Acting Deputy Secretary General of BOFEPUSU Samuel Molaodi has revealed that the federation will not support any opposition party outside coalition of parties.

Molaodi said Batswana have been taken for granted for too long, to still be experiencing vote splitting. He was responding to questions from the media on the federation’s take on the newly-formed party Real Alternative Party (RAP). RAP was registered in December last year. He said they acknowledge that the party says it comes with a different formula for politics.

“However, the important thing is for opposition parties to come together. BOFEPUSU stance has not changed to see all opposition parties united. Our hope is that whatever the new party is bringing it would infuse it into other opposition parties which are working together. 

“We are not going to support any party that is a standalone in the coming general elections as we did in 2014. Our wish is for these parties to disband and form one party,” said Molaodi. 

BOFEPUSU leadership was said to be divided over this position following the split of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) last year which saw the formation of Alliance for Progressives (AP) by disgruntled members. Some had wanted the federation to rally behind the AP while others called for the federation to stick to its stance of united opposition and rally behind Umbrella for Democracy Change which BMD is an affiliate. 

Molaodi told the media on Wednesday that as elections approach BOFEPUSU would be compiling its Manifesto to indicate members needs and workers at large. He explained that any party that has policies that are in line with their demands as workers will enjoy their support. 

“If incoming President Mokgweetsi Masisi listens to us we would also listen to his party,” said Molaodi.

Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and its leader Bishop Barnabas Edward Lekganyane have agreed to pay P45 000.00 as security for their appeal case against a Lobatse High Court decision barring them from holding disciplinary hearing against members.

The security is a commitment by the Church to indicate that should he/she lose the appeal would be able to pay the cost if the application is dismissed with costs. ZCC and its leader Bishop Barnabas Lekganyane are appealing a decision by Justice Nthomiwa of Lobatse High Court which bars the church from proceeding with a disciplinary hearing against seventeen (17) members of Tlokweng Branch. 

Lawyers for both parties have also agreed that all documents that were used at the high court would form part of the Court of Appeal proceedings. A date for the appeal is expected to be set after the appellants have fulfilled their promise to pay the security. The 17 disgruntled members of Tlokweng Branch had taken the church to court to interdict the church on taking disciplinary hearing against them after they challenged the way things are run in Botswana. 

Justice Nthomiwa agreed with the church members that they have made a case and interdicted the church and its leader and restrained them from holding any disciplinary hearing against them in terms of the Notice to Attend a Disciplinary hearing dated 20th November 2015, pending the outcome of their case before Justice Mothobi. 

The applicants also wanted the court to interdict the Respondents (ZCC and Lekganyane) from holding such a disciplinary hearing pending the church and its leader listening to and addressing the grievances lodged by the Applicants with the church on April 8th 2014 and alternatively, the Respondents’ furnishing the applicants with particulars of the charges they are alleged to have committed.

In a notice of grounds of appeal filed by Bishop Lekganyane and the church seen by Botswana Guardian, the appellants want the decision by Justice Nthomiwa set aside. According to the court papers the High Court erred and or misdirected itself by assuming jurisdiction on a matter involving theological/administrative disputes between church members. It is further argued that the lower court erred by holding that the 11 members (respondents in the appeal case) are entitled to an interdict restraining the church from conducting disciplinary hearing pending the outcome of the case before Justice Mothobi.

“The court a quo (court below) erred and/or misdirected itself by holding that the respondents are entitled to an interdict restraining the Appellants from holding disciplinary proceedings against the Respondents pending the Appellants listening and addressing the grievances lodged by the Respondents on the 8th of April 2014,” says the court papers.

In his judgement Justice Nthomiwa dismissed claims raised by Lekganyane and the ZCC during arguments that the applicants had withdrawn their case. “If an agreement to settle had been reached it could have been confirmed in writing as is customary in this jurisdiction or at least, an application could have been made to court for confirmation of the oral settlement agreement. 

“Of further note is that the Constitution of the ZCC does not exclude the right to have grievances heard. The ZCC as a voluntary organisation is also subject to rules of natural justice and the right to be heard is an important right”, he stated. 

He also dismissed the point raised by the Respondents that the Applicants were not entitled to request for further particulars of their offence. He said the request for further particulars was a valid request which the church and its leader should have addressed to facilitate preparations for the subsequent hearing by the Applicants.

Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) is preparing its demands to be presented to incoming President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

The Federation has expectations from Vice President Masisi as he prepares to assume the high office on April 1st 2018, which they will present to him in the form of documentation. BOFEPUSU Acting Secretary General, Mogomotsi Motshegwa said there are priorities that they would want Masisi to focus on among them rooting out corruption in the country. 

However, top of the list is for the incoming president and his administration to repeal all draconic laws that have closed the democratic space for workers. He stated that another demand would be for the suspension of advertising ban on private media houses which was imposed during the current administration.

“Laws like the Trade Dispute Act which has essentialised almost everyone in the public service; the intended amendment of Public Service Act whose intention is to totally kill the bargaining power of the workers in the country. We want Masisi to lift the advertising ban. Currently newspapers are retrenching because there is no revenue generated. Advertising is the lifeline of the media especially newspapers and without advertising, there is no business and people will lose their jobs. 

“This is because government is the biggest advertiser and ever since government decided to withhold advertising in the private media newspapers, they have been struggling financially,” said Motshegwa who is acting on behalf of Tobokani Rari who is currently in Italy to further his studies on labour issues until April this year.

Motshegwa told a press conference in Gaborone that as the Federation they also want Masisi to improve labour relations in the country which are currently at their lowest ebb. As the Federation representing most of the public servants, BOFEPUSU expect Masisi to restore Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) which serves as Parliament for public servants.

The PSBC has to be independent and operate without fear or favour, said the acting secretary general. He explained that each of the demands would have its own timeline given the fact that Masisi as head of state would be dealing with other matters of national importance. He said they are however aware of government’s tendency of making promises but failing to implement them.

“In this regard as the federation we would be having monitoring tools in place. It is not that we are making these demands not knowing what government of the day is capable of. 

We would be watching closely to ensure that what we want is delivered. We believe that Masisi will heed these demands with the aim of taking a different approach to rectify the mess created by the one he is taking after being President Ian Khama,” he stated.

