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Republic of Botswana TAUTONA TIMES vol. 9 no. 3 (19/2/2011) – The Electronic Press
Circular of the Office of the President “REAL LEADERSHIP FOR REAL DELIVERY”
For more of the latest news and information about Botswana visit: Botswana E-Portal @
www.gov.bw and Botswana Daily News Online @ www.dailynews.gov.bw
“I have no doubt in my mind that the A.S. Dada Foundation and the people of Kanye
have spared no effort in ensuring that this project becomes a resounding success. I
hasten to add that the project of this magnitude would not have been realized, if you
did not put a lot of work into it.” – H.H. the Acting Vice President [B]
CONTENT
A. The Week that Was
B. Statement by H.H. the Acting Vice President @ the handover of a Medical Clinic in
Kanye donated by the A.S. Dada Foundation.
C. Press Releases, Notices and Forwarding
1. Statements on Egypt
2. Rural Electrification to continue
3. Former President Mogae in Nigeria
4. Response to Echo Newspaper
5. Response to allegations of political utterances
D. Also by others in the News: -
1. Daily Sun (Nigeria) “How Africa can get it right
2. Epoch Times (USA) “The Last Lions”
3. Innovation Hub Focus - "Could Botswana Become a High Tech Hub?"
A. The Week that Was –
Dear Readers - Welcome to another edition of Tautona Times, your window into issues
and events involving the Botswana State Presidency. Yesterday, His Excellency the
President, Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, visited the Naledi Education Centre at
Old Naledi, as part of his own contribution to this month’s Community Service Day
activities. While there, the President oversaw the donation of equipment and supplies,
including a printer, foodstuffs and educational toys for preschoolers, to the Centre.
The Naledi Education Centre is a non-profit school serving those with needs in the
community. In the evening it also provides primary education classes for working adults
under a programme popularly known as “Makgasa”. During his visit to the Centre His
Excellency was informed of the difficulties faced by the Centre, which has been largely
surviving from the voluntary efforts of members of the community.

The monthly Community Service Day has become a routine part of the work schedules
for members of the political leadership as well as civil servants. Elsewhere Cabinet
members joined civil servants working at all levels across the country in contributing
towards the realisation of various additional self-help initiatives targeting the needy and
marginalised, through activities that have been organised by their Ministries and
departments.
Led by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, the Honourable
Mokgweetsi Masisi, and Assistant Minister, the Honourable Patrick Masimolole, Office of
the President (OP) staff were thus in Morwa yesterday, where they will be assisting a
family to set up its own drip irrigation backyard garden.
As with such previous OP initiatives as tree planting and facilitating partnerships to
provide shelter for the needy, the Morwa backyard garden project is a manifestation of
the current Administration’s wider commitment to eradicating poverty and promoting
people centred development through grassroots interventions designed to help
Batswana help themselves.
As President Khama observed at the inaugural Pitso ya go Nyeletsa Lehuma in
Mahalapye late last year:
“The backyard garden gives us hope in our fight against poverty due to the fact that
80% of the type of poverty experienced countrywide is that of lack of food…Other
packages being developed to augment the backyard garden include: Chicken farming,
small stock, bee-keeping, cottage industries/handicrafts, backyard nurseries,
handymen/women (technical and agronomy), fisheries, tourism and (food) processing.”
The week that was
Since our last issue His Excellency continued with his busy schedule of Ministry
Briefings, meeting with the Ministries of: Labour and Home Affairs; Minerals, Energy
and Water Resources; Agriculture; and Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.
He also found time for tone setting meetings with the recently appointed Ministers and
Assistant Ministers of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration and Defence, Justice
and Security.
In addition His Excellency received an inter-ministerial briefing on transport issues,
which focused on ensuring enhanced access to those with special needs.
This past Tuesday Senior Officials joined Ministers and Assistant Ministers in an
Economic Committee of Cabinet to discuss proposals to enhance domestic land policy
with the goal of ensuring more equitable access for all citizens, while overcoming the

