the A33 main road near the Kazungula ferry crossing, and various industrial and commercial properties in Gaborone leased to Choppies, Senn Foods, and Clover Botswana. The company also owns a shopping mall in Mafikeng and Rustenburg in South Africa.
The majority of FPC’s properties, 85%, are located in Botswana, followed by 12% in South Africa and 3% in Zambia. With its strong financial performance, competitive position, and strategic land bank, FPC is well-positioned for continued growth and success in the property market.