Botswana’s economy is projected to see a sustained pickup in the medium term, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projected to rise to nearly 5 percent in 2018.

Supporting this growth will be the good performance in non-mining and the continued recovery in mining. This is according to the 2018 Edition of the African Economic Outlook (AEO), a flagship report that highlights state of socio-economic performance, outlook and progress in the 54 African countries.

The report was made public some days ago. It says mineral exports are likely to continue to pick up gradually, with growth in non-mining driven largely by service-oriented sectors, notably trade, hotels and restaurants, and transport and communications, supported by accommodative fiscal and monetary policies. “As real GDP growth increased from 4.3 percent in 2016 to an estimated 4.5 percent in 2017, it was predominantly driven by broad-based expansion in non-mining activities, notably water and electricity; trade, hotels, and restaurants; transport and communication; and construction.”

The report highlights that the continued expansion of construction, associated with the economic stimulus programme (ESP) and planned upgrades of electricity and water infrastructure, is expected to further boost growth.

The African Development Bank published the report last week and is the first to provide headline numbers on Africa’s macro-economic performance and outlook.

It is expected that the manufacturing sector will recover moderately, benefiting from improvements in electricity generation and water supply. 

The performance of these sectors will outweigh the sluggish performance in agriculture while the adverse weather could further weaken agricultural growth and lead to water supply challenges.

“Despite good weather, agricultural output will remain subdued as crop production continues to be hampered by traditional farming methods, erosion, and disease,” it says.

However, with the positives in place, the report also takes note of the downside risks to the positive medium-term outlook, which it says; remain elevated. 

“The dependence on diamonds for export and growth makes Botswana extremely vulnerable to external shocks. Key risks include the sluggish recovery of the global economy and uncertainty surrounding global trade and openness, which could reduce export earnings.”

It also notes the underwhelming economic conditions in South Africa which could adversely affect SACU receipts. Indeed, a modest budget deficit is projected for 2018, reflecting lower mining revenues, reduced revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and higher spending associated with the economic stimulus programme.

With regards to risks, delays in construction projects in electricity and water and a slow pace of structural reforms foster downside risks and underscore the need to resolve the energy and water crises and accelerate structural reforms. This, says the report, includes reforms to reduce skill mismatches to facilitate economic diversification and increase productivity.

“Accomplishing these initiatives will promote economic transformation and enhance the resilience of medium-term growth prospects, it concludes.

The African Economic Outlook bridges a critical knowledge gap on the diverse socio-economic realities of African economies through regular, rigorous, and comparative analysis.

It provides short-to-medium term forecasts on the evolution of key macroeconomic indicators for all 54 regional member countries, as well as analysis on the state of socio-economic challenges and progress made in each country.

It presents the African Development Bank economists’ analyses of African economic development during the previous year and near term.

 It has become the main flagship report for the African Development Bank, as well as reference material for those interested in Africa’s development, including researchers, investors, civil society organisations, and development partners.

Umbrella for Democractic Change (UDC) might have to prepare itself for a rude awakeing from one of its contracting partners, Botswana Movement for Demcoracy (BMD), Botswana Guardian has learnt.

After publicly differing over the issue of constituency ownership, UDC leader Advocate Duma Boko and his Vice President also BMD President Advocate Sidney Pilane are headed for yet another showdown this week ahead of the February 24th 2018 UDC Congress. 

Advocate Boko has indicated that all the 57 

constituencies belong to the UDC and the four contracting parties are caretakers of those costituencies. BMD has been alloacted 14 constituencies, Botswana Conress Party (BCP) 17, Botswana National Front 20 and Botswana People’s Party (BPP)’s four (4).  A serious backlash is expected from BMD following its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Molepolole on Sunday. The committee is believed to have agreed that it is high time it came out of the cocoon and begins calling a spade, a spade. 

The committee will take no nonsense from any of the contracting partners because at the end of the day they are ‘equal partners’. In their own words and understanding each party owns 25 percent of space within the UDC. Contention with the contracting partners especially BCP, BMD and BNF revolves around some of the constituencies which have been allocated to the BMD. 

Constituencies causing friction are that of Mogoditshane, Moshupa-Manyana, Maun West and Serowe South. The grand plan according to sources, is to elbow out BMD in these constituencies so that they could be occupied by BNF and BCP. BCP allegedlly want Mogoditshane and Maun West while BNF is eyeing Moshupa-Manyana and Serowe South. 

BMD leaderhip is said to be taking none of that and since having noticed the plan the party has decided to head-hunt strong candidates to be fielded in those constituencies. According to sources, BMD is waiting for the right time to strike and pull a surprise when it announces its candidates especially for parliamentary seats. All the UDC partners are expected to hold their primaries this year after failing to do so last year as was promised.

Last week, BMD Spokesperson Rasina Rasina stated in a press statemet that although the issue of primary elections was discussed at length during a meeting of the National Working Committee, it was however found to be appropriate to escalate such a matter to the NEC, which will statutorily meet to make final determinations on the matter. It is only then that the BMD shall engaage publicly on such.  

The party was expected to make its position known either yeterday (Thursday) or today (Friday). The position is expected to further fragment the coalition movement. Sometimes last year Advocate Pilane indicated during one of his radio interviews that there are issues that he would like to raise regarding the February congress. He explained he would only raise those issues after familiarising himself with the programme for the congress. 

The congress is expected to be a make or break event for the Boko-led UDC which has always claimed stability and unity. For a long time now, UDC has been embroiled in constituency allocation debacle following the admission of BCP into the coalition fold. Last year BPP wanted an additional four (4) constituencies. At that time three of the constituencies allegedly eyed, belonged to BCP being Gweta, Francistwon West and Mmadinare while one belonged to BNF being Gaborone South. 

The BPP had until recently been inactive in UDC activities, constituency allocation being one of its core contentions. At that time it was alleged that the BMD under the leadership of its former President Ndaba Gaolathe was behind the demand as it was interested in constituencies which it would later acquire through swapping with the BPP.  UDC Head of Communications, Moeti Mohwasa said a UDC split is the product of people’s fertile imaginations. He revealed that the issue of quality representation is not anything new because it has been there even before the coming in of BCP.

