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Republic of Botswana TAUTONA TIMES of 26/09/2010
The Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
Real Leadership for Real Delivery
For latest news and information about Botswana visit:
• Government of Botswana E-Portal @ www.gov.bw
• Botswana Daily News Online @ www.dailynews.gov.bw
“As you are aware development efforts demand continuous consultation and
feedback between Central Government and Local Government. It goes without
saying 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, in turn, should be the
basis for local level plans and eventually, national development planning.”– H.E. the
President [B1]
CONTENT
A. The Week that Was
B. Statements by H.E. the President @ the
1. Opening of Cabinet’s Meeting with the Central District Council
H.H. the Vice President @ the
2. Launch of a Housing Initiative in Moshaneng
and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration @ the
3. Vision 2016 Awards
C. Press Releases, Notices and Forwarding:
1. Communiqué of 20th Session of the Botswana-Namibia Joint Commission for
Defence and Security
2. DPSM Response to BTU and BOSETU Press Release
3. VP to attend Nigeria’s golden jubilee
4. SADC Media awards 2011 to be launched
5. Middelfest 2010 to focus on Botswana
6. Botswana-Namibia Joint Commission to meet
7. Minister Motsumi addresses Public Servants on progress on adjusting salary
payments
8. Zebras move up again in FIFA rankings
9. Vice President to attend UNGA and MDG Summits
10. Correctional Services Worldwide remain sceptical of "Condoms in Prisons"
11. Conde Nast - Jack's Camp rated number 1
D. Additional Statements by H.H. the Vice President in New York @
1. High Level Summit Review of MDGs
2. Global Health Council Event focusing on Botswana
3. UN Roundtable meeting on the needs of the most vulnerable
4. Breakfast Meeting of the Corporate Council for Africa
5. Talks with UNDP Administrator

E. Also in the News –
1. Compass (Nigeria) "Botswana: Where lunatics get decent accommodation"
A. The Week that Was
Welcome to another edition of your weekly window into the Presidency, which
comes on the eve of this year’s Botswana Day on Thursday (30/9/10), a date that
will mark the 44th Anniversary of our country’s restored independence. Our next on
the day edition will feature H.E. the President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s
Botswana Day Message as well as provide a special focus on this year’s Presidential
Honours, which will be bestowed by His Excellency at a ceremony in Gaborone
tomorrow afternoon (Monday 27/9/10) from 1400 hours [live BTV broadcast
scheduled]. The President will, however, begin the day in Francistown, where from
0800 hours he will address the opening session of this year’s bi-annual Botswana
Business Conference.
On Tuesday (28/9/10) his Excellency will travel to Gachibana Village as the Guest of
Honour at the Grand opening of the Trans-Molopo (Bokspits-Tshabong) Road.
As part of the build up to Botswana Day, last Friday night (24/9/10) the Minister of
Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego Motsumi, officiated at
this year’s Vision 2016 Awards [B3]
The Week that Was
The past week began as usual with civil servants on duty. This followed last week's
confirmation by this Office that funds had been secured for the payment of salaries
based on a 22 rather than 20 day month, as provided for by the new Public Service
Act [C7].
At a public meeting with Government workers at Sowa on Friday, to which the Press
had been invited, the Hon. Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration
explained that because of the new provision’s financial implications, which had not
originally been budgeted for, a process had to be followed to secure the necessary
funds. Acknowledging that workers had been frustrated and confused by the delay,
she further confirmed that she had earlier submitted a funding proposal to Cabinet,
which was now being implemented. It is expected that the payments will start from
October and be retroactively effective from May 1, 2010.
H.E. the President’s Week
H.E. the President’s week began with a series of briefings including a quarterly
report back from the Ministry of Agriculture, which confirmed continued progress in
both the arable and pastoral farming sectors.
In the case of arable farming it was reported that since the introduction of ISPAAD
there had been a notable increase in yields per hectare (ha) as well as the total
number of hectares under cultivation. The output of cereals had thus increased from

1.0 tons/ha to 2.5tons/ha, tomatoes from 40 tons/ha to 70 tons/ha and cabbages
from 40 tons/ha to 60 tons/ha.
It was further reported that the Maun abattoir had re-started production on the 13th
September following its temporary closure to correct deficiencies detected during its
July trials. Repairs had also been completed at the Ostrich Abattoir.
As part the taking Cabinet to the Councils initiative, the President and Ministers
attended a full meeting of the Central District Council in Serowe on Tuesday [B1]. In
opening remarks, His Excellency observed that delivering development requires
continuous consultation between Central and Local Government underpinned by
public accountability. He noted that citizens have a legitimate expectation to such
basic services as drugs in their clinics, maintained roads and proper primary schools
The President further highlighted issues of social safety and community
empowerment, noting that Government is committed to the improvement of social
protection through assistance programmes such as Ipelegeng and social welfare, as
well as economic empowerment programmes like ISPAAD, YOUNG FARMERS FUND,
and CEDA, in the context of Government’s commitment to eradicate absolute
poverty, while building a prosperous and productive society. He concluded by
expressing his concern that community participation in development is waning,
leading to unsustainable reliance on Government.
While six councillors decided to walk out, the vast majority of the opposition as well
as ruling party councillors remained behind to engage with Cabinet on issues of
concern to their constituents.
On Tuesday afternoon His Excellency received credentials from the incoming Liberian
Ambassador, H.E. Lois Lewis Brutus. At the ceremony Ambassador Brutus observed
that Liberia sees Botswana as a benchmark of good governance, more especially
with respect to its leveraging of diamonds for development. Last year US Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton had extensively cited Botswana as a model for Liberian
recovery when addressing that country’s Parliament.
On Thursday the President chaired a meeting of the Economic Committee of
Cabinet, which was focused on the progress being achieved by the Agriculture,
Health and Diamond Hubs, as well as the challenges facing the Mmamabula project.
The meeting was also reminded of the urgent need to re-energise implementation of
Botswana Excellence Strategy Action items in the context of evolving global
economic environment. In this context it was reported that the National Strategy
Office continues to consult with Government stakeholders to ensure more effective
results based delivery.
The President later also chaired a meeting of the Inter-sectoral Committee on the
Campaign against Abuse of Alcohol, whose agenda included the National Alcohol
Policy, Traditional Beer Regulations, and Review of the Alcohol Levy.

This afternoon His Excellency will visit the Kopong Library, which is one of 6 village
libraries that have so far been donated to Botswana by the US based Rothchild
Foundation.
Vice President in New York
H.H. the Vice President Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe left for New York last Saturday
(18/9/10) to attend 65th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
On Monday His Honour addressed the Review Summit on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), where he informed delegates of Botswana
achievements and challenges, noting among other things that the percentage of
Batswana living below the poverty datum line had been reduced from 47% to 23%.
He also noted that Botswana had achieved near universal access to primary
education [D1].
On Tuesday the Vice President hosted a seminar on “Integrated approach towards
attainment of health related MDGs” [D2], while on Wednesday he addressed
Roundtable sessions on the “Special needs of the most vulnerable” and “Maternal
and Child Health and HIV/AIDS” [D3]. On Friday the Vice President addressed a
breakfast meeting of the Corporate Council for Africa on investment opportunities in
Botswana [D4] and met with the UNDP Administrator Ms. Helen Clark [D5]
Also
This author were surprised when a Mmegi newspaper this week reported that
Government as a whole was unaware of the legal status of a court case affecting a
supposed fresh appointee based on the fact that an individual, yours truly, had
informed them (when contacted while out of the office late afternoon) that he was
personally unaware of the case beyond what he had read in the Mmegi that very
day. As it turns out Mmegi’s own account was dodgy at best, insinuating criminality
in a civil dispute while reporting of a certain individual’s appointment to a position
that does not exist. One can only once more bemoan the lack of professionalism that
allows certain elements of the private press to routinely publish false and potentially
damaging information, while pretending that calling people late in the day of their
deadlines is sufficient cover for their half baked accounts.
- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Media (26/9/10)
Contacts: Office Telephone: (267) 3975338 & Facsimile: (267) 3904019. Cell: (267)
71318598. E-mail: jramsay@gov.bw
B. STATEMENTS
B1) 21/9/10: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT LT. GEN. SERETSE
KHAMA IAN KHAMA
ON THE OCCASION OF CABINET’S MEETING WITH THE TO CENTRAL DISTRICT
COUNCIL

[Salutations]
1. Let me thank you Council Chairman, for welcoming us to the Central District
Council Chamber this morning, and giving us the opportunity to interact with
yourselves.
2. As you may be aware this is the fifth meeting Cabinet has held with Full Council,
the last one being with the Southern District Council two weeks ago.
3. We are therefore here today to meet and interact with you as the leadership of
council and representatives of the people, and to hear from you and discuss issues
impacting on service delivery in our attempts to serve Batswana.
4. As I have noted before in previous engagements with your colleagues in other
districts, it is my belief that at the end of such meetings, we will appreciate key
delivery issues and challenges in the Central District, and hopefully collectively come
up with proposals for improvement of service delivery. While the needs,
requirements, aspirations and beliefs of our electorates may be the same across
districts and constituencies, we note and appreciate that the challenges, the
environment and resources available may differ from one district to another.
5. Therefore how we deal with the issues, the challenges and your interventions will
also differ depending on the people charged with that responsibility, their
inclinations and their focus and perceptions of what can, may, or will not work.
6. It is this diversity and richness of views that Cabinet and I hope to harness, to
enrich and to turn into working strategies for improved quality of lives of our people.
From time immemorial this nation has nurtured its democratic ideals through the
process of consultation at the kgotla. This arrangement has served us well overtime
through the promotion and building of consensus, ownership of decisions and
involvement of everyone on issues that affect us as a nation.
7. As you are aware development efforts demand continuous consultation and
feedback between Central Government and Local Government.
8. It goes without saying 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, in turn, should be
the basis for local level plans and eventually, national development planning.
9. 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 available financial resources to meet them.

