How BDP intends to win Goodhope-Mabule
Fankie, Molale campaign together
Next weekend, Goodhope-Mabule constituency will be voting for their Member of Parliament after the resignation of James Mathokgwane. By all counts, stakes are high at the Barolong land and all the three contesting parties want to have an impact on the election results.
The bookmakers have penned a battle between Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Eric Molale of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP); and Paramount chief of Barolong, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng II of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). But Comfort Molale Molosiwa of the Botswana congress Party (BCP) is also hard at work – and he may just be the difference between winning and losing the constituency.
The constituency has been a stronghold of the BDP since the first election in 1965, but the UDC believes that the BDP’s first loss in 48 years in the area is a sign that people have given up on the ruling party. On the other hand the BCP takes the view that it knows how to prepare for a bye-election and it may just snatch under the feet of both the BDP and the UDC.
High confidence levels among UDC faithful, fuelled by the fact that they are represented by a paramount chief has forced the BDP to go for an all-out war. They have unleashed almost everyone in the party’s hierarchy – and the instruction is simple – bring the constituency. The BDP campaign in the area is expected to be punctuated by President Lt Gen Ian Khama last minutes’ shock and owes in several villages. There are 14 villages in the constituency.
The BDP also intends to exploit the “Barolong ba Baikuedi” debate. This is a group of Barolong who do not fall under Kgosi Lotlaamoreng’s rule. According to the Tribal Territories’ Act they are under the Bangwaketse. Lotlaamoreng has jurisdiction over the area and the views of the Barolong in that territory is that they are not being listened to because they have long asked to be incorporated into the other Borolong. Lotlaamoreng has not pursued the matter aggressively.
The BDP also gains confidence from the knowledge that some villages in the Borolong area are not predominatly Rolong. There are areas populated by Xhosas, Basotho, Bangwaketse, and Bahurutshe, among other tribes in the constituency. But it is clear that Lotlaamoreng’s paramount chief status is overwhelming the BDP and they are forced to do beyond electioneering if they are to beat him.
For many, it is not about the UDC, but more about Lotlaamoreng as he does not want to be the first paramount chief to lose an election, many question whether his tribe could desert him. Indications are that many Dikgosi are surreptitiously supporting Lotlaamoreng because his win will continue to prove how influential they are in communities.
The BDP has lined up four Members of Parliament for every village in the constituency as campaign teams backed by members of other party structures, the Women’s Wing and Youth Wing. In the groups of four, they are at least two cabinet members. The Ministers are also expected to take advantage and address kgotla meetings to spell out government policies and promises for the Barolong.
The Members of Parliament will be engaged in house to house campaigns every time they are at their workstations.
As part of the grand scheme, disgruntled Kenaleone Fankie Motsaathebe has been seen with candidate Eric Molale at almost every venue. Motsaathebe lost the BDP primary election in a controversial fashion last month. He had threatened the party with court action but later readjusted his bearings.
Being with Molale at public spaces gives semblance of cooperation and peace hence Motsaathebe’s numbers should boost Molale. The BDP believes that what matters most is to ensure that all BDP members who are on the Voters’ roll vote for the BDP.
Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to address a star rally and launch of candidate Molale this weekend and at the same rally a number of prominent opposition functionaries will be displayed as the latest BDP loot from the opposition ranks. Lately BDP secretary general, Botsalo Ntuane has elevated his rivalry with the BCP to dizzy levels, conniving with BCP members to rattle the self-proclaimed stable party.
Ntuane has not seen eye to eye with the BCP since his Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) days. Masisi’s rally will be a prelude for President Ian Khama who will sweep through the constituency like a tornado. Khama has always been BDP’s trump card and he is expected to address BDP’s handicap of not fielding a person of royal blood.
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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.