“What Boko was saying was just to reiterate what has been there. It is not anything new as people may want to percieve it and is not targeted at any partner. The main aim is to gain power and that can only be realised if we have strong and appealing candidates to win the constituencies and wards,” said Mohwasa who added that the issues would be discussed at the congress scheduled for next month in Gaborone.

The war between Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) and money laundering accused persons Bakang Seretse and others rages on and reached another level this week.

It was revealed this week Thursday that DCEC has impounded the accused persons’ motor vehicles, cellphones, laptops and confidential documents and failed to declare such seizure before a judicial officer. 

Seretse, his company Khulaco Pty ltd, Botho Felicia Leburu and Kenneth Kerekang are each facing a single count of money laundering contrary to Section 47 (1) (b) of the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Act. The charge sheet was amended yesterday (Thursday) to include Khulaco in it.

The accused persons’ lawyer Kgosietsile Ngakaagae revealed that the DCEC continues to harass and abuse his clients. “The DCEC forfeited my clients’ motor vehicles without warrant. It is incumbent on the prosecution to have brought the properties before a Judicial Officer precisely this honourable court to validate everything they have seized from my clients. 

“This is in violation of the accused persons’ rights to property according to the constitution. We are making an application that the properties be restored and the DCEC should come before this court and justify their act. These properties are not part of those in the case before the High Court,” argued Ngakaagae.

He also stated that the DCEC has ransacked his clients’ offices and seized laptops, cellphones and confidential documents rendering their business moribund. “We want the DCEC to return the properties and make copies of all documents they seized and avail them to the accused because what is contained there, the accused knows everything and there is no how the DCEC could say their case would be prejudiced”. 

Ambrose Mubikwa of Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) said he is hearing the matter for the first time and is not something to be tolerated. On another matter, Ngakaagae said he would soon make an application for the review of the decision of the DCEC to charge only his clients in the matter. 

“My clients are not supposed to be there. We would at a later stage call for the review of the DCEC decision. We want deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Dr Obolokile Obakeng, Director General of Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DIS) Isaac Kgosi and other senior government officials to be in the dock- they have to be charged. We do not want selective justice.”

However, Mubikwa objected saying it was premature for his colleague to make such a statement. Ngakaagae condemned the prosecution and DCEC for taking long to have his clients plead to the charge. He told the court that the prosecution and the DCEC know their case, have evidence and they chose the charge his clients are facing. 

He was worried that the prosecution still wants plea not taken. “We insist that in the next mention plea should be taken because they say they have a case. If plea is not taken at next mention they would have to withdraw the case without prejudice because they are not ready,” he pointed out. 

In his defence Mubikwa said the current case is very complex and difficult. He said investigations are progressing well and given the complexity, “we might have to go beyond borders”. They will appear again in court on the 9th of March of this year.

According to the charge sheet the four are said to have between September 5th 2017 and November 27th 2017 acting jointly with common purpose received, possessed, disguised and disposed of P250 million knowing or suspecting or having reasonable grounds to know or suspect that the money was derived or realised in whole or in part directly or indirectly from commission of confiscation offence, to wit, theft.

Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) suspended Chairperson Richard Gudu and additional member Peter Kuchwe will place their hopes on the party constitution in tomorrow’s disciplinary hearing.

The two men were suspended for attending an Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) press conference claiming to represent the party. The section of the party constitution states that a member should be brought before a disciplinary hearing within 45 days. 

A source said Gudu who is a long serving member of the party will argue that the disciplinary board violated the constitution by delaying the hearing whose 45 days elapsed on the 8th of January 2018. BPP secretary general Venper Galetshabiwe accused some party members for fuelling seeds of discord ahead of the disciplinary hearing. “The suspension letters issued to the two should not be misinterpreted as it clearly states that the two were suspended from the party pending a disciplinary hearing which did not stipulate the number of days”. He said those who misinterpret it to favour themselves will have themselves to blame.  Quizzed as to whether the offence committed by the two can constitute to an expulsion, Galetshabiwe said their aim is not to expel any member from the party but to maintain order in the party.He continued that the resolutions to be taken against the two accused will be based on the allegations they are charged with including some past events they might have engaged in which can be construed as discrediting the good name of the party. “When someone is charged with an offence and they quickly admit such and ask for forgiveness, then the party can be prepared to forge a way forward with such a member. 

“On the other hand, if a member is charged but refuses to accept any blame for his or her actions, then it will be difficult for the party to work with such an individual as he would have shown that he or she does not have the interest of the movement at heart,” he said.  Gudu refused to comment saying he is a loyal member of the BPP who knows the constitution very well, and will only comment after the hearing. Kuchwe revealed that he will never plead guilty when he knows that he is not in the wrong irrespective of whether he will be expelled from the party or not.

The Ombudsman, Augustine Makgonatsotlhe has cleared President Ian Khama of any wrong doing in a matter in which Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has alleged maladministration and abuse of Office of the President.

The BCP had complained that Khama is abusing his office by using public resources to build his Mosu home. Makgonatsotlhe said in his findings that he has observed that all complaints lodged by BCP precede general elections. 

“BCP launched the aircraft case against Khama at the time he was Vice President on the 15th of September 1999, about a month before the 1999 elections; lodged allegations of abuse of state media on or just before the 2009 general elections; and brought allegations about abuse of public office and resources by the president on the 15th of September 2014- a little over a month before the 2014 general elections,” observed Ombudsman. 

In the current case Makgonatsotlhe revealed that when he got into office in June 2016 given the high profile nature of the case and the fact that, two years and nine months had elapsed since receipt of the complaint, it became imperative for him to assess the preliminary action and proceed with the matter. 

He said he focused on three main allegations - that Botswana Defence Force (BDF) resources were employed to build houses at Khama’s Mosu home; public resources (BDF personnel and equipment) were employed to build an airstrip on the president’s private property, with cost to the public and finally the continued abuse of BDF resources by the president. 

Makgonatsotlhe stated in the report that he interviewed BCP Vice President Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang and BCP Women’s League President Daisy Bathusi and government officials. He said evidence was gathered from various sources within government and a visit to Mosu was undertaken.