inequities caused by the speculation and land hoarding. In their divergent perspectives
participants were united in their appreciation that land is a finite resource that
underpins social identity and security as well as economic opportunity.
On Thursday his Excellency travelled to the Ghanzi North Constituency, where he
toured and met with ordinary citizens at Kuke and D’kar communities before addressing
a well attended kgotla meeting at Ghanzi. [C2]
Last Saturday, His Honour the Acting Vice President, Dr. Ponatshego Kedikilwe, was the
guest of honour at handover to Government of a state of the art Medical Clinic that was
generously donated by the A.S. Dada Foundation. At the ceremony, His Honour
expressed his utmost appreciation for “…this noble gesture, which will go a long way in
contributing to the efficient delivery of our primary healthcare system” [B]
Over the past week the Acting Vice President, along with the recently appointed
Minister and Assistant Minister, also received briefings from senior OP staff on the
Offices operations, challenges and opportunities. This process will be carried forward in
the coming week when senior OP staff will join the Minister and Assistant Minister in a
strategic retreat.
Spotlight on Former Presidents
Also this week privileged ticket holders attended the premier of “The African Democrat”
a documentary film that pays tribute to the contributions made to this county and
continent by Former President Sir Ketumile Masire. The film is the latest biographical
profile by the local production company BKDS (Billy Kokorwe and Dominic Savage)
Films.
Meanwhile Former President Festus Mogae was in the spotlight today when he delivers
the inaugural Claude Ake Memorial Lecture at Port Harcourt, in the Rivers State of
Nigeria. [C2] [D1].
Professor Ake was well known as a socially-engaged scholar as well as prolific and
influential writer on democracy and development. The topic of Former President
Mogae’s lecture will be - “Doom to Boom: Re-Engineering the Political Economy of the
Rivers State for Citizen Prosperity: Lessons from Botswana.”
Finally, this Office is pleased to report that His Honour the Vice President, Lt. General
Mompati Merafhe, continues to make good post-operative progress.
- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Media (19/2/11)
Contacts: Office Telephone: (267) 3975338 & Facsimile: (267) 3904019. Cell: (267)
71318598. E-mail: jramsay@gov.bw

B. STATEMENTS
12/2/11: KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY HIS HONOUR, THE ACTING VICE PRESIDENT DR.
P.H.K. KEDIKILWE, MP, MINISTER OF MINERALS, ENERGY AND WATER RESOURCES
AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT (MP) FOR MMADINARE ON THE OCCASION OF THE
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE EBRAHIM AND MARIAM DADA CLINIC AT KANYE
[Salutations]…Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to have been accorded the distinguished
honour to officially hand-over this state-of-the-art facility to the community of this
beautiful village of Kanye. It is indeed a great pleasure that we are here this morning to
witness the spirit of compassion at work in Kanye, which will certainly remain etched on
the memories of many of us here. In essence, this is a rare occasion since we are
gathered here not only to pay tribute to the A.S. Dada Foundation for their invaluable
contribution to improve the welfare of fellow citizens, but also to celebrate with the
people of Kanye during this defining moment of their lives.
2. I must say the opening of our village’s eighth clinic, valued at over Two Million
Pula will, in no small measure, contribute towards the provision of quality healthcare
services to the nation at large. This is in line with one of the ideals of our National
Vision of promoting a “Compassionate, Caring and Loving Nation.” Undoubtedly, the
opening of Ebrahim and Mariam Dada Clinic remains very critical and important to the
lives of many of us here.
3. Like a Greek philosopher, Plato once noted: "What shall it profit a man if he
gains the whole world and loses his health?” Put differently, our health is our wealth.
4. Early and renowned universities – the Ivy League offered Philosophy,
Mathematics and Gymnastics. Gymnastics took its pride of peace under the theme, “a
healthy mind in a healthy body” – the Latin notation says “Mens sana in corpora sano”
(a sound mind in a sound body) But how many of us take heed of these words of
wisdom. Not many, I am afraid.
5. I am, therefore, moved by this noble gesture, which will go a long way in
contributing to the efficient delivery of our primary healthcare system. I have no doubt
in my mind that the A.S. Dada Foundation and the people of Kanye have spared no
effort in ensuring that this project becomes a resounding success. I hasten to add that
the project of this magnitude would not have been realized, if you did not put a lot of
work into it.
6. I cannot but emphasize our Tswana proverb which says: “Se tshwara ke Ntsa
pedi ga se thata.” It is a vision that many of us should share in order to augment