10. For these reasons, as Government at different levels, we need to collectively
engage ourselves to come up with interventions that will allow us to continue to
deliver but within a compressed economy.
11. In short my message to you is that let us be accountable. Accountability entails
owning up to your responsibilities and appreciating you can still increase your level
of performance. Citizens expect us to ensure they get their monthly rations, that
clinics have the drugs, that roads are built and maintained, that primary schools are
accessible and provide a conducive environment with the right material for learners
and the poor and needy expect you to create jobs for them, and to ensure that
where that is not possible they get their dues on time!
12. Today I specifically want to talk to you about two critical issues which are of
great concern to my government. These are the issue of social safety and
community empowerment and the issue of project implementation and
management.
13. My government is committed to the improvement of social protection through a
number of government assistance programmes i.e., Ipelegeng, destitute, orphan
and old age support, and assistance for starting up economic empowerment
programmes like LIMID, ISPAAD, YOUNG FARMERS FUND, CEDA etc. These
programmes are meant to cushion the not so well off so that they don’t fall into
poverty, and to assist those already in need to stand up and improve their livelihood.
14. There are currently over 43000 registered destitutes country wide and over
40000 of them receive cash allowances. These figures are by no means minor.
Central District Council is supporting over 20000 orphans, destitutes and home
based care patients.
15. Government will continue to offer support to the needy and vulnerable.
However Government also looks up to you, and in fact your constituents expect you
to ensure that these programs improve their livelihoods have a positive impact on
their lives. I want to see projects coming alive, and people graduating from
destitution as a result of proper support from you and better utilization of
Government support programmes.
16. On project implementation, in spite of huge sums spent on project consultants
and supervisors, we continue to receive reports of mammoth project delays; costing
government millions of Pula which could have been utilized elsewhere to support a
needy Motswana. Again I challenge you to diligently monitor these issues, for that is
what Batswana expect you to do. There have been a number of projects in the
Central District which have failed the final test, at great cost to government and the
communities they were supposed to benefit.
17. As you are all aware, due to the economic recession, Government has had to
defer a number of development projects as our revenue could only support a limited
number of ongoing development projects and recurrent activities. I appreciate that
the Central District like elsewhere was equally affected. However I want to once

again challenge you to explore these challenges positively and to use the
opportunity that this crisis presents to develop in partnership with both the private
sector and other organizations, strategies to ensure developments in your District do
not stall.
18. Today’s economic situation dictates that Government as a whole, including the
Local Authorities, should be prudent in financial management and also be proactive
and creative in engaging their communities to assume greater responsibility for
financing some activities in their localities.
19. The other issue is whether you are doing enough to put in place economic
strategies based on the appropriate policies for growing economic developmental
activities in your district. As Local Authorities you must pay greater attention to
stimulating the economic growth of your areas of jurisdiction. It is indeed my
expectation that you would identify potential growth points and economic zones
which you could market in collaboration with organizations such as CEDA and
BEDIA.
20. Some of you will also 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 across all districts. I need to point out that
poverty eradication has been identified as one of the priority areas by my
government and I expect all Councils to pursue strategies and initiatives aimed at
eradicating poverty in their areas.
21. I am also concerned that community participation and mobilization in
development is waning. The spirit of self help which laid a solid foundation for
nation building and mobilization for development at independence and thereafter
has to be revived. I therefore call upon you 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.
22. Let me also point out, Chairman, that as a Local Authority, Council is a major
procuring entity in the district. 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 District. As Councils, you should make
sure that procurement of basic commodities like bread, uniforms, etc. is done within
localities or communities that produce them.
23. Allow me at this point to applaud you for the efforts that you have made. I am
informed that a number of development projects have been successfully completed.
24. By way of conclusion let me state that Cabinet and I will continue to consult local
authorities across districts with a view to jointly share development challenges, and
implementation bottlenecks, together determine cost effective strategies to improve

governance, service delivery and to move together towards prosperity for all
Batswana. I thank you for your attention.
B2) 16/9/10: KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT LT. GEN.
MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP. GUEST OF HONOUR LAUNCH OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROJECT IN MOSHANENG VILLAGE "PROVIDING HOMES FOR THE NEEDY
BARCLAYS IN MOSHANENG"
[Salutations]… Ladies and Gentlemen
1. As we celebrate the Vision 2016 Awareness Month, it gives me great
pleasure to join you this morning at this auspicious occasion marking the
groundbreaking ceremony of destitute housing project in this beautiful village of
Moshaneng. This aptly captures one of the ideals of our National Vision of promoting
a “Compassionate, Caring and Just Nation. Hardly two weeks ago, when I launched
the Vision 2016 Awareness Month in Jackalas Number One, I appealed to the nation
to continue promoting the spirit of volunteerism and selflessness in an effort to
realise our National Vision. In this regard, it comes as a great relief to witness
established companies such as Barclays Bank of Botswana responding to
Government’s clarion call for support in a big way.
2. The fact that Barclays Bank of Botswana has embarked on a P 1 million
project, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, geared towards providing homes
for thirty (30) destitute families in Moshaneng deserves our commendation. This is a
clear demonstration that the Bank is committed to improving the lives of the needy,
mostly the disabled and the elderly, through the provision of decent housing. In
essence, this is part of Barclays Responsibility Banking Strategy, which is designed to
ensure that the Bank continues to invest in the communities in which it is operating,
which is a source of inspiration to us.
3. It is encouraging to note that the people of Moshaneng have resolved to
join hands with the employees of Barclays Bank and provide physical labour required
in this project, an example that other communities who have benefitted from similar
initiatives should emulate. I am informed that the families, for whom Barclays will
build houses, were selected with the assistance of the village leaders including the
Kgosi, members of the Village Development Committee and the social worker for the
area. The average size of each family is ten and mainly consists of one or two adults
over the age of 65 – mainly grandmothers- and children.
4. The project, which commenced in July of this year, is making great progress
and 16 homes will be completed by the end of October and the remaining homes by
the end of the year. I would like to reiterate that Government is committed to
providing a conducive environment for companies and individuals, which have
rededicated themselves to addressing numerous socio-economic challenges faced by
our various communities.
Bagaetsho,

5. I am pleased to note that many companies and individuals continue to show
interest in this noble initiative of providing shelter for the less privileged members of
our community. It is for this reason, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, that His
Excellency, the President has recently appointed a team, chaired by Mr. Paul Paledi
to coordinate the initiative of providing affordable housing to the needy. As you may
be aware, Government has for the financial year 2010/2011 allocated P 8 million
towards the construction of destitute houses in the Southern and Kweneng District.
6. I hasten to add that this has not been an easy decision to make, as the rest of
the districts have their fair share of inhabitants without shelter over their heads.
The major challenge that we face as Government is in fact the mobilisation of much
needed financial and material resources to help the less privileged. To this end, I am
humbled and truly delighted to launch this project, which will go a long way in
addressing the issue of shelter for our needy communities.
7. You will agree with me that the Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) Programme
that Government has been using to provide shelter for the less privileged in urban
and semi urban localities is not enough. In essence, contribution to causes of
common good as demonstrated by Barclays and other “Good Samaritans” is highly
appreciated. In this regard, I would like to appeal to companies and individuals to
continue extending a helping hand to this programme, in order to secure a better life
for future posterity.
8. I must also encourage the beneficiaries to treasure this noble gesture by
ensuring that these houses are properly maintained as symbols of hope and
humanity. With these few remarks, I wish to declare the groundbreaking ceremony
officially launched. I thank you. PULA!
B3) 24/9/10: ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS AND PUBLIC
ADMINISTRATION HONOURABLE LESEGO. E. M0TSUMI, ON THE OCCASION OF THE
VISION 2016 AWARDS GIVING CEREMONY
{Salutations}...Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening,
1. I am humbled to be part of this important ceremony to recognize deserving
individuals and organizations that have excelled in their relentless pursuits of the
Vision 2016 goals and aspirations.
2. It is now common knowledge that through Vision 2016, this nation committed to
achieve ‘Prosperity for all by the year 2016’. When we made this commitment in
1996, Ladies and Gentlemen, we set ourselves milestones that we wanted to achieve
knowing very well that the road to success was not going to be an easy one.
3. We knew that in order to achieve our goals, we needed to change our mindsets
and focus better than we did before. We knew that we needed to accelerate the
pace at which we were doing things.