“All in all, the Ombudsman found no evidence of maladministration on the part of the President. It is my determination that the complaints lack merit and are not supported by any evidence, either provided by the complainants or discovered through the investigation hereof. They therefore stand to be dismissed. 

“The airstrip still belongs to the president but was fenced and is maintained by Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) at a cost to the nation. This is consistent with the past practice of providing safe landing facilities to the sitting Head of State and cannot amount to inequitable action nor maladministration,” ruled Makgonatsotlhe. 

BCP President Dumelang Saleshando said he could not comment on the report because as the complainant they have not been furnished with it. He expressed shock that the report is now in the public domain before the complainant could receive it, stating this is an anomaly. He said they would have to first get the copy before they could comment on the findings. The BCP leader stated that even in their past complaints with the Ombudsman before Makgonatsotlhe, they got the reports before they were made public.

Alliance for Progressives (AP) is yet to decide whether to participate in the pending parliamentary bye-election in Mochudi East Constituency and the Council bye-election in Ralekgetho Ward at Moshupa- Manyana Constituency.

The bye-election in Ralekgetho ward is as a result of the passing on of the youthful councillor Gofentseone Rakala early last month while in Mochudi East it follows the murder of area Member of Parliament Isaac Davids. They were both members of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). AP Vice President Wynter Mmolotsi told this publication that as the party leadership they have not taken a decision on the matter. He revealed that the party is still working on its calendar of events for this year.

“We met this past weekend as the leadership in our first meeting of 2018 where we discussed various issues. We could not conclude our programme and we are going to meet again on the night of Wednesday this week to finalise our calendar,” said Mmolotsi who is also MP for Francistown South. 

Mmolotsi said after finalising their calendar the party will be in a position to reveal if it will contest the bye-election. He explained that one of their biggest coming events is the Annual Policy Statement delivered by party leader Ndaba Gaolathe. According to Mmolotsi the event which was scheduled for yesterday (Thursday) in Mogoditshane is expected to answer all the commonly asked questions about AP. “This is where all the questions that the public have been having about our party will be answered. It is also at the forum where we would discuss all policy matters and how we see the future,” said Mmolotsi.The party which was formed last year mostly by former members of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) has been on a massive recruitment drive targeting 100 000 members. However, indications are that the party may not contest as it is still building its structures and its numbers in these constituencies are still low.

Those close to the party have alluded to the possibility of the AP informally pledging its support for UDC during the election even though the two political movement have their differences. 

This would not be the first time an opposition party informally supports one of its rival as this was once adopted by the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) in the past when it called on its supporters to rally behind a UDC candidate Rakala won the 2014 general election with 291 votes against BCP’s Johnson Mmare who managed 270 votes and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC)’s Gaokgakala Mosope getting 218 votes. 

In the 2014 general election the late Mochudi East MP Davids garnered 6 824 votes to defeat three opponents being Isaac Mabiletsa of BCP 4 528, BDP Mpho Moruakgomo’s 5 941 and an independent candidate Japhta Radibe who got 159. 

Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has postponed its elective congress to a yet to be announced date.

BOFEPUSU President Johannes Tshukudu revealed that the decision was arrived at due to the delay in completion of audited Financial Statements and the Executive Report. The current federation leadership got into office on the 14th of February 2015 and was expected to leave office this month. Tshukudu stated that they are busy working on these two key issues so that preparations for the congress could be underway. “Once the audited statements and executive reports are ready then the executive would decide on the date of the elective congress.  “The process is still ongoing and we had to postpone from February to a date to be communicated with members. The power is in the executive to decide the dates,” said the federation leader.  He said it has been accordingly communicated to the members regarding this development. The last elective congress of the federation was marred by controversy which resulted in one of the affiliates Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) withdrawing its membership. BOPEU took a decision in 2015 during its congress in Palapye to ditch the federation.

The meeting noted that BOPEU joined the mother body through a congress resolution; therefore it should also move out of BOFEPUSU through the same route.  It was then agreed that an election be held, of which the withdrawal vote won with 226 against 36, and 11 abstaining from voting. BOPEU mentions the issue of audited financial statements in its 2016 booklet titled ‘Why BOPEU left BOFEPUSU’ as one of the contributing factors.  The federation is also accused of delaying the congress which was to be held in August 2014 without any valid reasons. BOPEU indicates in the booklet that BOFEPUSU Executive and Secretariat failed to present to Congress Audited Financial Report which is in violation of its own constitution.

The swelling tourist numbers into the resort town of Maun every year have pushed up the country’s aircraft movements.

Latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) for the 2nd quarter of financial year 2017-18 indicates a significant rise, a total of 23, 605 aircraft movements were recorded, marking an 8.8 percent increase compared to the previous quarter. 

  “The main contributing factor to Botswana air traffic is Maun Airport which normally accounts for over 50 percent of the total aircraft movements per year. This airport serves as a major link between the international traffic and the tourist destinations around Okavango Delta,” said Modipe Nkwe, CAAB Head of Public Relations and Communications.

On the quarter under review, Maun airport recorded an increase of over nine percent aircraft movements, attributed to a continual increase in tourist numbers into Maun. CAAB also indicated that the country has improved its rating by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) from 53.78 percent to 71.32 percent for effective implementation of the aviation safety Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) from 2015.

“This marked positive improvement rate puts Botswana above both the Africa average of 48.24 percent, and the world average of 63.44 percent,” Nkwe said. Further, he said the growth of aviation in Maun also means a positive growth in tourism, which can be an option to the country’s economic diversification.

“It must however also be noted that this can have a negative effect on the environment should the flow of tourists surpass what our environment can take,” he said. Apart from spinoffs in the tourism industry, the increase in aircraft movement has also had a significant positive impact on employment, as new entrants into the aviation market are applying for operating licenses, Nkwe noted.

“Existing operators are also increasing their aircraft fleet in order to meet the demand.” Nkwe cited that major airlines are slowly showing interest of operating in the country; some of the operators include Ethiopian Airlines, Air Namibia, SA Airlink, and South African Airways that have set up operations.

