The Botswana National Front wishes to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the onslaught on basic fundamental freedoms by state security apparatus in Botswana. We have witnessed an insatiable appetite on the side of state organs to disperse peaceful gatherings by meting violence on peaceful protesters.

It must be a concern to all of us when state security apparatus resorts to violence against its people, and thereby trampling upon basic freedoms to associate and to assemble. The importance of freedom of assembly cannot be underscored in any democratic society such as ours. Lately we have witnessed a narrowing of the civic space in Botswana. Peaceful protests which seek to communicate a legitimate societal scourge of unemployment cannot be dispersed with sjamboks and violence in the manner that we have witnessed recently. As the BNF, we hold dear the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights. An onslaught on peaceful demonstrators by state security apparatus is an onslaught on Botswana Constitutional democracy, its ideals of humanity, Botho and patriotism.

There is need to contextualize the unemployment protests which are spearheaded by unemployed, yet qualified youths of Botswana. As the BNF, we characterize the protests as a welcome move by youths who seek to enforce and remind the BDP-led government of its obligations imposed by the Social Contract. It is apparent that the BDP government has, for many years, ignored its obligations as far as the social contract is concerned. Instead of discharging its obligations, by creating equitable and dignified employment opportunities, the BDP led government has institutionalized corruption, nepotism and thereby sidelining our population from the mainstream economic activity. 

It is worrisome and disturbing that journalists and reporters have not escaped the wrath and brutality of state security apparatus. We learn that Security apparatus confiscated equipment and other work-related material belonging to journalists who were covering the Unemployment protests. Once the state forcibly censors the work of journalists, it is an indication that our democracy is being derailed. There is no law which empowers the police to confiscate material used by journalists in their line of duty. Such actions by the Police demonstrate impunity and arrogance of the highest order.

As the BNF, we view the Public Order Act as incompatible with participatory democracy and active citizenry. The Public order Act seems to suggest that for citizens to exercise their right to assemble, they require ‘permission/permit’ from an administrative officer.  It seems to suggest that the leaders hold the rights of the public in trust and only deposit it with them when it wishes to. To us Human rights are God given and cannot be taken away, not even by the leaders.

Although the BNF is alive to the fact that rights and freedoms are not absolute, it is however our firm view that the Public Order Act seems to limit the enjoyment and exercise of freedoms unreasonably and such is unjustifiable in an open and democratic society such as ours. In would appear that, in terms of the Act, without an express ‘permission/permit’ from the police officers, citizens cannot peacefully assemble and protest. It is our believe that such as approach goes beyond limiting the freedom of assembly and potentially takes away the very rights which the constitution and various international human rights instruments sought to safeguard.

The Unemployment protesters posed no threat, real or imagined, to national security, peace, morality, rights of others and as such, their peaceful assembly ought to have been protected by state security agencies even without a permit. It is only a barbaric government which responds to a peaceful protest with violence. As the BNF, we make a clarion call to other civil society organisations to consider testing the constitutionality of the Public Order Act. Our fear is that it would not pass the constitutional muster, atleast in the manner which it is arbitrarily applied to deny citizens their freedom to assemble and protest. Not long ago, members of the #Ishallnotforget movement were capriciously denied a permit to march after the Sebinagate scandal. We are of the view that the Public Order Act is an instrument of oppression used to narrow the civic space for citizens to express their grievances openly.

As the BNF, we applaud the fearless youths who participated in the peaceful protest at Parliament precincts. History will remember your heroic deeds someday. We call upon government to consider dialogue and constructive engagement with the leaders of the Unemployment protest movement. Violence has no place in our society. It is alien to our culture. The state must never unleash terror and violence on its own people. It is a classical breach of the social contract and such a fundamental breach necessitates the citizens to consider cancelling the social contract with the BDP come 2019, or earlier if need be.

Moeti Mohwasa
BNF Secretary General






















 

A  mentally  ill  soldier who  was  found guilty  for  the  murder  of  his  two children will have  his fate  in  the  hands  of  President Ian Khama. 

Thebe Njavera,  who is currently in  prison  was  found guilty by   Francistown High Court Judge, Barnabas Nyamadzabo. This  week, Nyamadzabo  later   ruled  that  the President  Khama  will  decide  on  the  fate   of  the  mentally  unstable  soldier.
This comes after Njavera, who was based at Donga Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Military Barracks in Francistown, allegedly murdered his two daughters, Palesa Ramaditse and Paseka Ramaditse, aged four and two respectively, at Somerset Extension location in Francistown on the 4th of February 2013 after an altercation with his girlfriend.

Currently Njavera  is left with  no option but to wait for his freedom at either Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital, Jubilee mental institute or in custody.Previously when trial commenced, Lawyer Reneetswe Rabosotho who is representing the accused pleaded with Nyamadzabo not to treat the accused’s case like any other criminal case as he was mentally unstable at the time he committed the offence.

He also pleaded with the judge that Njavera’s case should be handled in terms of Section 158 and 160 of Criminal Procurement Evidence (CPE) Act, as it is relevant for this matter. The CPE says that when in the course of a trial or preparatory examination the judiciary officer has reason to believe that the accused is of an unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defence, he shall inquire into the facts of such unsoundness.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Nyamadzabo said that evidence given in court by a Psychological Dr Paul Sidandi showed that Njavera was of an unsound mind. “The accused is guilty of killing his two daughters, but he was insane when he did so,” Nyamadzabo said. He told the court that he will make a report to the President and he (His Excellency) will confine Njavera at his pleasure. Kuda Mbonini represents the state.

Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) staff this Tuesday petitioned the Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Ralotsia over the repeated reinstatement of the current Acting Vice Chancellor who they say lacks leadership acumen.

During the General Staff Meeting held on the 6th July 2016, BCA/BUAN staff resolved to petition the Minister of Agriculture over the prevailing state of affairs at BUAN –the repeated reinstatements of the current Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of BUAN, Dr Mataba Tapela.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Boipelo Khumomatlhare confirmed to this publication yesterday that he received the petition which has since been passed to the Minister himself. The petition, which was submitted by a delegation of three-Dr Nelson Tselaesele, Dr Mogadime Rammolai and Dibeela, requires the minister’s response within 14 days. “I cannot answer on his behalf but I can confirm that it was received and the Minister is still looking into it,” confirmed Khumomatlhare.

The petitioners’ contention is that the current Acting VC has overstayed his acting position since 2014 without any one relieving him. The overstaying has delayed the progress of turning BUAN into a fully-fledged university. The staff also argues that currently they do not have faculties, job profiles and salary structures; all these crucial structures have suffered delays even though they were assured they would be ready by the beginning of July 2016. “This situation further exerts uncertainty and perplexity on staff members and consequently lack of confidence on the incumbent.

