NEWS: � � � A ernment of South Africa. ernment ofSouthAfrica. others economicadvisorytogov phosa, inwhichheoffersamong ident of South Africa,CyrilRama (Pty) Ltd, closed a deal with Pres - his consultancycompany,Delele STAFF WRITER GOITSEONE SEVEN to Ramaphosa advisory linkedNdaba Gaolathe P12.00

According tosources, Delele (Pty)Ltd hasbeenpreviously engagedinbusiness inSouthAfrica turneddownGaolathe Masisi’s offer to headtheMinistry ofFinance Gaolathe’s consultancy company offering economic advice to Ramaphosa PAGE 3 has reportedly, through has reportedly,through President, NdabaGaolathe lliance forProgressives COVID-19: Prevent social stigmas World Health Organisation 2020 Brought to you by MTN NEWS: COMMUNITIES ADVISE AGAINST HUNTINGSEASON EXTENSION SATURDAY 25APRIL-01 MAY 2020 COVID-19: Prevent social stigmas World Health Organisation 2020 Brought to you by MTN COVID-19 WORK IMPACT: REPORT HIGHSTRESS 71% LEVELS Corona virus free of novel MPs, Ministers COVID-19: Prevent social stigmas World Health Organisation 2020 Brought to you by MTN - - Bonnington Southconstituency ber ofParliamentforGaborone of Ramphosa’sintelligentsia. through hiscompany,formspart sist neverthelessthatGaolathe, advisors”. Crediblesourcesin he is“notoneofRamaphosa’s however brieflydeniedthat reported dealinDecember2019. ness in South Africa, closed the previously been involved in busi- Gaolathe’s company,whichhas

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COVID-19: Prevent social stigmas World Health Organisation 2020 Brought to you by MTN

Contracts ofSeniorcivilservants willbeextended until furthernotice Creation oftwo new Ministries would betriggered next financial year Labour Ministry alsose Simon Mavhange Moabiwas to replace BillyButiat Ministry ofYouth President Masisiwas to reshuffle hiscabinet beginningofthismonth

Knowledge is power,

Knowledge is power, so spread facts

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- so spread facts Gen IanKhamapresidency. during theformativeyearsofLt Minister ofTradeandIndustry of FestusMogae,andbrieflyas 10 years,underthepresidency Botswana’s financeministerfor foremost economists,servedas Gaolathe, oneofthecountry’s tus Mogae’skitchencabinet. member offormerPresidentFes- from 2014-2019wasconsidereda His father,thelateBaledzi

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by the disease. Take care of the elderly. HEALTH PS fired the Why Masisi

interest, withspecialemphasisonthepoliticalsituation inLesotho whichhasthepotential to threaten regional peace. Lesotho, MrJeffRadebe to discuss issues ofbilateral nature between Botswana andSouth Africa as well as regional issues ofmutual CONSULTATION: President DrMokgweetsi MasisionFriday received SouthAfrica's President, MrCyril Ramaphosa'sSpecialEnvoy to

Show compassion to those affected t to combine withthat ofGender&Nationality

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www.who.int/COVID-19 PAGE 2 Take care of the elderly. ONLINE www.weekendpost.co.bw www.who.int/COVID-19 www.who.int/COVID-19 13 percent shrinks by ECONOMY READ PAGE 2 722034804 772222 9 ISSN 2222-0348

2 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 news Ndaba close ranks with Ramaphosa in economic COVID-19 STOPS advisory deal Cabinet reshuffle KETUMILE RAMATITI � President Masisi was to reshuffle his cabinet beginning of this month plan succeed will be sacrificed. Things STAFF WRITER however are not looking glamorous � Simon Mavhange Moabi was to replace Billy Buti at Ministry of Youth for Balopi as there are reports suggest- ing a fallout between him and Masisi. resident Mokgweetsi Masisi’s � Labour Ministry also set to combine with that of Gender & Nationality However, all will not be lost as the long impending decision to two minister can still retain their post Pre-configure his Cabinet has � Creation of two new Ministries would be triggered next financial year as part of Masisi’s plan is to split two been dealt a huge blow following the ministries; Ministry of Investment outbreak of the COVID-19 ultimately � Contracts of Senior civil servants will be extended until further notice Trade and Industry, as well as Minis- GOITSEONE SEVEN forcing him to postpone it to the next fi- try of Transport and Communication. STAFF WRITER nancial year, WeekendPost has learnt. The development, was geared to- The COVID-19 pandemic, which wards fulfilling the aspirations of Vi- lliance for Progressives has since forced Masisi to declare a sion 2036 and improve Ease of Doing President, Ndaba Gaolathe six months State of Emergence and 28 business in Botswana. Ahas reportedly, through days lockdown, mean that no serious As the Ministry of Investment, Trade his consultancy company, Delele government decision that could be and Industry is divided into two, one of (Pty) Ltd, closed a deal with Presi- made, save for those that are aimed at which would focus on investment and dent of South Africa, Cyril Rama- fighting the Coronavirus. trade while the other fragment is to fo- phosa, in which he offers among Most of the developmental projects cus on small businesses. others economic advisory to gov- will be halted as funds are diverted to Regarding the Ministry of Transport ernment of South Africa. fight the invisible enemy. The situa- and Communications split, it was en- According to sources, tion is so dire such that government visaged that there would be Ministry Gaolathe’s company, which has has also taken brave stance of freezing of Communications, which would be previously been involved in busi- civil servants salary adjustments. housed under the Office of the President. ness in South Africa, closed the This is just to demonstrate how much Sources maintain that Kanye South reported deal in December 2019. of impact the virus has in the normal MP Thapelo Letsholo is earmarked for The former lawmaker has how- government operations, including Ma- one of the ministries while Balopi may ever briefly denied that he is “not sisi’s long planned cabinet reshuffle. be the beneficiary of the other ministry. one of Ramaphosa’s advisors”. Masisi was expected to make It is also expected that after this im- Credible sources insist neverthe- huge changes, a development which pending reshuffle, Masisi will also re- less that Gaolathe, through his would have seen some ministers be- name a number of ministries. This will company, forms part of Rampho- ing dropped from cabinet, barely few entail re-doing what Former President sa’s intelligentsia. months after being sworn in following Ian Khama did in 2016 when he re-orga- Gaolathe, who served as Mem- last year’s general elections. nized and re-designed ministries. ber of Parliament for Gaborone WeekendPost is reliably informed Facing ejection from the cabinet is velopments told this publication. Skills Development and that of Nation- Meanwhile some senior civil ser- Bonnington South constituency that as President Masisi was still con- Francistown East’s Honest Billy Buti In the run up to last year’s elections, ality, Immigration and Gender Affairs. vants’ contracts elapsed at the end of from 2014-2019 was considered a sulting with his inner circle before who is currently serving as. Initially Moabi was touted as a close ally to Masi- The former is headed by the Botswa- the government financial year (March member of former President Fes- st being disrupted by coronavirus, Tati when the cabinet was assembled, Buti si who reports even claimed that the lat- na Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary 31 ) but they will continue to occupy tus Mogae’s kitchen cabinet. West legislator, Simon Moabi’s name was not part of Masisi’s ministers, this ter assisted the former during campaign. General Mpho Balopi while the other their desk, sources have said. His father, the late Baledzi was mentioned frequently. publication’s informants say. While another information is still is held by Anna Mokgethi, who de- The contracts, sources say, they will Gaolathe, one of the country’s fore- The former Botswana Democratic “In fact Mavhange was a front-run- sketchy there are also reports claiming feated main opposition leader, Duma run until the virus has subsided. This most economists, served as Botswa- Party (BDP) Youth Wing leader was to ner for a cabinet post compared to intention to merge of some Ministries. Boko last year. is despite the fact that this week Ma- na’s finance minister for 10 years, un- be deployed at Ministry of Youth Em- him, it so happened that he was in- Informants revealed that the coun- This now left the two ministers, sisi fired Ministry of Health and Well- der the presidency of Festus Mogae, powerment Sports and Culture Develop- cluded but he was never part of the try’s leadership wants to fuse Ministry of Balopi and Mokgethi tittering on the ness PS Solomon Sekwakwa alongside and briefly as Minister of Trade and ment, as Tumiso Rakgare’s understudy. initial plan,” a source close to the de- Employment, Labour Productivity and edge as one of them should Masisi’s his deputy, Dr Morris Sinvula. Industry during the formative years of Lt Gen Ian Khama presidency. Ndaba himself, who grew up determined to emulate his father graduated with BA in Econom- ics and BSc in Mathematics from Why Masisi FIRED officials at the height of Covid-19 George Washington University, before reading MBA in Finance at the revered Wharton School of the KETUMILE RAMATITI � President Mokgweetsi Masisi fires health Ministry PS and his Deputy According to the Public Health Act University of Pennsylvania. STAFF WRITER of 2013 the Director of Health Services In part to his career Gaolathe has powers superseding that of the has shortly worked for an Amer- � PS Sekwakwa alleged to have undermined Director of Health Services Minister and President to come with ican company in the New York he Ministry of Health and Well- � He withdrew mandatory quarantine for those from affected countries measure he deem proper to fight a specializing in power sector fi- ness (MoHW) skeletons have communicable disease. nancing. He then went on to work Ttumbled out of the closet, leav- � Masisi and Minister Kwape decided to sack him with immediate effect Following this, President Masisi and for the Namibian government as ing President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi Health Minister Kwape after intense in the ministry of Trade, before with no option but to crack the whip. � Baile Moagi is now the Acting Permanent Secretary in the health Ministry investigations reportedly took a deci- returning to Botswana to join the The decision by President Masisi sion to relief Sekwakwa and his deputy government owned think-tank, this week to fire Permanent Secre- Sinvula of their duties with immediate the Botswana Institute for Devel- tary (PS) in the health ministry, Sol- effect (21st April). The decision to fire opment Policy Analysis (BIDPA). omon Sekwakwa and his Deputy, Dr. the two, sources say was two-fold. Following his loss in last year’s Morrison Sinvula was not a surprise “No one at time like this is bigger ‘disputed’ general elections, won to those privy to operational hitches than the Director of Health Service, inevitably by Botswana Demo- during the combat against covid-19. so it was myopic for the PS to have cratic Party (BDP), Gaolathe was In fact, those in the know posit that reversed the decision, this could have reportedly offered a ministerial heads could have long rolled way prompted the higher officers not to post by President Dr Mokgweetsi back. There is an air careful of silence hesitate to sign the letter, more so the Masisi, but he turned out the offer. that the decorated and experienced higher office or even the Minister nev- Gaolathe, who was enticed with duo within the government machin- er interfered,” a source not far from the Ministry of Finance and Econom- ery were now big headed and running the actions told this publication on ic Development post, rejected the the ministry like their own backyard. Thursday afternoon. gesture on the basis that he was not As Covid-19 ravaged the world at the Another factor that could have comfortable with the arrangement. beginning of this year with various influenced the decision according Few days after he rejected the countries taking preventative mea- to sources is the fact that most of offer, Gaolathe wrote: “I am satis- sures, the government through the Covid-19 cases recorded locally were fied it is neither my season to be Director of Health Services Dr. Malaki as a result of visitors from affected part of the current cabinet nor is it Tshipayagae followed suit. However, countries, most specifically United part of my purpose to serve in an it was Sekwakwa who frustrated all Dr. Morrison Sinvula Solomon Sekwakwa Kingdom. The belief is, should the environment which I understand the measures aimed at fighting the government had been steadfast in im- not be suitable for a transforma- disease leaving the nation exposed to plementing the mandatory quarantine tive agenda as perceived by we the deadly virus. from affected countries for a period of 14 the nation from the virus very early. self-quarantine of all arriving travel- the positive cases could be minimum. who believe in the New Botswa- On the 6th of March, Dr. Tshipayagae consecutive days at their places of resi- However, Sekwakwa as the most senior ers from affected countries for a peri- To date 5023 people have been tested na,” adding that, “I don’t expect informed Hospitality and Tourism Asso- dences including hotels, guest houses, servant in the ministry withdrew Dr. od of 14 consecutive days,” Sekwakwa for Covid 19 and 22 tested positive. everyone to agree with my deci- ciation of Botswana (HATAB) of the gov- lodges, Inns if they are tourists.” Tshipayagae’s precautionary measure. wrote on the 7th of March. Following the dismissal of the duo, sion. In fact I am already being ernment decision to quarantine those The Ministry through the Director “Reference is made to our savin- He continued; “The Ministry wishes President Masisi on the 22nd of this vilified in some quarters for it.” from highly affected countries. “The indicated that those will be monitored gram dated 6th March, 2020 in which to withdraw the correspondences with month appointed Baile Moagi as the His company is a business con- Ministry of Health and Wellness has by Health Ministry officers in their re- the Ministry informed your office immediate effect. If there are any fur- acting Permanent Secretary in the sultancy firm, advising institu- taken a decision to enforce mandatory spective health districts. that the Ministry management has ther developments you will be notified Ministry of Health and Wellness with tions and companies on strategy self-quarantine of all arriving travelers The intention of this was to protect taken a decision to enforce mandatory accordingly.” immediate effect. restructuring and expanding. The business now does its operations in South Africa. Ndaba’s Delele, formed in 2000, major business deal was here in Botswana after proposing to the Botswana Insurance Fund Man- agement to pioneer the idea of forming a venture fund, a result of which Photon, a joint venture be- tween Delele (Pty) Ltd. and Bifm, Economy to shrink 13 percent - Matsheka the largest fund-manager in the Botswana market with then with more than US$1 billion under its REARABILWE RAMAPHANE COVID-19 global pandemic which will now be over 5 % of GDP, well national conferences but rather Botswana‘s key foreign income management, was formed. After a brief spell, the two par- NEWS WRITER will shrink the global economy by over government threshold of 4%. we are going to be a destination of earner and largest contributor ties parted ways and Delele moved 3 % against the initial expected According to Dr Matsheka, conferences as a country,” he said. to GDP. to South Africa were the company growth of over 3 %. Government will therefore do The decline in government It was projected that diamond established itself, after being en- inister of Finance & Against initial projected rev- away with some planned expen- revenue will be attributable to a revenue will bring to the table a gaged to review the strategy of the Economic Development, enue of P62.4 billion Botswana‘s ditures and projects. The Min- massive reduction in Mining & total of P20 billion, however Dr Financial Services Business Unit MDr Thapelo Matsheka economy will only generate a pro- ister revealed that conferences Mineral revenue which is antici- Matsheka revealed that because of Ithala Corporation in Kwa-Zulu has announced that Botswana’s jected revenue of about P48 billion. and meetings will be cancelled, pated to shrink by over 33 %. of the severe impact of the Natal and also engaged in project economy is expected to decline by Dr Matsheka explained that especially international travels by The decline in mining and min- coronavirus, it is expected that management for Mangaung Mu- 13.1 % against the initial project- therefore government has government, state funded institu- eral revenue is predominately as a revenue from minerals will drop nicipality’s brand strategy, raised ed growth of 4 % for the 2020/21 trimmed its budget from P67.6 bil- tions and parastatals. result of a halt in rough diamond to about P6 billion. Meanwhile and structured funding for vari- financial year. lion to P59.6 billion. The country’s Funding to parastatals and qua- sales due to travel restrictions Tourism and hospitality revenue ous companies from real estate, When addressing members of budget deficit will now shoot up si-governmental institutions will and standstill in trading across will go down by over 32 %, the hotel and tourism ventures to IT,. the media on Friday, Dr Matshe- from initial P5.2 billion (2.4 % of be significantly reduced. the industry. Minister shared. The company also reportedly did ka said this is due to the effect of GDP) to over P10 billion which “No luxury of attending inter- The diamond industry is consultancy work for the Japanese TO PAGE 4 Embassy encompassing an exten- sive study of the automotive and IT. Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 3 news COVID-19 stops Masisi’s Cabinetreshuffle

Cabinet, MP’s dodge COVID-19 KETUMILE RAMATITI STAFF WRITER

effected, 21st April 2020. UTLWANANG GASENNELWE It is still unclear whether the dis- resident Mokgweetsi Masisi’s long STAFF WRITER missal is linked to the lapse on the impending decision to re-config- part of the Ministry to expose the Pure his Cabinet has been dealt a huge blow following the outbreak of the whole cabinet and MP’s to corona COVID-19 ultimately forcing him to post- otswana Members of Parliament through stationing a nurse to assist pone it to the next financial year, Week- including President Dr Mok- them putting them at risk of infection. endPost has learnt. Bgweetsi Masisi, Vice President After dismissing the duo, Masisi The COVID-19 pandemic, which has Slumber Tsogwane and other cabinet moved swiftly to replace Sekwakwa since forced Masisi to declare a six months Ministers have this week been cleared with Baile Moagi. State of Emergence and 28 days lockdown, of the novel coronavirus. Sesinyi continued in a separate mean that no serious government decision The MP’s had attended a two day release: “the Office of the President that could be made, save for those that are long parliament meeting to discuss the wishes to inform members of the aimed at fighting the Coronavirus. 6 month State of Emergency request by public that His Excellency the Pres- Most of the developmental projects will the President which later was passed. ident Dr Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi, be halted as funds are diverted to fight the invisible enemy. The situation is so In the process, the 65 Members of has appointed Ms Baile A. Moagi as dire such that government has also taken Parliament including members of the acting Permanent Secretary in brave stance of freezing civil servants sal- the Parliament support staff, some the Ministry of Health and Wellness ary adjustments. members of the COVID-19 Task with immediate effect.” This is just to demonstrate how much Force and some media personnel He confirmed that the appoint- of impact the virus has in the normal gov- were exposed to the virus through a ment takes effect from 22nd April ernment operations, including Masisi’s health worker on duty who was lat- 2020 until further notice. long planned cabinet reshuffle. er found to be positive of COVID-19. Masisi was expected to make The health worker was stationed at NEW PS FINDS 22 CASES OF COVID 19 AT huge changes, a development which Block 8 clinic which is one of those desig- THE MINISTRY would have seen some ministers be- nated for isolation of COVID -19 patients. Following the new appointment, Moagi ing dropped from cabinet, barely few As a result, the MP’s were then put finds 22 confirmed cases of Corona virus months after being sworn in following last year’s general elections. on 14 days self-isolation and tests done that she has to grapple with. th WeekendPost is reliably informed on the 10 day with results announced Coordinator of Covid19 Task that as President Masisi was still con- on Wednesday this week. yy Masisi dismisses PS, DPS in health ministry upon release of results Force Dr Kereng Masupu says Bo- sulting with his inner circle before The legislators conducted tests at tswana has recorded two new cas- being disrupted by coronavirus, Tati their respective points of self-quaran- es of people who tested positive for West legislator, Simon Moabi’s name tine; with some at various accommoda- yy Results show all Ministers, MP’s tested negative to COVID 19 Covid19, bringing the total number was mentioned frequently. tion facilities and others at home. of reported cases to 22. The former Botswana Democratic Some MP’s made public pronounce- yy They were exposed to a nurse who tested positive to corona virus Dr Masupu said at the moment sta- Party (BDP) Youth Wing leader was to be ments of their tests results including tistics of Covid19 tests stands as follows: deployed at Ministry of Youth Empower- Selibe Phikwe West legislator, Dith- “Collected samples: 5023, Positive: 22.” ment Sports and Culture Development, apelo Keorapetse. yy New PS appointed, finds 22 cases of COVID 19 in the country as Tumiso Rakgare’s understudy. He stated: “thank you Lord Al- Facing ejection from the cabinet is Francistown East’s Honest Billy Buti mighty, I’m COVID-19 Negative. who is currently serving as. Initially Thank you everyone who prayed for when the cabinet was assembled, Buti us. Waiting for any medical results is was not part of Masisi’s ministers, this no child’s play, anxiety...you can hard- publication’s informants say. ly sleep normal.” “In fact Mavhange was a front-runner for He added that “we pray for the infected a cabinet post compared to him, it so hap- to be fine and pray that this country be pened that he was included but he was never free of this corona monster.” part of the initial plan,” a source close to the Another lawmaker, Mpho Balopi of developments told this publication. Gaborone North also declared: “I am 71% report high stress levels In the run up to last year’s elections, coronavirus negative, glory to God.” Moabi was touted as a close ally to Masisi who reports even claimed that the latter Thankfully, he continued to point out ovid-19 Work Impact Assessment threat and an opportunity. By the end of March, 34% of partici- work does not allow for it (55%), a lack assisted the former during campaign. that his test results have come back neg- While another information is still Report – April 2020 Despite more than a third of par- pants had already been forced to tempo- of IT infrastructure (40%), and the clo- ative and hereof, will continue to observe sketchy there are also reports claiming Like the rest of the world, Bo- ticipants viewing the pandemic as an rarily cease trading due to government sure of schools (5%). all precautions, and so he also urged all C intention to merge of some Ministries. tswana finds itself in unprecedentedly opportunity, only 12% of participants regulation. Half of the respondents Prior to the pandemic, 53% of par- Batswana to do the same. Informants revealed that the country’s challenging times due to the Covid-19 achieved higher than expected rev- were facing disruptions to their supply ticipants did not provide psycho-social In addition, Pono Moatlhodi rep- leadership wants to fuse Ministry of Em- pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. enues during the month of March, of raw materials or products for resale, support to their employees. The main resenting Tonota also confirmed ployment, Labour Productivity and Skills It is a rare event that affects the entire whilst 44% experienced a reduction in and 41% were experiencing disruptions reasons given were: did not think it that he tested negative. Development and that of Nationality, Im- globe in the same way, and there is a expected revenues for the same period, to their outbound logistics or exports. was necessary (50%), lack of awareness “I’m Covid-19 negative. I thank God migration and Gender Affairs. great deal of data available from other with the reductions ranging from 15% 65% of participants reported that, of service providers (30%). for strengthening me during this hard The former is headed by the Botswana countries on the impact this pandemic to 50%. 40% of respondents reported going forward, their business plan is One of the biggest impacts on indi- Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary Gener- time, I also thank everyone who sup- is having on their citizens, and on their having had orders cancelled, which now less certain. 7% of participants ex- vidual employees has been heightened ported and prayed for me. To all Batswa- al Mpho Balopi while the other is held by businesses and economies. suggests that the reduction in revenues pect that their business continuity will stress levels, with 71% of respondents Anna Mokgethi, who defeated main oppo- na may God keep your families safe It is important that we do not rely will continue to increase. be seamless, whilst 85% predict it will reporting that they experienced stress sition leader, Duma Boko last year. from Covid-19, stay blessed,” he said. solely on international statistics, but The businesses and organisations take between 1 and 6 months for their during the month of March. 44% of re- This now left the two ministers, Ba- For his part MP Nevah Tshabang for create our own data sources to better un- that felt the impact of the pandemic pri- business to recover, and 8% predict spondents report being fairly high or lopi and Mokgethi tittering on the edge Nkange declared: “all MPs tested nega- derstand the impact that is being felt lo- or to the lockdown starting, were those that recovery will take 1 to 3 years. very high in resilience, and the overall as one of them should Masisi’s plan suc- tive. That includes yours truly (me). I will cally. This will help guide our focus and who are public-facing. By the end of One of the biggest costs for many levels of well-being at work (made up of ceed will be sacrificed. therefore be celebrating this.” attention, both during the lockdown, and March (a few days before the lockdown) organisations is their wage bill. Since scores for positive emotions, engage- Things however are not looking glam- Apart from the nurse, Minister of during the recovery period following it. 86% of public-facing organisations al- this survey was conducted, the govern- ment, positive relationships, meaning, orous for Balopi as there are reports sug- Health and Wellness Dr Lemogang Positive Performance created the ready reported having made changes to ment has issued mandates about what achievement, health, negative emo- gesting a fallout between him and Masisi. Kwape revealed at the time that the Covid-19 Work Impact Assessment (CV- the way their staff interacted with cus- employers are, and are not, allowed tions, and overall happiness) have not However, all will not be lost as the other cases were: a 50 year old police 19WIA) to contribute to the nation’s data- tomers. These changes included physi- to do, with respect to managing their significantly changed from our pre- two minister can still retain their post man who was from the UK; 37 year set. The CV-19WIA has been designed to cal distancing, the use of sanitisers work force, however, at the point Covid-19 data. This is encouraging as as part of Masisi’s plan is to split two ministries; Ministry of Investment old woman and the husband on quar- monitor and evaluate the economic im- this extended period of lockdown and Trade and Industry, as well as Ministry antine at Cresta; a 28 year old man; a pact on organisations, as well as the psy- economic uncertainty will require us cho-social impact on employees; from to draw on our psychological resources. of Transport and Communication. 34 year old man in Masunga who trav- the early pre-lockdown stage, through to The word cloud below illustrates the The development, was geared to- eled to UK, he is now in Siviya and the economic recovery phase. practical and psychological effects that wards fulfilling the aspirations of Vi- contact tracing is underway as well as 20 organisations, representing approx- the participants were experiencing in the sion 2036 and improve Ease of Doing a 53 year old man traveled to Pretoria. imately 600 employees across public, pri- lead-up to the lockdown. It is crucial, while business in Botswana. It still remains a mystery why the vate and education sectors, participated we are so focused on our physical health, As the Ministry of Investment, Trade nurse who exposed MP’s was left on the in the CV-19WIA survey. The survey was that we do ignore the importance of main- and Industry is divided into two, one of loose to carry out her duties while her divided into two parts – one for the lead- taining our psychological and emotional which would focus on investment and COVID 19 status was unknown at the ership to complete, and the other for the health. A review of 24 studies that looked trade while the other fragment is to fo- time as she was awaiting results. employees. This provides us with a view at the psychological impact of quarantin- cus on small businesses. Regarding the Ministry of Transport on the pandemic’s impact on the finan- ing people, has shown that people who are and Communications split, it was en- WHY PS, DPS IN MINISTRY OF HEALTH cial, strategic, and HR areas of different quarantined are likely to experience low visaged that there would be Ministry of WERE FIRED organisations, as well as the levels of mood, insomnia, stress, anxiety, anger, Communications, which would be housed stress, resilience, and general well-being irritability, emotional exhaustion, depres- Meanwhile, coincidentally at the under the Office of the President. at work, and the practical ways that peo- sion, and post-traumatic stress disorder. time of releasing of results to MP’s, Sources maintain that Kanye South President Masisi fired two officials ple’s lives have been affected. Where parents were quarantined MP Thapelo Letsholo is earmarked for in the Ministry of Health and Well- The current survey data was collect- with their children, the negative im- one of the ministries while Balopi may be ness being Permanent Secretary ed between 1st and 7th April, and re- pact was even greater, with 28% of the beneficiary of the other ministry. Solomon Sekwakwa and his deputy lates to the month of March. This data, quarantined parents being diagnosed It is also expected that after this im- therefore, is reflective of the pre-lockdown with “trauma-related mental health Dr. Morrison Sinvula. pending reshuffle, Masisi will also re- stage of the pandemic. disorder”. These negative mental “His Excellency the President Dr SANITISING: 65% of participants reported that, going forward, their business plan is now less certain. name a number of ministries. This will Results of the Survey health effects can lead to alcohol entail re-doing what Former President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi The Mandarin word for “risk” is and other increased health and hy- of data collection, this was still at the abuse, self-medication, and long-last- has relieved the Permanent Secretary Ian Khama did in 2016 when he re-orga- made up of two characters – one mean- giene measures, and moving as many discretion of each organisation. At this ing avoidance behaviours. Some of nized and re-designed ministries. in the Ministry of Health and Wellness ing “danger” and the other meaning services as possible to an online plat- point, 6% of participants had needed to these studies showed that many peo- Meanwhile some senior civil ser- Mr. Solomon M Sekwakwa, and the “possibility” or “chance”. Similarly, form. The latter appears to be the one retrench, 18% had reduced hours, 12% ple struggle to return to work, once vants’ contracts elapsed at the end of the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the not every organisation that partook in with the biggest focus, with 67% of had put staff on paid leave, 0% had put the quarantine is over, and it takes government financial year (March 31st) same ministry, Dr Morrison Sinvula the survey viewed the pandemic as a participants reported hoping to be able staff on unpaid leave, and 76% had set many months for their productivity to but they will continue to occupy their of their duties with immediate effect,” traumatic event for their business. 59% to deliver their services in a non-face- staff up to work from home. return to normal levels. desk, sources have said. Permanent Secretary, government of participating organisations viewed to-face manner, suggesting that greater For those employees who were not The contracts, sources say, they will run communications, Andrew Sesinyi an- it as a threat, whilst 35% considered it use will be made of technological plat- able to work from home, the main rea- Report prepared by Celia Potgieter of until the virus has subsided. This is despite nounced this on Wednesday. an opportunity, and 6% saw it as both a forms and systems. sons given were that the nature of the Positive Performance the fact that this week Masisi fired Ministry He stated that the dismissal of the of Health and Wellness PS Solomon Sekwak- two senior government officials were wa alongside his deputy, Dr Morris Sinvula.

