Thursday, July 8, 2010

Remarks by H.E.Lt.Gen.Seretse Khama I.Khama,President of the Republic of Botswana, at a State Banquet on the Occasion of his official Visit to Zambia

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B1) 3/7/10: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT A STATE BANQUET ON THE OCCASION OF HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO ZAMBIA

Your Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia;
Your Worship the Mayor of the City of Ndola;
Cabinet Ministers here present;
Your Excellencies, Heads of the Diplomatic Mission and International Organisations;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Let me begin by saying how delighted, as well as honoured, I am to have been invited to come here to officially open the 46th Zambian International Trade Fair.

2. Your invitation, Mr. President, is an expression of the bonds of friendship that have long characterized the relationship between our two countries. Ours is truly an enduring friendship based on mutual respect, shared values and a common commitment to progress through good neighbourliness.

3. It is also a legacy of past struggles emanating from our common desire to secure a better future not only for our own citizens, but also the peoples of Southern Africa as a whole.

4. The critical role played by Zambia in ensuring the ultimate success of this region’s collective struggle for democracy and human dignity has now become a global legacy.

5. In this respect, I wish to pay further tribute to Zambia’s continuing role as a voice of reason and an anchor of stability within SADC. This is reflected in the economic growth your country has continued to enjoy, despite having been adversely affected by the recent global economic downturn.

6. Coming back to our bilateral relationship, I am pleased to note that the relative success of your economy has been our mutual opportunity, as it has been accompanied by modest, but measurable, growth in the trade and investment flows between our countries. This trend will hopefully gain further momentum.

7. Here it would be remiss of me, Your Excellency, if I did not commend you and your Government for the prudent manner in which you have been managing your economy, while building upon past reform initiatives.

8. I am also pleased to observe that we continue to derive mutual benefit from the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation and the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, which together exist in order to broaden and deepen the scope of our cooperation and resolve any obstacles that may stand in our way.

9. Over the years, these instruments have served us well, by strengthening our economic and political ties, while ensuring the safety and security of our peoples.

10. In this context, I am informed that our Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation is scheduled to meet in the near future to review ongoing progress and consider pending agreements between us.

11. I particularly look forward to any further progress we can make towards facilitating the construction of the Kazungula Bridge across the Zambezi, which would certainly open up vast opportunities for both our countries by facilitating the movement of people, goods and services.

12. Your Excellency, it would also be remiss of me if I failed to appreciate the fact that Botswana hosts a sizeable number of Zambians, who continue to make a significant contribution to our economic development. The presence of these brothers and sisters is most welcome; when you do not find them here you must know that they are at home among relatives.

13. Before I conclude my remarks, I wish to observe that our region is still experiencing a number of political challenges, which I strongly believe can be overcome through collective efforts aimed at maintaining integrity of our regional organisation. We should thus remain firmly committed to upholding its democratic and consultative principles.

14. You and I must never rest until every single country in our region and on the continent has embraced democratic principles that lead to good governance. We must never let them forget that the role of leaders and Governments is to serve the people who have expectations of us to deliver constantly improving standards of living. As long as we are ever mindful that our mandate is our responsibility to the welfare of all our citizens, the examples we have seen on this continent of self seeking politicians, driven by power, who fuel corruption and oppress their opponents and mismanage their economies will cease.

15. With these few remarks, may I now kindly request you to join me in drinking a toast to:

* the personal good health of His Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia,
* enhanced bilateral cooperation between Botswana and Zambia, and
* to international peace and security

To the President, I thank you!

H.E.Lt.Gen.S.Khama I.Khama,President of the Rep. of Botswana, delivered on the Occasion of the official Opening of the Zambia International Trade Fair

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B2) 3/7/10: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY LIEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ZAMBIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR AT NDOLA, ZAMBIA:

Your Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Banda, President of the Republic of Zambia; Your Worship the Mayor of the City of Ndola;
Cabinet Ministers here present;
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organisations;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Let me begin by thanking the organisers of the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair for inviting me to officially open this impressive event. It is truly an honour and privilege to be here among you today.

2. Let me further take this opportunity to commend all of the exhibitors, as well as the organizers, for the overall quality of your displays. From what I have been able to observe so far, I am certain that this Fair shall prove to be a great success.

3. I am also especially grateful that my visit here, though short, provides me, on half of the Government and people of Botswana, with a timely opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the close bonds of friendship and cooperation which have long bound our sister Republics together.

4. Over the decades our two nations have enjoyed a special relationship that can be traced back at least as far as the initial contacts that took place between my father and the Former President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, in the period immediately before each of our nation’s independence. These early meetings laid a foundation for broader regional as well as bilateral cooperation that have stood the test of time.

5. Since then our countries have remained united not only by such personal contacts but, perhaps more importantly, by our shared ideals and challenges.

6. Given this enduring legacy, I am most grateful by the warm reception that has been accorded both to me and to members of my delegation since our arrival in Ndola.

7. One of the shared challenges our two countries have had to overcome in recent months is the difficult task of managing our economies in the face of the global economic downturn, which has had a particularly damaging impact on international commodity prices.

8. Your Excellency, in this respect it would be remiss of me not to pay personal tribute to the prudent manner in which you and your administration have managed to steer your economy through these troubled times. Zambia’s impressive growth rate of 6.3% last year, is evidence of your capable stewardship.

9. Ladies and Gentlemen, I note that the theme of this Trade Fair is: “Economic Recovery through Innovation and Competitiveness”. This is most appropriate as your country, like my own, is struggling in the face of the ongoing crisis to further restructure its economy in order to more effectively capitalise on now emerging global economic opportunities.

10. Each of our countries further shares the common challenge of accelerating economic diversification in order to lessen our longstanding dependence on the mineral sector.

11. In this respect, I note that both of our economies are finding renewed opportunities in agriculture sectors.

12. In the case of my own country the crisis has been accompanied by an unprecedented expansion in both total hectares planted and final yields. This, I wish to emphasise before this distinguished audience, has created additional opportunities for external trade and investment, between us.

13. It is my understanding that here in Zambia, as in Botswana, it is now widely accepted that achieving economic recovery through innovation and competitiveness will further require an ever increasing contribution from the private sector as an engine for ensuring sustainable growth.

14. We all, furthermore, recognise that our countries can no longer afford to put our eggs in one basket. Sustained growth, through which we can also achieve sustained reductions in poverty, will require contributions from small, medium and large enterprises alike. In this respect, it is comforting to see just such a diversity well represented at this event.

15. This Fair’s theme further underscores the need for our two countries to increasingly engage in systemic initiatives to improve the quality of the goods and services that we produce so that they become competitive in the international market.

16. International Trade Fairs such as this can play a critical role, as they not only afford companies an occasion to showcase their products, but also provide an opportunity for enterprises to benchmark with one another in order to improve their product quality and range.

17. In addition, well organised Trade Fairs can boost intra regional trade and investment.

18. Before coming here I was able to review the bilateral trade figures between our two countries. I am pleased to be able to report that, notwithstanding the financial crisis, these statistics show a remarkable improvement in the trade flows between us over the last five years, as Batswana and Zambians alike have begun to take advantage of the market access opportunities as availed through the SADC Trade Protocol.

