THE AFRICAN STORY ADVERTISE WITH US DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND

ISSUE NUMBER 750 VOLUME 2 14 DEC - 20 DEC 2020

Kenya builds its way to 2030 goals

page 3

Leaders urged to make more AFRICA LOSES $50 space for nature as Paris BILLION TO ILLICIT climate pact FINANCIAL FLOWS turns five

ANNUALLY page 4 • UN says this exacerbates threats on security and stability in the continent 2 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020

THE AFRICAN STORY

News, Finance, Travel and Sport Telephone: (267) 3933 805/6. E-mail: newsdesk@echo. co.bw Advertising Telephone: (267) 3933 805/6 E-mail: [email protected] Sales & Marketing Manager Ruele Ramoeng [email protected] Editor Bright Kholi [email protected]

Head of Design Ame Kolobetso [email protected] Distribution & Circulation Mogapi Ketletseng [email protected] Echo is published by YMH Publishing YMH Publishing, Unit 3, Kgale Court, Plot 128, GIFP, Gaborone Africa loses $50 billion to Postal address: P O BOX 840, Gaborone, Botswana Telephone: (267) 3933 805/6. illicit financial flows annually E-mail: [email protected] www.echo.co.bw The United Nations Deputy how they fuel instability in (SDGs) by 2030. sustainable development will DISCLAIMER: Secretary General Amina Africa. It was co-hosted by “While the world is pursuing be in jeopardy. Echo Newspaper welcomes concise letters from readers. Mohammed has said illicit the Office of the UN Special a sustainable recovery under “As President of the ‘parliament Letters must carry the financial flows are robbing Adviser on Africa and the AU’s the Secretary-General’s call to of humanity’, I call on countries full name and address of the continent of US$50 billion Permanent Observer Mission ‘build back better’, it’s both a to scale up the level of cooperation the sender. Letters must annually at a time when to the UN, together with South development necessity and moral to curb illicit financial flows and conform to the laws of Africa is mobilising resources Africa and . obligation to ensure that Africa recover the proceeds of crime; Botswana and to the Press Council of Botswana’s Code for pandemic recovery and “There is circumstantial evidence can make use of all its capabilities to develop effective tools and Of Ethics. Letters will also be sustainable development. that illicit financial outflows and resources to ensure that the create a policy environment edited for length, libel and Illicit financial flows refer to contribute to the devastation of recovery is sustainable, genuine for combating illicit financial language. the illegal movement of money peace and security by promoting and inclusive,” Duarte. flows, in accordance with the from one country to another conflict and providing terrorist The pandemic has only made existing relevant international through tax fraud, criminal and criminal groups the financial it more critical to not only frameworks,” he said. activities, money laundering means to conduct their operations understand the patterns of illicit Bozkir announced plans for a or bogus invoicing. and undermine peace,” said financial flows but also to identify forthcoming special session Mohammed told a high-level Fatima Kyari Mohammed, the means to counter them, including of the General Assembly, in virtual meeting last week held AU’s Ambassador to the UN. through implementing existing coordination with the UN Office under the African Union’s (AU) The event’s organizers international agreements, on Drugs and Crime, to examine ‘Silencing the Guns’ initiative emphasized that silencing the according to the President of the whole global corruption that the losses would be enough guns in Africa is needed now the UN General Assembly, Volkan issue. to bridge nearly 75 per cent of more than ever, as highlighted Bozkir. Read more Echo Africa’s health financing gap, by the UN Secretary-General’s He urged governments to take (UN News) stories on our provide inclusive education call for a global ceasefire to focus greater action, warning that Facebook page by for all children there, and fund on the common fight against infrastructure projects, she COVID-19. scanning the QR added. Cristina Duarte, UN Special code below with “These flows pose a threat Adviser on Africa, said the your mobile phone to stability and security in health and socio-economic African countries, undermine fallouts from the crisis have institutions and democracy, strained African governments’ and jeopardize sustainable efforts to ensure access development and the rule of to services and improve law,” said Mohammed. livelihoods, while also placing “Women and girls are particularly hard-won development gains exposed to criminal activities and at risk. conflicts driven by IFFs as they Meanwhile, the economic crisis are subject to trafficking and it has generated which will only sexual violence which are used worsen funding gaps as African as weapons of war,” she added. countries push to achieve the The high-level meeting examined Sustainable Development Goals Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 Echo Report 3 Kenya builds its way to 2030 goals

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic urban water and sanitation this year, a new affordable and that has ravaged the world programme” the implementation sustainable approach is vital. economy over the last year, also needs to be long term the Kenyan government has sanitation intervention that The onus is on the Ministry of continued to make positive includes a water component Water and Sanitation and county strides towards infrastructure for the hygiene purposes, governments to look into the development. it is also important that the new solutions that are cost The planned expansion of roads, implementation is cost effective effective, take a shorter period construction of affordable and sustainable in the long term. to implement and are responsive housing in urban centres and With the financing of the UBSUP to the needs of clients in terms improvement of sanitation in programme which has been of needs and capacities. the counties are among the key implemented in 19 counties areas Kenya is working on despite coming to an end at the close of (Bizcommunity.) such challenging times. These development projects, once complete, will be vital to the socioeconomic growth of the country and its people. It allows more opportunities for local and international investments while at the same time improving the livelihoods of citizens. Improvement in sanitation across the country remains one of the major goals for Kenya in achieving our Vision 2030. According to the Kenyan Constitution of 2010, every Kenyan has a right of access to basic sanitation. Kenya is also a signatory to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which requires everyone to have access to sanitation by the year 2030. It is important to note that the current sewerage coverage in Kenya is only 16%, and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation is making a great effort towards ensuring the coverage is increased. In order to reach the goal of access to sanitation for all by 2030, an integrated approach to solving sanitation challenges is needed. Indeed, there have been some milestones achieved by Kenya and this has not gone unnoticed internationally. Last year, Kenya through the Water Sector Trust Fund was awarded prestigious 2019 United Nations Public Service Awards. This for Upscaling Basic Sanitation for the Urban Poor (UBSUP) programme under IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR MARK the Delivering Inclusive and Equitable Services to Leave No IN THE WORLD OF DIAMONDS one Behind category - being the only institution from Africa. Step up and shine with the world’s leading The UBSUP programme offers an affordable solution for diamond company and jewellery brand accelerating the achievement of SDG 6. UBSUP’s unique features that #SL A 2 0 2 0 / 2 1 led to the winning of the award include: its great impact on sanitation services offered in an inclusive and equitable manner without leaving anyone behind; the nation-wide approach of the programme; cost efficiency; and the pro-poor component of offering a post-construction incentive for the projects. www.shininglightsawards.com : @ShiningLightAwd Facebook: shininglightsawards