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www.weekendpost.co.bw Facebook.WeekendPost-Insightful Tel: 390 8849 | Fax: 390 8841 WeekendPostBW 4 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 news Hunting season extension induces mixed feelings

BONIFACE KEAKABETSE being held by the Department of Wild- NEWS WRITER life and National Parks under the Con- � Okavango communities and trusts speak out servation Trust Fund (CTF). FINANCE MINISTER: Dr Matsheka eading community trusts in It further noted that discussions Botswana have warned govern- � Would interfere with wildlife breeding season are ongoing between the BWPA, rural Lment against extending the 2020 communities, Department Wildlife and hunting season. National Parks to consider extending Economy Minister of Environment, Natural � Others say it should be informed by science the hunting season until late 2020 into Resources Conservation and Tourism, 2021. This will facilitate selling and Ms Philda Kereng recently told tele- hunting the 2020 quota in full, support to shrink vised COVID-19 press conference that cash flow, and enable the sustainabili- Botswana’s hunting season commenced ty in the industry needed to fast-track from April 2020 to December 2020. She the process of sustainable utilization in 13 percent said however, the season is subject to the communities living with wildlife. review for extension to February, 2020. FROM PAGE 2 Botswana lifted the 2014 hunting COMMUNITIES CALL FOR CTF moratorium in May 2019 following ASSISTANCE At the same briefing the nationwide consultations, a policy Meanwhile some communities leav- Minister announced that vigorously criticized by international ing in wildlife areas called on govern- the Covid-19 Relief Fund animal rights groups. ment to avail them funds under the currently has about 2 billion Leading community trusts, Ngami- Conservation Trust Funds (CTF) to pula (as seed contribution by land’s Sankuyo Tshwaragano Manage- help them cope economically with the government) and 60 million ment Trust and Chobe Enclave Com- COVID-19 lockdown. pula (from private sector). munity Trust (CECT) have warned Bantu Peter of Tobera village in the Minister of Finance and that extending the hunting season Okavango sub district, located 28 kilo- Economic Development, would interfere with wildlife breeding metres from Shakawe across the Oka- Matsheka and gave details of season. They state that this could ex- vango River, said his community has other procurement decisions pose the country to the brunt of the in- been affected by the lockdown. made to contain the corona- He said human wildlife conflicts ternational animal rights campaigns. virus pandemic. CECT chairman, Poniso Shamukuni could increase during this period said any extension that interferes with while people are out of work from the Gov’t orders medical supplies wildlife breeding season may be deemed tourism sector due to the lockdown. worth P2. 4 billion from China unethical and attract international He called on government to avail Dr Matsheka further an- scepticism. “Any extension should be funds for communities to undertake nounced that Botswana has guided by science. I would have a prob- good on us to hunt wildlife with young and the ongoing six months national which represents game ranchers and projects that could sustain communi- lem if government is to extend the sea- ones. Moalosi called for the ministry state of emergency would still restrict hunting industry, sounded alarm ties during the COVID-19 outbreak. placed an order for medical son in to the period of our wildlife. That roll over the current hunting quota to visitors and hunters into Botswana. about the devastation of Covid-19 on Kgosi Johane Ngwengare of Phuduhu- supplies worth P2. 4 billion may be a mistake we may regret.” 2021 season. He opined that the minis- Peake further stated that there the hunting industry. du village, which is sandwiched between from China and they are Shamukuni stated: “We support the try could transfer the current quota to would be reluctance for tourists to BWPA noted that due to the restric- Nxai Pan and Makgadikgadi National currently waiting for the reintroduction of hunting and have no 2021 and increase it where necessary.” travel during ongoing COVID-19 out- tions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bo- Parks further called for government to delivery. doubt that it is a tool to reduce incidents Contacted for comment, Botswa- break. She further added that the tswana hunting season which was sched- help communities with CTF funds. “As He said they are working of wildlife conflicts in our communities. na Wildlife Producers Association US economy, a big market for local uled to open on the 7th April 2020 has you may be aware we are literally leav- together with the Ministry of But we think hunting is unpractical for (BWPA) member, Debbie Peake , how- hunting sector, has been hard hit by been delayed. This delay will continue ing with wildlife as our village is located Foreign Affairs and Inter- the 2020 season due COVID-19 pandemic. ever, pointed out that the extension COVID-19 and many of their clients until global travel sector recovers from within two game parks. For us human national Relations and the We must appreciate as all the stakehold- even if it could happen is unlikely to may not afford travel this year. the Coronavirus and travels from the and wildlife conflict is a daily bread with Embassy of China to have ers, communities and hunting industry affect the breeding patterns of wildlife Peake added that there is a likeli- United States and European Union, Bo- or without COVID-19.” the goods arrive on time. The that the hunting season is impossible as quotas are specific and offtake man- hood that the hunting industry will tswana biggest hunting markets, opens. Seikaneng Moepedi of the Oka- Minister further reiterated this year and not force the situation.” aged for sustainability purposes. request a rollover of the current 2020 According to the statement, the vango Kopano Mokoro Trust whose Government interim deci- Sankuyo village Kgosi, Timex Peake reiterated that the hunting in- hunting quota into 2021 adding that P27,5 million generated from the sale 600 Mokoro polers members find sion to halt salary increases Moalosi concurred adding that it is dustry welcomes the minister’s hunt- however there is no plan for any quota of the special elephant quota in specif- themselves out of employment due to for government workers. common knowledge that wildlife breed ing season extension review but stated increase at the moment. ic areas where photographic tourism COVID-19 said CTF must open an office during the rainy season. “It won’t look that international travel restrictions In a recent statement, the (BWPA), were not contributing, is currently in Maun to easily help communities.

MEDIA RELEASE Botswana Gov’t flouts WHO

COVID-19: RESUMPTION OF ONLINE guidelines on COVID 19 - Unions CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION SERVICES Tel: +267 360 2000 Toll free: 0800Tel: + 600267 360 751 2000 UTLWANANG GASENNELWE serve, as is currently the situation. “Further, the employees in issue are Fax: +267 390 6822 “As at present and following our en- not being provided with food despite the Tel:Fax: +267 +267 360 390 2000 6822 STAFF WRITER Website:Fax:Tel: +267+www.ppadb.co.bw 267 390360 68222000 gagement with Directorate of Public client having previously demanded that Plot 8913, Makgadigau Way The Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) same be provided. The state of affairs Email:Website: [email protected]: www.ppadb.co.bw +267 390 6822 otswana government is said to Service Management (DPSM) Director, Gaborone informs the public that the service for online contractor there has been no positive response to is such that there are no street vendors Email:PlotPlot [email protected] 8913, 8913, Makgadigau Maakgadigau Way Way be flouting the World Health Or- PrivateGaborone Bag 0058 registration applications has resumed except applications that Bganisation (WHO)’s guidelines our demand that frontline health work- and or restaurants in operation thus Plot 8913, MaakgadigauGaborone Way the employees’ hands are tied as they Private BagBotswana 0058 requiring site visit/inspection. on combating the deadly Corona Virus ers be provided with the necessary Per- PrivateGaborone Bag 0058 also known as COVID 19 with regard to sonal Protection Equipment(s) (PPEs) cannot access food anywhere else away Private BotswanaBagBOTSWANA 0058 provision of Personal Protection Equip- and hand sanitizers,” he said. from their homes,” he highlighted to The above service is offered in addition, to evaluation, government authorities. BOTSWANA ment(s) (PPE’s) to frontline workers in He further observed that he is raising adjudicationCONSULTATIVE and award of tenders in cases WORKSHOP of emergencies like the pandemic. WHO guidelines requires the concern defying WHO recommenda- Motswagole asserted that the urgency those intended to address the COVID-19. that there should be provision of PPE’s to tions because his client, Botswana Land of the matter cannot be overstated while CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP all frontline persons fighting COVID 19 Boards, Local Authorities and Health adding that unfortunately that same FOR ALL SUPPLIERS COMING urgency was ignored in engagements Due to the ongoing Extreme Social Distancing (Lock down), such as health professionals like nurses, Workers Union (BLLAHWU) represents FOR ALLth SUPPLIERS COMING doctors as well as Social workers, Police more than two thirds (2/3) of all Health the client (union) had with the relevant other services like Capacity Building are still suspended until 15th MAY 2009, GABORONE Workers and soldiers among others. Workers and Local Government em- officials in Government. “We are under further15 notice. MAY 2009, GABORONE Nurses and other health workers are ployees in Botswana and therefore is instruction from the client to demand as still expected to perform their duties not better placed on that undertaking. a matter of urgency that within 3 days of ContractorsALL SUPPLIERS are encouraged are invited toto payregister online to usingparticipate the Integrated in a supplier’s only as first responders to COVID19 but “To that end, there is (similarly) a this letter all the relevant Ministries, pro- ALL SUPPLIERS are invited to register to participate in a supplier’sth vide all of the deployed staff with PPEs, Procurementconsultative Management workshop on grading System planned (IPMS) portalfor Friday or at 15 Botswana May 2009 in in the ordinary course of duties as front- collective labor agreement which has to consultative workshop on grading planned for Friday 15th May 2009 in line or first contact staff at all clinics and hand sanitizers, food and transport in PostGaborone. offices that PPADB are is still to operational.consult with Suppliers on the following topics; be honored by both parties (government Gaborone. PPADB is to consult with Suppliers on the following topics; hospitals in Botswana. These persons of and the union). In addition to this, the their respective shifts,” he maintained. The lawyer continued: “take notice first contact interact with patients who Employer (government) has conditions that should the above not happen, the For clarification• How should or requests contractors, for assistance suppliers on andonline service payments providers/ walk in with various ailments with no of service for the respective cadres of • How should contractors, suppliers and service providers/ undersigned shall approach the High and onlineconsultants contractor be graded?registration, Should the we gradepublic at all?or relevant protection whatsoever to any exposure of employment,” Motswagole pointed out consultants be graded? Should we grade at all? Court on an urgent basis to compel to • Review of the requirement for ownership of equipment versus the COVID19 virus. It is understood that in the communique. stakeholders should contact the Contractor Registration provide all the deployed staff with PPEs • Reviewleasing of the equipment requirement in the for current ownership PPADB of equipment contractor versusregistration there is further no protection given to He explained that, further to the Unit (CRU) Administrators, Assessors and Adjudicators at the an exposure from fellow colleagues who as per their respective shifts.” leasingsystem equipment in the current PPADB contractor registration following:system may also have the virus but not aware. The move follows a Savingram by Prevailing circumstance dictates the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Suppliers engaged in the supply of material/objects of any kind and that it is not possible to ascertain at Health and Wellness; recalling all Nurs- SuppliersContractor engaged Registration in the :supply of material/objects of any kind and WHO requires es and or health workers who are on description including raw materials, products and equipment, and first contact if a walk in patient has the descriptionEmail: [email protected] including raw materials, products and equipment, and COVID-19 virus or not. In a manner of study leaves at local institutions as a objectsobjects in solid, in solid, liquid liquid or gaseous or gaseous form form are invited are invited to register to register to attend to attend speaking, this eventuality exposes and provision of PPE’s to response to the anticipated demand and theCRU theworkshop. Receptionists workshop. The Theworkshop workshop targets targets suppliers suppliers of tangible of tangible items items that that endangers both the health worker and as a form of response to the COVID-19 Mobileare bought 1: 76887058 off the shelf or manufactured, including but not limited to the patient, both of whom can transmit all frontline persons pandemic dated 24th March 2020. It also are bought off the shelf or manufactured, including but not limited to came subsequent to a declaration of a Mobilebooks, 2: drugs,76887053 uniform, chemicals, food, office equipment, IT equipment the virus if any of them has it. books, drugs, uniform, chemicals, food, office equipment, IT equipment The extent of the spread among in COVID 19 State of Public Health Emergency by and andtransport. transport. health workers across the world can the Director of Health Services dated 25 Service Desk: only mean one thing, that all frontline March 2020 vide Statutory Instrument No 39 of 2020; and a Declaration of a InterestedEmail:Interested [email protected] suppliers suppliers are arerequested requested to bookto bookfor theirfor theircompany company staff and first responder be accorded above, the deployment of Social Work- State of Public Emergency by His Excel- Mobilerepresentatives 1: 76878905 by submitting their details to the workshop organizers at and be given proper protection from ex- ers into households without any PPEs representatives by submitting their details to the workshop organizers at lency the President dated 31 March 2020 posure to COVID-19. A Gaborone based exposes both the households that the So- theMobile thefollowing following 2: 76887054 address; address; vide Statutory Instrument No 59 of 2020. attorney representing Health and Lo- cial Workers will assess and the Social cal authorities workers, among others, In addition, the presence of Regula- Workers themselves. “Given the fact In order to facilitate more free flow of information regarding Kabo Motswagole of Motswagole and tions designating health services and DetailsDetails of the of companythe company representatives; representatives; that a person can remain asymptomatic Company wrote to the government this social services as essential services vide PPADB services during the extreme social distancing, the public even-though they have the virus there is week in a letter titled “urgent demand Statutory Instrument No. 61 of 2020. can(i) also Full contact name of the the followingrepresentative(s); for assistance (ii) Identity in accordance no. iii) Position in indeed a dire need to avert transmission (i) Full name of the representative(s); (ii) Identity no. iii) Position in for Personal Protection Equipment(s) There was also an urgent Directive/ to either the professionals or the house- with theCompany; Company;issue at hand: (PPE’s) for social workers, nurses and Savingram of 9th April 2020, to all Town holds to be assessed, he justified. (ii) (ii) Telephone Telephone number number and (v)and e-mail (v) e-mail address. address. other local authorities employees in the Clerks and Council Secretaries from According to the lawyer, there is a 1. Divisional Manager Supplies: 71845210 COVID-19 response” cautioning them to the Acting Permanent Secretary Min- abide by WHO precautions. further risk of transmission between istry of Local Government and Rural *The2. *The free Divisional freeof charge of charge Manager workshop workshop Services: is limited is limited 74550668 to the to first the first100 participants,100 participants, Social Workers and their Counseling early registration is encouraged. Registered participants will be In the letter, a copy of which was Development; directing them to hire on 3. early Divisional registration Manager is encouraged. Works: 71825113/73825113 Registered participants will be seen by Weekend Post, he stated “there clients more so given the private and a temporary basis and on for a period informedinformed of the of venuethe venue a week a week in advance. in advance. are further World Health Organization closed environment in which counsel- of 2 months persons who qualify to be 4. Contractor Registration Manager: 74525317 Guidelines which require PPEs for such ing services are ordinary provided. Ac- Social Workers under various District PPADB5. Contact Board Persons; Secretary: 72307230 frontline persons. The WHO Guidelines tually, he added that, one wonders if so- Councils by the Ministry of Local Gov- PPADB Contact Persons; cial distancing will be observed during For further information contact; are part of our law by reason of them ernment and Rural Development. 6. Public Relations and Education Manager: 73991127. such counseling sessions and if indeed Ms. Ditapole Chibua-Tsheboeng being recognized by the Regulations in The Savingram stated among other 1. Ms Mpho Motsumi Tel: +267 360 2038 (direct) it can be practiced at all. Public Relations 1. Ms Mpho Motsumi Tel: +267 360 2038 (direct) S.I. No. 61 of 2020.” Motswagole threat- things in relation to both pre-existing so- and Education Manager Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] ened government with court action after In addition Motswagole also ex- cial workers and the ‘new ones’ that: they Direct Line: 360 2017/4 Thank you. three days should they fail to respond in pressed that the Employer is not provid- shall conduct Household Assessments on Cell: 7186 6822 2.Yours 2.Mrs faithfully,Mrs Senewang Senewang O’Reilly-Konji O’Reilly-Konji Tel: at Tel: +267 at +267 360 2002 360 2002(direct) (direct) a positive manner on the move. ing transport to the deployed employees the impact of COVID-19 among families and Website: www.ppadb.co.bw Email: [email protected] According to the well-known attorney, contrary to an earlier undertaking to households; disseminate information to ______Email: [email protected] the set of documents, comprising from do so, and, this has not only thrown the beneficiaries post assessment; conduct fol- Charles Keikotlhae WHO, will surely attest to the fact that gov- work of the relevant employees into cri- low ups on whether beneficiaries have been Public Switchboard Relations Switchboard and Tel Education no. Tel +267no. +267 Manager390 6853;390 6853; Fax no: Fax +267 no: +267390 6822 390 6822 ernment cannot deploy these employees in sis but has terribly affected the sched- assisted with the COVID-19 Relief Food PPADB PPADB Email: Email: [email protected] [email protected] a manner that endangers their lives or the ules of their as they have to arrange own Basket; and provide psycho social support lives of the citizens of Botswana who they transport to their respective stations. (Counseling) to those that will need. Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 5

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Terms and Conditions apply 6 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 news A NEW NORMAL: Chronicles of a street vendor during COVID- 19

amiliar ways of working ty to bring home at least P3, 000 reads 6.0 megawatts, and we have giv- shift that has happened due to the are fast becoming obsolete, home in a good month covering It is with no doubt that there has been an unmissable shift in the en everything to God now”. COVID-19 pandemic, a shift that now being able to be agile and both her rentals and bills. world. The novel Coronavirus known as COVID-19 has begun to F Their confrontation with the social leaves us with this “new normal”. adjust to the new normal is key, Talking to WeekendPost from Mo- reshape our lives into what is being widely termed a new normal workers this week did not bear any The effects of the pandemic are said now more than ever. The life of a chudi this week Tebogo Moara who at a very phenomenal speed. Even the old dogs have to adapt to fruits, after assessment they were told to be envisioned to be experienced by Mochudi Street Vendor who spe- also doubles as a make- up artist said that they will receive a call same day. the world for at least the next year or cializes in Beauty Parlour has sig- she last had a meal four days ago. the new tricks which may have been unexplored because, let’s face Upon realising that two days has so but the remnants of the pandemic, nificantly changed overnight. Her “I share a two and half with a col- it, who would have ever thought that the entire globe would be, passed they took it upon themselves devoid of the apocalyptic effect it has ordeal began when government league who is also a Street Vendor, in days or weeks have entire workforces working remotely. It has to call but were told that they are had on the world, will see some ele- announced State of Emergency our hopes at the moment were pinned arguably been dismissed as a futuristic school of thought, some- abled women who could have known ments of our lives improved like the and a 28 day lockdown, technical- on social workers but they have since thing we may only do well into the full swing of the 4th industrial better that these situations do happen way we work and think from an inno- ly crippling her small and fragile turned their back on us. Life is tough, and could have saved for the future. vation point of view. We are living in business which has the capaci- our electricity units at the moment revolution, write DAVE BAAITSE and LERATO MOSIELELE. “We share a P1, 500 rentals which a moment of history. It is up to all of is already due but no answers are us to adapt or be left behind by a fast coming forth from government con- moving world. cerning rentals,” she said. While addressing the nation South As reality is kicking in, governments African President Cyril Ramaphosa, have had to swiftly formulate COVID-19 a few days ago said, “The coronavi- policies, to mitigate the further spread rus pandemic has disrupted your and transmission of the virus. lives and damaged our economy. Its Travel is cancelled and non- existent severity will continue to take a heavy especially cross border travel in our re- toll in the weeks and months to come. gion leaving room for essential goods The pandemic has resulted in the only. Life has come to a standstill, the sudden loss of income for business- entire world is needed to stay con- es and individuals’ alike, deepening nected and aligned on various issues, poverty and increasing hunger. including work, on communication The urgent and dramatic measures platforms made to facilitate remote we have taken to delay the spread of working. A culture shift is inevitable the virus have been absolutely nec- as we navigate this new normal as we essary. They have given us the space move into the future with different to better respond to the inevitable types of working environments. rise in infections and to thereby save In hind sight, amidst the acute tens of thousands of lives. We are sense of loss, anxiety and insecu- now embarking on the second phase rity COVID-19 has brought on all of our economic response to stabilize fronts one cannot ignore how the the economy, address the extreme outbreak has brought some sense of decline in supply and demand and Public Notice unity particularly in terms of rapid protect jobs. As part of this phase, responses to a global problem. we are announcing a massive social In response to the COVI-19 Coronavirus pandemic, the Human Resource Development Council’s (HRDC) Board, and Management, putting precautionary measures In a more intricate level, far be- relief and economic support package to reduce the risk of exposure to the notable virus, wish to inform its valued Stakeholders, Customers, Clients and the public that it will be implementing the following yond people introspecting and re- of R500- billion, which amounts to measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all as well as insuring business continuity; In response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, the Human Resource aligning their goals towards what around 10% of GDP”. really matters, people are more ap- Here at home many Batswana Public Notice1. Enhanced Precautionary Measures for walk-in- Stakeholders Development Council’s (HRDC) Board and Management, in putting precautionary preciative of locally made produce continue to criticize their own In response to the COVI-19 Coronavirus pandemic, HRDC will be administeringthe Human hand Resource sanitisers Development at our reception area Council’s and on all (HRDC) floors. Therefore, Board, it and encourages Management, all valued Stakeholders, putting precautionary Customers and Clientsmeasures to make to reduce the risk of exposure to the notable usemeasures of virus,this intervention wish toto during inform reduce entry its and valued exitingthe Stakeholders, of risk our premises. of exposure Customers, Clientsto the and notable the public thatvirus, it will wish be implementing to inform the followingits measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing HRDC Staffof all assisting as well Stakeholders, as insuring Customers business and continuity;Clients will wear surgical gloves and masks at all times when rendering service. valued Stakeholders, Customers, Clients and the public that it will be implementing 2. Use of Digital & Telephonic Platforms 1. Enhanced Precautionary Measures forthe walk-in- following StakeholdersPublic measuresPublic Notice to ensure theNotice safety and well-being of all; HRDC has availed mostPublic of the services on its online Notice platforms to ease access for various services and therefore encourages Stakeholder, Customers and Clients to utiliseInIn responseresponse these online to platforms.the to COVI-19 the CoronavirusCOVI-19 pandemic, Coronavirus the Human pandemic, Resource Development the Human Council’s Resource (HRDC) Board, Development and Management, putting Council’s precautionary (HRDC) measures Board, and Management, putting precautionary measures HRDC will be administering hand sanitisers HRDCtoInto responsereducereduce Stakeholders, at ourthe to riskreceptionthe the Customers of COVI-19 riskexposure area and of Coronavirus Clients andtoexposure the on are notable allencouraged floors. pandemic, virus, to Therefore, tothe wish make the notableto use Humaninform of it our encourages Contactits Resource virus,valued Center Stakeholders, all Developmentwish telephone valued to lineStakeholders, inform Customers, +267 Council’s 3162169 its Clientsor(HRDC) Customers valuedemail atand Board, [email protected] the Stakeholders, and public and Clients Management, that itto will make be implementingCustomers, putting precautionary the following Clients measures and the public that it will be implementing the following use of this intervention during entry andformeasures1.tomeasures any reduce exiting enquiries. Use totheof ensureof our riskto Digital premises. ofensure the exposure safety Communication theand to thewellbeing safety notable of and virus,all as wellbeingwellwish Platforms as to insuring inform of itsbusiness valuedall as continuity; Stakeholders, well as insuring Customers, business Clients and continuity;the public that it will be implementing the following HRDC Staff assisting Stakeholders, CustomersWheremeasures there is andanto urgentensure Clients need the willto safety have wear a meeting, and surgical wellbeing it will gloves be conducted of andall as masks using well theas at multimediainsuring all times business and when Information rendering continuity; and Communica service.tion and Technology (ICT) platforms available. 1.1. Enhanced Precautionary Precautionary Measures for Measureswalk-in- Stakeholders for walk-in- Stakeholders 1. Enhanced Precautionary Measures for walk-in- Stakeholders 2. Use of Digital & Telephonic Platforms3. Staff AccessibilityHRDC has availed most of the services on its online platforms to ease access HRDC HRDC will be will administering be administering hand sanitisers athand our reception sanitisers area and at on ourall floors. reception Therefore, it area encourages and all on valued all Stakeholders,floors. Therefore, Customers and it encouragesClients to make all valued Stakeholders, Customers and Clients to make In order use HRDCuse tofor minimiseof thisvarious ofwill intervention thisbethe risksadministering intervention of services COVID-19/Coronavirus during handentry and andsanitisers during exiting thereforetransmission, at ofentry our our some receptionpremises. andencourages of the exitingHRDC area employeesand onof Stakeholders,all ourwill floors. work premises. from Therefore, home and it only Customersencourages skeletal Staff all will valued remain and inStakeholders, the Customers and Clients to make HRDC has availed most of the services office on touse its ensure onlineof this business interventionplatforms continuity. to during ease access entry and for exiting various of services our premises. and therefore encourages Stakeholder, Customers and Clients to utilise these online platforms. HRDC HRDC Staff Staff assisting assisting Stakeholders, Stakeholders, Customers and Clients Customers will wear surgical and gloves Clients and masks will at allwear times surgicalwhen rendering gloves service. and masks at all times when rendering service. HRDC Clients Staff assisting to utilise Stakeholders, these Customers online and platforms. Clients will wear HRDC surgical gloves Stakeholders, and masks at all timesCustomers when rendering service. HRDC Stakeholders, Customers and4. Working Clients Remotely are encouraged to make use of our Contact Center telephone line +267 3162169 or email at [email protected] 2.2. UseUse of Digitalof Digital & Telephonic & Telephonic Platforms Platforms for any enquiries. 2. Useand of Digital Clients & Telephonic are encouraged Platforms to make use of the Contact Center. Over 50 percent of HRDC Staff will be working remotely (from home) but available to assist Stakeholders, Customers, Clients and the general public should the need Where there is an urgent need to have arises. a meeting, HRDC HRDC has it availedwillhas be availed mostconducted of the most services using theof on multimediatheits online services platforms and Information on to ease its accessonline and forCommunica variousplatforms servicestion andto and easeTechnology therefore access encourages (ICT) platformsfor Stakeholder, various servicesCustomers and and Clients therefore to encourages Stakeholder, Customers and Clients to HRDCThe has email availed addressmost of the services is [email protected] on its online platforms to ease access. for various services and therefore encourages Stakeholder, Customers and Clients to available. utilise utilise these these online platforms. online platforms. utilise these online platforms. 5. Maintaining HRDC HRDC Social Stakeholders, DistanceStakeholders, Customers and Customers Clients are encouraged and Clients to make useare of encouraged our Contact Center to telephone make line use +267 of 3162169 our orContact email at [email protected] Center telephone line +267 3162169 or email at [email protected] HRDC Stakeholders, Customers and Clients are encouraged to make use of our Contact Center telephone line +267 3162169 or email at [email protected] 3. Staff Accessibility HRDC 2. forfor hasfor Maintaining any anypostponed any enquiries. enquiries. enquiries. its events, theSocial Botswana Distance Human Resource Development Skills Fair and Career Clinics (BHRDS), Workplace Learning visits, Human Resource Development WhereWhere Where Fund there there (HRDF)there is is an an collectionurgent urgent is an need of need claimsurgent to tohave and have other a need meeting, a plannedmeeting, to itStakeholder willhave it willbe conducted be aEngagement conducted meeting, using activities. using the it multimedia willthe multimedia be conductedand Information and Information andusing Communica and the Communica multimediation andtion Technology and andTechnology (ICT) Information platforms (ICT) platforms and Communication and Technology (ICT) platforms In order to minimise the risks of COVID-19/Coronavirus available.available. available. transmission, some of the HRDC employees will work from home and only skeletal Staff will remain in the HRDC, therefore encourages its Stakeholders, Customers, Clients and members of the public to continue observing all hygiene precautionary protocols to reduce the office to ensure business continuity. spread3.3. StaffStaff of Coronavirus Accessibility Accessibility as advised by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the World Health Organisation. 3. StaffHRDC Accessibility has postponed its planned events such as the annual Botswana 4. Working Remotely Should you need further assistance, kindly contact the following; InIn In Human orderorder order to to minimise minimise to Resource minimise the the risks risks of Developmentof COVID-19/Coronavirusthe COVID-19/Coronavirus risks of COVID-19/Coronavirus Skills transmission, transmission, (BHRDS) some some of theFair of HRDC the andtransmission, HRDC employees Career employees will workClinics will some from work home 2020,from of andthe home only HRDC and skeletal only employees Staffskeletal will Staffremain will inwill remainthe work in the from home and only skeletal Staff will remain in the officeoffice office toto ensure ensure to ensure business business continuity.business continuity. continuity. Over 50 percent of HRDC Staff will beFUNCTION workingWorkplace remotelyCONTACT (from Learning PERSONhome) but available visits,EMAIL to assistHuman Stakeholders,CELLPHONE Resource Customers, Development Clients and the general Fund public (HRDF) should the need arises. 4.4. WorkingWorkingcollection Remotely Remotely Remotely of claims and other Stakeholder engagement activities. Marketing Ms Faith Tuelo [email protected] +267 73475204 5. Maintaining Social Distance Communications OverOver Over 5050 percent percent50 percent of of HRDC HRDC Staff of Staff HRDC will will be be working workingStaff remotely willremotely be (from (fromworking home) home) but available remotelybut available to assist (fromto assist Stakeholders, home)Stakeholders, Customers, but Customers,available Clients andClients to the assist generaland the publicStakeholders, general should public the should need Customers, the need Clients and the general public should the need Human arises.arises. arises. Resource HRDC encouragesMs Kebabonye Molosiwa its Stakeholders, [email protected] +267Customers, 73451851 Clients and members of the HRDC has postponed its events, the DevelopmentBotswana Human Resource Development Skills Fair and Career Clinics (BHRDS), Workplace Learning visits, Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) collectionFund5. publicof5. (HRDF)MaintainingMaintainingclaims andto othercontinueSocial Social planned DistanceSocial Distance observingStakeholder Distance Engagement all hygiene activities. precautionary protocols to reduce the Workplace Learning Ms Doreen Kokorwe [email protected] +267 73620005 and are embracing a rebirth or re- government for failing to cush- HRDCHRDC HRDC has has postponed haspostponed postponed its its events, events, the theits Botswana Botswanaevents, Human Human the Resource Botswana Resource Development Development Human Skills Skills Fair Resource and Fair Career and Career ClinicsDevelopment Clinics (BHRDS), (BHRDS), Workplace Skills Workplace Learning Fair Learning visits,and HumanCareer visits, Resource Human Clinics Resource (BHRDS), Workplace Learning visits, Human Resource HRDC, therefore encourages its Stakeholders,spread Customers, of Coronavirus Clients and members during of the the public lockdown to continue as observing advised all hygiene by the precautionary Ministry protocols of Health to reduce the awakening approach to life. ion them during this crisis and DevelopmentDevelopment Development Fund Fund (HRDF) (HRDF) Fund collection collection (HRDF) of ofclaims claimscollection and and other other planned of planned claims Stakeholder Stakeholder and Engagement other Engagement planned activities. activities. Stakeholder EngagementThe activities. digital space is also bursting at coming up with rigorous policies spread of Coronavirus as advised by Studentthe Ministry Welfare and of HealthMs Marianyana and WellnessSelelo [email protected] the World Health+267 Organisation. 73449320 Supportand Services Wellness as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO). the seams with innovations that are that guide the lockdown. HRDC, therefore encourages its Stakeholders, Customers, Clients and members of the public to continue observing all hygiene precautionarytransforming protocols our lives to daily. reduce Highly the In his last public address Presi- Corporate HRDC, HRDC, Services therefore thereforeMs Mpiloencourages Ikitseng encourages its Stakeholders,[email protected] itsCustomers, Stakeholders, +267 Clients 73475200 and members Customers, of the public Clients to continue and observing members all hygiene of precautionary the public protocols to continue to reduce the observing all hygiene precautionary protocols to reduce the Should you need further assistance, kindly spreadspread contactspread of of Coronavirus theCoronavirus of following; Coronavirus as as advised advised by asby the the advisedMinistry Ministry of Health of by Health the and andWellnessMinistry Wellness and of theand HealthWorld the World Health and Health Organisation. Wellness Organisation. and the World Healthwelcomed Organisation. by all who love nature, a dent Mokgweetsi Masisi detailed a great improvement has been seen raft of financial interventions that Institutional Planning Mr Onkabetse Mmereki [email protected] +267 73303707 recently in terms of pollution or man include a loan repayment holiday ShouldShould youyou you need need furtherneed further assistance, furtherassistance, kindly assistance, kindly contact contact the the following;kindly following; contact the following; FUNCTION CONTACT PERSON EMAIL CELLPHONE and nature interference with Mother of between three and six months for Nature replenishing the earth and home and vehicle loans to cushion FUNCTION CONTACT PERSON EMAIL CELLPHONE reviving badly damaged ecosystems. those affected by the lockdown. He Physical FUNCTIONAddress:FUNCTION Plot 60113, BlockCONTACT 7, Ext 48, PERSON Gaborone,CONTACT Botswana PERSONEMAIL CELLPHONEEMAIL CELLPHONE Postal Address: Private Bag BR 108, Gaborone, Botswana A new normal culture that may also said the country would build Marketing surely prevail when the dust settles up reserves including grain, water, Ms Faith TueloEmail: [email protected]@hrdc.org.bw +267 73475204 Communications Marketing on this front is surely to include medical supplies and fuel. Tel: +267Marketing Communications393Marketing 0741 • Fax: +267 393 0740Ms Faith / 393 Tuelo 0814 [email protected] +267 73475204 working remotely. Companies eager This week Minister of Mineral Ms Faith Tuelo Ms Faith [email protected] [email protected] 73475204 +267 73475204 Human TermsCommunicationsCommunications and Conditions Apply to survive would need to set up and Resources, Green Technology & Human OUR PEOPLE • OUR FUTURE Resource www.hrdc.org.bw make adjustments for remote work- Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi Ms Kebabonye MolosiwaHumanResourceHuman [email protected] +267 73451851 Development Ms Kebabonye Molosiwa [email protected] +267 73451851 ResourceDevelopmentResource ing conditions and maintain efficien- announced reduction in petroleum Fund (HRDF) Ms Kebabonye MolosiwaMs Kebabonye [email protected] Molosiwa +267 [email protected] 73451851 +267 73451851 DevelopmentFundDevelopment (HRDF) cy under these circumstances. prices. He explained that the de- FundFund (HRDF) (HRDF) It’s time to think innovatively lest crease on petroleum products pric- Workplace Learning Ms Doreen Kokorwe [email protected] Learning Ms Doreen Kokorwe+267 73620005 [email protected] +267 73620005 you perish. A famous pioneer once es was influenced by the general WorkplaceWorkplace Learning LearningMs Doreen KokorweMs [email protected] Kokorwe [email protected] 73620005 +267 73620005 said, “Innovate or die”. The way the decline of international oil prices, world is going is such that only the which have been going down main- Student Welfare and Student [email protected] and Ms Marianyana Selelo [email protected] +267 73449320 Ms Marianyana Selelo Support Services +267 73449320 tech savvy will survive as we enter ly as a result of reduced global de- Support Services StudentStudent Welfare Welfare and andMs Marianyana SeleloMs [email protected] Selelo [email protected] 73449320 +267 73449320 SupportSupport Services Services the 4th industrial revolution (4IR). mand driven predominantly by the Corporate Services Ms Mpilo Ikitseng [email protected] +267 73475200 Embrace tools to keep you connected slowdown of the world economy. Corporate Services Ms Mpilo Ikitseng [email protected] +267 73475200 CorporateCorporate Services ServicesMs Mpilo Ikitseng Ms Mpilo [email protected] [email protected] 73475200 +267 73475200 to your clients and key stakeholders The price adjustment, which com- while enabling efficiency. Virtual menced on April 21 decreased retail Institutional Planning Mr Onkabetse Mmereki [email protected] +267 73303707 approaches will also, surely boom in prices for petrol grades by 13 thebe Institutional Planning Mr Onkabetse [email protected] Planning PlanningMr Onkabetse Mmereki+267Mr [email protected] Mmereki [email protected] 73303707 +267 73303707 popularity as we innovate to create per litre, diesel by 10 thebe per litre experiences and engage in the virtual and prices for illuminating paraf- Physical Address: Plot 60113, Block 7, Ext 48, Gaborone, Botswana realm, as opposed to engaging physi- fin decreased by 20 thebe per litre. cally, which goes against gatherings Speaking during a press briefing, Physical Address: Plot 60113, Block Physical7,PostalPhysical Ext 48, Address: Address:Gaborone, Address: Pri Plotva Botswana te60113, Bag Plot BlockBR 108, 60113, 7, Ext Gaborone, 48, Gaborone,Block Botswana 7, Botswana Ext 48, Gaborone, Botswana and other social distancing no nos. Moagi said the government would PostalEmail:Postal Address:[email protected] Address: Private Bag Pri BRva 108,te Gaborone,Bag BR Botswana108, Gaborone, Botswana Events of any kind have been put to closely monitor the prices of petro- Postal Address: Private Bag BR 108, Gaborone, Botswana an abrupt halt and this calls for in- leum products in both regional and Email: [email protected]:Tel:Email: +267 [email protected] [email protected] 0741 • Fax: +267 393 0740 / 393 0814 novative thinking to be able to still international markets and make the Tel:Tel: +267 +267Terms 393 3930741 and •Conditions Fax:0741 +267 • Fax:393 Apply 0740 +267 / 393 3930814 0740 / 393 0814 engage with audiences. necessary price adjustments every www.hrdc.org.bw OUR PEOPLE • OUR FUTURE Tel: +267 393 0741 • Fax: +267 393 0740 / 393Terms Terms0814 and Conditions and Conditions Apply Apply In reality, we cannot ignore the three months. Terms and Conditions Apply www.hrdc.org.bwwww.hrdc.org.bw OUR PEOPLE • OUR FUTURE OUR PEOPLE • OUR FUTURE www.hrdc.org.bw OUR PEOPLE • OUR FUTURE Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 7