19. I am also reassured by the fact that the content of our trade also reflects an increasing diversity of goods. There are, however, still many opportunities for further growth in sectors such as manufactured goods and Agro products that we can encourage and nurture for our mutual benefit.

20. Your Excellency, we shall not be able achieve our shared vision of greater regional economic integration if we fail to improve our communication links.

21. Whilst I must commend the efforts of our two Governments, along with international partners spearheading the planned construction of Kazungula Bridge, I would like to also urge that we do everything in our power to ensure that this important project becomes fully operational as soon as possible.

22. The anticipated launch of a direct air link between Gaborone and Lusaka this coming August 2010 should also facilitate the swift movement of people, goods and services in a cost-effective manner.

23. Finally let me conclude by once more emphasising the need for all of us to work together in promoting democracy and maintaining political stability in the region, as this quality creates a conducive environment for trade and investment.

24. Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, with these few remarks, it is indeed my humble pleasure to declare the 46th Zambia International Trade Fair officially open. I thank you.

Remarks by H.E. the President at the opening of today's consultative meeting between Cabinet and members of the Kweneng District Council

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

B3) 29/6/10: Remarks by H.E. the President at the opening of today's consultative meeting between Cabinet and members of the Kweneng District Council

[Salutations]

1. Let me thank you so much, Council Chairman, for welcoming us to your Council this morning.
2. I have decided to bring Cabinet Ministers here so that they can interact with their local political counterparts with a view to sharing ideas on the development of our country. This is our third interactive meeting. The first and second meetings have so far been held with Francistown and Gaborone Councils. This arrangement is the first of its kind where Cabinet is having interaction with Councillors.

3. It is a special meeting aimed at promoting good governance and indeed consulting on policy issues for the development of our country and your district.

4. I believe this kind of interaction is necessary because development demands continuous consultation between Central Government and Local Government bodies as institutions closer to the people. This country requires our concerted efforts which should be blended and complimented between the central and local government. Our role as central government is to develop policies and strategic interventions in consultation with yourselves with the expectation that you will in turn deliver services to Batswana. We are however cognisant of the fact that certain policy and strategic interventions can and indeed should be initiated from the local level.

5. Let me remind you that a fundamental premise of planning in Botswana is that it should be based on a participatory system. That is why you, at the local level, have prepared District Development Plan 7 which has informed the National Development Plan 10.

6. If this system is to be truly enhanced and nurtured, then a dialogue must be established between policy makers, development authorities, and communities. This is even more important during this period of recession where there are more demands than the available financial resources.

7. You will all be aware by now that Government revenues have continued to reduce; and this means as of now we can only continue to implement a very limited number of ongoing development projects and carry out recurrent activities. This constrained economic situation dictates that Government as a whole, including Local Authorities, should be prudent in financial management and also be proactive and creative in engaging their communities to assume greater responsibility for planning and development of their localities.

8. Having said that, let me make reference to some general issues with respect to local authorities which I expect you to seriously debate, and that is an increasing dependence on central government for financing development programmes and a relatively low standard of financial management in some local authorities.

9. The other question is whether we are doing enough to put in place economic strategies based on the appropriate policies for growing economic developmental activities in our districts. It requires no special stating that local authorities must pay greater attention to stimulating the economic growth of their areas of jurisdiction.

10. Some of you will recall that over the years, we have put in place rural development policies that were aimed at revamping the economic and social development of our rural areas. The key focus was employment and poverty reduction. This is still a challenge to us and Kweneng District is not an exception. I need to point out that poverty eradication has been identified as one of the priority areas by my government.

11. This is critical if we are to make any impact in the upliftment of the living standards of Batswana. The overall objective is to assist vulnerable groups like the destitute to graduate to sustainable livelihoods. As a government body closer to the people, you need to explore various ways through which these people can be assisted and engage other stakeholders like the private sector to assist them engage in income generating activities.

12. For us to achieve this, communities must be mobilized and encouraged to fully participate in growing the economy. One of my government’s new initiatives is to reduce import of goods and services and instead procure such locally. It is in this spirit that we as government expect you to support the Small, Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in your district by procuring their goods and services. Empowering locals will certainly enhance self reliance and reduce dependence on government handouts.

13. The unprecedented growth of Gaborone has had negative effects in peri-urban villages of Mogoditshane, Gabane, Kumakwane, Metsimotlhabe and Molepolole. The settlement development patterns of these villages have changed drastically as a result of the growth of the City and this has brought other challenges related to orderly development of the villages, pressure for social services, crime and other social ills.

14. These challenges are not easy to address, but they require you as a local authority to explore means and ways of addressing them, both in the short and medium term with the limited resources at your disposal. Coordination and integrated approach to these challenges will be critical if you are to make the required impact.

15. As Kweneng District Council, you cannot address development challenges in isolation because some of them cut across the region to your neighbouring districts. Therefore the need to forge strategic partnerships with nearby districts to mobilize resources for development cannot be over-emphasized. You need to adopt a regional approach to planning to avoid duplication of efforts, reduce costs and promote efficiency.

16. Allow me Mr Chairman to share with you my concern over political developments I find most disturbing. This is the third meeting where I have brought Cabinet to Councillors. My reason for doing this cannot be overemphasized as I am fully committed to consulting all decision making arms of government in the implementation of my mandate.

17. We have seen opposition Councillors walk out of one meeting. These Councillors, like all Batswana, have rights that they can exercise at will. They are neither forced to attend meetings that are not relevant to their function nor are they barred by any law to be members of any party.

18. Cabinet holds these briefs with Council just as it does with the all party caucus at Parliament. We are a government that knows that the development of Batswana requires the participation of elected representatives and not just those in the BDP. When Councillors allow petty party politics to begin to interfere with and misdirect their responsibility to represent voters and to discuss and deliver developments, we clearly must be concerned as citizens of this country, about the seriousness of such elected representatives to look after their constituents’ interests.

19. All elected representatives are expected to report to their wards about developments and I do not see how anyone can report fully and truthfully if they have denied themselves the opportunity to interrogate those charged with the mandate to deliver, by failing to attend such meetings as this one.

20. Let me conclude by stating that we should essentially collaborate and discuss governance issues. This is the thrust of our meeting here today. I do appreciate that you may be having several issues that you wish to raise with Cabinet Ministers, who shall respond to them and where they do not have responses they shall revert accordingly in due course. I thank you.

President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique to Visit Botswana on a Two Day Official Visit

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C1) 2/7/10: President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique to Visit Botswana on a Two Day Official Visit

His Excellency, President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique, will pay an official visit to Botswana from 5 – 6 July 2010 at the invitation of His Excellency, President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

While in Botswana, President Guebuza will officially open Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse on 6 July 2010. He is also expected to visit the Samora Machel Memorial Museum, still in Lobatse. President Guebuza will thereafter visit Jwaneng mine where he will undertake a guided tour of the mine facilities.

From Jwaneng His Excellency the President, Armando Emilio Guebuza will thereafter return home to Mozambique.

President Khama visits Zambia

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C2) 2/7/10: President Khama visits Zambia

His Excellency the President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, will pay an official visit to Zambia on Saturday 3rd July 2010 to officiate at the opening of the 46th Edition of the Zambia International Trade Fair at the invitation of the President of Zambia, His Excellency Rupiah Bwezani Banda.

His Excellency the President, Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, who will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Honourable Phandu T.C. Skelemani is expected back in Botswana in the morning of 4th July 2010.

