TKCS continues to appreciate truck drivers along corridors through the thank a trucker campaign
Whether its wishes or reality that the COVID – 19 pandemic is reaching its sell – by date, one thing that we can’t deny is that it has brought in lot of changes both good and bad, likewise it has given us a different perspectives on a lot of things, and one such is the importance of a truck driver.
Looking back at those initial days when corona virus was first declared a pandemic in March 2020, not many of us knew what that meant but we were all in the lookout that Covid – 19 does not enter the countries we lived in. Governments warned and closed borders to avoid the transmission of the disease from one country to another, and only truck drivers as conveyers of essential goods and a few others were allowed to cross borders.
Truck drivers more especially as their job was to move essential goods across borders The food, the medicines, the oxygen and every single important item that was essential to keep life going, that had to be imported was brought in by a truck driver.
However, stigma developed against truck drivers as they would cross into countries that were regarded as epicentres. People assumed that the truck driver were more likely to be positive of Covid – 19. One truck driver stated how they were not even allowed enter supermarkets to buy food as communities had already diagnosed them as carriers of the corona virus.
Not only have they survived a stigma from communities in every country they entered, a lot of changes especially at border gates affected them more. Borders experienced long queues as a result of the COVID – 19 protocols that were introduced such as screening of drivers, recording personal details for contact tracing, regular testing of truck drivers as well as long waiting times for PCR test results.
There was a point during the pandemic when PCR tests had different validity periods, in South Africa, the PCR test had a validity of 30 days, in Namibia, seven days, and in Botswana only 72 hours. This had a real effect on the ground for truck drivers who were not able to do multiple entries into countries with one test, or who were unable to turn their truck around fast enough to still have the same test valid when exiting a certain jurisdiction. Furthermore, Truck drivers were faced with other challenges such as increased risks of contracting Corona virus, loss of jobs and some died from Covid19.
It was against this background that Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS) together with the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) came up with the initiative to thank truck drivers along the Trans Kalahari Corridor and on the Namibian Corridors. The Thank A Trucker campaign was sponsored by National Road Safety Council.
This campaign with which the two Corridors Management Institution showed appreciation to truck drivers by giving them a bag of usable goodies including food has grown in status since its launch in Katima Mulilo in July last year. To date the campaign has given out over 900 hampers to truck drivers in Namibia and South Africa (on the Trans Kalahari Corridor) the next campaign will be held in Botswana from the 8th to the 12th March. Windhoek is expected to host the last of the campaign in April this year.
Apart from the Thank A Trucker Campaign, The Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat had to put in a lot of work to ease the work of truck drivers thus facilitating trade between TKC member states. Lobbying with different member states to harmonise the Covid – 19 protocols and ease related restrictions.
This work has bared fruit as we continue to see countries relaxing some protocols with Botswana recently allowing travellers who are fully vaccinated to enter the country without a PCR test result. This will greatly contribute to agility and seamless movement of trade especially that Botswana is a transit country.
One of the projects that TKCS is a part of and was born to reduce covid19 impact on trade facilitation is the establishment and implementation of Corridor Trip Monitoring System (CTMS) in the Trans Kalahari Borders. The CTMS seeks to facilitate the continuation of cross-border trade in goods and services during the ongoing crisis occasioned by the coronavirus.
The system will further facilitate and ensure that cross-border transport and transit is performed by healthy drivers who can be constantly monitored and tracked to reduce the spread of Covid-19. CTMS will also seek to reduce extended travel and transit times during the pandemic.
The Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat is a tripartite trans boundary corridor management institution based in Windhoek. It was established with a political and economic vision to pursue or contribute towards deeper regional integration programmes of SADC, SACU and AUDA -NEPAD
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BTC EMBARKS ON A FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMME
Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTC) has launched its financial inclusion programme in Hatsalatadi village. Through this initiative, BTC has partnered with Bank of Botswana to take mobile financial services (MFS) to Batswana, countrywide. The programme is designed to promote financial inclusion as an effort to close the gap to financial literacy and services.
Delivering his keynote address, BTC Managing Director, Mr Anthony Masunga stated that the initiative is in support of the World Bank Group’s Universal Financial Access initiative which aims at ensuring that people worldwide regardless of their geographical position and financial status have access to a transaction account†he said. He further stated that “a transaction account serves as a gateway to other financial services such as insurance and medical aidâ€. Furthermore, he mentioned that Smega mobile money requirements have made it easy for any individual to have access to a transaction account, “to onboard into smega, you are only required to produce you’re a valid national identity card (omang) for citizens and passport for non-citizensâ€.
Speaking at the official launch, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development & Member of Parliament for Lentsweletau & Mmopane, Honourable Tebogo N. W. Makwinja that stated that “BTC as Botswana’s homegrown telecommunications company continues to showcase their expertise and knowledge through an array of products that are completely reshaping not only our digital landscape but enabling financial freedom to Batswanaâ€, furthermore adding that this financial inclusion initiative is made possible by riding on BTC’s 4.5G networkâ€. She stated that financial technology (fintech) through mobile financial services continues to bridge the financial gap for communities that do not have access to services.