Government’s efforts to respond to the growing needs of our communities, culminating
in the overall development of this nation.
7. The construction of this project could not have come at a more opportune time
in view of the fact that the country was also affected by the global economic crisis
hence the government could not undertake many projects on its own. As you are
aware, primary healthcare services constitute a significant percentage of the total
healthcare services, provided at both rural and urban communities in Botswana.
Therefore, the clinic will significantly contribute towards the achievement of Vision
2016, which is aimed at promoting and uplifting of the lives of Batswana.
8. Currently, there are 28 District Health Management Teams, 268 clinics, 343
health posts and 1 052 Mobile-stops that are providing essential healthcare services in
the country.
9. The Southern District, just like other Districts in Botswana is characterised by
rapid population growth, thus making it difficult for the Government to cope with the
ever growing needs of Batswana such as the provision of adequate health facilities.
10. Bagaetsho, it is our Government policy that primary health facilities in Botswana
are within a radius of 15 kilometres, which is accessible to the larger part of the
community. For urban areas, 84 per cent of the population is within a five kilometre
radius from the facility, while in the rural areas is 72 per cent. Against this backdrop, I
wish to take this opportunity to implore all of us to emulate the A.S. Dada Foundation
by making a difference in the lives of our people.
11. As Government, we recognise the important role played by the private sector
and the general public in the development of this country. It is for this reason that I
would like to reiterate Government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment
for companies and individuals, which have redirected themselves to addressing
numerous socio-economic challenges faced by our various communities.
12. This project will certainly further raise the profile of A.S. Dada Foundation and
therefore win it new friends and well-wishers.
13. I hasten to add that community development is an integral part of Government
policy, and the involvement of the private sector in this endeavour is a meaningful
contribution to national development policies. I must also encourage the beneficiaries to
treasure this noble gesture by ensuring that the clinic is properly maintained as a
symbol of hope and humanity.
14. It is gratifying that members of the A.S. Dada Foundation are with us today and
we shall hopefully take advantage of their presence and share a moment or two with
them in order to have a deeper appreciation of their philosophy. To this end, the

Government is appreciative of the continued support of the A.S. Dada Foundation for
providing yet another clinic, which will go a long way in taking Botswana healthcare
services to desired international levels by 2015 and beyond.
15. Before I conclude my remarks, I wish once more to commend the A.S. Dada
Foundation for adhering to our National Vision ideals I have alluded to by showing
corporate social responsible through a project of this magnitude. It is my fervent hope
that this initiative by A.S. Dada Foundation will be emulated by other organisations and
members of the public alike.
16. It is now my pleasure to declare the Ebrahim and Mariam Dada Clinic officially
open. I thank you for the courtesy of your attention. PULA!
C. NOTICES & FORWARDING
C1) Statements on events in Egypt
C1a) 12/2/11: Botswana welcomes Former President Mubarak decision to step down.
The Government of the Republic of Botswana welcomes the decision by Former
President Mubarak to submit to the will of the people by leaving office.
Botswana congratulates Egyptians for the largely peaceful manner in which they
brought about change in their country and pledges all possible support for a peaceful
and swift transition to democratic rule which is anchored on free and fair elections as
well as freedom of expression and association.
We are however concerned that the military is in charge of such transition, which in our
view is not the best arrangement. We therefore hope that the military will exit the
political scene as soon as possible to allow a democratic process to take place.
The Botswana Government, further calls on the International Community to spare no
effort in working with the current transitional leadership in Egypt to bring about
meaningful change, in line with the wishes and aspirations of ordinary men and women
who sacrificed their time, comforts and even lives to usher in a new era in their country.
C1b) 9/2/11: Crisis in Egypt
The Government of the Republic of Botswana is closely following events as they unfold
in Egypt. We note with concern, the violence which has resulted in loss of life, injury to
persons and damage to property. In this regard, Botswana joins the international
community in calling for calm, and a peaceful political transition in that country.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, on behalf of
Government, continues to monitor the situation and advises Botswana nationals against

