Opening Remarks by His Excellency the President Leutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the Cabinet Retreat

source: Republic of Botswana (2/12/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 28 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery

B2) 13/11/09: OPENING REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT LEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA AT THE CABINET RETREAT:

Your Honour, the Vice President, Honourable Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Distinguished Guest Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Let me thank all of you for attending. The main intention of this retreat centres on forging functional relationships amongst Ministries to enhance the execution of our national strategy. The issue is not new as we have discussed it in the recent past. The fact that it keeps recurring underscores its importance, hence the need to pay more attention to it. I would also like to use this retreat as an opportunity to reinforce the message of delivery.

2. We are less than a month old in office following the General election where we were given another five year term. Some amongst us are new. The voice of the people who put us in office followed promises and undertakings we made prior to the elections.

3. Earlier this morning, I gave the nation an account of how we are performing as an economy and people. I also acknowledged that whilst we have made good progress, there remain many challenges, and some appear to be quite stubborn such as high unemployment (especially amongst the youth), HIV and AIDS, poverty, a diamond dominated economy, high levels of crime and low levels of productivity.

4. We are in the first year of NDP 10 during which we project to spend approximately P60 billion on programmes and projects. Being the last plan which is coterminous with Vision 2016, the stakes are high with respect to achieving prosperity for all.

5. The significance of making reference to the General election, NDP 10 and Vision 2016 is that the expectation of the nation is quite high. We, gathered here this morning, are charged with the responsibility of delivering on these promises. Understanding the various roles we play individually as well as collectively is the first step towards realizing our goals. Translating this understanding into tangible, collaborative and harmonized effort will determine how close we get to the targets.

6. I am determined to do all which is necessary to harness our collective energies for the attainment of desired results. It is in this context that I continue to make the point that those who lead must provide the leadership and those who manage for results must do so.

7. I expect the Minister to provide leadership, be a credible public face of the ministry and a principal advisor to the President. On the other hand, the Permanent Secretary is among others, the Chief Executive Officer, providing the managerial expertise required for best outcomes as well as being chief advisor to the Minister. In addition the Permanent Secretary complements the Minister in their advisory role to the President and public face of the Ministry.

8. The roles of Ministers and Permanent Secretaries are therefore complementary. There is a duty on both to cultivate a productive working relationship so that above all, it is professional at all times. With clarity on the agenda being pursued, there is no room for discordant behaviour. I am therefore challenging you to work very closely together, not only in nurturing these relations, but also in ensuring that they produce the desired results.

9. As we realized during the preparation of NDP 10, there are many cross cutting linkages. The ability to see the whole vision and not parts of it is a function of the recognition that no one Ministry is bigger or smaller than another. Ministers and Permanent Secretaries must therefore engage each other for the greater good.

10. Ladies and gentlemen, through leadership and management, we should work harder at radically reforming the Government delivery system including bureaucracy to make our systems more accommodating and responsive to customer needs. We need to infuse a progressive culture that is outward looking & futuristic in securing the welfare of generations to come.

11. The last performance reviews indicated that we are not doing badly at an average of 76%. But we cannot celebrate when we are still failing to meet fully the expectations of our customers. Customer service standards which we published with much fan fare are yet to be adhered to more consistently. This simply implies that while we are improving on our internal efficiencies, our effectiveness is not felt by the people out there. This is a challenge to us to be more innovative and creative. It is also necessary that Performance reviews across all Ministries should be the norm.

12. As most of you will recall, the recent customer satisfaction survey study shows that while overall approval rating of public service by members of the public is good, it is still far below the required level of excellence. I expect Ministries to take account of this study in their annual plans, lest it becomes an academic exercise.

13. You will agree with me that we have a major task of rekindling patriotism and confront the high level of apathy that has reduced the majority of our people to passive recipients of government programmes. Our society needs to reinforce behaviours that will propel us towards the attainment of Vision 2016. To that end, while we will not shirk our responsibility towards our citizens, we should equally promote the idea that discipline on the part of everyone is the cornerstone of dignity and up-liftment.

14. It is therefore incumbent upon each one of us to create a sense of urgency amongst civil servants and the society at large so that together we can accomplish our national aspirations. We should at all times realize that our mission is not geared towards creating individual legacy, but it is an urgent quest to deliver on the Government agenda.

15. In conclusion, let me welcome once more our guest speaker Dr. Graham Scott. I trust that what he will share with us will be the cement we need. PULA!

Keynote Address by H.E. President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the World AIDS Day Commemoration, Kasane

source: Republic of Botswana (2/12/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 28 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
“Democracy, Development, Dignity, Discipline and Delivery”

B1) 1/12/09: KEYNOTE ADDRESS By H.E. PRESIDENT LIEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA AT THE WORLD AIDS DAY COMMEMORATION, Kasane

[Salutations]… Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.      It gives me great pleasure to be with you this morning here in Kasane, as we join the international community in commemorating World AIDS Day, a day recognized and observed by millions of people around the globe to raise public awareness about HIV and AIDS, as well as mobilising support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

2       This year’s commemoration is historic for one reason. For the first time the global AIDS community  affirms that the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all is an essential element in the global response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, in particular access to services; hence the theme Universal Access and Human Rights.