4. We also knew that if all the stakeholders played their part well by making critical
inputs into the main channel of activities towards the achievement of prosperity for
all by 2016, we were going to pull through and benefit from this process.
5. I think it is fitting that we hold this Vision 2016 Excellence Awards ceremony
because it provides us with the opportunity to, among others, reflect upon the
significance of these awards and indeed the Vision itself.
6. I must state that the Vision Council’s ability to organize an event of this
magnitude demonstrates to me the fact that citizens and organizations have not only
embraced our national Vision but have been able to locate their roles within the
framework of the Vision, both as individuals and as organizations.
7. Increased participation in these awards over the years truly demonstrates the
willingness of citizens to play a meaningful role in the implementation of the Vision’s
mandate and also the re-affirmation to commitment to the spirit of self-reliance.
Bagaetsho let me hasten to indicate that all of us can contribute to this Vision in our
own small ways. Ga go a tshwanna go nna le ope yo o ka nyatsang seabe sa gagwe
mo Tebelopeleng e ya rona. I have always believed, and I still do, that this Vision is
like a great river – we are all its tributaries. It needs us to fill it up, offer it
sustenance and keep it flowing for use by future generations.
8. I recently had an opportunity to partake in the launch of Vision 2016 Awareness
Month at Jackalas I where I learnt the village, under the tutelage of its own
daughters and sons, was the first to develop a Strategic plan with a view to
implementing Vision 2016.
9. For a moment, Ladies and Gentlemen, I thought this was a true story of one of
the Vision’s tributaries playing its part? I am aware that some of our communities
engage in projects geared towards the achievement of Vision 2016, and they have
not necessarily drawn their strategic plans.
10. As individuals and communities, we should always strive to develop action
programmes to define our specific contribution to the nation’s efforts to realize the
Vision’s goals and aspirations. As Government, we are fully supportive of this
National Vision for it provides this nation a platform to discuss issues of mutual
interest. It provides us an opportunity to introspect and find ways through which
partners can help us to improve the lives of our citizens. I am hopeful that the
efforts of the Vision Council to encourage the private sector and civil society to
develop strategies for implementation of Vision 2016 will bear fruit.
11. Admittedly, notable progress has been attained in some pillars, whilst for some
we are still faced with insurmountable challenges to overcome. Lack of economic
diversification, poverty, unemployment HIV/Aids are cited in the Botswana
Performance Report (2009) as some of the key challenges that we still have to
contend with if we are to make serious inroads in achieving prosperity for all by
2016. It is for partly for this reason that I have spent the past few weeks traversing
the length and breadth of this country consulting with the various local authorities to

plead with them to embrace and take the lead role in promoting the Economic
Diversification and Sustainable Growth Strategy in their areas.
12. Directors of Ceremonies, this strategy outlines the milestones and major
activities our government, in partnership with development partners, is committed to
embark on if we are to diversify our economy.
13. We have said it so many times that this economy cannot rely on diamonds
alone, and the recent economic meltdown has demonstrated how vulnerable we are
as a nation to rely on one major source of revenue. This strategy therefore, prepares
us for the future so that we can remain globally competitive.
14. It is imperative for us to look into other ways through which we can diversify our
economy, and central to this is citizen participation in the whole process. Citizens
must drive the whole process if we are to meet the goals of Vision 2016, and it
becomes even easier if our communities develop strategies through which they can
participate in this endeavour. The challenge is to continue to think outside the box if
we are to serve this country well and ensure sustainable economic growth for the
betterment of all.
15. Tonight, Ladies and Gentlemen, we will witness individuals, Government
agencies, Parastatals and Non-Governmental Organizations being given awards for
various undertakings that are a result of improved productivity, commitment and
compliance to Vision 2016. These individuals and organizations are demonstrating to
us two things: first, that there is buy in and internalization on the expectations of the
citizens in so far as Vision 2016 is concerned.
16. Secondly, they are showing us that the theme for this year “turning challenges
into opportunities” is really possible. With only 6 years left before we reach 2016, we
have no choice but to leave no stone unturned in pursuit of Vision 2016 goals.
Tonight, I want to say congratulations to all of you for a job well done and
encourage you to continue to improve the marvellous work that you are doing. You
make us proud.
17. Truly, your tireless efforts and selfless dedication to serve this country are
unparalleled. You have shown us that excellence is central to Vision 2016. And it is
only through excellence that we can improve our lives and those of the communities
that we serve as we drift towards the year 2016. I hope, even after receiving these
awards, you will continue to be innovative in how you contribute to your societies.
18. Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe these awards should inspire the rest of us to
work harder and make even more progress towards the attainment of our goals.
19. Whilst we award these deserving people, let us also remember that there are
some individuals and organizations that are immensely contributing towards our
communities through their social responsibility programmes.

20. Even though they are not taking part in this event, we want to wholeheartedly
acknowledge their significant contribution. We are mindful of the fact that this
country would not have progressed in the manner it has if it were not for their
participation. We can only encourage them to be part of the process next year so
that this country can appreciate your contributions towards the implementation of
Vision 2016.
21. In conclusion, Director of Ceremonies let me thank you for having asked me to
be with you in this joyous celebration, and urge all of you to follow the theme and
make the noble goals of Vision 2016 a reality. In this way, you will be in course
toward the implementation of our great Vision- Vision 2016.
22. I thank you all and wish you a successful and enjoyable celebration as well as a
happy independence holiday next week. I thank you. PULA.
C. NOTICES & FORWARDING
C1) 25/9/10: COMMUNIQUE OF 20TH SESSION OF THE BOTSWANA-NAMIBIA
JOINT COMMISSION FOR DEFENCE AND SECURITY GABORONE, BOTSWANA 20TH
– 24TH SEPTEMBER, 2010
1. The 20th Session of the Botswana/Namibia Joint Commission for Defence and
Security was held at Gaborone, Botswana, from the 20th – 24th September, 2010.
2. The delegation of the Republic of Botswana was led by Hon. Lesego E. Motsumi,
MP, Acting Minister of Defence, Justice and Security and included Hon. Peter L.
Siele, MP, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, and senior government officials.
3. The delegation of the Republic of Namibia was led by Hon. Rosalia Nghidinwa,
MP, Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration and included Hon. Lempy Lucas, MP,
Deputy Minister of Defence, and senior government officials.
4. The Commission reviewed the implementation of the resolutions of the last
meeting which was held in Swakopmund, Namibia, from the 12th – 14th August,
2009. In this regard, the Commission expressed satisfaction with the level of
cooperation between the two sister countries, especially in the areas of Defence,
Safety and Security and agreed to nurture these cordial relations for continued
peace and stability in the two countries.
5. The Commission expressed satisfaction with the low levels of incidences of crossborder
crimes such as stock theft and drug offences during the period under review.
The Commission, however, noted that the prevalence of transnational organised
crimes, such as drugs and human trafficking, continue to pose a threat to both
countries and the region. To this end, the Commission re-affirmed its continued
commitment to combating these criminal activities.

6. The Commission commended the people and the Governments of the Republic of
Botswana and the Republic of Namibia for having held peaceful and democratic
elections in 2009.
7. The Commission expressed concern about the continued political crisis in
Madagascar and the unstable political situations in Somalia, Sudan and the eastern
part of the DRC. On Zimbabwe, the Commission noted progress made in the
implementation of the Global Political Agreement and urged the parties to resolve
outstanding matters of the Agreement.
8. The Commission commended the Republic of Angola and the Republic of South
Africa for successfully hosting the Africa Cup of Nations and 2010 FIFA World Cup
Tournament respectively. The Commission noted with satisfaction the capacity of
African countries to host major events.
9. The Namibian delegation extended an invitation to the Botswana delegation to
attend the 21st Session of Namibia/ Botswana Joint Commission for Defence and
Security, on a date and venue to be communicated.
10. The Botswana delegation accepted the invitation to attend the 21st Session of
the Namibia/Botswana Joint Commission meeting to be held in the Republic of
Namibia next year on a date and venue to be decided.
C2) 24/9/10: Response by the Director DPSM TO BOTSWANA TEACHERS UNION
AND BOTSWANA SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS UNION PRESS RELEASE TITLED
“INTIMIDATION OF SCHOOL HEADS, DEPUTIES, HEADS OF HOUSES AND
TEACHERS MUST STOP”
Directorate of Public Service Management would like to respond to issues raised in
the press release as follows:
1) “It is unreasonable and unlawful to instruct teachers to do Botswana Examination
Council work”
The Ministry has issued a clear instruction to the Regional Directors vide E 1/6/11 III
(30) dated 10 September, 2010 that teachers are under no obligation to invigilate
examinations. However, those teachers willing to invigilate on their own volition are
free to do so. It is our understanding that the Courts did not prohibit participation of
individual teachers in Botswana Examinations Council activities.
2) “Don’t threaten poor Expatriates, Temporary and Probationary Teachers”
We treat these as allegations and we would like BOSETU to come forward and prove
these intimidations and threats.
3) “School Heads have Rights to belong to Unions”