But still, there remains the big challenge of achieving access to sanitation for all by the year 2030 and also complementing the Big 4 Agenda of the Government. While finances are needed to achieve the “Urban and peri- 4 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020

he added. U.N. officials working on a new large-scale effort to channel payments to tropical countries and smaller jurisdictions that lock up carbon in rainforests hope to start turning that problem around by COP26. Last month, they launched a “Green Gigaton Challenge” that aims to catalyse funding for 1 billion tonnes of high- quality emissions reductions a year by 2025 from forests in regions including the Amazon and Congo Basin. Doing so would cut emissions by the equivalent of taking 80% of cars off American roads, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Tim Christophersen, head of nature for climate at UNEP, said the initiative was spurred by surging business interest in forest protection as a growing number of large firms commit to cutting their emissions to net zero by mid-century or earlier. That means companies such as Microsoft, Salesforce and Disney need to offset emissions they Leaders urged to make more space for cannot eliminate themselves by paying to reduce them elsewhere, through projects such nature as Paris climate pact turns five as restoring degraded forests. Under the gigaton challenge, donor governments will invest Five years ago, when the Paris Campaign for Nature, which United Nations said this week. a rate that would have seemed public money to put a floor under Agreement to tackle climate works with scientists, indigenous Understanding has accelerated impossible to humans a century the price per tonne of carbon change was adopted, storing people and conservation groups. in recent years about the crucial ago,” he told the Thomson stored - which could be about planet-warming carbon in “Global leaders can no longer role ecosystems on land and sea Foundation. $10-$15 - aimed at rewarding ecosystems such as tropical deal with the climate and play in absorbing carbon emitted “It is not possible for us to successful nature protection forests, wetlands and coastal biodiversity crises in isolation by human activities - mainly tackle climate change properly efforts that companies will mangroves was not seen as a if we are to be successful in from burning fossil fuels - and unless we also restore nature eventually pay even more to major part of the solution. addressing either of them,” he curbing potentially catastrophic - the two are inseparable,” he back. Now officials and added in a statement. planetary heating. added in a phone interview. Countries including Costa Rica environmentalists say goals to It noted scientific estimates In 2019, a U.N. climate science As host of the next major and Chile have shown interest in limit global temperature rise that protecting the planet’s report said the way the world U.N. climate negotiations in participating, but deals have yet cannot be met without nature’s ecosystems could provide at manages land, and how food is November 2021, in , the to be brokered between forest- help. least a third of the reductions produced and consumed, had to British government has vowed nation governments and the Ahead of a UN “Climate in emissions needed by 2030 to change to curb global warming to put protection for forests and private sector. Ambition Summit” to mark meet the aims of the Paris pact. - or food security, health and natural systems firmly on the Over the past decade, U.N. the fifth anniversary of the Paris Under that deal, nearly biodiversity would be at risk. political agenda. agencies have worked to develop accord held online due to the 200 countries agreed to limit Zac Goldsmith, Britain’s Goldsmith said the COP26 the basis for a robust market COVID-19 pandemic, they said the average rise in global minister for the international team was aiming to build a in forest carbon offsets - but threats to plants, wildlife, human temperatures to “well below” environment and climate, said global coalition of governments without firm international rules, health and the climate should 2 degrees Celsius and ideally to nature had been “left behind” and businesses committed to carbon prices have not risen high be confronted together. 1.5C above preindustrial times. and life on the planet was being preventing deforestation in enough to provide an incentive “It is time for nature to have a But the Earth has already exhausted at a “terrifying speed”, supply chains. to keep trees standing. more prominent role in climate heated up by about 1.2C and is as forests were cut down and That follows a proposed new “There is a need for countries discussions and solutions,” said on track to warm by more than seas polluted. UK law requiring large companies to see some sort of reward for Brian O’Donnell, director of the 3C by the end of the century, the “We are denuding the world at to ensure the commodities they results” at a price that makes use - such as cocoa, rubber, soy protecting forests financially and palm oil - are not linked to viable, said Gabriel Labbate, illegal forest clearing. UNEP’s team leader for reducing Britain also will push for emissions from deforestation countries to phase out close to and forest degradation (REDD+). $700 billion in annual subsidies The United Nations and others worldwide for land use that are still waiting for governments harms the environment and to iron out differences over a degrades carbon-storing soils, system to use carbon credits to such as intensive farming, he meet emissions reduction targets added. under the Paris pact. That money could be redirected Christophersen warned that into efforts to safeguard companies - especially in the oil ecosystems - something and gas industry - should not see sorely needed as less than 3% supporting forest protection as of international climate finance an alternative to slashing their from donor governments and own emissions. development banks is spent on “Nature is not a substitute for that purpose, Goldsmith said. emissions reductions in other Financial markets, meanwhile, areas, and in particular for have yet to recognise the value getting off fossil fuels,” he said. of nature or the true cost of destroying it. (Reuters.) “That is a massive failure,” Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 Echo Report 5 Rich countries’ support for children ‘totally inadequate’: UN report The UN Children’s Fund, pandemic world, the report to family-friendly conditions, UNICEF has slammed the calls for policies designed to such as regulated leave and work levels of financial support for protect children from poverty, conditions for parents, and for children allocated by high- and improve the well-being existing child and family benefits income countries during the of all children, to be built into and services to be protected pandemic as totally inadequate. COVID-19 recovery responses. from austerity measures. UN. This came up in a child poverty The study calls for ongoing report issued recently. support for business to be subject The report shows that of the $14.9 trillion spent on domestic financial recovery packages put together by wealthier countries between February and August, just two per cent was allocated specifically to support children, and families raising children. This is despite evidence that child poverty is expected to remain above pre-COVID levels for at least five years in high-income countries. ARE YOU A “The amount of financial CITIZEN OWNED relief allocated directly to COMPANY? children and families does not match the severe fallout of the pandemic, nor how long this DO YOU MANUFACTURE crisis is expected to impact these countries”, said Gunilla GOODS OR PROVIDE Olsson, Director of the UNICEF Office of Research-Innocenti in A SERVICE? Florence, Italy. The study finds that businesses were by far the largest beneficiary ARE YOU COMPLIANT TO LOCAL of fiscal stimulus packages, absorbing around 80 per cent PROCUREMENT AND of the available funds during this period, and that the most marginalized children will suffer LICENSING REQUIREMENTS most as a result. Around a third of the large economies surveyed in the report HAVE YOU REGISTERED IN THE (from the European Union and OECD group of higher income LEA SMME DATABASE? nations) did not implement any policies specifically aimed at supporting children, during the first wave of the pandemic. And, on the whole, the social protection measures for children and families that were enacted in other countries – such as childcare, school sustenance and family allowances – only lasted for an average of three months, far too short-term to adequately address the projected length of the crisis and child poverty risks in the long run, the report notes. As temperatures drop in many parts of the world, and cases rise, LEA BRANCH NETWORK LEA INCUBATORS UNICEF is urging governments to bring in more balanced recovery ALL GOVERNMENTGaboroneTel: (+267) 3957856 AND STATE OWNEDGlen Valley Horticulture ENTITIES Incubator WILL plans during the so-called Pilane Tel: (+267) 5729146 Tel: (+267) 3186309 PROCUREKanyeTel: (+267) LOCALLY 5403093 PRODUCED FrancistownGOODS Industrial AND Business SERVICES Incubator “second wave”, with a greater RamotswaTel: (+267) 5391075 emphasis on social protection Tel: (+267) 2418036 TO EMPOWERMasunga Tel: (+267) CITIZEN 2489803 OWNED BUSINESSES.Pilane Multipurpose Incubator for children, and unconditional FrancistownTel: (+267) 2418036 Tel: (+267) 5729146 income support for the poorest RegisterTsabong yourTel: business (+267) 6540196 at https://smeregistration.lea.co.bw/localKutla Incubation Centre in Gaborone OR at the families, allowances for food, nearestSelibe LEA Phikwe Branch Tel: (+267) and 2613160 National Library. Tel: (+267) 3186810 childcare and utilities, and rent Maun Tel: (+267) 6863146 Leather Industries Incubator in Gaborone KasaneTel: (+267) 6250432 or mortgage waivers. For Enquiries Contact: 0800 155 155 Tel: (+267) 3105330 The report argues for increased Molepolole Tel: (+267) 5921006 Ghanzi Tel: (+267) 6597161 spending on social protection, SeroweTel: (+267) 4632071 arguing that the costs of falling Hukuntsi Tel: (+267) 6510420 living conditions for today’s Letlhakane Tel:Empowering (+267) 2978780 the enterpreneur to start and grow their business children will lead to long-lasting, and expensive consequences, www.lea.co.bw Toll-free number: 0800 155 155 LEA - Local Enterprise Authority Local Enterprise Authority as they age. Looking ahead to a post- 6 Business & Finance (SMME’s) Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 GEO Park Holdings (Pty) LTD