BUSINESS STRATEGIES FOR THE COVID-19 RECESSION

he World Economic Outlook projects global growth in 2020 to fall to vital for small establishments. It can mean the difference between survival and negative three percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The IMF further extinction. Unfortunately, leading universities in China estimate that 85 percent indicates that the world is facing the worst economic downturn since of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in China will run out of cash within the great depression. Indeed, the drastic drop in economic activity three months, if the crisis does not abate. An equally devastating position can imposed by lockdowns and other restrictions to contain the disease make the be expected for Botswana’s SMEs, especially in sectors where activities have Teffects of the last global financial crisis look minor. Already, governments all been suspended for six months. A proactive approach to manage this entails over the world, including that of Botswana have enforced fiscal packages and shifting focus from income statements to cash flow statements. In addition to monetary policies to minimise the effects of the crisis. Such interventions are cutting cost, accounts receivable should be closely monitored. Discounts and a step in the right direction and will definitely provide some form of relief other incentives should be offered to encourage customers to pay faster. Where for businesses. However, what mainly determines whether a business will ride possible firms should move away from invoicing and encourage pre-payments. out the storm and survive, or even thrive for that matter, are the strategies It is also advisable to hold on to cash at hand by putting off payments until that it adopts at this crucial time. Many practical and realistic steps exist that they are due and lowering the inventory level. Although it may be tempting for Therefore, cost cutting Botswana businesses can use to minimise the effects of the downturn and businesses to stock up on inventory given the uncertainty in the market, this position themselves to emerge even stronger when economic conditions should be avoided as it will only tie up much needed cash. Selling non critical initiatives should be improve. This article provides a few insights in this regard. company assets could also enhance cash flow. conducted with caution. Unfortunately, business operations cannot continue as usual after the lockdown As business levels drop, it is also prudent to identify your most profitable restrictions are lifted. Folding one’s arms and waiting for things to return to customer. Every company has loyal customers and this is the time to focus Expenditure cut backs on normal is the first mistake any organization can make, especially, since no one on them more intensely. Carefully designed strategic promotions should be can accurately predict how long the crisis will last. During a recession companies utilised to maintain this key market segment. Questions should be asked on how activities like Research immediately experience reduced sales, delayed payments and lower profits. This customers’ needs may change during the recession and resolutions should be can translate to cash-flow problems that could lead to bankruptcy. It should be made to address them. If it is anticipated that customers may behave differently and Development(R&D) noted that although government has offered to be a guarantor for loans, that during the recession,strategies should be designed to optimise this. Thought and Information does not in itself guarantee that all companies in Botswana will have access to should also be given to how competitors may react. If opportunities present this facility. Hence, businesses need to urgently plan and prepare for the full themselves, given the changing market, introducing a new product line should Communications effects of the pandemic and the looming recession. Research indicates that only be considered given the available resources. Such considerations have the ability nine percent of companies come out of a recession stronger than before,with to catapult the business forward. Technology (ICT) should successful companies being those that re-examined almost every aspect of Unlike other recessions, the COVID-19 crisis is unique as it can affect business their business model. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that businesses be carefully weighed. R&D operations if employees contract the virus. To avoid disruptions of this nature, conduct comprehensive investigations to identify the magnitude and full impact it is very important that employees are provided with a safe space to work in. of the recession on their operations. Such an exercise would help provide and ICT facilitate innovation The extent to which employers support and enable their employees during this informed solutions to mitigate or lower the effects. period can have a profound impact on the productivity of a company. Initiatives that could provide a A natural response to falling revenues usually involves adopting a defense like the provision of hand sanitizer, extra cleaning efforts, provision of protective mechanism which may entail frantically cutting costs. Cost-cutting measures and gear and social distancing practices would protect employee’s health and long term competitive clamping down on expenses definitely does go a long way in keeping businesses safeguard the business in the long run. To prevent the spread of the disease to afloat during a recession. However, this strategy if implemented recklessly has others, employees displaying symptoms should be encouraged to self-isolate. advantage. Marketing the potential of choking creativity, innovation and morale. Efficiency can be Employers should look into business continuity plans, which should include a overlooked and replaced with the aim of doing the job with minimum resources. plan for how to maintain key business functions if faced with high absenteeism. should also be viewed This compromises quality and could lead to a drop in customer satisfaction, Consideration should also be given to cross-training personnel to function in key delivery, and customer loyalty, all of which are the nuclei of post-crisis positions in case the main employee for a given position falls sick. as a significant business growth. Therefore, cost cutting initiatives should be conducted with caution. Another means of safeguarding employee health is to allow employees to work Expenditure cut backs on activities like Research and Development(R&D) and function. Regardless of from home, as widely encouraged. Companies may be skeptical about this Information Communications Technology(ICT) should be carefully weighed. approach as the question arises that if employees are not seen working and closely financial constraints, it R&D and ICT facilitate innovation that could provide a long term competitive monitored would they actually perform their assigned tasks and duties. However, advantage. Marketing should also be viewed as a significant business function. it is time to place more emphasis on the employee’s deliverables as opposed is vital for businesses to Regardless of financial constraints, it is vital for businesses to maintain a strong to their physical presence. Working remotely is not a new concept, the model brand presence and to actively keep communicating with customers in a time has been practiced in developed nations with some level of success. It is based maintain a strong brand like this. It is recommended that cost saving initiatives should never come at the on the premise that for some jobs, work does not need to be done in a specific expense of the ability to execute long-term visions. presence and to actively place to be executed successfully. In fact, studies show that working remotely In this regard, cost optimisation would be a better strategic response as opposed can improve employee engagement, reduce employee turnover, increase keep communicating with to cost minimisation. While the former refers to a direct, but more or less, a one- employee productivity and lower the number of sick offs. In the US, working time action aimed at reducing corporate expenses, the latter is a continuous remotely saves businesses an average of $11000 per annum, per employee, in customers in a time like this. effort to drive spending and cost reduction while maximising business value. the form of lower rent costs, furniture costs and tea expenses. However, it is Cost reduction must be informed by an assessment of the present cost base and strongly recommended that before such an initiative is implemented, companies the value derived from each significant cost category. This would also require an should develop a policy to guide this. A working remotely policy should evaluation to establish if all business purchases, including inputs, are obtained at clearly outline all terms and conditions that employees should adhere to when the best price and terms for the quality received. Other aspects to be considered working at home. This would help avoid disruptions to company procedures are whether wastes are being eliminated, whether it is cost effective to outsource and operations. It should address issues like who can work from home, how a business function, or find ways to share the function with other businesses. they should go about working from home, what is expected of them, how their Another helpful initiative worth considering is converting, where possible, some work and productivity will be measured, how they will be supervised, their legal business fixed cost into variable cost. While fixed costs are incurred regardless rights, and what support and equipment will be provided, amongst other things. of the business levels, variable costs are only incurred when revenue producing It should be noted that the success of this model hinges on how supervisors and business is generated. This means that when sales fall, variable costs are teams stay connected and communicate. Employers considering this model are automatically reduced or eliminated, helping to buoy profitability. To achieve urged to ensure that they have the information technology and infrastructure this, companies could consider transportation leasing, third party warehousing, needed to support multiple employees who may be able to work from home. and outsourcing to reduce variable costs. It should be noted that, however, As demonstrated, in an economic downturn businesses face numerous difficulties labour cost cannot be easily manipulated as government has imposed a six- and challenges, all seemingly important and urgent. It is tempting to take the month retrenchment restriction. natural response and focus solely on today’s problems. COVID-19 is definitely As indicated earlier, one of the immediate impacts of the recession would be nullifying old models of doing business. Adopting the right strategies can be the Article By Zelda Okatch constraints on business cash flow. Cash flow management in a crisis is absolutely difference between business success and failure. Senior Consultant Research BNPC 8 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 opinion

he digital revolution will not foist it- self on a society: it has to be courted, Tadopted, and mainstreamed. It is not so much an end as a means to an end. If the payoff has to accrue and speed- ily mature, the digital economy has to be eagerly, keenly, and enthusiastically It’s Time We Walked the embraced. Just as one is certain to flunk examinations if they do not swot hard or often enough, a nation cannot expect to reap the rewards of the Information Age if it chooses to be a spectator at worst or a laggard at best. It has to be a sponta- neous and active participant. NDULAMOLESANG ANTHONY MAGANG MORIMA ICT use and application (a category Talk and not Vice-Versa that includes hardware, software, net- works, and media collection, storage, pro- EAGLE WATCH cessing, transmission, and presentation of information [voice, data, text, images, In the last five to seven years, South Ko- tion, which is expected to create 50,000 etc.]) must of necessity be a way of life. It rea has featured in the top three on the In- jobs by the year 2030. ternational Telecommunications Union’s has to become second nature if you like. GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT IN LA I need not underscore the obvious ICT Development Index and presently and foregone conclusion fact that ICT tops the Bloomberg Index of Most Inno- This year, effective from April 1, BPC adoption has a direct correlation with vative Economies. More often than not, it hiked tariffs by 22 percent as Govern- sizeable boosts to GDP. A 2018 study has been highlighted as the world’s most ment substantially curtailed its vast listed the world’s 15 most technological- efficient economy on Fareed Zakaria’s re- yearly subsidy to the loss-prone corpo- ly advanced countries as Japan, the US, markably accurate and highly insightful ration, without which it would have South Korea, Germany, China, India, GPS programme on CNN. long ceased to be a viable going-concern. England, Canada, Sweden, Australia, South Korea finds itself on pole as a The bottom line implications for busi- Finland, Russia, Israel, France, and digital economy on the back of three prin- ness entities, particularly those who Singapore in that order. cipal factors – an advanced education sys- form the core of the hospitality and other It goes without saying that these are some tem, a culturally resilient mindset, and a industries, are profound, if not dire. An of the world’s most buoyant economies who technologically-inclined government. operation I know of has seen its month- are what they are owing, fundamentally, to The watchword in South Korea right ly power outlay rocket from P200,000 to their compulsive deployment of cutting edge across the board is Pali-Pali, meaning approximately P244,000 a month (an- technology in practically every walk of life. “quicker and quicker”. One Korean nual increase P528 000) and this is just In yet another 2018 paper, a team of executive was quoted as saying thus in one expenditure item amongst a clutch researchers had this to say about the eco- this regard: “The goal is to strengthen of overheads routinely incurred in the nomic prop and catalyst that is ICT: “ICT the 21st-Century learner’s capacity. In business . In the perennially depressed has become very important in modern particular, we focus on 4Cs: Critical economic climate of our day, to just economies, and its effects on economic thinking and problem-solving; Collabo- breakeven would be some herculean growth derive from two channels: the ration; Character; and Communication. feat heavily taxing of the mental facul- output of ICT-producing industries, and Nowadays, software education is in full ties of the operation’s executive team. the output of the ICT-using industries.” swing, so we try to improve computa- True, coal-powered energy, the kind The team trained its lens on EU coun- tional thinking.” that presently sustains Botswana, does not come cheap. It is by far dearer com- tries over an 18-year period (from 2000 COVID-19 A WAKE-UP CALL to 2017) and found that an increase in BOTSWANA MUST FOLLOW SUIT: Egypt’s Benban project is the largest solar park in the world and consists of 30 plants with a combined capacity of around 1.5 GW. pared to hydro-electric power though the digitisation of a country by only 10 As much as the advent of Covid-19 is it is less-susceptible to the vagaries of percent led to a 0.75 percent increase in an apocalypse of sorts, it has also ush- weather. But we’re in an age where coun- GDP per capita as well as a 1.02 percent ered in a new epoch whereby things just tries are moving away from ecologically manner of speaking, forged in the same perity wave thanks in large measure to Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, India, and Honk drop in the unemployment rate. will never be done with the languor and harmful energy-generation processes to penurious crucible as Botswana. decades of government interventions and Kong. The country’s unemployment rate One hopes Botswana, or to be specific, the lethargic tendencies of yesteryears. a stop-gap blending of energy sources Like Botswana, the country alterna- investments in modern technology. is only 4.8 percent in a mammoth popula- Masisi administration, is listening. We now all have to be on the double: and finally to absolutely clean capacity. tively referred to as the Land of the Han At the last count, South Korea’s GDP tion of just under 52 million people. if in the past we simply reacted, now we A case in point is the situation now SOUTH KOREA’S “PALI-PALI” River was a dirt-poor, nonentity economy per capita was some $31,000 whilst sit- South Korea leads the world in In- have to be proactive. If hitherto we sim- obtaining in Los Angeles, California, in the 50s. It has since turned a corner and ting atop a foreign exchange reserves ternet penetration rates, with virtually If I have to harp back to South Korea ply sat on projects long after they were where a utility company known as today it bears all the hallmarks of a Tiger pile of over $400 billion, the bountiest every household capable of going, and af- time and again, it is because it was, in a instituted, now we have to put in place 8-Minute Solar Energy last year laid on economy, riding on the crest of a pros- after China, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, fording to go, online anytime anywhere. a revolutionary programme of action a solar-battery power-generation project that should kickstart them, that will see with an energy mix of 200 MW of solar things move at the speed of a gazelle, capacity and at least 100 MW of battery complete with checks and balances capacity, thus offering a preview of what brought to bear round-the-clock. the medium term future of energy will The era of deadwood is over; where such is look like. The project was touted as “the detected, all shoddy and slothful types must lowest solar photovoltaic price in the be weeded out and immediately replaced US, and the largest and lowest-cost with proven or promising performers. combined solar and high-capacity bat- Every career, every occupational tery energy storage in the US.” undertaking, formally begins in the classroom. It is here we must embed an NEED TO HARNESS THOSE PLENTIFUL ICT proclivity from the elementary or RESOURCES rudimentary stages of the educational What is happening in California Bo- continuum. It is here we must implant tswana too can replicate as we have the an abiding productive and workaholic resources to rise to the occasion too. mindset. The hogwash that “there’s no In 2014, the Department of Geological hurry Botswana” must be jettisoned al- Survey informed us that there was 30 to 40 together and consigned to a landfill: as trillion cubic feet (TF3) of coal-bed meth- in South Korea, everything should now ane gas at a depth of about 200 meters in Inspire Tomorrow, Toady be Pali-Pali. Accountability must be of our crust. In such a geological setting, the the essence: bureaucrats should not get rocks are characterised by low permeabil- away scot-free for a bumbling or falter- ity, which renders the extraction process ing performance which set the country more complex and therefore pricey, with back for years but instead, authorities one estimate putting the drilling costs at a should not hesitate to wield the axe. whopping $2 million per shaft. Our former presidents, Quett Masire But the steep tab can easily be recouped and Festus Mogae in particular, are on given a readily available export market of record as lamenting that as a people, 11 members of the Southern African Pow- we do not “grind” as much as others, er Pool. Time-adjusted pricing of the com- such as Zimbabweans, for instance, do. bined solar-gas powered electricity in the APPLY We should not make President Masi- course of the day would make consumers si voice the same disillusionment. To use it as much avidly as prudently. And at Live the life you have imagined NOW the contrary, we should chug at such a those times of the day when there is a sub- lightning-quick pace as to prompt him to stantial diminution in solar energy, such cheerily laud our capacity for hard work. as in the early mornings and at the onset The Botswana Open University (BOU) invites applications for the following A seismic cultural shift is in order. of dusk, the big-storage batteries would be It’s either the 4IR way or the highway: counted upon to bring on-stream the solar programmes for the Academic Year 2020/2021, starting in July 2020 there should be no two ways about it. As power they hoarded during the day. someone underlined in respect of South As a spokesperson of 8-Minute Solar Korea, “Societal changes were expedit- Energy put it, the solar batteries would Programme Duration ed by cultural characteristics and espe- “absorb excess solar generated during the 1. Certificate for Distance Education Practitioners (CDEP) Minimum 1 year and 3 years maximum cially Koreans’ desire to move quickly day, and discharge it through the late after- as a driving force behind their rapid noon and evening to bolster the drop-off in 2. Certificate in Disaster Management (CDM) Minimum 1 year and 3 years maximum adoption of ICTs.” solar generation, combined with the steep Note that as a transformative Pres- rise in customer demand for electricity as 3. Certificate in Community Based Work with Children and Youth (CBWCY) 1 Year ident, H.E. Masisi needs every hand to people come home from work. 4. Certificate in Small Scale Business Management (SSBM) 1 Semester be on deck. We need him to steer us to “As the sun goes down, for the other uncharted prosperity territory just as 1,000 megawatts of solar we have with- 5. Certificate in Vocational Education and Training (CVET) 1 Semester he needs us to provide the vital anchor- out batteries, the gas-fired generation age. If we do not exert ourselves in doing and hydro have to compensate for that.” 6. Diploma in Human Resources Management 2 years our part in executing the tasks of na- tionhood, we will be sabotaging him and WE MUST BE A DO-DO NATION 7. Diploma in Business Management 2 years booby-trapping our own selves. In view of the forgoing, it follows, 8. Diploma in Integrated Early Childhood Development 2 years minimum and 4 years maximum. therefore, that in Botswana, we should AUSTRALIA AND EGYPT WORTHY OF not be talking of producing only 200 9. BEd – Integrated Early Childhood Development 2 years minimum and 4 years maximum. EMULATING MW of solar energy, which is a pittance It is heartening to learn that BUIST compared to the practically seamless 10. BEd - Primary 2 years minimum and 4 years minimum. has embarked on a project to produce solar energy potential with which we’re 11. BEd – Special and Inclusive Education 2 years minimum and 4 years maximum soap and sanitisers in a bid to help ward naturally endowed, and virtually resign off the onset of Covid-19. The initiative ourselves to importing 52 percent of the 12. Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources and Industrial Relations) 3 and half years. is projected to entail savings of up to locally distributed power. Our projec- P520 million of the import bill. tion horizons should be of the order of 13. Bachelor of Business and Entrepreneurship - (BBE) 3 and half years. The University of Botswana has also de- about 1000 MW, with 650 MW for our signed and developed a face shield for the own consumption (to enable us grow our 14. Bachelor of Business Administration (Leadership and Change Management( BBA - LCM) 3 and half years. plucky people at the forefront of the battle economy, a prospect only tenable with 15. Master of Education - Educational Leadership 2 years minimum and 5 years maximum – the medics who tend to Covid-19 patients. sufficient and reasonably priced power Imagine if these reputed institutions supply) and the remainder for exporting. 16. Commonwealth Executive Master of Public Administration (CEMPA) 2 years minimum and 5 years maximum of higher learning made a habit of com- It is said the early bird catches the ing up with such innovations practical- worm, and that one should make hay 17. Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration (CEMBA) ly in real time every time a challenge of while the sun shines. 1 year minimum and 2 years maximum the sort arose or simply loomed large! If we walked much more than we talk- 18. Postgraduate Certificate in Quality Assurance in Education Whereas these initiatives are com- ed, the rollout of solar power would have Application Requirements and Procedures mendable, there’s scope to do more been in third or fourth gear as we speak in view of precious other imperatives The future offers very tantalising pros- which as a nation we are not that gal- pects for producing power much more (i) Applications should be done on-line through the University website at www.bou.ac.bw under Online Services. vanised to act upon. cheaply and sustainably than fossil fuels. (ii) BEFORE compliting applications, applicants should carefully read the Guidelines for Applications and Payment. Examples of the areas in which we As such, we have to be more driven and (iii) Applicants may use the computer rooms at the University Regional Campuses to process their applications. have failed dismally short in this con- ambitious than we presently are in rela- nection are legion but I will restrict my- tion to coming aboard the bandwagon. (iv) Certified copies of certificates, identification document and either results slips or transcripts should accompany the application following the online Application self to only one. The plausibility of what is known as Guidelines. Please make sure that you have scanned soft copies of these documents before you start the process of applying. Please note that online attachment of In a country with some of the most abun- Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), which these documents is core as these are used to assess your eligibility for admission. dant sunlight on earth, we’re still well be- uses a special kind of solar-powered mir- (v) Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of P61.00 online. Application fees paid after closing date or without authorization by the University hind in the harnessing of solar energy to rors to melt salt and use the power that shall be forfeited generate electric power. emanates forth to generate electricity is Last year, Australia added 2.2 GW to roof- yet another exciting prospect for us in top solar energy. In Egypt, the Benban swath that we have substantial salt deposits at th Application Deadline: 30 April 2020 of photovoltaic solar panels project boosts Sowa Town and Makgadikgadi. the off-grid national output by 1.5 GW. The South Africa and Mozambique have Only successful applicants will be responded to. project has “brought down the price of solar long indicated that they sit on reserves BOU Headquaters and Regional Campuses Contacts energy, drawn in dozens of companies, and of 400 TF3 of shale gas and 120 TF3 of nat- given Egypt’s south an economic boost”. ural gas respectively. Private Bag B0187 P/Bag BO 349 P/Bag 005 P/Bag F32 P/Bag 0394 P/Bag 006 Even “little” Rwanda, with its relatively If we persist in foot-dragging, we Bontleng Bontleng Palapye Francistown Maun Kang mild sunlight compared to Botswana, in could find ourselves saddled with excess Gaborone Gaborone Tel: 4924024 Tel: 2418383 Tel: 6865621 Tel: 6517248 2018 embarked on a project to develop a 30 capacity with no extra takers outside Tel: 3646000 Tel: 3646150 Fax: 4900343 Fax: 2414586 Fax: 6800581 Fax: 6517396 MW solar power plant. Botswana at the time we get into the full Fax: 3191089 Fax: 3930018 WIn Germany, there has been a sys- swing of production. tematic phasing-out of nuclear and coal It’s time we graduated from a jaw-jaw power plants in favour of the solar op- nation to a do-do nation. Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 9 opinion Covid-19 ; Climate Change Response and Women

