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To all SADC Heads of State

August 30, 2016, 8:13 am
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To all SADC Heads of State
Your Excellencies Please act urgently to break the cycle of drought and food insecurity. We, small scale farmers, churches, rural women, media and civil society in Southern Africa hereby write to you at the 36th Summit of the SADC Heads of States and Governments, taking place in Swaziland from 29th -30th August 2016. Our organisations - which work together as the Southern Africa Food and Climate Justice Coalition – welcome the initiatives taken at regional level to respond to the devastating drought, and congratulate you on the approval of the Regional Agricultural Investment Plan. We look forward to the Summit making further progress on these two important issues, which are key areas of engagement for our organisations. With this in mind, we would like to submit the following recommendations for your consideration: 1. Responding to the El Nino-related drought Our organisations welcome the high-level political leadership in responding to the drought and related food crisis, as demonstrated by the SADC regional declaration of emergency, and the related national declarations. We fully support the SADC Regional Appeal to close the funding gap in Southern Africa of $2.4bn. Many of our organisations are actively working to ensure that the region receives the…
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UK’s Princess Anne to grace Botswana’s 50th anniversary celebration

August 31, 2016, 4:21 am
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Princess Anne
The British High Commission is delighted to announce that HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne will represent the UK at Botswana’s 50th anniversary celebration during a three-day official visit from 28 to 30 September. The visit will be The Princess Royal’s fourth official visit to Botswana, having previously visited in 1999, 2003 and 2011. Her return visit underlines the ongoing strength of the unique historical relationship between the Republic of Botswana and the United Kingdom. Fifty years ago, in 1966, HRH’s Great Aunt Princess Marina, The Duchess of Kent attended the Independence ceremony. The Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone was named after her. In addition to attending the Botswana 50th celebrations, The Princess Royal’s programme will include visits to a number of charitable and community projects within Botswana.Background HRH The Princess Royal was born on 15 August 1950 in London. She is the only daughter and second child of HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. She was known as Princess Anne until she was given the title of The Princess Royal by The Queen in June 1987. The Princess Royal married Commander Timothy Laurence, now Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, on 12 December 1992. Her Royal Highness is…
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ShockWildlifeTruths: Poachers kill 26 elephants in Chobe National Park

August 31, 2016, 5:55 am
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ShockWildlifeTruths: Poachers kill 26 elephants in Chobe National Park
In a shocking discovery this week at least 26 elephants, their faces hacked off and their tusks removed, lay in congealing blood on Botswana’s Chobe National Park floodplain. Poachers had killed them within sight of an exclusive safari lodge and the Linyanti public campsite. The park is home to the greatest elephant herd in the world and the jewel in the crown of the sprawling, five-country Kavanga-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), of huge concern is that the slaughter occurred in a park protected by the Botswana Defense Force, one of the most efficient anti-poaching operations on the continent. As the chopper descended to one of the kills, scattering vultures, conservationist Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders (EWB) was shaking his head in disbelief. ‘This is shocking,’ he said as we ducked beneath the throbbing chopper blades. ‘We’ve never had poaching here on this scale. In the two years of the Great Elephant Census which we’ve just completed, this is the worst single incident of poaching I’ve seen. And right in our own back yard! On the Botswana side there’s no human community, but on the Namibian bank is a village. So the poachers are probably coming from over the river,…
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Suspected Zambian poachers arrested in Botswana

August 31, 2016, 6:02 am
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Suspected Zambian poachers arrested in Botswana
Police found six elephant tusks in a specially-designed hidden compartment inside the suspects vehicle. Police in northern Botswana have arrested two Zambian citizens and a Motswana on allegations of poaching after they were found in possession of six elephant tusks. Superintendent John Kelebeng said the two Zambian nationals were arrested outside Maun after police officers stopped and searched a Toyota ‘Mark 2’ vehicle they were travelling in early on Saturday morning. Kelebeng said the six tusks were found in a specially-designed hidden compartment inside the vehicle. The two suspects were immediately detained and were expected to appear in court on September 13. The police said a Motswana citizen was also arrested in the same area on Saturday after being found with pieces of elephant tusk. He was due to appear in court this week to face charges of illegal possession of ivory and poaching of endangered species. [African News Agency - ANA][citizen.co.za]
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BONELA angry: Client convicted of homosexual act

