source: Republic of Botswana (23/10/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 26 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
“Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline with Delivery”
B1) 20/10/09: INAUGURATION ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA 2009 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 0830 HOURS
Your Lordship Chief Justice Nganunu and Mrs. Nganunu
Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Balopi and Mrs. Balopi
Former President Mr. F. G. Mogae
Lady Masire
Judge President of the Industrial Court
Your Ladyships and Lordships Judges of the High Court and Industrial Court, and your Spouses
Your Excellencies Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations and your spouses
Honourable Members of Parliament and your spouses
Dikgosi le bahumagadi
The Right Reverend Bishop Valentine T. Seane
Distinguished Guests
Batswana betsho, ke lo dumedisa ka Pula!
1. I once more take the solemn Oath of Office of President with a great sense of humility. I am humbled by the expression of faith and trust bestowed upon me and my Government by the citizens of this country. At the same time, I derive much strength from this show of confidence, and as a result, I take the responsibilities which come with the office with renewed optimism and resolve as I put emphasis on Delivery.
2. I wish to congratulate all members of Parliament and Councillors across party lines for their success. Whilst one party may have faired better than others, the overall outcome is more important, as it reflects the will of the people. We are united in our knowledge that our collective aspirations and destiny as a people are far greater than the individual differences we have at party political level. Team work and collaboration will be crucial if we are to deliver to the expectations of Batswana.
3. We must use this opportunity to count our blessings, and remember that many societies find peace and stability elusive which we take for granted; that horrendous attrocities have fallen upon many countries; and that economic ruin has resulted from poor governance which places sectarian interests ahead of national interest. We must forever remain vigilant and guard our treasure of Democracy jealously.
4. When I took Office in April 2008, I enumerated some of the challenges which lie ahead, and my resolve to harness our collective energies and capacities to overcome them. These challenges, namely, unemployment, poverty, crime, HIV and Aids, shortage of shelter, declining social values, environmental degradation and global competition remain valid today. I am happy to report that we have put in place a number of policies, programmes and projects, measures and initiatives to tackle most if not all of them and will continue to do so in the coming Term.
5. These measures cover a whole range of the development agenda. Particular attention will also be paid to agriculture, education and skills development, health, housing, youth empowerment, sports, the arts, diversification and sustainable use of resources.
6. I remain committed to turning around the agricultural sector, such that production levels of both livestock and crops is increased significantly. Through commercialization of areas where we have comparative advantage, provision of infrastructure, as well as facilitation of credit, the agricultural sectors’ contribution to GDP as well as our food security should improve.
7. Human resource development remains critical. Through our education and skills development policies and programmes, issues of access, quality and equity will continue to be addressed. This is necessary to meet our current and future needs, and for international competitiveness.
8. Closely related to the development of our skills base is the need to move with speed into a knowledge society. Communication, Science and Technology will be key in this. More use of ICT for service delivery, coupled with strengthened research and development, should not only give us greater efficiency, but opportunities for diversification beyond diamonds should be enhanced. Innovation and creativity, especially amongst the youth will be encouraged and promoted. Through communication infrastructure development, access for rural areas and international connectivity, as well as telemedicine will be greatly improved.
9. We have long recognized that the diversification of the economy both within the minerals sector and beyond is a key strategy for our future survival. It is for this reason that considerable investment will continue to go into mineral beneficiation, infrastructure development in all sectors including transport, energy and water. Our research and development institutions therefore, will have a critical role to play in product development.
10. The combined effect of our investments in the various sectors will be job creation as well as poverty alleviation. In this regard, I have decided as I did with employment creation which is coordinated from my office by the Vice President that our poverty eradication strategy will also likewise be co-ordinated from the Office of the President by the Vice President to ensure we maximize the impact of our various programmes and policies towards the goal of bringing about dignity for those living in poverty.
11. The Youth are our future. Consequently investment in sports, the arts and youth empowerment schemes will remain a key part of our development agenda. I pledge to search high and low for more opportunities for our youth, and we will engage with them to achieve this. I currently have a list of about forty such recommendations for such opportunities from Youth offices which will be considered shortly covering business, employment and social issues.
12. A more comprehensive account on other developments will be provided in the State of the Nation Address which I will deliver in Parliament in a few weeks from now.
13. For us to make notable progress, everyone in the public service, the private sector, in every office, mine, farm, masimo, moraka – must all give their best. Every student and teacher must remember that a moment lost relegates us to the bottom of the skills and knowledge hierarchy. Every artist and every sportsperson should strive to be the very best.
14. It is only when everyone approaches their pursuits with purpose and determination that ownership of the development path will be achieved. The resources deployed by Government are then optimized for maximum gain.
15. One of our pivotal aspirations is to create a Compassionate, Just and Caring nation, a key tenet of which is dignified living. This aspiration is driven by our respect for human life. Our health care system, poverty alleviation measures, support for the young, the elderly, people with disabilities, as well as orphans, will be driven in this term by this value system.