We are aware that teachers, like any other public employees have the right to
belong to trade unions of their choices for purposes of Collective Bargaining, in
accordance with Section 45 (1) of the Public Service Act, 2008.
This right however, is not absolute as Section 45 (2) of the same Act imposes certain
restrictions on trade union membership and provides as follows:
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no member of management shall
be represented by a negotiating body in respect of matters bearing upon relations
between his/her employer and those employees thereof or therein who are members
of management unless the negotiating body represents only members of
management and no other employee”
This means that a member of management, like a school head, can only belong to a
union which represents members of management only. We will deal with the issue
of who is a member of management in our response to (4) below.
4) “School Heads are not managers”
The Public Service Act, 2008 does not define who a member of management is.
However, the Trade Unions and Employers Organisations Act at Section 48 (3)
defines a member of management as:
“An employee who has authority, on behalf of his employer, to employ, transfer,
suspend, layoff, recall, promote, terminate the employment of, reward, discipline or
deal with the grievances relating to the employment of any fellow employees or
effectively to recommend any such action or the manner in which such grievances
ought to be dealt with, if the exercise by him of that authority is not merely of a
routine or clerical nature but require the use of his discretion.”
In our situation, School Heads perform one or part of the functions referred to
above. They do not need to perform all of them in order to be regarded as
managers.
In addition, it is our considered position that in terms of the Education Act, School
Heads and Heads of Departments are managers. Section 2 of the Act defines
“manager” in relation to a school as a person or body of persons responsible for the
management of the school. In terms of Regulation 46 of the Education Act
(Government and Aided Secondary Schools Regulations), the Headmaster of a
secondary school shall, among others functions:
(a) be generally responsible for the development and good management of the
school as an education institution, and, for the better discharge of those responsible,
he shall have power to enforce the school rules by all reasonable means, and to
exercise control and supervision over other members of the staff.
(b) be responsible for the day to day administration of the school;

(c) Compile an annual report on the progress of the school at the end of each
academic year and submit it to the Permanent Secretary.
5) Recognition Agreements (BOSETU and BTU)
We have also perused the relevant Clauses of our Recognition Agreements and in
particular we would like to focus on the following, that define the scope of operation
and/or recognition for the employer and the two teachers unions:
(a) Clause 1.3 on Bargaining Unit – means teachers employed in a school, with the
exclusion of employees to be agreed to by both parties from time to time.
(b) Clause 1.11 on Management means management positions as defined in the
Trade Unions and Employers Organisations Act of 1994 as amended from time to
time and/or as may be required by context agreed by the parties.
(c) Clause 4.2 on Freedom of Association provides that:
“Notwithstanding Clause 4.1, employee who shall, by parties agreement be classified
as management from time to time, shall be excluded from active participation in
union activities.
It is clear from the above quoted Clauses that the parties, being the employer on
one hand and the respective teacher unions on the other, intended to have clear
lines of operation indicating who should be a member of the union and that of
management.
Although the parties did not specifically state and/or agree to who should be
members of management, surely the intended exclusion if executed could not have
overlooked the school heads and their deputies as they are the leaders of the
institutions. The provisions of the law regarding meanings of “members of
management” and the “negotiating body” are also clear. Heads of schools and their
deputies will surely fall within these categories and that is, if the parties were to
make or agree on a cut-off point.
In consequences of the above, we maintain that school heads and their deputies are
members of management for purposes of our operation and in accordance with
applicable laws.
6) “Botswana Education Council withdrew from the Talks”
It is our considered view that Botswana Examination Council can enter into short
term contracts with individual teachers to carry out Botswana Examination Council
activities. We deem teachers to have the legal capacity to contract with institutions
of their choice within the channels provided for in the Public Service Act.
7) “Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development is
Powerless”

The statement that Permanent Secretary has no authority since she has not been
delegated in terms of Section 16 (1) is fallacious. The Director of Public Service
Management through Directive No. 6 of 2010 delegated the functions that have
hitherto been exercised by the Director of Teaching Service Management to
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education. There is therefore nothing unlawful
about the savingram referred to.
C3) 24/9/10: VP to attend Nigeria’s golden jubilee
The Vice President Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe is expected to attend Nigeria’s 50th
independence anniversary in Abuja, Nigeria on Friday October 01, 2010. According
to the High Commissioner of Botswana to Nigeria, Mr. Clifford Maribe, the Vice
President will arrive in Abuja on Wednesday September 29, 2010. Ambassador
Maribe says Vice President Merafhe is expected to pay a courtesy call on the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday
September 30, and attend the “Nigeria at Fifty” Presidential Banquet in Abuja in the
evening. Vice President Merafhe will also attend “Nigeria at Fifty” Anniversary Parade
at Eagle’s Square in Abuja on Friday October 01, 2010. The Vice President’s threeday
Official Visit to Nigeria is expected to enhance economic and political
cooperation between Botswana and Nigeria. Vice President Merafhe returns to
Gaborone on Saturday October 02, 2010.
C4) 22/7/10: SADC MEDIA AWARDS COMPETITION LAUNCH
The SADC Secretariat Announces the Launch of the 2011 SADC Media Awards
Competition. The Awards are in the fields of Print, Radio, Television and Photo
Journalism. Prospective Entrants are invited to Submit Their Entries Accompanied by
Proof of their Nationality to the National Adjudication Committee (NAC) in their
respective countries [Botswana Committee and contacts to be launched soon].
Rules of the competition
a) The entries should have been published/broadcast between January and
December of the year preceding the awards (2010) by a registered and/or
authorised media house or agency or carried on a website of a registered and/or
authorised media house or agency in any of the SADC Member States;
b) The themes of the entries to be submitted for the competition must be related to
issues and activities promoting Regional Integration in the SADC Region:
c) All media practitioners who are SADC nationals may enter the competition, except
those in institutions contracted by SADC, SADC Secretariat staff and their immediate
family members;
d) All entries should be in one of the SADC working languages, i.e. English, French
or Portuguese and should be submitted as they were published/broadcast
(newspaper cuttings, websites, magazines, audio CDs or video cassettes/DVDs);

e) Entries are invited in the following categories:
i. Print Journalism: comprising features/articles published in newspapers,
newsletters, website; ii. Radio Journalism: comprising broadcast material; iii.
Television Journalism: comprising televised material; iv. Photojournalism: comprising
published picture(s) with a caption or text;
➢ Print Journalism submissions should have a minimum of 600 (six hundred)
words and a maximum of 2000 (two thousand) words.
➢ Broadcast or televised materials should have a minimum duration of five minutes
and a maximum duration of thirty minutes and all Broadcast material should be
accompanied by a transcript in any of the three SADC languages.
f) All entries must be submitted to the NAC not later than March 30, 2011;
g) All submissions must contain full contact details of the media practitioner,
including a passport-size photograph, physical address, telephone and, where
applicable, postal address, fax number and e-mail address;
Entries will be initially screened and judged by the NAC in each Member State which
will select the best entry in each of the four categories to be forwarded to the
Regional Adjudication Committee (RAC), through the SADC Secretariat not later than
May 31, 2011. The SADC Secretariat shall not be responsible for any loss or damage
to the work or material submitted.
h) Selection of the best regional entries will be decided upon by the RAC;
i) The RAC reserves the right not to award the prizes if the entries do not meet the
competition requirements;
j) The decision of the RAC shall be final;
k) The winners will be announced and receive their prizes during the 31st SADC
Summit of Heads of State and Government;
l) Each category of the Awards, thus, Print, Radio, Television and Photo journalism
carries a prize of US$2000.00.
m) The monetary prizes will be accompanied by a certificate signed by the SADC
Chairperson;
n) The prizes will be paid directly to the winner. In case of a winner being unable
to attend the ceremony, SADC will make arrangements to give the prize
in his/her home country;