ARTICLE BROUGHT TO YOU BY LEA

Geo Park Holdings (PTY) LTD plan and access funding to start that include among others beginning until today. I won’t is a LEA assisted enterprise based the project. LEA went ahead to business advisory, coaching, shy away from saying to fellow in Pandamatenga. Directed hand-hold the business to source on-site monitoring as well as citizens: LEA is there to help by Mr. Moshe and Mrs. relevant machinery needed for mentoring services. Through us, if you want your business to Esther Mabuta, the business operations, and train Geo Park LEA business development and thrive knock on LEA doors for manufactures concrete products employees on health and safety. support services, the business assistance.” said Mrs. Mabuta. such as bricks (4.5 & 6 inch), This training was necessary to has grown and supplies various pavers and stock bricks. After equip employees with skills markets in and around the Chobe realizing that there was shortage on handling and operating region. Contact number: of building materials in the Chobe machinery. In addition, LEA Currently the business has 77020703 region, Mr. and Mrs. Mabuta facilitated the product testing ten (10) full time employees Email: mwale. set up this business in order to and certification process, which and engages temporary workers [email protected] address this challenge. is in progress. during peak periods. Geo Park registered with LEA As a LEA assisted enterprise, “We are really grateful and in 2018 as a business idea and was Geo Park Holdings continues to jubilant on how LEA has stood assisted to develop a business benefit from other LEA services behind us all the way from the

PROJECT FACILITATION FUND

REGISTRATION ASSESSMENT FUNDING

• Register your business at • LEA assesses application • CEDA assesses • LEA monitors the nearest LEA branch. for compliance. recommendation from implementation of • Fill the application form. • LEA recommends the LEA. • service and the entire proposal to CEDA for • Client pays contribution. project. funding. • CEDA directly pays service providers.

