THE SECOND MEETING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT TUESDAY 02 FEBRUARY 2021

ENGLISH VERSION HANSARD NO: 201 THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER The Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani PH, MP. DEPUTY SPEAKER The Hon. Mabuse M. Pule, MP. ( East)

Clerk of the National Assembly - Ms B. N. Dithapo Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly - Mr L. T. Gaolaolwe Learned Parliamentary Counsel - Ms M. Mokgosi Assistant Clerk (E) - Mr R. Josiah CABINET His Excellency Dr M. E. K. Masisi, MP. - President

His Honour S. Tsogwane, MP. (Boteti West) - Vice President Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Hon. K. N. S. Morwaeng, MP. ( South) - Administration

Hon. K. T. Mmusi, MP. (-) - Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Hon. Dr L. Kwape, MP. (Kanye South) - Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation Hon. E. M. Molale, MP. (Goodhope-Mabule ) - Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. K. S. Gare, MP. (-Manyana) - Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation Hon. P. K. Kereng, MP. (Specially Elected) - and Tourism Hon. Dr E. G. Dikoloti MP. (Mmathethe-) - Minister of Health and Wellness Hon. T.M. Segokgo, MP. () - Minister of Transport and Communications Hon. K. Mzwinila, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Hon. T. M. Rakgare, MP. (Mogoditshane) - Development

Hon. A. M. Mokgethi, MP. ( Bonnington North) - Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Hon. Dr T. Matsheka, MP. () - Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. F. M. M. Molao, MP. (Shashe West) - Minister of Basic Education Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Hon. Dr D. Letsholathebe, MP. (Tati East) - Technology Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Hon. L. M. Moagi, MP. () - Energy Security

Hon. P. O. Serame, MP. (Specially Elected) - Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Hon. M. Balopi, MP. (Gaborone North) - Development

Hon. M. Kgafela, MP. (Mochudi West) - Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development

Assistant Minister, Presidential Affairs, Governance and Hon. D. M. Mthimkhulu, MP. (Gaborone South) - Public Administration Assistant Minister, Local Government and Rural Hon. K. K. Autlwetse, MP. (Specially Elected) - Development Assistant Minister, Local Government and Rural Hon. S. N. Modukanele, MP. ( -Maunatlala) - Development Assistant Minister, Agricultural Development and Food Hon. B. Manake, MP. (Specially Elected) - Security

Hon. S. Lelatisitswe, MP. (Boteti East) - Assistant Minister, Health and Wellness

Hon. N. W. T. Makwinja, MP. (-) - Assistant Minister, Basic Education

Hon. M. S. Molebatsi, MP. () - Assistant Minister, Investment, Trade and Industry Assistant Minister, Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Hon. H. B. Billy, MP. ( East) - Development Hon. M. R. Shamukuni, MP. (Chobe) - Assistant Minister,Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND THEIR CONSTITUENCIES

Names Constituency

RULING PARTY ( Democratic Party) Hon. L. Kablay, MP. (Government Whip) - Hon. Dr U. Dow, MP. Specially Elected Hon. P. Majaga, MP. Nata- Hon. J. S. Brooks, MP. Kgalagadi South Hon. C. Greeff, MP. Gaborone Bonnington South Hon. T. Letsholo, MP. Kanye North Hon. T. F. Leuwe, MP. Hon. T. Mangwegape-Healy, MP. Gaborone Central Hon. S. N. Moabi, MP. Tati West Hon. T. Monnakgotla, MP. Kgalagadi North Hon. P. K. Motaosane, MP. - Hon. O. Regoeng, MP. Molepolole North Hon. J. L. Thiite, MP. North Hon. P. P. P. Moatlhodi, MP. Hon. A. Lesaso, MP. OPPOSITION (Umbrella for Democratic Change) Hon. D. Saleshando, MP. (Leader of the Opposition) Maun West Hon. M. G. J. Motsamai, MP. Ghanzi South Hon. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. Selebi Phikwe West Hon. Y. Boko, MP. East Hon. Dr K. Gobotswang, MP. Sefhare-Ramokgonami Hon. C. K. Hikuama, MP. Ngami Hon. K. K. Kapinga, MP. Okavango Hon. G. Kekgonegile, MP. Maun East Hon. T. B. Lucas, MP. Hon. K. Nkawana, MP. Selebi Phikwe East Hon. O. Ramogapi, MP. Hon. Dr N. Tshabang, MP. Nkange Hon. D. Tshere, MP. Mahalapye West Hon. M. I. Moswaane, MP. Francistown West (Botswana Patriotic Front) Hon. T. S. Khama, MP. West Hon. L. Lesedi, MP. Serowe South Hon. B. Mathoothe, MP. Serowe North Hon. M. Reatile, MP. -Mabutsane (Alliance for Progressives) Hon. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. Francistown South TABLE OF CONTENTS THE SECOND MEETING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT TUESDAY 02 FEBRUARY, 2021

CONTENTS PAGE (S)

