Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Press Release by Office of the Ombudsman in response to Mmegi newspaper report

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


C6) 17/4/09: Press Release by Office of the Ombudsman in response to Mmegi newspaper report

The Office of the Ombudsman wishes to disassociate itself from the headline and content of a report entitled “Ombudsman Urges Action on Khama”, which appeared in 16th April 2009 edition of the Mmegi newspaper.

Both the headline and content of the said article misleadingly implied that the Ombudsman in his 2006-07 Annual Report had raised concern about Parliament’s silence on previous reports with specific reference to the issue of the piloting of military aircraft by the then Vice President.

In fact, the 2006-07 report makes absolutely no reference to the said issue at all. Neither does it in anyway urge or recommend action on the issue as stated in the Mmegi newspaper article.

The case of the then Vice President’s use of military aircraft was last dealt with in a special report, which was submitted to the National Assembly in terms of Section 8(2) of the Ombudsman Act in April 2002.

We therefore wish to set the record straight that the article in question is misleading as to the actual contents of the 2006/07 Annual Report.

For more information please contact:
The Office of Ombudsman Public Relations Unit.
TEL: 3953322. Fax: 395 3539. Website: www.ombudsman.org.bw/

PSP undertakes Districts Tour to ensure local service delivery

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


C5) 16/4/09: "PSP undertakes Districts Tour to ensure local service delivery"

This week the Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale, began a three week consultative tour of Districts across the country.

The primary purpose of the tour is to ensure effective coordination and implementation of District Development Plans and the efficient use of recurrent expenditures by local authorities during the current (2009-10) financial year.

In an effort to promote closer cooperation between central and local Government stakeholders, on his tour the PSP is being accompanied by the Directors of various departments and agencies concerned with local service delivery, as well as the Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries Local Government and Agriculture, along with Office of the President representatives from the Public Service Reforms Unit (PSRU) and Government Implementation Coordination Office (GICO).

In each of the Districts the PSP’s delegation will be meeting with District Development Committee (DDC) and sub-committee members to facilitate the finalisation and validation of action plans for the financial year to ensure common ownership and commitment.

Within Government there is recognition that in many districts the DDCs have not been fully effective due to insufficient collaboration and coordination by key stakeholders, as well as a failure to follow through with planning commitments and the misallocation of public resources.

In an effort to address such challenges, where necessary, district strategies are being realigned to realise optimal utilisation of required human and material resources through enhanced inter-ministerial collaboration.

Another key component in the overall initiative is the introduction of quality assurance in the form close monitoring of each stage of implementation. GICO has thus been mandated to routinely review progress reports from all Districts.

Responsible authorities in both central and local Government have been further instructed to align their Departmental Operational Boundaries with District Administrative Boundaries.

Local authorities have been also been mandated to carry out urgent clean up and maintenance campaigns through Labour Intensive Public Works.

Ongoing rationalisation of the use of Government vehicles is also being to be monitored by CTO appointed inspectors.

PSP's tour began this week in Mochudi and Molepolole, involving authorities from the Gaborone City Council and Kgatleng, Kweneng and South East Districts Development Committees.

Next week the tour will proceed to Kanye (20-21/4/09), Kang (22-23/4/09) and Ghanzi (24-25/4/09). Further Meetings are scheduled to be convened at Maun (27-28/4/09), Francistown (29-30/4/09) and Palapye (4-5/4/09).

Molale calls on Districts to assure quality service

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


C4) 17/4/09: Molale calls on Districts to assure quality service

The Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale, at a workshop for public servants held this week in Mochudi, called for a change of mindset on the part of District Development Committees (DDC) in the implementation of their annual action plans.

It was observed that the need for such a shift has become all the more urgent in the context of negative trends in the global economy, which meant that Batswana had no choice but to maximise the benefit of available resources.

The workshop was convened as part of the PSP’s ongoing consultative tour of the Districts, whose principal objective is to ensure improved coordination of District Development Plans during the current (2009-10) financial year.

In his remarks, which combined firmness and straight talk with good humour, Mr. Molale cited examples where a lack of commitment and coordination on the part of local authorities had resulted in poor standards of service, as well as a failure to effectively implement public policies and programmes.

He observed that in accordance with long established policy the DDCs were responsible for assuring quality service delivery in their areas.

Examples of poor delivery included instances in which health clinics had been inadequately stocked and maintained. Given that failure to provide medicines and otherwise cater for patients’ needs could be a matter of life and death, he affirmed that there could be no excuse for “sleeping on the job”.

To prevent such occurrences, the PSP noted that supervising officers should make it their business to get out of their offices to inspect the customer care centres falling under them. He noted that all too often individuals only looked into situations after they had reached a crisis point.

Molale also emphasised the need for DDCs to achieve common ownership and on time delivery of projects through the drafting of, and adherence to, targeted project memoranda.

He further informed the gathering that in carrying out its monitoring mandate the Government Implementation and Coordination Office (GICO) would scrutinize their progress reports.

The PSP also called for closer cooperation between central and local Government stakeholders.

On the tour, he is being accompanied by the Directors of the various departments and agencies concerned with local service delivery, as well as the Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries Local Government and Agriculture.
In the interest of greater accountability the PSP informed the audience that Ministries should appoint sectoral coordinators to work under the District Commissioners. He further noted that the DDCs would be streamlined in the interest of greater efficiency.

He also stressed the importance of all departments, without delay, aligning their Operational Boundaries with District Administrative Boundaries.

The PSP expressed dismay at the tendency on the part of Production Development Committees to confine themselves to project appraisal rather than seeing it as their first duty to identify and localise opportunities for economic development. Their key role in ensuring that His Excellency the President’s initiative to source local products was proactively carried out where possible was also noted.

With respect to the role of District Land Use Planning Units, PSP further emphasised the need for a change in attitude, noting that all too often the units had acted as inhibiters rather than facilitators of orderly land use.

The PSP also took the opportunity to remind officials of the need to incorporate the youth their strategies, as well as take on board such additional issues as crime prevention and HIV/AIDS in their planning.

PSP's tour began this week in Mochudi and Molepolole, involving authorities from the Gaborone City Council and Kgatleng, Kweneng and South East District Development Committees.

Next week the tour will proceed to Kanye (20-21/4/09), Kang (22-23/4/09) and Ghanzi (24-25/4/09). Further Meetings are scheduled to be convened at Maun (27-28/4/09), Francistown (29-30/4/09) and Palapye (4-5/4/09).

Seretse attends `Durban II` in Geneva

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline

C3) 20/4/09: Seretse attends "Durban II" in Geneva

The Minister for Defence, Justice and Security, the Hon. Dikgakgamatso Seretse, is in Geneva this week, where he will be heading Botswana's delegation at the United Nations organized "Durban Review Conference" ("Durban II").

The conference, which opens today and is scheduled to close on Friday (24/4/09), has been convened to evaluate progress towards the goals set by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, which was held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001.