travelling to Egypt unless it is extremely essential and for those with family relatives in
that region to inform the Ministry as a matter of urgency at:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:
Telephone: 00267 3600700
Botswana Embassy in Ethiopia:
Telephone: 00 251 11 371 5422
Cellular phone: 00 251 911507979
C2) 18/2/11: Rural electrification will continue
(GHANZI) - Electrification of rural villages will continue once the country’s economy
recovers from the financial meltdown. President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama
revealed this when addressing a meeting at Kuke in Ghanzi North constituency
yesterday.
He said 130 villages were electrified last year. He said the unfavourable financial
situation the country finds itself in has dealt a blow to government’s efforts to connect
power to the villages.
However, he assured his audience that once the country’s finances improve, the
electrification project will be back on its feet “and other villages will be covered as well.”
When delivering the village development report, Kuke PTA chairperson, Mr. Dumelang
Sixpence said lack of electricity in the settlement is a drawback. The situation, he said,
limits economic opportunities available to residents.
Responding to other requests, the Minister of Health, Dr John Seakgosing said it will not
be possible to take anti retroviral dispensing services to Kuke since there is no suitable
storage for the drugs. The drugs, the minister said, need cooler storage.
“But we will continue providing transport to D’Kar for those who need to access ARVs,”
Dr Seakgosing said.
The residents had complained that they travel a long distance to D’Kar to access the life
saving drugs.
About the removal of cattle from Kuke quarantine, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr
Christiaan De Graaff said during the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Ghanzi in
2008, government made an agreement with farmers to quarantine their cattle
temporarily as a way of preventing the spread of the disease to other areas.

Now that the situation is back to normal, he said farmers were given up to December
2010 to have removed their cattle from the quarantine, “and by December 31, only 330
cattle were removed by 18 farmers while 434 cattle belonging to 40 farmers are still in
the quarantine,” he said.
Mr. De Graaff noted that after enlisting the services of social workers, they have since
found out that the farmers whose cattle still remain at the quarantine are by no means
economically handicapped. It has been discovered that the remaining cattle belong to
government employees adding that the owners have been given up to March 10 to
have cleared the quarantine.
Farmers have been advised to take their animals to Qabo settlement where there is
more pastoral land.
The Minister of Lands and Housing, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said at the moment, a
settlement plan for Kuke is being developed. “So we cannot allow pastoral farming here
especially that the area is already small”, he said adding that the little land available
should be saved for developments. He told the residents that they should make an
arrangement to move their cattle to Qabo adding that the same issue applies to D’Kar
residents who also do not have pastoral land.
Kuke residents were also informed that the Botswana Meat Commission in Lobatse and
Francistown will open for slaughter next week. BOPA
C3) 15/2/11: His Excellency the Former President Mr. Festus G. Mogae visits Nigeria
His Excellency the Former President Mr. Festus G. Mogae travels to Nigeria tomorrow,
Wednesday 16th February 2011, at the invitation of the Governor of Rivers State, Mr.
Rotimi Amaechi. He has been invited as Guest Lecturer for the inaugural Claude Ake
Memorial Lecture which will take place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday 18th
February 2011.
Claude Ake was a professor of political economics and an international scholar born on
18th February 1939 in Rivers State. He was killed in an air crash on 7th November 1996
in Nigeria. He taught in universities in Nigeria, United States, Canada, Tanzania and
Kenya. He held visiting research fellowships at Oxford, Cambridge and the Brookings
Institution. He was also a visiting Professor at Yale University.
Professor Ake was a prolific writer and socially-engaged scholar. Some of the books he
authored include Revolutionary Pressures in Africa; Social Science as Imperialism: A
Theory of Political Development; Democratization of Disempowerment in Africa;
Democracy and Development in Africa; and The Feasibility of Democracy in Africa.