“Consequently, a good number of Batswana are employed by these airlines as sales agents, ground handlers and other ancillary duties,” Nkwe said. Meanwhile CAAB anticipate continued growth in air traffic and the Authority has forecast aircraft movements for the financial year 2017/18 at 77 564.

Botswana, a mining-rich country, has become the latest country to sign the COMESA-EAC-SADC  tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement, which once in full swing will give the country access to a market of well over 700 million people and counting. 

The country’s minister of trade, investment and industries, Vincent Seretse signed the agreement on behalf of government on Tuesday in Gaborone, telling attendants that the agreement, which has been under negotiations for the past 17 years, will help to improve intra-African trade since it seeks to eliminate and reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers. 

“The tripartite FTA is also expected to serve as one of the building blocks of an African Economic Community, thus facilitating deeper regional and continental integration in Africa,” said Seretse in a prepared speech. The trade minister made it clear; the road that has culminated into the signing of the FTA agreement by the country and others has been long and potholed.  

Back in 2001, Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) agreed to formalise negotiations that could enable a free trade area. However, there have been back and forth discussions, which ultimately delayed the process, but Seretse is optimistic that, the negotiations are now coming to finality. 

The minister said, the FTA agreement will allow Botswana to get preferential treatment when selling its goods and services to the 26 member countries. “This agreement resonates well with the Botswana National Development Plan (NDP11) aspirations of becoming an export-led economy,” said Seretse.  On the ground, some commentators have urged Botswana to improve its ease of doing business if it is to become an export-led economy. Diamonds are the country’s best exports by far. Local products which have been identified under the agreement include veterinary vaccines, pharmaceutical products, carpets, plastic, salt and salt products, carpets and textile floor covering.  

Government-owned Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) already supplies some African countries with agricultural vaccines. Botswana Ash has also found markets beyond the borders. Even before the agreement was signed, Botswana had already started doing more trade with other countries in the respective regions. In 2016, goods worth P997 million were exported outside Botswana. During the same period goods totaling P1, 9 billion were imported from countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe into Botswana.    

The FTA agreement offers Botswana companies more increased access to outside markets, but capacity looks set to hinder them, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Peggy Serame said when giving opening remarks. “More work is only starting as competitive and quality goods will be needed from Botswana companies,” she said. 

Seretse has urged the Secretariat to help improve production capacity of member states. “To build these capacities, we can take advantage of Phase II negotiations that will look into trade in services and the industrial development pillar, which aims at developing the productive capacity in the Tripartite,” stated Seretse. 

The COMESA, SADC, EAC has an estimated Gross Domestic Product of $1, 4 trillion. COMESA Secretary General, who is also Chairman of the tripartite task force, Sindiso Ngwenya said opportunities are there within the FTA.

 At the end of the day, the private sector, not government will play a central role in the FTA. This explains why they were part and continue to be part of the negotiations. “Economies of scale (by the private sector) is key to success,” he said.

SADC Deputy Secretary for regional integration-Dr Thembinkosi Mhlongo heaped praises on Botswana for having found it fitting to sign the FTA agreement.  “It is an important step for the country to take,” he said. What is only left now is for Botswana to fastrack the ratification processes, which will kickstart the implementation process of the FTA.  Out of the 26 members in the FTA agreement, only 14 countries are needed to ratify the agreement before it can be fully implemented.  Uganda and Egypt have ratified the agreement. Botswana’s Seretse said the ratification process will be done in the near future. Meanwhile, Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA) praised Botswana for signing the FTA, saying it guarantees the country an opportunity o foster free trade flows and strengthen ties with trading partners. 

“Botswana will explore other markets and tap into continental value chains through enhanced trade facilitation that will improve the flow of goods and services,” said BEMA CEO, Mmantlha Sankoloba. BEMA members are ready for the opportunity since some of them are already exporting to these markets.  

“Implementation of the TFTA will have a positive impact on the economies of scale, cost of production, transportation costs will be lowered, quality will improve and enhanced competitiveness,” said the BEMA Chief. There are even more opportunities such as e-commerce which will be offered by the new agreement. 

“Implementation of this agreement will enable BEMA members to share skills and knowledge with their counterparts, explore new business networks through trade fairs, exhibitions and any other opportune platform that may present itself,” stated Sankoloba.

Acting Chief Executive of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) Meshack Tshekedi has resigned. 

Tshekedi steered the BITC ship after the departure of founding Chief Executive, Letsebe Sejoe early last year when the latter’s contract was not renewed despite the Board recommending that it be renewed.

Doubling as Chief Operations Officer, Tshekedi is credited with delivering a bigger and successful Global Expo last year as well as launching the Botswana One Stop Service Centre. 

Last year’s Global Expo also attracted big names like Virgin Group’s founder and chief executive Richard Branson, who not only hosted a talk with businesspeople and would-be investors, but also met the country’s leadership with a view to investing some of his fortune in  Botswana’s pristine Okavango Delta. Announcing Tshekedi’s resignation this week, a deflated BITC Board Chairman, Victor Senye said while the organisation was “sorry” to see Tshekedi go, they were equally “fortunate to have benefitted from his leadership.”  Senye described Tshekedi as an “invaluable, motivated leader” for the organisation, whose ability to advocate for business and build partnerships as well as drive the organisation forward will serve as “a model” for his successors.

Three years with the organisation Tshekedi finally quit this week Wednesday January 31st to seek “greener pastures” according to those he worked with at BITC. They say there was no animosity or bad blood between Tshekedi, the Board and the parent Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry but that his decision to resign was purely personal.  But there is a growing school of thought that the salary structure for chief executives of non-financial or non-income generating state enterprises is unattractive for high calibre executives.  BITC is a case in point and is compounded by the fact that the organisation is the product of a merger of two defunct entities – Botswana Enterprises Development and Investment Agency (BEDIA) and International Financial Service Centre (IFSC).  