According to its organizers the Review Conference will serve as a catalyst to fulfilling the promises of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) agreed at the 2001 World Conference through reinvigorated actions, initiatives and practical solutions. It is anticipated that the Conference will provide an opportunity to assess and accelerate progress on implementation of measures adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism, including assessment of contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR), held in Durban, South Africa, was widely seen as a landmark event in the struggle to improve the lives of millions of human beings around the world who are victims of racial discrimination and intolerance. After much debate, the Conference adopted by consensus the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, which provides a common framework for guiding governments, non-governmental organizations and other institutions in their efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The DDPA encompasses measures to combat racism in various manifestations, including strengthening education, fighting poverty, securing development, improving the remedies and resources available to victims of racism, and bolstering respect for the rule of law and for human rights.

Certain sections of DDPA have, however, been critiqued by a number of western Governments, who have decided against participating in this week's gathering (including Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Poland and the USA)

The decision to convene the Durban Review Conference was made by UN Member States at a General Assembly meeting in 2006 (Resolution A/RES/61/149). The General Assembly requested the UN Human Rights Council to prepare the process and the Human Rights Council therefore constituted a Preparatory Committee of the Conference. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was appointed by the UN Secretary-General to serve as Secretary-General of the Conference and her Office (OHCHR) functions as its Secretariat.

Conference Objectives

In August 2007, the Preparatory Committee of the Conference set forth the following objectives for this week's Durban Review Conference:

• To review progress and assess implementation of the DDPA by all stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, including assessment of contemporary manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, through an inclusive, transparent and collaborative process, and identification of concrete measures and initiatives for combating and eliminating all manifestations of these phenomena;

• To assess the effectiveness of the existing Durban follow-up mechanisms and other relevant UN mechanisms dealing with the issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in order to enhance them;

• To promote the universal ratification and implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and proper consideration of the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;

• To identify and share good practices achieved in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

It has been the view of the Preparatory Committee have asserted that the Review Conference should be limited to a review of the implementation of the DDPA and should not re-open discussion on issues or introduce new issues.

Botswana not donating money to Zimbabwe. Gaolathe - Botswana-Zimbabwe seek `Win-Win Economic Opportunities`

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


C2) 21/4/09: Botswana not donating money to Zimbabwe. Gaolathe - Botswana-Zimbabwe seek “Win-Win Economic Opportunities”

Speaking at a news conference today, the Minister for Finance and Development Planning, the Hon. Baledzi Gaolathe, strongly denied allegations that Government intended to donate public funds to Zimbabwe.

In his remarks the Minister stated that Botswana was instead prepared to facilitate lending by financial institutions, as well as joint ventures by other private and parastatal bodies, in the interest of realizing win-win opportunities that would be for the economic benefit of both countries.

Contrary to some reports, the Minister explained that Government’s role would be focused on encouraging local banks to extend credit facilities to select projects in Zimbabwe by providing “letters of comfort”, that is guarantees of repayment on their loans.

While the total line of credit to be thus guaranteed could be up to 500 million pula, it is not expected that any funds will be drawn from public coffers. It is rather anticipated that all of the loans will be self-liquidating.

The Minister went on to further note that Government was eager to promote projects that will revive and increase cross border trade and investment.

Citing examples of potential economic partnership in such sectors as power generation, steel production, leatherworks, agriculture and pharmaceuticals, he affirmed that collective efforts to kick start Zimbabwe’s economy could also serve as an impetus for Botswana’s own diversification efforts.

The Minister informed the gathering that Botswana had recently sent a high level delegation to Zimbabwe, consisting of private and parastatal representative, as well as Government stakeholders to discuss possible joint ventures with their Zimbabwean counterparts.

The Minister further confirmed that he would be joining others at the forthcoming IMF/World Bank Group Meeting in Washington D.C. in efforts to promote the SADC endorsed Zimbabwe Emergency Economic Recovery Programme, by seeking to persuade major international financial institutions to restructure the country’s existing debt so that it could once qualify for soft loans.

The Minister also revealed that the Washington meeting would provide an opportunity for Botswana to seek concessionary support for financing some of its own budget initiatives in the context of the recent G20 Summit’s decision to significantly re-capitalise IMF support to emerging economies affected by the global credit crisis.

The Minister leaves for Washington D.C. today.

President Kikwete of Tanzania to visit Botswana

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


C1) 17/4/09: President Kikwete of Tanzania to visit Botswana

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania His Excellency, Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete is expected to visit Botswana on the 23rd – 25th April, 2009. President Kikwete will during the visit hold official talks with His Excellency Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana. The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Patrick Balopi and the Leader of Opposition Hon. Otsweletse Moupo will pay courtesy calls on President Kikwete. President Kikwete is also scheduled to officially open the Maun Referral Hospital.

Statement by Hon. Dikgakgamatso M. Seretse, Minister for Defence, Justice and Security, during the High Level Segment of the Durban Review Conference

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


B3) 21/4/09: STATEMENT BY HON. DIKGAKGAMATSO N. SERETSE, MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND SECURITY, DURING THE HIGH LEVEL SEGMENT OF THE DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE, Geneva, Switzerland

[Salutations]…Distinguished delegates:

1. It is a privilege and an honour for me to address this High-Level Segment of the Durban Review Conference.

2. Botswana is pleased to join the nations of the world in reviewing progress regarding the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action. For those of us from Southern Africa who witnessed and lived the experience of institutionalised racism and state sponsored terrorism based on racial discrimination, this Review Conference is a moment for celebration. A celebration of the end of apartheid, a crime against humanity, not only on the soil of Southern Africa but also on the face of our planet.

3. This Review Conference also serves as a reminder, a painful reminder that silence and lack of action in the face of injustice can correctly be interpreted as taking a position. We must ask why it was possible for apartheid to be institutionalized shortly after the defeat of the Nazis and their genocidal ideology of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related influence.

4. It is against this background that in Botswana from the very beginning of our sovereign and independent nation, we established a society that abhors racism in all its forms and manifestations. We are committed to protect and respect human rights in general but also to take measures to promote greater harmony and tolerance.

5. Mr. President, the Durban 2001 World Conference Against Racism represented something that is good and positive about humanity. It marked our common desire to remember and learn from our past mistakes. We emerged out of Durban with a stronger determination – aptly embodied in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) – to address racism, having acknowledged in a consensus voice that racism and all its forms constituted the worst forms of attack on human dignity. Let us therefore continue to build on this achievement so that we can reach the objectives of global humanitarianism and the difficult but important world citizenship which is possible when we are tolerant, just, and kind to one another.

6. This Review Conference is not about vilifying any nation nor civilisation. It would not serve any purpose if the conference is used as a platform for demonising some states or dividing the world into descendants of the oppressed and the oppressors. We must recognise that whatever the circumstances of our history we are meeting here today as elements of humanity with a common destiny. We must be united in the search for solutions and issues that unite us.

7. Mr. President, in undertaking this crucial review of progress and assessment of the implementation of the commitments that we made – as the international community - under the DDPA, it is important to remind ourselves of what we set out to do in 2001.