Tardy Mmegi tell a big one (To Mmegi Editor)

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C3) 4/7/10: Tardy Mmegi tell a big one (To Mmegi Editor):

This Office notes with disbelief the patently false claims published in the 2/7/10 edition of your newspaper in the article deceptively headlined “How journalists ‘infiltrated’ Khama’s meeting”.

Contrary to what is alleged and otherwise insinuated in the aforementioned article, no attempt was made to bar private media from covering the opening of last Tuesday’s joint meeting between members of Cabinet and the Kweneng District Council.

It is a simple fact that members of the private as well as public press were thus able cover the opening remarks by H.E. the President and the Council Chairperson, along with such other activities as took place prior to the Council passing a motion to go into Committee, that is into closed session; where upon non-members such as officials and visitors, as well as member of the public and private press alike, were all excused.

We further note that the above process was fully anticipated in Media Advisories that had been circulated prior to the meeting by this Office, which also disassociated this Office from reports appearing in your own newspaper suggesting that the public service media would be given special access denied the private press.

We are further informed that the truth of the matter is that your reporters came late to the Molepolele meeting. Thus by the time they arrived they apparently found the opening session, which was being covered by their private as well as public sector colleagues, underway.

It is truly outrageous that your correspondent should then seemingly seek to cover-up his own tardiness by deliberately misleading your readers into once more believing that he along with other private media were deliberately barred access to the meeting, while the so-called state media were allowed in through a vetting process.

Had the Mmegi crew been able to arrive at the Molepolole Council Chambers on time they would have undoubtedly also found nothing amiss in the fact that the hard copy of His Excellency’s opening remarks that was availed to them as a courtesy had two excised paragraphs, as they would have realised that the text they received was consistent with what had already been delivered in front of their more punctual peers.

In this respect, this Office further finds the article “Khama’s cut speech raises eyebrows”, which also appeared in the 2/7/10 edition of your newspaper to be truly silly, as well as misleading.

DPSM Repsonse to Issues raised in the Media regarding Establishment of a Bargaining Council in the Public Service

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"

C4) 2/6/10: DPSM REPSONSE TO ISSUES RAISED IN THE MEDIA REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF A BARGAINING COUNCIL IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

In order to set the record straight DPSM finds it necessary to respond to an otherwise provide its own perspective to issues raised in the media (e.g. 30/6/10 Gazette Newspaper article headlined “DPSM, Unions deadlocked over Bargaining Council,”) regarding the establishment of a Bargaining Council in the Public Service.

In the press it has been alleged that DPSM has decided not to recognise the Unions on the basis that they do not represent one third of the employees of the employer.

In response we would like to state that the employer is obliged by Section 46 of the Public Service Act, 2008, to recognise Unions on trade lines, hence at a recent meeting, the DPSM requested the Unions to submit their membership figures for purposes of validation that they still meet “one third of the employees of the employer engaged in the same trade.” This is in view of the fact that there is now only one employer for the whole Public Service and as such the denominator used to ascertain the membership proportions has changed.

The issue of de-recognition can only therefore arise if any of the unions fail to meet the threshold as contemplated in Section 46 of the Public Service Act, 2008.

It is also not true that the issue of deferment/adjournment was for DPSM to obtain a mandate from Government to “enter into any negotiations over the Bargaining Council.” Adjournment was to allow the parties to reflect further on their positions so that the issues on validation of memberships could hopefully be resolved at a meeting to be convened shortly to continue the discussions.

It is DPSM’s view that following such validation, the recognised Unions and the employer could discuss and finalise the draft Bargaining Council Constitution which would then be jointly submitted to Commissioner of Labour with an application for registration of the Council.

Government, contrary to what has been alleged, cannot be said to be holding to the old dispensation when the meeting with the Unions was called to facilitate the establishment of the Bargaining Council in line with the provisions of the law.

DPSM is moreover not aware of any “political interference” in the process of establishing the Bargaining Council.

If it is true, as reported, that the Unions have submitted the draft Constitution to the Commissioner of Labour, then this would in our view be unfortunate and un-procedural, as both parties (the Government, as an Employer and recognised Trade Unions) have to conclude an agreement on the Constitution and jointly submit it for registration to the Commissioner of Labour. This is so because this Council has to be registered as a Joint Industrial Council in terms of Section 36 of the Trade Dispute Act.

We thank you.

H.E. the President's Condolence Message to the family of the Late Prof. Thomas Tlou

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C5) 30/6/10: H.E. the President's Condolence Message to the family of the Late Prof. Thomas Tlou:

Dear Mrs Tlou,

I learnt with great sadness and sorrow of news of the passing away of your husband Professor Thomas Tlou.

With his passing on, our nation has lost one of its distinguished statesman and scholar. Besides being a world renowned academic, Professor Tlou was indeed, one of the pioneers of post colonial African historical studies. He also served this nation in various capacities.

He was the first Motswana Vice Chancellor of our University. His contributions also notably included representing Botswana at the United Nations where he played a crucial role in mobilising consensus on such critical issues as Namibia’s right to independence.

In this hour of sorrow I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the government and people of Botswana and on my own behalf to offer our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

May his soul rest in peace.

[Signed] Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA

Press welcome at Cabinet meeting with Kweneng District Council

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C6) Reproduced from TT 9 of 2010: OP Media Advisories confirming that both the private and public press would be allowed equitable opportunities to cover Cabinet’s meetings with the Gaborone City and Kweneng District Councils.

C6a) 28/6/10: Press welcome at Cabinet meeting with Kweneng District Council.

This Office wishes to once more confirm that, as was the case with respect to last Thursday’s meeting at the Gaborone City Council, members of both the public and private media will be welcome to cover the opening statements at the consultative meeting between Cabinet and the Kweneng District Council, which is scheduled to be held at the Council Chambers in Molepolole tomorrow (Tuesday 29/6/10) morning.

After the opening statements it is further anticipated that the meeting will go into closed session.

Further to the above this Office has received the following statement, which is being aired on Radio Botswana in which Kweneng District Council Secretary, Mr. Mpedi Koontse, further confirms that, contrary to some press reports, both government and private media will be allowed to cover the opening, which will be addressed by H.E. the President.

[START] Statement by Mr. Koontse as reported on Radio Botswana

Kweneng District Council Secretary, Mpedi Koontse says both government and private media will be allowed to cover the opening of the Kweneng council meeting to be addressed by the President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama tomorrow.

Koontse told Radio Botswana news in an interview that contrary to reports that only government media will be allowed, the private press will not be excluded.

There have been reports that the private press was not allowed to cover full council meetings addressed by the president but Mr Koontse said that after further consultations it had now been clarified that all media houses will cover the event.

Last week, Kweneng District Council Chairman Motlhophi Leo, announced at the beginning of the full council meeting that the council will be hosting President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama and his cabinet.

The meeting which the council chairman described as historic will be held tomorrow at Kweneng District Council Chambers.

President Khama has already held such consultative meetings with the Francistown and Gaborone Councils.