Empowering the entrepreneur to start and grow their business Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 Echo Report 7 coming in, Sheldon expects coalition with partners such as the EU and Japan to continue to Global agriculture trade remains set trade rules for China similar to the Trump administration. Differences might be more support steady through pandemic for reforms to WTO rules. “In terms of tariffs, I think we’re In April 2020, the World Trade numbers. “Economists talk about available despite more families 2019,” said Sheldon. most likely to see a more targeted Organization (WTO) estimated the demand for food as relatively pushed to food insecurity in certain Certain trade targets between use of tariffs with a specific focus global trade would be impacted income inelastic.” regions due to multiple factors. nations and regions were down. where there’s a violation of trade between 13% to 32% due to the While the pandemic intensified Overall, the global trade forecast For example, the US Phase One rules by our trading partners,” pandemic. Fortunately, neither of already downward pressure on looks very positive both this year trade deal with China is 35% below he said, further noting a push to those were the case. The current food prices, there is no evidence and for moving forward into 2021. its cumulative target. Sheldon said end EU tariffs on steel. Overall, WTO forecast is for total 2020 to suggest it will create a food “The monthly data show that there is still an optimistic target Sheldon and many experts are global trade decline to be only security crisis. Globally, there the change in exports and imports for growth of imports by China. optimistic about trade moving about 9.2% with an anticipated seems to be enough foodstuffs has not been that different from With the US Biden administration forward. (BizCommunity.) rise next year. Without the pandemic, economists were expecting trade to remain consistent on its steady tick up. Fortunately, the largest impact of the pandemic happened fairly immediately from March to May then a slow recovery began. “There’s still a considerable amount of uncertainty about the trajectory of trade for the rest of 2020 into 2021,” Sheldon explained. “Especially now, we’re observing a resurgence of Covid-19 both here in North America and in Europe.” Currently, WTO estimates trade to rebound by 7.2% in 2021, allowing for variations in exports and imports of various nations. For example, North American imports saw an 8.7% decline this year but are anticipated to rebound 6.7% in 2021.

Government impact World governments play a key role in how global trade will continue to play out moving forward. Ongoing lockdowns could have a significant negative impact on gross domestic product (GDP) moving into 2021. “It’s very important to realize that macroeconomic policy here in the U.S., in the European Union and elsewhere is pretty critical to mitigating the impact of the pandemic, both on trade and changes in GDP,” said Sheldon. “Trade policy is going to be critical as we come out the other side of the pandemic.” Another factor in the hands of government is how funds will be spent. Spending on foreign policy and unemployment rates alone could reduce trade by up to 4%. The release of a vaccine will be another big factor in global trade. By simply boosting confidence, this could raise GDP growth by 1% to 2% and global trade by 3% in 2021, according to Sheldon. An unexpected impact could come from the advent of webinar technology. This could be a positive moving forward, creating a more connected global trade system. Early in the year, the WTO and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) expressed concern about a negative impact on international agriculture trade due to export restrictions and stockpiling. Fortunately, both scenarios came to pass very quickly. In fact, agricultural trade proved to be resilient with global exports rising by 2%. “Food is essential to humans,” Sheldon said explaining these 8 Business & Finance Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020

Tourism and hospitality: Tourist reliant economies have come to a grinding halt as international travel restrictions have limited tourist visits. Many tourist attractions in Africa, such as wildlife parks, historic and cultural sites, and museums are closed. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) is a type of tourism in which large groups, usually planned well in advance, are brought together such as the Forbes 30 under 30, which was to be hosted in Africa for the first time in Gaborone, Botswana was postponed to 2021. Tourism, a major source of employment directly and indirectly has recorded a decline in economic activity leaving a lot of people jobless. Informal sector: Africa is home to an active informal COVID-19 Impact in Africa: sector consisting of artisans, tradesmen, street hawkers, handy-men, job hands and other, all looking to survive hardest hit Industries through interaction with society. Government imposed lockdowns percent in 2020. the various channels. Africa’s games were postponed due and movement restrictions have By Emmanuel Allottey Some of the hardest digital media industry is still to the coronavirus. African crippled the informal sector hit industries include; at an infancy stage with many sports fraternities have had to which operates in an ecosystem The devastation of COVID-19 Entertainment and leisure: major consumers inclined to foreign cancel their training camps and aligned to economic activity and has been felt across multiple entertainment events scheduled entertainment content. Other preparation for international the formal sector. industries, with specific for this year have been postponed music festivals, entertainment tournaments. The closure of Governments in Africa are industries feeling the brunt of or cancelled. However, there nightspots and concerts have gyms, stadiums, pools, dance and taking action to mitigate the impact. The African continent is has been an increase in media been cancelled or closed with fitness studios, physiotherapy impact of the coronavirus and expected to see a reversal in the consumption through news, musicians, artists facing nil centres, parks and playgrounds resuscitate heavily affected economic and developmental TV, digital, social media, and revenue sources. has disrupted the preparation industries. As the pandemic progress attained in the last gaming as people have remained Sports: the world’s biggest schedule of professional athletes recedes these industries are 20 years. The road to recovery homebound. The challenge for sporting event the Olympics and who compete in international expected to recover as economic is expected to resume in 2021 African artists is the ability to Paralympics, for the first time events such as marathons, golf activity returns to normalcy. post a forecasted decline of 3 monetize their content through in the history of the modern tournaments to name a few.