Sadly, when the two amalgamated the Chief Executive Officer’s salary was pecked at F1 Scale, thereby making it difficult for the Board to recruit high calibre CEOs as per the shareholder’s expectation. There is also an unwritten policy that Chief Executives should not earn the same salary as permanent secretaries, which serves as a stumbling block for the board since it has no direct access to the ministry of finance to argue its case.  The chief executive of BITC must be someone well-grounded in targeted investment promotion to sell Botswana’s competitive edge in the international arena, as well as well-versed in complex issue of taxation; benefits and avoidance of making Botswana a tax haven or haven for illicit money.  Tshekedi confirmed to Botswana Guardian that his decision to leave BITC was for “personal preferences,” but declined to say where he was headed. In the meantime, the Board has appointed Kelotsositse Olebile as acting chief executive whilst the search for substantive chief executive continues.

Richard Rooney, associate professor and former Head of the Department of Media Studies at the University of Botswana says most journalists are hindered by restrictive laws and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Service to do their job.

Rooney made these findings in his new book titled ‘News in Botswana: themes in contemporary journalism’. Rooney says some journalists fear the DISS, which started operating in 2010 because its mandate in defending state security is unclear. 

He states in the book that people fear DISS spies on ordinary citizens. Private media in Botswana have reported that employees of government media live in fear that the DISS is monitoring their activities, reads the book in part.

In a survey of how media houses support good governance in Botswana, Rooney finds that although freedom of expression is guaranteed in the constitution there are 15 laws in Botswana that can restrict the work of journalists. 

“The worst of these is the Media Practitioners Act of 2008 that allows the government to decide who can and cannot work as a journalist. The Act continues to receive great opposition from media freedom advocates and has yet to be put into operation. Journalists on privately-owned newspapers in Botswana are doing a pretty good job, but those who work for government-owned media are seen by many 

people as propagandists.”The book reveals that people widely recognise that the Daily News and the state-owned broadcasting outlets have mandates to promote government policy and they favour the coverage of the ruling party - Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) - over opposition parties. This happens all the time but is especially worrisome at election times when people rely on news media for information about the policies of political parties, according to Rooney.Rooney says the government has put considerable resources into the Daily News so it competes unfairly with the independent press. “The biggest competitive advantage that the Daily News has is that it does not have normal production overheads, since all these are taken care of from government funds. It also receives hidden government subsidies because it is delivered on government land and air transport as a matter of policy. Unlike private newspapers, the Daily News is delivered free-of-charge to most areas of Botswana and in rural areas it is often the only print media available.”

Minister of Transport and Communications, Kitso Mokaila will not stop at anything or be intimidated in his quest to uproot corruption at his ministry.

According to Mokaila he has no political career to protect as many might think he will be reluctant to take action to protect his job. The minister revealed this week that when he was transferred to the ministry in October 2016, President Ian Khama made it clear to him,to restore dignity of the ministry. 

“The president told me this ministry is the most corrupt, do not deliver but is always given a lot of money. He said I must come to this ministry to do something and I am going to do something and ensure that things are done accordingly. I would not have friends here. I am going to do my work without fear or favour because I am fearless,” said the minister. 

Mokaila said he prides himself in being in the company of his Permanent Secretary Kabelo Ebineng. He said they have agreed that they would work side by side in the best interest of Batswana. Mokaila who was addressing a stakeholders’ consultative meeting for road sector contractors revealed that the Department of Roads has proven to be number one culprit in corruption within the ministry. 

He indicated that some employees are colluding with consultants. According to Mokaila consultants and engineers are dictating to the ministry through the department while they in fact should be taking instructions from the ministry. He pointed out that there is a high turnover of minister, Permanent Secretaries and directors at the transport ministry due to failure to do things accordingly.

“As we speak I am minister number seven (7) since 2008 and my PS is number thirteen (13) same period. There is need for stability but I am not saying I have to be retained post 1st April this year. All I am saying is there is need for stability whether I’m staying or would be leaving the ministry in April or not as we know there would be changes beginning April,” he posited. 

The minister told the stakeholders that there would be many causalities as they fix things in the ministry. He indicated that people will lose their jobs as the ministry search for capable personnel who will do their work diligently to serve Batswana. He explained that the ministry especially the roads department has allowed a lot of collusion with engineers and consultants. “That has to come to an end,” he said adding that most of the consultants used to work for the department as directors and managers.  The minister revealed that together with his PS they would be ruthless when fixing the mess at the department. “I know some of the citizen contractors who do not finish the work awarded to them. We are failing to take corrective measures because there are no End of Activity Reports. We are going through transformation and you would see new faces.  “Some of these consultants will be shown the door. I know some of you would come to me saying elders are involved in some of the projects but know that I do not care. I am not scared of my political life even if I am fired tomorrow I do not have a problem at least it would have been for the good cause.  “There is too much in this ministry that needs to be sorted. When I was at the ministry of Wildlife and Tourism I thought there was too much work, when I joined that of Minerals I thought it was worse until I joined this ministry,” Mokaila indicated.

Finance minister, Kenneth Matambo will on Monday present the 2018/19 budget speech in Parliament.

Matambo will be mindful of citizenry high expectation on incoming President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, a looming budget deficit on the backdrop of fragile recovery in the mining sector and lack of proper conditions for private sector to meet government halfway. 

Two economic commentators who spoke to Botswana Guardian this week concur that expectations are high especially from a political point of view, but the current economic climate is not in a position to support such demands. President Ian Khama is expected to hand over power to Mokgweetsi Masisi early April. 

The economists say that the key drivers of revenue such as minerals, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts and taxes are not in any better position to enable the government of the day to meet its obligations, even at a time when there is an expected leadership transition which is normally characterised by high hopes from electorate and high promises from the political leadership. 

Speaking to Botswana Guardian on Tuesday, an analyst at Motswedi Securities, Moemedi Mosele, said it be interesting to see whether the upcoming budget will be a paradigm shift (as a result of the expected political leadership) or not since problems facing the country remain the same. 

Botswana, a developing country, is besieged by relatively high unemployment, HIV/AIDS scourge, poor education system, poor ease of doing business, a poor education sector as well as an agricultural sector which despite being pampered with millions of Pula is still struggling.  

According to Mosele, these are some of the challenges that  many Batswana want addressed, and the budget is the first point of reference to see if such problems will be addressed or not.  This basically piles all the pressure on Matambo, a former Botswana Development Corporation boss. Over the years, the education sector has received the biggest budget allocation-development-but some commentators have argued that government is yet to reap investment made in the sector.  In the previous budget, the basic education ministry received P6, 8 billion of the recurrent budget. According to Mosele, it is a bit tricky to state if the education sector will receive more funding or not. This is because, in recent years, the sector has not performed satisfactorily against the amount of money invested in the sector.  