C6b) 16/6/10: All Media Welcome at GCC-Cabinet Consultation opening; OP Denies ever issuing instruction to bar media from next week's event

In reaction to 1300 p.m. news item of broadcast on a local radio station today the Deputy Senior Private Secretary to the President & Press Liaison Officer to H.E. the President, Mr. Sipho Madisa, has strongly denied that the Office of the President had ever issued instructions for the private press to be barred from covering the upcoming meeting that will involve Cabinet and Gaborone City Council Councillors, scheduled for 24 June 2010. In a communication to the radio station, Mr. Madisa observed that:

1. No such instruction has been issued to the Gaborone City Council from the Office of the President to the said effect; and

2. In actual fact, both members of the private press as well as public press are hereby invited and encouraged to attend the opening of the meeting which will include opening remarks as well as photo opportunities.

The meeting is expected to start promptly at 0900hrs at the Gaborone City Council Civic Hall.

Profile of Botswana’s First President, Sir Seretse Khama (1921-80)

source: Republic of Botswana (4/7/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 10 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


D. PROFILE OF BOTSWANA’S FIRST PRESIDENT, SIR SERETSE KHAMA (1921-80)

Profile of Sir Seretse Khama, NYB, KBE, LLD, D.LITT, PHD, MP, First President of the Republic of Botswana (30/9/66 -13/7/80)

The late Sir Seretse Khama was the first President of the Republic of Botswana. He inherited an impoverished and internationally obscure state from British rule, and left it as a democratic and increasingly prosperous nation with a significant role in Southern Africa.

Seretse Khama was born on the 1st of July 1921 at Serowe in what was then the Bangwato Tribal Reserve of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. He was the son and heir Sekgoma Khama and Tebogo (nee Kebailele). In 1923 his father succeeded his grandfather as the Kgosi or ruler of the Bangwato. His reign, as Kgosi Sekgoma II was, however, short as he died in 1925. With the death of his mother, in 1930, Seretse remained in the care of his uncle Tshekedi Khama, who ruled the Bangwato as his regent

Seretse received his higher primary and secondary education in South Africa, at two prominent mission schools, Lovedale and Tiger Kloof, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at Fort Hare College. Thereafter he studied law at the University of Witwatersrand and Balloil College, Oxford, before taking up further Barrister Studies at Inner Temple in London.

In June 1947, while in London, Seretse first met Ruth Williams, who was then pursuing a career in the financial sector. Their interracial marriage in September 1948 ultimately threw the British Empire into turmoil. Initially it was uncle, Tshekedi, who ordered Seretse home to demand a divorce. But, after a series of public meetings in Serowe, Seretse was popularly recognised as Kgosi together with his wife. Tshekedi then gave way and went into self-exile.

The proclamation of a black chief with a white wife, in a territory strategically located between South Africa and the Rhodesias, caused outcry among white settler politicians. South Africa had come under the control of white Afrikaner nationalists in 1948. The then Labour Party government in Britain was desperate to secure its economic as well as political ties with the new apartheid regime. It therefore quietly agreed to bar Seretse Khama from chieftainship.

A judicial enquiry was set up to try to prove Seretse's personal unfitness to rule. But, instead it concluded that Seretse was eminently fit to rule. The Commission’s report was therefore suppressed by the British government, while Seretse and his wife were exiled to England.

The persecution of Seretse and Ruth Khama received extensive international press coverage and outrage was expressed by a wide range of people around the world. Eventually, in 1956, the British finally allowed Seretse and Ruth to return to Botswana as private citizens. What the London authorities had not expected was the political acclaim that six years exile had given him back home, where Seretse Khama was acclaimed as a nationalist hero.

From 1957-62 Seretse Khama was involved in the reform of local and territorial Government leading to the establishment of a Legislative Council as key steps towards decolonisation. In 1962 he founded the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP). With its call for reform leading to a non-racial independent republic the BDP was able to draw overwhelming support. It won the first universal franchise elections in March 1965, allowing Seretse Khama became the first prime minister of a self-governing Bechuanaland Protectorate before leading the country to full independence a year later.

At independence Botswana was entirely surrounded by white racist regimes. It was, therefore, widely but falsely assumed that the country had no option but to sell-out to its neighbours, South Africa (including South-West Africa) and Southern Rhodesia.

The new government, moreover, could not cover the costs of administration from taxes, and was continually indebted to Britain. The first task was to lay the groundwork for an export-oriented economy, based on beef processing and copper and diamond mining.

Between 1966 and 1980 Botswana had the fastest growing economy in the world. It also came to be seen a remarkable state with high principles, upholding liberal democracy and non-racialism in the midst of a region embroiled in civil war, racial enmity and corruption. State mineral revenues were invested in infrastructural development, education and health, and in subsidies to cattle production. The result was a great increase in general prosperity, in rural as well as urban areas.

Seretse Khama also used his unique authority to develop local democracy and curtail the powers of traditional chiefs, to develop citizen administrative capacity without over-bureaucratization, and to promote the rule of law in the operations of the state.


As Botswana progressed, Seretse Khama was also able to turn more of his attention to foreign policy, finding key early allies in Presidents Kaunda of Zambia Nyerere of Tanzania. In his final decade he played and increasingly prominent role as a Pan African statesman. He was one of the "Front-Line Presidents" who negotiated the future of Zimbabwe and Namibia. In the face of the terrorist activities of the Smith regime in particular, the Botswana Defence Force was created to guard Botswana’s borders, protecting growing numbers of refugees as well as the citizenry.

During this period Seretse Khama articulated a clear vision of the future of Southern Africa after colonialism and apartheid, as a peaceful, democratic and prosperous region. He was thus the key founder of what has since become the Southern African Development Community.

The rigours of constant travel for international negotiations, leading up to the independence of Zimbabwe, finally exhausted Seretse Khama. But he had the final satisfaction of witnessing both the independence of Zimbabwe in March 1980 and the launching of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference in April, before his death on the 13th July 1980.

Khama is fondly remembered for his intelligence, integrity, and sense of humour. Of his lasting legacy it can said that the perpetual democracy, socio-economic development, political stability and unity that Batswana experience today are what Sir Seretse Khama always stood for.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Opening Remarks by H.E. the President at a joint meeting between Cabinet and the Gaborone City Council

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B1) 24/6/10: Opening Remarks by H.E. the President at a joint meeting between Cabinet and the Gaborone City Council


[Salutations]

1. Let me thank you, Your Worship the Mayor for welcoming us to your Council this morning. I have decided to bring Cabinet Ministers here so that they can interact with you as local political counterparts with a view to sharing ideas on the development of our country. This is our second interactive meeting. We held a similar meeting with Francistown City Council last month.


2. The nature of this meeting is motivated by the need to consult and promote good governance. There is no doubt in my mind that development demands consultation between the people and Government as well as between Central Government and Local Government bodies as institutions closer to the people.



3. Let me remind you from the onset that a fundamental premise of planning in Botswana is that it should be based on a participatory system whereby people have an opportunity to express their needs and aspirations. These needs and aspirations should in turn be the basis for local level planning and eventually, National Development Planning. This is the process that we followed in the preparation of National Development Plan 10 and Urban Development Plan 3. If this system is to be fully achieved, then a dialogue such as this one must be established between policy makers, development authorities and communities.



4. We have a mutual social responsibility to account to our people and be responsive to their needs and aspirations. This is even more critical during this period of recession where there are more demands than the available financial resources.