He was known for dedicating his scholarship primarily to the improvement of the
condition of an average African. One of his arguments was that: “Ordinary Africans do
not separate political economy from economic democracy or for that matter from
economic wellbeing. They see their political empowerment as an essential part of
getting the economic agenda right at last and ensuring that development is managed
better and its rewards evenly distributed.”
Professor Ake’s scholarship did not end with being radical, pan-Africanist and antiimperialist,
but also involved in critiquing African dictatorships including the military
regimes of Nigeria. He commented in his writings on the disappointment of Africa’s
independence and poor governance. “The foundation upon which Africa’s democratic
movement is based is the bitter disappointment of independent and post independent
plans. Poor leadership and structural constraints have turned the high expectation of
independence into painful disappointment forcing many African leaders to rely more on
coercion which has deepened their alienation. But coercion and alienation have
worsened the prospects of development leading to further coercion and alienation.”
President Mogae’s lecture topic will be “DOOM TO BOOM: RE-ENGINEERING THE
POLITICAL ECONOMY OF RIVERS STATE FOR CITIZEN PROSPERITY: LESSONS FROM
BOTSWANA.”
He is expected to return Sunday 20th February 2011.
C4) 10/2/11: Editor Echo Newspaper - Re: Your Article “Masire Hospitalised”
With reference to the above article, which appeared on page 2 of today’s edition of
your newspaper, we wish to point out an inaccuracy which we trust arose from a simple
error of communication.
In the article you accurately report that we confirmed that the Vice President is
recuperating very well in hospital. Your report goes on to state that I expected him [i.e.
the Vice President] to be released before the end of the week. This is inaccurate. In this
regard, we suspect your reporter confused my remarks about Masire with those about
Merafhe as the Former President was by then already scheduled for release when your
reporter called, which we did confirm. At any rate, we have not, and at this stage
cannot, suggest a timeframe for H.H. the Vice President’s release though we remain
encouraged about reports of his post operative progress. Thank you.
C5) 9/2/11: Dr. Jeff Ramsay, DPS Media for BGCIS - Re: Allegations of Political
Utterances/Statements by myself
I have this afternoon received from a member of the private press a copy of a
statement bearing the letterhead of a certain political party whose subject matter is
“Jeff Ramsay Must Stop Making Public Political Statements” in which it is alleged that I

have made “political utterances” and issued “political statements” as evidence that I
“openly engage in partisan politics”.
I am frankly unaware of any utterances or statements made by myself that could have
triggered the above allegations.
As a Government Spokesperson it is my duty to communicate the policies and
programmes of the Government of the day. In this respect in my carrying out of such
duties over the past decade I have endeavoured to avoid direct reference to, much less
commentary about, any political formation or personality in our country, mindful of the
fact that the Government of the day, along with its Public Service, is established to
serve all citizens.
As the statement received makes further reference to the relocation of residents of the
Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve, I would also add that my only recent comment on the
matter was to deny the allegation that Government in the period since the relocation
denied the existence of diamond prospecting and deposits within the Reserve. In this
context I drew a private sector journalist’s attention to previous Government
statements on the matter including a detailed 2004 press statement on the matter
originally issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which
from said time has been published online by Government for easy and public reference.
It may be noted that the said 2004 statement does not make reference to any political
figure or party.
Finally, as a public servant my door remains open to the public concerns of members of
any and all political parties who may feel that they have been unfairly targeted by
myself and would, therefore, in the first instance urge them to get in touch with me to
share any such concerns.
D. ALSO IN THE NEWS:
NB: News reports, statements and/or views reproduced below are NOT necessarily
those of Government of Botswana.
D1) 19/2/11 From Sun News Publishing (Nigeria) – “How Africa can get it right - Ex-
Botswana president” by HENRY CHUKWURAH, Port Harcourt
Former President of Botswana, Mr. Festus Mogae, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, warned
that the African continent can only make progress when its people and leaders get their
politics right.
Speaking as guest lecturer at the memorial lecture of Professor Claude Ake, the former
president, in his paper, entitled, “Doom to Boom: Re-engineering the Political Economy