What Mosele is expecting, is a budget which will give more emphasis on how the investment in the education sector can bring the much-needed return on investment, and the only way out is to inculcate entrepreneurial skills within the sector. 

Another analyst, Economic Researcher at First National Bank Botswana (FNBB), Moatlhodi Sebabole, said the education sector is expected to top recurrent budget. “Education and human capital remains among the key focus areas for government –therefore my expectation is that we will continue to see the ministerial allocations of the operating expenditure focusing on education and health,” he said in response. 

Botswana, a mineral rich country has over the years put more resources towards ensuring that ordinary citizens improve their lives without necessarily contributing to the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. Under the current President more resources have been channeled towards such initiatives. The most notable has been Ipelegeng;-a labour intensive programme, which hires unskilled Batswana to perform national works which do not in any way add value to the economy’s output.  Both Mosele and Sebabole agree that government will continue to add more funding to social programmes such as Ipelegeng, old age pensions and destitute programmes. “We also expect government to continue to subsidise farming,” said Mosele. Government has over the years provided funding for poverty programmes such as LIMID and ISPAAD.

 Even when government is expected to deal with a lot of problems, there are challenges which will come to the fore. Last year, government projected a budget deficit of P2, 35 billion. This year, there defict is expected to be even more.  “Yes – the expectation is for an overall budget deficit of around 4% of GDP. The overall deficit will come about as a result of rising expenditure in line with ESP and NDP 11 implementation. Although revenues are also anticipated to improve as diamond sales continue on a positive trajectory – the pressure on base metals remains and revenue streams have not been fully diversified thus impacting the revenue side,” said Sebabole.

Last year, government announced plans to undertake a holistic simplification of both the Income Tax Act and the Value Added Tax Act with a view to developing a Tax Administration Act. “This is intended to improve tax administration efficiency, resulting in optimal revenue collection. This project is envisaged to be completed in the next financial year,” promised Matambo at the time.   This has led to the Ministry considering proposals from the Taxation Review Committee which include: introduction of Transfer Pricing rules in the Income Tax Act that would curb any undesirable tax avoidance as well as underscoring the alignment of the country’s tax system to international best practice; amending the Income Tax Act, among others, to impose a penalty for non-filers irrespective of whether there is any tax to pay or not; and amending the Value Added Tax Act to include sale of property by a Deputy Sheriff as a taxable transaction.  

“Once the tax regime has been overhauled to introduce strict collection measures around capital transfer tax as well as duties and customs, this will have a positive impact on tax revenue growth as currently some filtrations exist even for payment of withholding tax,” said Sebabole.

Matambo will also be forced to deal with the little he has on the plate. The economy is not performing any better. “As FNBB, we forecast a growth rate of 1.7% for 2017 and 3.2% for 2018 – way below the forecasts by the finance ministry.  

“We are cautiously optimistic in our growth estimates due to the structural make-up of the economy which remains mineral-led and has limited multiplier effect on employment creation and enhanced productivity. We note that modest increase in mineral prices will support growth; whereas continued stability of water and electricity will also boost business confidence and contain rising operational costs,” said Sebabole. There will also be pressure for more funding especially that the government’s National Development Plan 11 is reaching its second year. “Yes, essentially pressures remain on government to spend more on projects in line with NDP 11. Our concern is usually on the effective implementation of the fiscal plans,” said Sebabole. 

The Secretary General for the Botswana People’s Party (BPP) has revealed that the party’s executive committee failed to form a quorum last week Saturday during a disciplinary hearing of the party’s former chairman Richard Gudu and additional committee member Peter Kuchwe.  Venper Geletshabiwe told Botswana Guardian that according to the party constitution, the executive can only form a quorum when there are more than five members present. 

“In the last executive board meeting, only four members were present therefore the board could not form a quorum hence the party’s decision to postpone the board meeting to another time with the hope that we will form a quorum,” Geletshabiwe explained.   When contacted for comment Gudu said that he is in the dark as to what transpired during the past weekend board meeting since he was not invited. He informed this publication that he is still surprised at the way the hearing was handled.  He does not know why the disciplinary committee does not want to make its resolutions known. 

“I wonder as to whether the disciplinary committee was sent to make their findings and deal with the matter at hand on the spot or they were simply sent to make their findings and send them to the party’s executive committee?” asked Gudu.

Gudu and Kuchwe were suspended from BPP last year after they were accused of attending an Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) press conference under the pretext that they were representing BPP.

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has roped in former teacher and BOSETU active member Carter Hikuama to represent them in Ngami constituency.

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) will be looking to former Member of Parliament for the area Jacob Nkate or the incumbent MP Thato Kwerepe. 

Speaking to Botswana Guardian Hikuama said he was approached by a good number of people in the constituency to stand for political office after realising that he is a good leader as shown by various leadership positions he held whilst at the teaching fraternity. 

Hikuama finally kissed chalk and the blackboard goodbye on the 31 of January 2018 to concentrate on his new career. In 2009 Taolo Habano of BCP won the constituency only to be floored by Kwerepe in 2014 who won by a difference of 48 votes. Kwerepe managed 7063 votes whilst Habano secured 7015 votes and Kebinang Cosmos Moenga of Umbrella for Democratic Change trailed with only 802 votes.

Hikuama strongly believes that he poses qualities of  a good leader based on the numerous positions he held before. 

These were obtained  since joining the teaching fraternity in 1996 - Regional Chairperson in various regions including Maun, Francistown, Tutume and in 2008 he contested for the vice presidency of BOSETU only to be defeated by Tebogo Sebogodi. 

Following his loss, he became a labour relations committee member of BOSETU until he resigned recently. Asked whether he will run unopposed, Hikuama said that whatever system is adopted, he is fully prepared to face any opponent since his people highly regard him, hence their decision to plead with him to represent them. 

Efforts to solicit a comment from the BCP spokesperson Dithapelo Keorapetse on whether Hikuama will stand unopposed hit a snag at press time as his mobile phone was unavailable.

