Nasha draws first blood
Dr Margaret Nasha
Defiant and gutsy ex-speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margaret Nasha, has vowed to skewer all her former comrades in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) who ‘step on her toes’.
Speaking at her first public rally since decamping to main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Nasha said that while she had initially intended to preach progressive politics of brotherhood, by the fall of 2016 many will be now twisting and turning from effect of the virulence of her assault.
Nasha branded the ruling party as an erratic government that thrives on vengeance. She said that President Ian Khama had schemed to neutralise the sway party strongman, Daniel Kwelagobe had in the party, highlighting his decision that barred government ministers from seeking central committee positions in the run up to the 2009 Francistown elective congress a move believed to be targeted at Kwelagobe. Kwelagobe opted to retain his chairmanship position over a ministerial post only for Khama to withdraw his decision after the elective congress.
The uncensored former Gaborone Central Parliamentarian said that her only sin in the BDP was that she was an opinionated woman. She also highlighted a period in time where BDP politicians proposed a draconian regulation that empowered Khama to arbitrarily expel individuals from the party before having faced prosecution. She said that her vehement resistance to the intended regulation that grazed on the democratic process was the turning point that marked the start of the hostility between her and Khama.
She also said that her autobiography entitled Madam Speaker Sir: Breaking the glass ceiling, only worked to worsen their already frosty relationship. Nasha said after Khama attacked her at a party conference over the supposed anti-BDP remarks carried in her memoirs, she asked him whether he had read her book and that Khama replied in the negative that he was only briefed on its content.
“We met eye to eye after he attacked me at Maharaja and asked him whether his attacks were based on what he had read. He responded that he was only briefed.”Nasha said, before continuing that, “I like leaders like Dumelang(Saleshando) and Ndaba(Gaolathe) because they read.”
She also said that there is no more debate in the BDP with only fear and loathing reigning supreme. She added that Khama came straight out of the barracks and slayed a culture of debate that flourished in the party. “He came straight out of Mogoditshane and killed intra-party debate.” she added.
Nasha also claims that Khama once chickened out in a confrontation with her over the running of Parliament which was her realm of responsibility. She says that the late Vice President, Mompati Merafhe, once came to the speaker’s office with instructions that Parliament must close its business. She says she then told Merafhe that Khama had not authority to decide on the proceedings of Parliament. She says that after a sustained back and forth she went to Khama and told him that his powers over Parliament as state President only start and end with the opening of Parliament to which Khama chickened out and denied ever sending Merafhe to close Parliament.
Nasha also likened Khama to former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leader Mobutu Sese Seko who would uproot the entire cabinet to accompany him in trips to remove chances of a coup in his absence. She says in one instance Khama frustrated Parliament’s efforts to assert its independence through the amendment of standing orders, by taking an entourage of government minister’s with him on a trip to Gantsi.
She also says that she had forewarned human rights lawyer Joao Salbany that he will be deported for taking up her case if he had not yet taken up citizenship of the country.
Nasha also said that as a matter of factly the court case that ensued before the election of parliamentary speaker in 2015 was aimed at her. She claims that attorney Parks Tafa slapped her with summons papers at her house on Election Day stating that she must amend the standing orders to expunge the secret ballot vote. She says that the papers stated her, the clerk of parliament and parliamentary counsel as defendants and all the while she knew that it was contained in the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act that a speaker of parliament cannot be sued on basis of her time in office.
News
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.”
News
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.
News
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.