August 31, 2016, 11:09 pm
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BONELA angry: Client convicted of homosexual act
The Botswana Network on Ethics Law & HIV/AIDS (BONELA) has reacted with anger at the conviction and sentencing of its client for sleeping with another man. He has been found guilty of violating section 164 of the Penal Code of Botswana and sentenced by a Gaborone Magistrate Court to three and half years, two of which have been suspended for three years. “When the matter started our client was charged with an offence of having had unlawful carnal knowledge with another man without his consent. This charge was unexpectedly altered to that of him having had carnal knowledge with another man contrary to section 164 of the Penal Code. The last charge criminalises same sex acts for being unnatural,” said BONELA in a statement. BONELA has always held the position that section 164 of the Penal Code should not be part of the laws of Botswana for several reasons. “Among others, section 164 of the Penal Code is unconstitutional as it discriminates against homosexual people; non-discrimination being a fundamental right to be enjoyed by all under the constitution. This was reiterated in the recently delivered LEGABIBO registration case that ‘nothing could be plainer and that there are no exclusions whatever,’”…
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Dilma impeached; loses power

September 1, 2016, 6:44 am
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Dilma impeached; loses power
STRUGGLE FINALLY OVER: Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff attends the final session of her impeachment trial in the capital, Brasilia, earlier this week.Image by: Brazil's Dilma Rousseff was stripped of the country's presidency yesterday in a senate impeachment vote, ending 13 years of leftist rule in Latin America's biggest economy.Rousseff, 68, was convicted by 61 of the 81 senators of illegally manipulating the budget. The vote meant she was immediately removed from office. Cheers - and cries of disappointment - erupted in the blue-carpeted, circular chamber as the verdict flashed up on the electronic voting screen. Pro-impeachment senators burst into the national anthem, some waving Brazilian flags, while allies of Rousseff stood by stone-faced."I will not associate my name to this infamy," read a sign held up by one senator. Brazil's first female president, holed up in the presidential palace in the capital Brasilia with close aides, was expected to make a statement soon after the vote.Her vice-president-turned-political foe, Michel Temer, will be sworn in as her replacement.The veteran centre-right politician, whom Rousseff accuses of using the impeachment process to mount a coup, was then to leave for the G20 summit in China. Numsa protest ‘to defeat attempted coup’ in BrazilAbout…
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GUC in Bots50 activation

September 5, 2016, 1:06 am
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GUC students marched across the town as a way to pre celebrate the BOT50, [INSERT] Dr Anthony Joseph
As the nation of Botswana gears towards the final moments of the 50th Independence celebrations, Gaborone University College of Law and Professional Studies (GUC) on Friday took to the streets of Gaborone in the pre—independence celebrations. They started off with a march across the town from Main Mall through BBS mall ending at the university’s newly opened branch at Broadhurst Industrial. GUC Managing Director Dr Anthony Joseph said this was the institution’s way of activating the mood for the ultimate golden Jubilee independence celebrations that will be held on September 30, 2016. Dr Anthony said Botswana has achieved lot over the years and this warrants celebration. He, however, said more is still to be achieved in order to keep the country going forward. As Botswana will be celebrating 50 years of freedom, GUC on the other hand has everything to celebrate as well. The institution has come a long way over the past 10 years of its existence to this point. The institution has over 200 lecturers today and from their first graduation of 19 graduates they now have over 1000 graduates. Senior Assistant Commissioner Mathews Letsholo commended the leadership of GUC for the role it plays in the development…
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Khama’s absence denies country, people

September 5, 2016, 1:13 am
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Selepeng
Retired diplomat Molosiwa Selepeng has added to his voice growing criticism of President Ian Khama's refusal to attend international forums of Heads of State and Government, which defeats the country's efforts to entrench itself on the global arena. Presenting a Bot50 lecture at University of Botswana (UB) on the topic "Botswana as a Global Player in International Relations and Diplomacy" on Thursday, Selepeng said – without naming Khama – that it is critical for a head of state to meet his counterparts at high level fora to cut deals away from the glare of the public. Khama's continued absence at the AU Summit, UN assembly, TICAD and other high profile international meetings of Heads of State has been blamed for Botswana's diminishing fortunes on the international arena. Lately, such absence has been blamed for the loss by candidates from Botswana to win strategic positions at the African Union Commission, the Commonwealth and others. "The operations of these international fora are driven by the highest diplomats of participating states, meaning the Heads of State and Government. Countries represented at lower levels are disadvantaged, as most decisions are made in informal bilateral meetings and in the corridors. The status and prestige of…
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Segokgo takes charge: Who succeeds him?