suffered the effects of the cyclone, r to minimal representation of women on sufficiently include the informal sector other solution or option in mind. women had to endure further suffering critical structures and platforms such and particularly women in this sector In conclusion, although the Covid19 as officers responsible for distributing as the National covid-19 response task are on their own having lost their income pandemic has brought the world to a near relief packages demanded sex from team. Such observations suggest wom- streams due to the halting of their busi- standstill we need to learn from it and take them as a “pre-requisite” to gaining ac- en’s issues are being blind spotted and ness operations by the regulations associ- the necessary proactive measures in the cess to the relief packages on offer. neglected to say the least. If at global ated with the declared state of emergency future.. We see the dangers and effects of In Botswana, just 3 days after the an- level Botswana’s female leadership is and social distancing imperatives put in having gender insensitive and exclusion- nouncement of national extreme social recognised as exemplified by , the likes place by our government. The inequal- ary responses and must thus ensure that distancing regulations restricting peo- of Dr. Matshidiso Moeti the World Health ity of these dire economic impacts and climate change responses are gendered. ple’ movement, as means to address and Organisation(WHO) Regional Director rigidity that resultantly exclude women In addition, women must be represented contain Covid-19, the Kagiso Women’s for Africa, why does Botswana continue has been previously witnessed in climate at leadership and decision making levels Shelter (KWS) which is one of the few to deny . women to take up space at the related disasters and responses therein. where their experienced and knowledge- facilities in Botswana which pro- decision making table. When there are droughts and floods, some able voices must count as interventions tect women and girls against gender As with climate change, the impacts of people are afforded the flexibility of ven- are planned and implemented. Leaving based violence (GBV), appealed to the covid-19 are not gender neutral and shall turing out of their normal environments women behind when building national public as they were overwhelmed with therefore affect the genders differently to make an income, most women are tied and global resilience is a big mistake and GBV victims who were in need of shelter A gender blind response to such critical down as they are the ones who usually recovering from future pandemics and and associated resources. When the State global issues will result in women car- have to care for family members, as noted disasters requires their strong participa- of emergency was announced the Min- rying a higher economic and social cost in a report by Wired following climate di- tion. In crises situations there is almost istry of Nationality, Immigration and than men. Granted, Botswana, like other sasters in East Africa. always a spike in the exploitation of wom- Gender Affairs responded expeditiously governments across the globe , have put Last week as I was purchasing airtime en and in particular on gender based vi- on immigration issues and cross-border together business relief packages and for my cell phone . This was the day be- olence . As such there should be a ready PATO KELESITSE be more negatively affected in signif- movement, while remaining noticeably funds to assist individuals, businesses fore Botswana locked down the country and not negotiated place for women at icant proportions. Referencing UNDP silent on issues of gender affairs and how and industries to survive these rather for 28 days. I had a brief exchange with the coalface of these big global issues , as once more, the related tenets of the Covid-19 will impact these. The Botswana difficult times. In Botswana one such a lady at the tuckshop , that is the sell- big decisions are made and information ccording to the United Na- development programme state while National Relationship Study (BNRS,2018) type of assistance is accessed through ing outlet I was at. I asked her what her is availed. Perpetrators of women abuse tions Development Program- crises affect everyone, women and which revealed that thirty seven percent the Botswana Unified Revenue Services plans were since the lockdown implied a must be called to account and accurate Ame(UNDP) women are different- girls are disproportionately impacted ( 37% )of women have experienced some (BURS). While tax relief will serve many shutdown of her business. Her response gendered data must be collected to mea- ly and disproportionately affected by due to their relatively disadvantaged form of gender based violence in their well, it is worth noting according to the was that she would be staying home and sure the disproportionate impact of crises climate change and disasters . Accord- situations, social obligations, respon- lifetime When at a national level gender International Labour Organisation( ILO), will try to figure it out as the alternative on women and men. It is my expectation ing to the same report, ,, women and sibilities, and high prevalence of GBV. issues are not considered as significant global women represent less than 40% of would be risking bringing Covid-19 home and not just hope, that when we next face girls are often at the frontline of the cri- The restriction of movements during priorities during a pandemic one tends to total employment, with 74% of women in with her after work and infected her 3 a pandemic, crises, or any major disasters ses serving roles such as first respond- the Covid 19 extreme social distancing have a very low confidence on the lead- Sub-Saharan Africa in the non-agricultur- children. The lady’s response was indeed we shall respond with both our learning ers , rebuilders of homes, communities, thus may result in women and chil- ership of the country. Such confidence al sector being in informal employment. a true one but also a sad and unfortunate experiences and a lot of common sense. and societies. As the world reels from dren being in close quarters with their is further thwarted when there is little The government rescue package does not one because she did not seem to have any Women Matter. the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, aggressors and putting them at higher over time, it is becoming consistently risk of abuse. This was recently evident apparent that although men and wom- in the natural disaster Cyclone Idai in en will both be affected, women could Mozambique where although everyone LETLOLE LA RONA INJECTS BR in another train P1 MILLION derailment incident INTO COVID-19 RELIEF FUND yy Three wagons derail at Lobatse on Wednesday morning yy BR Safety Manager Mosweunyane confirms the incident yy Train movements between Lobatse and Gaborone halted yy Suspect the derailment was caused by point’s failure

DAVE BAAITSE why Botswana Railways allowed STAFF WRITER the movement of trains when they were floods in Mahalapye and knowing that the railway hree wagons described as line was not in a good conditions. empty takers belonging to Early this year WeekendPost TBotswana Railways derailed reported that the preliminary this week in Lobatse on their way to findings in the Botswana Railways the workshop in Mahalapye. public inquiry into the accident in- The incident which was con- volving the passenger train points firmed by Botswana Railways irregularities in the train’s radio Public Relations Officer Sakaeyo communication system which was Baitshepi happened on Wednesday found to be ‘absolute’. morning around 0400 HRS but no This was revealed by Botswa- Chief Executive Officer of LLR, Chikuni Shenjere-Mutiswa (RIGHT) handing over the donation to one was injured. na Railways Inquiry Chairman Botswana Railways Safety Man- Olefile Moakofi (Chief Executive Mr. Moagi Baleseseng (Director, National Disaster Management Office) ager Lawrence Mosweunyane told Officer of Civil Aviation Author- WeekendPost that investigations ity of Botswana) on Tuesday this are still ongoing but they suspect week, marking the end of the two otswana’s premier industrial property investment company, governance. the derailment was caused by rail- months long public inquiry that Letlole la Rona has pumped P1 Million into the COVID-19 Relief “We saw government quickly setting up and seeding P2 billion into was conducted across the coun- way line check and trap point’s fail- Fund. the COVID-19 Relief Fund. At a time of need in the midst of a crisis try since January 2020. B ure, which might have guided the The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development established like COVID-19, we all, as Batswana, have a singular responsibility wagons to a wrong track. Even though most of the train this special fund as part of the comprehensive national response to to assist those in need. That is absolute and non-negotiable. At “We cannot categorically confirm personnel interviewed by the that now since the investigations are inquiry attributed a gross neg- the threat of COVID-19 Pandemic. the same time, the Letlole La Rona Board took the view that it is still ongoing. At the moment we can only ligence in the part of BR, the In- The Fund provides financial resources to cater for the procurement the government, through the various state governance structures, give assumptions, even the costs we can quiry Chairman pointed that a of national relief supplies; evacuation cost for citizens outside which is aware of each community’s needs. Therefore, the best only speculate,” said Mosweunyane. malfunction on the train commu- Botswana; national publicity outreach programmes; relief of selected way is to make the donation directly to the government as they He said the incident happed just nication system could have led industries or sectors; public counselling centers; additional staff to are best placed to decide how to allocate the P1 Million to such to the derailment of train 0501/ before Lobatse Clayworks at the support health professionals and an economic stimulus package communities,” said Shenjere-Mutiswa. crossroads but the train only man- BD549 between Pallaroad and Mahalapye on December 10, 2019 post COVID-19 Pandemic. Giving a message of optimism, Shenjere-Mutiswa stressed that aged to stop after 3.8 kilometers Letlole la Rona joined other key stakeholders in the fight against this while it may be unknown how COVID-19 is going to pan out, during since they were not aware of what in which two BR crew members pandemic and answered government’s call to help contain the darker times it is important to keep in mind the end game. was happening. lost their lives. According to Mosweunyane the Moakofi later told WeekendPost effects of the coronavirus. “Things are going to return to normal. All of us will be rushing train was pulling 39 wagons from that one of the leading cause of the Speaking at a hand over ceremony of the donation this week, Chief somewhere with our normal daily lives once the lockdown is Lobatse to Mahalapye and the three accident was the communication Executive Officer, Chikuni Shenjere-Mutiswa held that the virus came as a lifted. And that is exactly where our focus should be centered on. that derailed were in the middle. system which they cannot even shock across the entire world, saying it’s leaving behind fairly devastating Botswana has values that will remain and will eventually endure, He also confirmed that no inju- retrieve any messages or commu- impacts. “As Letlole la Rona, we moved fairly early when the Board took so as Letlole la Rona, we are confident that we will be back to our nication leading to the fateful day. ries were sustained since there only a decision, as the situation was playing out across the globe, to follow growth. We focus our minds on that pivot back to growth, and Moakofi even though he did two people, the Engine man and the the initial ‘softer’ forms of social distancing: our offices were closed a during this time of limited full service, we sharpening and refining our Train man were on board. not want to pre-empt the report week before the official announcement of national lockdown, and strategy so that when things are back to normal, we put our feet on The BR Safety Manager also told said some of their team members this publication that at the moment have travelled to South Africa to prior to this, we had ensured that there are sanitizers available and used the accelerator and deliver superior returns to our shareholders on train movements between Lobatse further the investigations. religiously and significant distance between the staff in our office.” the Botswana Stock Exchange.’’ and Gaborone are still halted. The radio communication net- Shenjere-Mutiswa observed that government launched a very well- Letlole la Rona was incorporated in 2010, having been set up by At the time of going to press, the works are critical to train opera- thought out response towards the COVID-19, saying in circumstances Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) through the local stock spokesperson said the engineers tions including stringent require- such as these, a government has two options regarding its decisions: exchange to continue its drive to support financial markets in Botswana ments for reliability, availability, were at site awaiting the crane and taking hard decisions fast or taking them slower and later with much at the same time giving Batswana an opportunity to participate in its the recovery process has started as- safety and security for these opera- tions. Different security measures more significant costs. property investments. suring that they might finish before “The government of Botswana chose the former option, with the The company acquired properties from three BDC subsidiary end of business on Friday where are considered based on the as- announcement of the 28-day lockdown and then extending the companies belonging to Commercial Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Western train movements will resume. sumption of transmission error or The accident follows another unfor- communication blackout in RSTT. State of Emergency to 6 months. This was a very proactive move Industrial Estates (Pty) Ltd and Botswana Hotel Development tunate incident that happed late last In general, radio communica- especially when one looks at the devastation which the pandemic is Company (Pty) Ltd. year where two people lost their lives. tion for railway operations are now wreaking across all the economies,’’ he said. The mix of assets - including residential, commercial and industrial On 10th December 2019, the nation considered as “mission critical” He however underlined that, as a country, Botswana is relatively properties - represents a diversified yet balanced portfolio mix of long was awoken by bad news that Bo- for train operations in general well-resourced as it has been blessed with a very sound, well run term and short term rentals in the commercial and industrial sectors and the management of train tswana Railways passenger train economy, prudent fiscal and monetary policies and consensual of the economy. enroute to Francistown from Gabo- emergency situations. Further- rone was derailed near Bonwapitse more, railway radio communica- River and claimed two crew mem- tion systems require the support of legacy technology and to have bers. The Francistown- bound train st carrying around 400 passengers a long life cycle. RSTT provide Letlole La Rona Limited, Registered Office: 1 Floor, Peelo Place, Plot 54366, CBD improved railway traffic control, Incorporated in the Rebublic of Botswana. P. O. Box 700ABG, Gaborone, Botswana broke down damaging the locomo- Registration Number Tel: +267 3180301; Fax: +267 3180357 passenger safety and improved - C02010/6316 tive, luggage van, generator van, Share Code - letlole ISIM: security for train operations. BW 000 000 1015 buffet car and four coaches. Independent Auditors: Grant Thornton, After the much talked about inci- These systems also provide for Chief Executive Officer: C. S. Mutiswa Plot 50370, Fairgrounds Acumen Park, Transfer Secretaries: DPS Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd, dent many questions were raised on interoperability of train opera- P. O. Box 1157, Gaborone tions in some regions. Plot 50371, Fairgrounds, Gaborone www.letlole.com 10 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020

Freedom Opinion of Speech: Forum Where does it start and end? How respect for the rule of law and human rights has fared since the declaration of the State of Public Emergency ne of the most important freedoms that citizens should enjoy is the freedom of the speech. This freedom is granted — in the ollowing the declaration of nary law of the realm and amena- and sentences, if they so desire. or any other law or custom permit man rights, in particular the right O the State of Public Emer- ble to the jurisdiction of the ordi- So far, while some of the ac- that? I do not, as yet, have a con- to protection from inhuman treat- case of Botswana and other democratic and ad- gency (SoPE) on 31st March nary tribunals. (1992 [1885]: 114) cused persons have alleged that clusive view in this regard. ment and secure protection of the vanced nations — by the constitution. F 2020, some people expressed fear We start with Locke’s defini- they were tortured by the Police It is common course that fol- law in terms of sections 7 and 10 of Governments do not necessarily have to both- that, because the President will tion. It is common course that and suffered intolerable condi- lowing his return from Namibia, the Constitution respectively. er citizens with what they say and how they say effectively be ruling alone, he is President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric tions while in Police cells and the President was put under a Of course, by their very nature, it. In any case, the democratic nature of govern- likely to trample on the rule of Keabetswe Masisi declared the prison, none has alleged that the fourteen (14) day self-isolation by the SoPE and lockdown have, of ments allow citizens to criticise government for law and human rights. SoPE in terms of section 17(1) Executive or Parliament inter- the Director of Health Services, necessity, violated the rights to the its decisions and for its behaviour. It is for this reason that some, of the Constitution, a grand law fered with their court cases. There Dr. Malaki Tshipayagae, which freedom of movement and freedom This right is granted because democracy is de- including the Umbrella for Demo- passed by Parliament in 1966 and has, therefore, been respect for the he complied with. of assembly and association. This, fined as a government of the people, and that gov- cratic Change (UDC) and the Alli- known to all Batswana. Rule of Law, at least in terms of In my view, in this case, respect as we have argued before, is a justi- ernment officials serve the interest of the people. ance for Progressives (AP), were op- Section 17(1) of the Constitution Montesquieu’s definition. for the Rule of Law prevailed be- fiable limitation of such rights in or- Regularly, people are called, through elections to posed to the six-month SoPE and the provides that “The President may We now turn to A.V Dicey’s defi- cause the President underwent der to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. give a new mandate to those who served in gov- Emergency Powers Regulations. at any time, by Proclamation pub- nition whose hallmark is equality what any other person would have I am not aware of any reports erning positions. In fact, when, on 8th and 9th April lished in the Gazette, declare that a before the law. To date, since the had he or she travelled outside the of violations regarding the rights All these do not happen devoid of differing 2020, Parliament deliberated on state of public emergency exists.” SoPE, no case has come before the country as the President had. to life; personal liberty; property; opinions in public fora. Differing opinions are whether or not to endorse the six- It is also common course that courts involving a high-ranking On 9th April 2020, Dr. Tshi- privacy of the home and other particularly encouraged in a democratic dispen- month SoPE and the Emergency after he declared the SoPE, the government official, for instance, payagae informed Parliament property; freedom of expression; sation because they enhance perspectives on dif- Powers Regulations, the Leader President promulgated Emergen- a minister or judge. that the MPs who attended the freedom of conscience and protec- ferent issues. It is this freedom that enables those of the Opposition in Parliament cy Powers Regulations in terms of However, there has been an in- special Parliamentary session tion from discrimination on the who seek office to make their cases known. In the (LoOP), Honourable Dumelang the Emergency Powers Act, (Cap. cident involving Dr. Masisi trav- on 8th April 2020 may have been grounds of race as provided for at absence of the freedom of speech, democracy is Saleshando, moved an amendment 22:04), an Act passed by Parlia- elling to Namibia on 21st March exposed to the COVID-19 vi- sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 15 of impossible. for a three-month SoPE, but it was ment and known to all Batswana. 2020 to attend Namibian Presi- rus since the nurse who tested the Constitution respectively. Therefore, people abhor any attempt to have voted against, presumably by Bo- Section 3 (1) of the Emergency them for COVID-19 had tested For instance, since the declara- this freedom taken away from them at any time tswana Democratic Party (BDP) Powers Act provides that “When- positive for COVID-19. tion of the SoPE, journalists have because doing so will be the end of democracy. Members of Parliament (MPs). ever an emergency proclamation Consequently, Dr. Tshipay- reported freely on COVID-19. In If people cannot say what they want to say, It ought to be stated that the is in force, the President may agae placed the MPs, the Presi- fact, private media journalists because of fear of retribution, the democratic na- apprehension that the President make such regulations as appear dent, the Vice President and cab- have aired their views through ture of any society melts away. In the view of the could trample on the Rule of Law to him to be necessary or expedi- inet ministers, under a fourteen such government media as Bo- importance of freedom of speech, it should also be and human rights during the SoPE ent for securing the public safety, (14) day quarantine. All of them tswana Television (Btv). noted that this freedom cannot be absolute. is not without basis because other the defence of the Republic, the complied. This, in my view, is a I am not aware of reports that With the benefit of hindsight, irresponsible heads of state have used such pe- maintenance of public order and classical example of respect for any journalist has been persecut- speech can disturb prevailing peace, intrude oth- riods to violate human rights, per- the suppression of mutiny, rebel- the Rule of Law since all were ed or charged since the declara- er people privacy and needlessly damage people secute political opponents and loot lion and riot, and for maintaining treated as equal before the law. tion of the SoPE. reputation. Therefore, even ultra-democratic na- the country’s coffers. supplies and services essential to We now turn to respect for hu- Also, except those who were tions, including pioneers of democracy such as Because it is about a month the life of the community.” man rights since the SoPE was charged with spreading misinforma- the United States (US), do have the limit. Freedom since the declaration of the SoPE, The Emergency Powers Regu- declared. Since the SoPE was tion regarding COVID-19, people have, of speech is defined by law hence any speech that it is perhaps time that we consid- lations, 2020 were themselves pub- declared, there have been allega- through various media, including gov- amounts to libel, slander, threatening the Presi- er how respect for the Rule of Law lished in the Government Gazette NDULAMO ANTHONY MORIMA tions of Police brutality against ernment media, freely expressed their dent are not protected by the law in the US. and human rights has fared. editions of 2nd and 9th April 2020 and those who violated the Emergen- opinions regarding COVID-19 without This decision to curb the freedom of speech, We start with respect for the were, on 9th April 2020, endorsed by EAGLE WATCH cy Powers Regulations. arrest and detention. reasonably so, were arrived at by the framers of Rule of Law. It is apposite that Parliament as required by law. It ought to be stated that these During the special session of constitutions, legislative bodies and other enti- before we consider this aspect To date, no extemporary de- have been denied by the Police. Parliament on the SoPE and Emer- ties specifically for public good. from a practical point of view, we cree has been used by the Presi- dent-elect, Dr. Hage Geingob’s In fact, in one instance, follow- gency Powers Regulations, which However, because government are always at should understand it from a theo- dent in relation to the SoPE and inauguration ceremony after he ing the circulation, in social was broadcast live on Btv and Ra- the helm of law making, there are obvious chanc- retical perspective. lockdown; nothing has been done had discouraged people to under- media, of a picture of a person dio Botswana, all MPs, including es that some government may try to use that as John Locke, in the second without notice of it; and the Pres- take international travel in view who had allegedly been threshed Opposition MPs, were given live way of suppressing dissenting views, and perse- of his Two Treatises of Govern- ident has not just figured out laws of the COVID-19 pandemic. on the back, the picture was airtime to express their views. cuting political rivals, a result of which would be ment (1689), emphasized the impor- or rules as he went along. There This incident may be used to dismissed as having been of a After the Parliamentary de- an assault on civil liberties. tance of governance through “estab- has, therefore, been respect for the assess respect for the Rule of Law person who was beaten in South bates, the Leader of the Opposition There is need to balance the need to protect peo- lished standing Laws, promulgated Rule of Law, at least in terms of in terms of A.V Dicey’s principle Africa sometime in the past. shared a podium with the Secre- ple’s right to share their views and to participate and known to the People”. Locke’s definition. of equality before the law. There have also been allega- tary General of the BDP in address- in national discourse without fear of retribution Locke contrasted this with We now turn to Montesquieu’s It is submitted that to the ex- tions, reportedly by one of the ing Batswana on live television. as well as the need for people not to harm the what he called “rule by ‘extem- definition which emphasises sep- tent the legal regime which was in persons who have been charged The day before that, following public or individuals with their needless harmful porary Arbitrary Decrees’” aration of judicial power from ex- force when Dr. Masisi travelled to for spreading misinformation a meeting between the President remarks. The media, as the fourth estate, has the (Locke 1689: §§135–7). According ecutive and legislative authority. Namibia may not have provided about COVID-19, of Police torture and leaders of Opposition parties, primary responsibility to ensure that citizens en- to Locke, something is arbitrary As you may be aware, there for an exception for such a travel and brutality as well as inhumane the presidents of AP, Botswana joy their freedoms, most importantly the freedom when it is extemporary: there is have been instances where some by him and his contingent, per- and intolerable conditions in Po- Movement for Democracy (BMD) of speech. Actually, it is this freedom that makes no notice of it; and the ruler just people have reportedly been mitting the travel may have been lice cells and prisons. and Real Alternative Party(RAP), journalism possible. figures it out as he goes along. charged by the Botswana Police a violation of the Rule of Law. There have also been allega- shared a podium with the Presi- Because of this huge responsibility, the media On the contrary, Montesquieu Service with such offences as In that instance, in my view, tions that the victims of Police dent in communicating their views practitioners as professionals are governed by eth- insisted on the separation of pow- spreading false information re- his status, as President, may have torture and brutality are shunned about the SoPE on live television. ics and also licensed by statutory bodies such as — ers—particularly the separation lating to the COVID-19 pandemic been considered and such may away by the Police when they at- In view of the aforegoing, one in the case of Botswana — Botswana Post, Botswana of judicial power from executive through social media platforms. have amounted to a violation of tempt to report such cases at Po- may safely conclude that, so far, Communication Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). and legislative authority (Mon- In all those cases, after the the Rule of Law, at least in terms lice Stations. based on the available evidence, Ethics strive to promote responsible journal- tesquieu 1748: Bk. 11, Ch. 6). charges, the accused persons ap- of A.V Dicey’s principle of equali- I must state that government the President and government ism, to avoid violation of people rights unjust- According to Montesquieu, for the peared at court before a magis- ty before the law. must consider establishing an have fared well in terms of re- ly. Even the fourth estate do not enjoy absolute Rule of Law to prevail, the judiciary trate or judge. It is a magistrate or As you are aware, government Independent Police Investigative spect for the rule of law and hu- freedom of speech. has to function without interference judge who decided on whether or and the President himself have Directorate to deal with reports man rights since the declaration In recent years, there have been a mushroom- by the Legislature and Executive. not to admit such accused persons defended the travel, arguing that against the Police since the Police of the State of Public Emergency. ing of news platforms on social media, pursuing For Albert Venn Dicey, cardinal into bail, for instance. it was in the national interest for cannot police themselves. to the Rule of Law is equality be- Should such cases proceed to him to travel since he took advan- I am, however, not aware of *Ndulamo Anthony Morima, LLM what one would consider citizen journalism. (NWU); LLB (UNISA); DSE(UB); CoP fore the law. This is evidenced by trial, it is a magistrate or judge tage of the inauguration ceremo- any evidence of Police torture and There are many legal challenges that face practi- (BAC); CoP (IISA) is the proprietor of his words when he said: “[W]ith who will decide on the innocence ny to discuss ways of combating brutality. I am, therefore, unable tioners of this kind journalism, everywhere in the Morima Attorneys. He can be contacted us no man is above the law [and] or guilt of such persons. If con- the COVID-19 pandemic with oth- to comment on it, save to state world including the US where it has been noted at 71410352 or [email protected] that even in court, these people may not be pro- every man, whatever be his rank victed, such persons will have the er SADC heads of state. But the that if such allegations are true or condition, is subject to the ordi- right to appeal their conviction question is: did the Constitution that would be a violation of hu- tected by what they call ‘shield laws’, as much as professional journalist are. Professional journalists can be protected by the court, even when they are not necessarily right in their conduct because theirs is considered a hroughout the world there are were quarantined with children, professional duty, governed by ethics and also be- 2.6 billion people (one third of the mental health toll became even cause of the believe that professional journalists Tthe global population) in some steeper. In one study, no less than are not purely driven by malice. form of lockdown or quarantine. 28% of quarantined parents war- It is without doubt that freedom of speech is par- What does this mean for us as hu- ranted a diagnosis of “trauma-re- amount in any democratic society; that it should be man beings who are socially wired, Mind how you go lated mental health disorder”. In protected at all cost, and that it should be cherished. what might be the impact of these ex- I did a straw poll with some staff University in Brussels, entitled severe instances, reactions may But when citizen journalism go rampant, to traordinary measures and what can this week to measure how they ‘Lockdown is the world’s biggest even be likened to PTSD . create platforms in the social media specifically we expect after this is over? feel about the lockdown and if psychological experiment – and Of course, we still have a way for malice, to purposely spread fear through un- Last week I wrote about the stag- there were any positive spinoffs. we will pay the price’. The ar- to go with confinement and will truth, to destabilise the country, to violate peo- es we will likely experience during Most people only managed to coax ticle reported that just before only know what effect all of this ple’s privacies and other forms of extreme, there this time but our progression out one good outcome and even the world went into lockdown will have in the future but it’s is need to put it a limit to it. through those mental stages will that was a struggle. It was clear to The Lancet published a review good to be aware that what you There is no justification really to use the free- depend on where you are and who me that people were losing more of 24 studies documenting the are experiencing may make you dom of speech to harm innocent people, to cause you are. If you are with close family than they were gaining: people psychological impact of quaran- vulnerable and to understand instability and to undermine the country’s peace in your comfortable house and your used to immersing themselves in tine (“restriction of movement and accept that what is happen- and stability. main issue is that you are bored out the busy-ness of work feel lost; of people who have potentially ing is real. Drawing on what we of your mind and have run out of those who rely on the structure of been exposed to a contagious know about psychological care booze...your experience is one thing religion and its disciplines feel un- disease”). ‘The review’s finding’, following disasters and let’s face whilst if you are stuck in a poky flat anchored; those that use exercise it said, ‘offered a glimpse of what it this is one, there are some rec- on your own with your salary cut as a mechanism for coping are STUART WHITE is brewing in hundreds of mil- ommended guidelines, a few of and worried about how to pay your struggling; family members are lions of households around the which HR managers should be bills at the end of the month and if in each other’s face and on each world. People who are quaran- thinking about: you’ll be retrenched thereafter - you other’s nerves etc.. Most miss the THE WORLD IN tined are very likely to develop a • Make sure self-help interven- are likely having a quite different office environment and camara- BLACK-N-WHITE range of symptoms of psycholog- tions are in place that can experience. And it will be the same derie. Some feel isolated and find ical stress and disorder, includ- address the needs of large with regards mental resilience. it difficult to work from their din- the validation received day in and ing low mood, insomnia, stress, affected populations. Some people may take this change ing room table. Others struggle day out from co-workers. It feels anxiety, anger, irritability, emo- • Educate people about the ex- in their stride, for others social dis- with the self-discipline required like the novelty of the challenge tional exhaustion, depression pected psychological impact IS PUBLISHED BY: tancing, government control and or with tech-based meetings and and the excitement of change (if it and post-traumatic stress symp- and reactions to trauma if ATD MEDIA CORPORATION (Pty) Ltd, Plot 125 Unit 13, loss of routine and life as they know feel uncomfortable with them, was even there at the beginning) toms’. ‘Low mood and irritabili- they are interested in re- Gaborone International Finance Park, P. O. Box AD 717 ADD, it may be the catalyst for a down- even worried about the security has worn off and what is left is re- ty specifically stand out as being ceiving it. Make sure people Kgale, Gaborone, Postnet Tel: 390 8849, Fax: 390 8841 ward spiral in their mental health. understand that a psycholog- Some people may feel they Managing Director: Tryphinah Dongwana Kenalemang ical reaction is normal. should not be locked down and [email protected] so feel anger and resentment. • Launch a specific website to address psychosocial issues. Editor: Aubrey Lute In neighbouring South Africa, In China, which it could be said has been there, done that, these expected [email protected] where only 58 people have died, • Make sure that people with hundreds of thousands of people mental health effects are already being reported in the first research papers acute issues can find the help Advertising Manager: Dlamini Kwapa are facing severe economic hard- about the lockdown. In cases where parents were quarantined with children, that they need [email protected] ships and as a result are arguing the mental health toll became even steeper. In one study, no less than 28% of The bottom line is that soon- the merits of being decimated by er or later restrictions will be Production Manager: Bathusi Nkoketsang hunger and poverty rather than lifted but the psychological im- [email protected] quarantined parents warranted a diagnosis of “trauma-related mental health the disease. Which is the lesser pact will undoubtedly linger for of those two evils? Criticism is disorder”. In severe instances, reactions may even be likened to PTSD . Assignment Editor: Alfred Masokola some considerable time, as will high, emotions too and if you are [email protected] the very real personal finan- government you’re dammed if cial implications. It’s fair to say Sports Editor: Mosimanegape Tshoswane you do and dammed if you don’t; that whilst most people will not [email protected] - if you move too late you cause a and who might be listening in. ality – “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re very common’, the study notes. catch the disease, the after-ef- lot of people to die but too early The sheer ease of leaning over to not in Kansas anymore.” In China, which it could be said fects and slow recovery will be Chief Photographer: Thato Dipao then you are criticized for being connect and speak to a colleague The World Economic Forum has been there, done that, these experienced by almost everyone. [email protected] gung-ho. Overkill when your aim , eye to eye contact and communi- recently published an article by expected mental health effects It’s a phrase I’m hearing more was under-kill! cating by body language clearly Dr Elke Van Hoof, a Professor are already being reported in the and more often and all too true Circulation: Cognisant of the difference in cannot be replicated from home of health psychology and prima- first research papers about the - that the cure may ultimately [email protected] people’s reactions and experience, as many people start to appreciate ry care psychology at the Vrije lockdown. In cases where parents prove worse than the disease. Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 11