suspicious website or referred sites from social media. Never save your credit card or payment information on a retailer’s website. Monitor transactions: keep a close eye on the transaction’s alerts and statements. In the event of unauthorized transactions or discrepancies and if your card has been compromised it can be immediately attended to. IF you are not registered for SMS or email alerts it will create delays in identifying suspicious activity and reporting suspected fraud to your bank. Protect your PIN: it is advisable not to carry large sums of cash and use debit or credit cards, however if using an ATM to withdraw cash pay attention to your surrounding for suspicious characters as well as looking out for ATM skimming devices. When paying through point of Tips to protect your Finances from sale machines shield the keypad anytime you enter your PIN. Secure your devices and fraud this Holiday Season network: As more individuals access the internet through their By Emmanuel Allottey consumers are choosing to do COVID-19 related phishing and click on links in an email or mobile devices, it is important more of their shopping online malware emails daily targeted text message that is from an to make sure mobile devices The end of year holiday and through digital channels. at unsuspecting individuals. unknown sender. are password or bio-metric season is the pinnacle of Caution is required this holiday Phishing attacks are aimed at Fake websites: beware of password protected. Avoid using financial activity amongst season to avoid falling prey to tricking users into revealing suspicious looking websites details that easy to guess and consumers. Simultaneously, scammers. personal data which will be used that mimic legitimate retailer change passwords periodically. it is also the season with a Here are tips for avoiding fraud to access your funds. Emails in sites. Through the internet The prevalence of COVID-19 surge in unscrupulous activity and scams this holiday season. the form of shipping notification, browser, you can verify if the stands to influence the holiday where criminals are looking Email security: At the peak of should be verified before you website is secure by confirming season. Vigilance is required for opportunities to defraud pandemic, Google reportedly click on any link or provide if the URL starts with https://. to protect your finances from consumers. Due to COVID-19, blocked over 18 million personal information. Don’t Do not make a purchase on a fraud. Be Alert! Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 9 Echo Report The Future Of Botswana Is In The Hands Of The Youth - Thamane

The Chief Executive Officer of the Citizen Entrepreneurship Mr. Thabo Thamane Agency (CEDA) Thabo Thamane Chief Executive Officer says collaboration is key for the business community to emerge successful post COVID-19. Addressing youth entrepreneurs at the just ended Diamond Impact Week, a collaboration between De Beers Group and the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Thamane said this will ensure benchmarking and sharing of ideas on how best to respond to the global pandemic and still realise business growth and sustainability. He further highlighted that youth businesses should be at the centre of Botswana’s COVID- 19 recovery plans and encouraged them to leverage on business opportunities presented by the pandemic. “The future of the country is in your hands. You must be innovative, strategic and unapologetic about finding long lasting solutions that can ensure Botswana’s long term recovery from COVID-19 and propel the country to greater heights” he said. Thamane encouraged youth businesses to always strive for excellence, indicating that SMMEs play a significant role in the economy, particularly through employment. He said the SMME sector contributes 35% to Botswana’s GDP, and urged the youth to think globally in everything they do in order to benefit from this. He highlighted the need for exploring international markets and use all interventions available such as the Botswana Investment Trade Centre and CEDA funding for businesses that target foreign markets. For his part, Moatlhodi Sebabole, FNBB Chief Economist indicated that many companies lost profitability as a result of COVID 19 and encouraged the youth entrepreneurs to consider diversification of their businesses, but cautioned the need to have targets in order to monitor successes accordingly. Pat Dambe, Vice President Corporate Affairs and Government Relations at De Beers Group, reiterated the value of partnerships and invited cross market companies to consider partnering with Botswana companies and harness the virtual space for more benefits. Nineteen- thousand youth entrepreneurs participated in the webinar. 10 Arts Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020

Limkokwing lights biggest Christmas tree in Botswana

Limkokwing University of landscape has never wavered. Creative Arts and Technology in Botswana has as part of its Presidential minister Kabo annual tradition lit the biggest Morwaeng acknowledged Christmas tree in Gaborone. that because of the Covid-19 The construction of the enormous pandemic, this festive season 12 metre tall and six-meter-wide would not be like previous ones tree took hours of labor from and urged the public to continuie Limkokwing staff and students adhering to health protocols. and features 16, 000 lights. The minister declared that this The event was conducted in the was a time to give. “It is my spirit of Christmas to promote conviction that we will take and uplift the Christmas spirit the opportunity to offer our amongst Batswana and extend time, gifts, and other assistance warmth to the less privileged. to make sure that uplift the The ceremony was complete spirits of those less unfortunate with a poetic performance from amongst us. They are not only Botswana’s Berry Heart and in the hospitals. They are in our Christmas carol performance churches, homes, communities, by the Limkokwing choir. hospices, workplaces, but unlike As part of its Corporate Social us may not have the means to buy Responsibility, Limkokwing gifts for themselves and loved Foundation known as Heal the ones. I urge all to be our brother’s World Foundation presented gifts keeper,” said Morwaeng. to children from SOS children’s Morwaeng also gave a special village, Childline Botswana and mention to the frontline workers Gamudubu Child care. acknowledging that many of During the ceremony, them will be unable to spend Limkokwing Director of Christmas with their loved Communication and PR, Mercy ones. “We take this moment Rebaone Thebe presented a therefore to pay them homage, message from Limkokwing’s in advance, and to assure them Founder President Professor of our utmost appreciation,” Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Morwaeng said. Dr. Limkokwing who spoke of At the same event Limkokwing how passionate he was about also launched the Tan Sri their establishment in Botswana. Limkokwing Frontline Dr. Limkokwing also shared Heroes Campaign under the through his message that he Limkokwing foundation for fell in love with Botswana in the humanity. This was a personal early 1990s as he campaigned gesture by Tan Sri Limkokwing with the late great Dr. Nelson part of his Foundation for Mandela and that his desire Humanity philanthropic to contribute to Botswana’s campaign. Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 Echo Report 11 Fame Week Africa to connect film, arts, media and entertainment creatives in 2021