The continued exclusive re-appointment of the same individual to the position of Acting Vice Chancellor has created a vacuum that has resulted in lack of focus and direction for BUAN,” reads part of the petition.
This scenario, according to the petition, has excluded competent staff members from taking up the acting position to forge ahead with the transformation process, which has now stagnated. This prolonged and exclusive stay of the current acting VC may be a violation of Botswana labour laws and further disadvantages illegible staff members from acquiring dynamic managerial experience.

This state of affairs they indicated has adversely affected the entire staff morale and has left them utterly frustrated and disillusioned. The staff further indicates that there is a critical lack of transparency, consultation and failure to communicate with staff about the transformation process of BUAN. The general staff believe that the anticipated launch of BUAN would be pre-mature and should be aborted because BUAN does not have credible and identifiable structures that could constitute the university which could be ready to be launched.

“It is our conviction that the launch of the university should be spearheaded by a fully-fledged and qualified individual whose credibility as leader has been proven internationally and regionally.” In view of the above, the general staff membership is of the view that the current acting VC has failed to implement the transformation process to its logical conclusion – a fully-fledged university of agriculture - and should therefore be relieved of his position.

Consequent to the above concerns, the staff is urgently demanding that the statutes, which have been approved, be implemented without any further delays to constitute the Governing Council and other university structures that would then facilitate the advertisement of the VC’s post and the establishment of faculties for BUAN. They also want the appointment of the current acting VC to be reversed and another qualifying staff member be appointed to act the period envisaged for the current acting VC (1st August 2016 – 30th Jan 2017). “If our requests are not considered within fourteen (14) days, staff members may consider boycotting the anticipated launch of the so-called university and any other future events related to the university,” reads the petition.

As reports of clashes within the Botswana Democratic Party members continue unabated over the preferred candidate to lead the party between Mokgweetsi Masisi and other candidates, Botswana Ambassador to Japan, Jacob Nkate, is said to be the secret bomb to be delivered at the appropriate time.

It is said some of Nkate’s supporters and volunteers are busy assembling teams of strong and influential men and women within the party who are doing the ground work for him in their constituencies and regions while he is still on official duty. Nkate, even though not active currently is said to be enjoying the support of some MPs and Ministers who are being frustrated within the party. The BDP faithful are said to be putting their hopes on Nkate despite his absence from the political scene. Nkate will return home at the end of this year after completing his diplomatic assignment in Japan. The alleged bickering between the Vice President Masisi’s camp and that of Infrastructure, Science and Technology Minister Nonofo Molefhi is said to be one of the contributors pushing some democrats to believe Nkate is the solution as his campaign is quiet and typically in alignment to the norm and processes of the Party. When contacted for comment, Nkate maintained that he would not discuss his candidature for now because he is still a civil servant. His team is said to be playing their cards close to the chest to allow him to finish his term in Japan.

A minister who is in support of Nkate’s candidacy said “a lot of people tend to think they know you just because you have been in the public eye for so long. Some even tend to dehumanise you. They forget that one is a normal human being with feelings, family and friends.” He further stated that “We people in public life also tend to allow others to define us and they define us through how they see us. With Nkate for instance, those who like him will say he is decisive, assertive and firm. Those who don’t feel so positively disposed will say he is impulsive and arrogant. So it may be important sometimes to help the truth as opposed to just letting the truth speak for itself.

That is why some of us are waiting for him to come home and publicly declare then would we rally behind him”.Botswana Guardian understands that the recent BDP special congress held in Mogoditshane gave Nkate’s supporters an opportunity to reach out to a wide audience during the same weekend. It is understood that during these informal chats their potential supporters were encouraged to carefully and objectively gauge those in the race for the leadership with a view to identifying the best candidate in terms of Party and Government leadership experience and ability to woo voters and the rest of society to believe in the Party again, especially the youth and the middle class and other members of the party who feel side-lined and excluded or have left the Party for various reasons. The supporters were energised by the fact that coincidentally, Nkate had a pre-arranged visit to the country during the same week. While he flew back to Japan on the same weekend, Botswana Guardian could not establish whether Nkate met his supporters for a brief on progress or not.

Nkate, who comes from the small village of Tsau, served in various structures of the party and in government. A senior BDP MP told this publication that as a politician Nkate’s path has been well traced. “I believe he is a conviction politician. He does what is right in his view for society, not for himself or his political career. That is why in spite of all that has been said you would not find that he has favoured himself, his family or his friends whether it’s at Lands and Housing, Trade or Education ministries or BEDIA. If you recall well he is the only cabinet member who resigned as Assistant Minister at Finance Ministry under Festus Mogae during the Zac Construction saga.”

The MP is of the view that Nkate’s resignation was motivated by his desire to clear his name while the rest of Government continued with business without being encumbered by his personal issues. “A mark of a leader indeed! He came back to Cabinet as a full Minister because there was never any fault on his part and therefore no need to clear his name either with the police or court. In fact, Nkate was legally and formally appointed as a Director of Zac Construction and was registered as such with the Registrar of Companies with a director’s fee attached to the appointment, as is the practice in the economy. I believe, where he has made mistakes, they have been just that, genuine mistakes”.

The legislator further said Nkate has proved to be a decisive leader in Government and is probably one of the few Ministers who have had to run Ministries that are perceived to be controversial and difficult such as Lands and Housing and Education. Said the MP in favour of Nkate, “he has had to take difficult and controversial decisions such as the demolition of Tsolamosese squatters’ houses. Here again, his Ministry was simply implementing a court order, yet some of us try to use this to adjudge him as arrogant. In my view our country and economy needs decisive leaders who are going to make unpopular decisions if such are for the good of all society and the economy”.

BDP insiders believe given his track record in government, private sector and his current diplomatic role as well as his legal training and practice, he would be able to have more people interested in the party even internationally. Confronted, Nkate said he would not discuss politics because of his employment. “I would rather not discuss political issues. Look I can only spare you time if you ask me about my current assignment on behalf of Botswana Government.”

The veteran politician has however indicated that he would only pronounce his next move at the right time. “Obviously when I am back home I will be free and ready to be “me”. Politics is my second nature and if I were called upon to serve and I and my family believe I can add value, I will gladly do so. However, there will be a lot of soul searching and conversations with colleagues in the party to be had as part of the determination of my next steps.” When quizzed whether he will be interested and consider standing for the position of president if called upon by his supporters he answered, “As far as I am concerned there is no vacancy in the presidency and again interest is one thing and reality another. Let us cross the bridge when we get to it”.

All is not well within Botswana’s most feared secret agency, the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS). Some members of the notorious spy agency are not happy at the way they are being treated, Botswana Guardian has gathered. Sources at DISS have told Botswana Guardian too much favouritism is killing morale at the organisation.