5. You will all be aware by now that Government revenues have continued to dwindle; and this means we can only undertake a very limited number of development projects and recurrent activities. This constrained economic situation dictates that Local Authorities in collaboration with their communities have to assume greater responsibility for planning and development of their localities.



6. Although Botswana is financially more fortunate than many other African states there are two overriding problems with respect to local authorities, and that is, continued dependence on central government for financing development programmes and a relatively low standard of financial management. The question that I have always asked myself is what will happen to development and delivery of services if the period of slow growth in government revenue continues?



7. No local authority can expect to survive and be developed if it does not cultivate and nurture the willingness of its residents to pay for many of the services they wish to enjoy. The issue then is how do we ensure that local authorities go about raising adequate or at least a proportion of the financial resources they require for development programmes and their recurrent activities?



8. Councils are owed large sums of money in property rates and service levy. I am informed that Gaborone City Council is currently owed over P65 million for property rates and P4 million for service levy. Obviously such a huge debt distorts planning and financial management. It could also be a breeding place for corrupt practices.



9. As Council, you have to stop being apologetic in demanding monies owed to you by people who expect service from you. This is important because the money is required to meet your development and recurrent expenditure obligations, sustain service provision and supplement the Revenue support Grant from government.



10. I must also emphasise that as a Local Authority, you cannot achieve anything new by following old practices. You therefore need to tap and harness the capabilities of human resources at your disposal in Gaborone to find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and improve the quality of their lives. You therefore need to forge links with the community, other service providers, your stakeholders and strategic partners. This would help to think outside the box.



11. The other question is whether we are doing enough to put in place economic strategies based on the appropriate policies for attracting the market forces to our region. In an era of an economic downturn, it requires no special pleading to state that local authorities must pay greater attention to stimulating the social and economic growth of their localities. Such broader strategic thinking should be applied with a view to bringing life in the Capital City.



12. I normally travel around Gaborone to meet people and I always see pockets of poverty in many parts of our City. I need to point out that poverty eradication has been identified as one of the priority areas by my government. This is critical if we are to make any impact in the upliftment of the living standards of Batswana. The overall objective is to assist vulnerable groups like the destitute to graduate to sustainable livelihoods. As a government body closer to the people, you need to explore various ways through which these people can be assisted and engage other stakeholders like the private sector to assist them engage in income generating activities. Coordination with central government ministries, Private Sector and Non-governmental Organisations in the city is also important if you are to make any difference and reduce people’s dependence on government.



13. Having said that, I must point out that I am concerned that community participation and mobilization in development is waning. The spirit of self help which laid a solid foundation for nation building and community mobilization for development at independence and thereafter has to be revived. I therefore call upon you here in Gaborone to start community development and mobilization initiatives for capacity building and community empowerment. This is important, if we are to do away with the culture of entitlement and reduce dependence on government handouts. Reliance on government for everything is neither desirable nor sustainable.



14. As a local authority, Council is a major procuring entity in the city. You should therefore use your purchasing power to support Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to grow the local economy and create employment opportunities for the city community. You should make sure that procurement of basic commodities like bread, uniforms etc. is done within localities or communities that consume them. It is only this way that you can build vibrant competitive entrepreneurship within the City.



15. Last but not least, I am concerned about the filthy state of Gaborone City, our capital city! Let us all remember that the City houses the government and provides a mirror through which the international community and tourists can judge us as a country. I therefore expect you to marshal your resources and network with other councils and the private sector to ensure that this City is kept spotlessly clean and that you make it more aesthetically and environmentally appealing to our visitors and potential investors. Initiatives towards achieving that do not necessarily require large funding but rather the strategic involvement of our business community and indeed the residents of Gaborone on city beautification.



16. I am aware that some roads in the City do not fall under the jurisdiction of your Council and this tends to create confusion. We intend to restructure control of roads in and between settlements for ease of maintenance, cleaning and coordination; and once this has been approved by Cabinet the confusion will be resolved.



17. Let me conclude by reiterating and emphasizing that our citizens require clean, effective and accountable local government. This is essentially the thrust of our meeting here today. I do appreciate that you also may be having several issues that you may wish to raise with Cabinet Ministers; and these shall be responded to accordingly and where there are responses they shall revert accordingly in due course. I thank you.

Remarks by H.E. the President at the opening of today's consultative meeting between Cabinet and members of the Kweneng District Council

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B2) 29/6/10: Remarks by H.E. the President at the opening of today's consultative meeting between Cabinet and members of the Kweneng District Council



[Salutations]



1. Let me thank you so much, Council Chairman, for welcoming us to your Council this morning.

2. I have decided to bring Cabinet Ministers here so that they can interact with their local political counterparts with a view to sharing ideas on the development of our country. This is our third interactive meeting. The first and second meetings have so far been held with Francistown and Gaborone Councils. This arrangement is the first of its kind where Cabinet is having interaction with Councillors.



3. It is a special meeting aimed at promoting good governance and indeed consulting on policy issues for the development of our country and your district.



4. I believe this kind of interaction is necessary because development demands continuous consultation between Central Government and Local Government bodies as institutions closer to the people. This country requires our concerted efforts which should be blended and complimented between the central and local government. Our role as central government is to develop policies and strategic interventions in consultation with yourselves with the expectation that you will in turn deliver services to Batswana. We are however cognisant of the fact that certain policy and strategic interventions can and indeed should be initiated from the local level.



5. Let me remind you that a fundamental premise of planning in Botswana is that it should be based on a participatory system. That is why you, at the local level, have prepared District Development Plan 7 which has informed the National Development Plan 10.



6. If this system is to be truly enhanced and nurtured, then a dialogue must be established between policy makers, development authorities, and communities. This is even more important during this period of recession where there are more demands than the available financial resources.



7. You will all be aware by now that Government revenues have continued to reduce; and this means as of now we can only continue to implement a very limited number of ongoing development projects and carry out recurrent activities. This constrained economic situation dictates that Government as a whole, including Local Authorities, should be prudent in financial management and also be proactive and creative in engaging their communities to assume greater responsibility for planning and development of their localities.



8. Having said that, let me make reference to some general issues with respect to local authorities which I expect you to seriously debate, and that is an increasing dependence on central government for financing development programmes and a relatively low standard of financial management in some local authorities.



9. The other question is whether we are doing enough to put in place economic strategies based on the appropriate policies for growing economic developmental activities in our districts. It requires no special stating that local authorities must pay greater attention to stimulating the economic growth of their areas of jurisdiction.



10. Some of you will recall that over the years, we have put in place rural development policies that were aimed at revamping the economic and social development of our rural areas. The key focus was employment and poverty reduction. This is still a challenge to us and Kweneng District is not an exception. I need to point out that poverty eradication has been identified as one of the priority areas by my government.



11. This is critical if we are to make any impact in the upliftment of the living standards of Batswana. The overall objective is to assist vulnerable groups like the destitute to graduate to sustainable livelihoods. As a government body closer to the people, you need to explore various ways through which these people can be assisted and engage other stakeholders like the private sector to assist them engage in income generating activities.



12. For us to achieve this, communities must be mobilized and encouraged to fully participate in growing the economy. One of my government’s new initiatives is to reduce import of goods and services and instead procure such locally. It is in this spirit that we as government expect you to support the Small, Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in your district by procuring their goods and services. Empowering locals will certainly enhance self reliance and reduce dependence on government handouts.



