Botswana declared State in crisis
The recently released World Happiness Report (WHR) which placed Botswana at 146th position out of 149 nations surveyed, has substantiated what has been hypothesis of sceptics and observers and even coerced the civil society to air their views on the status quo and by extension, declared that this country might be ensnared in a crisis.
Botswana has never fared any better since the inception of the happiness index in 2012 under the administration of Lt General Ian Khama. It was expected to improve when President Mokgweetsi took reins in 2018, but it is apparent that tables are now turning for the worse with the shining example of democracy in Africa- Botswana- now three places from being the least happy nation in the world.
The report focuses on six key areas; Real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, perceptions of corruption. Each country is also compared against a hypothetical nation called Dystopia. Dystopia represents the lowest national averages for each key variable and is, along with residual error, used as a regression benchmark. Finland is the happiest country in the world.
The diminishing smiles from the country once tagged as a beacon of hope, especially to its populace, is worrying as it is one of the richest countries on the African continent endowed with minerals, abundant land, natural resources and cattle. Yet the people are some of the poorest and unhappiest, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Vice President, Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang has posited.
According to former Evangelical Fellowship of Botswana (EFB) President Master Oboletswe Matlhaope there is need to worry. “If indeed the research is genuine then we have every reason to worry, unhappiness results in other things that are explosive,” he said.
“We should look at inequality levels which is very huge in our country, again as a society we should ask ourselves if are we have a saving culture, are we secure, are we a debtful society do we have quality pension when we leave our jobs if not then it means there is fear from our people. Are we healthy, people have been suffering from TB, HIV and now Covid-19 and surely they are anxious and that may cause anger.”
It seems people are living in fear, suspicions and anxiety. Of most concern is their anger, it is very worrisome as it can lead to the un-imaginable at any point. “If we have a bunch of unhappy people you may ask yourself what is keeping them going, what keeps the peace and what keeps cohesion. We need to encourage prayer because it is the one that can keep us together. If we compromise it then we are headed for a disaster.”
Batswana’s unhappiness is clearly visible from the traffic, shopping malls and even radio calls, says one observer and even argues that as a nation we have never been happy-perhaps an argument for another day. The University of Botswana lecturer at the faculty of Social Work, Dr. Kgomotso Jongman concurs that Batswana are not happy and that begins from individual to familial set-up before it can be failure by government.
“It is twofold issue, micro and macro. At family level for example we hide key issues under the carpet and pretend to be happy only for us to burst at our work places or wherever we interact with others. This can be so because the very unhappy people are the ones tasked with crafting policies and those targeted for those policies or programmes will also feel they are vindictive and this causes a ripple effect,” said Dr Jongman.
The government however cannot be left out in relation to its population unhappy.
“The people are very reliant on government because since the discovery of the diamonds he has been a Father Christmas giving out and not promoting self-reliance. Now the kids (citizens) who are used to manna from heaven are bickering and there is chaos because they have never been taught how to fend for themselves,” he said.
Dr. Jongman backs the nation’s unhappiness saying the people’s anger is justified because “they have legitimate expectations from the government.” All the sectors be education, health and agriculture are falling and now the people are pointing fingers at each other because we have never experienced this, he added.
With war ravaged and poverty stricken countries like Chad and Gambia ranking above Botswana, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Vice President Dr. Gobotswang is shocked but not surprised.
“The gap between the rich and the poor is unacceptable. Unemployment and underemployment and poverty levels are high. Corruption, abuse of office and nepotism are institutionalized. People get jobs if they have connections, mediocrity is rewarded. There are several government assistance schemes that are inaccessible, hence the dissatisfaction among the population.
The economy is bleeding as 37 per cent of development budget goes to waste,” a seemingly unhappy Dr Gobotswang shared in an interview. The solution for all the grumbles according to Gobotswang is to strengthen oversight institutions like the Ombudsman, Parliament, Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC), Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), and Directorate on Public Prosecution (DPP) so that they are truly independent.
“That requires an overhaul of the constitution. We need to introduce freedom of information law and change legislation on whistle blowing to make it apply without fear or favour,” Dr Gobotswang.
Not only is BCP VP lamenting, but Alliance for Progressive (AP) through its Secretary General Dr. Phenyo Butale agrees that the citizenry is unhappy and we might be headed for a crisis.
“Batswana are spectators in their own country in the economic activity, young minds with creative, brilliant and innovative ideas get so frustrated when all paths are closed and hit walls to government offices and parastatals and there are no opportunities for the young people and for Batswana. People move around with hopelessness and this mark economic which has huge disparity with the poor getting poorer and the citizen gets-muscled out of the economy,” said Dr Butale.
“With all these, there is no how the citizen can be happy as the locals should be empowered. Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE) law should be committed and sectors that are job creating should be given to the locals with responsibility to create jobs and export services and goods like the creative and manufacturing. There should be transformation of our system from Patronage and favouritism and nepotism to meritocracy, a system that can serve and a system with less economic disparity.”
Again there is a concern from the labour movement of Botswana Federation of Trade Union (BFTU). “Salaries are depressing, most of the working class earn less than P5000 and generally Batswana are the working poor they survive by hand to mouth. Our democracy also should be looked as to whether our 2019 expectations have been met, certainly no and we agree as a union that Batswana are not happy,” said BFTU Secretary General, Thusang Butale.
“We should have a National Social Dialogue Structure, civil society council of churches and government where we can talk as a country. Governance issues should also be taken seriously for example if we have IEC stakeholder’s report and there are gaps that needs to be closed then we should and not throw away and act. Things like GBV should be swiftly dealt with to make the nation happy.”
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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.