The most affected are the agents who have been recruited from the government security. In the past few years DISS engaged in a massive recruitment drive including reaching out to security officers from government, police officers and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) officers. “The issue which is of major concern within our organisation concerns training, promotion and participation in operations. Some of us who were recruited from the government security are being sidelined,” said a source. The disgruntled agents accuse their superiors of favouring agents who were previously in the employ of the BDF.

Another source revealed that about 100 former government security officers and now DISS agents have expressed their displeasure about this treatment during various meetings. The agents have queried that during their recruitment they were promised intensive intelligence training and participation in the agency’s various operations. “We never get promotion or participate in those operations. Some have gone for the one-year training while others have not. Even if you have undergone training you are overlooked and those who are picked are from BDF.

The only job that former government security officer do is being a registry officer at the offices- it is basically clerical work that we do,” said the source, adding, “We are never promoted. All that was promised during recruitment has never occurred. Of course in most cases our training is integrated training where we go in group. Upon completion of the training we are placed in different divisions but you would find that those you trained with are progressing while you are in one rank for a long time even years.” The disgruntled members are said to have on several meetings demanded answers as to the promises made to them but nothing has come to pass. The concerns are said to have been expressed during meetings with DISS boss Isaac Kgosi while his subordinates had promised to take up the matter with him at other meetings at which he was not present.

The officers claim that no one except for former BDF members, has been promoted or participated in any of the operations undertaken. The agents are said to be reluctant to take the matter further or organise themselves to petition their leaders because within the spy agency there is no trust. Everyone is said to be looking over their shoulders, as the agents do not trust each other.

Apparently no one wants to take a lead in approaching the management because they fear losing their jobs. It is alleged that even though DISS Director General Kgosi has introduced an open door policy, the agents who do not trust their superiors are reluctant to approach Kgosi. Contacted for comment Kgosi said given the sensitivity of his organ, he is hindered to discuss any matter with third party regarding DISS.

When Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet) was launched in 2013, Internet traffic was at 2.3 Gigabytes per second. Today Botswana’s Internet traffic stands at +10.4 Gigabytes per second and is expected to exceed 25 Gigabytes per second by 2020. BoFiNet, the wholesale provider of national and international telecommunication infrastructure, revealed this on Wednesday at its media breakfast in Gaborone.

Adrin Sivako, Technical Executive at BoFiNet explained that, according to the exponential growth patterns, “We estimate the traffic bandwidth to reach 25 Gigabytes by the year 2020. The majority of our traffic goes to Europe and USA. According to global Internet perspective currently, there is too much volume of traffic which sits around 80 Exabyte’s/month, this is equivalent to 1 million DVDs played per day. Botswana’s Internet traffic by volume only generates around 45 000 DVDs per day, which is 601 bytes.”

On the other hand Sivako revealed that, “operators are making sure that they provide high speed Internet. They are now considering 5G connectivity.” There has always been a bad experience with the already existing 3G and 4G networks, which the local mobile operators are continuing to roll out across the country. However, BoFiNet CEO Mabua Mabua remains hopeful that as the 5G comes in, “As an economy I believe we can catch-up and be able to have a reliable and fast connectivity.”

On the slow pace of internet services, Mabua said BoFiNet has always provided the best infrastructure and services to the operators, therefore if the end users are unable to access a service from a service provider, whether bank or mobile operator or electricity vendor, they should always challenge the usual statements of ‘its network fault’. “Chances are that the fault is with that particular service provider. BoFiNet has infrastructure that guarantees high quality service. “BOCRA as a regulator then has to enforce the ISPs to provide high quality service to the end user to ensure that they get value for their money,” he said.

BOCRA is currently undertaking an exercise on cost and pricing modelling. Mabua noted that, “The advocacy for lower tariffs continues. We may reduce the tariffs but there are no guarantees that the ISPs will translate that to the end consumer.” This still remains the duty of the regulator, BOCRA to enforce. 

Parliament has passed into law a Bill that calls for the establishment of Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority, to regulate the energy sector.The Authority shall be a body corporate with a common seal, capable of suing and being sued.

Minister of Minerals, Water and Energy Resources, Kitso Mokaila said the authority would be responsible for providing an efficient regulatory framework for the regulated sector in accordance with the Act, with the primary mandate of providing the economic regulation of the sector.“It would be responsible for ensuring sustainable and secure supplies in the regulated sector. Ensuring tariffs in the regulated sector are fixed on the basis of a tariff methodology that has been set up in a transparent manner taking into account government policy on cross subsidies between classes of consumers and setting and maintaining standards,” Mokaila stated. 

The authority would also be expected to protect and preserve the environment as well as ensuring that the regulation of the energy sector is done in accordance with the best international regulatory practice. According to the minister the authority will have functions such as regulating tariffs, including allowed revenue for regulated entities and regulate coal supply agreements between collieries, coal suppliers and price-regulated generators. The seal of the authority, according to Mokaila shall be such device as may be determined by the Board and shall be kept by the Chief Executive Officer.

Powers and functions of the Authority will be exercised and performed by the Board appointed by the Minister, Mokaila explained. The minister noted that funds for the Authority will consist of monies appropriated by parliament, funds borrowed with the approval of the finance minister to cover short-term cash flow requirement among others. According to the proposed Act the authority will establish and maintain a non-discriminatory and efficient regulatory framework to be followed by all regulated entities in the sector. A person shall not provide a service under a regulated sector unless licensed to provide such service in the prescribed manner, reads the proposed Act. Mokaila revealed that any person who contravenes the provisions of this Act would be committing an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding P30 000 or in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding 10 percent of its annual turnover.

This Bill comes after Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South Ndaba Gaolathe tabled a motion in Parliament calling for the establishment of an independent regulatory body for water and energy sector. The motion, which was supported by minister Mokaila, was adopted by Parliament last week Friday. Some BDP MPs however maintained that the Bill was not as a result of Gaolathe’s motion but is something that has been on the pipeline. Gaolathe embraced the Bill by the minister indicating that they will support the Act all the way with one common goal of seeing Batswana benefit.

SADC Ministerial Committee Organ (SMCO) composed of Ministers of Foreign Affairs has endorsed Botswana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pelonomi Venson- Moitoi’s candidacy for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The Ministers will present their recommendation to the SADC Heads of State and Government summit who will confirm Moitoi as the regional candidate in Mbabane, Swaziland at the end of the month.Botswana Guardian has it on good authority that SADC ministers made their decision during a meeting attended by all except Mauritius and Madagascar last week in Maputo, Mozambique after Botswana pronounced that Venson- Moitoi is still running for the position which has been declared open to all interested candidates.