13. The unprecedented growth of Gaborone has had negative effects in peri-urban villages of Mogoditshane, Gabane, Kumakwane, Metsimotlhabe and Molepolole. The settlement development patterns of these villages have changed drastically as a result of the growth of the City and this has brought other challenges related to orderly development of the villages, pressure for social services, crime and other social ills.



14. These challenges are not easy to address, but they require you as a local authority to explore means and ways of addressing them, both in the short and medium term with the limited resources at your disposal. Coordination and integrated approach to these challenges will be critical if you are to make the required impact.



15. As Kweneng District Council, you cannot address development challenges in isolation because some of them cut across the region to your neighbouring districts. Therefore the need to forge strategic partnerships with nearby districts to mobilize resources for development cannot be over-emphasized. You need to adopt a regional approach to planning to avoid duplication of efforts, reduce costs and promote efficiency.



16. Allow me Mr Chairman to share with you my concern over political developments I find most disturbing. This is the third meeting where I have brought Cabinet to Councillors. My reason for doing this cannot be overemphasized as I am fully committed to consulting all decision making arms of government in the implementation of my mandate.



17. We have seen opposition Councillors walk out of one meeting. These Councillors, like all Batswana, have rights that they can exercise at will. They are neither forced to attend meetings that are not relevant to their function nor are they barred by any law to be members of any party.



18. Cabinet holds these briefs with Council just as it does with the all party caucus at Parliament. We are a government that knows that the development of Batswana requires the participation of elected representatives and not just those in the BDP. When Councillors allow petty party politics to begin to interfere with and misdirect their responsibility to represent voters and to discuss and deliver developments, we clearly must be concerned as citizens of this country, about the seriousness of such elected representatives to look after their constituents’ interests.



19. All elected representatives are expected to report to their wards about developments and I do not see how anyone can report fully and truthfully if they have denied themselves the opportunity to interrogate those charged with the mandate to deliver, by failing to attend such meetings as this one.



20. Let me conclude by stating that we should essentially collaborate and discuss governance issues. This is the thrust of our meeting here today. I do appreciate that you may be having several issues that you wish to raise with Cabinet Ministers, who shall respond to them and where they do not have responses they shall revert accordingly in due course. I thank you.

Keynote Address by His Excellency, the Acting President Lieutenant General Mompati S. Merafhe, MP on the Occasion of the Launch of the New CEDA Brand

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B3) 25/6/10: KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE ACTING PRESIDENT LIEUTENANT GENERAL MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP ON THE OCCASION OF THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW CEDA BRAND

[Salutations]...Ladies and Gentlemen,



1. It is indeed a great honour and privilege for me to have been invited to officiate at this auspicious occasion marking the unveiling of a new logo and payoff line for the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA). This is indeed a landmark achievement for an Agency that has spearheaded the course of citizen economic empowerment for almost 10 years. I am informed that extensive research and consultations with stakeholders have been undertaken to form this new logo.



2. As we celebrate this achievement, I have been assured that the launch of a new identity and pay-off line does not in any way translate to a change in the mandate of CEDA. Therefore, from the outset, I would like to assure Batswana that CEDA still remains a financial development arm of Government tasked with the responsibility of developing entrepreneurs through the provision of funding, training and mentoring.



3. As you are aware, Government established CEDA in recognition of the importance of the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) in the socio-economic development of this country. However, CEDA has faced a number of challenges in its close to 10 years of existence. I therefore wish to share with you the journey undertaken by the Agency during its existence which I believe will put into perspective, the current changes that are taking place.



4. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, when CEDA was established in 2001, it inherited a myriad of problems from its predecessor Programmes such as the Botswana Enterprise Development Unit (BEDU), the Financial Assistance Policy (FAP) and the Micro Business Fund These programmes were characterised by inadequate internal capacity, outstanding loans, lack of monitoring and mentoring which CEDA also experienced during its formative years.



5. In response to these challenges, CEDA devised strategies to normalise its operations and internal processes. These strategies improved the skills of entrepreneurs, collections from funded businesses and the survival rate of start-up businesses and expansions. Furthermore, for almost 10 years, CEDA has been grappling with a number of other challenges such as lack of commitment to the business and poor business skills on the part of business owners.



6. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, owing to the challenges I have alluded to, including the negative perception of CEDA by members of the public, a need therefore, arose to develop a strong brand around the Agency. I am happy to inform you that these challenges form the basis for the current strategy which is anchored on customer service and the need to create synergies with advocates for the SMMEs in the country as well as ensure improved efficiencies and easier access to funding.



7. I have been briefed that the CEDA management has reviewed how they could clearly communicate their strategic focus and their leadership position in development finance. In this regard, the new logo and pay off-line embody the new CEDA. In this new positioning CEDA recognises that Batswana wish to fully participate in the country’s economy and CEDA stands ready to provide the requisite funding to make it possible.



8. I am aware that CEDA has actively engaged Government on the need to improve access to Government procurement for SMMEs. This is a genuine concern. You will recall that, His Excellency, the President, in his Inaugural Address of 2009 identified the Economic Diversification Drive and Poverty Eradication as the Government’s Flagship Programmes. Based on the lessons learned from my recent Official Visit to India, I would like to reassure Batswana that, with proper linkages between the two Flagship Programmes, we can actually eradicate poverty. We therefore view the Economic Diversification Drive as a means to eradicate poverty and create wealth for Batswana. To this end, Government is on a correct path by identifying economic diversification and local procurement preference as some of the instruments that could be used to grow the economy and employment. To achieve this, the Central Government, local authorities and parastatals have been instructed to procure goods and services from local companies, provided pricing is competitive, in order to grow our manufacturing base and support local businesses. In this connection, a Cabinet Committee has been set up under my Chairmanship to steer the Economic Diversification Drive.



9. I must say CEDA is an integral part of the Economic Diversification Drive as a provider of funding and business advisory services to local businesses. Undoubtedly, CEDA plays a crucial role in supporting Government to address the issue of poverty eradication. For example, through the Young Farmers Fund, CEDA has been able to address the issue of youth empowerment and poverty eradication.



10. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, as CEDA recommits itself to continue supporting Batswana to fully participate in the country’s economy, I wish to renew our resolve as Government to support CEDA to ensure successful implementation of its mandate. I am proud to inform you that to date, CEDA has funded start-up businesses and expansions to the value of P2 billion in various sectors of the economy, thus creating an estimated 28 000 jobs for Batswana. To this end, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the private sector, as the engine of economic growth to also buy into the idea of purchasing locally produced goods and services.



11. Director of Ceremonies, as we witness the new developments taking place at CEDA, including this launch and the imminent departure of the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Thapelo Matsheka, I wish to reassure Batswana that CEDA has a team of dedicated and qualified personnel who are equal to the challenges. Thapelo, you have served with impeccable distinction and under your able leadership, CEDA has immensely contributed to the development of SMMEs, and the economy of this nation. We wish you success in your future endeavour. Owing to your passion for excellence, which you amply demonstrated in building CEDA to what it is now, we have no doubt that you will succeed.



12. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to present to you the new CEDA logo and payoff line! I thank you.