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER...... 1-11

Tuesday 2nd February, 2021 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Tuesday 2nd February, 2021 Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID), Service to Livestock Owners in Communal Areas THE ASSEMBLY met at 2:00 p.m. (SLOCA) and Integrated Support Programme for Arable (THE SPEAKER in the Chair) Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) etcetera. These programmes or schemes provide interest packages P R A Y E R S that can be availed by any citizen, including those who decide to exit the public service on early retirement, as * * * * provided for in the Public Service Act. MR SPEAKER (MR SKELEMANI): Good afternoon In view of the foregoing, Government has no plans to Honourable Members. Let us start the business of today introduce specific investment packages for those who with questions. Honourable Moabi! decide to retire early from the public service, as they QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER can also access the existing programmes or schemes to venture into farming and other business of their choice …Silence… like all other citizens. I thank you Mr Speaker.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Mr Speaker, Honourable HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. Moabi seems to have a little bit of a technical problem. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. MR SPEAKER: You should have sorted that out 30 minutes ago. MR SPEAKER: As you know Honourable Members, I have very little appetite from departing from the ground HONOURABLE MEMBER: Thank you sir. rules which we agreed upon. The first supplementary is to Honourable Dr Gobotswang. MR SPEAKER: That was the only given. We will pass on to Honourable Dr Gobotswang. DR GOBOTSWANG: Supplementary. I thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable Minister, I believe you are aware EARLY RETIREMENT INVESTMENT that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development PACKAGE was lamenting about the fact that the Public Service is oversubscribed. I also take it that you are aware that DR K. GOBOTSWANG (SEFHARE- when a person retires at the age of 45, they would not RAMOKGONAMI): asked the Minister for Presidential have accumulated enough pension; neither would they Affairs, Governance and Public Administration if be having anything to start a business of any kind with. he would consider introducing an early retirement Is this something you have reviewed, as you are stating? investment package as an incentive to encourage early If at some point you reviewed it, is there any report retirees to venture into farming and business interests you could give to Parliament to prove that indeed you while they are still economically active. looked into this issue Honourable Minister? ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL MR MTHIMKHULU: I am not sure whether you AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC are talking about the issue of early retirement or what ADMINISTRATION (MR MTHIMKHULU): Honourable Matsheka said, that the Public Service is Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the Public Service oversubscribed and that there are no funds. These are Act allows its employees to retire early at the age of two different issues, they are not similar and they do 45 when they still have the energy to engage in gainful not go hand in hand. There is an issue of restructuring activities such as farming and other businesses that of the public service which is a totally different issue. demand physical strength. Furthermore, Government It is going to be submitted in its own terms and it will has over the years established various programmes to have its own programmes. You also talked about early support those who venture into agriculture regardless retirement, that we should consider leaning on it. Our of whether they are former civil servants or ordinary response was that Public Service employees are allowed Batswana. These include the establishment of Citizen to retire at the age of 45. When you retire at 45, you will Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), which survive on the pension you would have been saving for provides finance at subsidised interest rates, as well as yourself, so that you do not retire into poverty. One has agricultural development schemes such as Livestock to continue living, being sustained by their retirement.

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So if people want to retire early, they are eligible to fund. I worked for Government for two years and I do so. There are programmes which each and every was given all my money. It was around P10 000 or so. Motswana can have access to. They can access those as You are given all the monies and you take them with well and venture into business as we have pointed out in you and you see what to do. There would be nothing to our answer. Thank you Mr Speaker. remain in the fund because there would be nothing to leave behind. So these provisions are there in the law. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. If you retire before having enough funds, they cannot MR SPEAKER: Honourable Monnakgotla! keep the funds for you. When you retire after saving Honourable Monnakgotla! enough, as it is, retirement is not an investment account. That has always been the case. These are monies which …Silence… are saved to be used at a later time, when a person is not able to work, during their time of infirmity. Not being HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. able to work energetically, one should be able to live HONOURABLE MEMBER: She is sleeping, allow comfortably. The funds are kept for one to be able to use me to speak then. during old age. So when you retire, you are given one third of your money when you have saved enough, two HONOURABLE MEMBER: She is sleeping. third is deferred. Deferment amount is given to you as pension. MS MONNAKGOTLA: Supplementary. I am not sleeping. Good afternoon Mr Speaker. Thank you. I Over and above that, we believe there are many do not understand Honourable Gobotswang’s question Government programmes at their disposal, for youth, because when one gets their package when they are still women, CEDA, National Development Bank (NDB) young, they would still have the energy from the age and Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), to of 27-35. That is the age we are talking about. Why are assist every Motswana and anyone who gets involved in they not allowed to get their packages around that time? business at an early age. Thank you Mr Speaker. So that they would be able to do certain things whilst MR SPEAKER: Last supplementary Honourable they are still young and robust. They would be able Ramogapi. to get those funds and utilise them rather than waiting for the age of 45. I am referring to myself Honourable MR RAMOGAPI: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Member. Consider that issue very well. Let us consider Speaker. Honourable Minister, you are failing to focus the 27-35 age bracket, in which a young person would on your issues, what we call the investment package, is be productive. I thank you. the incentive, because that is what the question is saying. Honourable Minister, the main problem ... (Inaudible)… MR MTHIMKHULU: Honourable Member, the you know very well that when a public servant retires, reason why retirement is at the age of 45, it is taken in he or she will be in debts for two years or so because to consideration the number of years one would have the Government will be failing to give him or her the worked in the Public Service, saving something for welfare funds that he or she has been saving. People will themselves. You have to understand that retirement is get into debts and even fail to invest. So we are saying like a savings account for the employee. They put aside that we should introduce an investment package, taking some monies for themselves so that when they are no into consideration the fact that right now Minister longer able to work, once they are old, they would be Matsheka left out the issue of early retirement because able to earn a living from that money. That being the the Government wage bill is too high. Honourable case, if one was employed by the Government, they Minister, please answer this question. have a retirement policy with the Botswana Public Officers Pensions Fund (BPOPF). If I may give you MR MTHIMKHULU: Thank you Mr Speaker. an example; when you work for Government and you Honourable Ramogapi, I answered this question at retire at 27 years, you would have worked for two to the beginning when I was responding to Honourable three years. For one to benefit they would have to be Gobotswang. I said that restructuring is totally different employed early, having completed school at 21, 22 from retirement or early retirement. When we talk about years, otherwise that person would not have enough them, we should always highlight that they are different money. They would be given all the money in their so as to avoid mixing things.