The Arrival of Ramadan he Quran says: ‘Oh you who We can escape to fantasy, and leave believe! Fasting is prescribed to our own often mundane chores, often Tyou as it was prescribed to those troublesome, lives behind. Then Rama- before you, that you many learn piety dan comes along and gives us a huge The fast is for Me, so I will give the reward for it. IQBAL EBRAHIM IQBAL EBRAHIM and righteousness.’ (Quran 2:183) dose of reality in one swift shot: the re- LOG RADITLHOKWA MMA SETSHWAELO Ramadan is a time of spiritual ality of hunger and thirst, which tries DR ANTOINETTE BOIMA MATLHOGONOLO MPONANG UNDERSTANDING ISLAM reflection, self-improvement, and one’s patience. The month asks us not play games, chat with friends, eat, and enriched, they too must endure. Ra- indeed attain he who causes this self to UNDERSTANDING heightened devotion and worship. to escape from reality, but to escape into THE CHRISTIAN smoke shisha. Do this all night long, and madan is a test. For me, it is a giant grow in purity, and truly lost is he who Muslims are expected to put more ef- reality—to focus on the travails of life. HEALTH SCRATCH BENEATH then sleep during the day—basically in- test that many of us ‘fear’ every year. buries it in darkness.” (Qur’an 91:7-10) fort into following the teachings of Is- The month asks us to see and feel the thankful thatISLAM every year we have VOICE verting the normal routine. And all we Yet, once it is here, I believe the more And so, despite our fears and our lam. ... In addition to abstaining from daily lives of the world’s poor for whom THE SURFACE this opportunity to grow and build will gain from fasting, as the Prophet Mu- we embrace it, the more we will grow; trepidation, with Allah’s Grace and eating and drinking during this time, hunger and thirst is a daily routine. our spirits a true follower of Islam. hammad warned, is “hunger and thirst”. and surely that is the point of our ex- with His Help, I pray Ramadan comes Muslims abstain from sinful relations, In addition, unless we are up all I wish all the Muslims Ramadan A successful system and routine istence, “Consider the human self, and into our lives again this year. I pray speech and behaviour. As a saying night playing computer games and Mubarak and that we all look for- of physical fitness requires endur- how it is formed in accordance with what that we are able to fast for Him, to that I read elsewhere: By experiencing watching movies, Ramadan should ward to changing our inner selves ance. Ask an Olympic athlete—they it is meant to be, and how it is imbued take time to reflect on Him, to ex- the absence of pleasure, we are able to also give us a much-needed detox so that we turn to our Lord and have been in training for months al- with moral failings as well as with con- perience fully the presence of the experience the pleasure of absence. from the grip of our regular entertain- Creator in sincerity. ready. Likewise, for our souls to be sciousness of God! To a happy state shall Merciful in our daily life; and to be The month of Ramadan has ar- ment. Ramadan allows us to free our rived and Muslims the world over over-bombarded senses, and instead will be looking forward to the ‘month ‘feed’ them with a sense of wonder and of spiritual infusion’ that allows us humility. By depriving our bodies of to change our lifestyles and to build food and drink, we heighten our sense that spiritual character within us. of being. By depriving our ears and The truth is before every Rama- eyes of the constant over-stimulation, dan, many of us think about the long we allow ourselves to experience the days ahead. Some of us are ‘absolute- natural world. By experiencing the ab- ly’ terrified. Then it arrives...Bam! sence of pleasure, we are able to expe- It hits us, and the strange thing is... rience the pleasure of absence. we survive every time. Ramadan, by putting a physical strain So it is with so many of life’s trials. on the body and mind, requires us to The anticipation is the worst part. slow down. By embracing each moment Many of us have come to terms with at a slower pace, we are able to absorb STUART WHITE PROF. TABULAWA BENSON C. SAILI McJON MOSENENE INNOCENT MORAPEDI Ramadan being ‘difficult’; it can be much more of the detail. In a speeding in the beginning, it is supposed to train, all you see is a blurred scene. PRESS RELEASE be while the body gets used to the But when it slows down, the view THE WORLD IN EDUCATION THIS EARTH, THE VILLAGE ABSOLUTE ‘change’. Without doubt Ramadan becomes clear; you see the detail, the BancABCBLACK Extends - AND - WHITERelief To takes a physical and emotional toll beauty and the variations of the land- MATTERS MY BROTHER... KITCHEN FOOTBALL on many of us. It is supposed to. If it scape you are passing by. Customers Affected By Coronavirus was plain sailing, why would Allah So much of our lifestyles in this give it His personal recompense, as modern world is about the destina- Pandemic. He declares, “The fast is for Me, so I tion, about getting there, that we will give the reward for it.” forget the journey itself, and forgo Life is full of trials and tests, and like the potential to enjoy and learn. all tribulations, there is hardship and There is a period of development Kgotso Bannalotlhe ease. Ramadan comes, and then goes. Un- and change in everything, and we BancABC Managing Director like other trials however, when it leaves, twist and alter it at our own risk. it may sound odd but there is a sense of Into this chaotic world comes Ra- regret and sadness, for whilst Ramadan madan, and asks us to assert and take Gaborone: BancABC, on 16th April 2020, announced it has put measures in place to support its may well be demanding, its blessings are control over ourselves, to regulate our plentiful, particularly in this modern age. desires and improper conduct and in- customers who have been financially affected by the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Whilst we may try to avoid its stincts, and to conquer them. By doing In a bid to provide financial relief during this difficult time; BancABC Managing Director, Kgotso impact, so much of our existence so, we are better able to know our- Bannalotlhe said, “These are unprecedented times for all of us. Batswana have supported revolves around entertainment. selves, and our relationships—with BancABC throughout its growth and transformation phase, and we are committed to assisting our Movies on TV, advertising, comput- people, with our society and our envi- er games, even our newspapers are ronment. We have a clearer insight, a customers and the nation at large to navigate the difficult times ahead. At the start of April 2020, filled with the escapism of the Holly- deeper understanding, and a broader we contributed P100, 000.00 to the National Disaster Office through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) wood/Bollywood story line and the and wider view and outlook. Relief Fund to assist in the fight against the pandemic. Today, we announce the debit relief title-tattle of wags and celebrities. Of course, we can miss all of this. We We can suspend our reality and live can sleep through the day, and party at measures we have in place for both our Retail (Individual) and Commercial (Corporate and Business in the world of ‘reality TV’. night. We can go shopping, watch films, Banking) clients in recognition of the significant hardships they may be experiencing. The burdens may be, amongst others, reduced salaries, disruptions in their supply chains, reduced revenue generation, disruption in the workforce and challenges with the restriction of movement. We have therefore, introduced the following measures to ease part of the financial burden on our customers, Kgosi Linchwe & effective 1st April, 2020”.

the 1918 pandemic 1. Coronavirus Relief Measures: c. Employee Schemes d. Customers with underutilized allowable Debt Retail Clients Service Ratio capacity are entitled to apply for All affected customers (or spouse) in good loans utilizing the full extent of the available serviceability capacity with a reset of the loan credit standing: tenor to the maximum allowed. a. Are entitled to apply for a repayment holiday – a moratorium on interest and principal 2. Coronavirus Relief Measures: of a maximum of 3 months for either their Commercial And Business personal loan, credit card or both. b. Are entitled to a 25% discount on current Banking Clients digital transactional fees (SaruMoney mobile banking transactions, BancOnline corporate All customers transactions). The Bank encourages customers to use electronic methods of a. Are entitled to a 25% discount on current payment. The Bank continues to avail visa BancOnline transactional fees. card transactions (swiping) free. b. Customers with Asset Backed Facilities c. Are entitled to apply for an extension in c. Can apply for an increase in facilities up to tenor of existing loans for a period of up to a maximum Loan To Value of 75% of the 6 months. current Market Value of their landed assets. d. That have mortgage loans can apply for an d. Can apply for an extension of tenor of up to increase in facilities for up to 15% of the 6 months. lthough the 1918-19 Influenza he decreed that a cordon line was es- original loan amount where home value e. Can apply for a capital and interest Pandemic is estimated to have tablished between Mochudi and Phap- still has appropriate security value. The moratorium for a maximum of 3 months Aafflicted roughly half of the ane, in which all movement was to be population in our region, resulting in strictly banned. Additional lines were percentage increase granted will depend on a 5-8% loss in population; its Botswa- enforced limiting movements between the maturity of the current loan and previous All customers who have had to cease trading na legacy has been generally ignored. all of the Tribal Territory’s villages. repayment record. temporarily in good credit standing But, a notable exception to this relative While the concept behind the vil- neglect is John Spears 1979 short study lage lockdowns was consistent with a. Are entitled to apply for a maximum 3 month of its impact in Kgatle- the best efforts of the Customers (or customer’s spouse) in Good ng. According to Spears, period, they were appar- Credit Standing are Placed on Unpaid Leave repayment moratorium. Kgosi Linchwe sought ently imposed too late to to limit the spread of be truly effective in lim- For further information, all Retail clients are a. Are entitled to apply for a repayment the disease within his iting the spread of the requested to contact the Bank’s Customer morafe through a com- Influenza. moratorium for up to 3 months with a Care line on 3993300. Commercial Banking bination of traditional With Linchwe’s en- simultaneous extension of tenor by 3 months. clients are invited to contact their Relationship medicine and the impo- couragement Bakgatla b. With mortgage loans are entitled to apply sition of quarantines. also cooperated with their Manager. for an increase in credit up to a maximum of At the beginning of resident DRC missionary the crisis the Kgabo nurse, Deborah Retief, 80% of their home value at the time of the mobilised his dingaka whose medicines, nota- initial loan approval. to “doctor the bound- BUILDERSJEFF OFRAMSAY BOTSWANA bly castor oil, would have aries” of Kgatleng. The GUEST been of at best limited country-side was thus scoured for benefit. herbs to make sufficient quantities of While there is no scientific count the strongest medicine. According to of the infected and resulting casual- oral tradition, the by the time already ties, folk memory recorded by Spears elderly, Linchwe himself ascended dovetails with colonial estimates of Modipe Hill to gather the vomit of the period to suggest that they were its Kgwanyape. After the medicines very high. With traditional funerals were prepared boys were dispatched banned survivors later recalled corps- with buckets to the entrances of es being hastily interned in yards (as BancABC Botswana bancabc.co.bw | atlasmara.com each of the roads entering Kgatleng was still common custom at the time). to sprinkle the concoctions on the Linchwe, himself, contracted the ground with mosetlha branches. disease but recovered, though many In terms of quarantine the Kgosi con- trace the impaired health of his final vened a gathering at his kgotla where years to the disease. 12 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 column Egypt in the Crosshairs

he received instructions from Enlil that he proceed to Canaan. Obliging, General Abe gets set to overrun an Enkite domain he installed a viceroy to hold the fort whilst he was away and commenced his trek southwards. I wonder, General, how many Enlil had no hegemonic jurisdiction which is very common in much of the “Berossus (the great ancient writer Abraham’s first port of call, Gener- Christians have read this passage over Egypt and Abraham was not an Old Testament. Firstly, Abraham was who was once a priest of Marduk) al, was Shechem. Located in the mid- and vividly grasped its implications. Egyptian at all: he was a Sumerian. not a farmland shepherd, General: he mentions our father Abram without dle of vital trade routes, Shechem was BENSON C. SAILI To those who have not, thankfully So why did Enlil include the whole was a member of a highly influential naming him, when he says thus: ‘In a key commercial centre, trading in THIS EARTH, MY BROTHER... we’re on hand to lend a hand. In the of Egypt east of the Nile River as royal and priestly family. the tenth generation after the Flood, local grapes, olives, wheat, livestock passage, Yahweh, the Anunnaki su- part of his future bequest to Abra- Secondly, Abraham was not sim- there was among the Chaldeans a man and pottery. As important, it was a premo Enlil, undertakes to Abraham, ham and his descendants? ply the leader of the Hebrew race: righteous and great, and skilful in the bastion of the Canaanites, who as we his chosen Shepherd-King for the Once again, the Bible far from he was an accomplished military celestial science’.” Josephus also sets have already indicated gravitated forthcoming astrological Age of Ar- hits the nail squarely on the head, general. Just like every male mem- apart Abraham as an extremely wise more toward Marduk than Enlilites. After Marduk’s ies, that he would give his offspring General. But the Sumerian accounts ber of the British royal family has to man. He was a person of “great sagac- Abraham was therefore determined a huge swathe of land stretching and researchers of Egyptian records do service in a branch of the armed ity, both for understanding all things that he convert the city’s population from the stream of Egypt to the Great are much more revealing. At the forces, Abraham too was trained as and persuading his hearers, and not to Enlilite allegiance. As such, Gen- baited invasion Stream known as the Euphrates. The time of Abraham, General, northern a warrior from a very early age. We mistaken in his opinions; for which eral, he built an altar there which Stream of Egypt, General, was the Egypt was politically dominated by see this phenomenon even in African reason he began to have higher no- he dedicated to Enlil. A pleased En- of Harran, name of the Nile River in antiquity. Hebrews of Indian origin known as history. Sechele and Kgosidintsi, the tions of virtue than others had …” lil once again reiterated the promise There are two curious aspects the Hyksos. These were Enlil’s peo- foremost BaKwena princes, as well he had made to him – that he and his General Atiku, about Enlil’s promise to Abraham, ple. We have already related that as Khama the Great and Linchwe I GENERAL ABE CONQUERS DAMASCUS people would inherit the entire land General. First, why was Abraham the Hyksos were planted in north- were all trained warriors and played When Abraham departed Harran of Canaan plus much more besides. rendered such a promise? What ern Egypt by Enlil at a time when active parts in wars. Flavius Titus, after Marduk was lured into taking Next, Abraham, General, moved Enlil-Jehovah did he do to merit it? When you Abraham was Pope of India and the Roman general who razed Jeru- the city by Ishkur-Adad, General, he about a few kilometres south of read the greater context of GENE- was based in the part of that coun- salem to the ground in AD 70, was the was accompanied by his father Ter- Shechem and a little beyond a small went to work SIS 15, General, you are certain to try known as Maturea. This was a heir to Roman emperor Vespasian. ah and his nephew Lot, the only son town known as Shiloh. There, about find yourself at a loss. The promise long-term scheme by Enlil to occupy According to the legendary Jew- of his departed older brother Haran. 12 miles north of Jerusalem, he again comes after Abraham performs a rit- a part of Egypt (and ultimately pos- ish historian Flavius Josephus, Gen- At some stage after the death of Ha- built an altar to Enlil in the vicini- immediately ual in which he sacrifices a heifer, a sibly overrun it altogether) just as eral, Abraham was at the command ran, Abraham had adopted Lot as his ties of Mount Moriah and its sister goat, a ram, and a turtledove to En- Enkites inhabited vast areas of Ca- of “318 officers under him, with un- own son, a state of affairs the slanted mountains Mount Zophim and the lil, which Enlil acknowledges with naan and regions of Sumer such as limited manpower at his disposal”. Genesis authors skirted completely. famed Mount Zion. All these three The following is a stove-hot “fiery torch” that con- Babylon and Eridu. These 318 officers were both his Says Josephus: “Now Abram, hav- mountains were located around Je- sumes the sacrifices. It is typical of In 2048 BC, Marduk had with the warriors and his personal security ing no son of his own, adopted Lot, rusalem and housed the Anunnaki’s how he set about the Genesis writers, General, when guileful assistance of the Hittites detail. Abraham lived in a garrison his brother Haran’s son …” inter-space travel Mission Control they want to fudge a matter, to obfus- seized Harran, a Hebrew stronghold, house and all his soldiers were not What that meant, General, was that Centre. This, General, can easily be effecting his new cate things so that the reader is left forcing the whole of Abraham’s fami- only trained by him, with the as- legally, Abraham was not childless be- gleaned from the very names of the guessing. But the Sumerian chroni- ly save for Nahor to depart the city. It sistance of Ninurta’s Elamite elite fore Isaac was born: he already had a mountains – Mount Moriah meant cles, from which the Genesis writers was at this stage, General, that Enlil de- troops, but were born in the garri- heir in the person of Lot. But as they “Mount of Directing”; Mount Zophim stratagem. researched, are more matter-of-fact. cided on a counter-penetration of Egypt son itself. The Sumerian records say, blood is thicker than water and so meant “Mount of Observers”; and The land in question was promised which should culminate in the annex- also say that Enlil equipped Abra- it was the Isaac factor that largely con- Mount Zion meant “Mount of Signal”. to Abraham subject to his fulfilling ation of northern Egypt by the Hyksos ham with “the best chariots, finest tributed to a parting of ways between The altar Abraham built here he called irst, Nannar-Sin, his sec- a most momentous assignment – the under the command of Abraham. horses, 380 well-trained soldiers and Abraham and Lot, which story we Beth-El, meaning “God’s House”. ond-born son, was to relocate conquest of northern Egypt. weapons that could smite an army of will address at the appropriate time. It was at this time, General, that Ffrom Ur to Canaan, to be the That brings us to the second curi- ABE WAS A MILITARY GENERAL ten thousand men in hours.” When Abraham set off from Terah was ordained as the Priest- resident god of the region overall. ous aspect about the promise, Gen- Meanwhile, Abraham was on a roll, Abraham’s troops were the most Harran, he was accompanied by his King, or Melchizedek, of Jerusalem The turbulent politics of the region eral. It is common knowledge that General. Reading Genesis, one gets formidable of the day, General. They troops. Enlil’s immediate brief to by Enlil. He was 146 years old hav- needed his presence there. Being the the Nile is an Egyptian river north the impression that Abraham was no also were a numerable force. If, for ar- him was to rush and secure Tilmun, ing been born in 2193 BC. Note, Gen- most favourite Enlilite god in the eyes of the 22nd Parallel. So why were more than a phenomenally success- gument’s sake, each of the 318 officers the spaceport, and Jerusalem, the eral, that with substantial Anun- of mankind, and having been born on Abraham’s people, the Hebrews or ful pastoral farmer. A clutch of Bi- had 40 men under him, we’re talking Mission Control Centre. These two naki blood coursing through his Earth, Sin would make for a very sale- Hebraic Jews, promised a portion ble-based movies that have been made of a 12,000-man-strong army General! space-related sites were potentially veins, Terah was not walking on a able counter against Marduk. of territory that did not belong to over the years also loyally toe this And like his father Terah, Abra- vulnerable to capture by Nabu’s peo- cane or confined to a hammock: he Second, Terah, who was now 148 them? Egypt was not a domain of biblical line. Sadly, it’s all disinforma- ham was very well-versed in astron- ple given that the Canaanites were was still physically fit and his fac- years, was appointed Priest-King, or Enlilites: it was a domain of Enkites. tion, if not outright bollocks, General, omy and astrology. Writes Josephus: rallying en masse to Nabu’s banner. ulties were intact. Unlike other Ca- Melchizedek, of Jerusalem. He was to Writes Zechariah Sitchin: “Starting naanite cities, Jerusalem was one bring about a pro-Enlil religious re- in 2047 BC, the sacred Fourth Region particular place where the Enlilites vival in Jerusalem and the surround- (the Sinai Peninsula, the location of had enormous clout. ing area (which in future would come Tilmun) became a target and a pawn Leaving his father in charge of to be known as Judah or Judea) and in the Enlilite struggle with Marduk Jerusalem, Abraham proceeded ensure that the forces of Nabu, Mar- and Nabu ... The ancient sources indi- to Hebron (in today’s West Bank), duk’s anointed heir, did not lay siege cate that from the safety of the sacred about 30 km south of Jerusalem. to the city, which housed Mission region Nabu ventured to the lands and Like Shechem, Hebron was an im- Control Centre. When HEBREWS cities along the Mediterranean coast, portant economic centre owing to its 5:10 talks of Jesus being appointed even to some Mediterranean islands, strategic position on the crossroads High-Priest (and consequently Priest- spreading everywhere the message of between the Dead Sea to the east, King since he was the bloodline royal Marduk’s coming supremacy.” Jerusalem to the north, and the Ne- descendant of King David) “after the After travelling for about 1000 km, gev Desert and Egypt to the south. order of Melchizdedek”, it is Terah Abraham, General, reached Damas- Hebron was also significant in two who is being referred to here. cus, in today’s Syria, and noting that other ways, General. Third, Abraham was given a new it was very strategically located, he Firstly, nestling in the Judean and urgent assignment, General. He decided to take it. Exactly how this Mountains, it was militarily well-for- was to spirit himself into northern conquest panned out is not relat- tified. Secondly, it was the one place Egypt, mobilise the Hykso popula- ed in the Bible nor in the familiar in the whole of Canaan where the tion there (Hebrews who had been Sumerian records. Nephilim (also known as Rephaites) strategically been brought into the It is Josephus who enlightens us in were concentrated. The Nephilim country from India to eventually this regard. This is what he writes, were a gigantic race that had resulted take political control of it), trigger quoting a certain historian going from intermarriages between Earth- an uprising, and sever the region by the name Nicolaus of Damascus: lings and the Igigi, the renegade ranks from the rest of Egypt. The inten- “Abram reigned at Damascus, being of the Anunnaki who were based on tion was to create a buffer state that a foreigner, who came with an army Mars and in Earth’s orbit. Unlike would safeguard the spaceport in out of the land above Babylon, called demigods, who were also part-Anun- the Sinai as northern Egypt shared the land of the Chaldeans: but, after naki, part-Earthling, the Nephilim a border with the whole of the Sinai a long time, he removed from that were not treated as royalty but were Peninsula. That way, there would be country also, with his people, and in fact spurned as a race of rascals no incursions into Canaan launched went into the land then called the because of their predatory and canni- from Egypt by Marduk’s forces. land of Canaan, but now the land of balistic treatment of mankind in the Did Abraham have the military Judea, and this when his posterity globalwide famine that preceded the wherewithal, General, to advance were become a multitude ... Now the Deluge of Noah’s day. on northern Egypt? name of Abram is even still famous Abraham, General, was desirous in the country of Damascus; and that the Nephilim be won over to the ABE PRIMES FOR INVASION EGYPT there is shown a village named from Enlilite cause too. Thus at Hebron too, In GENESIS 15:18, General, this him, The Habitation of Abram.” he built an altar to Enlil. Altars were is what we’re informed: “On that places where homage was paid to a ABE’S FATHER I S PRIEST-KING OF day, Yahweh contracted a covenant god, the equivalent of today’s church- “ENKI HERE I COME”: Having pegged his claim on Damascus, Shechem, and Hebron, Abraham, Jehovah-Enlil’s military JERUSALEM with Abram, saying, ‘To your seed, general of his chosen people, the Hebrews, set his sights on Egypt, an Enkite domain and his primary target at that stage. es. They were not temples or syna- Abraham, General, directly I give this land, from the stream of The conquest of Egypt, particularly the northern part, was necessary in order to shield the Sinai Peninsula, the location of gogues: they were simply platforms. Egypt as far as the Great Stream, the reigned at Damascus throughout the highly strategic and all-important inter-planetary spaceport, from seizure by the Enkites. Would General Abe succeed? stream Euphrates’.” 2048 BC. Then at the onset of 2047 BC, NEXT WEEK: GENERAL ABE BAGS THE FIRST ISRAEL BUSINESSCOLUMN: COVID 19 – POSSIBLE TAX IMPLICATIONS V (BAD DEBTS)

The Domestic Companies Index DCI lost (DCI) lost 0.06 percent during the week ending April 17, 2020. 0.78% year As indicated by Stockbrokers Botswana weekly report, the index to date closed at 7,436.07 points from 7,440.22 points of the previous week. For the year-to-date, the index lost 0.78 percent. A total of 1,175 933 securities valued at P2,744 871 were traded during the week.

