Botswana human rights record under surveillance
BASARWA: They have a running battle with government over hunting ban and land rights
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is in Botswana to probe the country’s record on human rights particularly those pertaining to cultural enjoyment and freedom amongst others.
Botswana will be the eighth country to be visited by the Special Rapporteur, Ms. Farida Shaheed (Pakistan). She has presented damning and enlightening reports about other countries in her area of expertise. The purpose of visits is to understand, in the spirit of co-operation and dialogue, how States endeavour to implement cultural rights. The intent is to identify good practices in, and possible obstacles to, the promotion and protection of cultural rights in countries.
The office of the High Commissioner on Human rights explains that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur is not to protect culture and cultural heritage per se, but to promote the conditions allowing all people without discrimination to access, participate and contribute to cultural life in a continuously developing manner.
The focus of Special Rapporteur’s country visits, they say, is not solely on visiting cultural sites and institutions, but rather on considering how particular policies, legal framework relating to such sites and institutions as well as other aspects of cultural heritage contribute to the realization of cultural rights on the ground.
“To that end, she would like to meet individuals and communities, managers of cultural sites and directors of cultural and educational institutions, policy makers and administrators,” they stated.
During her visit, the Special Rapporteur will consider different issues related to the enjoyment of cultural rights and specifically the ones related to the right to access and enjoy cultural heritage, including the issue of participation of concerned individuals and communities in the identification, classification, and stewardship of cultural heritage. The right to participate in cultural life, including the right to enjoy the arts, to freedom of artistic expression and creativity and to manifest one’s culture.
The Special Rapporteur would like to discuss these points also considering policies for example in the areas of education and tourism, adopted to ensure that the narratives of various groups, including historical narratives and the way they interpret their own cultural heritage, tangible and intangible, are expressed in the public space and are presented to the wider society.
There have been concerns that the constitution of the country must be reviewed to include social and cultural rights. The government has always maintained that they promote unity rather than things that will divide and fragment the nation into tribal or ethnic compartments.
This view has always been met with strong resistance from groups which posit that nation building should acknowledge, cherish and nurture the diversity of ethnic groups, language, and cultural traditions represented in the nation. Unity they posit is not synonymous with uniformity.
Others have raised the concern about the promotion of one language and one culture – which they say has resulted into the supremacy of Tswana tribes.
The Human Rights Council’s special Rapporteur will be confronted with some of these issues including those of the Basarwa who have been vocal and persistant in their campaigns of recognition.
The special Rappoteur was established by the Human Rights Council, for a period of three years, under a new special procedure entitled “independent expert in the field of cultural rights”, as set out in the relevant United Nations human rights instruments.
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur includes among others identifying best practices in the promotion and protection of cultural rights at the local, national, regional and international levels, Identifying possible obstacles to the promotion and protection of cultural rights, among other roles.
The rapporteur intends to meet Government representatives including from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (in particular the Department of Arts and Culture), the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (in particular the Department of National Museum and Monuments as well as officials and /or other departments responsible for cultural and natural heritage).
Others in her list include managers of public institutions or other bodies relevant for the mission, including those responsible for the promotion of tourism (such as the Botswana Tourism Board); responsible for the preservation and safeguard of cultural heritage, tangible and intangible; supporting artists and artistic creation; dealing with the accreditation and dissemination of history textbooks; and in charge of population statistical data (such as Central Statistics Office).
The Special Rapporteur would also appreciate meeting the Ombudsman, academics, research institutes as well as artists and civil society organizations working in the field of cultural policies, cultural heritage and cultural rights as well as United Nations agencies.
The office says that her visit will close with a press conference in Gaborone at which the Special Rapporteur will provide her preliminary observations on the visit. Before the press conference, the Special Rapporteur would like to de-brief the Government of Botswana.
The Special Rapporteur will submit a report on her visit to the Human Rights Council in March 2015. The report will set out and analyse the discussions held during the visit and will make recommendations to a number of actors, including the Government of Botswana, so as to foster the realization of cultural rights. The Government will be given a draft of the report for comments before final submission.
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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.