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If we believe that we have a huge public service and • Phatsimo Junior Secondary School 37.8 per that the Government wage bill is too much, and then cent and take a decision to introduce early retirement like you are saying, the Government will look into that when • Boikhutso Junior Secondary School 37.8 per devising a restructuring exercise package to appreciate cent people who have been working. We are not saying that (ii) Mr Speaker, the most affected subjects are it is going to be considered, maybe at that stage yes, Computer Awareness, Design and Technology, but at this point in time we are not yet there. It is still a Guidance and Counselling, Art, Agriculture, consideration that Minister Matsheka talked about and Physical Education and Business subjects. The it is still going to be assessed by Directorate of Public most affected schools are Boikhutso and Phatsimo Service Management (DPSM) in order to see how Junior Secondary Schools. best they can reduce the public service, how best that exercise can be done, what should be done, what are the (iii) Mr Speaker, the likely causes of these shortages incentives that can be put in place so that they can easily are due to loss of books, poor collection, and agree to retire early. I thank you Mr Speaker. limited funding. Text book shortages impact negatively on teaching and learning, and deny SHORTAGE OF TEXTBOOKS IN SELEBI learners some opportunities to research and revise PHIKWE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS for themselves. Unfortunately, this shortage has MR D. L. KEORAPETSE (SELEBI PHIKWE manifest itself over the recent years with book WEST): asked the Minister of Basic Education to returns from completing student’s poor and update this Honourable House on the extent of shortage finances inadequate to meet all needs. of textbooks in Selebi Phikwe Junior Secondary Schools (iv) Mr Speaker, my ministry will continue to and to specifically state; reprioritise its budget to the extent possible in order (i) percentages of shortage in each school; to increase textbooks across schools. My ministry is also in the process of developing e-content (ii) extent of shortage by subjects; and procuring Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets to facilitate e-learning. (iii) subjects and schools that are badly affected; Thank you Mr Speaker.

(iv) and explain the causes and effects of the shortage MR KEORAPETSE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr on teaching and learning, and how long this has Speaker. Honourable Minister, since the budget has been going on; and been presented, should we expect an improvement (v) how he is rectifying the problem. when it comes to the situation of shortage of textbooks in secondary schools across the whole country including ASSISTANT MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION Selebi Phikwe, since this question is dedicated to Selebi (MS MAKWINJA): Thank you. Mr Speaker, Phikwe? Is there going to be an improvement? When you drafted the budget for this financial year, did you (i) My ministry continues to experience shortages of not take this situation into consideration? text books in schools. The shortages of books in Selebi Phikwe Junior Secondary schools are as The second question; you talked about e-learning follows; material and procurement of gadgets for students. Have you set targets that by this particular time, every single • Meepong Junior Secondary School 40.7 per secondary, primary, or senior school student should have cent a tablet or laptop; whatever gadget you are planning • Makhubu Junior Secondary School 64.8 per to buy? Does this one already have the required or cent necessary learning materials? Do you have timelines or targets as to when the procurement of gadgets for all • Mojamorago Junior Secondary School 48.1 per cent learners is going to be done? Thank you Mr Speaker.

• Lebogang Junior Secondary School 67.6 per MS MAKWINJA: Mr Speaker. I was saying that for cent the first question, in terms of budget provision, the