8. The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action inspired us with the knowledge that as Governments, as nongovernmental organisations, as countries and as peoples, we had reached the crucial time to dedicate our minds, our skills and our resources to the creation of a new world free of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

9. Most importantly, the DDPA made recommendations and practical measures, comprehensive national action plans, policies and programmes. The Programme of Action particularly calls on States to strengthen national human rights institutions; and undertake preventive and concerted action, especially in the fields of education and awareness raising.

10. I must underscore the importance of education in all our efforts. Education is about “providing intellectual and moral training for the mind, for the purpose of leading it out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of a true understanding of all things and the development of each individual personality”.

11. This mammoth task is not the responsibility of States alone. The programme of action also called for the active involvement of non-governmental organizations, the media, the political parties, and the private sector. This is because something as insidious as racism cannot be eradicated through legislative action alone. It requires social change as well.

12. Racism is a global concern, and tackling it should be a universal effort. It is regrettable, however, that there are still palpable signs of a lack of political will and genuine international readiness to translate the lofty ideals and practical recommendations of the DDPA into tangible results. This has also been evident in the build-up to this Review Conference, where differences of opinion on the so-called red-line issues appeared.

13. Botswana believes that it is most appropriate for this Review Conference to reaffirm our unity of purpose and the will to address the root causes of racism in all its forms.

14. A few months ago we met here in Geneva to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Let us therefore be guided by our firm belief in the spirit and letter of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which clearly stipulates that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights…”As a country, Botswana translated this ethos into a practice that is aimed primarily at ensuring a stable and more tolerant democratic society founded on a strong foundation that abhors the menace of racism and any form of discrimination.

15. Mr. President, as a State party to several key international human rights instruments – including the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) - Botswana has continued to cooperate with the relevant treaty bodies and the United Nations human rights system in order to play a more significant role in ensuring that a world free of exclusion and racial discrimination is achieved – at the national regional and international levels.

16. Botswana has also done its best to submit periodic reports to the respective treaty bodies, as well as seeking to meet most of the recommendations to fully align domestic legislation with international standards regarding racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Government of Botswana has, therefore, always made efforts through its legal reform initiatives that have sought to preserve human rights and equality principles that foster multiculturalism.

17. Mr. President, Botswana strongly believes that political commitment to the implementation of the DDPA remains vital. It is imperative to seek to mobilize and maintain political momentum through the established Durban follow-up mechanisms – including the Intergovernmental Working Group, the Group of Independent Eminent Persons, and the Expert Group on People of African Descent.

18. All of us face the challenge of working consistently for positive and meaningful change that can leave behind what has been negative about the past.

19. It is also important that, in pursuit of all efforts to combat racism and all its various manifestations, we carefully examine the role of law at the national, regional and international levels. Botswana reaffirms her commitment to a legal reform process that embraces translating the principles of non-discrimination into binding norms. This entails domestication of relevant international human rights instruments as well as full cooperation with relevant treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review.

20. Mr. President, allow me to conclude by reaffirming Botswana’s commitment to the effective implementation and follow-up of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

21. My delegation acknowledges that consensus on the issues at hand is not easy to achieve. We are pleased that we begin this Conference with a carefully balanced and agreeable draft outcome document, reflecting the compromises by States on most issues that threatened to divide us.

22. We have noted the painful reality of some of us deciding to stay away from this important Conference. Such is an attestation to the fact that we still have problems that require our resoluteness to surmount. It remains a challenge, therefore, for all of us gathered here today, to seek means in the future of drawing on all the stakeholders towards a common vision.

23. Mr. President, we must succeed in ending racism because failure to do so can only imply that humanity is unable or is refusing to come out of its primitive existence of wild animals that fight and tear each other to pieces. All this is attainable if we pull together, recognizing the need for genuine dialogue.

24. Botswana maintains the unwavering belief in the inevitable triumph of good over evil. This Review Conference must have a positive outcome. In working towards a consensual outcome, we need to draw strength from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights … and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood". I thank you for your attention.

Remarks by His Honour the Vice President, Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe, MP at the Bamalete Lutheran Hospital Dinner Dance

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


B2) 17/4/09: REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT, LT. GEN. MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP AT THE BAMALETE LUTHERAN HOSPITAL DINNER DANCE

[Salutations]…Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I am naturally very delighted to join you this evening at this auspicious fundraising occasion. It is indeed an honour to be part of this gathering that brings together people who have a heart of compassion and care for others. There is no better way of showing that one cares than through giving because actions in that regard always speak louder than words.

2. I want to thank all of you present here tonight for having left your other equally important engagements and families to grace this occasion. You will be happy to know that funds raised at tonight’s Dinner Dance would be used to complete the Physiotherapy Hall Project at the Bamalete Lutheran Hospital in Ramotswa.

3. The project is one among the many that the hospital management, staff and Balete community have embarked on to improve health care services not only for residents of Ramotswa but for Botswana as a whole. For instance I am informed that funds raised in a similar event in 2007 were used to construct the orthopaedic centre which provides artificial limbs for disabled patients.

4. As you will all agree physiotherapy is an essential component of the health services. It rehabilitates patients by improving their mobility and quality of life making it easier for their re-integration into society. Undoubtedly, this initiative is a clear demonstration of the commitment of Bamalete Lutheran Hospital towards improving the health status of Batswana.

5. Tonight highlights the spirit of self reliance and selfless compassion that has truly been characteristic of Bamalete Lutheran Hospital over the years. Let me commend the Hospital Advisory Committee, management and staff for the hard work you put into organising this event.

6. Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Bamalete Lutheran Hospital has an illustrious history blended with missionary work and medical care that dates as far back as 1934. It was the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hermannsburg, Germany, which recognised the need for more than just preaching the word of God by establishing of what we know today as the Bamalete Lutheran Hospital. I am informed that it was Sister Emma Pfitzinger, a nurse by profession, who first pioneered the provision of health care in Ramotswa. In subsequent years, Doctors E.U. Schmidt, Ian Kennedy, Goldbach and others were among the dedicated staff that administered good quality health care to our people.

7. It is also heartening to note that in 1960, the Balete community offered three small school buildings to be converted into a provisional hospital. Eventually, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hermannsburg and its sister organisations (the Bread for the World and Christoffel Blinden Mission in Germany) with the support of Botswana Government opened a properly planned and designed hospital in 1969.

8. In recent years though, the Church and funding organisations in Germany have scaled down their operations in this country and let Government of Botswana take over. However their contribution is still significant.

9. Partner organisations such as the African Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP) and the Global Fund have also contributed to the quality of facilities now found at Bamalete Lutheran Hospital. The commitment to these partnerships has seen the facility develop into a modern day District Mission Hospital with 127 (hundred and twenty seven) beds.

10. Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, being one of the oldest hospitals in the country, Bamalete Lutheran Hospital is renowned for its excellence in provision of, especially, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) care. It is for this reason that Batswana travel from the length and breadth of this country to seek the quality care at this facility.

