BOFEPUSU, Cuba, SACP reaffirm solidarity with UDC in 2019
Four years to the next cut-throat election season the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has reaffirmed solidarity with the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), guaranteeing to give it state power in the 2019 general elections.
BUFEPUSU administrative officer Samuel Molaodi said this at the Botswana National Front (BNF) 50th celebration gala dinner in Mahalapye over the weekend that BUFEPUSU desires for a united opposition and urges parties composing the opposition coalition to lead Batswana as they are worn out and dead beat of BDP misrule. The fire-breathing union leader said UDC is Batswana’s only way out: “you are their last hope and I can assure you that Batswana trust you.”
He reiterated a litigious claim that has upset rival trade union federation, Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), of BOFEPUSU being a national trade union labour centre. He said that with BOFEPUSU’s position as a trade union labour centre and representing labour interests of a substantial fraction of the populace it has thus given them the ability to see what Batswana yearn and aspire for as BOFEPUSU collectively represents labour interests of approximately 100 000 members.
He said the definitive aspiration of BOFEPUSU is to see the establishment tumble over in their lifetime and that Batswana need for the federation to continue to nurture and see through the coalition to political success as the initial conveners of opposition talks.
Molaodi continued saying nothing should split opposition coalition vowing BOFEPUSU will always be on hand for assistance. “We love you and we want to work with you to liberate Batswana because you are the only hope as an alternative government.” Molaodi rumbled, before appealing to UDC legislators to always watch the back of the labour federation and be its mouth-piece in parliament in cases where the ruling party majority toys with passing legislation that eat into the rights of the workers.
He also cautioned that those who depart from the mission will not depress their resolve and staying power and BOFEPUSU will continue with its dreaded enemies of progress ‘hit list’ that detailed names and the heads of politicians and senior administration figures that need to be taken out.
He continued warning that the 2019 elections will see big money being injected into the electoral process and being used against BUFEPUSU and the opposition coalition to thwart the drift of opposition take over. He claims that top opposition leaders are marked men and their lives have been profiled along with their faults and limitations and limitless schemes will be drawn in defer the revolution. Molaodi said that their members at the unions are dealing with such issues and inform them.
Molaodi also said BOFEPUSU will stick to the tried and tested 2011 resolution that was taken after the affliction endured resultant of its 2011 industrial action where the collective 100 000 members of the federation members were doled out the duty of politically converting families and associates into the opposition coalition fold.
He also hastened to warn that the relationship between BOFEPUSU and the opposition coalition is not a permanent one firing a warning shot saying; “after we deliver to you state power we will still be around rolling on our mandate, so don’t be stunned when we step on your feet the moment you impinge on the rights of the workers!”
BOFEPUSU Gender Affairs Officer and Manual Workers Union official Simon Kgaoganang also on the last day of marathon of celebrations restated that he has been dispatched by the federation’s president Johannes Tshukudu to deliver a message of support. The slogan chanting Kgaoganang said: “Our job is to open the door for you-you refused to seize state power in 2014 but this time around we will force it upon you.”He also said that BOFEPUSU sees potential in the UDC and on Election Day’s eve the ruling Botswana Democratic Party should not even be an opposition party but should collapse.
Cuban ambassador to Botswana Carlos Arencibia Corrales also said that the central committee of the Cuban Communist Party sends messages of solidarity and applaud the Botswana National Front as it reaches half a century of existence.
The South African Communist Party emissary and its political chairperson Mpho Motlhabane also urged opposition parties to consolidate their power and put collective interest before individuality saying the SACP will back the UDC parties’ day of night as it has always done working with it in house to house and general campaigns. He said all the 240 000 members of the SACP stand behind the UDC urging parties making up the coalition to take example of the tripartite alliance+1 involving the South African Communist Party, the African National Congress, Congress of South African Trade Unions plus SANCO’s way of doing things.
Motlhabane said the current Botswana government is usually the source of problems plaguing the SADC region as it has the tendency of leaning to western countries in times of a regional tumult.
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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.