Fame Week Africa will take creative strategists and digital (Bizcommunity.) the form of a three-day hybrid media influencers. virtual and physical creative Entertainment: The experience for the film, art, entertainment aspect of the media and entertainment event will showcase virtual and industries in Cape Town in 2021. live events, cinema drive-ins, “Fame Week Africa will music concerts, comedy shows, bring the film, arts, media theatre productions and red- and entertainment industries carpet events. together to write business, connect with stakeholders and investors and explore the latest innovations and trends,” says Carol Weaving, managing director of Reed Exhibitions Africa. The industry can look forward to the 2021 edition comprising of the following events that will take place throughout the host city of Cape Town, Fame Reel Showcase, with Comic-Con Cape Town Fan Celebration Day, and the already highly successful Cape Town International Animation Fair as co-located events, as well as value-added virtual opportunities. Fame Reel Showcase The Fame Reel Showcase will attract pan-African business creatives across all four sectors, providing a platform to display their talent; complimented by cutting edge products and content, knowledge sharing and business networking opportunities. Through their partnership with the host city of Cape Town, Fame Week Africa aims to drive commercial success as attendees access the creative industry community, thought leaders’ insights, content and allied communities from around the world engaging with each other. Whether you are from the film, arts, media or entertainment industry, Fame Week Africa will connect global creatives on the African continent. Fame Week Africa will consist of four events across four sectors: Film: From movies to documentaries, series and reality television, this sector will explore all industries involved in creating the end product, including film destinations, equipment, crew, talent and content. Art: This sector is dedicated to performers and artists, enabling them to showcase their craft and content whether it be performance, dance, literature, photography, painting, drawing or animation. Media: One of the fastest changing landscapes, media has been transformed. This sector will highlight the various media platforms being used, showcasing the latest social media channels and streaming platforms, innovations by 12 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 13 Travel

rivers are said to flow only about once every century, a statement The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is reflecting the dryness of the environment. A visit to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park will yield another place to visit over the holidays sparse vegetation, red sand dunes fading into infinity and occasional trees. As the festive season arrives, Transfrontier Park is located in point from being National Park and South There is water flowing amidst a pandemic, it may do Botswana’s extreme southwest. Upington. The park comprises Africa’s Kalahari Gemsbok underground providing life to visit isolated places to relax Part of the park lies in South of two adjoining national parks National Park. for the plants of the Kgalagadi and unwind. The Kgalagadi Africa with the closest access namely Botswana’s Gemsbok Transfrontier Park. Like with all History desert areas the temperatures fluctuate from night and day South Africa’s Kalahari between scorching hot and Gemsbok National Park was icy cold temperature as cold established on 31st July 1931 as -11 degrees Celsius and as in order to protect migrating hot as 45 degrees Celsius have game, especially gemsbok been recorded. from poaching. Afterwards in 1948 the then Union of South Africa and the Bechuanaland Wildlife Protectorate made an informal The Kgalagadi Transfrontier verbal agreement to set up Park is a splendid place to a conservation area in the observe the big cats particularly adjoining areas of the two the famous black maned lands. lion of the Kalahari. You can In 1992 the South African encounter cheetah, hyenas National Parks Board and and leopards on a regular Botswana’s Department of basis. Eland, red hartebeest, Wildlife and National Parks springbok and wildebeest created a joint management migrate seasonally. committee to manage the area The KTM is home to more than as a single ecological unit before 200 species of birds, scavengers a formalized bilateral agreement such as vultures, birds of prey was signed in 1999 allowing such as eagles, buzzards and free movement of animals and secretary birds. Clearly then the no physical barriers. Then on Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park 12th May 2000 Botswana’s is well worth bringing your President Festus Mogae and camera for. To provide for this South Africa’s President Thabo game viewing there are three Mbeki launched the Kgalagadi traditional tourist lodges called Transfrontier Park as Southern rest camps and these are fully Africa’s first Peace Park. serviced with swimming pools, air conditioners and other Terrain amenities and then there are the The park is 38,000 square more self-service wilderness kilometers, a little less large camps that basically provide than . It contains shelter and wash water. the dry riverbeds of the Nossob and Auob rivers. These two 14 Sports Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 CLASSIFIED ADS Call 3933805/6 To Advertise.

TAFA J TAFA J

         

CASE NO. CVHGB-001100-19 CASE NO. CVHGB-001100-19 In the matter between: In the matter between:

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOTSWANA LIMITED Plainti FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOTSWANA LIMITED Plainti And And OABONA ROBERT TLOU MOLEFE Defendant OABONA ROBERT TLOU MOLEFE Defendant

         

BE PLEASED TO TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to judgment granted in the above Honourable BE PLEASED TO TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to judgment granted in the above Honourable Court on 23rd August 2019, the Defendant’s property will be sold by auction to the highest Court on 23rd August 2019, the Defendant’s property will be sold by auction to the highest bidder by Deputy Sheri Omphemetse Peter Kaisara. bidder by Deputy Sheri Omphemetse Peter Kaisara.

DATE: 22nd January 2021 DATE: 22nd January 2021

TIME OF SALE: 11.30 am TIME OF SALE: 09.30 am

PLACE OF SALE: Lot 4913, Gabane PLACE OF SALE: Lot 852, Gabane

piece of land being Lot 852, Gabane; situated in Gabane in the PROPERTY TO BE SOLD : piece of land being Lot 4913, Gabane; situated in Gabane PROPERTY TO BE SOLD : in the Bakwena Tribal Territory; measuring 3.7825 ha Bakwena Tribal Territory; measuring 1206m² (One Thousand (Three point Seven Eight Two Five Hectares); held under Two Hundred and Six Square Metres); held under Memoran- Notarial Deed of Cession of Lease No. MA 44/2017 dated dum of agreement of Lease number TL 414/2017 dated 16th 25th day of January 2017 made in favour of OABONA day of May 2017 made in favour of OABONA ROBERT TLOU ROBERT TLOU MOLEFE; with some developments therein MOLEFE; Deed with some developments therein being; a 4 being; old pig house, reservoir, poultry house, 2 rooms bedroom house, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, toilet and house and all roofs removed, fenced. bathroom, varendah, 5 rooms house, pit latrine, screen wall, big and small gate. TERMS OF SALE: Cash or bank guaranteed cheques TERMS OF SALE: Cash or bank guaranteed cheques DATED AT GABORONE THIS 17th DAY OF NOVEMBER 2020. DATED AT GABORONE THIS 17th DAY OF NOVEMBER 2020.