However, it still remains uncertain if any of the member states will counter the SMCO recommendation by availing their candidates at the heads of state summit. Reports reaching Botswana Guardian indicate that after endorsing Venson- Moitoi, the SMCO emphasised the need for Botswana to share and, or provide the SADC Secretariat with her campaign strategy so that the entire region can own it. It is said the SMCO advised that SADC must use a more or similar strategy that was used when it was campaigning for the outgoing chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma.

An extract from the confidential minutes of the Maputo SMCO meeting shows that the ministers recommended that once the heads of state and government summit approve Venson- Moitoi’s candidature, the region must “Set up a campaign team consisting of SADC ministers of foreign affairs, with the support of the secretariat to spearhead the campaign for Venson-Moitoi”.Speaking to Botswana Guardian, Venson Moitoi confirmed, saying: “As a candidate I will comply with the SMCO advice and we will provide the SADC Secretariat with my hand or, our campaign strategy for the simple reason that I am their candidate and there is no way in which I could disobey my master’s instructions.”

Botswana pronounced her position to regional governments following a cabinet decision a fortnight ago to endorse Venson-Moitoi to go for a re-run. Cabinet also approved that there must be a budget for the campaign. Currently the budget remains a closely guarded secret as it is still being worked on. Venson- Moitoi said the delay to reveal the total budget was influenced by numerous factors, key amongst them being that after cabinet gave her the go ahead, the next step was to make a pronouncement and then seek regional endorsement at ministerial level.

“Now that we have been endorsed by the ministers we are starting to work on our budget which will largely depend on our strategy and will cover travel and other related matters”, she said. During the July elections held in Kigali, Rwanda, Venson- Moitoi managed to pass all election hurdles to the last stage as she remained the last candidate standing after former Uganda vice president, Specioza Wandira Kazibwe and Equatorial Guinea’s Foreign Minister Agapito Mba Mokuy were eliminated one after the other. However, she too was unable to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority required to usher her into office.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Thapelo Olopeng  has announced that ‘BOT50 Friday’ will now change to ‘BOT50   month’ as from 1st September.

Addressing a ceremony that kick-started the 50 days count down to the Golden Jubilee independence day celebrations in Gaborone recently, Olopeng said Batswana will be expected to wear National Colours every day for the month of September. The minister explained that this would show that the time Batswana   have been waiting for has arrived.

“Let me advise that this is an encouragement for Batswana to wear any combination of the National Colours with Botswana Blue being the dominant colour,” said Olopeng. “During September, we will have 100% local music played on all public and private radio stations in this country. This is in recognition of our own capacity and talent as a nation.” Moreover, Olopeng said his ministry has also taken deliberate decision to engage 100% local artists for all the BOT50 music shows including those to be hosted by the different districts.

“On 25th September, Church Services will be held across the country with the Gaborone Service held at the National Stadium. On the 29th September, Independence Eve activities will be held across the Districts headquarters with the main event in Gaborone at the National Stadium.”

Moreover, the Minister said on 30th September the main celebrations will be held at all Dikgotla across the country with the National Celebrations held at the National Stadium in Gaborone. Olopeng added that National Celebrations would also be marked by the arrival of the Roving Torch and charting of a new path with the launch of the new vision beyond 2016 by President Dr Ian Khama on Independence Day.

The countdown started on 30th September 2015 when the Roving Torch was lit by the President. Since then, the Torch has traversed the country covering 427 villages and will arrive in Gaborone on the 25th September 2016. The build-up activities have included music festivals, road shows, and live broadcasts from across the country, mounting of the BOT50 signages across the country among others.

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) has refuted recent allegations that ‘ nine bushmen have been subjected to violence   by law enforcement officers as reported by the NGO Survival International, in a statement dated 11th August 2016.

This week, Senior Superintendent Dipheko Motube of the BPS has told The Midweek Sun in an interview that, never at any stage has a single gunshot been fired at Bushmen at the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). “There has in fact never been any occasion in which the Botswana Police have ever shot at people from a helicopter either at the CKGR or anywhere else,” he explained.

Nevertheless, Motube said they have recently found crime scenes at the game reserve, where 11 suspects were caught red handed with carcasses of game meat. “All the suspects were caught in different spots on different dates between July and August. On the 30th July, three suspects, were allegedly found with 2 carcasses of elands and three gemsboks,” he said.

He said that in July 31st, they found three more suspects in possession of three heads of elands, two heads of gemsbok and loads of fresh meat. Moreover, on August 5th, the police caught five suspects with a carcass of a giraffe, seven gemsboks and two elands, still in the CKGR. However, Motube clarified that even these culprits were never stripped nor beaten.

Pragmatic leaders are what the country needs post-independence celebrations that will mark the country’s five decade of self-rule in the coming weeks.

This is because the country will be dealing with an economy that is faltering, operating minus diamonds, the main commodity that has single-handedly transformed Botswana from a poor country to a developed country since 1966. However, the glory days are over as leaders will have to come face to face with a number of challenges, from social to economic that will need men and women of steel to overcome.  The main commodity, diamond, is facing challenges, from poor demand to deep underground mining; the challenges are just too many to bear. This is the clear message that is coming from a review paper authored by former Bank of Botswana deputy Governor, Dr Keith Jefferies and his assistant, Sethunya Sejoe. The expected fall in diamonds revenue and dominance in the semi-arid nation will test the market campaign ‘A diamond is for ever’, which was coined by a young copywriter, Frances Gerety in 1947.

For Botswana, business will no longer be as usual, soon after a highly-sought after independence celebration billed for 30th September, as reality will show that diamonds which transformed the economy from one of the poorest countries in the world to a developing state in the last five decades can no longer be trusted with growth. “It will be a mistake to assume that business as usual is a viable approach to the future growth of Botswana economy,” opined Jefferies and Sejoe in the report which was released recently. Currently, Botswana’s economy is at sixes and sevens, partly because of a slowdown in the economy and the commodity crash that has affected demand for metals, including diamonds, the country’s main export. Respected diamond market analysts such as Des Kilalea of RBC Capital Markets and Rapaport founder, Martin Rapaport have predicted a recovery for diamonds in the foreseeable future.

However, Botswana cannot raise Champaign glasses to celebrate, since the recovery will not translate into improved fortunes for the country from the diamond sector as it has been the case in the past five decades. There are problems on the ground which cannot be ignored. “First even if diamond production continues at current levels for many years, this represents an output plateau, which by definition entails zero growth. So diamond mining is unlikely to lead future growth (of the country’s economy),” said the report. In the past year, diamond exports stood at P53, 6 billion. Most of Botswana’s diamonds are mined in conjunction with mining major, De Beers. There are other independent mines such as Ghaghoo, owned by London listed Gem Diamonds which this Wednesday reported it has made $4,8 million in sales for the first six months of the year. 