Message by H.H,the V.P.Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe, MP on the Occasion of the Thanksgiving Ceremony at Saint John’s Apostolic Faith Mission Church

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


B4) 28/6/10: MESSAGE BY HIS HONOUR, THE VICE PRESIDENT LT. GEN. MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP ON THE OCCASION OF THE “THANKSGIVING “CEREMONY AT SAINT JOHN’S APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION CHURCH IN SEBINA SUNDAY JUNE 27, 2010



[Salutations]...Ladies and Gentlemen,



1. One afternoon about a few years ago, I was having an informal meeting with a good friend of mine and a man of faith. Our discussions, of course, focused on issues of common interest, including the “Role of the Church in Nation-Building”. This friend of mine talked at length about a wide range of topical issues relating to the scourge of HIV and AIDS, road accidents, the so-called passion killings, substance abuse and moral degeneration. Of great interest was the pivotal role the Church could play in mitigating those challenges. This man of God concluded that the very said problems which besiege us cannot be resolved by Government’s intervention alone, as the moral fabric of society is a root-cause of the problems which we face today. In this regard, the role of the Church in partnership with Government and other stakeholders in addressing the said problems cannot be underestimated.



2. I hasten to add that even the “Doubting Thomases” of this world would have acquiesced in his message as a mere matter of fact – in every word – as it captured the challenges we face in our daily lives. For a person in my position, who also knows the power of divine intervention in dealing with complex issues, I was encouraged to note that one of the Church Leaders in Botswana saw things in the same light.



3. Once upon a time, there were values within our communities which espouse the spirit of “botho”. Equally enviable was our strong “family support system”. However, as my friend and I nostalgically discussed the merits of these ideals, it all sounded distant. It seemed that our nation was undergoing a process, one that could at best be described as “self-discovery” and that those of us who have lived long enough to witness our country’s socio-economic transformation, could only wax in nostalgia.



4. Looking back upon that period, almost a decade later, one is struck by the immensity of the claims which are always put forward to justify this sad state of affairs! But what is even more striking, and more to the point, I think, is the paucity of the actual achievement which emerged from it. In essence, our society seems to be content with the issues of road accidents, substance abuse, poverty and the prevalence of HIV and AIDS scourge.



5. But one is struck also by another fact, and one that seems to me to have gone unrecorded. Over the last few years, there has been muted response from the significant section of our society, particularly the Church. The Church, which should play a role of the last line of defence against any societal problems, should come out from the shadow and assume its rightful place of being a lighthouse of dignity, discipline and democracy. Any interpretation of this reversal of roles, although it goes deeper than mere role-playing since it touches upon our own livelihood and existence, is bound to be a difficult one. Like the lost flock, we seem to inadvertently overlook the challenges that lie ahead. However, with enormous sacrifice and commitment from all of us, I have every reason to believe that there will be a change in our mindset.



6. There is, first of all, the question of moral regeneration, which will provide certain clues to the renewal of hope for this nation, amidst all the challenges we face today. I have alluded earlier to the importance of ensuring that the Church becomes a leading light, a place for comfort for those seeking solace, in the midst of all personal and societal challenges. To achieve this feat, the Church should refrain from taking a path of self-destruction, hypocrisy, internal squabbles and divisions, but lead by example.



7. Botswana, like many leading democracies in the world, upholds the principles of freedom of religion and freedom of association. To this end, Government remains committed to these ideals, and will always act swiftly to curb any move, individually or collectively, which seeks to undermine the enjoyment of these basic principles within Botswana. Government cannot achieve this alone. We therefore count on the support of everyone, including our tribal authorities.



8. I have been informed that the Sebina Circuit of Saint John’s Apostolic Faith Mission has set out goals not only to preach and spread the Word of God, but to also give to the needy communities in terms of basic needs like housing, clothing, food and funeral services. Your efforts to provide for the needy deserve our commendation as they contribute, in no small measure, to the fight against poverty. You will be pleased to know that Government has identified poverty eradication as one of the Flagship Programmes that need the support of charitable organisations and Church Ministries alike.



9. I wish to conclude my message by once again, commending you for supporting Government’s efforts in fighting poverty. I affirm that my Government is eager to strengthen its partnership with the Church community in addressing the issues of our time for the betterment of our people. I thank you. May God Bless you all!

Response to Mmegi editorial "Merafhe misled Indian investors"

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C1) 25/6/10: Response to Mmegi editorial "Merafhe misled Indian investors"



This Office notes with disappointment your newspaper's editorial of 24/6/10 bearing the outrageous allegation “Merafhe misled Indian Investors”.



Notwithstanding your newspaper’s opinion to the contrary, there should in our view be no uncertainty about Botswana’s willingness to welcome genuine investment by outsiders in the local film industry, which we would hasten to add should not be misconstrued to necessarily mean Government funding for outside film projects.



We are, moreover, surprised at your editorial’s further assertion that:



“The reality is that just recently the makers of MmaRamotswa movie had to leave the country to South Africa as it occurred to them that the Botswana government was ill-prepared to develop a viable local film industry”



Do we have to remind Mmegi that the MmaRamotswa series was filmed in Botswana only after its foreign producers were given, not without domestic controversy, considerable financial incentives to film here? As we recall this decision was much criticized in the pages of Mmegi; a fact which in itself is otherwise to be expected in a democracy such as ours that cherishes vigorous public debate about the use of public resources.



Since our initial partnership, the same producers have expressed interest in possibly engaging Government in additional projects, for which they have been invited to make their proposals, which are now awaited. From past dealings we would anticipate any such proposals will not be without cost and otherwise would have to be carefully considered.



What we can at this stage categorically state is that this Government has heretofore honoured all of its commitments to the company concerned.



As for the matter of a film commission, this is something that continues to have the support of Government. In this respect an attempt was made to appoint an interim Board last year that we are informed failed to receive appropriate applications. But the process has not been abandoned.



An initial Feasibility Study was also carried out on ways in which Botswana might become more film friendly through various financial and other incentives. While this issue is being followed up it should be understood that Government’s capacity to assume new financial responsibilities, for that at the end of the day is what is being called for, has had to take a back seat over the last two years to meeting the severe and pressing demands of the economic downturn.



Finally, we wish to reaffirm that notwithstanding Mmegi’s negative assumptions H.H. the Vice President was invited to hold what turned out to be very encouraging discussions in Mumbai last week with Film & Television Producers Guild of India and Board Members of the Film City. These two bodies collectively represent the movers and shakers of the “Bollywood” Film fraternity, which happens to be the world’s largest film production grouping.



As was previously reported to the press, the Bollywood invitation came about after the visit earlier this year of the Indian Vice President, who was impressed by the visual splendour of Botswana.



As was also reported from this Office to the local press, including Mmegi, and has otherwise been published in media throughout India and elsewhere, during last week’s consultations the Botswana Tourism Organisation also stepped up to the plate with assurances that they will be in a position to provide easy access and services at subsidized rates to Indian film crews interested in filming there. In widely published remarks its business representative at the meeting was thus quoted as saying that:



"We are ready to provide logistical arrangements and convenience in getting filming permits. We will also provide facilities at subsidized rates. Although the subsidized amounts are not fixed at the moment, but that can be taken care of when we speak to the film producers concerned. It will depend upon the magnitude of the film."



This is an example of some of the quick wins that we can and shall move forward with.