16. While Government will not shirk its responsibility in these matters, the results will be greater, the reach much wider, and the sense of satisfaction much deeper if everyone, in their different capacities, make their contribution. Those who are more able must lend a hand to the less fortunate. This country needs more acts of philanthropy. The spirit of voluntarism must be shown at all times. We as individuals, in partnership with Government, are ultimately responsible for our own dignity and destiny. And as I have said before, we only have one country to live in and we must all do our best to make it a success.
17. We preach mindset change to the nation. This ranges from improvement in the nations work ethic, for better productivity and thus improved Delivery, prudent use of our scarce resources and elimination of waste, to the acceptance that no nation is self-sufficient in all areas. In this regard, both foreign capital and foreign skills which are complimentary to our own resources will continue to be welcome.
18. Leadership at all levels must attempt to be exemplary and show the way towards changing mindsets as I have described. We must be patriotic towards Botswana and supportive of one another instead of pulling our country and each other down as is often demonstrated by some in our media.
19. While optimistic about our future, I remain conscious of the challenges brought on by the Global Financial Crisis.
20. In this connection, the private sector must redouble its efforts in a spirit of partnership with Government to grow the economy.
21. We remain greatly indebted to the international community and development partners for the support they have given us over the years. We will continue to value this support as we consolidate the gains we have made.
22. Let me reiterate that I as I am sure all of you do, hold dearly the principles and values of democracy and freedom. Adherence to these values allows participation and ownership by our people in the creation of a common destiny. These ideals inform our foreign policy, as we desire for others what we desire for ourselves. We will work with our SADC colleagues to ensure that these ideals become a culture in our region and the continent as a whole.
23. As I conclude, let me remind the nation at large that everyone must be ready to be held accountable. We need to rekindle our spirit of self-reliance. Like it or not, self-reliance is an issue of willpower and pride, and it requires discipline to stay the course. Our conduct must also be beyond reproach.
24. We should not delude ourselves. All nations which have made great strides place heavy demands on themselves, for they realise that they must create enough for themselves for today with a surplus for tomorrow. Future generations inherit the surplus in order to make a start.
25. I would like to thank everyone, citizen and non-citizen alike, who make this country a place worth living in, and a destination of choice for world travellers and investors alike. I thank you. Pula!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Statement by H.H. The vice president Lt-Gen. Mompati. S. Merafhe at a Luncheon held in Honour of H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit
source: Republic of Botswana (23/10/09): TAUTONA TIMES no 26 of 2009
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
“Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline with Delivery”
B2) 22/10/09: STATEMENT BY H.H. THE VICE PRESIDENT Lt-GEN. MOMPATI. S. MERAFHE AT A LUNCHEON HELD IN HONOUR OF H.E. GEN. SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT, PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN.
[Salutations]...Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
1. It is my singular honour to welcome this afternoon, His Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Southern Sudan and First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and his entourage.
2. Your Excellency, your visit to Botswana is indeed historic, as it is the first by a high level personality soon after our General Elections which took place last Friday, 16th October 2009. The people of Botswana therefore feel greatly honoured by this gesture of friendship and goodwill.
3. The elections are now behind us and my party has every reason to celebrate our victory, but as we celebrate we are acutely aware that much work remains ahead of us, as we have to deliver on the pledges we made during our campaigns, especially to improve the lives of our people. Our goal is to deliver on those promises.
4. Your visit apart from being historic, also serves the purpose of consolidating the warm and fraternal relations which subsist between Botswana and the people of Southern Sudan. Relations between our two countries have always centred on the issues of human rights and dignity for the people of Southern Sudan. Botswana has throughout that period supported the just cause of the people of Southern Sudan to fight injustice and intolerance as perpetrated by the North.
5. It is for the same reason, that Botswana has found it fitting to pronounce its position on the indictment of President Al Bashir by the International Criminal Court. Our view is that impunity must not be tolerated, and the ICC must not be prevented from carrying out its mandate as reposed by the Rome Statute.
6. The enduring and courageous struggle on the part of the people of Southern Sudan culminated in the Machackos Agreement and ultimately the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Today the people of Sudan have a chance to enjoy peace, but that is all dependent on the commitment of the parties to implement fully the CPA.
7. Your Excellency, I am aware that the process of implementing the CPA is moving at a snail’s pace, however we should commend the countries in the East Africa region, particularly Kenya, for their unrelenting efforts in finding a lasting solution to the situation in Sudan. We also commend other international partners for their own continued support to the entire process.
8. Botswana is certainly committed to seeing a Sudan which is at peace with itself as well as with all her neighbours. We therefore stand resolute in our commitment to ensure that the CPA is fully implemented and the people of Southern Sudan are as per the Agreement, allowed to exercise their right to choose their destiny.