Through this programme, a number of activities will be implemented as part of the BTC Smega financial inclusion programme such as financial literacy training for community leaders and members of the public in selected villages across Botswana; training of residents (morafe) on the importance of insurance (funeral cover) for low-income earners and the unemployed, the promotion of financial literacy to residents through artistic expression such as drama, music, poetry etc. through partnernerships with artists from the selected villages.
Additionally, BTC will donate and handover service point startup kits to the Village Development Committees (VDCs. ) as well as the employment of the youth in the selected villages who will serve as BTC financial inclusion champions. The champions will provide and carry out services such as; ‘know your customer’ for smega, sim card registration and other BTC services in their respective village and surrounding areas.
Giving his appreciation remarks, Kweneng District Council Chairperson Honourable Allen Jacobs thanked BTC for this great initiative. He thanked the Assistant Minister, Government officials and the village leadership for attending the event and engaging morafe on this great initiative.
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BOTEPCO making strides
BOTEPCO, the Botswana Teaching Professionals Council, is making significant strides in its mission to regulate and professionalize the teaching profession in Botswana. In recent months, the council has embarked on a countrywide tour, visiting 10 regions and 20 sub-regions to engage with teachers and address their concerns.
Established under the provisions of the Botswana Teaching Professionals Council Act, BOTEPCO is a body corporate with a board of council members representing various stakeholders in the education sector. Its mandate includes regulating the teaching profession, maintaining professional and ethical standards for teachers, and advocating for their rights.
Despite being a relatively new organization, BOTEPCO has achieved a lot in a short period of time. In June 2023, the council held its first media engagement, laying out its roadmap for the future. Dr. Raphael Dingalo, the Founding Registrar of BOTEPCO, expressed gratitude to the media for their support and coverage since the council’s inception.
During their countrywide tour, BOTEPCO engaged with teachers in various regions, including Kgatleng, Kweneng, South East, North West, Chobe, Central, North East, Kgalagadi, and Ghanzi. These engagements brought to light several key issues, including the need to professionalize the teaching profession and the importance of obtaining a teaching license.
One of the concerns raised by teachers was the potential for intimidation, victimization, or dismissal by certain quarters. BOTEPCO assured teachers that they would not tolerate any form of intimidation and would protect their rights. The council also addressed the issue of registration and licensing fees, taking into consideration the financial standing of teachers.
Another question raised was whether unemployed teachers would be required to accumulate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points when applying for license renewal. BOTEPCO clarified that there would be different categories of registration, taking into account the employment status of teachers.
Looking ahead, BOTEPCO has plans to develop a system that will streamline the registration and licensing process. This system will allow applicants to apply for registration, renew licenses, and make payments online. The design of the system is currently under review.
BOTEPCO is making significant strides in its mission to regulate and professionalize the teaching profession in Botswana. Through its countrywide engagements and commitment to addressing teachers’ concerns, the council is working towards elevating the professional status of teaching. With plans to develop an efficient online system, BOTEPCO is poised to further streamline the registration and licensing process, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for teachers.
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Enko Botho Celebrates Academic Excellence: Graduating Class of 2023 Marks Milestone Achievement
Enko Botho School is proud to announce and celebrate the remarkable achievements of its graduating class of 2023 which marked the school’s first ever graduation ceremony with 3 completing groups being the IGCSE, AS Levels and IBDP classes. The spectacular graduation ceremony, which was held at the Enko Botho multi-purpose hall was a joyous occasion filled with pride, heartfelt speeches, and the recognition of the remarkable accomplishments of the graduating students.
According to the Head of School, Mr Benjamin Green, this was a momentous occasion worthy of celebration as this was the first time the school had 3 graduating classes.
“This is a significant milestone in our journey as an educational institution still considered to be in its infancy stage. We are proud of how far we have come and are super proud of the graduating Classes of 2023,†he says.
Located in Block 7, Gaborone, Enko Botho has positioned itself as an educational institution with a reputation for providing quality education that empowers students to reach their full potential. At inception, the school had only 36 students in a tiny building and now boasts over 400 students and 37 state-of-the-art classrooms across three blocks.
To this, Mr Green thanked the parents who took a risk with the school in 2020 and entrusted them with the education of their children. He expressed great joy at seeing some of the faces that started with them in 2020 at the height of COVID-19, not only graduating but having grown and transformed into responsible young adults who he hopes to see fly high and do exceptionally well in future.
As Enko Botho continues to shape the future leaders of Botswana, the institution’s ambition is to be a school of choice for parents who aspire to the best outcomes for their children in Botswana. Through its dedication to academic excellence, character development, and global perspectives, Enko Botho is making a lasting impact on the educational landscape and the lives of its students.