Former Botswana high court judge, Oagile Key Dingake - the first African to be appointed judge of Papua New Guinea – took his oath of office last week Wednesday.

Desceiing the feeling to Botswana Guardian in a telephone interview Dingake said he felt the enormity, gravity and importance of the task ahead of him weigh heavily on his shoulder as he walked down the aisle to take his oath.

Dingake said it has been a phenomenal journey to the land of the unexpected and mystery. Some call it the Jewel of the Pacific. Papua New Guinea, PNG for short is a traveller’s delight in many respects. It has breathtaking and pristine beaches outside Port Mosby, the capital city. It lies on the eastern half of the second largest island in the world, and shares a border with Indonesia. 

As a former colony of Britain, PNG and Botswana share a common legal heritage, but Dingake says the country does things a little more differently than Botswana. For instance, during the opening of the legal year Judges Parade March commences a kilometre or so away from the court house or venue for the community to have a sense of involvement. 

The swearing in of a judge is a big thing. The Chief Justice (CJ), under a police escort, leads a convoy of Judges to the offices of the head of state called Governor General where an oath is administered. In Botswana it is taken before the CJ and is often a very low key affair involving CJ, the Judge and CJ’s assistant!

“As I walked towards the Governor General to take my oath of office, I felt the enormity; gravity and importance of the task ahead of me weigh heavily on my shoulder. The idea that ngwana wa Dingake le Ngwakwana ko Mosalakwane, in Bobonong, Botswana, in Africa, could be called to the Pacific to come dispense justice made me wish my parents were here with me. 

“My dad used to think Robben Island in South Africa where his son, Michael Kitso Dingake, was incarcerated by the Boers for political activities in the fight for freedom, was the farthest his son could go. As I recall he blamed education for all this and for his son believing to be even “clever” than” makgoa” and at times having the neck to scold them. To imagine that his last born was in this island far away from anything would have knocked him unconscious.

“I was accompanied by my wife when I took the oath of office. I was flanked by the CJ on my right as required by the traditions here, as Judges looked on. After my swearing in the CJ and I sat down with the press to take questions about the occasion

“The CJ announced that because of my experience I have been assigned to deal specifically with all claims by and against the state only. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice in a statement said my recruitment was timely as the PNG is in the process of establishing the Human Rights Commission.” 

Dingake says he went through orientation training the next day on how they run their courts and what immediately blew his mind is that PNG judges on the main operate paperless Court proceedings. There is no need to walk into Court with a file with papers flying in all directions as files are electronic and the judges have to run with it as such. The electronic case management system also monitors the performance of Judges. 

“A whole new world just unfolded in front of my eyes that I hope I will one day plough back to my native country”.

Any regrets?

“My greatest regret as I stood up there in the office of the Governor General, to take oath to uphold, defend and protect the Constitution of PNG, with cameras and smart phones clicking away to record this historic and glorious moment, was that I was not wearing a Botswana tie and badge. 

“But it is not all lost. Another ceremony is on its way. It’s scheduled for the 2nd of March 2018. On this day the CJ and other Judges will hold an open Court hearing to welcome me and other new judges. He will deliver a speech and the new judges will also commit publicly. On this day I will make good my default. Otherwise history will not forgive me. 

“The press has been running headlines on my appointment and swearing. One of the leading newspapers called “Nation” ran a headline saying “African Judge to handle cases involving State”. It has been a roller coaster of a pilgrimage to mine law in the belly of the Pacific. It has been a phenomenal journey to the land of the unexpected and mystery. Some call it the jewel of the Pacific”. 

Whether at the state luncheon, Parliament or meeting with Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa emerged as a man all out to reconcile his country and rebuild the economy.

He confidently told his audience that with the assistance of Botswana, SADC, African Union and the entire world, Zimbabwe will go back to normalcy. He believes that there is no place better than home and is looking forward to receiving back home many of his country men and women- together with their spouses- who live in Botswana. 

When addressing parliament on Monday during his first state visit, Mnangagwa expressed his appreciation for the hospitality and opportunities that Botswana has extended to Zimbabweans over the years. It was also his first address to a full session of parliament in a foreign land since he became president last November. 

“ I know that in your various constituencies, you host many Zimbabweans. I wish to express my appreciation for the hospitality, opportunities you have extended to my country men and women. It is in this spirit of togetherness and Ubuntu that you have opened your doors to my countrymen and women during the time of their need.  These noble deeds will be forever etched in our hearts and minds”. 

Extending an invitation to his fellow country men and women to return home, he said that as their economy prospects improve, “We shall be expecting and receiving them back home, many of them in the company of their Tswana spouses”. 

“My government will continue to work tirelessly to create a peaceful and stable political and social economic environment which will enable us to move forward as a prosperous nation that will afford each and every one of us an opportunity to realise our full potential. As we pursue objectives I shall count on your solidarity and goodwill”.

Reaffirm friendship

 Mnangagwa said he came to Botswana to reaffirm an old enduring special friendship that Zimbabwe and Botswana share. “Of course all relationships have their ups and downs, however, we have worked together to overcome some of these challenges. I am here to herald the present and gaze with optimism into the future. Needless to say Parliamentarians are a pivotal part of democracy. Each nation gives life to democracy in its own way and in line with its constitution. 

“More often than not, governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, stable and successful. Parliaments now represent informed societies especially with advent of internet riding on social media platforms which are opening new doors for improved dialogue between citizens and their elected representatives.” 

Elections 2018

 Mnangagwa told parliament that preparations for the elections have been going on smoothly with more than 5 million eligible voters already registered by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. “Our elections will be guided by the SADC and AU principles and guidelines. SADC and AU member states are always welcome to observe our elections,” he said.

“My government thrust is the economic growth engagement with countries and international organisations we had misunderstandings with before as well as consolidating long standing friendships like with Botswana. My administration is working hard to attract foreign direct investment in order to revive and grow our economy. 

“In that regard we have been working on improving the investment climate in Zimbabwe. We have amended the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act which now limits the 51- 49 percent shareholding structure to only two minerals that is platinum and diamonds because we are still crafting our policy around those two minerals”.