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Honourable Member will know that on a yearly basis growing and it is never enough. So, that is the answer to we budget for books, but they are never enough and over number one. and above that, the major issue here is about collection and loss of books by students. This is a major issue that As far as debate is concerned, last year when answering we have appealed even in the past years that parents and the same question, we said that we are planning that by students must please return books and they never do. So 2022, we should actually have the e-learning programme budget yes, we do budget. in place; whether every child has a tablet in their hands, that is another story that we have not actually confirmed, As far as the targets are concerned, yes we have but this is the programme that we have. the targets and yes in terms of; if you look at the transformation agenda, the Economy Recovery and MR MMOLOTSI: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Transformation Plan (ETRP), we are actually in the Speaker. Honourable Minister, my question is, since process of developing the e-learning material as to when the Minister of Finance and Economic Development we have said it last year, then 2022 we expect to have yesterday talked about zero-based budgeting, are you this programme nearing its end. Thank you. saying zero-based budgeting does not affect books, because if it does not, do we expect that students all over MR KEORAPETSE: Procedure Mr Speaker. All my Botswana who encountered shortage of books will now questions have not been answered. have books? So what I want you to clarify is whether zero-based budgeting does not affect text books. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Keorapetse, may you rephrase your questions? Secondly, have you done investigations to find out if buying e-learning material is cheaper than using text MR KEORAPETSE: Yes sir. I asked a specific books? We might be in a situation where we think the question that, this problem has always been there, so by use of e-learning is better when in actual fact, maybe your own admission Honourable Minister, you talked text books are cheaper than e-learning material. about reprioritisation. So, that is why I am asking if we are we going to see an improvement when it comes to Lastly Honourable Minister, when we talk of e-learning, the issue of shortage of textbooks in schools since the we are talking about a situation which requires internet budget was presented yesterday. I believe that this is an connectivity and electricity. Are we already at a state easy question. where we can say all students all over Botswana have The second question is the one in which I asked about access to internet connectivity…(Inaudible)… If that is targets. I asked if you have set timelines that by the end not the case Honourable Minister, explain if that will not of 2021 every student in Botswana should have a tablet. be disadvantaging others? th I basically want a date; not a specific date that by the 5 . MS MAKWINJA: Thank you. I would like Honourable What I want is for you to tell me your aspiration or that Mmolotsi to… because you asked quite a number of the plan is that by the end of this year, next year, by the questions, unfortunately I lost track of them. Can you end of 2023 or whatever target, every student should be please ask them one by one so that I can answer you? having a tablet or whatever gadget you are talking about. Those are the two questions. MR SPEAKER: We do not have the time for that Minister, you are supposed to note the questions as MR SPEAKER: I hope Honourable Minister, you now they are asked. We cannot spend all these years on one understand the questions. question. Answer what you heard.

MS MAKWINJA: I think it is a mouthful, but the first MS MAKWINJA: What I heard, was the last one Mr question is whether we are going to see this situation Speaker, where he was asking about the expense, the cost being eliminated as far as shortages of books are of e-learning material versus the text books. I would not concerned, have we prioritised the budget such that we lie to say we did the investigation. No, we have not done eliminate this shortage. My answer is that; it will never the investigation so I cannot assure you that it is going to be eliminated. Yes, we have made the provision for be more expensive or cheaper to go online. Thank you. books like we do and a lot of them have been bought. Whether it will be efficient for everybody, that I will not MR SPEAKER: Honourable Mmolotsi where you are, try to answer because the numbers of kids every year are the next question.

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MR MMOLOTSI: Thank you Mr Speaker. The first or how are you planning to improve it? I did not fully question I asked that since yesterday there was mention understand the one on books, I heard you saying, you of zero-based budgeting, does that mean that text books are going to continue increasing procurement, will they will not be affected by zero-based budgeting when the be returned? Minister says they are not in a position to buy text books for all students? That was the first question. MS MAKWINJA: It keeps on muting itself Mr Speaker, sorry about that. The second question… I was going to say that a lot of initiatives were introduced MR SPEAKER: Let the Honourable Minister answer in the past and the latest as you know, was that children that one, she is going to forget. should not actually get their certificates or results if they are owing books. As you know, it caused a lot of MS MAKWINJA: The zero-based budgeting concerns and worries to a point whereby some schools, Honourable Mmolotsi, and as you know, there is actually abandoned that practice to force parents and shortage of funds. As much as we would like to cater for kids to return books. So we are continuing to introduce each and every child, it is impossible to do that. So yes, interventions to enforce this and we are appealing to zero-budgeting was done, we planned for the books as parents and you Honourable Members to educate our far as secondary schools are concerned, and those books parents and teach them, they must return these books were bought and are still being procured as we speak. because we do not have endless resources to keep on Thank you. buying books. Thank you.

MR SPEAKER: The last one Honourable Mmolotsi. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Hikuama, for that answer, are you …(Inaudible)… MR MMOLOTSI: The last one; Honourable Minister, are we in a position to embrace the use of e-learning PHOTOCOPYING MACHINES IN MAHALAPYE bearing in mind that we have different areas? Are we WEST CONSTITUENCY saying we have internet connectivity and electricity in all the areas of Botswana which can make e-learning MR D. TSHERE (MAHALAPYE WEST): asked the possible? Minister of Basic Education to state if he is aware:

MS MAKWINJA: What I can tell you Honourable is (i) that photocopying or duplication of test papers and that there are plans to connect each and every school teaching materials is a challenge in the Mahalapye in the country. That process has actually started in Sub-District Council and Mahalapye West , it is actually going on as we speak in terms Constituency in particular; of connectivity and it is going to go district by district. (ii) that teachers are forced to reproduce test papers for As far as power is concerned, I am sure you know about classes of up to 45 pupils by hand; and the projects that are ongoing to ensure that power is available. So these are all the initiatives that are ongoing (iii) that photocopying machines which were Honourable Member. Thank you. supplied have been lying without ink, paper and maintenance; and if so, what are the short and MR SPEAKER: Honourable Hikuama, you are the last long-term plans to address the issue. one. ASSISTANT MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION MR HIKUAMA: Supplementary. Thank you Mr (MS MAKWINJA): Mr Speaker, thank you. Thank you Speaker. Honourable Minister, since it appears shortage Honourable Member for the question. of books is prevalent in the whole country and you citing (i) Mr Speaker, we are aware of the challenges inadequate collection by schools as the main reason, do regarding photocopying and duplication of test you think you can still continue banking on the system papers and teaching materials in Mahalapye Sub- of book collection because it has proved over the years District Council and Mahalapye West Constituency that it is ineffective? Students who continue to be in particular. negatively impacted by this situation are those who were not provided with books, who did not lose them. How (ii) Mr Speaker, I am not aware that teachers are long are you going to continue with the same system forced to reproduce test papers for classes up to 45

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pupils by hand. That, we are not aware of and we HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. will follow it up. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Keorapetse, you are the (iii) Mr Speaker, I am aware that some photocopying last on this one. machines that have been supplied are inoperable due to maintenance challenges. Schools are MR SPEAKER: I have called Honourable Keorapetse. advised to share their resources and if in dire need, MR KEORAPETSE: Yes sir, I did not raise my hand may make use of the machines at the Mahalapye sir, sorry about that. Sub-Regional Office. MR RAMOGAPI: Supplementary. Thank you Mr My ministry is making provision for industrial copiers Speaker. Honourable Minister, my question is; are you to assist these schools. The industrial machines will aware that this problem with photocopying machine is be placed strategically to be shared by neighbouring all over in schools, it does not concern Mahalapye Sub schools. For the Mahalapye West Constituency, a new District only? Moreover, the issue of repairing machines industrial machine will be placed in Parwe Junior is all over because in my constituency Palapye, parents Secondary School before the end of March 2021 end up buying machines for themselves through Honourable Tshere. Thank you Mr Speaker. Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) ...(Interruptions)... MR TSHERE: Supplementary. Thank you very after that, Council or your ministry fails to maintain much Honourable Speaker and thank you very much these machines. Are you aware that they also fail to Honourable Makwinja for that answer. maintain the equipment which was bought by PTA because they do not belong to them, they do not know Firstly, I am concerned that you do not know that they that ...(Interruptions)...every budget regarding the are duplicating by hand and if so, how do you think photocopying machines that were bought by the parents. they are doing it in the absence of those photocopying Do you really have budget Minister, please explain machines? The last question, the donated photocopying because this issue is all over, it bothers us, it affects us, equipment that your ministry keeps receiving from the we have a situation. public, what do you think is the way forward with regard MS MAKWINJA: Thank you Honourable Member, to those machines that equally do not work and do not yes we are aware, in actual fact just this morning we have a maintenance plan, papers, they have nothing, were talking about problems with photocopiers and but they are donated by private people? What is your unfortunately, yes PTAs go and buy these machines strategy going forward on that one? just like the ones from donations and we cannot have MS MAKWINJA: Thank you Mr Speaker, thank you Information Technology (IT) specialist everywhere, Honourable Member. Duplication by hand as I said we going from school to school. So what we try to do is are not aware, we will find out exactly what is happening. to depend on the Council and our Education Regional About the donations Honourable Tshere is that, like all officers to have their IT personnel assist, but as we know, the donations that is why we kept on saying, donations manpower is really not there to go school by school. Yes must come either through the region or head office, so we are aware of this problem and it is one of those issues that these equipments are actually tested to make sure that we are attending to ensure that by buying industrial that they are in good shape and they will be maintained. machines ones that can actually provide to the number Some of these machines unfortunately are inoperable of schools and it can actually be maintained by people because they are not sort of in sync with what we are who know how to do these things. Thank you. using. So as a result Honourable Tshere, we try our level PAYMENT OF TRAFFIC FINES IN best so that all these things must be actually tested and INSTALLMENTS checked to make sure that they are compatible with what we know. Unfortunately there will be slipups like MR S. N. MOABI (TATI WEST): asked the Minister that, where a machine is donated and is not checked for of Defence, Justice and Security if there is a provision operation and things like that. So we will make sure that to pay for traffic fines in installments. in future…and we are trying even now to make sure that whatever is donated is actually checked and verified for MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND operation. SECURITY (MR MMUSI): Thank you Mr Speaker.