September 5, 2016, 1:21 am
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Segokgo takes charge: Who succeeds him?
The appointment on a two-year term of Lieutenant General Placid Segokgo as the sixth commander of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has left the question of successor hanging. Usually commanders are appointed for five-year terms. Who then will be the army’s long term commander? Information gathered by this publication has shown that General Segokgo is only left with two years before he reaches the statutory retirement age of 55. His contract will come to an end in September 2018, four months after President Ian Khama has retired from office. Those close to the echelons of power have revealed that this was President Khama's plan to have the next President choose his own commander after he retires in 2018. Another challenge was that had Khama appointed anyone outside the top two senior Generals, it was going to cause tension within the army. "Though the two Generals – Segokgo and Morake – are about to reach their statutory retirement ages it will be disrespect to bring someone junior to command them at the end of their careers," revealed the army source. A military source has revealed that by not stating any new development in his inaugural speech except improvement of conditions of service…
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BOT50 divides BNF

September 5, 2016, 1:28 am
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Khan
The country's golden jubilee celebration is said to have now divided the leadership and members of Botswana National Front (BNF). Last month Botswana National Front (BNF) announced that it will boycott the BOT50 celebrations as a way of protesting corruption on the spending for the celebration. "We will not be taking part in what we believe robs Batswana of the hard-earned money, which could be used in other deserving projects," said BNF Secretary General Moeti Mohwasa in his statement recently. He said that there was nothing to celebrate as the country has regressed. This position is said to have created uneasiness among some BNF members, especially councillors and Members of Parliament. Sources within BNF said the position was taken without consulting people, hence most councillors and parliamentarians are reluctant to boycott the BOT50 celebrations. Some argue that they have been involved in the preparations for independence celebrations and have even participated during the roving torch and it will suicidal to pull out now. “The ruling party will have a field day accusing us of failing to attend the celebrations and you know how our people are,” said one councillor who refused to be named. To counter the move, BDP is…
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Fear grips bank employees

September 5, 2016, 1:43 am
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Fear grips bank employees
A hangover of the 2014 liquidity crisis in the banking sector, which saw profit margins shrinking by as much as 85% in the next reporting period at some leading banks, continues to haunt bank employees who live in fear of losing their jobs. Their fears are not unfounded since 274 of their colleagues were booted out in the 2014/15 financial year, according to the latest Banking Supervision Annual Report released in August. BoB Governor Linah Mohohlo observes in the report, which covers the 10 local commercial banks and three statutory banks that the loss of jobs was due to restructuring exercises, voluntary exit and retirement undertaken to reduce costs and increase operational efficiencies. Whither bankers' union? Fears of job losses are aggravated by allegations of inactivity of the bankers' trade union - the Botswana Bank Employees Union (BOBEU) – which has led to management in some banks having a field day; sources have told The Patriot on Sunday. The sources, who are members of the union, said ever since the new central committee was elected into office salary negotiations have been reduced to a formality with management pushing their offers without resistance, as has always been the case. The biggest…
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Namibia/Botswana joint military exercise ends

September 5, 2016, 5:10 am
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Namibia/Botswana joint military exercise ends
The military exercise between the Namibia and Botswana Defence Forces in the Omaheke Region had left smiles on the faces of residents. Every second year, the combined forces carry out a 15-day military exercise to promote joint military co-operation between the countries. After completing their mission, the two forces decided to leave their footprint in the region, by constructing traditional kitchens for preparing and serving food to communities at three places. The two forces also handed over an iron zinc house constructed in the backyard of the house of Chief Ita Kambases of the San Community at Drimiopisis and repainted the chief's house, in addition to a new bed. A shade bay was built at Drimiopisis Road Junction, where people wait for transport when hiking to Gobabis and other places. The Aminius Constituency Councillor, Petrus Kazongominja, was happy about what the two forces did for his community. The next military exercise takes place in Botswana in 2018. [nbc.na]
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Zim, Botswana, Mozambique in $600m railway deal