SATURDAY 25 APRIL - 01 MAY 2020 ONLINE www.weekendpost.co.bw

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS As at Friday 24 April 2020 Exchange Rates Rates Market Equity Foreign Markets Sector Performance

close %ch close %ch CNH 0.5736 close ch SECTOR % PRICE CHANGE Bank Rate 4.75 — — DCI 7,429.89 — 0.00 DJIA 23,419.00 0.35 EUR 0.0751 ENERGY +3.01 FCI GBP 0.0656 Inflation 2.2 (Mar) 0.8 1,551.35 — 0.00 S&SP500 2,793.50 0.46 INDUSTRIALS +0.77 USD 0.0809 Reserves 65 243 5 403 LASI 838.85 — 0.00 FTSE 100 5,772.11 0.78 ZAR 1.5490 BoBc 91 1.44 — — DFSI 1,062.90 — 0.00 Nikkei 19,340.00 0.11 COMMUNICATION SERVICES +0.71 FRSI 772.09 — 0.00 YEN 8.7000 BoBc 7 1.50 ­— — WTI Crude 16.17 2.00 MATERIALS +0.54 SOURCE: BOB SOURCE: BOB SOURCE: BSE SOURCE: BLOOMBERG SOURCE: BLOOMBERG PrimeTime lockdown-hit tenants might not pay rent month end

TSAONE SEGAETSHO cleaning and security staff, facilitate STAFF WRITER electricity tokens and run the finan- cial affairs of the PrimeTime Group, albeit operating within the terms otswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and conditions of the laws govern- listed property firm PrimeTime ing extreme social distancing under Bhas finally given its tenants an the state of emergency with essential ear amid cries that businesses have service providers who have been se- stopped operating or are running at a cured permits, according to a recent loss during the COVID-19 lockdown. announcement. The company is currently assessing the liability of some of its occupants in its PrimeTime Lobatse mall and South Africa plush mall in the pipeline retail, offices and industrial buildings. sabotaged to further delay Recently PrimeTime announced that it acknowledges its tenants cry It was widely reported recently how over the property firm’s continual col- PrimeTimes is in the right shape to lection of rental despite most of busi- enter into an agreement to acquire the nesses being on standstill as people leasehold interest from Time Projects are staying home to avoid contacting in Lot 14076 Lobatse and appoint Time coronavirus at mall and offices. Projects to develop the shopping cen- According to PrimeTime, the laws tre which would be valued at around imposed by the lockdown have had a P116 million. The works at the mall negative impact on many of their ten- has already commenced but will be ants and they have been approached hampered by delays. by an unprecedented number request- In the latest communication about ing some form of financial relief. the project PrimeTime says: “Our Therefore, according to PrimeTime, major works in progress and planned “We have compiled a risk schedule of pipeline acquisitions have been put on PrimeTime’s tenants where we have hold, including the main structure of assessed, in our opinion, their contin- the recently approved Lobatse devel- ued ability in the short/medium term opment (earthworks were already un- to pay rent. We will only find out by derway). The completion of Pinnacle month end whether they can and will Park Phase I will continue, insofar as pay rent. These have then been over- works on site are practicable, as it is laid onto PrimeTime’s forecasted cash at an advanced stage with occupation flow to highlight financial pressure scheduled for May/June 2020. points over the coming months. Pro- Another pipeline project for Prime- vided these scenarios are accurate and Time is working on the first phase of with assistance from our financiers, Pinnacle Park at Setlhoa which was we are confident that PrimeTime, our scheduled to complete las month and tenants and service providers will all PILANE CROSSING IS ONE OF PRIMETIME MALLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY: According to PrimeTime, the laws imposed by the lockdown have had a negative it is currently waiting to be put final be able to continue to trade through impact on many of their tenants and they have been approached by an unprecedented number requesting some form of financial relief. touches, but will be delayed by the this challenging period.” lockdown which is ending next week The property firm further an- Tuesday. There were plans to refur- nounced that there is much debate in Mall and South Ring Mall in Gaborone. PrimeTime also houses G4S Zambia. likely to soften further and with the The property company said it has bish the exterior of South Ring Mall the media here and in South Africa, Also in the capital city the proper- According to PrimeTime’s last absorption of vacant space we are well engaged its financiers to discuss solu- property and an extension to Boiteko where many of the major retailers are ty company houses the South African annual report, the market value positioned for growth. tion which will see how PrimeTime Junction in Serowe based on strong based, about whether, legally, tenants Commission chambers, Letshego head of PrimeTime’s domestic portfolio can be sustainable. tenant demand for the center, but are bound to their lease conditions. office, Design Quarter, Capricon House, passed P900 million end of 2019, up PrimeTime braces for a financial “The Botswana banks are encouraged these ideas have been put on holding “We have adopted the policy that Independence Place, AFA House, DHL from P850 million the prior year. wrecking ball of COVID-19 in its by government to meet the challenges pending the lockdown. the legal position is not practical: that head office, G4S headquarters and However in Zambia values slipped buildings as well as government offering guar- The company announced acquisi- the tenant/landlord relationship is Prime Plaza which houses Cresta, and from $53 million to $50 million as rents Like any other business PrimeTime antees to certain qualifying businesses tion of a property in plushy Sandton symbiotic and that we are reliant, one ABSA Botswana head offices. there came under pressure due to a will take a knock during the COVID-19 which is encouraging. In South Africa, area, South Africa, namely Riverside upon the other; thus we will deal with PrimeTime malls or shopping com- highly competitive market for attract- lockdown. “From our analysis, with a banks are also implementing mitigating Junction; a boutique office, retail and tenants on a case by case basis to en- plexes ploughed across the country ing tenants, according to PrimeTime’s substantial drop in rental income consid- measures as well as the Reserve Bank restaurant building in the high-end sure long term sustainability for all,” include the Hillside Mall in Lobatse, 2019 annual report. ered probable, there is a risk that Prime- having reduced the bank rate by 2 per- residential suburb, Bryanston for said PrimeTime. Ramotswa Shopping Centre, Ghanzi In the same year the firm said in Time may breach covenants. While for cent which will lessen the pressure on ZAR84.7m (BWP60m) yielding over 9%. With its property portfolio initially Shopping Centre, Nswazwi Mall in the retail sector where a significant all there is substantial uncertainty as to loans,” announced PrimeTime. According to the firm, this is the planted on Botswana ground, it shot Francistown, Pilane Crossing and amount of new supply has been de- the extent of the impact due to several As a move towards government first of what it plans to build into a out of Gaborone where it started and Boiteko Junction in Serowe. livered to the market, and is also a variable factors, what is certain is that COVID-19 laws PrimeTime says it key private property fund in South Africa began sprouting across the country. From Botswana across the border to reflection of the wider challenging PrimeTime does need to act immediate- staff is working from home during as part of its diversification strategy, According to last year’s Annual Re- Zambia PrimeTime owns shopping spac- economic environment. According to ly to assist some of our most at-risk ten- the lockdown period. These staff will and transfer of its second acquisition port the property company owns Sebele es; Centro Kabulonga and Munali malls. PrimeTime that time, rents are un- ants,” said PrimeTime recently. continue to collect rentals, manage should be imminent.

Botswana diamond production slumps 5% amid Q1:2020 lockdown

TSAONE SEGAETSHO 4 percent, from 5.8 million carats to production declined quarter to quar- essential service, Botswana mining STAFF WRITER Q1:2020’s 5.6 million carats. ter from 7. 852 million in Q1:2019 to producer Debswana had to scale Anglo American explained the Bo- 7.750 million in Q1:2020. However down production, consequently, as tswana production fall was “driven Anglo American said this slight de- a response to the expected down- he consequences of Botswana’s by a 7 percent decrease at Orapa due crease came with limited impact from ward going demand. Diamond pro- lockdown on the diamond indus- to challenges related to commission- COVID-19 measures introduced at the duction for Botswana and its De Ttry can be traced currently to its ing of new plant infrastructure and end of Q1:2020 in producer countries. Beers is expected to plummet even recent fall on production which was maintenance, while production at COVID-19 started talking to Bo- further in the second quarter of 2020 responding to the shyness in demand Jwaneng reduced by 4 percent due to tswana diamond when it forced De as that is where the effects of lock- as diamond buyers stayed at home planned lower grade.” Beers to put its Third Sight Sale of downs would be felt. and avoided social contact, a measure And this does not take away the 2020 on hold because the Botswana According to Anglo American to prevent COVID-19 infection, during blistering impact COVID-19 has had government had banned travelling of business update in response to the first quarter of 2020 (Q1:2020). on Botswana’s diamond business its rough diamonds bulk buying cus- COVID-19 released on Thursday, at According to Anglo American Pro- because Anglo American suggested tomers or Sight-holders. the mining company’s diamond ven- duction Report for the first quarter mostly production was disrupted by This means demand for diamond tures associated with its offspring ended 31 March 2020, Botswana pro- measures brought in by diamond pro- suffers and production will just be for De Beers, lockdown measures have duction decreased by 5 percent to 5.6 ducing countries to fight the spread stockpiling. Botswana on the other significantly impacted diamond million carats in the first quarter of of the pandemic. hand declared a State of Emergency, production in Southern Africa. 2020, and a quarter to quarter fall According to Anglo American pro- which was further put on uncertainty Also the manufacturing in India from the 5.9 million carats of Q1:2019. duction report, the total carats recov- by its extension to six months, and a and retail operations in the United From the previous quarter which ered by De Beers diamond producing 28 day lockdown making movement LOW PRODUCTION EXPECTED: Diamond production for Botswana and its De Beers is States, have not been spared by the ended in December 2019(Q1:2019) Bo- countries; Botswana, South Africa, in the country minimal. expected to plummet even further in the second quarter of 2020 as that is where the sting of COVID-19 while consumer tswana diamond production fell by Namibia and Canada rough diamond Despite mining being gazetted as effects of lockdowns would be felt. TO PAGE 14 14 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 businessnews FNBB CEO calls for serious economic diversification virus broke in the city of Wuhan. After the United States, most of De Beers’s rough diamonds end up in China. At the Press briefing Bogatsu said COVID-19 has presented Botswana with a clear opportunity to develop other industries “Some of the indus- post COVID-19 tries that we are going to start see emerging after this crisis are health � Bogatsu says Botswana’s economy at risk of threats from global uncertainties and pharmaceutical industry as well the technology industry,” he said. � Sees potential in technology, health & pharmaceutical industries post corona Bogatsu added that some of the positives of COVID-19 are increased � Banc ABC CEO says there might be serious layoffs in the economy uptake and use of technology across industries. “In the banking industry we are seeing more of our customers REARABILWE RAMAPHANE tswana must intensify her economic single private sector employer. using more of our technology ser- NEWS WRITER diversification efforts or else face the The diamond industry is however vices and offerings ,not only in the catastrophic effects of global uncer- one of the most vulnerable indus- banking ,the insurance and other tainties and world economic shocks. tries in the world. When uncertain- industries as well , so we are go- he Chief Executive Officer Botswana’s economy is largely de- ties engulf global economies the di- ing to need people who are going to (CEO) of First National Bank pendent on the diamond industry as amond industry is always one of the support this digital transformation TBotswana (FNBB), the coun- the largest single foreign income earn- first to catch flu, resulting in serious from technology perspective to oc- try’s largest commercial bank by er and biggest contributor to GDP. Bo- cash flow disruptions. casion this transformation,” he said. market share and profitability, Ste- tswana’s flagship diamond business, This vulnerability of Botswana’s Owing to the steep downturn in ven Bogatsu says post COVID-19, Bo- Debswana is alone, by far the largest economic engine according to FNBB the diamond market during the FNBB CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Steven Bogatsu CEO call for serious transformation 2008/09 Global financial crises min- of the economy. eral revenue accounted for only Speaking at press briefing ad- 30% of Government revenue in the dressed by the banking industry this 2009/10 financial year with SACU week Bagatsu said the economy has revenue accounting for about 26% to generate other sources of revenue and Non mineral economic sectors and income. revenue going in at 19% while VAT “It is apparent now that diversifi- contributed in 13%. cation is going to be very key, given Against all efforts to diversify the the slowing down of diamonds sales, economy the Mineral revenue rose that is obviously going to have nega- through the years to account for 3718045 Chief Justice’s Chamber TELEPHONE: tive impact on mineral revenue, and about 37% of government total bud- FASCIMILE: 3915115 High Court of Botswana subsequently the entire economy,” get in 2015 until dropping down a bit TELEGRAMS: Private Bag 00220 said Bogatsu. to just over 35% for 2019/20 finan- REFERENCE: Gaborone During 2008/09 global financial cial year. BOTSWANA crisis the diamond industry was However total revenues and grants heavily hit, so much that Botswana for the 2019/2020 Financial Year went for a month without sale of a were revised to P60.71 billion with single diamond. the main revenue contributor being Miner Debswana had to halt oper- Mineral revenue at P18.43 billion; ations for three (3) months. In 2019, Customs and Excise at P13.79 billion; nearly a decade later in the wake of and VAT at P7.92 billion. This still heightened geo-political tensions be- placed mineral revenue at just above tween the world’s two biggest econo- 30 % of total revenue and grants. mies, the industry received a heavy Experts say as long as Mineral blow, suppressing sales by 25%. revenue still accounts for over 30% The economic uncertainty gener- of Botswana’s total revenue, zigzag- PRESS RELEASE ated by unstable geopolitical climate ging up and down through the years arising from this Washington – Bei- to over 35%, the country’s revenue jing tensions led to widespread uncer- profile presents a serious risk. tainty triggering a global downturn Botswana customs and excise in the industry during the first half revenue has remained below 25% of 2019 spilling over to the entire year. for some time signaling trade stag- This emanated from an increased nancy and little improvement on the sense of caution among the banks that export sector. finance the trade, as well as diamond Within the Foreign income earning brokers and consumers of luxury basket Mineral revenue controls the Contribution towards goods, leading to significant decline channel, sitting at almost 90%. In Af- in commerce across all segments. rica Botswana and Angola’s foreign During the last quarter of 2019, earnings are single commodity an- the industry showed signs of slight chored with Angola relying on Oil and Covid – 19 Relief Fund recovery with holiday season in Chi- Botswana pivoted by diamonds, this na and United States thanksgiving according to experts signals that Bo- opening up the market a bit. Posi- tswana ‘s diversification efforts have tive sentiment and upward trajec- failed to bear fruits over the years. tory bolstered first sales of the year For his part Chief Executive Offi- 2020, with leading producers, Alrosa cer of Banc ABC, Kgotso Bannabot- and De Beers registering an impres- lhe reiterated Bogatsu’s sentiment, sive upswing. citing projections by International But that was short lived, thanks to Monetary Fund (IMF) that undiver- outbreak of Corona virus in Decem- sified and resource based economies 1. Members of the public are informed that Judges of ber 2019 which intensified in Febru- like Botswana will be heavily affect- ary this year. De Beers’ second sight ed by COVID-19 pandemic. fell by about 36% from the first sales “We may see some layoffs in the the High Court, and Justices of the Court of Appeal of the year and 25% when gauged economy because our government against the same sight in 2019. has been running at a deficit, so have unanimously agreed to contribute 5% of their Other sights were cancelled due to this calls for intensified efforts on travel restrictions and global lock- economic diversification and citi- down which halted trade activity and zen economic drive, we need to start basic salary towards the above Relief Fund. operations across the value chain developing local industries and cre- worldwide. This was mainly due to ating massive and sustainable jobs slow business in China where corona locally,” said Bannabotlhe. 2. The threshold of 5% of their basic salary which will effect from May 2020, runs for three (3) months and is reviewable at the end of that period. Botswana diamond production slump

Thank you. FROM PAGE 13 tions of rough diamond to nosedive rapidly. demand has returned to the Chi- According to an Econsult re- nese market. According to the up- search paper titled, ‘The Economic date, production guidance for 2020 Impact of Coronavirus COVID-19’, has been reduced in line with antic- it is expected that Debswana and ipated demand by 7 million carats other mining companies might to 25-27 million carats, with lower maintain production levels for volumes at all operations. some time, but only to the extent Mark Cutifani, Chief Executive that they have the capacity to stock- of Anglo American said on Thurs- pile unsold diamonds. According day that Anglo American main to a review written by researchers priority is the safety of our people, Keith Jefferis, Sethunya Sejoe and their families and our host commu- Kitso Mokhurutshe, producing for nities. “We have taken extensive stockpiling means that the impact measures across our business to on mining (and GDP) may be less help safeguard against the spread than the impact on sales. of COVID-19, while also protecting “The capacity for Debswana and the integrity of our assets to enable De Beers to stockpile unsold dia- a swift return to normal levels of op- monds – incurring production costs eration when appropriate,” he said. but not receiving income – is con- According to a recently released strained, after having already un- economic review by consultation dertaken some stockpiling in 2019. and research firm Econsult, it will We forecast a contraction in the be pointless for Debswana to con- contributions of both diamond min- tinue stockpiling diamonds when ing and diamond sales to GDP in buyers are barred from buying or 2020, which will hence impact neg- entering Botswana, hence predic- atively on growth,” says Econsult. Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 15 businessnews Minergy scales down operation as SA customers invoke force majeure

REARABILWE RAMAPHANE tivities are taking place, to allow for aising with its government-linked BUSINESS WRITER product loading and weighbridge funders and has requested addition- operations to continue on a scaled- al funding and assistance during down basis,” he said. this period. According to the CEO, inergy Limited has cur- Permission was granted to Min- initial discussions reflect goodwill. tailed operations at its Ma- ergy by the Department of Mines to He said that discussions are in prog- Msama coal mine, Botswana’s undertake certain mining, plant and ress with major suppliers, who are only private coal mine in operation. maintenance activities. These activ- also battling the impact of COVID-19. This was revealed by Minergy this ities ceased on 17 April 2020 due to “During this period management week as catastrophic effects of coro- the extended lock down in South Af- is extensively managing cash pres- navirus on the supply & demand of rica and as a result the beneficiation ervation and cost minimization commodities worldwide intensifies. plant and mining operations have which includes proportional salary A statement from the BSEL listed stopped. Only necessary health, cuts and/or deferrals.” coal outfit say as with all industry safety and maintenance activities, � SA customers constitute 90% On a positive noted Minergy re- in Botswana and the neighboring as required, are performed. vealed that development of the rail countries, business has and will be Morné du Plessis noted that ex- of Minergy clientele by volume siding, financed by BotRail, is pro- adversely affected by COVID-19. posed, but unblasted coal stocks are gressing, with the necessary work “The last week of March 2020 and adequate to restart mining opera- � Most of them are not essential permissions in place. the entire month of April 2020 bear tions in May 2020 without any delays, According to Minergy CEO, the brunt of industry and coun- should lockdown rules in both South services providers, thus on preparations are such that it is ex- try-wide lock down regulations,” Africa and Botswana be relaxed. pected that the first loading of trains reads statement from the company “The effect on May 2020 volumes and shutdown will take place in May 2020, bound released on Monday. results are dependent on how quickly for South Africa and provided lock- In Botswana, mining services are customers can restart and take deliv- down is not extended. gazetted as essential services which ery, which is in-turn dependent on allow for the continuation of Miner- border operations too,” he said. gy’s coal mining activities. Howev- Non-critical staff has been asked er, Minergy says more than 90% of to stay at home. Other critical staff, its target market, in volume terms, where required are working from is in South Africa. home. The company says permitting In addition, industries within process, for legal and valid travel the target market are classified as to and from the mine, is adminis- non-essential services in South Af- tratively burdensome but respected rica and consequently, have by law, and complied with as a critical step been shut down since 27 March 2020. in ensuring limited spread and con- To this end Minergy has received trol of the virus in Botswana. formal confirmation from its con- Currently all Minergy employees tract customers that the lockdown are on full pay. Morné du Plessis has led them to invoke Force Ma- says balancing the cash flow and cost jeure. That is to say the COVID-19 implications on a start-up business situation is classified as an unfore- in the ramp-up phase, with minimal seeable circumstance that prevents sales and cash generation opportuni- fulfillment of contractual obliga- ty, is extremely challenging. tions. This has required Minergy, Minergy recently reported that from an operational perspective, to it received funding to alleviate his- scale down operations considerably. torical working capital shortages Minergy Chief Executive Officer, and that future estimated cash flows Morné du Plessis said in the state- were subsequently considered ade- ment that where sales are permitted quate to sustain the company. 21 Day Public Notice to South Africa and Namibian essen- On Monday Morné du Plessis tial services customers, primarily in however revealed that this is no 21 Day Public Notice the food processing and energy gen- longer the case with the company eration sectors, product stockpiles at losing a minimum of one month’s the end of March 2020 are sufficient sales while still having to carry and are being utilized for this supply. fixed cost burdens. “Limited material handling ac- To this end, Minergy has been li-

COLUMN

Introduction - Acceptance of China Union Pay COVID 19 – POSSIBLE TAX Introduction - Acceptance of China Union Pay IMPLICATIONS V (BAD DEBTS) Credit and Debit Cards on ATMs and POS Credit and Debit Cards on ATMs and POS ovid-19 continues to have taken against such customer or impact on businesses and in- there is proof of insolvency of the Cdividuals alike, while some debtor. In the context of Covid19 employees may lose their jobs and debtors who have lost their in- Please be advised that Stanbic Bank will be introducing businesses be forced to shut down come earning capacity the latter Please be advised that Stanbic Bank will be introducing and never recover from the pan- may be the information required demic, both have some commit- by the tax authority in relation to the acceptance of China Union Pay branded Credit ments towards other businesses audits or information requests. the acceptance of China Union Pay branded Credit that they might not have settled yet. These should form part of docu- These unsettled commitments mentation that is prescribed to be and Debit Cards on Point of Sale (POS) and Auto Teller by customers are sometimes re- kept for a minimum of 8 years. The and Debit Cards on Point of Sale (POS) and Auto Teller ferred to as bad debts, it is inevi- burden of proof always lies with table that there will be some bad the taxpayer and it is therefore im- Machines (ATMs). debts arising from the pandemic portant that you can substantiate Machines (ATMs). and businesses should start pro- the amount of bad debts written viding for such. off. It should be noted that in terms From an Income Tax perspec- of Section 28 (2 c ii) if these are re- tive these are allowable as per covered by the business after they For more information contact Customer Care Center at section 41 (1h) bad debts which were written off, they should be have been recognized in the book recognized as income. For more information contact Customer Care Center at of accounts for any business are From a Value Added Tax +267 3987801. allowable as a deduc- (VAT) perspective tion to determine tax- where such bad is +267 3987801. able income. recognized input VAT This recognizes should be claimed the fact that the as per section 21(9) debts were initially of the VAT Act. The recorded as income input tax can be accruing to the busi- claimed on the latter ness and therefore an of the date which it adjustment should was written off or a be made to ensure year after VAT relat- that the income is not ing to the debt was overstated. paid. Same require- Where the business ments of proving the uses the cash basis of debt was irrecover- accounting instead of able by the taxpayer the accrual method the bad debt are the same as discussed above will not an allowable deduction for income tax purposes. as it was not recognized in the It is also important to issue books of accounts as income. credit notes in relation to the debt It should be noted that these and give it to the customer where should be specific amounts of possible. Credit notes and related bad debts and not a thumb suck information will help the taxpay- or general provision done by the er substantiate the input tax de- taxpayer. Where a general provi- duction when quizzed by BURS. sion is done by the taxpayer the It is also worth mentioning provision will be an add back for that where there is no credit note tax purposes and therefore be an BURS may disallow the input tax increase in taxable income. When deduction as the credit note works providing for the bad debt or writ- as evidence that you have no hope ing it off the books of accounts the pf recovering the debt. The credit taxpayer should be able to show note should also comply to a valid that there were reasonable steps tax invoice particulars and should taken to recover the debt. bare same description as in the Such steps range from email invoice or supply that is being re- or letter follow-ups, legal action versed because of the bad debt. 16 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020

businessnews

Private Bag 62 Palapye, Botswana Tel: 4920626 Fax: 4900044 Botswana pins diamond E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.makoro.co.bw Certified beneficiation hopes on EXTERNAL ADVERT: VACANCY CIRCULAR NUMBER 2 OF 2020 ODC 5 year strategy

Applications are invited from suitably and self motivated, energetic and innovative qualified persons for the below posts tenable at Makoro Brick & Tile Plant in Palapye. � ODC tasked with increasing Botswana’s participation down BOILERMAKER x 3 the value chain MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB � Botswana has been a diamond upstream powerhouse for over To assist with Fabricating, welding of plant components. 5 decades