Deputy Sheri Omphemetse P Kaisara (71222244) C/o Serole & Partners Deputy Sheri Omphemetse P Kaisara (71222244) The Courtyard, Lot 54513, Unit 1 C/o Serole & Partners P O Box 1679 ABG, Sebele The Courtyard, Lot 54513, Unit 1 GABORONE P O Box 1679 ABG, Sebele GABORONE

of Cape Town, hosting the Basaksehir’s Webo says December 8 race finish village, advised they would be closed and not accessible for the event. The will be remembered in racism fight university provides professional services as the The global impact of the but it also highlighted some areas receives more than 55,000 economic impact from the loss Western Province Athletics also COVID-19 pandemic has been that could be improved on. It visitors over three days. The of these sports tourists. played an important role through particularly apparent in sports became clear that events that race costs R30 million to stage Friends and relatives who come the national athletics body, events. In an attempt to limit the communicate effectively with and attracts significant media to support the runners spend Athletics South Africa, liaising spread of the virus, the world their community of participants coverage. between three and six days in with the sports ministry. The has witnessed the cancellation, and audiences stand the best However, the 51st Two Oceans, the region – and some up to sports minister formed part of postponement or rescheduling chance of weathering a storm. to be held from 8-11 April 2020 three weeks in the country. A a national COVID-19 command of major events: Wimbledon Marathon running is very was the first marathon to be sport tourism event like this is council. And consideration had tennis, Euro 2020 football, the popular in South Africa and cancelled in South Africa due to a key economic driver that also to be given to the tourism and Tour De France cycling and the people from all walks of life the rapid spread of COVID-19 serves to market Cape Town as investment agencies, sponsors 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games to participate in the many races worldwide. It was also one of the a destination. and service providers who had mention a few. on offer. An ultramarathon is first marathons to be impacted Data was analysed for key much to lose. These inputs were In a recent study I conducted longer than a traditional 42km on the global marathon stage. themes emerging from our vital for the board to make the with David Maralack of the marathon. In the case of the The decision to cancel an event interviews. There were many dreaded decision to cancel. University of Cape Town, we Two Oceans, it is 56km. It’s is not an easy one. This was also lessons to be learned. The decision Even before South Africa looked at the 2020 cancellation considered one of the most scenic not a popular one as it was made to cancel was complex, given all declared a COVID-19-related of the popular Two Oceans ultramarathons in the world, by the marathon’s board just the stakeholders involved. state of disaster, Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, on taking in Table Mountain and three weeks before the event Organisers monitored global felt the risk of continuing far the south-western coast of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. was to start. Significant funding advisories and engaged with outweighed the benefits. The South Africa. We wanted to What started out in 1970 as a was already spent as the bulk other events in a similar situation. race was cancelled on 15 March, see what lessons about risk and training run for the country’s of the planning, logistics and They consulted with government 12 days after the first case was reputational management could other premier ultramarathon, preparation were complete. departments, approvals detected in South Africa. be learned from this and the the 90km Comrades Marathon, The board had to weigh up agencies, health institutions From an organisational consequent impacts on its many the Two Oceans is now a festival costs and economic benefits and universities. Particularly perspective, the cancellation stakeholders. Easter weekend of races. In 2019, versus massive health-related important stakeholders included underscores the significance With a focus on sports the event turned 50 and hosted risks. Also at stake was the the race medical team, the city’s of brand reputation and that management, we interviewed 34,000 participants, from ultra- event’s reputation, concerns events office and the provincial the event is only as good as it the race director, previous board marathon to family fun run. about its sustainability, as well as authorities. Sponsors and event is because of the support of members and other stakeholders, The value of the event to the the athletes not getting refunded. partners were consulted ahead stakeholders such as runners, including members of regional Cape Town and Western Cape With 3,000 international of the decision to cancel. clubs, sponsors, suppliers and and provincial athletics bodies economy is estimated at R672 participants expected and The medical team strongly approvals agencies. and provincial government. million. Before the races, a half the participants coming advised that the marathon The cancellation was managed running expo at the Cape Town from outside Cape Town, a couldn’t guarantee the safety (TheConversation.) well under the circumstances, International Convention Centre key concern was the negative of participants. The University Echo Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 Sports 15

after. It will be remembered,” Webo, 38, told the media last week. “It was a tough day, very tough. It is very stressful, I saw the doctor to give me some pills to sleep. “I don’t want people to focus on me... it will be a shame if I’m remembered for this. I am ashamed of it, to be truthful. These two or three days have been the most difficult of my career.” Players and a new set of officials took a knee before the match resumed on Wednesday, with PSG winning 5-1, and Webo said more actions like this would force European soccer’s governing body UEFA to take stricter action in racism-related incidents. UEFA said it will conduct a “thorough investigation”. “Can you imagine if you have two, three, four games like that - stopping games because of this kind of thing? Basaksehir’s Webo says December 8 I think they (UEFA) are going to move,” added Webo. “We showed that we will will be remembered in racism fight do that. It’s not the ref who is going to stop it, it’s the players. Istanbul Basaksehir assistant remembered in the fight against and only resumed the following to him as “the Black one” when “I think the most important coach Pierre Webo, who was racism. day after the four Romanian pointing out to the referee thing is the solidarity with subjected to an alleged racist Tuesday’s Champions League officials were replaced. that he should be sent off the players... What message comment by the fourth official match in Paris was halted Webo, a former for vehemently protesting a we sent the world.” Reuters. that led to Paris St Germain after 13 minutes following an international, said fourth decision. and his team walking off the argument on the touchline over official Sebastian Coltescu “We are now going to have the (Reuters.) pitch, said Dec. 8 would be the red card shown to Webo disrespected him by referring day before Dec. 8 and the day