September 5, 2016, 5:20 am
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Zim, Botswana, Mozambique in $600m railway deal
THE Government has partnered Botswana and Mozambique in a $600 million project to roll out nearly 2 000km of railway line cutting across the three countries to facilitate trade. Ministers representing the three governments yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing themselves to the Port Techobanine Heavy Haul Rail Project.The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Joram Gumbo, Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Carlos Alberto Mesquita and Botswana’s Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Mr Onkokane Kitso Mokaila signed the agreement in Bulawayo. Dr Gumbo said Zimbabwe stands to benefit more from the project as almost 1 500km of the railway line will be in Zimbabwe. “Only about 100km of rail will be in Botswana and another 100km will be in Mozambique. But if you look at the stretch that is about 1 500km, that means the longest rail will be in Zimbabwe. That means a lot to our country in terms of transit payments,” he said. Dr Gumbo said each government is expected to contribute about $200 million to the project and due to its magnitude, the Government would engage the business sector in public private partnerships. “It is hoped and anticipated that the project…
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Restore people’s trust on media – Media Union leader

September 6, 2016, 7:01 am
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Restore people’s trust on media – Media Union leader
We are gathered here today to witness history. We must consider ourselves lucky and privileged; and I believe one day we will tell our sons, daughters and grandchildren that we were there when the first union of Botswana media workers, BOTSWANA MEDIA AND ALLIED WORKERS UNION, was launched. This day is a culmination of efforts that started many years ago, way before some of us joined the media profession. I am told that men and women who came before us, some of them now deceased, tried to launch a union of media workers, but failed because of unexplained circumstances. This could explain why a lot of people were sceptical when we first convened at MISA offices and mooted the idea of forming and registering a union of media workers. I am told that some very highly placed officials remarked privately that the union will never see the light of day. But we were serious then, and are even more serious now. We dug into our own pockets and sacrificed our time and money to make this union a reality. This is because we believed then that the time was right to form a fully functional media workers union that would…
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Prince Harry meets Khama

September 8, 2016, 1:35 am
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Prince Harry meets Khama
The 31-year-old royal met up with Ian Khama at the Presidential Palace in Gaborone, the country’s capital and largest city, and the British High Commissioner to the nation, Katharine Ransome, was also in attendance. The Court Circular – the official record of past royal engagements – stated: “Prince Henry of Wales was received by The President of the Republic of Botswana at the Presidential Palace, Gaborone, Botswana, today – September 6, 2016. “Her Excellency Ms Katharine Ransome (British High Commissioner to the Republic of Botswana) was present.” Harry has close ties with the country and in May it was announced the work of his Sentebale charity, which supports HIV positive youngsters in Africa, will be expanded to Botswana. He told guests at the Sentebale Polo Cup in Florida that he wanted to “give as much back” as he could to the country. He said: “This year, we are working with established partners and government departments elsewhere across southern Africa; and I’m delighted to confirm that we will be expanding our camp programme into Botswana, a country I have been visiting regularly for almost two decades and genuinely feel I need to give as much back to as I can. “We…
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'Sodomites' failed to stop 'soul winning' SA, Botswana trip - US pastor

September 8, 2016, 1:39 am
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'Sodomites' failed to stop 'soul winning' SA, Botswana trip - US pastor
Jenni Evans, News24 Anti-gay US pastor Steven Anderson is pleased the “sodomites” did not succeed in having him banned from entering "liberal commie" South Africa. “Once again leaders of the govt met with LGBT sodomites [sic] and they are trying to get me banned from entering South Africa,” he said in an update on YouTube on his planned “soul winning” tour, scheduled for September 17 and 18. “So the South African Human Rights Commission [SAHRC] and the minister of internal affairs and whatever got together and once again they decided that I will not be banned from entering South Africa. “So I am going to be able to personally be there and be part of this event.” He said the 20 people from his church would have come to South Africa anyway, but he was pleased he would be able to join them. Home affairs said in a statement on Monday that following a meeting with the SAHRC and representatives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) community, it had been decided that he could come if he behaved himself. LGBTI members had collected signatures for a petition to stop his visit. Parking lot meeting Anderson said their…
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BNF threatens to boycott elections