of Rivers State for Citizens Prosperity: Lessons from Botswana” bemoaned the high
level of corruption, which he saw as “the biggest challenge confronting African
development.”
Mogae said those seeking to lead nations of the continent, including Nigeria, should be
driven by “a burning desire” to enhance the collective good.
He said; “Participation in politics must be driven by a burning desire to contribute to
change and a leadership that is transformational in intent.
“We need strong democratic institutions, which cannot be violated by rulers; strong and
legitimate constitutions with entrenched provisions that can only be amended with the
participation of people through referenda. People want rulers who uphold the rule of
law; who adhere to legitimate constitutions; who respect and promote broad based
participation of the people in the way they are governed.
“We may not be there yet, but that should be our ultimate goal. We must learn to
appreciate that part of the rights we canvass is the right to lawful dissent. An important
indicator of a vibrant democracy is an existence of opposition groups and civil society.
We must tolerate critical and divergent views.”
Speaking on the failure of past African governments to lead their people to prosperity,
given the abundant natural resources, the former president predicted that by 2015, 13
percent of global oil production would take place in the continent, “with at least 19
African countries becoming significant producers.”
He regretted that the quantum of natural resources endowment on the continent has
not been able to make development happen. Rather, many African citizens wallow in
what is most often seen to be an indescribable and indeed, embarrassing level of
poverty.
D2) The latest Derek and Beverly Joubert wildlife movie “The Last Lions” premiered in
North America this week. Below is one of the many positive reviews the film has already
received - 19/2/11: From Epoch Times (USA) – “A Strikingly Up-Close Look at Big
Cats” By Joe Bendel
Over the last half century, the lion population has declined from roughly 450,000 to
something in the 20,000 range. Mankind might be a reckless predator, but the greatest
threats posed to young lion cubs are often other lions on the hunt.
Nature can indeed be cruel, as viewers see in no uncertain terms throughout Derek and
Beverly Joubert’s true wildlife documentary The Last Lions, which opens Friday in New
York.

While a film’s distributor is usually immaterial to its merits, the imprimatur of National
Geographic Entertainment establishes instant credibility for a nature film like The Last
Lion. Unlike the old “Disney True Life Adventures” (at least as most of us probably
remember them), the Jouberts are not afraid to show the brutality of life in the wild.
There will be blood, from both predator and prey alike.
Single-motherhood is a difficult proposition in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, but Ma di
Tau (or “Mother of Lions” as the Jouberts refer to her) will tenaciously fight to protect
her cubs—the last of her pride. Avoiding human settlements, their biggest concern is a
rival pride led by Silver Eye, an aggressive, battle-scarred lioness.
Of course, food is also a pressing issue. Unfortunately, the neighbouring buffalo herd
constitutes decidedly dangerous game.
While the law of the jungle is clearly brutish and unforgiving, the filmmakers also
capture its rough beauty. It’s amazing what director-cinematographer Derek Joubert
was able to capture on film, with up-close-and-personal intimacy.
Through his lens, viewers also witness atypical behaviour for lions born of desperation,
as Ma di Tau and her cubs reluctantly swim out to Duba Island to escape Silver Eye and
her fellow huntresses.
Though the Jouberts convey a vivid sense of the animals’ personalities and emotions,
actor Jeremy Irons’s narration is a tad overblown, approaching the hyped-up tenor of
NFL Films’ voice-overs: “But for Ma di Tau, there would come another day.”
A scene in National Geographic's documentary film, 'The Last Lions.' (Courtesy of
Beverly Joubert/National Geographic)
Even if the narration is corny at times, it all works together rather effectively as
Joubert’s striking visuals and Irons’s silky tones rally viewer sympathy for Ma di Tau and
her cubs.
This is the natural world. Not to drop any spoilers, but parents should be aware that
getting emotionally attached during the PG-rated “Last Lions” might lead to some
disappointment for younger viewers. Adults, however, should appreciate the Jouberts’
editorial integrity.
Yet, perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the film is watching the lions locked in
mortal combat, even though it does not serve the overall interests of their dwindling
species. Tragically, the territorial imperative is simply too deeply ingrained.
Of course, the filmmakers hasten to add that viewers can help, including a pitch for the
National Geographic Society’s Big Cats Initiative just as the concluding credits role.