Lucara Diamonds is another company operating in Botswana, owning Karowe mine, which is famed for producing Lesedi La Botswana. Both companies have experienced mixed fortunes in sales this year. Econsult analysts are also wary that the President Ian Khama-ruled country will experience serious challenges in the next five decades as compared to the past period. The challenges will demand that the former army Commander employ tact to identify sectors that can lead the economy going forward. However, at this point in time, options are limited and the country’s economic diversification initiatives are faltering.

There are also more challenges coming from the mining sector itself, which depicts a sorry picture ahead. “Secondly, as mines get deeper and more difficult to exploit, costs of production go up and hence profits-and the sector’s contribution to GDP and government revenue will gradually decline,” said Jefferies and Sejoe. Jwaneng diamond mine is one of the country’s oldest mine and its cost of operation will go up in the coming years. It is the biggest revenue generator for Debswana, a diamond company owned by Botswana and De Beers. A few years ago, the two shareholders pumped P24 billion to expand its lifespan under Cut 8 project. BCL mine, although not a diamond mine, but owned by the state, is also experiencing high operational expenditure as a result of aging mining machines and the fact that miners have to dig deeper to extract copper underground.

It appears government has no choice but to continue investing in the mine to save jobs. Even though government has proposed to invest in new projects, the budgetary constraints have forced the country to defer others. According to the 2016/17-budget paper, total revenues and grants are estimated at P48, 40 billion, a drop of P3, 36 billion when compared to the year before. The reduction in proposed revenue is mainly because of fall in mining revenue. The country’s over two-million population is growing amid ills such as HIV/AIDS which has claimed, and continues to claim hundreds of lives annually.” The population is growing, so constant diamond production actually entails declining production (in income) per capita,” said the economists, who have painted a gloomy picture for the country in the face of declining diamond revenue.

Government is also mindful that minerals, especially diamonds are not forever. Delivering a policy key paper for National Development Plan (11), finance minister Matambo acknowledged that there is need to look at priority areas that can diversify the country’s revenue base. There are several strategies that have been devised to pick up the economy in the country’s NDP 11. For example, under infrastructure, government will continue to maintain and refurbish worn out facilities and assets.  Infrastructure is considered the backbone of Botswana’s economy as it is essential for productive processes and trade facilitation. “NDP 11 will also provide for the construction of new facilities that have the potential to improve and stimulate economic growth,” said the minister. Information Communication Technology remains a critical part of the economy and will be so, even under the NDP 11.

Access to information through modern technology is critical. There is need to develop effective ICT platforms such as e-services, broadband and postal network. The ease of doing business is also part of government multi-pronged strategy of increasing growth rates away from mining. “Government will intensify the implementation of the reform roadmap and the action plan for doing business in Botswana during NDP 11,” stated Matambo. Botswana will also in the coming years contend with high unemployment rates and rising poverty levels. Last week, police officers were forced to use force to disperse a picket from Parliament buildings after unemployed youths staged a peaceful protest over lack of jobs. The next fifty years will also see the country being forced to come with initiatives of how to deal with rising levels of inequality. Some families cannot afford decent housing, said the Econsult report. “Too many people are dependent upon government for their monthly incomes, mostly through social safety net schemes,” said the two economists.

Observers say that by disqualifying requests for a special congress, the national executive committee of Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD), is setting a precedent which may come back some day to haunt it.

At its meeting of August 13 the NEC rejected calls for a special congress on the basis that the letters from the constituencies did not comply with the constitutional requirements of the five-year old splinter party of the Botswana Democratic Party. In fact, the more cynical observers say that the party's NEC is being downright hypocritical. The BMD constitution stipulates that a special congress can be called either by the party leadership or by a third of the constituencies. In this case, 19 constituencies have applied satisfying the constitutional requirement of the party, but the NEC rejected the letters saying they were not the outcome of branch congresses and further that the letters had no minutes attached to them.

“In as much as nobody wants a situation where a constitution is breached willy-nilly at the risk of bringing anarchy into the organisation, it is hypocritical of the party leadership to suddenly require such high standards from its members who may be genuinely in support of a special congress. The reality on the ground is that, structures at the lower levels of any organisation, especially in our local politics where resources are always in short supply, may not be able to satisfy some of the demands such as the ones being made by the BMD leadership,” said political commentator, Anthony Morima.

He believes that in politics, political solutions should sometimes take precedence over legal and technical ones. “The leadership should have acknowledged the fact that the party is experiencing a serious problem which needs instant solution. By rejecting the application letters as they did, the BMD NEC is only postponing the problem. They should have found a solution,” noted Morima. “You cannot demand such high standards from wards and branches when you know you have done very little if anything to capacitate them regarding all the requirements and processes involved in applying for a special congress. Matters are not helped by the fact that the party does not supply them with stationery let alone office space. If the branches are not able to produce proper minutes, that is an indictment on the NEC as that shows that it has failed to give the structures the needed training,” added Morima in an interview.

He wondered whether the party leadership is being consistent. “It is doubtful if all the BMD gatherings such as congresses and conferences held in the past have been held strictly according to the law,” said Morima who suspects that those who don’t want a special congress have ulterior motives. “They find themselves having to clutch at all straws,” he said.For his part, political science lecturer at the University of Botswana (UB), Professor Zibani Maundeni believes that, people tend to look for loopholes and pay more attention to detail when there is an issue in which their own interests are at stake. “Those who draft constitutions would do well to look at the environment in which the constitution is going to be applied,” said Professor Maundeni who, like Morima, doubts the fairness of expecting cadres at the lower branches to meet certain requirements especially when they have not been trained.

“Under the circumstances, the two factions should come together and discuss their problems or invite a mediator. It is clear that there are people who will find every excuse to stop the holding of a special congress,” noted Maundeni. Contacted for comment, the vice president of BMD, Wynter Mmolotsi confirmed that the party has agreed to go back to the drawing boards on the matter. “There were two interpretations of the constitution. One interpretation says that the branches, through their committees may call a national special congress without having held a congress themselves at branch level. The other interpretation is that, the branches must hold a special congress from which minutes and list of those who attended are attached to the letters applying for the special congress,” said Mmolotsi.

As far as he can remember, the BMD has held three congresses in its five years of existence. “These congresses elected our leadership without the requirement of minutes from branches. Does that make our NEC illegitimate?” he wondered. Nehemiah Modubule, who opposes the calling of a special congress, however differs with Mmolotsi. “Those were ordinary congresses which are normally handled by the secretary general. In the case of a special congress, there has to be evidence of who is calling it hence the minutes and other records are required to verify that indeed there are people who want a congress,” said Modubule who maintains that the lower party structures of the BMD are capacitated enough to apply for a special congress as per party guidelines.

Mmolotsi however disagrees. “There is no need for a branch congress. The branch committees are the ones empowered by the constitution to initiate a special congress. The committee can facilitate the selection of the delegates and the constitution does not require any minutes,” he said.