Further information and entry forms are obtainable from the National Adjudication
Committees and SADC National Media Coordinators in each Member State.
C5) 21/9/10: Middelfest International 2010 to feature Botswana.
Below is a preliminary press release for the upcoming Middelfest International 2010
Event, which is described as "a premiere cultural event with dance, music and food
from many countries throughout the world.”
Held annually in Middletown, Ohio, USA, Middelfest has celebrated a different
country each year since 1981. This year’s event, which will take place during the first
week of October, will have Botswana as its focus. As an event, Middlefest is reported
to be quite, popular attracting visitors from throughout the mid-west and beyond.
More information will be appearing on the event’s website - www.middfest.com
Press Release: Middelfest International 2010 will focus on the southern African
nation of Botswana.
The celebration kicks off with a 2:30 p.m., Sept. 26, Botswana Tea ‘n Talk and
Exhibit opening in the lobby of the Middletown municipal building, 1 Donham Plaza.
There will be African red bush –rooibos – tea served.
Author Dr. Neil Parsons will speak at the opening. He is a colleague of Alexander
McCall Smith, whose books, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, have been part of
The Reading Challenge, which began last spring. The novels are set in Botswana.
To mark Botswana’s Sept. 30 Independence Day, Miami University’s Middletown
Campus will host A Taste of Botswana at 5 p.m., at the campus and community
centre. Food includes samples of African stew, vegetable potjie and seswaaa with
ugaili.
It is free but tickets are required and can be obtained by calling (1) 513-727-3472.
An ambassador lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., Oct. 1 at the Manchester Inn and
Conference Centre. It will focus on business and commercial opportunities between
Botswana and local or regional businesses. Tickets are $20 each or $140 for a table
of eight. Reservations are due Sept. 29 and can be made by calling (1) 513-425-
7707.
Several exhibits featuring Botswana’s culture, art, literary, science, history and
business will be on display in the city building Oct. 1-3. Hours are 6-10 p.m., Friday,
10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. Admission is $5 per
person and good all three days. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Information: www.middfest.com or (1) 513-425-7707

C6) 21/7/10: RE: 20th SESSION OF THE BOTSWANA/NAMIBIA JOINT PERMANENT
COMMISSION ON DEFENCE AND SECURITY MEET AT FAIRGROUND HOLDINGS,
GABORONE, BOTSWANA 20th-24th SEPTEMBER, 2010
The 20th Session of the Namibia – Botswana Joint Commission for Defence and
Security commenced yesterday at officials level at Fairground Holdings. The
Commission will meet at Ministerial level on Thursday.
The Joint Commission meeting is held on a rotational basis. During the meeting the
Commission will review Defence and Security issues which are of mutual interest to
the two countries. The Commission will also review progress on issues agreed upon
at the 19th Session held in Namibia in 2009. The Commission will further use the
opportunity to exchange information on a wide range of issues.
The primary objective of the Commission is to contribute to a safe and secure
environment for socio-economic development and the maintenance of the excellent
relations which exist between two countries.
The Botswana delegation to the meeting will be led by Honourable Lesego E.
Motsumi-MP, Acting Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, and will also include
Honorable Letlhogonolo P. Siele-MP, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, H.E
Gobopang D. Lefhoko-Botswana High Commissioner to Namibia and Senior
Government Officials.
The Namibia delegation will be led by Honourable Rosalia Nghdinwa-MP, Minister of
Home Affairs and Immigration and includes Honourable Lempy Lucas-MP, Deputy
Minister of Defence, H.E Hadino Hishongwa, Namibia’s High Commissioner to
Botswana and Senior Government Officials
Members of the press are once more availed with a draft programme for the
Thursday in which sessions that will be open to press coverage are indicated in red.
C7) 17/7/10: Minister Motsumi addresses Public Servants in Sowa; Notes progress
on adjusting salary payments
The Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Hon. Lesego
Motsumi, met with civil servants in Sowa this afternoon as part of her ongoing
outreach to Government Workers on the implications of the new Public Service Act
(Public Service Act No. 30 of 2008), which came into effect in May.
During the meeting Minister Motsumi acknowledged that she was aware of enquiries
and concerns regarding a provision in the Act with respect to payment of salaries
based on a 22 day month, rather than the previous 20 days, following the Act's
commencement.
She explained that because of the new provisions financial implication, which had
not originally been budgeted for, a process had to be followed in order to secure the
funds to pay according to the revised formula.

She further noted that she had recently submitted a proposal to Cabinet that had
been accepted and which is now being worked on.
She further observed that it was now anticipated that the payments will start from
October, and be retroactively effective from May 1, 2010.
C8) 17/7/10: Zebras move up again in FIFA rankings
The latest FIFA national team rankings were released this week, with Botswana once
more moving up in the context of the Zebras impressive AFCON 2012 Qualifier
campaign. In the latest rankings Botswana moved up 11 places to 82 positions. This
follow a 23 place surge for the team in July which put them in the global top
hundred.
The Zebras current position is the highest in the nation's football history. But
Botswana still has a way to go if it is to join the African top ten, which this week
were announced as follows (team global rankings bracketed)
1 Egypt (8)
2 Ghana (20)
3 Cote d’Ivoire (23)
4 Gabon (31)
5 Nigeria (34)
6 Algeria (35)
7 Cameroon (37)
8 Burkina Faso (39)
9 Tunisia (56)
10 South Africa (58)
Overall African teams have made great strides in the latest FIFA rankings, a fact that
is attributed in part to the world football controlling body's decision that teams from
the continent will now get the same number of points for a win as those on other
continents.
In the past, African teams earned far inferior points for a win against a fellow African
opponent than their European counterparts. The only time that African teams earned
superior points was if they recorded wins against Europeans during tournaments like
the FIFA Confederation Cup or the FIFA World Cup. But Supersport reports that two
months ago FIFA took a decision that African teams will now earn the same amount
of points for a win against any opponent and it is beginning to show dividends.
Botswana's advance is not surprising given that the Zebras have within a relatively
short period of time grounded the former African champions the Carthaginian Eagles
of Tunisia in Tunis, as well as humbled the once fancied Sparrow Hawks of Togo.
C9) 15/9/10: H.H. the Vice President to attend United Nations General Assembly

The Vice President Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe leaves for New York, United States of
America on Saturday September 18, 2010 for the 65th Session of the United Nations
(UN) General Assembly. Vice President Merafhe will on September 27 address the
United Nations General Assembly on Botswana’s position on various issues of global
interest. Prior to that, the Vice President will on September 20, 2010 address the
Review Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and inform on the
country’s achievements and challenges. He is also expected to host breakfast
seminar on “Integrated approach towards attainment of health related MDGs” on
September 21, 2010. Still at the UN, Vice President Merafhe will address a
Roundtable sessions on the “”Special needs of the most vulnerable” and “Maternal
and Child Health and HIV/AIDS”, on September 22, 2010. The Vice President will be
accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon.
Phandu Skelemani, Member of Parliament for Gaborone South, Hon. Kagiso
Molatlhegi and senior government officials.
Meanwhile, Vice President Merafhe will also attend Nigeria’s 50th independence
anniversary celebrations in Abuja on October 01, 2010. Vice President Merafhe
returns to Gaborone on October 02, 2010.
C10) 15/9/10: Correctional Services Worldwide remain sceptical of "Condoms in
Prisons"
In recent years condoms have been promoted by some stakeholders here and
elsewhere as an antidote HIV-transmission among prison populations. The best
evidence from around the world, however, suggests that the issue in not so simple.
At a Corrections Health Services Conference held in Australia back in 1997, Dr.
Hernan Reyes of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) presented a
global perspective on the issue, which concluded that:
"The issue of condoms for prisoners concerns only the tip of the very ugly iceberg of
sexual violence in prisons. Sexual transmission of HIV infection (and other STDs for
that matter) will not be eliminated by making condoms available."
In the years since the above finding the circumstance of HIV transmission within
prisons and corresponding arguments for and against condom distribution within
correctional facilities have not changed very much.
Where condoms have been widely introduced into prison systems, such as in the UK
and Netherlands, the outcomes have been debatable and certainly not convincing to
the global community.
In the USA as of April 2010 only ten correctional systems (out of several thousand at
state and local level) were reported to allow for the distribution of condoms in their
facilities, despite the existence of many pilot programmes and studies dating back to
the 1980s.
While the issue of condoms in prisons in many African and Islamic countries in
particular has been associated with deep seeded opposition to homosexual

ehaviour, in those countries where so-called “Gay rights” are legally and socially
accepted the focus of debate has rather been on the efficacy of condoms in the
context of the harsh reality of sodomy practices among actual prison populations. To
put it bluntly anal sex:
• Is generally considered to be risky behaviour by medical professionals, even in
consensual heterosexual as well as homosexual contexts;
• Anal sex in prison populations is more often coercive and as such places its
participants at far greater risk;
• The efficacy of using condoms to reduce risk in the context of anal sex is not the
same as for vaginal sex (which is why there exists elsewhere in the world so-called
“gay condoms”); and
• The efficacy of using condoms in prison settings to reduce the health risks
associated with anal sex is generally considered to be much more problematic than
would be the case in non-prison settings.
Further to the above, it is the law in many if not most jurisdictions around the world;
including those which otherwise take a more liberal view towards homosexuality,
that sexual relations between prisoners, more especially male inmates, is forbidden.
While it is globally recognized that sexual encounters between prisoners frequently
do occur, such incidents are more often than not viewed as a challenge to both the
authority of correctional officers and the well being of the incarcerated under their
supervision.
Many correctional institutions, including ones rated as being rehabilitative facility
benchmarks, thus remain adverse to sending conflicting messages by allowing for
the distribution condoms, while at the same time undertaking disciplinary
interventions aimed at reducing if not eliminating the scourge of forcible sodomy
among their wards.
Debate on the issue of condoms in prisons is of course not one sided. There
continues to exist widely differing views among health professionals and other
informed stakeholders.
What remains clear is that the distribution of condoms is seen as much less of a
priority among those administrators and experts who are most actively engaged in
correctional institution issues, than those who place condoms and/or homosexual
rights at the centre of their HIV advocacy efforts.
An example from what might be considered to be a more “progressive” critique of
persistent calls for prison condom distribution is contained in an influential 2006
American study “Condoms in Prison: The Ethical Dilemma” by Professor Robert E.
Fullilove (Associate Dean for Community and Minority Affairs at Columbia University's
Mailman School of Public Health), who observed that:
“Should condom distribution be the primary tool of prevention? I would argue it
need not be. We already know that significant numbers of sexually active men are