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: � It’s time we spread wings into • Measures, fabricate and assembles parts and welds none critical items. cutting & polishing , jewelry & retail - Moagi • Study blueprints to determine locations, relationships or dimensions of parts. • Repair or replace defective pressure vessel parts i.e. safety valves/regulators using torches, jacks, power saws, welding equipment etc. REARABILWE RAMAPHANE through Debswana produces over with leading cutting and polishing • Weld and fabricate metal components. BUSINESS WRITER 65% of De Beers’ global output. firms globally for strategic part- ODC has since inception deliv- nerships, we want them to assist • Layout plate, steel sheets, or other heavy metal and locate and mark bending and ered its mandated satisfactorily us with technologically advanced cutting lines using protractors, compasses and drawing instruments or templates. overnment wholly owned that government even hinted de- machines, while we still develop- diamond marketer, Oka- sires to have the company take ing our own so that we build local • Straighten or reshape bent pressure vessel plates or structure parts, using hammers, Gvango Diamond Company more goods from DTCB. Currently capacity for massive industrializa- (ODC) has been tasked with the ODC rakes in sales in the region tion in that space of cutting & pol- jacks or torches. mammoth task of ensuring Botswa- of $500 Million annually (approxi- ishing,” said Moagi. na’s participation in the midstream mately P5 billion). The Minister further highlighted • Install refractory bricks or other heat resistant materials in fire boxes of pressure vessels. and downstream of the multibillion Minister Moagi said through its 5 that Government will significantly pula lucrative industry increases year strategy Okavango Diamonds invest in serious research and de- • Assist with housekeeping in area of responsibility. significantly. will now develop frameworks and velopment to inform the country‘s This was revealed by Minister deliberate pursuits intended at fur- pursuits and ambitions in diamond of Mineral Resources, Green Tech- ther spreading Botswana‘s wings beneficiation and more participa- QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE: nology & Energy Security, Lefoko across the value chain. tion down the value chain. Maxwell Moagi on Tuesday. “ODC has developed a strategy After assuming power in April Okavango Diamond was estab- that will propel Botswana into un- 2018, President Mokgweetsi Masisi • O-level certificate plus NCC in Welding & Fabrication or equivalent. lished in 2012 as a 100 % state owned precedented participation and pres- said it was time for Botswana to in- • 5 years’ experience in a mining industry company mandated with spreading ence across the value chain, the cut- crease participation in the diamond Botswana’s wings in the diamond ting and polishing, jewelry making business, sentiments constantly re- business through marketing and sell- and retail has been incorporated in iterated by his Minister. ing 15 % Debswana rough produce. this strategy,” he said. Botswana and its partner in the EXTRA HEAVY DUTY DRIVER Debswana, which produces in Moagi explained that the ambi- diamond business De Beers Group the region of 24 million carats annu- tion and roadmap goes beyond 5 are currently under negations to ally operates four (4) mines being years strategy because some proj- renew sales agreement into anoth- MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB Jwaneng, Orapa, and Letlhakane & ects intended at positioning Bo- er 10 year span. The last agreement Damtshaa Mines. tswana in the downstream segment which commenced in 2011 and deliv- The diamond mining behemoth of diamond industry are long term. ered amongst others relocation of De which has propelled Botswana’s “We have brought the aggregation Beers’s global aggregation and sales To carry out driving duties on company vehicles/trucks to transport various materials/ upstream muscle to global glory for of De Beers diamonds here, now we operation from London to Gaborone. goods in a safe and a timely manner. decades makes all its produce to Di- are in talks with relevant stakehold- “We have had a wonderful relation- amond Trading Company Botswa- ers to say massive cutting and polish- ship with De Beers and we expect that na(DTCB) for sorting and valuing. ing has to be done in Botswana.” relationship to be even more cement- DTCB is the world’s largest and The Minister further added that ed, there is a way of actually achiev- MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: most sophisticated rough diamond other players outside De Beers ing a win-win for both, we want to sorting and valuing operation. Both Group are coming onboard. participate more on cutting, polishing • Ensures that there is efficient transportation of the products to the customers. DTCB and Debswana are 50-50 joint “Lucara which is our other pro- and retail,” Masisi said when talking ventures of Botswana Government ducing company locally has bought to Bloomberg in May 2018. • Ensures that products are delivered at specified locations on time and in a safe and global diamond business giant into this dream, it is helping us ca- De Beers Group’s other world- manner. De Beers Group. jole its customers to forge partner- wide interest spans into the lucra- After DTCB, sorted and valued ships so that the manufacturing, tive midstream and downstream • Responsible for the proper loading of the truck and ensuring that bricks are secured to prevent rough diamonds are then taken to cutting, polishing of their diamonds space with businesses such as De Beers Global Sight holder Sales can be done in Botswana,” he said. Forevermark, the Group’s jewelry movement. and Okavango Diamonds, the latter In terms of developing the Hu- retail outfit, ElementSix, the indus- receives 15% while the former, a De man Capital Moagi revealed that trial technology and manufactur- • Ensures overall wellbeing of the vehicle is maintained. Beers wholly owned midstream op- the Oodi technical college in part- ing company , as well as LightBox eration, receives the remaining 85%. nership with French experts will the newly established synthetic • Ensures that all the documentation is attached to trip sheet and that all deliveries ODC was established to test the accelerate training of Batswana diamonds brand operating from waters and develop Botswana’s ca- and equipping them with serious United States. Botswana Govern- are done as per trip sheet. pacity and ability to sell its own di- skills in the space of cutting & pol- ment directly owns 15 % of De amonds outside De Beers channels ishing and jewelry making. Beers Group, the remaining 85 % is • Ensures that all discrepancies related to the deliveries are reported to the supervisor and price Book. Botswana alone “Through ODC we are in talks owned by Anglo American PLC. immediately and also recorded in the fault book. • All daily checks or prestart checks are done on the vehicle without fail using the checklist. • Performs vehicle inspection of the truck after every trip and any deviations to the workshop Banking industry well capitalized to for attention. QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE: support economy – Pheko-Moshagane

• Junior Certificate plus relevant drivers licence REARABILWE RAMAPHANE the nation accordingly. economy and unfavorable circumstanc- BUSINESS WRITER In general, as a way of cushioning es in the market. their customers during COVID-19 crisis, In terms of banks’ Net Income/Prof- • Classes of licence C,EB,EC1,EC the banking industry will offer three itability over the last 8 years, data from • Knowledge of Mounted crane operation hairperson of Botswana Banking months repayment holidays to custom- Bank of Botswana shows that the indus- Association, Keabetswe Pheko ers with mortgage, car and other loans. try profitability picked up from P1.57 bil- C–Moshagane, who is also Man- Moshagane explained that the loan lion in 2011 to an average of P1.7 billion • 5 years driving experience aging Director of Absa Bank Botswana repayment break would be reviewed af- in 2013 before dropping to P1.4 billion in has assured the country that Botswana’s ter three months depending on the situ- 2014 after Bank of Botswana banned in- • Knowledge of cross boarder documentation (Import and Export) banking industry is solid, well capital- ation relating to the pandemic. crease of fees. In 2015 following reduction ized and ready to support the economy in interest banks income significantly • Should be familiar with South African maps/areas and be able to use the GPS. during these challenging times of the declined to end the year at P 1 billion. COVID-19 pandemic. Profitability picked up to 2 billion in 2018. • Must have good knowledge of SADC languages for effective and efficient delivery Moshagane was speaking at a Press Loans and Advances account for briefing addressed by commercial banks roughly 60% of these Assets while de- in Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and Namibia. this weekend to deliberate on the indus- posits account for over 70% of liabili- try’s response strategies to COIVID-19. ties. The banks ended 2019 with about She said COVID-19 pandemic’s impact P75.7 billion of deposits, and in the first on the economy is severe and clearly the month of 2020 this figure now stands at All applications should be addressed to: world has not experienced this before. P76 billion, mirroring 0.4% increase. She however noted that it is not easy Total credit given out by commercial The Human Resources Manager to make timeline predictions as it is not banks stood at P62.8 billion in 2019 and known how long the pandemic and ad- by the end of January 2020 it was P63.5 Makoro Brick & Tile (Pty) Ltd verse situation would last. billion, up by 1.1%, signaling that in “This is still a new wave and turn of January only, banks wrote out roughly Private Bag 62 events as far as impact on the economy P729 million in new loans, with P403 mil- is concerned, the situation is still at its lion going towards businesses and P347 Palapye infant state,” she said. million channeled to households The Banking Association chairperson No new banks have entered the sector however cautioned that if the pandemic since 2012, and commentators have indi- Or can be send via Email: [email protected] and its adverse impacts intensify and As of 2011 Botswana’s Financial Sys- cated that outdated regulation and the spillover to the rest of 2020 and beyond, tem sat at an excess of nearly P300 bil- dominance of foreign-owned commer- the banking industry would be affected lion, inclusive of the foreign reserves cial banks are factors that potentially just like any other sector of the economy. and funds held by Botswana Develop- keep new entrants out. If you do not get response within 7 days of the closing date know that your Pheko-Moshagane reiterated that as ment Corporation and Motor Vehicle The microlending sector, on the other of the moment and at least till the end of Accident Fund. Currently Botswana’s 10 hand, is growing and has the potential to application was unsuccessful. the year the banking industry’s liquid- commercial banks account for about 33 increase financial inclusion. Large com- ity stance is well positioned to anchor percent of the financial system, hosting mercial banks continue to introduce in access of P100 billion in assets. more technologies and are moving to- nd the economy. Closing Date: 2 May 2020 She highlighted that commercial According to information from Bank wards branchless banking. Latest avail- banks play a critical role in the economy of Botswana which is the industry’s reg- able industry statistics reflect a stable, of any developing country and therefore ulatory and oversight body, commercial adequately-capitalised banking sector it is important for the industry to formu- banks have been able to roar to profit- which experienced growing customer late a framework best suited to support ability year on year despite sluggish deposits and improved profitability. UNESCO warns against Creatives plead for ‘disinfodemic’ amid PAGE 22 PAGE PAGE 20 PAGE COVID-19 pandemic support of local talent

SATURDAY 25 APRIL - 01 MAY 2020

Mjamaica pleads with Gov’t to aid creatives

with Batswana and Africans at marketing is new, especially KEAMOGETSE MOTONE also hard hit like others, and large,” he said. in Botswana, so it was difficult STAFF WRITER equally important to the econo- “It’s a great honour to be at first selling the idea to big my,” he said. valued so much by so many corporations who only knew “It is a stressful time for people. To me it now means traditional marketing plat- nown for his series of rib everyone, and as an entertain- Says it’s no longer about me, but my forms. They recycled budgets cracking antics, local come- er this is the best time to get patriotic duty to my country. I for this year in year out so you Kdian, Thabang Ramokate even closer to my followers. have become a face or represen- would find that their budgets affectionately known as “Mjamai- So I have been trying to send creativity tation of the ways of Batswana, for our space was minimal. But ca”, has become a household name messages of positivity and and I take pride in that hon- currently things are looking due to his fresh out of the box optimism despite the global is alive and our. Social media was very up,” he said. approach to comedy. challenges.” instrumental in my growth. Known for his theatrical The young Motswana con- When talking about his craft, The brand grew exponentially comedy, Thabang said acting is tinues to do what he does best he said, “Mine is a talent given kicking because anyone with a phone one of his passions as he always especially during these unprec- by the Most High, I have no was able to have access, and had the vision of becoming a edented and uncertain times. formal qualification in acting, it is worth noting that social professional actor on a grand Having garnered well over I was simply ordained to touch media has overtaken all stage and social media became 500 000 followers on social hearts with my talent. It took form of traditional media that stage for him. media, the local star has con- discipline, hard work and not by reach for that reason.” “By the grace of God, I got firmed with this publication always going after money but Thabang was one of the here and I still believe there is that his craft remains unfazed instead my passion,” he added. first artists to break new more to be conquered,” he said. by the pandemic as he has not From the get go, Mjamaica ground by seeking out His message to the nation in allowed COVID-19 to rob him of set out to build a brand that partnerships with clients helping flatten the COVID-19 his talent and craft. would work for him, represent on social media to partner curve was simple; “Creativity cannot be bound him not only as an artists but with him in their mar- “Batswana please adhere to by anything, the creative juices as he is and not just to make a keting strategies. Initially all safety tips by government, are flowing. The only challenge quick buck. “My upbringing it was tough terrain but stay home where possible, stay which is universal, is that we was a simple one, in a hum- as time went by brands positive, wash your hands and can’t interact, or push business ble Setswana background so became more receptive let’s beat this together. This is agendas effectively. As such, I all my content is just based to using social media as a just another opportunity for us ask government to not forget on that context; everyday marketing strategy and later to go back to our roots and bond the creative industry when lifestyle, or aspirations of an sought him out. with our families and build that they make policies and relief ordinary Motswana. That is “The concept of social media strong bond as a nation.” programs. The arts industry is why the brand resonates well

Roc Lefatshe unearths more talent yy Has signed Raptured Roots CHARITY HISCOX succors the yy Currently working with KhoiSan poor amid COVID-19 lockdown!

• Hungry citizens locked down • Donations arranged out KEAMOGETSE MOTONE have produced music with some of STAFF WRITER the artists within the stable, and are of goodwill currently anticipating to work with more artists in the upcoming album. nown for unearthing the most “The album is going to be amazing, • Over 200 less- sought after talent in the likes the music video will be released Motlha of Mmamotse fame, in the last quarter of the year. The K music video they did with KhoiSan is KhoiSan and Double Up, Suffocate privileged under one of the hottest record label, done and it was shot by Hope Visuals. Roc Lefatshe has once again dug up a It is going to be an amazing last quar- families trio of raw talent. ter of the year. It is going to be a fun The trio that goes by the name and an interesting journey to take “Raptured Roots” will soon be drop- because we have started working on a abetted ping an album which will feature hard lot of things with them,” he said. they are going to subsist these ex- ed citizens to help government in upskilling young people, the hitting artists such as Dipstrada, Cas- Prior to the album, they worked treme social distancing hard-hit- this catastrophe. disabled as well as women just sie and many more prominent artists. with Double Up, the Tontobeletsa ting days. ‘’Corona virus is amongst us to they are able to sustain their In an interview with WeekendLife, and Thukwi Le Mala hitmaker, Some are trying to sustain their and we all feeling the nip. Not so lives. Lot of abuse blow up in the producer and owner of Roc Lefat- Cassie Africa who is a gospel artist, Dipstrada-Gospel Hip Hop Award livelihood by begging, many are long ago, Minister Molale said it ménages because of lack of in- she, Tsaonga Kasaro aka Suffocate TLHABO KGOSIEMANG powerless to do anything and at will be a misfortune to have any dependency so we believe with explained that people should look winning artist-, Ginger Stone who is LIFESTYLE WRITER the same time struggling to sur- Motswana die of deprivation in conveying these skills, some- forward to a different touch and feel an RnB musician and multi Award of house music, since the group has nominated Kwaito artist. They also vive the national lockdown due to trying times like this so we took how these defies can be cracked. their unique signature which the have a single with KhoiSan which a flailing and delayed food ham- that to our hearts and tautened In her own words, Hiscox public will soon be serenaded with. might be their first single. resident Mokgweetsi Ma- pers distribution. our laces in sourcing donations accentuated that all citizens “They are unique, they make their “The songs don’t have titles yet as sisi has put the country we have not decided on the titles, so However, there are few good from stakeholders we toil with. should play a part in support- own music, the quality of their produc- under 28-days lockdown far they have worked with Stago of P Samaritans sent to offer comfort We asked for backing from Flotek ing indigents where they possi- tion is out of this world. Clean, fresh EP Records in South Africa, Khudzi as a premeditated move towards during this menace. Just out of Company as well as Motovac to ble, saying this COVID-19 virus and very versatile. When you listen to curbing the spread of the deadly ‘Burning’ which they feature Han-C, of Mid Point Records also in South good deeds, these people source succor in that regard. We succeed- can be prevented. ‘’If all citizens the song has a fusion of reggae but Africa, award winning producer Corona virus. It’s only few days food items from various establish- ed and managed to have food that can contribute towards helping doesn’t distort their brand,” he said. FAT, And Sliq Keys,” Suffocate said. left before the lockdown winds ments to donate to these less-priv- was donated to over 200 families in others, I strongly believe we Raptured Roots is a group of three Although tied down by the lock down, but it’s still dusky if he ileged families to beat starvation. Bokaa village.’’ can fight this pandemic. It is all gentlemen, they are a house trio who down, the trio continue to push their will extend this lockdown, con- music and talent with the resources In an interview with Weekend Hiscox also reached for Wool- about being there for those who also have an impeccable track record sidering the fact that cases are Life, Founder of Thapelong Em- worth stores which also gave out need support the most, offering as producers. The trio have are they have at their disposal. Raptured Roots seems to be one promising talent snowballing. powerment Trust Charity His- food hampers encompassing of the little liberation that can expected to release a song very soon The lockdown is making life with the country’s most sought after and Suffocate could not be any happier cox said they found it fit to offer fruits and taters as well as water. help them survive each day. It’s duo- KhoiSan. that the trio are signed under his label. increasingly difficult for the a helping hand in the middle of ‘’These companies have been sup- also critical we continue with “Raptured Roots is producing their Roc Lefatshe is a home grown country’s poor. Many people, the COVID-19 misery, answering portive not only during this crisis, hand hygiene as directed by own music which is also engineered music hub which has been a haven to including children wake up to upcoming artists who are determined a call from President Masisi and but from the set go. I run an em- health practitioners,’’ she said. at Roc Lefatshe Records,” he said. empty pans, lost in thought how Minister Eric Molale who entreat- powerment center that deals with The group is expected to drop to leave their mark in the entertain- an album next year and so far they ment industry. 18 WEEKENDPOST Saturday 18 - 24 April 2020 weekendlife

Department of Environmental Affairs Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation & Tourism Private Bag 0028 Serowe Tel: 4630174/176, Fax:4635937 UNESCO warns against ‘disinfodemic’ amid COVID-19 pandemic PUBLIC NOTICE Notice issued in terms of Section 10 of the Environmental Assessment Act, No. 10 of 2011 TLHABO KGOSIEMANG LIFESTYLE WRITER yy Some people with symptoms try unproven remedies NOTIFICATION FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) FOR THE PROPOSED BLOCK PAVING OF MOLETEMANE ACCESS ROAD yy Orchestrated misinformation pose a threat to nreliable and false information The major findings of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Study undertaken for the proposed block paving of Moletemane access road are as summarized hereunder. is spreading around the world fact-based journalism A. Nature and Magnitude of the Activity Uto such an extent, that some commentators are now referring to yy Staggering array of myths could fuel more The current road that links Tsetsebjwe and Moletemane is a 19km gravel road and Government intends to upgrade this road from gravel to paved standard. The road requires upgrading to accommodate present and projected traffic growth in order to ensure safe traffic movements. The surfaced road will be 7m carriageway and the new avalanche of misinformation 0.5m shoulder on both sides of the road giving an overall width of 8m. that’s accompanied the COVID-19 premature deaths pandemic as a ‘disinfodemic’. B. Location of the Activity And fears are growing that this yy Governments should be more transparent and The project area is in the Bobirwa Subordinate District. The road to be paved starts at Moletemane and follows the current road alignment and ends at the junction phenomenon is putting lives at risk, with the tarred Sefhope-Zanzibar road. prompting some with symptoms to proactively disclose more data C. Anticipated Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures try unproven remedies in the hope of The environmental impacts and mitigation measures identified by the EMP study are presented in detail in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and summarized ‘curing’ themselves. in the table below. A detailed Environmental Management Plan which comprises both the Mitigation Plan and the Monitoring Plan to help manage and monitor The United Nations Educational, potential impacts is also included in the EIS. Scientific and Cultural Organiza- tion (UNESCO), is leading efforts Project Phase Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures to counter falsehoods and promote the facts about the virus. Construction Dust Pollution Workers should be provided with disposable respiratory masks and goggles; it should be ensured that they are used always. Well, before the outbreak of the virus, UNESCO was issuing warn- Water suppression measures such as providing water bars with spray ings of the impact that political, nozzles, target sprayers for high dust sites, washers for rock screening technological, economic and social equipment and water trucks to control dust on haul roads or access roads. transformation has had on how peo- Noise Pollution Normal working hours should be adhered to from 0600 hours to 1800 hours. ple exchange information in recent All loud machinery to be used should be fitted with silencers. years, referring to the ‘’contamina- tion’’ caused by some orchestrated Creation of employment This is a positive impact and it must be enhanced by giving priority to misinformation campaigns, which locals who qualify for special/technical skill jobs. For non-technical jobs, pose a threat to fact-based journal- employment will be fully reserved for locals. ism and, particularly during the Increased traffic A temporary road should be graded to avoid congestion and inconvenience current pandemic, people’s lives. where the current road has been blocked for construction purposes. The Director for Policies and Strat- Contamination due to oil spillages • Use of vehicles and machines in good working condition egies regarding Communication and Information at UNESCO Guy Berger • Use of a single off site fueling point to ensure that hydrocarbon said falsehoods related to all aspects of mation: encouraging the taking of ing efforts to persuade authorities to spillages are minimized. COVID-19 have become commonplace. medication, approved for other pur- see free and professional information • Plastic covers or rubber mats should be used to cover the ground “There seems to be barely an area poses, but not yet clinically proven as gatekeepers like media houses who where emergency maintenance of the machinery is done on site to left untouched by disinformation being effective against COVID-19. he said should be an ally in the fight prevent discharge of hydrocarbons into the soil, surface water and in relation to the COVID-19 crisis, Furthermore, Berger said some against disinformation. He chose groundwater resources. ranging from the origin of the have capitalized on the pandemic, to news media because it works openly • Industry approved containers should be used to collect or drain the oil. Corona virus, through to unproven spread disinformation for the purposes in the public sphere, whereas much prevention and cures, and encom- of advancing their own agendas: “The disinformation is under-the-radar on Spread of diseases to employees Workers should be provided with protective clothing and it should be passing responses by governments, motives for spreading disinformation social messaging apps.’’ ensured that they are used at all times when on site. companies, celebrities and others.’’ are many, and include political aims, UNESCO, continued Berger, is Condoms must be availed on site to employees as well as public education He added that, “in a time of high self-promotion, and attracting atten- particularly urging governments, not on health to be embarked upon. fears, uncertainties and unknowns, tion as part of a business model. Those to impose restrictions on freedom of There is need to raise awareness of both the local community and the there is fertile ground for fabrica- who do so, play on emotion, fears, expression that can harm the essential construction workers about the dangers of casual relationships through tions to flourish and grow. The big prejudices and ignorance, and claim role of an independent press, but to intensive education campaigns/sessions. risk is that any single falsehood to bring meaning and certainty to a recognise journalism as a power against First Aid kits stocked with medical supplies should always be on site to that gains traction can negate the reality that is complex, challenging disinformation even when it publicises cater for any emergencies that might arise. significance of a body of true facts. and fast-changing. verified information and informed When disinformation is repeated and But, he added, not everyone respon- opinion that annoys those in power. He Operation Added Impetus to the local Economy The constructed improved road will specifically attract investments along it amplified, including by influential sible for spreading untruths is doing so said there is a string case to be made and thereby boost the economy of the area. people, the grave danger is that infor- maliciously. He said there are well-in- that the media deserves to be recognised Decommissioning Workers should be provided with disposable respiratory masks and mation which is based on truth, ends tentioned people are also uncritically and supported by governments as an Dust Pollution goggles; it should be ensured that they are used always. up having only marginal impact.’’ circulating dubious content. Whatever essential service at this time. Water suppression measures such as providing water bars with spray Because of the scale of the prob- the reasons, he warns, the outcome is the To satisfy the demand for authorised nozzles, target sprayers for high dust sites, washers for rock screening lem, the World Health Organization same: ‘’These different motives require facts, UNESCO says its circulating as equipment and water trucks to control dust on haul roads or access roads. (WHO), which is leading the UN’s different responses, but we should not much reliable public health information response to the pandemic, has added lose sight of the fact that, irrespective of as possible, via the media, channels, in Noise Pollution Normal working hours should be adhered to from 0600 hours to 1800 a ‘’myth busters’’ section to its online intention, the effect of sharing falsehoods partnership with agencies like WHO. hours. All loud machinery to be used should be fitted with silencers. Coronavirus advice pages. is to misinform and disempower the The group is also working to help It refutes a staggering array of public, with deadly potential.’’ people become more critical of what D. Conclusions and Recommendations of the Study myths, including claims that drinking Against this, what can be done to is being presented to them online and The road construction project has both positive and negative environmental impacts at local and regional levels. Following the undertaking of the EMP Studies for the potent alcoholic drinks, exposure to ensure that truthful, helpful and po- elsewhere, as fact, so that they are less project on the area it is recommended that the project be allowed to proceed with appropriate implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. high temperatures, or conversely, cold tentially life-saving information gains likely to believe, and spread, false- E. Environmental Impact Statement Placement weather, can kill the virus. wider prominence? UNESCO’s Berger hoods. The agency is using hashtags Berger noted that some people be- Copies of the EIS can be reviewed at the following locations: says, is to improve the supply of truth- and promoting the view that the rights lieve, wrongly, that young people or ful information, and ensure that the to freedom of expression and access to 1. Moletemane Kgotla those of African descent are immune, demand is met: “We are underlining information are the best remedies to 2. Tsetsebjwe Kgotla and that those in warm climates or that governments, in order to counter the dangers of disinformation. countries where summer is on its rumours, should be more transparent, These rights, says Berger, “enable F. Correspondences way, do not need to worry too much. and proactively disclose more data, governments and the public to take evi- The likely consequence, he says, is All correspondences should be forwarded to the District Coordinator, Department of Environmental Affairs, Selebi Phikwe. Private Bag 10, Selebi Phikwe, Tel: in line with Right to Information laws dence-based decisions about reality, and 2659995, Fax: 2613245 or hand delivered to Department of Environmental Affairs, SPEDU Office, Plot 12384. Industrial site. Behind Jumbo Warehouse, before 10 May 2020. complacency, which could fuel more and policies. Access to information to put in place responses that are found- premature deaths. from official sources is very important ed on both science and human rights The UNESCO official also pointed to for credibility in this crisis.’’ values, and which can get us through a more harmful example of disinfor- KITSISO Berger said UNESCO is intensify- the pandemic in the best ways.’’

Tlhagiso e dirwang go setswe morago temana ya bolesome ya Environmental Assessment Act, No. 10, 2011

KITSISO MO SECHABENG MABAPI LE TSHEKATSHEKO YA TIKOLOGO GO LEBILWE TIRO YA GO DIRA TSELA YA MOLETEMANE KA MOALO WA DITENA