Finally, this Office can confirm that only this week it received a petition from local various local film producers, apparently including at least one newspaper editor, whose concerns are appreciated and shall be addressed as soon as possible. Thank you

Press welcome at Cabinet meeting with Kweneng District Council.

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C2) 28/6/10: Press welcome at Cabinet meeting with Kweneng District Council.



This Office wishes to once more confirm that, as was the case with respect to last Thursday’s meeting at the Gaborone City Council, members of both the public and private media will be welcome to cover the opening statements at the consultative meeting between Cabinet and the Kweneng District Council, which is scheduled to be held at the Council Chambers in Molepolole tomorrow (Tuesday 29/6/10) morning.



After the opening statements it is further anticipated that the meeting will go into closed session.



Further to the above this Office has received the following statement, which is being aired on Radio Botswana in which Kweneng District Council Secretary, Mr. Mpedi Koontse, further confirms that, contrary to some press reports, both government and private media will be allowed to cover the opening, which will be addressed by H.E. the President.



[START] Statement by Mr. Koontse as reported on Radio Botswana



Kweneng District Council Secretary, Mpedi Koontse says both government and private media will be allowed to cover the opening of the Kweneng council meeting to be addressed by the President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama tomorrow.



Koontse told Radio Botswana news in an interview that contrary to reports that only government media will be allowed, the private press will not be excluded.



There have been reports that the private press was not allowed to cover full council meetings addressed by the president but Mr Koontse said that after further consultations it had now been clarified that all media houses will cover the event.



Last week, Kweneng District Council Chairman Motlhophi Leo, announced at the beginning of the full council meeting that the council will be hosting President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama and his cabinet.



The meeting which the council chairman described as historic will be held tomorrow at Kweneng District Council Chambers.



President Khama has already held such consultative meetings with the Francistown and Gaborone Councils.


Government has a responsibility to uphold sanctity of Cabinet Deliberations

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C3) 21/6/10: Government has a responsibility to uphold sanctity of Cabinet Deliberations



In the interest of public understanding this Office feels compelled to clarify issues surrounding press coverage of Cabinet. In the process we hope to dispel the false suggestion that longstanding restrictions barring reporters from witnessing the deliberations of Cabinet and its committee’s are somehow an assault on any section of the media.



Ordinary Cabinet meetings are Chaired by H.E. the President and is attended by His Honour the Vice President, Ministers, the Attorney General and Permanent Secretary to the President, whose duties include serving as Cabinet Secretary. The only officials who otherwise attend said meetings are the Clerks of Cabinet.



As is commonly the case throughout the world, Cabinet meetings are held behind closed doors, their proceedings being strictly secret in order to allow for fulsome debate on often sensitive issues, while upholding the good governance principle of collective responsibility.



Cabinet also occasionally holds extended meetings known as Economic Committee of Cabinet, wherein Assistant Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and, at times, additional key stakeholders such as heads of agencies and/or parastatals attend.



Cabinet also meets with other lawmakers as members of the All Party Caucus when Parliament is sitting. The High Level Consultative Committee (HLCC) chaired by His Excellency is another prominent forum attended by Cabinet.



In each of the above examples of Cabinet activity, the Press are not invited to witness the deliberations, except on occasion for opening photo-op and possible opening remarks.



The Media may otherwise on be informed of solutions, decisions or any conclusions reached subsequent to these meetings.



In order to extend the consultative fora of government, H.E. the President has recently decided to convene a series of meetings between Cabinet and Local Authority Councils, which like other Cabinet deliberations, are thus restricted to press coverage of the opening photo-op.



Given the above, we are disappointed that some members of the private media fain ignorance of these longstanding procedures, and have gone so far as to suggest that this Office is somehow engaged in a media blackout.



We wish to reassure Batswana that notwithstanding such misguided assertions Government remains committed to inform Botswana through appropriate channels, including both the public and private press, with accurate information.



But, just as private and parastatal businesses, including media houses, do not broadcast their board meetings, Government has a responsibility to determine which meetings, more especially those involving deliberations by members of Cabinet, are open in whole or part to the Public.

All Media Welcome at GCC-Cabinet Consultation opening; OP Denies ever issuing instruction to bar media from next week's event

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"


C4) 16/6/10: All Media Welcome at GCC-Cabinet Consultation opening; OP Denies ever issuing instruction to bar media from next week's event



In reaction to 1300 p.m. news item of broadcast on a local radio station today the Deputy Senior Private Secretary to the President & Press Liaison Officer to H.E. the President, Mr. Sipho Madisa, has strongly denied that the Office of the President had ever issued instructions for the private press to be barred from covering the upcoming meeting that will involve Cabinet and Gaborone City Council Councillors, scheduled for 24 June 2010. In a communication to the radio station, Mr. Madisa observed that:



1. No such instruction has been issued to the Gaborone City Council from the Office of the President to the said effect; and



2. In actual fact, both members of the private press as well as public press are hereby invited and encouraged to attend the opening of the meeting which will include opening remarks as well as photo opportunities.



The meeting is expected to start promptly at 0900hrs at the Gaborone City Council Civic Hall.

Opening Remarks by H.H. the Vice President Lt. General Mompati S. Merafhe, MP on the Occasion of the Meeting with Bollywood Film City Directors

source: Republic of Botswana (29/6/10) TAUTONA TIMES no 9 of 2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery"



D1) 19/6/10: OPENING REMARKS BY H.H. THE VICE PRESIDENT LT. GENERAL MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP ON THE OCCASION OF THE MEETING WITH BOLLYWOOD FILM CITY DIRECTORS



Joint Managing Director of Film City, Distinguished Film Directors and Producers, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon to you all,



1. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for the warm welcome to Mumbai, the home of Bollywood!



2. Although Botswana has a history of film making, this has mainly been focused on the documentary production on our flora and fauna.



3. In the 1980s, Botswana was internationally known for a feature film entitled “The Gods Must Be Crazy”, which showcased the rural life of the San people in contrast to the modern life.



4. In the recent years, the Government of Botswana invested about P31 million (US$5 million) in the production of the first major film to be undertaken in the country, entitled “No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency”.



5. The internationally-acclaimed movie, produced by BBC and HBO, is based on Alexander McCall Smith’s series of novels focusing on the story of a detective agency opened by a Motswana woman known as Mma Ramotswe and her courtship with the mechanic, Mr. JLB Matekoni. This, Ladies and Gentlemen, demonstrates the Government’s commitment and strong desire to develop a film industry as one way of diversifying the economy and create opportunities for many young Batswana, who are enthusiastic about the industry.



6. Since film production in Botswana is still on its infancy stage, it currently faces a number of challenges such as lack of technological expertise and resources. I however wish to point out that there is plenty of talent as many young Batswana have been educated in media related courses including cinema studies. These graduates are now yearning for an opportunity which will enable them to effectively utilise the knowledge and skills they have acquired in these critical fields.



7. Botswana, Ladies and Gentlemen, offers a variety of exotic locations for film production. In addition, the political stability and sound macro-economic policies make Botswana one of the best destinations for investment.



8. As Bollywood is one of the largest centres of film production in the world, my country can certainly benefit a lot from collaborating with you. It is a fact that no film industry can survive without foreign ideas, foreign talent, and foreign resources.



9. Many film industries across the globe, including Hollywood have progressed through fostering partnerships. I therefore believe that we can work together in this regard. I thank you for your attention.