not skilled at using condoms effectively. Thus, providing condoms without the HIV
education—including a broad range of topics and risk factors such as unsafe
tattooing practices—means that we are not doing our utmost to assure that the
distribution results in satisfactory condom use. Further, there is evidence that in
many facilities, condom distribution would cause problems for the inmates who
requested them.
“Sex behind bars may be prevalent in most prisons, but sex between inmates is
illegal in almost every state. Thus, requesting a condom might be considered
probable cause for investigating whether or not an inmate is engaged in illegal
activity. Ex-prisoners have insisted, in informal conversations with me, that accepting
a condom might result in reprisals by prison officials who are not always fair in their
treatment of the incarcerated population. Accepting a condom, in other words, might
cause greater harm than good in some facilities. Finally, if our prisons are a reservoir
for HIV infection and AIDS, then appropriate and aggressive medical interventions
are probably a more urgent ethical imperative than distributing condoms.”
Prof. Fullilove’s study thus concluded that:
"Distribution of condoms is not the primary ethical obligation we confront as we
consider strategies to reduce the burden of high HIV/AIDS rates in jails and prisons.
The time when such a strategy might have worked has passed."
C11) 13/9/10: Conde Nast - Jack's Camp rated number 1 resort in Africa/Middle East
The 2010 winners of the Annual Conde Nast traveller’s survey have been
announced. In the accommodation section for international leisure hotels, Jack's
Camp in the Makgadikgadi, Botswana has been voted the favourite hotel in the
Middle East, Africa & the Indian Ocean islands category.
According to Conde Nast the resort was propelled to first position with an overall
score of 94.87, obtaining higher scores for environmental friendliness,
ambience/decor, and its Kalahari location.
The close runner-up in the category was the Four Seasons resort at Landaa
Giraavaru in the Maldives, with a composite score 94.27, followed by Denis Island
resort in the Seychelles, with a score of 93.51
D. SPECIAL FOCUS H.H. THE VICE PRESIDENT IN NEW YORK - ADDITIONAL
STATEMENTS -
D1) 20/9/10: STATEMENT BY HIS HONOUR LT. GENERAL MOMPATI S. MERAFHE,
MP., THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT THE HIGH LEVEL
PLENARY ON THE MDGS
Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Your Excellencies Heads of State and
Government, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Mr. President,
1. Allow me to congratulate you on your election to the Presidency of the 65th
Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
2. Let me also seize this opportunity to thank your predecessor, His Excellency, Dr.
Ali Treki, for his leadership of the 64th Session of this Assembly.
3. I wish to also commend the Secretary General, under whose stewardship, we
have been able to convene for this crucial Summit.
4. Five years ago, we convened here in New York to review progress made on the
Millennium Development Goals, since their adoption in 2000.
5. This review showed that the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by world
leaders at the 2000 Millennium Development Goals Summit did not translate into our
desired results.
6. It is evident that many developing countries are lagging behind on most of the
targets.
7. In this regard, we should renew our pledge and do everything possible to take our
people out of the dehumanizing conditions of abject poverty and deprivation in line
with the Millennium Development Goals.
8. This notwithstanding, I have no doubt in my mind that we all remain committed
to the course of the Millennium Declaration.
9. In the case of Botswana, we believe in the spirit and thrust of the Declaration,
that as a government, we should endeavour to eradicate poverty.
10. My President has laid before the nation a road map towards prosperity for all;
the roadmap that is underpinned by a quest for human development and dignity.
11. We believe that through this roadmap, Botswana can achieve more in terms of
improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
12. Our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals has been amplified in our
current National Development Plan, which runs from 2010 to 2016; a year just after
the target date of the MDGs.
13. Botswana has made some progress towards eradicating extreme poverty as
evidenced by the declining percentage of people living below the poverty datum line.
14. The percentage of people living below the poverty datum line declined from 47%
in 1993 to an estimated 23% in 2009.
15. We firmly believe, as a Government, that there is no tolerable level of poverty.

16. To this end, different categories of vulnerable groups such as old age
pensioners, destitute persons, orphans and vulnerable children as well as home
based care patients, have access to food, education, subsistence allowance and
other basic necessities of life.
17. However, realizing that the fight against poverty should be sustained, Botswana
has adopted a flagship programme on poverty eradication, which focuses on
promoting broad-based growth for sectors that create opportunities for sustainable
livelihoods.
18. The programme is geared at enhancing human capabilities of the poor through
investing in, and strengthening institutions that promote poor people’s participation
in the growth process.
19. Botswana continues to commit significant resources to literacy and skills
development of her citizens.
20. Consequently we have achieved universal primary education, where more than
95% of the 7 to 13 year olds had enrolled in primary education by 2007.
21. My Government has also made notable progress in the provision of health care
for Batswana.
22. For instance, the proportion of mothers who are attended to by a trained health
professional during delivery has remained above 90% since 1998.
23. In addition, the country continues to make significant inroads in the fight against
HIV and AIDS pandemic.
24. Similarly, 62.7% of people living with HIV and eligible for Anti – Retroviral
Therapy were on treatment in 2005, but today more than 90% are on antiretroviral
drugs.
25. In 2001, an estimated 40% of infants born to HIV positive mothers were
infected with the virus and this proportion has declined to just 3%.
26. Notwithstanding the progress I have just alluded to, we continue to face
challenges with respect to maternal and infant mortality.
27. Water is a scarce commodity in Botswana.
28. However, my Government has been able to provide potable water to more than
95% of the population since the year 2000.
29. In addition, more than 80% of our people have access to improved sanitation
facilities.

30. One of the greatest challenges to humanity is climate change.
31. The impact of climate change is already being felt around the globe as witnessed
by the never ending natural calamities bedevilling many parts of the world.
32. It goes without saying, therefore, that if not adequately and expeditiously
addressed, it will continue to impede development efforts, increase risk to public
health, frustrate poverty eradication interventions and reverse gains made towards
achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
33. In this connection, as part of the response, Botswana has established a National
Climate Change Committee, whose mandate is to oversee national policies on
climate change and the implementation of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change activities.
34. At the 2000 World Summit, we pledged to “Strengthen the United Nations with a
view to enhancing its authority and efficiency, as well as its capacity to address
effectively the full range of challenges of our time”.
35. Let us thus make this possible by providing this organisation with the necessary
support for it to respond to our development challenges in a timely and focused
manner.
36. It is for this reason, Mr. President that we would like to commend the United
Nations Secretary-General for establishing the Millennium Development Goals
Advocacy Group of eminent personalities who will support him in building political
will and mobilizing global action to make the MDGs Summit a turning point in the
collective effort to achieve the Goals by 2015.
37. I believe that more emphasis should be given towards supporting groups of
countries with special needs such as Middle Income Countries (MIC), Landlocked
Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
38. On their own, these groups of countries do not possess enough capacity and
resources to mitigate disasters and development challenges.
39. In conclusion, Mr President, my Delegation looks forward to the adoption of an
action oriented outcome at the end of this High Level Plenary Meeting which I
believe will be adequately resourced. I thank you for the courtesy of your kind
attention.
D2) 21/9/10: STATEMENT BY HIS HONOUR LT. GEN. MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP.
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA DURING A SIDE EVENT
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY BOTSREP AND THE GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL
“BOTSWANA’S EXPERIENCE WITH INTEGRATED APPROACH IN ATTAINMENT
HEALTH RELATED MDGS”