11. I also know that the hospital since its inception offered holistic and comprehensive health care to Batswana in the areas of ENT, maternity, surgical and child care. Currently the hospital offers a wide range of clinical services including but not limited to eye and dental care, physiotherapy, counselling services, and a diabetic clinic.

12. The hospital also has a school of nursing which currently offers training in midwifery studies with an intake of 60 students per year. I am informed that the school has been affiliated to the University of Botswana since February 1997. The school is a model of excellence in educating and training for the health care sector.

13. Bagaetsho, In 1992 the Hospital management and staff came up with the idea of a Hospice at Home Project, again initially funded by the Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Germany. This was in response to the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS and the increasing number of cancer, chronically ill and incurable medical patients. The hospice provides Community Home Based Care (CHBC), counselling services and treatment for HIV/AIDS patients and their families. It has become a community based organization that addresses the physical, psycho- social and spiritual issues that haunt the progressively ill patients. The hospice is supported by the community through the District Multi-Sectoral AIDS Committee, District Authorities, other hospice service providers in the country, such as BONASO and local donors such as Deloitte and Touché. This project is yet another testimony to the commitment of the BLH management, staff and the Balete community to continuously contribute to meeting the health care needs of Batswana.

14. Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me hasten to say that Government is dedicated to making Botswana a centre of excellence in health care provision. That is why we have established the Health Hub which will utilise both existing and planned infrastructure to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the health sector, among others.

15. Bamalete Lutheran Hospital as presently resourced and with more improvements that are anticipated will be a critical component of this hub. It is therefore imperative that the hospital continues to uphold the standard of excellence in provision of healthcare services. And this is the more reason why we should support their excellent initiatives. It is at occasions such as this that the hospital gets to raise awareness about the services it offers while at the same time soliciting support to further improve service delivery. This activity therefore is essentially an appeal to all Batswana, individuals, members of the business community as well as the civil society to support BLH to complete projects otherwise not catered for under the Ministry of Health Development budget. The Hospital will need about P1.5 million to complete the physiotherapy hall project.

16. Director of Ceremonies, let me conclude by challenging all present here tonight, private sector players, civil society organisations and Batswana at large to generously support this project. It is by undertaking projects such as this one that we can move closer to achieving the goals and objectives of Vision 2016 and in this case ‘Health for all by the year 2016’. Though we are currently faced with a mammoth challenge in the global financial and economic crisis, I want to believe it is time to innovatively seize opportunities that present themselves and wisely invest our scarce resources.

17. With this few remarks I wish all of you a very pleasant evening. I thank you for your kind attention.

Speech by H.H the Vice President,Lt.Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe, MP, at the Official opening of the Botswana S.M.M.E Conference and Fair

source: Republic of Botswana (22/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 11 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline


B1) 16/4/09: SPEECH BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT, LT. GEN.  MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE BOTSWANA S.M.M.E CONFERENCE AND FAIR @ GABORONE IINTERANTIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE.

[Salutations]…Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am very pleased to have been invited to officially open this historic Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Conference and Fair. This occasion is important for two main reasons. One of these is that this SMME Conference and Fair provides a platform for the robust exchange of ideas and experiences in the development of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

2. The other reason is that it provides an opportunity for SMMEs from Botswana and the Southern African region to show-case their products and services. This conference and fair is historic because it is the first time in Botswana’s economic development efforts that such a rich, colossal, composite and multi-faceted event of this magnitude has been conceived, designed and hosted with the SMMEs in mind.

3. Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted that LEA has embarked on such a milestone as to host this SMME Conference and Fair, whose theme is; Capacity Building for SMME Promotion Agencies In the SADC Region”. This conference and fair is intended to bring together key SMME development and support institutions within the SADC Region to develop networks of solution-oriented relations, thus building capacity for regional SMME sector development and support.

4. Among the other objectives of this Conference and Fair are:

* To showcase SMME concepts, products and services for marketing and market penetration purposes;

* To recognise and reward achievement among SMMEs;

* To provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss a common theme, share best practices and develop relevant solutions for capacity building.

5. Director of Ceremonies, this Conference and Fair has several components. Firstly, there is the Conference, which will see SMME professionals presenting papers on various issues related to the main theme. Secondly, there will be the Exhibition showcasing SMME products and services mainly from Botswana and others from the Region. Thirdly, there will be the SMME workshops, which are designed to provide information and knowledge that could be of immediate use to SMMEs. All these will take place concurrently.

6. In addition to these three main components, there will be other activities that will enrich the participants’ experiences. I am sure that the participants have been provided with information about these other activities. I am informed for instance that there will be Excursions to the actual premises of the exhibiting enterprises, a Buyer/Seller Forum, as well as other facilities like a Network Lounge to enable participants to optimise networking opportunities. Last but not least, there will be functions including the Welcome Cocktail Function, the SMME Networking Breakfast, as well as the Formal Awards Dinner.

7. Director, of Ceremonies, allow me to commend the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), for this bold, ambitious and timely initiative. I can think of many reasons why this event is timely.

8. The current global financial and economic crisis provides a scenario that forces us to take yet another closer look at small businesses. The crisis has led to economic activity experiencing progressive decline at a global level.

9. It is now common knowledge that developed countries are going through the worst recession in the sixty years since the end of World War II. Consumer spending in these important markets has dramatically declined. Households there have been plagued with the curse of shrinking values of properties as well as decline in the values of their financial investments.

10. Inevitably, Botswana has also suffered due to a decline in demand for its major export commodity, namely diamonds. While the impact on Botswana exports will be broad-based, implications for the diamond sector warrant special mention.

11. For the first time since Botswana started mining diamonds, three mines which closed for the 2008 Christmas holidays had to remain practically shut until this very month of April. Two other mines are to remain shut for the whole of this year. While these are part of austerity measures to save costs, they will however, have devastating consequences on direct and indirect employment and on the SMMEs that depend on servicing the mines and their employees.

12. Director of Ceremonies, other ramifications for Botswana have translated into the Standard and Poor (S&P) credit rating agency revising Botswana’s credit outlook from stable to negative citing as a reason “rapidly deteriorating public finances”. According to the Agency’s February 2009 Report, a decline in gem prices has significantly undermined Botswana’s economic growth prospects and external balances. The same S & P Report continued and I quote: “The outlook revision reflects our view that economic policy challenges for Botswana are rising because of the severe contraction of the country’s key commodity markets, which had spurred many years of strong economic growth, abundant fiscal revenues and asset accumulation”.

13. It is big business that drives the diamond sector in Botswana and indeed globally. It makes sense, therefore, to examine what alternatives exist in the small business sector.

14. Director of ceremonies, it was in the United States where the current global economic woes and financial turmoil first manifested themselves. It is also in that economy, where we can glean interesting lessons provided by the SMMEs. In the United States, small business employs the majority of private sector workers. In a two year period during the 1990s, businesses with five or fewer employees created more than a million net new jobs. In the year 2005, businesses with fewer than 10 employees accounted for 70% of the private sector employees.