Accommodation, stadiums, fan zones and tourist attractions will all be close by and connected by a comprehensive transportation network, including the recently launched Doha Metro. Fans will also have the chance to attend more than one match per day during the early stages of the tournament. Aboutrika said: “Getting around so easily and having the ability to attend more than match a day will create a unique experience for everyone that will be attending the tournament from around the world.” Despite Aboutrika’s England’s new signal system within outstanding career, including 38 goals in 100 matches for The Pharaohs, he never got spirit of the game, says skipper the opportunity to represent his country at the World Cup. Mohamed Aboutrika, widely that we are able to organise “As soon as you enter this tournament. The furthest However, did qualify for recognised as one of Africa’s a mega sporting event to the stadium, you feel welcomed distance between stadiums will Russia 2018 and will have high greatest-ever players – has highest standards – and in a way by the intimate atmosphere be just 75km, meaning Qatar hopes of taking their place in hailed the significance of the that reaffirms a commitment to created by the seats being will host the most compact Qatar for the 22nd edition of first FIFA World Cup™ to be innovation, while continuing so close to the pitch,” said edition of the FIFA World Cup the tournament. held in the and to be inspired by the region’s Aboutrika. “It is yet another in modern history. “For Egypt, qualifying again Arab world. rich traditions.” architectural masterpiece “The compact nature will for the World Cup remains Speaking exclusively to Aboutrika, who supports which will welcome everyone provide a huge boost to teams, a dream for millions of our qatar2022.qa from Al Rayyan Qatar 2022 as an ambassador in 2022.” because it will save them from fans,” he said. “Having played Venue – which will be for the Supreme Committee Aboutrika, who won the the exhaustion of air travel in Russia 2018, we continue to inaugurated on 18 December for Delivery & Legacy, also CAF Champions League on between venues, leaving more have an excellent team, which when it hosts the Amir Cup heaped praise on Al Rayyan five occasions with Al Ahly, time for a quick recovery,” said under the leadership of the final – Aboutrika said: “Hosting Venue – which will become added: “With under two years Aboutrika. “Also, as a player, I manager, Hossam El Badry, the first World Cup in this the fourth World Cup stadium to go, Qatar is well on its way in can tell you that staying in one has a great chance of making part of the world provides a to open later this month. terms of being ready to provide accommodation throughout the an appearance at the world much-needed opportunity to The 40,000-capacity venue the stadiums, infrastructure duration of a major tournament stage in two years’ time. I wish change many of the negative was built on the site of the and expertise required to host provides you with much needed them the best of luck and I’ll perceptions that people have deconstructed Ahmed Bin Ali a tournament that will amaze stability and focus.” be waiting for them to make about this region. Stadium and will become the everyone.” Meanwhile, from a fan’s point an appearance in Qatar 2022.” “Having the World Cup here new home of popular local Aboutrika also discussed of view, they will never be in Qatar will prove to the world team Al Rayyan Sports Club. the compact nature of Qatar’s far from the action in 2022. ( FIFA.) THE AFRICAN STORY

SportEcho Newspaper 14 Dec - 20 Dec 2020 CAF to grant Issa Hayatou honorary President status

given the green light to go of bids from nations wishing ahead by Caf’s Executive to host the inaugural Women’s Committee, who are satisfied Champions League next year, that the country is ready to host as well as the final of both after a delegation inspected the the Champions League and stadiums, training grounds and Confederation Cup for the next hotels in October. three years. Despite the ongoing Both Friday’s General uncertainty regarding the Assembly, which was held threat posed by coronavirus, Caf virtually, and Thursday’s hopes to be able to fill stadiums Executive Committee meeting, to 25% of their capacity for held in person in , were Chan, a tournament for African chaired by Constant Omari, players based in their own Caf’s first vice-president domestic leagues. who has been acting up after Caf will also hope to be able president Ahmad was handed to keep Covid-19 infections a five-year ban by Fifa last to a minimum among the 16 month. teams over the three-week- “It is clear that on a personal long tournament, which ends level, it made me very sad,” on 7 February. said Fifa president Gianni African football’s ruling body Infantino, who joined the receives most of its revenue General Assembly by video link from hosting tournaments, early on. “We have to respect which it has been unable to the decision of the independent do for most of the year given bodies in Fifa - that is clear.” the pandemic, leading Caf to Ahmad has since announced announce an anticipated loss his intention to appeal. of $13m for the latest financial Caf’s ExCo is next set to meet year. in Yaounde on 15 January, the Meanwhile, the African Super day when Ahmad’s predecessor Cup - which will be played by Hayatou is set to be officially the continent’s champions Al recognised for his service to Ahly of Egypt and Confederation the African game. Cup winners RS Berkane of Morocco - has been given a (BBC.) date to be played in “the first half of 2021” after difficulties finding an agreement with Qatar, which will host the game. Caf also approved the opening

Hayatou is the longest- presided over Caf for 30 approved on Friday. serving ruler in Caf’s history, years… and this honour The ceremony, which having led the African football salutes his immense role in originally would have taken body from 1988 to 2017. The the development of African place in early 2020 but was 74-year-old was made an football,” Caf said in a postponed due to coronavirus, honorary vice-president of statement. The decision to will take place in Yaounde on Fifa after losing the elections make Hayatou an honorary 15 January - a day before the three years ago, and now Caf president was a proposal by the African Nations Championship is following suit. Executive Committee (ExCo) (Chan) kicks off in Cameroon. “This distinguished leader which the General Assembly That tournament has been