Sechaba se itsisiwe ka Maduo a dipatlisiso tsa tshekatsheko tikologo mabapi le tiro ya go dira tsela ya Moletemane go tswa Tsetsebjwe. A.Seelo le Bokete jwa Tiro Creatives plead for support of local talent Tsela ya Tsetsebjwe goya Moletemane ke tsela ya lekgarapana ya boleele ba khilomithara tse di lesome le bofera bongwe. Goromente o ikaeletse go e tokafatsa gotswa mo lekgarapeng go nna tsela ya moalo wa ditena. Tsela ye e thoka go tokafadiwa gore e kgone go letelela koketsego ya dikoloi e e tla nnang teng. Tsela e e tla bo ele bophara jwa di mmethara tse di 8 go akaretsa fa dikoloi di tsamayang teng go le mmethara di le 7 le dithakore tsa tsela di le videos reaching up to million views on sephato sa mmethara ntlha tsotlhe. yy Kgomotso Tshwenyego says it was a blow to creatives social media, they need to give local co- Lefelo La Tiro medians first priority, we are trending, Tsela e e dirwa mo kgaolong ya Bobirwa. Tsela e e dirwang e simolola mo motseng wa Moletemane e bo e latela moalo wa tsela e ntseng e le teng e bo e ya go felela fa makopanelong a yone le tsela ya Sekontere ya Sefhope-Zanzibar. yy Monna O Motona said they perform better than SA comedians Batswana relate well with our content, Ditlamorago tse di solofetsweng le metlhale ya go fokotsa manokonoko a tsone we know what Batswana want. Use us, Legato la Tiro Ditlamorago tse di Solofetsweng Methale ya go fokotsa Manokonoko a ditlamorago ka maikaelelo a go di empower us please, we want to grow oketsa boleng KEAMOGETSE MOTONE dermining local talent; “Congratulations our industry,” he said. BPC for spitting in the face of Botswana He also admitted that it has been Tiro e Tsweletse Lerole le le feteletseng Go tshwanetse ga netehadiwa ha babereki le ba ba tla bong ba ka nna gaufi STAFF WRITER entertainment industry. Thank you for tough for him ever since the lockdown. le lerole gore ba fiwa didirisiwa tsa go hema lerole jaaka tse di ka thibang dinko le melomo le digalase tsa matlho go itsa go babalelwa ke lerole le. “As a comedian I make a living fter using a South by creating video adverts for start A go netefatswe ha babereki ba filwe e bile ba dirisa dithibedi tsa dinko, up companies and individual busi- melomo le matlho go ba sireletsa mo manokonokong a lerole le. African comedian Ato advertise their nesses and post them on my Face- Go tlhamiwa ga mebereko A ke Maduo a mantle a tiro e mme a tshwanetse a okediwa bogale ka go work, local creatives and book page because I have a huge phutholola letsogo mo go thapeng beng-gae mo ditirong tse ba di kgonang Batswana at large came out following and viewership on my ebile ba ka dira ka natla mo go tsone. with guns blazing at Bo- Facebook page. But now COVID-19 has shut down everything, we Go oketsega ga mosuke wa dikoloi Go dirwe tsela e e seng ya sennela ruri gore dikoloi di e dirise go fokotsa tswana Power Corporations need the government to assist us mosuke wa dikoloi tsela e e agiwang e eme go dirisiwa. (BPC) for importing talent whilst there are artists lo- because people need us in this Modumo o o feteletseng Dinako tsa pereko tsa go simolola ka 0800 phakela le 1800 maitseboa di pandemic, we entertain people tshwanetse tsa salwa morago. cally who could have been employed to do the job. every day on our platforms, and Kgonagalo ya go tshologa ga leokwane le Go tshwanetse ga alwa diphate tsa raba fa fatshe ka fa tlase ga dikoloi tse di Considering the fact that our videos do help to relieve peo- mafura fa fatshe. baakanngwang ka nakwana mo lefelong la pereko go hema gore mafura fa a novel COVID-19 has also ple from depression in these hard tshologa a kgomane le mmu fa fatshe. impacted the country’s times. It’s hard for me because it’s Fa go ka nna le phosego ya gore mmu le tse di thologileng di kgomane, a mmu creative industry, the costly to produce a whole video otlhe o o fa se se thologileng teng o epololwe o bo o tsenngwa mo kantoneng miscalculated move by and it’s also expensive to maintain ya tse di ka thologang. BPC was the straw that a Facebook page like mine, it’s a self-sponsored page,” he said. Matlakala otlhe ka mofuta wa one a tshwanetse a latlhelwa ha go broke the camel’s back as haphegileng ebile go seegetswe go dira tiro ya go nna jalo. Batswana had enough of In a press release, BPC regrets the video and seeks to atone for Kanamo ya malwetsi mo bodireding Babereki ba tshwanetse go dirisa kapari ya ipabalelo ka nako tsotlhe. importation of talent. Known for her lengthy their sin against Dikausu tsa tlhakanelo dikobo di tshwanetse tsa nna teng mo tirong, di period in the arts industry, Batswana and beilwe mo mafelong a a rileng yaaka mantlwana a boiteketso. life coach, author and actor, the entertain- Babereki ba tshwanetse go rutiwa ka malwetso a a kaba amang ka nako tsotlhe. Kgomotso Tshwenyego wrote; ment industry. “The video is Di dirisiwa le melemo ya potlako e tshwanetse ya nna teng ka nako tsotlhe. “The film and entertain- ment industry is hard hit by not in line with Tsela e dirisiwa Go tiisa itsholelo ya metse e mabapi Tsela e e tla tokafatsa itsholelo ya lefelo le ka go ngoka babeeletsi. this lockdown, artists don’t our Citizen Eco- Tiro e tla bokhutong Lerole le le feteletseng Go tshwanetse ga netehadiwa ha babereki le ba ba tla bong ba ka nna gaufi have jobs. Artists are home nomic Empower- le lerole gore ba fiwa didirisiwa tsa go hema lerole jaaka tse di ka thibang and are jobless. Cameras ment regulations dinko le melomo le digalase tsa matlho go itsa go babalelwa ke lerole le. have piled up dust and scripts and the necessary A go netefatswe ha babereki ba filwe e bile ba dirisa dithibedi tsa dinko, are just pieces of paper in measures to melomo le matlho go ba sireletsa mo manokonokong a lerole le. drawers. Actors are not address this receiving those much needed breach will be Modumo o o feteletseng Dinako tsa pereko tsa go simolola ka 0800 phakela le 1800 maitseboa di calls for jobs. Hearts are taken. The video tshwanetse tsa salwa morago. bruised and hurt because like in question has coming out loud and the rest of Batswana, creatives are also been withdrawn. D. Bokhutlo le Kabelano Maano ka Tiro E clear that you praise dying of hunger,” she said. The Corpora- others and shun your Tiro e ya go dira tsela e ka nna le ditlamorago tse di siameng le tse di bosula mo lefelong le tiro e akanyeditsweng go ya go diragala teng le mo mafelong a mo tikologong ya lone. Morago ga tshekatsheko ya tikologo, tiro e e rotloediwa “They are hoping that somethings tion regrets the negative sentiments own,” she stated. comes out so that they can survive too, that this matter has given rise to and gore e ka tswelelela mme go setswe morago ditsetlana tsa pabalelo le phokotso manokonoko a ditlamorago go babalela tikologo jaaka fa go kwadilwe mo lekwalong la tshekatsheko tikologo. Local comedian, Monna O Motona guess what! A big corporation that took assures the Public of our commitment E. Mekwalo ya Tshekatsheko Tikologo ya Tiro e. also cried of being bound by the pan- advantage of the pandemic and increased towards supporting and nurturing our demic as his content is monetized. He Mekwalo e buang a tshekatsheko ya tikologo ya tiro e ka bonwa ko: their tariffs with more than 20%, took it citizen talent. We give our pledge that also shunned BPC for importing talent. 1. Kgotleng ya Moletemane upon themselves to rub it in. They hired such incidents shall not be repeated “What BPC did is so uncalled for, our 2. Kgotleng ya Tsetsebjwe a South African to do an advert, and and have put the necessary measures in content is better than South African place to ensure this. We thank you for F. Ba Ba Batlang go Akgela kotsa go Botsa Mapabi le Tiro e. they do not take chances with their craft comedians, numbers don’t lie, I have your ongoing support to our business,” Mekwalo yotlhe mabapi le tiro e di ka kwalelwa go The District Coordinator , Department of Environmental Affairs, Private Bag 10 Selebi Phikwe, Tel: 2659995, Fax: 2613245 kana e ka isiwa ka letsogo go ba ofisi ya Lephata they charge, the fact that the video is out more numbers on Facebook than that la Tikologo ko Selebi Phikwe , SPEDU Office, Plot 12384. Industrial site. Ko morago ga Jumbo Warehouse. Pele ga di 10 Motsheganong 2020. means he was fully paid,” she lamented. said the Chief Executive Officer of BPC comedian who was used by BPC, I have She further lashed out at BPC for un- Edward Rugoyi. Saturday 25 April - 01 May 2020 WEEKENDPOST 19 businessnews

Department of Environmental Affairs Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation & Tourism Private Bag 0028 Serowe Access to capital key to survival Tel: 4630174/176, Fax:4635937 PUBLIC NOTICE Notice issued in terms of Section 10 of the Environmental Assessment Act, No. 10 of 2011 of firms post COVID-19 - Tsheole NOTIFICATION FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) FOR THE PROPOSED BLOCK PAVING OF MOLETEMANE ACCESS ROAD tional shares in the company at a REARABILWE RAMAPHANE list. They serve various strategic The major findings of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Study undertaken for the proposed block paving of Moletemane access road are as summarized hereunder. purposes over and above raising discounted price compared to the BUSINESS WRITER A. Nature and Magnitude of the Activity capital and can be very important market price. Other than the discounted price, The current road that links Tsetsebjwe and Moletemane is a 19km gravel road and Government intends to upgrade this road from gravel to paved standard. The road in catalyzing the pace of recovery the attractiveness of a rights issue to requires upgrading to accommodate present and projected traffic growth in order to ensure safe traffic movements. The surfaced road will be 7m carriageway and otswana Stock Exchange for individual businesses post the shareholders is that the shares are 0.5m shoulder on both sides of the road giving an overall width of 8m. Limited (BSEL) Chief Ex- COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. purchased in proportion to the exist- B. Location of the Activity ecutive Officer, Thapelo Most economies have intro- B ing ownership thus avoiding a dilu- Tsheole says survival of busi- duced stimulus packages and re- The project area is in the Bobirwa Subordinate District. The road to be paved starts at Moletemane and follows the current road alignment and ends at the junction tion in shareholding. For the compa- nesses during and post COVID-19 lief measures of various forms to with the tarred Sefhope-Zanzibar road. ny, it is able to raise long-term capital pandemic will depend on their keep businesses and the economy C. Anticipated Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures without increasing its debt levels. solvency and access to capital. afloat. Tsheole says at company In addition, a company can The environmental impacts and mitigation measures identified by the EMP study are presented in detail in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and summarized In a statement released by BSEL level, access to capital is very in the table below. A detailed Environmental Management Plan which comprises both the Mitigation Plan and the Monitoring Plan to help manage and monitor conduct a secondary offering of this week, Tsheole explained that critical in any business cycle. potential impacts is also included in the EIS. shares, or issuance of additional the local bourse is ready to assist He underscored that even in glo- shares, which could be subscribed Project Phase Potential Impacts Mitigation Measures companies with raising capital ry days, it still remains critical to to by any investor as a way of through various platforms avail- reiterate the importance of utilizing raising capital by the company. Construction Dust Pollution Workers should be provided with disposable respiratory masks and able on the Stock Exchange. the stock exchange and the methods goggles; it should be ensured that they are used always. In some cases, companies can “Financial capital is the lifeblood by which companies can utilize the structure acquisition transac- Water suppression measures such as providing water bars with spray of all businesses - big and small - the stock exchange to stay in operation tions financed wholly by issuing nozzles, target sprayers for high dust sites, washers for rock screening financial and capital markets are now and ramp up as the impact of the shares or through a combination equipment and water trucks to control dust on haul roads or access roads. more important than ever,” he said. pandemic dissipates. of shares and cash. The BSE CEO says businesses have He shared that companies can Noise Pollution Normal working hours should be adhered to from 0600 hours to 1800 hours. Tsheole says given the envisaged All loud machinery to be used should be fitted with silencers. the ability to remain solvent by strate- issue and list shares through an and unfolding economic impact gically accessing the capital markets initial public offering (IPOs) or Creation of employment This is a positive impact and it must be enhanced by giving priority to of the COVID-19 pandemic, most to raise debt and/or equity capital or private placement to raise capi- locals who qualify for special/technical skill jobs. For non-technical jobs, lenders would increasingly become by preserving capital through certain tal for business operations and employment will be fully reserved for locals. frugal and borrowers, being cor- corporate actions affiliated with in- for various other reasons. porates, could be compelled to in- Increased traffic A temporary road should be graded to avoid congestion and inconvenience struments on the Stock Exchange. Because of the systematic nature where the current road has been blocked for construction purposes. crease their levels of equity capital. “The global COVID-19 pandemic of the pandemic Tsheole says it is One of the ways of achieving Contamination due to oil spillages • Use of vehicles and machines in good working condition is undoubtedly causing unprec- highly likely that valuations will this is by floating their shares on • Use of a single off site fueling point to ensure that hydrocarbon edented disruption locally and get depressed during the pandemic the BSE to raise funds from the spillages are minimized. around the world and has triggered whereas the fundamentals of a busi- ness could be viewed differently by public. Practice has demonstrated • Plastic covers or rubber mats should be used to cover the ground that a listed company tends to be where emergency maintenance of the machinery is done on site to progressively credible for further prevent discharge of hydrocarbons into the soil, surface water and lending by private institutions groundwater resources. as, among several considerations, • Industry approved containers should be used to collect or drain the oil. a diversified capital structure re- duces its credit risk. Spread of diseases to employees Workers should be provided with protective clothing and it should be Tsheolo added that institutions ensured that they are used at all times when on site. can tap into the bond market to Condoms must be availed on site to employees as well as public education raise capital. A bond is a debt in- on health to be embarked upon. strument acknowledging an obliga- There is need to raise awareness of both the local community and the tion of indebtedness to a lender by construction workers about the dangers of casual relationships through the issuer of the bond for a specified intensive education campaigns/sessions. period of time and with a pre-deter- First Aid kits stocked with medical supplies should always be on site to mined interest rate or coupon rate. cater for any emergencies that might arise. Generally, bonds are deemed less risky in comparison to Operation Added Impetus to the local Economy The constructed improved road will specifically attract investments along it and thereby boost the economy of the area. shares because of the contractu- al obligations of the borrower to Decommissioning Workers should be provided with disposable respiratory masks and the lender as regards payment of Dust Pollution goggles; it should be ensured that they are used always. interest and repayment of princi- Water suppression measures such as providing water bars with spray pal, among other things nozzles, target sprayers for high dust sites, washers for rock screening equipment and water trucks to control dust on haul roads or access roads. Bonds can be of various types and structure, which is an import- Noise Pollution Normal working hours should be adhered to from 0600 hours to 1800 ant consideration in the context hours. All loud machinery to be used should be fitted with silencers. of COVID-19 pandemic and the expected depressed cash flow lev- D. Conclusions and Recommendations of the Study els in the early days of economic BOTSWANA STOCK EXCHANGE LIMITED (BSEL) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Thapelo Tsheole The road construction project has both positive and negative environmental impacts at local and regional levels. Following the undertaking of the EMP Studies for the resuscitation and recovery project on the area it is recommended that the project be allowed to proceed with appropriate implementation of the recommended mitigation measures. The COVID-19 pandemic has the need to delicately balance social existing and potential investors. E. Environmental Impact Statement Placement uplifted the prominence of so- issues with economic issues, par- “Often, this presents opportuni- cial bonds whose capital is de- Copies of the EIS can be reviewed at the following locations: ticularly preservation of lives and ties to both seekers and suppliers of ployed for socio-economic is- 1. Moletemane Kgotla sustenance of business activity re- capital and the timing could prove sues related to this pandemic. 2. Tsetsebjwe Kgotla spectively,” said Tsheole. beneficial in terms of optimizing the Tsheole says by extension, com- He further added that to a larg- capital structure of the company by F. Correspondences panies that issue green and social er extent, the draconian measures accessing public funds through the bonds directly address the Sustain- aimed at containing the spread of stock exchange,” he said. All correspondences should be forwarded to the District Coordinator, Department of Environmental Affairs, Selebi Phikwe. Private Bag 10, Selebi Phikwe, Tel: able Development Goals (SDGs) and the virus have disproportionately On the BSE, a company can list its 2659995, Fax: 2613245 or hand delivered to Department of Environmental Affairs, SPEDU Office, Plot 12384. Industrial site. Behind Jumbo Warehouse, before 10 May 2020. this has increasingly become an im- impacted business output while also shares on various boards depending portant selling point for ESG-orient- stimulating renewed models of busi- on its ability to meet the require- ed investment mandates. ness operations and opportunities. ments of each of the boards. These As it stands, the COVID-19 pan- “Central to recovery in the are the Main Board, Venture Capital KITSISO demic will substantially defeat post-pandemic era, and perhaps Board, and the Tshipidi SME Board. and regress Goal 1 of the SDGs Tlhagiso e dirwang go setswe morago temana ya bolesome ya Environmental Assessment Act, No. 10, 2011 during the pandemic, is the need Thapelo Tsheole explained that – End Poverty, as it is estimated to maintain solvency and to access listing on the BSE affords a compa- that half a billion people in the KITSISO MO SECHABENG MABAPI LE TSHEKATSHEKO YA TIKOLOGO GO LEBILWE TIRO capital when it is needed.” ny the ability to build a larger and world could be pushed into pov- YA GO DIRA TSELA YA MOLETEMANE KA MOALO WA DITENA He explained that in addition to heterogeneous base of retail and in- erty as a result of the pandemic. available fiscal interventions and stitutional investors, domestic and CEO of Botswana’s sole stock relief measures offered by alterna- foreign adding that such an investor Sechaba se itsisiwe ka Maduo a dipatlisiso tsa tshekatsheko tikologo mabapi le tiro ya go dira tsela ya Moletemane go tswa Tsetsebjwe. market says inarguably, share- tive suppliers of capital, businesses base is crucial for supporting the A.Seelo le Bokete jwa Tiro holders and suppliers of capital need to be made aware of the various company’s corporate actions on an Tsela ya Tsetsebjwe goya Moletemane ke tsela ya lekgarapana ya boleele ba khilomithara tse di lesome le bofera bongwe. Goromente o ikaeletse go e tokafatsa gotswa mo lekgarapeng go nna tsela ya moalo wa ditena. Tsela ye e are monitoring and evaluating methods they could deploy to tap into ongoing basis, some of which are thoka go tokafadiwa gore e kgone go letelela koketsego ya dikoloi e e tla nnang teng. Tsela e e tla bo ele bophara jwa di mmethara tse di 8 go akaretsa fa dikoloi di tsamayang teng go le mmethara di le 7 le dithakore tsa tsela di le the developments during this sephato sa mmethara ntlha tsotlhe. the deeper pools of contractual sav- aimed at raising more money while crisis for eventual allocation of Lefelo La Tiro ings in the country through the var- others are aimed at preserving cash capital. “Companies can progres- Tsela e e dirwa mo kgaolong ya Bobirwa. Tsela e e dirwang e simolola mo motseng wa Moletemane e bo e latela moalo wa tsela e ntseng e le teng e bo e ya go felela fa makopanelong a yone le tsela ya Sekontere ya Sefhope-Zanzibar. ious instruments on the BSE. already on the balance sheet. sively position themselves for Ditlamorago tse di solofetsweng le metlhale ya go fokotsa manokonoko a tsone “These methods are diverse in He further added that a listed recovery through these methods Legato la Tiro Ditlamorago tse di Solofetsweng Methale ya go fokotsa Manokonoko a ditlamorago ka maikaelelo a go di nature and applicable to both list- company can raise money through and instruments that are avail- oketsa boleng ed entities and entities willing to a rights issue which is an option for existing shareholders to buy addi- able on the BSE,” he said. Tiro e Tsweletse Lerole le le feteletseng Go tshwanetse ga netehadiwa ha babereki le ba ba tla bong ba ka nna gaufi le lerole gore ba fiwa didirisiwa tsa go hema lerole jaaka tse di ka thibang dinko le melomo le digalase tsa matlho go itsa go babalelwa ke lerole le. A go netefatswe ha babereki ba filwe e bile ba dirisa dithibedi tsa dinko, melomo le matlho go ba sireletsa mo manokonokong a lerole le.

Go tlhamiwa ga mebereko A ke Maduo a mantle a tiro e mme a tshwanetse a okediwa bogale ka go phutholola letsogo mo go thapeng beng-gae mo ditirong tse ba di kgonang ebile ba ka dira ka natla mo go tsone. Go oketsega ga mosuke wa dikoloi Go dirwe tsela e e seng ya sennela ruri gore dikoloi di e dirise go fokotsa mosuke wa dikoloi tsela e e agiwang e eme go dirisiwa. Modumo o o feteletseng Dinako tsa pereko tsa go simolola ka 0800 phakela le 1800 maitseboa di tshwanetse tsa salwa morago. Kgonagalo ya go tshologa ga leokwane le Go tshwanetse ga alwa diphate tsa raba fa fatshe ka fa tlase ga dikoloi tse di mafura fa fatshe. baakanngwang ka nakwana mo lefelong la pereko go hema gore mafura fa a tshologa a kgomane le mmu fa fatshe. Fa go ka nna le phosego ya gore mmu le tse di thologileng di kgomane, a mmu otlhe o o fa se se thologileng teng o epololwe o bo o tsenngwa mo kantoneng ya tse di ka thologang. ADVERTISE Matlakala otlhe ka mofuta wa one a tshwanetse a latlhelwa ha go haphegileng ebile go seegetswe go dira tiro ya go nna jalo. Kanamo ya malwetsi mo bodireding Babereki ba tshwanetse go dirisa kapari ya ipabalelo ka nako tsotlhe. WITH Dikausu tsa tlhakanelo dikobo di tshwanetse tsa nna teng mo tirong, di beilwe mo mafelong a a rileng yaaka mantlwana a boiteketso. Babereki ba tshwanetse go rutiwa ka malwetso a a kaba amang ka nako tsotlhe. Di dirisiwa le melemo ya potlako e tshwanetse ya nna teng ka nako tsotlhe. Tsela e dirisiwa Go tiisa itsholelo ya metse e mabapi Tsela e e tla tokafatsa itsholelo ya lefelo le ka go ngoka babeeletsi. US!!! Tiro e tla bokhutong Lerole le le feteletseng Go tshwanetse ga netehadiwa ha babereki le ba ba tla bong ba ka nna gaufi le lerole gore ba fiwa didirisiwa tsa go hema lerole jaaka tse di ka thibang dinko le melomo le digalase tsa matlho go itsa go babalelwa ke lerole le. Contact us today... A go netefatswe ha babereki ba filwe e bile ba dirisa dithibedi tsa dinko, POSTAL ADDRESS PHYSICAL ADDRESS melomo le matlho go ba sireletsa mo manokonokong a lerole le. DICKSON MANYUDZA P. O. Box AD 717 ADD Plot 125 Unit 13 Cell: 77006533 | 72484761 Postnet Kgale Finance Park Modumo o o feteletseng Dinako tsa pereko tsa go simolola ka 0800 phakela le 1800 maitseboa di Tel: (+267) 390 8849 Gaborone Kgale Mews, Gaborone tshwanetse tsa salwa morago. E-mail: [email protected] Botswana Botswana D. Bokhutlo le Kabelano Maano ka Tiro E

Tiro e ya go dira tsela e ka nna le ditlamorago tse di siameng le tse di bosula mo lefelong le tiro e akanyeditsweng go ya go diragala teng le mo mafelong a mo tikologong ya lone. Morago ga tshekatsheko ya tikologo, tiro e e rotloediwa gore e ka tswelelela mme go setswe morago ditsetlana tsa pabalelo le phokotso manokonoko a ditlamorago go babalela tikologo jaaka fa go kwadilwe mo lekwalong la tshekatsheko tikologo. E. Mekwalo ya Tshekatsheko Tikologo ya Tiro e.

Mekwalo e buang a tshekatsheko ya tikologo ya tiro e ka bonwa ko: 1. Kgotleng ya Moletemane REGISTRATION 2. Kgotleng ya Tsetsebjwe F. Ba Ba Batlang go Akgela kotsa go Botsa Mapabi le Tiro e. I Boitumelo Molefe intends to register the below vehicle under my name. Anybody who may have an objection kindly contact +267 71662946: Mekwalo yotlhe mabapi le tiro e di ka kwalelwa go The District Coordinator , Department of Environmental Affairs, Private Bag 10 Selebi Phikwe, Tel: 2659995, Fax: 2613245 kana e ka isiwa ka letsogo go ba ofisi ya Lephata la Tikologo ko Selebi Phikwe , SPEDU Office, Plot 12384. Industrial site. Ko morago ga Jumbo Warehouse. Pele ga di 10 Motsheganong 2020. CHASSIS NO: WF04XXGBB41U38452 ENGINE NO: IU38452 MAKE: FORD MODEL: MONDEO COLOUR: BLACK REG NO: B 384 AMC Egypt’s FA extends suspension of Leopards eye Rollers striker football activities until mid-May South Africa’s Absa Premiership side Black The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced Leopards is reportedly monitoring Township Thursday that the suspension of all football activities Rollers’ Francis Afriyie, according to in Egypt would be extended for 15 more days as the country continues fighting the spread of coronavirus. Ghanaian football website Ghanasoccernet. Sport

SATURDAY 25 APRIL - 01 MAY 2020 ONLINE www.weekendpost.co.bw Player anxiety grows amid COVID-19 crisis

MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE New Zealand, Norway, Scotland, STAFF WRITER South Africa, Switzerland and the United States. More than 75 percent of players study conducted by the surveyed reported that they had ac- global representative for cess to sufficient resources and sup- Aprofessional footballers port for their mental health. Most known as International Federation player associations in the 16 coun- of Professional Footballers (FIF- tries surveyed provide mental health PRO) has revealed that Botswana support for players such as a helpline footballers have developed anxiety and access to trained counselors. and depression since drastic mea- In Botswana, it has come to the sures were taken to suspend all fore that 48% of footballers have de- football activities. veloped anxiety since the league was Football is on lock down world- stopped mid-March. The study reports wide since COVID- 19 began to run that this percentage alone has moder- rampant at the beginning of March ate-to-severe anxiety symptoms. this year. But while country is try- Moreover, the study reveals that ing hard to defeat the disease, what “during the COVID-19 period of seems like ‘collateral damage’ on (semi-)lockdown, 39% of the profes- the part of players is rising behind sional footballers in Botswana re- closed doors. ported moderate-to-severe depres- Between March 22 and April 14, sive symptoms.” FIFPRO and affiliated national According to the study, this is player associations surveyed 1,602 much higher than in professional professional footballers in coun- footballers during regular period of tries that had implemented dras- time (i.e., not COVID-19 period): 7-11% tic measures to contain the spread reported moderate-to-severe anxiety of the coronavirus such as mass symptoms. It is also higher than in home-confinement. 1,134 male play- the general population during regular ers, with a mean age of 26, and 468 period of time (i.e., not COVID-19 peri- female players, with a mean age of od): 3-8% reported moderate-to-severe Chart 1 23, took part in the survey. anxiety symptoms. 80 The percentage of players re- While nearly all professional porting symptoms was significant- footballers in Botswana under- ly higher among those worried stand the current situation, a mi- about their future in the football nority (39%) believes that club industry, the survey found. In a training, in small groups and un- 60 78% separate survey of 307 players, der strict hygiene rules, should be with a similar mean age, in Decem- resumed. The large majority (78%) Want to ber and January - before most foot- want to finish the competition, if finish the ball competitions were suspended necessary in the month July. Nearly all players in Botswana 40 39% - 11 percent of the female players competition and six percent of the male play- (89%) are concerned about their 48% ers reported symptoms consistent future as a professional footballer. Develop 39% Believes that with a diagnosis of depression. The majority (59%) of the profes- Develop club training, Players were surveyed in Aus- sional footballers in Botswana re- 20 (%) PERCENTAGES anxiety in small groups tralia, Belgium, Botswana, Den- port that resources/support avail- symptoms depression mark, England, Finland, France, able (e.g., club, union) for their should be mental health are sufficient. symptoms resumed Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, 0 Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Item 4

Category A

FIFA plans emergency fund toTable support 1 football Coaches want players Category A Category B MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE nearing bankruptcy. a cut from those funds. But it is well STAFF WRITER Item 1 Even the biggest teams have not known that48 many teams in the region7 - been immune to the first shutdown al structures do not have contracts Item 2 78 8 of its kind since World War II. Bar- with players. But BFA will not risk to tested for Coronavirus aced with mounting concernsItem celona3 and Juventus announced omit them39 because many of the 15foot- and daily updates about the pay reductions for their multimil- ball administrators are to vote in the want to extend an olive branch to help the association to speed up the crisis brought by the coroItem- lionaire4 playing roster, and others next coming39 BFA elective congress.12 MOSIMANEGAPE TSHOSWANE F government so that all professional football season within the stipulated navirus pandemic on the global have followed suit. STAFF WRITER footballers know their status. The football period,” shared one member soccer industry, FIFA is drawing “FIFA is in a strong financial move is aimed at reviving football and of the coaches association. up plans for an emergency relief situation and it’s our duty to do the be played behind closed doors as pre- Public health authorities, the fund worth hundreds of millions utmost to help them in their hour n a desperate bid to rescue football cautionary measures are still taken world wide, have been concerned of dollars, according to people with of need,” FIFA said in a statement from the jaws of imminent death, into consideration. that, given the players’ direct knowledge of the matter. on Tuesday of this week. ICoaches Association of Botswa- BFA is said to contact with each other and close The fund, should global soccer “Therefore, we confirm FIFA is 48% develop anxietyna is symptoms preparing a proposal that be in love with interactions with the general pub- leaders sign off on it, would amount working on possibilities to provide 78% want to finishspeaks the competition to mandatory testing by 39% develop depression symptoms the idea but lic, and in addition to their regular to the biggest response from any assistance to the football communi- all premier league players. 39% believes that club training, in small groups should are to seek travels, they have been super major sport’s governing body to the ty around the world after making a This will also in- be resumed. for serious accelerators of the virus. financial impact of the pandemic. comprehensive assessment of the clude non-playing staff advises And in the eyes of the coaches, part As in other parts of the global financial impact this pandemic members together with from other of the impetus for testing players is economy, movement restrictions will have on football.” match officials and stakehold- that they are quick spreaders who to reduce the spread of the disease The scale of the crisis was coaches themselves. The ers. The unknowingly spread other people. have halted the cash flow in a busi- brought into focus in a letter sent to proposal is expected to crunch However, BFA is mindful of the ness in which long-term financial the members of the European Club be tabled before the Bo- talks will of scarcity of coronavirus testing planning is typically treated as Association, an umbrella body for tswana Football Associa- course com- equipment in the country. They be- a luxury, with gate receipts and more than 200 top division clubs tion (BFA) desk in the next mence with lieve that this will need government broadcast and sponsorship income in Europe, by the organization’s coming weeks. this coaches as- buy-in as priority is given to those largely committed to players’ sala- chairman, Andrea Agnelli. Coaches association believes sociation together who came from highly infected areas ries and transfer market trading. Botswana Football Association that football should be back at the with Footballer Union and those showing symptoms. That has led several federations, (BFA) eagerly waits for the FIFA playing field owing to the sudden of Botswana (FUB). Currently, the government is clubs and leagues to declare them- funds. The association however is decry of players who worry about “We are suggesting to drop the let- embarking on contact tracing as a selves to be in a state of financial mindful of internal battles ahead. their future since mandatory lock- ter after the 28th of April, we expect measure of containing the spread. distress. Few weeks within lock- While FIFA will want associations down regulations of combating the them to heed our call, it is necessary Initially, the idea was to go for com- down, clubs announced pay cuts to pay contracted players, it is said spread of COVID-19 were imposed about a month ago. for all the footballing reasons. This munity testing to inform themselves as the only solution as many were regional teams also want to have FIFA PRESIDENT: Infantino Coaches are of the view that they is the case more because it will of red zones in the country.

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