15. Small businesses there provide 55% of all innovations, and about fourteen times the number of patents per employee than large patenting companies. Bill Gates started Microsoft at home, as a small business. Stephen Jobs of Macintosh Computer, under the Apple label, also started in a garage. Both men have since gone on to completely transform the business world and human interactions, and are now global icons. I therefore challenge our SMMEs to take inspiration from these live examples of success stories and do their best to turn any hurdles and challenges experienced into opportunities.

16. Director of Ceremonies, Our Government has long declared that the private sector is the engine of economic growth. And we have over the years worked hard to create a conducive environment for business to thrive and create wealth.

17. Some of our major efforts in recent years have been focussed on removing administrative and regulatory bottlenecks that impede performance of the private sector. An outcome of these efforts has been considerable improvement in Botswana’s competiveness ranking in the global arena.

18. This steady progress has been recognised and confirmed by, among others, the 2009 World Bank’s “Doing Business” Report which has ranked Botswana as one of the top ten global business regulations reformers and one of the only three in Africa, the others being Burkina Faso and Senegal.

19. We have learnt to appreciate the critical role that SMMEs can play in our economic development. It is for this reason that my Government established the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) whose mandate is to facilitate and promote entrepreneurship and enterprise development within the entire SMME sector in the country. We will say that LEA is successfully delivering on this pivotal transformation role when the public and all stakeholders, including SMMEs themselves, experience a significant and positive trajectory in the accomplishment of, among others, the following:

• the promotion of citizen entrepreneurship, and development of a competitive SMME community;
• the diversification of the Botswana economy, away from dependence on diamonds;
• the creation of sustainable employment opportunities.

20. Ladies and Gentlemen, to improve on the chances of these and other key result areas in its mandate being delivered, LEA has adopted a niche approach focusing on Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing and Services. In the past two years of its existence, LEA has successfully: assisted more than 6100 enterprises through its various products and service provisions of which 3298 have received training on different business and technical courses; and submitted 435 business plans for funding to the value of P257 million of which 165 have been approved at a value of P63 million whilst 194, valued at P138 million are under consideration.

21. Ladies and Gentlemen, this Conference and Fair could not have been held at a more opportune time. It comes soon after the establishment of the SADC Free Trade Area in August 2008. Tariffs within the bloc have gone down significantly as 85% of the goods will now be traded duty-free. Whilst this presents an opportunity for SMMEs to expand trade and grow internationally, it also poses a challenge as competition is undoubtedly going to increase. It is therefore imperative that our SMMEs receive maximum exposure and capacity building to enhance their chances of being both domestically and internationally competitive.

22. This SMME Conference and Fair is aimed at providing such exposure and capacity building particularly for our domestic SMMEs. I therefore, urge you all to take full advantage of it.

23. Director of ceremonies, let me in conclusion, wish all delegates, exhibitors, speakers and participants in this Conference and Fair, a fruitful and profitable engagement. It is now my distinct honour and privilege to declare the Botswana 2009 SMME Conference and Fair officially opened. PULA! PULA!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Communiqué Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government Lozitha Royal Palace, Kingdom of Swaziland

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


D - EXTRA - 30/3/09: COMMUNIQUÉ EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF SADC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT LOZITHA ROYAL PALACE, KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND:

1. The Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government met in Lozitha Royal Palace, Swaziland on 30 March 2009 to consider the political, economic and security situation in the Region, with special focus on the political situation in Madagascar and the economic recovery of Zimbabwe.

2. The meeting was chaired by His Majesty, King Mswati III, the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

3. The Extraordinary Summit was attended by the following Heads of State and of Government or their authorised representatives:

DRC - H.E. President Joseph Kabila
Lesotho - Right Honourable Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili
Malawi - H.E. President Bingu wa Mutharika
Mauritius - Dr the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister
Mozambique - H.E. President Armando Emilio Guebuza
South Africa - H.E. President Kgalema Motlanthe
Swaziland - His Majesty, King Mswati III
United Republic - H.E. President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
of Tanzania
Zambia - H.E. President Rupiah Bwezani Banda
Zimbabwe - H.E. President Robert G. Mugabe
Angola - Hon. Assunção A. dos Anjos, Minister of External Relations
Botswana - Hon. Phandu T.C. Skelemani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation
Namibia - Honourable Marco M. Hausiku, M.P, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Seychelles - H.E. Noellie Alexander, High Commissioner to South Africa

4. The Extraordinary Summit noted with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Global Political Agreement (GPA) in particular the formation of the National Inclusive Government.

5. The Extraordinary Summit commended the parties involved in the implementation of the GPA on progress made and urged them to stand by the provisions of Agreement and to continue with their commitment to the process in the best interest of the people of Zimbabwe.

6. The Extraordinary Summit noted the Short Term Emergency Recovery Programme (STERP) developed by the Government of Zimbabwe to guide the country’s actions and efforts towards economic and social recovery, estimated at US $10 billion.

7. The Extraordinary Summit urged Member States to support Zimbabwe to implement STERP, in the form of budget support, lines of credit, joint ventures and toll manufacturing.

8. The Extraordinary Summit also urged Member States to inform the Executive Secretary on the respective pledges to support Zimbabwe’s economic recovery programme, within two weeks from the date of the meeting.

9. The Extraordinary Summit further urged the developed countries to lift all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe as these sanctions will undermine the country’s and SADC efforts to normalize the situation in that Member State.

10. The Extraordinary Summit urged the donors, the international financial institutions and the international community in general to support Zimbabwe and provide it with the necessary financial support for its timely economic recovery.

11. The Extraordinary Summit established a Committee comprising SADC Troika of Ministers of Finance namely; South Africa, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as Botswana, Zimbabwe and the Executive Secretary of SADC to coordinate SADC support to Zimbabwe recovery process.

12. The Extraordinary Summit mandated the Coordination Committee to visit major capitals in Europe, Asia and America as well as the major financial institutions to mobilize support for Zimbabwe economic recovery programme.

13. The Extraordinary Summit mandated all SADC Diplomatic Missions to stage a deliberate diplomatic campaign to lift the sanctions against Zimbabwe and mobilize resources to support her economic recovery programme.

14. On the political situation in Madagascar, the Extraordinary Summit condemned in the strongest terms the unconstitutional actions that have led to the illegal ousting of the democratically elected Government of Madagascar and called for an immediate restoration of constitutional order in the country.

15. The Extraordinary Summit decided not to recognize Mr. Rajoelina as President of Madagascar as his appointment did not only violate the Constitution of Madagascar and democratic principles, but also violated the core principles and values of the SADC Treaty, the African Union Constitutive Act and the United Nations Charter.

16. The Extraordinary Summit suspended Madagascar from all Community’s institutions and organs until the return of the Country to constitutional normalcy with immediate effect.

17. The Extraordinary Summit urged the former Mayor of Antananarivo, Mr. Andry Rajoelina to vacate the office of the President as a matter of urgency paving way for unconditional reinstatement of President Ravalomanana.