Ahead of the SADC Heads of State summit billed for Swaziland on August 30, a Roman Catholic clergy - Cardinal Wilfred Napier of Durban, South Africa – has slammed SADC leaders for not showing any commitment to regional integration. 

Napier was attending the Southern African Conference Bishop Conference (SACBC) composed of 33 Bishops from Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland in Gaborone which ended this week Wednesday. Speaking to Botswana Guardian, Napier said: “If there is a common vision, then one has to ask a question about the commitment to that vision. President Ian Khama has stood out as an exception. I hope he continues in that vein.” He said many of the presidents in the region seem to be looking at their own interests rather than that of their own countries and by extension of the region as well.

Church fails South Africa
Napier said that unlike during the apartheid era when the church was vocal, currently it has lost an opportunity to guide our governments. “I would say after 1994, the churches in general, made  the mistake of believing that the people we have been negotiating with and accompanying along towards independence, that we knew these people, we could trust them and therefore we could step back and not be as quite sharp and incisive in our analysis when things went wrong, as a result I think we have lost  an opportunity to guide our government.”

On Zuma and ANC
Napier dominated the debates at the beginning of the Nkandla and Gupta-gate scandals in his twitter page. He reiterated his position to Botswana Guardian: “I do not think anyone not President Jacob Zuma nor the leadership of the ANC has actually seen anything wrong with spending that amount of public money on a private individual’s property. They do not see anything wrong and that amazes and worries me. It means then that they seem to identify the individual and the party with the state so much so that the people do not matter.”

He said the results of the recent local government elections were a very good lesson for the ANC. As for Zuma and ANC’s refusal to have him step down after the ruling by South African Constitutional court that he failed to uphold and protect the constitution, Napier reacted: “They both lost their moral compass; they do not understand the seriousness of the trust that the country has entrusted them with its future. They do not seem to understand that they have a responsibility to answer and to be accountable to what is going on.”

On Mugabe
Napier criticised Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe for staying for too long in power. He said although he is democratically elected, it is worrisome when a president changes the constitution for his own purpose – he has lost the idea of being the servant of his nation. “When I look back at Mugabe’s history at one time I would have said, apart from the time of the Matabeleland Massacre, the Fifth Brigade if you take out that for 15 years Mugabe led his country very well. But then came that point when he started fiddling with the constitution, from there Zimbabwe started going on a downward trend.”

On mushrooming of charismatic churches
“I think they come under the umbrella of promoting the kingdom of Lord Jesus, but in many ways they do not know what the kingdom of Jesus is. For instance, their whole emphasis on wealth and prosperity really cuts across what we understand as Jesus’ kingdom”

It has been four years since Debswana Diamond company financed a project to build a shelter for Barolong Tribal Administration in Goodhope but to date no structure is in place, Botswana Guardian can reveal.

The Barolong Tribal Administration which had approached the diamond company in 2012 seeking funding to upgrade the existing infrastructure in Goodhope Main Kgotla, later went back to Debswana for more but was rejected. Some close sources allege that authorities have misappropriated the money hence the failure of the project to take off.  In an inquiry by this publication on the matter, Debswana’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Matshidiso Kamona confirmed that indeed in 2012, Debswana received a proposal from Barolong Tribal Administration to upgrade the existing infrastructure at the Main Kgotla. Debswana disclosed that the cost of the proposal was P400 000 which was approved and the funds remitted to the Tribal Administration.

Two years later, in February 2014, Debswana received yet another letter from the Barolong tribal administration office indicating a delay in the project due to their inability to fundraise for the project from Barolong across Botswana as they had hoped. Kamona’s response to the inquiry explains that, “The letter was requesting for an additional P1 million, which request Debswana declined due to unavailability of resources. The feedback we are getting from the beneficiary is that the project has not started yet because of insufficient funds. However, they have embarked on efforts to escalate fundraising efforts in cities and towns.”

Debswana has been making follow-ups on the project and has been assured that the Barolong Tribal Administration is still committed to the project and is still hoping to raise funds for it. “We have also been assured that our funds are secure,” she said, adding that the diamond company is in constant engagement with the project steering committee from the beneficiary’s side to encourage them to kick-start the project with the available funds.

Botswana Guardian established that, the project was to have started in 2013 subject to contributions from Barolong across Botswana and financial contributions from other potential funders. Some of the members of the project steering committee are Kgosi Motshegare (Ex-officio member), Mr Dithuso Phetlhu, Ms Bosilong (Good Hope Branch Chairman), Dr Patrick Molutsi (Gaborone Branch Chairman), Dr Mothusi, Mr Motang, Dr Ntseane, Ms Beauty Selabe and Mr Duncan Marumolwa.

Botswana Guardian visited Goodhope to engage Kgosi Botiki Motshegare on the matter. Kgosi Motshegare rubbished claims that the money has been misappropriated, “Ga re a ja madi….the money is still in the bank account and is still far from reaching what we want. I will not disclose the name of the bank. It has not been spent like what people allege.” He said the reason they went back to Debswana was to ask for more money. He conceded that they had underestimated the total cost of the project when they embarked on it. “However, we have since decided that we will refurbish the existing structure with the budget (P400 000.00) that we currently have. Our current structure has a capacity of 200 and we are looking to extend to at least 300-400 people,” Kgosi Motshegare said.

He said they had benchmarked from other main kgotlas such as the Batlokwa Tribal Admin and the Ngwaketse Tribal Admin, which motivated them to work on similar structures. At the time of this interview in July, Kgosi Motshegare said that they were shopping for quotations and remained hopeful that the project would be completed before end of the year 2016.

Botswana Guardian has learnt that, the structure for the Ngwaketse Tribal Administration in Kanye cost around P1.4million covering roofing, public address system, refurbishment of heritage house, conference room and new ablution block. The project is also a beneficiary of Debswana. Meanwhile, when asked on other projects funded by the company that could have proved unsuccessful at the end, Kamona said, “we are not in a position to share information on partnerships we have with our beneficiaries whose projects are still pending.” She however indicated that they continuously work with their beneficiaries to ensure that projects funded by Debswana are concluded and are of benefit to the communities.

The activities and operations of the disciplinary committee of the Law Society of Botswana (LSB) have been suspended indefinitely pending determination by either the Court of Appeal or Parliament.

The action follows judgement in the case between the LSB and Tebogo Sebego that was delivered on 11th July 2016. The effect of the judgement was to declare unlawful the procedure that the Disciplinary Committee has appointed in considering complaints brought before it against legal practitioners.

Therefore, the law society has resolved to appeal the judgement in its entirety. This according to a press release from LSB. It is stipulated that ‘until the Court of Appeal delivers a contrary Judgement, then the High Court judgement remains law and is therefore binding’.  Furthermore, it is stated that amongst various findings in the High Court Judgement is one whose effect is that Sections 50 and 51 of the Legal Practitioners Act are unlawful.