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(i) Mr Speaker, there is no legal provision to pay our country. There are over 400 professional traffic fines in installments under the Road Traffic athletes who are based locally and regionally. Act (RTA). Traffic fines and other traffic charges Football started the commercialisation several are paid once and not in installments. years back with initiatives such as club licencing and registration of clubs as business entities. Mr Speaker, paying traffic fines in installments will These initiatives are on-going Mr Speaker, and create difficulties in case management and cause when fully implemented, this will result in total administrative challenges on follow-ups of defaulters commercialisation of football in our country. where one fails to pay the remaining balance of the fine. I thank you Mr Speaker. Implementation of the plan has resulted in our country hosting major sporting events such as the Africa Youth MR SPEAKER: Honourable Dr Gobotswang, I see Olympics in 2014, the Netball Youth World Cup in that you are raising your hand. 2017, and African Union Sports Council Region 5 th DR GOBOTSWANG: I am sorry Mr Speaker, I do not Youth Games in 2018. On the 27 November 2020, know why it is raised, I will put it down. Thank you. we hosted the World Boxing Federation Bantamweight Title fight and our plan is to host more of such events. MR SPEAKER: That is okay. Furthermore, the ministry is exploring the possibility of hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). If SPORT AS THE DRIVER OF THE ECONOMY successful, Botswana will also have the rights to host MR O. REGOENG (MOLEPOLOLE NORTH): some preceding events in preparation for the finals asked the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and in 2027. This undertaking will require the support Culture Development to state: of Parliament; that is the support from Members of Parliament, particularly by availing financial resources (i) if his ministry has any plans to position sport to invest in the hosting of the event. as one of the drivers of economic growth and diversification; and Our ministry is also facilitating hosting of several annual international sporting events that are aimed at (ii) when the ministry intends to roll out such a plan, economic growth and diversification. These include the if any. Toyota 1000km Desert Race (Motorsport), Gaborone International Meet (Athletics) and the Mascom Derby MINISTER OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT, (Horse Racing). I thank you Mr Speaker, and I thank SPORT AND CULTURE DEVELOPMENT (MR Honourable Member for the question. RAKGARE): Thank you very much Mr Speaker. MR REGOENG: Supplementary Mr Speaker. I hear (i) Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, you Minister, just that it is not coming out very clearly. Sport and Culture Development has plans We have youth from our constituencies but it is like to position sport as one of the drivers of your plans are rolled out only at certain areas because economic growth and diversification through when you visit these areas, you do not see any activities professionalising sport and sport tourism. Such of the things you mentioned. I wonder when you are plans are contained in the MYSC Strategy going to roll out these activities to the areas I mentioned, 2017-2022, and the Botswana National Sports secondly, how many youth have you targeted to benefit Commission (BNSC) Strategy-Vision 2028. The from your plan? Thank you. ministry plans have prioritised, among others, commercialisation and professionalisation of MR RAKGARE: Thank you Honourable Member. sport, hosting of international sporting events and Some of the initiatives were mainly to strengthen our development of world class athletes and technical different clubs starting from the villages. We are doing officials. this through the empowerment of Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) and also assisting it with (ii) Mr Speaker, there are plans and these plans are resources. As the budget is about to be passed, they already being implemented as demonstrated by will get a share. Our expectation is that, when different the number of athletes who earn a living from clubs, federations and associations roll out their plans, sport and the major sporting events hosted in they would be able to reach the villages. For example,

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Honourable Member, at Molepolole, we have a football through the Poverty Eradication Programme. The Club called Masitaoka, this football commercialisation project was allocated 11 hectares of which six that we are talking about and making it professional hectares is fenced and currently under production will affect Masitaoka. I am happy to say, in the by four young farmers. Ramonaka Horticultural Premier League exercise that clubs should be licenced, Management Association was initially funded by Masitaoka is one of the football clubs that has done very the European Union (EU) for the project. They well. Therefore, this affects the majority of people who were allocated six hectares of which two hectares have the desire to play in different sporting codes in our is under production. country. (ii) There are two new funding facilities which HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. horticulture farmers, including those in the river villages, can benefit from. These are the Impact HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary! Accelerator Subsidy and the Interest Rate Subsidy HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. under the ISPAAD Horticulture Programme. I thank you. MR SPEAKER: I do not know what the problem is. This morning we said you should raise your hands MR SPEAKER: I still remember Dr Gobotswang, through virtual so that we can see who raised their hand Monnakgotla and then …(inaudible)… Honourable first or last. There is someone who is looking through Lelatisitswe …(inaudible)… Honourable Brooks. the name list and I do not know what they are looking HONOURABLE MEMBER: Mr Speaker, I think there for. Use virtual forum if you want to speak. If you do not is something wrong with my …(inaudible)… because it know, we are going to proceed. says “lower hand” on my side but from your reading it COMMUNAL AGRICULTURAL PROJECT says I have raised up my hand.

MR M. M. PULE (MOCHUDI EAST): asked the MR SPEAKER: Yes… Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security HONOURABLE MEMBER: But from your side it whether he is aware that his ministry had previously shows that the hand has been erased… piloted a communal agricultural project along the “river villages” in the 1980s/1990s through Government MR SPEAKER: I asked Brooks to ask a supplementary. Support Programme; and if so, to state: MR BROOKS: Supplementary. Thank you Minister for (i) if he would consider revisiting the initiative under answering the question. I just want to make a follow-up the Revised Economic Empowerment Programmes Mr Speaker, this is not the only project that we have in such as Integrated Support Programme for different areas in this country Honourable Minister. If Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD) that is the case, what efforts have you made to ensure and cluster programmes as part of the economic that you revive other projects so that they can benefit transformation given that the areas have very good Batswana? Thank you Mr Speaker. soils and adequate water supply from Madikwe MR GARE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you River and further state; Honourable Member. Well, at this point, I may not (ii) progress made so far in that regard. have the details of the existing projects but I can assure you there are not the only ones we have. I will find MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL information for you Honourable Member regarding how DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MR many projects are there and their progress. We try by GARE): Thank you Mr Speaker, good afternoon. all means Honourable Member to monitor in terms of ensuring that these projects do not collapse. Under these (i) Mr Speaker, there are two projects along Madikwe difficult times of lack of resources we are trying by all River, being the Mmathubudukwane Irrigation means to assist so that they do not collapse. I thank you Project owned by four young farmers and Mr Speaker. Ramonaka Irrigation Project owned by Ramonaka Horticultural Management Association. The MR PULE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. I Mmathubudukwane project was initially funded have got two supplementary questions. One, I thank the