3       ‘Human Rights’ as a value is not alien to us as Batswana. It is in fact inherent in our culture, at the core of our value system, through our national value of ‘Botho’.  It is in this regard that this theme is simply challenging us to respond to HIV and AIDS epidemic with Botho, that is, without prejudice and discrimination and without consciously introducing stigma.

4.      Over the past decade, the critical need for strengthening human rights to effectively respond to the epidemic and deal with its effects has become increasingly clear. Protecting human rights and promoting public health are mutually reinforcing.

5.      We acknowledge that achieving universal access is necessary to protect the economic and social development of our country. To this end, in the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS of 2006, United Nations member states, Botswana included, expressed their commitment to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.  We also recognize that making true progress on this front requires increased commitment and capacity to tackle key barriers to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support, which includes promotion of human rights to provide a conducive environment.

6.      In order to achieve our targets we need to strengthen our call to respect and value the dignity of all persons, irrespective of their HIV status. Through this theme, we, as a country, challenge all discriminatory laws, policies and practices that stand in the way of access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

7.      For us to  work towards achieving this goal, the Government of Botswana has rolled out various programmes across the country such as  the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission PMTCT), Anti Retroviral Therapy(ARV) and others. The PMTCT programme has been applauded internationally as one of the most successful HIV prevention programmes, as it continues to do well. Through this programme over 90% of pregnant mothers who are infected with HIV are able to access the PMTCT services, way beyond the 80% universal target of 2010.

8.      This programme has enabled 90 newborn babies out of every 100 to be born free of HIV infection. What an opportunity for an HIV free generation! We also note that all the mothers who are found HIV positive and have enrolled in this programme are either given prophylactic treatment or the full antiretroviral treatment. The saving of the mother’s life as a deliberate component of the programme has been considered by many as one of the major human rights breakthroughs in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

9.      Despite some of the successes we have registered, there is persistent evidence that women still suffer disproportionably from HIV and AIDS.

10.     The 2008 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey reports that females have a relatively higher prevalence of 20.4% compared to males at 14.2%. In fact, young women, aged 15 – 24 years in Botswana are twice as likely to be infected with HIV as their male counterparts.  Our women, our mothers, our daughters must be empowered to fend for themselves with dignity.

11.     As of August this year, a total of 133,032 people were on antiretroviral treatment, at no cost to the individual. This means that just over 82% of the people in need of treatment in 2009 were being treated, free of charge. People have not just been put on treatment but, perhaps more importantly, a lot of care has been extended to them, as may be evidenced by the survival rate of those on treatment.  We have experienced only about 10% cumulative mortality. While we cannot glorify HIV and AIDS, we can celebrate our success.

12.     We have been able to achieve this because our strategy to roll-out ARV services to the rural and more remote areas through clinics and other strategically located satellites across the country is effective. My Government continues to be committed, even within the current budgetary constraints caused by the global economic downturn, to save as many lives as possible. Each person has the right to life and we are committed to this ideal.

13.     We continue to strengthen care and support for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as those who are terminally ill with free food baskets, support with educational necessities and psychosocial counselling services. Almost all our 47,600 plus registered orphans and all the registered community home based care clients in Botswana access these services, despite the enormous cost. We want these, some of whom may be living wit HIV and AIDS to also lead dignified lives.

14 .    While we have experienced many successes as I have already alluded to, we still have serious challenges in our response.

15.     This challenge is about the need to prevent new HIV infections. We must all understand and appreciate that without prevention we will lose this war.  We will not sustain our national response.  I therefore urge all Batswana to pay attention to our national call; “O Icheke, Break the Chain of sexual partners and HIV infection”.  It is calling on all Batswana to introspect and relook at issues that put them at risk of HIV infection and take the decision to adopt and maintain safe behaviours as well as endeavour to create an enabling environment for sustained behaviour change.

16.     I wish to state that HIV and AIDS should not pander to the whims of expediency but that it should demand of us a deep introspection for certain prejudices we hold. It calls for the respect of each individual’s human rights and for us to collectively rid our society of violence, stigma, discrimination and substance abuse, such as alcohol, which are the remaining barriers to achieving universal access.

17.     As I conclude, allow me to acknowledge with great appreciation, the assistance we have had over time with all our partners. These include all our donors and development partners, the international community, and our civil society including the private sector. Your continued support in the face of harsh economic conditions worldwide has been noted with appreciation.  You have indeed made selfless sacrifices. Your presence here today alone speaks volumes.

18.     Last but not least, I thank Rre Mogae, the Former President for continuing to lead the national response through his chairmanship of the National AIDS Council.  We continue to value your services.

19      It is now my pleasure to declare this commemoration officially open. I thank you.