In that regard, the effect of this finding is that there is now no disciplinary process in place until the Court of Appeal finds that the Sections are valid or Parliament amends the Act, states the media release. Hence the Disciplinary Committee and Council of the Law Society have both resolved to suspend all consideration of complaints until the Court of Appeal has determined the matter and or Legal Practitioner’s Act is amended.

Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) Chief Executive Officer Verily Molatedi says Botswana still needs to import skills of chartered accountants. BICA, a professional body of accountants that came into being in 2010 under the Accountants Act of 2010, currently has a total of 1119 registered chartered accountants. Out of this number, 448 are citizens and the rest expatriates. Molatedi observed that “as a country we still need to import the skills of chartered accountants because citizen numbers are still low.”
To date, Whitney Kalaote is the first-ever BICA graduate in December 2015.

Molatedi however indicates that, “we are looking to having more graduates in 2016 as well because the number of students have progressed to the advanced level of the qualification.” BICA aims to become the leading voice for the profession in Botswana, as well as providing a platform through which it can collaboratively seek solutions to challenges facing the country’s economy as a whole.

Often institutions encounter cases of misconduct by some professionals, such as corruption amongst others. Asked about cases of tampering with books and other corrupt practices in the profession, Molatedi said it depends on what is reported to the institute by the public. “Should a member be brought before us, a highly experienced committee looks at that and appropriate action is taken. We can only take action against accountants who are our members. We do not have the ability to discipline somebody who is not our member,” she explained.

Parliament recently passed the Whistleblowing Act which provides for the manner in which a person may disclose a conduct that is deemed adverse to the public interest to provide for the manner of reporting and investigations of disclosures of impropriety and the protection against victimisation of persons who make disclosures. Asked to comment on the subject by Botswana Guardian, BICA President, Rudi Binedell said whistleblowing is a contentious issue worldwide.

“At BICA we do not have specific policy on whistleblowing, however the ethics of our profession and requirements for confidentiality makes us best placed to protect people. We have structures that allow people to report unethical behaviour.  Whistleblowing works in a few instances and others do not work; for instance, in organisations where people disclose with confidence, where you have a telephone line to receive anonymous calls and this is usually handled by independent audit firms,” explained Binedell Meanwhile, BICA held its two-day biennial conference last week under the theme, ‘leading, building and innovating in turbulent times’. 

Binedell explained that as an institution they want their members to be leaders and assist in building the economy by innovation, hence transforming the economy into the future. “Only if we have proper transparency, accountability we will be able to attract foreign direct investment. Botswana competes with other countries for FDIs. We need to attract that to create jobs,” he emphasised.

The long-awaited tender for the construction of the P85 million all-weather Platjan bridge over the troubled Limpopo River, which joins Botswana and South Africa was awarded last Friday with construction billed to start early October

Botswana Guardian has it on good authority that the final evaluation meetings of the awarding of the tender process started last week Friday. The bridge, originally a long concrete slab supported by railings and mounted on pillars, over the crocodile-infested Limpopo River can no longer carry the heavy trucks that use it. During rainy seasons the bridge becomes dysfunctional as it gets completely submerged in water. In fact, recently the concrete slab was torn out by the pressure of the waters and was only restored thanks to the goodwill of the area business community.Speaking to Botswana Guardian, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Sadique Kebonang confirmed that the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) awarded the tender last Friday. Kebonang said Cabinet had also decided to move the project from the ministry of Transport and Communications to SPEDU which falls under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.

In terms of what is happening with the progress of the construction of the Platjan Bridge, SPEDU has advertised the tender, the ITT is going through the evaluation. “The brief that we have is that by Friday (last week) the board should be deciding on the award having gone through the adjudication process. The budget was originally P100m; it is now P85m. We are hoping that the 11 kilometre gravel road will be done alongside the construction of the Bridge.”In an interview with SPEDU’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Mokubung Mokubung said the contractor awarded the tender would be expected to sign the contract, mobilise to the site and start construction in early October 2016.

This infrastructural development project will have overlapping second phase that involves construction of the 30 kilometre road from the bridge to the village of Mathathane which is a shorter route. In that case we expect tourists that come from Kruger National Park to come straight through the Platjan bridge through Bobirwa constituency to Selibe Phikwe. “SPEDU and Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) are on course to develop the dam based tourism surrounding Thune, Letsibogo and Dikgathong dams,” he said.The bridge is of strategic importance to the Bobirwa area which is rich in both wildlife and tourism sites amongst them being the newly constructed Thune dam- which will partially be used for irrigation purposes, Molema Trust – a wildlife trust composed of the villages of Mothabaneng, Lentswe- le- Moriti and Mathathane. Others are Mathathane Basket Weaving project and two of the country’s top tourism sites – Mashatu Game Reserve and the Thuli Block Belt. Most importantly, once the bridge and road are completed it will allow residents of Bobirwa, Selebi Phikwe and Mmadinare constituency to also participate in tourism ventures.

The bridge was first mooted in 2007 after Botswana and South Africa agreed on the Regional Action Agenda to identify gaps and prioritise projects that can promote regional integration and development such as upgrading bridges and river crossings connecting the neighbouring nations. The two countries then agreed to start with Ramotswa and Platjan bridges. South Africa was allocated construction of the Ramosweu bridge while Botswana got Platjan bridge. Ramotswa bridge is about to complete while Botswana has been dogged by delays allegedly caused by officials of Roads Department.With the ball now thrown on SPEDU’s court, it remains to be seen how it will affect the completion of the bridge and 25 kilometre road between Mathathane and Platjan. The road had been tarred up to Mashatu and Platjan junction about 11 kilometres from the bridge. The Bobonong – Mathathane road which joins Sefophe-Selibe- Phikwe is currently being refurbished.

Botswana will join other African countries at the six Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) to be held in Kenya on 27-28 August. Botswana Investment and Trade Centre chief executive officer Letsebe Sejoe confirmed this in an interview with Botswana Guardian.

TICAD was launched by the Japanese government in 1993. All previous five conferences were held in Japan aimed at planning means to offer infrastructure development based on superlative quality that taps into the country's technology. The conference is planned to feature high-level policy dialogue between Japan and African leaders which will cover issues of economic development and investment, as well as those of trade and sustainable development.

The gathering will also identify common priorities for accelerating sustainable development, including the growing role of the private sector in driving progress on the continent. According to Sejoe, minister of Trade and Industry Vincent Seretse will lead the Botswana delegation, which includes among others, a number of representatives from BITC, representatives from other ministries and Business Botswana – the former Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower.