Your Excellency the Former President of Botswana Mr Festus Mogae, Honourable
Minister Erik Solheim, Minster of Environment and International Development of
Norway, Honourable Ministers here present, Dr Jeffery Sturrchio, President and CEO,
Global Health Council, Your Excellencies Heads of the International Organisations
here present, Distinguished guests,
1. I wish to thank you for honouring our invitation to this occasion to share and
exchange views on “Botswana’s experience in pursuing an integrated approach
towards the attainment of health related Millennium Development Goals”. This
meeting affords me the opportunity to express my country’s debt of gratitude to all
our cooperating partners, including the United Nations system, without whose
contribution, we could not have succeeded in addressing the scourge of HIV and
AIDS. Let me take this opportunity to recognise the Global Health Council for
partnering with us in this important event.
2. I must also pay special tribute to Norway for her support that has enabled us to
achieve significant health milestones. Indeed, Norway’s continued support in the
training of our much needed medical personnel, especially doctors, goes a long way
in advancing our development goals.
3. As you may be aware, Botswana attaches great importance to partnerships and
international cooperation. It is through these valuable collaborations that we have
been able to mount a credible fight against HIV and AIDS and to strengthen our
health care system.
4. Ninety percent (90%) of our healthcare services are delivered by government
through a network of hospitals, clinics, health posts and mobile posts. On average,
ninety – five percent (95%) of Botswana’s population is within an 8km radius of a
health facility.
5. At the beginning of the fight against HIV and AIDS, our programs were purely
vertical. However, in the recent past we started integrating them into the rest of the
National Health Service. For example, to date we offer HIV and contraceptive
services at the same facility and by the same health care worker, which increases
patients’ access to these services. This is a more cost effective and a convenient way
of providing health care services to more people.
6. We are also integrating Tuberculosis and HIV programs. Tuberculosis (TB)
afflicts two-thirds of people living with HIV and AIDS. As a result, it is cost effective
for these patients to be taken care of under an integrated program. Furthermore,
malaria prevention has been integrated in maternal and child health services,
whereby anti-malaria interventions are offered together with routine ante natal and
child health services, such as immunisations, child health days and many others.
7. We have also made significant progress in integrating Prevention of Mother to
Child transmission programme into routine Ante Natal Care. This programme has
had a positive impact on our Safe Motherhood Programmes. The integration of our
programs has led to the improvement in our health care system and health

outcomes in Botswana. This is of critical importance because, as you may be aware,
Botswana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates globally with a national
prevalence of 17.6%, and adult prevalence and incidence of 25% and 1.5%
respectively.
8. Ever since the country was confronted with the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the
late 1980’s, the Government of Botswana has successfully led in creating an
enabling environment for the fight against the disease. In essence, our national Anti
Retroviral (ARV) programme has ensured that more Batswana can now lead longer
and healthier lives. HIV and AIDS, therefore, has been rendered a chronic disease
and this underscores the need to integrate its management into other programmes
for improved access and sustainability.
9. Let me conclude my remarks, by reiterating that the desire to close gaps and
improve access and sustainability to achieve the objectives of the health related
MDGs by 2015 needs our individual and collective efforts. I thank you for the
courtesy of your attention and look forward to a fruitful discussion.
D3) 24/9/10: REMARKS BY HON. KAGISO MOLATLHEGI, MP FOR GABORONE
SOUTH ON BEHALF OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA AT
THE 65TH HIGH LEVEL PLENARY ON THE MDGS AT A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
“ADDRESSING THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE”
New York, 22nd September 2010
Honourable Co – Chairs of this Roundtable, Honourable Ministers, Dear Roundtable
Participants,
1. It gives me great pleasure to have an opportunity to make my intervention on the
subject; “Addressing the special needs of the most vulnerable”. There is no shadow
of doubt that the subject is a pertinent one to many countries of the world.
2. In the case of Botswana, we are troubled by the fact that, in spite of the small
population of only 1.8 million people, there is a notable segment which is still
classified as ‘vulnerable’. The vulnerable groups in Botswana include destitute
persons, orphaned children, women, people with disabilities, resource poor farmers
and the elderly. These groups face unique challenges which have necessitated
government to put in place robust social protection programmes geared towards
ensuring that they continue to lead dignified lives.
3. My government firmly believes that for the country to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals, the plight of the vulnerable people must be vigorously
addressed. Botswana has in place a programme of support to destitute persons. The
programme is geared towards improving the living conditions of the very poor
households in terms of providing adequate nutrition and health. Specific
interventions under this programme include; provision of food basket and cash on a
monthly basis.

4. Under this programme, children of destitute persons are also supported with
school uniforms, personal allowances and toiletry at school. In addition, government
implements the Public Works Programme which targets the unemployed poor. The
programme aims at providing temporary employment and relief income to the skilled
and semi-skilled labour.
5. My government also recognizes children as another vulnerable group, especially
those who are orphaned. To this end, the Government has put in place an orphan
care programme to provide care and support for those children who have lost their
parents. The children are cared for until their eighteenth birthday when they are
now presumed to be of age to take care of themselves.
6. Another vulnerable group is the resource poor subsistence farmers. Government
has put in place programmes aimed at enhancing productivity in the agricultural
sector, such as the Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development scheme
(LIMID). The package includes provision of small stock and chicken rearing. These
initiatives and many others have contributed substantially to ensuring that poverty
levels in the country are arrested. I thank you.
D4) 24/9/10: REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR LT. GENERAL MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP.
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA ON THE OCCASION OF THE
BUSINESS BREAKFAST HOSTED BY THE CORPORATE COUNCIL ON AFRICA
Mr. Stephen Hayes, President of the Corporate Council on Africa; Mr. Jacob Nkate,
Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Export Development and Import Authority
(BEDIA); Members of the Business Community; Ladies and Gentleman;
1. I would like to thank you for your warm words of welcome. Let me take this
opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the Corporate Council on Africa,
for hosting this important interactive meeting.
2. Mr. President, I am aware that many, if not most, of you around the table, are
familiar with the evolution of my country Botswana, from its humble beginnings as a
Least Developed Country at Independence in 1966, to its present classification as an
upper middle income country. This formal categorisation has however, not
immunised Botswana against the daunting development challenges facing other
developing countries.
3. In the case of Botswana, these include inadequate diversification of our economy,
unfavourable climatic conditions that undermine the country’s agricultural potential,
and the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The financial and economic crisis, which has
impacted Botswana negatively like many other countries around the world, merely
exacerbated my county’s challenges. The need to tackle these and other challenges,
and set the country on a path to sustainable development, have prompted my
Government to embark on a deliberate and focused economic diversification
program, mainly through foreign direct investment.

4. This is why I am meeting with you today; to invite you to Botswana to explore
with us, the prospects of setting up businesses in the country, which will no doubt
broaden your business portfolios. For us, your business activity in Botswana would
contribute to our efforts towards economic diversification and growth, employment
creation, income generation, poverty eradication, technology and skills transfer, and
so forth. We are seeking a partnership with you, and we see it as a win – win
relationship.
5. Mr. President, I think the question in your mind is, why Botswana. Over the years,
my Government has put in place, what we consider an attractive package for
investors. This incentive package includes:
- the lowest tax regime in the region of 15% for manufacturing and services
companies;
- a negotiable tax holiday of 5 to 10 years for high impact and strategic businesses;
- free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital and
- a 200% refund on the cost of training at an accredited institution.
6. In addition to these, we expect that the investor would benefit from the general
business-friendly environment consisting of, among others:
- a stable and predictable political and economic set up;
- a consistently high credit rating internationally;
- a firmly entrenched culture of the rule of law;
- a high literacy rate of over 82%;
- a competitive labour cost of USD150 per month for unskilled workers;
- respect for the sanctity of contracts;
- a sizeable regional market of 300 million people;
- a large duty free, quota free market in Europe and the United States of America.
7. Mr. President, Botswana is inviting American investors to explore investment
opportunities in areas of great potential such as:
- Textile and clothing manufacturing;
- Leather products manufacturing;
- Glass – making;
- Mineral prospecting and mining;
- Mineral beneficiation that includes diamond polishing, cutting and jewellery
making;
- Development of sectoral economic growth points, otherwise known in Botswana as
Hubs, to enhance the country’s competitiveness and benefit in certain activities.
- These growth points have been identified in areas such as Innovation, Diamond
beneficiation, Transport, Health, Education and Agriculture.
8. Let me conclude my brief remarks by once again thanking the Corporate Council
on Africa, through you Mr President, for having made this interaction possible. As I
indicated earlier, I have with me here, as part of my delegation, Mr. Nkate, the Chief