18. The Extraordinary Summit underscored that, in the event of non-compliance with the above decisions, SADC shall, in collaboration with the African Union and United Nations, consider other options to restore constitutional normalcy.

19. The Extraordinary Summit calls on the International Community not to recognize the appointment of Mr. Rajoelina and put pressure on the de facto authorities in Madagascar to restore the constitutional normalcy in the shortest time possible.

20. The Extraordinary Summit called on all stakeholders to refrain from taking any actions that are unconstitutional and inconsistent with the democratic values of our Region and the continent or lead to further loss of lives, injury or destruction of property.

21. The Extraordinary Summit noted that, in accordance with Article 5 (b) and (c) of the SADC Treaty, SADC shall continue to promote common political values, systems and other shared values which are transmitted through institutions which are democratic, legitimate and effective. SADC will continue to engage all concerned parties in Madagascar with a view to facilitating the efforts to peacefully resolve the current political crisis in the country.

22. The Extraordinary Summit urged SADC to stand united and firm against the illegal removal of the democratically elected Government of Madagascar by the Military and their allies.

23. The Extraordinary Summit supported Mauritius’s offer to host the next Assembly of the African Union in July 2009.

National Disaster Management Office Press Release - Donations and Prayer Service for the People of Okavango affected by Flooding

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C7) 7/4/09: NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICE PRESS RELEASE -DONATIONS AND PRAYER SERVICE BY THE TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, GABORONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKAVANGO AFFECTED BY FLOODING

The people of Okavango region that have been affected by the recent flooding, will at least have something to smile about after the Trinity Congregational Church in Gaborone last night 06/04/09 gave them donations in the form of various food items, clothing and pledged to donate money amounting to P6 000.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with a prayer service for the affected households whose objective was to pray for the improvement of the situation in the area, to help restore hope and dignity to the affected people as well as stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time.

Those who graced the occasion included the Assistant Minister of Works and Transport Frank Ramsden, standing in on behalf of the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Minister of Education and Skills Development Jacob Nkate, Member of Parliament Vistor Moruti, officials of the National Disaster Management Office and members of the business community.

When receiving the donations, Ass Minister Ramsden said the Botswana government appreciated the gesture displayed by Trinity Church, saying this shows we are truly a nation that cares for one another as enshrined in the vision 2016 pillars. Since we are a nation that’s compassionate this shows that we will also achieve our vision 2016 goals according to the Assistant Minister. This also is an education to the rest of the country that even those affected by the flooding this year could next time offer help themselves to those who would be affected by any such disaster.

He also said when such a disaster occurs people including churches assist the government to provide assistance to all those affected, further adding it’s not only our country that experiences such disasters but even other countries suffer from such occurrences. He advised all the communities affected by the floods to read from the bible Matthews Chapter 6, 25 and 26.

Earlier when briefing the congregation about the latest from the flood affected district Acting Director of the National Disaster Management Office Mr Nkosiyabo Moyo indicated that there were more than 70 households currently that have been affected. Affected households have been relocated to higher ground. The floods have not only affected households but also government development projects like the water treatment plants at Mohembo East and Sepopa. He further indicated the NDMO had thus far received some assistance from various organizations and business. He added that this token of appreciation from the Trinity Congregational Church will go a long way in assisting all those families that have been affected

Some of the items that were donated on the night were provided with the kind assistance of various business organizations including Ackerman’s with clothing items and T- shirts Mascom.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Press Statement

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C6) 6/4/09: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Press Statement –

The Government of the Republic of Botswana sent, on Saturday 04 April 2009, a donation of 3,100 blankets, 3,000 X 12.5 kilograms of mealie meal and 102 X 20 litres of cooking oil to Namibia towards flood relief in that country.

This donation was in response to the Government of the Republic of Namibia’s international appeal for humanitarian assistance following the floods that have hit north and north-eastern parts of Namibia since the beginning of 2009.

The donation will be handed over to the Government of Namibia by the High Commissioner for Botswana, H.E. Mr Norman Moleboge. This donation is a token of the friendship, goodwill and solidarity of the Government and people of Botswana with the Government and people of Namibia.

Response to Sunday Standard 29/3/09 article entitled `Khama in sexist style policing – claim`

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C5) 1/4/09: Response to Sunday Standard 29/3/09 article entitled “Khama in sexist style policing – claim”:

With reference to your newspaper's 29/3/09 article entitled “Khama in sexist style policing – claim” this office wishes to observe that, in accordance with the General Orders Governing the Conditions of Service of the Public Service, it has long been the expectation that, while on duty, all public officers should dress in a manner that reflects credit on the Public Service as a whole, by ensuring that they present a respectable, neat and clean appearance.

Up until now this legitimate expectation, which is the hallmark of virtually any professional establishment, has been largely devoid of controversy.

It is in this context that the Director of Public Service Management recently took the initiative of issuing a Circular Savingram to the heads of Government Ministries and Departments once more reminding them of their responsibility to exercise reasonable authority in upholding proper dress in their workplaces, while further providing them with an interpretation of what was expected by the General Orders.

As they appear in the said Savingram, the Director’s guidelines simply state that the following shall not be worn while on duty:

a. Clothing that reveals cleavage, bareback, chest, armpits, stomach and underwear.
b. Torn, dirty, wrinkled or frayed clothing.
c. Casual and gym wear including jeans and shorts.
d. Short and/or tight skirts, pants and dresses.
e. Body hugging clothing.
f. Tops, shirts and t-shorts with offensive words, logos, pictures, cartoons or slogans.
g. Casual and sports shoes.
h. Hats and caps. However, religious and traditional head covers and headgears may be allowed at the discretion of the Permanent Secretary.
i. Colourful hair styles.

As can be seen from the above, in no place does the DPSM Savingram seek to ban women from wearing pants or smart trousers at the workplace, much less suggest that they will lose their jobs for doing so, as was stated in your newspaper’s report.

Further to the above, under the General Orders it is the role of Supervising Officers to exercise reasonable discretion in advising those under them on matters of dress and appearance. Where a Supervising Officer believes that the dress code has been seriously violated he or she may instruct an officer under him or her to return home to dress in a more appropriate manner.

In any cases where officers object to the judgment of their superior on questions of dress or appearance they are entitled to make an appeal to their Permanent Secretary.

Given the above facts, which apply equally to male and female employees, Government takes this opportunity to express its further disappointment at the allegation also appearing in a commercial media report that there is anything remotely sexist in the DPSM Director’s Savingram.

Finally, given that the Savingram was issued by DPSM Director, we question the motive of falsely attributing it to H.E. the President, as alleged by the report’s headline.

