Khama, BOPEU share stage
Khama says BOPEU is responsible union
President Ian Khama has heaped praises on Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) calling it the most responsible union, as it is driven by its explicit goal of representing the worker in the country.
Khama seized this rare opportunity in Palapye this week where he was invited to speak at BOPEU’s Annual General Convention (AGC) to castigate other unions, describing them as difficult to work with and being obsessing with the pursuit of political agendas.
President Khama says BOPEU has proven to be a union which truly represents the interests of the workers as compared to other unions.
Khama has experienced a turbulent relationship with the unions since ascending to the country’s top seat. It was for the first time in the history of Botswana under the Presidency of Khama that thousands of public service workers down tools and took to the streets in protest against government’s failure to increase their salaries.
The public servants under BOFEPUSU, of which BOPEU is an affiliate, had staged a protest in which they demanded 16 percent increase while the government offered only three percent.
Khama says BOFEPUSU demands were unreasonable and could not be met by government since the country was experiencing an economic down-turn. The strike, which lasted for nearly three months, resulted in a significant number of public officers, including BOPEU members, losing their jobs.
Government refused to reinstate majority of those who were fired, and appealed and won an earlier decision by the High Court to reinstate all dismissed employees unconditionally.
Khama blamed lack of progress on the intransigency of some unionist that were difficult to deal with.
He said there were some in the unions “who bring forward unreasonable demands” so that when government did not accede it could be portrayed as uncaring about the welfare of its workers.
“We know that the problems you are talking about are real but you should be grateful as unions that during the economic decline the government did not retrench its employees, but instead preserved their jobs,” the President said.
Khama says unions should also compromise to show patriotism, saying even where the law grants them certain privileges; at times civil servants should be flexible outside the law in order to move the country forward.
Khama says the public service is not doing a satisfactory job and the public is complaining about the services it receives from government employees.
“I get feedback from Batswana in Kgotla meetings and other forums that the public is not happy with the level of service delivery they get from civil service,” he said.
To improve service delivery, Khama said he would introduce a reward system for performance so employees who work hard could be rewarded for their efforts.
Khama then noted that just like former President, Festus Mogae, he still “believes Botswana’s civil service is the best in Africa”.
Khama says they introduced inflation allowance during the economic decline and they were in the process of introducing housing and upkeep allowance for lowly paid workers.
In addition Khama says he has also granted civil servants their wish to start business while working for government.
The President Khama expressed his disdain for the Bargaining Council, saying it was made up of people who had political agendas, therefore making it hard to reach an agreement.
Khama says since BOPEU has proven that “it is not driven by political agendas”, he would be happy to meet with its leadership anytime at his office to discuss issues pertaining to workers’ welfare and conditions of service.
“You do not have to wait for the Bargaining Council to resume,” he assured, “We can have talks first and reach an agreement before we go for Bargaining Council.”
BOFEPUSU Secretary General Tobokani Rari, who was also present at the convention, said President Khama’s open door policy was aimed at turning unions into beggars and stripping them of their bargaining powers.
“We know what he (Khama) did in the past, going around making pronouncements on salary increment when the talks at Bargaining Council were underway,” says Rari.
Khama says with the new civil service leadership he is hoping that the relationship between his government and unions will improve.
“I hope it will turn a new leaf with unions and public service in general,” he said.
Subsequent to 2014 general elections, Khama made several changes to the office responsible for public service. Eric Molale, the former Private Secretary to the President (PSP), has been appointed the new Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Carter Morupisi, who was the Director of the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) replaced Molale as the PSP while Ruth Maporisa took over at DPSM on promotion from Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture.
Last week, Abram Kesupile, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Kanye South, said Khama has packed the leadership of public service with people known to be anti-workers and it could “spell another tumultuous relationship with the government in the next five years”.
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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.