Executive of BEDIA, who will be able to amplify on some of the issues, I have raised
during our discussion, as necessary. I thank you.
D5) 25/9/10: OPENING REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA LT. GENERAL MOMPATI S. MERAFHE DURING HIS
MEETING WITH UNDP ADMINISTRATOR MS. HELEN CLARK
1. Let me thank you Your Excellency for affording me this opportunity to interact
with you.
2. I must hasten to commend you for your sound leadership during successful
organisation of the Millennium Development Goals High Level Plenary.
3. The UNDP has supported Botswana’s development efforts over the years and this
support continues to this day. Botswana therefore welcomes the “Delivering – As –
One” initiative, and we are therefore optimistic that it will result in improved
coordination and delivery of the UNDP Programme.
4. Botswana, like the rest of the world, has not been spared of the adverse effects of
the global economic meltdown. For two consecutive years we have operated a
budget deficit; P 13 b in 2009/2010 and P12 b in 2010/2011. In spite of this budget
deficit, government took a deliberate decision not to decrease its spending,
particularly in the development budget.This was done for the sole reason that
government is a major player in the country’s economy, and its spending was
necessary to stimulate the economy.
5. HIV and AIDS continue to be a concern for Botswana. However, the country
continues to make significant inroads in fighting the pandemic. This is demonstrated
by the fact that over 90% of people living with HIV and eligible for Anti – Retroviral
Therapy are on treatment. In addition, the proportion of infants born to HIV positive
mothers who are infected with the virus has declined over the years from above
40% in 2001 to just 3%.
6. My government is also troubled by the number of who live in poverty. We have as
a result come up with a flagship programme of poverty eradication which is aimed at
eliminating poverty from those members of our society who find themselves in such
a condition.
7. Let me conclude by assuring the UNDP, through you, of Botswana governments’
commitment and support in your endeavours. I thank you.
E. ALSO IN THE NEWS:
NB: News reports, statements and/or views reproduced below are NOT necessarily
those of Government of Botswana.
E1) 17/9/10: From the Compass Newspaper Nigeria - "Botswana: Where lunatics get
decent accommodation" By BIODUN AKOMOLAFE

In Gaborone, even animals obey rules...
ASK an average Nigerian where Gaborone is located in Africa, not many would tell
you they had ever heard about the capital city of Botswana.
But that country boasts of the fastest growing economy in Africa and the second
highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the world.
Botswana has a population of less than two million people and covers a geographical
area of 581,730 square kilometres comparable to the size of France.
Gaborone boasts of approximately 250,000 persons of the entire Botswana's
1,850,000 population.
Gaborone, which is regarded as one of the most modern metropolitan cities in
Africa, can be accessed through the air, road and rail.
Botswana is located in the semi arid region of Kalahari Desert; boarded in the South
by South Africa Republic, North by Zimbabwe and West by Angola and Zambia in the
East, yet Gaborone has enough water for domestic, industrial and wet its many
flower beds around the city.
Language
The main language of Motswana’s, the nationals, is Setswana, while the official
language is English.
According to local sources, Gaborone was designated as the capital for many
reasons. Some of which include the city’s proximity to the South African capital, the
prior existence of administrative infrastructure, proximity to most of the major
indigenous groups, and it’s close proximity to the rail road.
More importantly, Gaborone has led its inhabitants to one of the largest water
sources in the country. This, they claimed, further contributed to making this
location ideal for a capital city.
Over the span of 10 years, the city of Gaborone, which was once equated to a little
bush, has grown into a real metropolitan city with state-of-the-art buildings that
house private enterprises and government institutions.
Gaborone is also equipped with a modern power plant, hospitals with expert
services, schools, international banks, competent and functioning police stations,
telecommunication facilities, amazing road networks and transport infrastructure,
sports stadia, and beautiful neighbourhoods.
Today’s Gaborone is a modern city sustaining the economy of a fast growing country
that has come to be the pride of its citizens.

For visitors who love shopping, Gaborone is an ideal place.
There is a wide array of shopping malls and high end boutiques for both
international and local products with adequate security cover. At the malls, you can
buy any of your favourite designer perfumes, clothes, and accessories. You can also
buy great African souvenirs designed to international standards. There are also a
number of restaurants that offer local and international cuisine.
Gaborone is alive day and night, so fill your nights with fun and visit some of Africa’s
best night clubs in the city.
For the health conscious visitors, it offers a wide selection of sports clubs and
gymnasiums. The city is also lined with budget and luxury hotels to cater for visitors'
needs regardless of budget.
There are a number of events that take place in the city every year. These events
include football matches at the National Stadium and cultural events. At the
Maitisong Cultural Centre and Gaborone Craft Centre, visitors can watch the cultural
songs, other forms of performances and buy souvenirs that give a great insight into
the culture of this beautiful country.
As a first time visitor to Gaborone, your visit should start from the new airport from
where you begin to get an insight into what the city has to offer.
The Main Mall or simply The Mall, situated between the Railway station and the army
garrison, has turned out to be the central business district of Gaborone bustling with
business concerns, offices, and people selling craft and other forms of art works.
Economy
Botswana at independence in 1966 was one of the poorest economies in the world
as the mainstay of the economy was cattle and other agricultural products grown at
subsistent level, but the discovery of diamond in 1970s and prudent management of
its proceeds thereafter have put the country among the richest in the world.
Besides having the highest GDP in Africa, the country’s currency called Pula has the
highest value on the continent with one dollar exchanging for six Pulas. The Pula is
even stronger than South African Rands.
The country can boast of the most modern infrastructure, high level manpower with
the most sophisticated health care delivery system on the continent.
Morning, it is often said, dictates the day. A first time visitor to Gaborone via Sir
Seretse Khama International Airport located at about 15 minutes drive from
Gaborone City, gets a clue of what he or she is likely to meet inside the city.

Apart from the aesthetics of the newly constructed airport, the high level of
hospitality and sense of patriotism displayed by the citizens show that the city is
inhabited by a population that is well taken care of in all areas of human needs.
Driving out of the airport into the city, a visitor is welcome to a highway that is free
of potholes, smooth and without stressful traffic conditions noted in many African
cities.
Drivers religiously obey traffic rules even when there are no enforcement personnel
in sight. The drivers don’t honk even when another vehicle obstructs the road. What
they do is to exercise patience and allow the vehicle in front get onto the right side
of the road before moving.
Commercial vehicles in Gaborone are neat and drivers and conductors are well
behaved. No abuse. No insult. They treat passengers with utmost regards. Another
thing noted in Gaborone as one approaches the town, is the attraction associated
with the way Motswana’s build their houses. Low-cost housing schemes but every
unit is supplied with functional facilities.
The houses in estate form were built in a way similar to what are around the
National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.
But unfortunately, that is where the similarity ends. The two housing estates have
nothing in common again.
The Motswana houses are well spaced, neatly decorated, well kept with each is
fitted with solar panel as an alternative source of power supply.
A local guide, a young and dedicated Motswana named Thaepelo Kgale, said that
the nation witnessed epileptic power supply for the first time in many years during
the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, this year.
Kgale recalled that South Africa, which was one of the sources of electricity supply to
the country, had to reduce power supply because of the demand at home during the
Mundial.
The guide said the leadership of the country had since begun another power project
which would be powered through coal which has been found in large quantities in
the country.
The electricity project, which is expected to be completed by 2011, would generate
over 5,000 mega watts, thereby making Botswana self-reliant on power supply.
Kgale said the leadership of Botswana was determined to make every citizen, no
matter his or her economic and social status, comfortable in every way.
He added that the citizens on their have the responsibilities to obey the laws, pay
their taxes and show commitment to the development of the country.

Everybody on his tour did not take Kgale seriously until after they got to Gaborone
and spent some days there.
It was discovered that even a mad man on the street was decently accommodated
and cared for by the government and the people.
Throughout the five-day stay in the city, it was only a lunatic that was spotted at a
place called The Main Mall, which is very close to some embassies.
The man, who looked well built, could be mistaken for a Rastafarian except for his
unstable behaviour.
He was said to have lost his senses after he travelled to Europe as a youth with
promising future where he joined some youths who took to drug.
The 'mad man' was said to have remained in that position since he returned to
Botswana.
The people around him related with him cordially. Some even gave him sweets and
other gifts which he collected with humility. When the people were asked how he
copes with the cold nights the city is noted for, they disclosed that he, like
everybody in the city, has a house where he can take hot bathe.
Apart from human beings in Botswana, every infrastructure in the country works to
design and schedule. The road network is enchanting, with well laid out sidewalks
and road signs in place. No street trader. No Okada rider. Motorcycles were never
seen.
Apart from the fact that the streets are always deserted, the few people on the
streets don’t cross the road without getting to Zebra crossings. Motorists would
always stop for the pedestrian, to cross even if it is a child.
Gaborone animals are also well groomed and obedient. Goats don’t run across the
road without caution. The Botswana goats which are a mixture of African Dwarfs
and Sokoto Bororo, the variety of goats found in the Middle Belt area of Nigeria, are
white.
Like human beings, they cross the road with caution and they don’t destroy the
ornamented flowers planted along the roads. Also, a cat in Met Court in where the
tourists were lodged never strayed into the restaurant. It remained in the veranda
where it was kept even without chain. Some species of monkey found in the resort
did not contest for any of the meals with the guests, even when bananas were
served.
From Airport Road to Botswana University and College of Technology and Gaborone
Wild Life garden, everything around the city works perfectly. Though no road
accident was seen, but there were reported cases in the local newspapers and on
television, which the government claimed it was not comfortable with.

One food that would remain fresh in the visitors' memory for a long time is the
Botswana's billtong, dried and shredded well garnished pieces of meat eaten by the
Motswana’s as snacks but which could make for a good lunch for an average
Lagosian if taken with Garri on a sunny day.
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