Letter to Editor Mmegi by Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Coordinator, BGCIS –Re: Today`s article `Government pays millions in minister’s housing allowances`

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C4) 8/4/09: Letter to Editor Mmegi by Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Coordinator, BGCIS –Re: Today`s article `Government pays millions in minister’s housing allowances`

This is to place on record my dismay at the distortion of my response to questions received from your reporter, as published in today’s (8/4/09) edition of your newspaper. In a front page article (“Government pays millions in minister’s housing allowances”) it is reported that:

“Ramsay revealed that ministers are free to stay outside their ministerial residences as long as it is within a 50 km radius from the city. He said he was aware of only three ministers who stay within Gaborone –Mogoditshane –Tlokweng metro area.”

In response to you reporter's questions about “How many Ministers are not staying in their official Ministerial residences?” and “How many of them are staying outside Gaborone?” my actual, written, answer was as follows:

“Eleven (11) Ministers as well as three (3) Assistant Ministers are currently not staying in their official Ministerial Houses. Others entitled but also not staying in official Ministerial Houses: The Hon. Speaker of the House and Hon. Leader of the Opposition.

“In accordance with existing mandatory guidelines, all Ministers and Assistant Ministers are accommodated within 50 kms of the centre of Gaborone, to our knowledge all but three stay within the Gaborone-Mogoditshane-Tlokweng metro area.”

As can be seen both the meaning of what I actually said and your correspondent attributed to me are clearly quite different.

I trust that your newspaper will set the record straight in this respect.

The same report goes on to imply a connection between overtime payments to ministers' drivers and their accommodation status. In this respect I must express my further disappointment that your correspondent chose to overlook my observations that while the details of such overtime payments was not immediately available any such payments “would be a reflection of the Minister’s overall work schedule.”

Press Notice: April-May Schedule of Public Events involving H.H. the Vice President

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C3) 30/3/09: Press Notice: April-May Schedule of Public Events involving H.H. the Vice President

Please find updated schedule for H.H. the vice President below, including additional event for Friday next week.

1. Thursday 14th – Friday 17th April: H.H the Vice President will address Kgotla meetings in Mahalapye West constituency starting with the Main Kgotla @ 0900 hrs.

2. Thursday 16th April @ 0730 hrs: H.H the Vice President will perform the official opening of the first Botswana SMME Conference and Fair. Venue: GICC, Gaborone

3. Friday 17th April @ 20:00hrs: H.H. the Vice President will be guest speaker at the Bamalete Lutheran Hospice Dinner Dance to be held at the Gaborone Sun. his Honour is the Hospital’s patron.

4. Saturday 18th April @ 14:00 hrs: H.H the Vice President will be Guest of Honour at the launch of Parliamentary & Council Candidates for Mmadinare Constituency. Venue: Maphoka Freedom Square

5. Saturday 18th April @ 1930 hrs: H.H the Vice President will attend the Mmadinare Constituency Fund Raising Dinner. Venue: Phokoje Bush Lodge

6. Wednesday 22nd April @ 1420 hrs: H.H the Vice President will attend and take part in the BDF Medal Award Parade. BDF SSK Barracks, Mogoditshane.

7. Saturday 25th April @ 1400 hrs: H.H the Vice President will be Guest of Honour at the Launch of Parliamentary & Council Candidates for Kanye North. Venue: TBA

8. Saturday 25th April @ 1920 hrs: H.H the Vice President will attend the BDF Mess Night. Venue: SSKB Officers” Mess

9. Saturday 9th May @ 0855 hrs: H.H. the Vice President will attend Botswana Prison Service Day in Mahalapye

10. Saturday 9th May @ 1400 hrs: H.H. the Vice President will be Guest of Honour at the Launch of BDP Parliamentary & Council Candidates for Serowe South. Venue: Manonnye Ward- Ko Matwereng, Serowe.

11. Saturday 16th May @ 1400 hrs: H.H the Vice President will be Guest of Honour at the Launch of BDP Parliamentary & Council candidates for Mahalapye East. Venue: TBA but will be in Mahalapye East Constituency.

12. Saturday 23rd May@ 14:00 hrs: H.H the Vice President will be Guest of Honour at the launch of BDP Parliamentary & Council Candidates for Boteti North. Venue: TBA

13. Sunday 24th May @ 14:00 hrs: H.H the Vice President will be Guest of Honour at the launch of BDP Parliamentary & Council Candidates for Boteti South. Venue: Zamalek Freedom Square, Letlhakane.

14. Thursday 28th May @ 0900 hrs: H.H. the Vice President will attend the National Aids Council Meeting, of which he is the Vice Chairperson.

This week in Parliament

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"



C2) 1/4/09: OP Reponses to Questions in Parliament for 1/4/09

Please find below the full texts of responses made in Parliament today by the by Hon. Dikgakgamatso Seretse on behalf of the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration (A-B) as well in his substantive role as Minister for Defence, Justice and Security (C).

The Hon. Daniel Kwelagobe was unavailable as he is inspecting the ongoing flooding and relief efforts in the Chobe District as the Minister responsible for disaster relief.


C2a) 1/4/09: QUESTION NO. 582 asked by MR. I S MABILETSA, MP - (Kgatleng East):

To ask the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration:-

i) why the services of the former Clerk of National Assembly were terminated without giving him the benefit of serving the normal three months notice as is the practice in the civil service;

ii) why it has been more than two months since he left the service and his replacement is not yet in place; and

iii) whether his termination of service was done in a fair and transparent manner which conforms to the best labour practice.

ANSWER

Mr. Speaker, consistent with our answer to Question No. 411 asked by Hon N. M. Modubule on 2nd March 2009, the former Clerk of the National Assembly was retired, at the discretion of the appointing authority, in accordance with the Public Service Act. The retirement was effected by payment in lieu of notice, which is one of the options available to parties in the employment relationship. The other option, which the appointing authority, at his discretion, elected not to use, is the serving of the notice. Mr Speaker, payment in lieu of notice has been used before and there is nothing irregular about it. All in all therefore, the retirement was done lawfully in terms of the law and practice. Finally, Mr Speaker, the filling of the post of Clerk of the National Assembly is still under consideration. In the meantime, an acting appointment has been made. I thank you, Mr Speaker.


C2b) 1/4/09: QUESTION NO. 555 asked by Maj. Gen M.R. Pheto, MP. – (Kweneng East):

To ask the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration to clarify if it is legal for an aspiring candidate for either council or parliamentary position to print posters and any other paraphernalia, ascribing himself as a Councillor or Member of Parliament of an area as is the case with some of the candidates; if not, is there no provision in the law that could be applied to ensure that people who are neither Members of Parliament nor Councillors do not confuse voters.

ANSWER

Mr. Speaker, Members of Parliament and Councillors are people who have been duly elected to those offices and are currently performing those functions in accordance with applicable laws. People who in preparation for the 2009 general elections have won Primary Elections in their Political Parties are only prospective candidates and will only be recognised as candidates with the Independent Electoral Commission following nominations of candidates in accordance with Section 35(1) of the Electoral Act. Until then, they are only prospective candidates. This status Mr Speaker applies equally to Members of Parliament and Councillors who happen to have won their Party Primary elections. Therefore, Mr Speaker it is improper for prospective candidates (sitting Members of Parliament and Councillors included) to refer to themselves, verbally or in writing, as Members of Parliament or Councillors in relation to the upcoming 2009 General Elections. It is advisable that Political Parties should ensure that their members do not cause confusion in the minds of the electorate, especially as campaigning for the 2009 General Election is yet to start. I thank you, Mr Speaker.