9. Your Excellency, Botswana may be far removed from the Sudan by geographical distance, and we may also be considered a relatively small country, but we see ourselves as a country which has a lot in common with the Southern Sudan. With a history of starting from a very low economic base, we believe there could be a few lessons learnt from our experience in the management of resources. To this end, we are willing to engage your country in sharing our experiences. This could be done through some formal exchange programmes such as in the areas of human resource development and in the management of natural resources.
10. My task this afternoon is not to over indulge you with some lengthy speech, but to welcome you and your delegation to Botswana and Gaborone in particular. It is rather unfortunate that your stay with us is very short as we would have loved to expose you to some other parts of our country where you would have the opportunity to interact with many more of our people. But I trust that such an opportunity will present itself in the near future. Botswana shall always be ready to receive Your Excellency or any of your envoys and people.
11. In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our commitment to support you in the process of implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, more specially in conducting the General Elections set for 2010 and the Referendum to be held in 2011, where the destiny of the Southern Sudan shall be determined.
26. Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, May I now ask you to stand and join me in drinking a toast to:
• the continued friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the Governments and the People of our two countries,
• to lasting peace and prosperity for the Sudanese people and,
• to International Peace and Security. PULA!!!
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
“Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline with Delivery”
B2) 22/10/09: STATEMENT BY H.H. THE VICE PRESIDENT Lt-GEN. MOMPATI. S. MERAFHE AT A LUNCHEON HELD IN HONOUR OF H.E. GEN. SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT, PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN AND FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN.
[Salutations]...Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
1. It is my singular honour to welcome this afternoon, His Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Southern Sudan and First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and his entourage.
2. Your Excellency, your visit to Botswana is indeed historic, as it is the first by a high level personality soon after our General Elections which took place last Friday, 16th October 2009. The people of Botswana therefore feel greatly honoured by this gesture of friendship and goodwill.
3. The elections are now behind us and my party has every reason to celebrate our victory, but as we celebrate we are acutely aware that much work remains ahead of us, as we have to deliver on the pledges we made during our campaigns, especially to improve the lives of our people. Our goal is to deliver on those promises.
4. Your visit apart from being historic, also serves the purpose of consolidating the warm and fraternal relations which subsist between Botswana and the people of Southern Sudan. Relations between our two countries have always centred on the issues of human rights and dignity for the people of Southern Sudan. Botswana has throughout that period supported the just cause of the people of Southern Sudan to fight injustice and intolerance as perpetrated by the North.
5. It is for the same reason, that Botswana has found it fitting to pronounce its position on the indictment of President Al Bashir by the International Criminal Court. Our view is that impunity must not be tolerated, and the ICC must not be prevented from carrying out its mandate as reposed by the Rome Statute.
6. The enduring and courageous struggle on the part of the people of Southern Sudan culminated in the Machackos Agreement and ultimately the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Today the people of Sudan have a chance to enjoy peace, but that is all dependent on the commitment of the parties to implement fully the CPA.
7. Your Excellency, I am aware that the process of implementing the CPA is moving at a snail’s pace, however we should commend the countries in the East Africa region, particularly Kenya, for their unrelenting efforts in finding a lasting solution to the situation in Sudan. We also commend other international partners for their own continued support to the entire process.
8. Botswana is certainly committed to seeing a Sudan which is at peace with itself as well as with all her neighbours. We therefore stand resolute in our commitment to ensure that the CPA is fully implemented and the people of Southern Sudan are as per the Agreement, allowed to exercise their right to choose their destiny.
9. Your Excellency, Botswana may be far removed from the Sudan by geographical distance, and we may also be considered a relatively small country, but we see ourselves as a country which has a lot in common with the Southern Sudan. With a history of starting from a very low economic base, we believe there could be a few lessons learnt from our experience in the management of resources. To this end, we are willing to engage your country in sharing our experiences. This could be done through some formal exchange programmes such as in the areas of human resource development and in the management of natural resources.
10. My task this afternoon is not to over indulge you with some lengthy speech, but to welcome you and your delegation to Botswana and Gaborone in particular. It is rather unfortunate that your stay with us is very short as we would have loved to expose you to some other parts of our country where you would have the opportunity to interact with many more of our people. But I trust that such an opportunity will present itself in the near future. Botswana shall always be ready to receive Your Excellency or any of your envoys and people.
11. In conclusion, I wish to reiterate our commitment to support you in the process of implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, more specially in conducting the General Elections set for 2010 and the Referendum to be held in 2011, where the destiny of the Southern Sudan shall be determined.
26. Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, May I now ask you to stand and join me in drinking a toast to:
• the continued friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the Governments and the People of our two countries,
• to lasting peace and prosperity for the Sudanese people and,
• to International Peace and Security. PULA!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