He said that by coming to Africa, TICAD is showing that the Japanese government wants to play a major role in African economies. Sejoe stated that Botswana and Japan have longstanding relations, explaining that they have engaged a business delegation to come to Botswana. He said attendance will also affirm openness of Botswana to foreign investors. “Our dialogue with Japanese is an ongoing process,” he said.

The event is co-organised by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the Africa Union Commission and the UN Office of the Special Advisor on Africa. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to attend the conference. A sizeable Japanese business delegation will be in attendance with the aim of boosting corporate investment in infrastructural projects in Africa.

More than 6,000 participants are expected at the Nairobi conference to discuss implementation of the recently-adopted Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063 that is focused on a peaceful, integrated and prosperous continent; economic growth, trade and investment; human security, peace and stability. The Nairobi summit kicks off a new arrangement where the high-level meeting will alternate between an African country and Japan every three years.

“One of the core concepts of the TICAD process is ownership of the ideas by African countries,” said deputy chief of mission, Embassy of Japan in Kenya Mikio Mori in a press statement. “Over the years, this ownership has seen us develop great policies. We envision even better outcomes this year,” he added.

At the conclusion of the two-day conference, a declaration on the region's ongoing potential for economic growth and issues of counter-terrorism will be signed. Japan previously pledged $32 billion over five years for infrastructural and human resource development, with the funds available on the principle of ‘Africa ownership’ and international partnership.

Japan has also given some $3.5 billion in official development assistance, which is equivalent to about 25 percent of the $14 billion pledged at similar conference held in Yokohama three years ago.

President of Botswana Movement for Democracy Youth League, Phenyo Segokgo is intending to leave the movement to join Botswana National Front, Botswana Guardian has learnt.Segokgo, who has been a member of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) breakaway party since its formation, has been approached by some BNF councillors within the Tlokweng Constituency.

The councillors are said to have tapped on Segokgo’s unhappiness with the proposed special congress by his party. Sources within the BNF told this publication that the councillors believe this would be beneficial to the BNF, as Segokgo would be pursued to challenge the current area Member of Parliament Same Bathobakae. The councillors believe that BNF under Bathobakae would not be able to retain the constituency due to her inactiveness in the area and in parliament. BNF in the 2014 general election won four wards; BMD four wards while the Botswana Congress Party got one. BNF and BMD are contracting partners for Democratic Change (UDC). Segokgo is believed to be against Advocate Sidney Pilane being admitted back into the BMD but reckons that a Special Congress should not be used as the solution. “This is one of the reasons why he is not active like he used to be these days. The leadership of the BMD has for long been sidelining him. I would not be surprised if he would jump ship. This not so good relationship started long back during the days when the movement was led by the late Gomolemo Motswaledi because he was one of the people who advocated that the BNF should be given the presidency of the UDC,” said a source. His belief was that the BNF has sacrificed so much for the umbrella coalition after the collapse of the Umbrella 1 negotiations.

“Segokgo only managed to mend his relationship with our leader just a few weeks before he passed away”, said a BMD MP who is close to Segokgo. It is also alleged that the youth leader who is also the South East District Council Chairman does not have a good relationship with Party President Ndaba Gaolathe. This is said to have been witnessed through various platforms where Segokgo was never featured in any party activity at which Gaolathe was officiating let alone to show support for the youthful council leader when he was sworn in as council chair. A BNF councillor who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the plan is not to sabotage Bathobakae but to retain the constituency.

Things are said to have worsened when Segokgo’s team won the BMD youth elections last year whose outcome Gaolathe protested. The councillors from the BNF are said to have promised Segokgo their full support should he make up his mind. “Our MP seems to have distanced herself from the electorate. This is one of the constituencies that the Botswana Democratic Party is dying to snatch from us. In our assessment Segokgo is the only candidate we can sell to the electorate because come 2019 BDP would use all it has to win the constituency. We have nothing against comrade Bathobakae it is only that she is not visible enough even at branch level. Segokgo was unopposed even for the council chairmanship, which shows the confidence that we all have in him. Despite the attacks that Batlokwa unleashed on our MP and some councillors, Segokgo managed to save us through some developments in the area”, said the councillor who attended one of the meetings with Segokgo.

Segokgo is said to have agreed in principle with the councillors. Anticipation is that he will defect to BNF after the completion of his term as BMD Youth leader next year April. Contacted for comment, Segokgo laughed off the matter. He said as far as he is concerned his relationship with the past and current BMD leadership is solid. He dismissed claims that he is not active. “Look I have a healthy relationship with party president. We might have not shared a stage due to other commitments, as you know I am a council chairman and member of Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA). I have close ties with BNF councillors and hold meetings either as a collective or individuals because we belong to the same movement being UDC. We share a lot in terms of bringing developments to our constituency. As for Bathobakae I treat her as my political mother and have a good relationship. All I know is that she is capable and could still represent the UDC come 2019”, he said.

Bathobakae could not be reached for comment. In 2014 she got 6442 votes against Olebile Gaborone of BDP’s 3867. Segokgo won Tlokweng’s Sefoke ward by 964 against Tiego Lekoko’s 325 votes. Fears are that with the new approach by BDP to have shadow MPs in opposition held constituencies Tlokweng is on slippery ground. BDP has stationed MP for Tati East Guma Moyo to take care of the constituency.

The BOT50 coordinator Charity Kgotlafela recently expressed grave concern over some local companies that have not met their end of the bargain regarding Golden jubilee celebration tenders they were awarded recently

At a recent press conference in Gaborone, Kgotlafela explained that such companies have not delivered as per the agreement, yet only five weeks are left before September 30th. “We are in possession of awarded tenders amounting to over P5 million of local companies who are failing to deliver most of who were awarded jobs back in May, June and July, “ she said. 

These companies were allegedly urged to pull up their socks to avoid any disappointments towards the major celebrations. Moreover, Kgotlafela explained that Heads of States for SADC, as well as other guests across the globe have been invited for the celebrations.

Nevertheless, Kgotlafela, expressed confidence that all the various celebratory plans towards the Golden Jubilee celebrations are on track. “As BOT 50, we are especially excited that through our various activities including procurement, we have been able to put Botswana first and unearth a substantial number of Batswana from diverse locations across the country to participate in the 50th anniversary Independence Celebrations at the National Stadium in Gaborone,” she said.

She added that they are also pleased with the preparatory progress at Districts across the country. “Thus far, BOT50 organisers have set up committees that will spearhead the celebrations in 16 districts. The Districts Celebrations will therefore commence on September 25 with religious services followed by a gospel concerts in the evening.”

These activities will be followed by various cultural and sports activities including music, comedy, poetry festivals and football tournaments to mention a few Meanwhile, the Roving Torch continues to stimulate the celebration mood among Batswana as it traverses the length and breadth of the country in preparations to the Golden Jubilee celebrations next month.