C2c) 1/4/09: Question No. 574 asked by Maj. Gen. M. R. Pheto, MP. - (Kweneng East):

To ask the Minister for Defence, Justice and Security:-

i) whether the selection process of applicants for judges’ posts and their short listing, which His Excellency the President rejected recently following the Judicial Service Commission recommendations, had been properly done;

ii) can he confirm that some of the applicants who were not invited for the interviews were not in fact interviewed, although they had availed themselves in certain instances and at great cost for that matter; and

iii) can he state what he intends doing about this fiasco so that the Judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission maintains their impeccable standing in this great Republic.

ANSWER

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure this honourable house that the selection process of applicants to the recently advertised posts of judge’s and their short listing was properly done. The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) advertised two (2) posts of judges and received thirteen (13) applications in response to the adverts. Because of the large number of applications received the Commission had to meet prior to the interviews and decide the best way of handling them and this included looking at a number of issues such as qualifications, suitability, experience and other relevant matters.

Mr. Speaker I also wish to confirm that some of the applicants who were not invited for interviews were not in fact interviewed because the JSC could only interview the invited interviewees.

Mr. Speaker, because of the thoroughness with which the Commission handled the applications, I can not agree that there was any fiasco that requires any intervention with the operations of the Judicial Service Commission. I wish to remind this house that the Judicial Service Commission is an Independent body under the Constitution and has power to regulate its own procedures. I am therefore satisfied that the procedure for openly calling for applications and interviews by the Commission is in itself a fair and recognized procedure. The record of this Commission is impeccable and in my view it has served this Republic competently and it continues to do so. I therefore have confidence that it will continue rendering that excellent service to the Nation. I thank you Mr. Speaker.

Press Release issued by the Secretary to Cabinet and Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"


C1) 3/4/09: Please find below the following Press Release, which has been issued by the Secretary to Cabinet and Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale:


His Excellency the President has appointed Honourable Margaret N. Nasha Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, as a result of his decision not to continue with Honourable Daniel K. Kwelagobe as Cabinet Minister, in accordance with Section 43(c) of the Constitution.

Honourable Ambrose B. Masalila has therefore been appointed Minister of Local Government to replace Honourable Nasha.

Honourable Oreeditse S. Molebatsi has been appointed Assistant Minister of Local Government, while Honourable Keletso J. Rakhudu has been appointed Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning.

These appointments will come into effect on Monday 6th April, 2009.

(signed) Eric M. Molale
SECRETARY TO CABINET AND PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT

H.H Lt.Gen.Mompati S.Merafhe,MP,Vice President of the Rep.of Botswana and MP for Mahalapye West on the Hand Over of a House donated by Tidima V.D.C.

source: Republic of Botswana (8/4/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2009
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline"



4/4/09: REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR LT. GEN. MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MAHALAPYE WEST ON THE OCCASION OF THE HAND OVER OF A HOUSE DONATED BY TIDIMA V.D.C. TO MR. MATHE MOKUNGA.


[Salutations]…Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am delighted to join you this morning to witness the handing over of the keys of this beautiful and uplifting gift of a house to Mr. Mathe Mokunga- affectionately referred to as Rakgopa.

2. One of the principles that underpin the foundation of this nation is self-reliance. Botho is yet another founding principle that defines our character as the good natured people of Botswana. Self-reliance and Botho call on us as communities and individuals to invoke our humanity and compassion to do things for ourselves and for our fellow citizens who are disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.

3. I am glad that I am here today to bear witness to this traditional Tswana compassion, generosity and love. I have no doubt that all of us would like to see this spirit radiating across the length and breadth of this country.

4. Ladies and Gentlemen, Tidima VDC which initiated this project and worked hard to deliver it in a period of only one month needs to be commended for this noble act of Botho. I am hopeful that others elsewhere are not just watching with envy but are equally keen to emulate this noble effort. Giving a needy person protective shelter in the form of a house is one of the greatest deeds of kindness. It is a big step in aiding efforts to address poverty in this country.

5. Anybody associated with such initiatives must know that these acts of kindness and generosity rhyme with God’s desire for the human race. Indeed those who summon the spirit of goodness in themselves to give to the needy will find peace and eternal happiness in the knowledge that “Blessed Is the Hand That Gives.”

6. Bagaetsho, This donation and many others that Batswana communities are initiating in other parts of this country are indicative of the fact that our people are now taking responsibility to reverse the culture of dependency on Government by doing things themselves. As you all know, much as Government is committed to the welfare of Batswana, the resources at our disposal are limited. This is even more so at this time of the global economic and financial crisis that has also affected Botswana. It is therefore important for all of us, whenever we can, to support Government’s efforts by mobilizing our communities to engage in self-reliance projects to improve the welfare of those in need.

7. There cannot be Dignity when people are subjected to abject poverty. Vision 2016 implores us to be a “Compassionate and Caring Nation.” This is something that we must continue to take seriously.

8. As your Member of Parliament for Mahalapye West, I am proud that my constituents are heeding the message of Care and Compassion in our Vision 2016. I am saying so because this donation we are witnessing today follows on other similar initiatives in 2008, some of which involved the active participation of the business community. For example, in 2008 alone here in Mahalapye, Broadway Motors donated 98 blankets to the needy, Choppies Stores gave Christmas confectionaries to 200 orphaned children while Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BHIL) Trust Fund donated a minibus to the Central Association for the Blind and Disabled.

9. Let me in this connection take this opportunity to thank the business community for doing their best to respond to the call of Vision 2016 by giving to the needy here in Mahalapye and in other parts of this country. I have said before that there can never be enough of ceremonies such at this one at which we recognize the champions of these acts of compassion and generosity.

10. I am prepared to support you in whatever way possible, including finding time whenever my schedule permits, to be with you when more such acts are unveiled. These acts of giving can boost our national efforts to fight poverty and stigma, and make the needy citizens live a life of hope, promise and most importantly find Dignity.

11. Let me congratulate Rre Mathe Mokunga for having been selected to receive the house being donated today. I urge him and hope that he will look after this property because he is lucky to have been selected from among many other equally deserving citizens.

12. My very special gratitude goes to TIDIMA VDC and their partners in the initiation and implementation of this project, namely the Department of Social and Community Development, G & B Builders, and individuals such as Mrs Nono Wenoemang for their different contributions in the construction of this house. Le ka moso bagaetsho!

13. It is now my pleasure, on behalf of the Tidima VDC and all those involved in the success of this project, to hand over the keys of this house at Madiba 14 Ward to Mr. Mathe Mokunga.

14. I thank you all for joining us this morning to make a difference in the life of this Mahalapye resident. Pula!