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Minister for the answer he has given. My main question (ii) whether she is aware that currently water bowsers is, when was the last time his ministry visited the area to are used to provide water to the wild animals at assess production that side? Furthermore, is the Minister Sepako and Ngwasha Gate and; aware that the farms he is talking about, farmers have a challenge of accessing the market especially the one in (iii) if her ministry realises this as a long-term Gaborone due to our poor roads? Does the Minister not sustainable solution; see it fitting to improve roads which link the Gaborone (iv) whether she is aware that water bowsers that were market to that area through the programme they have supposed to be used to provide water to Manxotae in place? I know they have a programme for the and Sepako villages which are already in short of improvement of roads which link to food production water are now used to provide water to the wild areas. Does the Minister not think it is important to animals; and maintain the Modipane-Mabalane road so that farmers in that area can have good access to the market because (v) the amount that was utilised to connect each their produce gets spoilt on the way to the market due to borehole as requested by the former Minister who the poor road? Thank you Mr Speaker. had requested for supplementary funding to drill these boreholes for wild animals. MR GARE: Thank Honourable Member. I presume I will not be telling the truth if I say that I remember the MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL last time we visited the projects but it is something I can RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND TOURISM find out for you Honourable Member. (MS KERENG): Thank you Mr Speaker, and good afternoon. On the second question regarding roads, I do agree with you that it is a challenge which does not only (i) Mr Speaker, to address the water shortage for affect farmers in that area. It is a nationwide problem wildlife in the Nata-Gweta Constituency, there that, access or infrastructure to production areas is are eight operational boreholes which have been poor. Obviously that affects their access to markets or equipped by the Department of Wildlife and to buy their equipments when they are ploughing. I National Parks to provide water to wildlife in the believe when things improve, when resources become Ngwasha area. This is the Wildlife Management available, it is our intention and within our plans going Area (WMA) located south-west of Sepako forward, to improve roads, connect electricity like settlement. In addition Mr Speaker, to improve we did at Panda, Mosesedi and other areas. It is our the water supply for wildlife, in November 2020 intention to do so after the economic situation improves the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Honourable Member. I agree with you that it is a serious procured supplementary solar equipment to equip an additional three boreholes in the area, which challenge when it comes to farmers having to transport will be completed during the current financial their produce to the market. I thank you Mr Speaker. year. MR SPEAKER: Thank you Minister. At least you (ii) In relation to the use of water bowsers, I am aware remembered to put your camera on so that they can see Mr Speaker that we are using water bowsers to you when you answer. Am I clear Mokgatla? We are provide water for wildlife, and there are three now running out of time. of them of the capacity of 12, 000 liters, which were procured by the department specifically for PROVISION OF WATER TO WILD ANIMALS supplying water to wildlife during the dry season. MR P. MAJAGA (NATA-GWETA): asked the Minister The water is poured into an existing water hole of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and within the CT5 so as to reduce the movement Tourism to brief this Honourable House on the number of wildlife into homesteads or settlement areas of boreholes that have been drilled and equipped so far of Sepako, Mapoka, and Manxotae, looking for to provide drinking water to wild animals in the Nata- water and causing human-wildlife conflict. It is Gweta Constituency, particularly the Sepako area; and anticipated that once we have sufficiently provided to state: water in the area, we would be able to do that by the first quarter of 2021, then we will be able to (i) when the ministry intends to provide water to wild reduce, if not completely eliminating the use of animals; water bowsers.