While not exactly subtle, it hardly detracts from an impressive work of nature
filmmaking.
Far surpassing PBS programming, The Last Lions is an engaging look at a powerful but
endangered species. It is recommended for animal watchers when it opens in New York
on Friday (Feb. 18) at the Angelika Film Centre.
Joe Bendel writes about independent film and jazz and lives in New York. To read his
most recent articles, please visit http://jbspins.blogspot.com.
D3) Focus on Innovation Hub -
D3a) From Botswana Innovation Hub website @ www.bih.co.bw - Botswana Innovation
Hub Turns the Soil to Start Infrastructure Works
A new dawn begun on the morning of Friday 22nd October 2010 as the Botswana
Innovation Hub held its groundbreaking ceremony at their site in Block 8, Gaborone.
The ceremony marked the commencement of construction of site master-plan
infrastructure works of the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) and is an important
milestone in its development at the BIH.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the keynote speaker, Minister of
Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Honourable Johnie Swartz, said that the
Government of Botswana has adopted a variety of strategies to achieve economic
diversification, of which the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) is one. He further
explained that the BIH was being developed as a science and technology park, which
will be a nexus for knowledge creation and innovation.
“Similarly, BIH seeks to encourage greater collaboration among universities, research
laboratories, large and small companies in order to facilitate the conversion of new
ideas into innovative technologies ready for the market. We see it as an effective means
to generate employment and make existing companies more competitive through
cooperative research and development, shared facilities, and benefits derived from
common locations,” he continued to explain.
For his part, the Chairperson of the BIH Board, Mr. Daniel Neo Moroka shared the
Minister’s sentiments in saying, “In an age when creativity and innovation are
acknowledged as the prime ingredients of economic success, it does not come as a
surprise that the government of Botswana took a step towards establishing a science
and technology park in Gaborone.”
The Botswana Innovation Hub Implementation Office has contracted the Botswana
Development Corporation (BDC) to manage and coordinate design and construction of
infrastructure, which includes master planning/urban design, infrastructure design and

construction and design and construction of the icon building and annexes. Speaking on
behalf of BDC at the Groundbreaking, Acting BDC Managing Director, Mrs. Sametsi
Ditshupo said that BDC was approached by Government primarily due to their expertise,
experience and long history in property development and management. She explained
that BDC is working around the clock to ensure that they deliver to the deadline of
three years that they have been given to complete the project, from inception to
handover.
The Botswana Innovation Hub implementation project, run under the Ministry of
Infrastructure, Science and Technology (MIST), is one of the key projects identified by
the country to promote an information and knowledge society that harnesses creativity
and innovation. It is one of the initiatives intended to facilitate economic diversification
and growth by creating more private businesses in the country. This will be done in
three ways: offering a business incubation platform for new start-ups; helping potential
existing companies to grow; and attracting foreign companies to come to Botswana.
This will be done in 4 focus areas namely; Information and Communications
Technologies (ICT), Mining technologies, Energy & Environment and Biotechnology. As
a science and technology park, the Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) is being established
as a commercial nexus for knowledge creation and innovation. It is the first of its kind
in Botswana. The Botswana Innovation Hub will connect high technology innovators,
market experts and capital providers to transform ideas into viable business ventures.
The Hub will be a one-stop “plug-and-play” environment, providing office space for rent
and developed land for lease, conference, meeting and training facilities, laboratory
space for R & D activities, recreational facilities and cafeteria. BIH will provide
companies with flexible premises and quality business services thus offering a truly
world-class business environment that complements the high-tech image of companies
operating here.
D3b) Feb 17, 2011: Published @ www.fastcodesign.com - "Could Botswana Become a
High Tech Hub? SHoP Architects Builds a $50m Gamble"
Botswana hires the A-list New York architects to build a hub for a new knowledge
economy. Will it work?
SHoP Architects -- one of Fast Company’s 2010 Most Innovative Companies -- has won
a competition to design a colossal $50 million science and tech park in Botswana. A
project initiated by the Botswana government, the park is expected to catapult this
nation built on diamonds and beef into the 21st century.
The Botswana Innovation Hub is designed to throw start-ups, global corporations, and
research and health organizations under one massive green roof stretched long and low
over part of a 57-hectare site of barren veldt in the capital city of Gaborone. The design
is a clutch of lean volumes reminiscent of sand dunes that link via bridges to create an