September 12, 2016, 1:50 am
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BNF threatens to boycott elections
Leader of Opposition in Parliament and President of Botswana National Front (BNF), Duma Boko, has warned the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) not to create chaos or destroy the peace and tranquillity that the country has enjoyed over the years. Leading a BNF delegation at a meeting with the IEC on Wednesday, Boko said the peace prevailing in Botswana has been largely due to opposition parties' restraint, and that the IEC should guard against losing public confidence with controversial decisions. The BNF delegation made it clear that their members are angry, displeased and highly suspicious of the conduct of IEC over the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMS). Boko said they reject the EVMs in the current form. He cautioned the IEC that the BNF has in the past threatened to boycott national elections and that the current situation is inviting the same wrath. Weeks after Parliament passed a motion authorising the introduction of EVMs – on urgency – the IEC on Tuesday started consultations with political parties and other stakeholders, seen as an afterthought to save face. After failing to quell a barrage of criticism over failure to consult and the haste with which BDP MPs sneaked in amendments to…
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Botswana shoots stray Zim cattle

September 12, 2016, 3:04 am
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Botswana shoots stray Zim cattle
BOTSWANA authorities have started shooting Zimbabwean cattle that stray into its borders to guard its herd against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) as it kowtows to the European Union (EU) beef export requirements. More than 30 cattle have been shot so far in areas adjacent to the border. Botswana’s border patrol unit started shooting the cattle that encroached into the neighbouring country from Gwanda rural district areas close to Mulambapeli Border Post on the southern part of Gwanda Town last week. Prior to the development the authorities had earlier this year in a meeting with Government officials indicated it would start shooting livestock which strayed into their country as it sought to conform with the EU’s stringent requirements for beef exports. The shooting policy by the neighbouring country puts at risk more than 90 000 of Matabeleland South cattle along the Botswana-Zimbabwe border. It is said a number of villagers that send their cattle to relief grazing areas of Tuli Settlement and Russell Gorge near Shashe River, which is close to the boundary between the country and Botswana but on the Zimbabwean side lost a sizeable number of animals with over 30 cattle from Nhwali village believed to have been…
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Gaolathe fumes over Khama’s half-naked depiction

September 12, 2016, 7:33 am
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Gaolathe fumes over Khama’s half-naked depiction
The President of Botswana Movement for Democracy, Ndaba Gaolathe, has reacted with anger at the depiction of President Ian Khama in social media with a picture showing him half naked. This is how Gaolathe reacted in a Facebook post: “I perused moments earlier pages of social media to keep myself abreast with the debates and communions of the day, and was struck by a picture that appeared to depict the President of the Republic of Botswana; at least from his face it appeared to be him. The picture shows him almost naked. Whatever are the origins or from whomever the picture emanates, it is most inappropriate, distasteful and is an unfair expression of disapproval or hate towards a human being, whether or not that human being is a head of state or not. This we cannot and must not accept as a nation, as a way of expression, no matter the views we hold about one another. It is of course public knowledge that the movement of which I am a part believes that Botswana is due for a change of leadership, change in the way we are governed, one that will positively transform and cultivate the fortunes and opportunities…
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Boko is a pathological liar- Masisi

September 12, 2016, 7:44 am
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Boko is a pathological liar- Masisi
Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi has reacted angrily to the allegations by President of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Duma Boko that he is busy phoning opposition leaders recruiting them to join the ruling party. Addressing members of the media on Monday morning, Boko said Masisi is calling prominent opposition members asking to join BDP and help him to restore sanity within the ruling party and government. “He is telling them to join BDP and help to rebuild the country which he said is in shambles due to misrule by the current leadership,” said Boko. Boko said that the BDP is intimidating the business community to fund their campaign in 2019 as they are realising that their political ship is sinking. Reacting to the accusation, Masisi labelled the Leader of Opposition as a pathological liar who is hell bent of tarnishing his name. “He is a pathological liar who is globetrotting and not in touch with the people that he purports to represent,” said Masisi in an interview after the BDP press briefing. Masisi, who had just welcomed former Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Parliamentary candidate for Gaborone Bonnington North Anna Motlhagodi into the BDP, denied ever calling any opposition leader recruiting…
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