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(iii) The use of water bowsers was an interim measure you stated that you managed to drill boreholes to assist to reduce the number of elephants that were wild animals at the WMA that Honourable Majaga was encroaching onto human settlements in the talking about. So, I would like to understand why you area. It is of course not sustainable, but in terms did not ensure that in other WMAs, wild animals are of sustainable measures, the ministry plans to provided with water? If I can give you an example, like at SO2. The wild animals that were at SO2 died in large continue providing water points for wildlife in numbers because you did not make an effort to ensure strategic areas as we are already doing, and this that they also have access to water. SO2 is an area that will be funded through the sale of elephants quota. is well known for valleys, there is an organization that We are finalising the Elephant Management Plan is responsible for overseeing that area. I would like to (EMP) that will provide strategic guidance on how know why there are certain areas where you take action to mitigate water shortages in the elephant range Honourable Minister when it comes to issues of WMA, on a sustainable basis. whereas in other areas you do not do anything to ensure that the wild animals get water? As far as you are (iv) Mr Speaker, the three water bowsers being used concerned, do you only value, an elephant, eland and by the department were bought specifically and buffalo? Thank you. exclusively for carrying water for wildlife in the areas that needed water supplementation, as it is MS KERENG: I thank you Mr Speaker. That question happening presently. By so saying, the use of these seems to imply that there is discrimination on elephants, water bowsers is not meant to interfere in any way which is not the case Mr Speaker. I must indicate that, with other plans that are in place to provide water I am providing an answer which will be focusing on for the community and vice versa. Nata-Gweta like Honourable Majaga has already said. All over the country Honourable Member, we did not (v) The ministry did not get any supplementary budget undermine any area or any concern that was raised: for drilling boreholes, but we were allocated there are some areas where wild animals have been funding thorough the Drought Relief Programme assisted with water. Let me indicate that, the areas for equipping the already existing boreholes in which we started with or concentrated more on, are Ngwasha. There are four of these boreholes, those which are referred to as hotspot areas. One of which have been equipped with a solar powered them is at Honourable Tshabang’s constituency, which I system and also with procured materials for had intended to visit not so long ago but could not make constructing artificial water holes. The materials it. I must indicate that, these hotspot areas will make it cost was at P249, 654, while the solar system seem as if we are concentrating more or starting with cost was at P408, 116 and P33, 000 was used for them, whereas all the other areas which are facing that the diesel engine. Therefore, the average cost of challenge Mr Speaker, we care about them. Sometimes equipping a single borehole with solar equipment it is just an issue of where the most emphasis is and and associated equipment is P172, 692. where the resources are.

Thank you. Like I have stated, we are currently in the process of completing the EMP. It is going to indicate how we are MR SPEAKER: Thank you Minister. Honourable going to respond in assisting animals and people all over Members, there is something strange that is happening the country. Thank you. with this Information Technology (IT). Two Honourable Members raised their hands even before DR TSHABANG: Supplementary. Thank you Mr the Minister answered, I do not think that you were Speaker. Honourable Minister, there are wild animals genuinely requesting for supplementary. A question that are still left behind. Elephants in our areas are is being answered and you are already looking for a supposed to reach these boreholes. What strategies are supplementary. I am going to use my discretion and in place to take these elephants to where there is access disregard this kind of behavior. The only person who to water because they are still roaming around causing raised his hand after the answer was Honourable Reatile. trouble in villages and ploughing fields? Thank you Mr Speaker. MR REATILE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I wanted to do a supplementary so that MS KERENG: Thank you Honourable Tshabang, happy Minister can assist, in your answer Honourable Minister birthday. I believe that when I indicate that the EMP is

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nearing completion, we are supposed to implement it The Assembly accordingly adjourned at 15:03 p.m. until very soon. We are going to monitor the provision of Wednesday 3rd February, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. water to wild animals and their movement so that after the boreholes have been drilled and water is available, we will be able to know from which areas those wild animals that drink water there originate. Those that are nearer or those that are coming from other areas, is it possible that their movements can reach such places? Those are some of the things we will assess to determine whether the movement of the animals can reach places where there is water. If it is not possible, then we can consider how an alternative provision of water can be achieved. Thank you Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you Minister. Honourable

Members, we have ran out of time for questions. There are 1, 2, 3 questions which remain, which will therefore be moved on to the next day. I think we have to do some more learning and management, we delayed with other questions because when they are many, it becomes difficult for some Ministers to grasp what the question is because they write slowly. I am sure we can overcome that, but there we are, we have done what we can. I have stolen your five minutes to add the last question by Honourable Majaga. That concludes today’s business, and I should call upon the Leader of the House to move a Motion of adjournment.

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

LEADER OF THE HOUSE (MR TSOGWANE): Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I move that this House do now adjourn. Thank you.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you Leader of the House. Today you will be surprised that I do not follow that Motion. We have a request for you to vote because my understanding was that when we have come to this position, we might as well adjourn so that you go and prepare for tomorrow. I hope the Honourable Leader of the Opposition will have enough time to browse over his presentation tomorrow. I wish him good luck and good day Honourable Members. Let us go and rest and read. Thank you Honourable Members.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Goodbye Mr Speaker.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: What is the purpose of the Motion then?

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Thank you Mr Speaker.

Hansard No 201 11 HANSARD RECORDERS Mr. T. Gaodumelwe, Mr T. Monakwe, Ms T. Kebonang HANSARD REPORTERS Mr M. Buti, Ms Z. Molemi, Mr J. Samunzala, Ms N. Selebogo, Ms A. Ramadi, Ms D. Thibedi, Ms G. Baotsi, Ms N. Mokoka

HANSARD EDITORS Ms K. Nyanga, Ms C. Chonga, Mr K. Goeme, Ms G. Phatedi, Ms B. Malokwane, Mr A. Mokopakgosi, Ms O. Nkatswe, Ms G. Lekopanye, Ms T. Mokhure, Ms B. Ratshipa HANSARD TRANSLATORS Ms B. Ntisetsang, Ms M. Sekao, Ms B. Mosinyi, Ms V. Nkwane, Ms N. Kerobale, Ms K. Motswakhumo, Ms T. Motsau, Ms O. Phesodi, Mr K. Setswe

LAYOUT DESIGNERS Mr B. B. Khumanego, Mr D. T. Batshegi, Mr K. Rebaisakae

Hansard No 201 12