intimate community (or as intimate as you can get in 270,000 square feet). A raft of
green technologies, from rain water collectors to photovoltaic cells, will help the
building achieve LEED certification, a first in Botswana. This is sexy stuff -- sexy
enough, the hope goes, to attract outsiders to what’s effectively the middle of
corporate-nowhere.
And the rhetoric here is irresistible to the West: A nation rich in natural, but ultimately
limited, resources wants to convert to a knowledge-based economy and uses
starchitecture, that evergreen symbol of institutional greatness, to literally cultivate its
ambitions. The question, of course, is whether it’ll work -- or just end up a white
elephant like some other places we’ve heard about nearby.
If any African country is going to swing it, it’s Botswana. Independent since 1966, it
counts among the continent’s stablest nations and, until the financial crisis, enjoyed one
of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world. Its prosperity results from
improbably generous diamond mines and, to a much lesser extent, cattle; it’s the
largest producer of gem-quality diamonds on earth. But its greatest asset is also its
biggest liability. The deposits are expected run dry as soon as 2030, sending
government officials into a lather over how to diversify. Enter the Botswana Innovation
Hub. “The goal was to create an incubator to invite new start-ups and other companies
into Botswana,” says SHoP principal William Sharples, “and get the country into another
economic line besides just diamonds.”
Botswana could’ve commissioned any old business building and branded it an
Innovation Hub. Instead, they hired SHoP, a firm with a reputation for high-wattage
architecture that doesn’t empty clients’ bank accounts. SHoP’s design does two
important things (besides being a showcase). First: It’s adamant about fostering a
science and tech community -- not just a sprawling business park. Bridges link the four
central volumes and between them, you’ve got gardens -- what Sharples calls “breakout
spaces where people from various companies could come and meet and have an
opportunity for collaboration.” It sounds negligible, but it’s actually an important selling
point. For one, it’ll help overseas employees feel less isolated in a foreign country. But
also: Imagine how tickled a start-up would be by bumping into Google folks on a break.
Likewise, Google could doubtless benefit from the creative energy of fresh blood. (This
is purely hypothetical; we have no idea if Google will open an office here.)
Secondly, the building introduces green architecture to a part of the world where it
doesn’t exist. SHoP’s design exploits both active and passive energy-saving techniques
to slash the building’s carbon footprint by 50 percent compared with the American
national standard (called ASHRAE). The roof, for instance, draws on both photovoltaics
and large overhangs to passively shade the building’s interior from intense solar heat.
“They’ve never done a sustainable building in Botswana. It’s going to be very new,”
Sharples says. “We’re bringing in new technology, and we’re showing how we use

digital technology to design and manage the design process.” In short, SHoP sees the
Innovation Hub itself as a model of innovation.
Still, it’s a chancy move. Just because a building looks nice and feels nice and is nice to
the environment doesn’t mean companies will pick up and move there. Botswana, after
all, is a long way from Silicon Valley. The risk, then, is that the building -- this
behemoth with more square footage than the White House and the U.S. Capitol
combined -- never attracts tenants. (Some 50,000 square feet is already dedicated to
an AIDS research centre that has drawn interest from Harvard, Baylor, and Penn.) “I
couldn’t agree with you more,” Sharples says. “We don’t know who the end-users will
be. We have very guarded optimism about the project. Though there does seem to be
an interest. And they [the government] have already spent a significant chunk of
money on the infrastructure, so they’re going to move forward on this. I believe they’re
going to get the investment they need.”
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