The Police and Soldiers), One While on His Way to Hospital for Chinese Embas- a Regular Medical Check-Up, the Other While on His Way to Buy Sy-Botswana Groceries

The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 Page 1 Botswana Doctors on High demand as covid-19

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politicians, POLICE social workers clash over food bAsket scheme ABUSE Page 6 MASISI WANTS ANSWERS FOR DANGEROUS COVID-19 LAPSE DURING The Minister of Health and the Director of Health Services are reportedly in trouble with the President after a lapse led to the entire elected leadership of the country being exposed to infection COVID-19 with COVID-19, The Botswana Gazette has established. Page 4 ex-convicts LOCKDOWN? body wants prisoners tested for The Botswana Gazette has unearthed cases in which Batswana covid-19 men were brutally assaulted by members of the armed forces 3 Page 2 (the police and soldiers), one while on his way to hospital for Chinese Embas- a regular medical check-up, the other while on his way to buy sy-Botswana groceries. The violent incidents have left one victim wheelchair condemns abound as President Masisi calls for action against brutality, coronavirus- Keabetswe Newel and Lawrence Seretse report. fuelled xenophobia against Page 2 Africans Page 22 - 23 Page 2 news Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Exposed: Police Abuse During Blame For Exposure To Covid-19 Reaches Diss COVID-19 Lockdown? • Some MPs say DISS failed to detect the he Botswana Ga- other groceries. But just as he zette has unearthed was about to enter the shop, Covid-19 threat two cases in which two soldiers and a police offi- • DISS says COVID-19 is outside its brief T cer called out to him from the two Batswana men were brutally assaulted by mem- roadside and asked to see his bers of Botswana’s armed permit. “I told them that our LETLHOGILE MPUANG ministry and Parliament.” forces (the police and sol- Kgosi (chief) had said we did Contacted for comment, diers), one while on his not need permits to go and he Directorate of In- the Minister of Health, Dr buy food,” Selelo told The way to hospital for a regular telligence and Secu- Lemogang Kwape, said he Gazette. rity Services (DISS) could not discuss security medical check-up, the other “They said they used a dif- T says all issues surrounding issues with this publication. while on his way to buy gro- ferent law and that I should the Coronavirus (Covid-19) The Speaker of the Na- ceries. be punished.” Whereupon are strictly for the Ministry tional Assembly, Phandu In 2016, Castro Mmele, a soldier who had no name of Health and Wellness and Skelemani, said that he then 36 years old, worked tag on ordered him to do come nowhere near the se- did seek advice from the as a Front Load Operator at bare-knuckled push-ups on cret service. health experts at the Minis- BCL Mine in Selebi-Phikwe the gravel surface. “I did 50 This comes after Presi- try of Health regarding the . Life was good because he push-ups,” Selelo went on. dent Mokgweetsi Masisi, wisdom of Parliament go- had a reliable income and “The soldier then ordered Vice President Slumber ing on despite the govern- was in a good state of health. me to do squares. I did but Tsogwane, cabinet minis- ment’s emphasis on social However, his fate would tention and therefore needed of Selibe-Phikwe Police he started kicking me, saying ters, MPs, key officials of distancing and was given later change before the first a permit.” Station, Superintendent Me- I was doing them the wrong the Ministry of Health and the green light. quarter of that year ended. In However, as he drove off, shack Pulenyane, he said he way. The others joined in the several journalists were MPs have also come April 2016, he slipped while the police chased after him, was aware of the matter be- was beating and I was seri- exposed to the virus dur- down hard on the Ministry at work and a front loading prompting his children to fore bit of a rigmarole began. ously injured.” ing last week’s emergency of Health for failing to ad- machine crashed his legs. scream and wail in terror. Pulenyane said the case was Selelo said the owner of meeting of Parliament in here to its own rules. The legs were rendered “That was when I decided being handled by Botshabelo the store and the shop atten- Gaborone and are all now The MP for Maun West, dysfunctional and Mmele not to go to the hospital but Police Station on the other dant witnessed the assault all in mandatory quaran- Dumelang Saleshando, could no longer walk or do to head back home because I side of town where Super- and even called his family to tine. said it was too reckless of anything for himself. He knew they could assault both intendent Elias Malope, the come and see what was go- In the aftermath of the the health ministry to de- became wheelchair-bound. me and my children,” Mmele Station Commander, indeed ing on. “I went to the hospi- extraordinary exposure of ploy someone who had To be fair to his employer, said. When he got home, he confirmed that there was such tal and had a medical report nearly the entire political been exposed to the virus BCL played its part in as- went into the toilet but sud- a case there. done that I used to report the leadership of Botswana to a to an event where the coun- sisting with medical care. denly heard the police and He said Mmele had opened case at the police station,” he deadly virus at a time, some try’s leadership was gath- Although his condition had soldiers inside his house ap- a case of assault and abuse said. “The Commander told MPs expressed the view ered. “This person had been improved over time, he relied parently searching for him. that was being investigated. me that they would call me that DISS had failed to de- working at a place where on crutches to get about. He Finding him in the toilet, they But lo and behold, the police, after discussing the matter tect the Covid-19 threat. they were exposed to the became a regular at Selibe- dragged him out naked. “My Superintendent Malope said, internally. “DISS is responsible for virus,” Saleshando noted. Phikwe Government Hospi- wife was also in the house had also opened a case of re- But they never called me the personal protection of tal for undergoing check-ups in a state of undress,” said sisting arrest against Mmele! and I do not know if my case the President,” the Public But the MP for Okavan- and collecting medicines. Mmele. The Botswana Gazette asked will be attended to or not.” - go, Kenny Kapinga, sees Such an occasion fell again Relations Officer of the se “More than seven police how a disabled man could At Matsiloje Police Station, cret service, Edward Rob- things differently: “We can- on Tuesday last week and and military vehicles were resist arrest so strongly as to the Commander Superinten- ert, told this publication in not say there was any intel- Mmele duly left his house suddenly parked at my house warrant violence by a ‘mob’ dent Charles Mbengwa’s mo- an interview. ligence failure,” he said. in his Nissan Dyna bakkie to and I was beaten and kicked of police and military offi- bile phone went unanswered. “That is one of our pri- “Even in the UK where they go and get his medication at by more 15 police officers cers. “That’s why the case is An officer on the landline mary mandates. Ministry have the most sophisticated Selibe-Phikwe Government and soldiers. My entire body, under investigation,” came said Mbengwa had travelled of Health of Wellness is intelligence, their Prime Hospital. including my legs, was bleed- the answer from Malope. to Francistown on official responsible for dealing with Minister Boris Johnson still But in an interview days ing and swelling up. I was all “We want to establish what business. A BPS headquarters all issues of COVID-19. In got infected with this virus. later, he related how along the while telling them that I really happened.” in Gaborone, Senior Superin- this particular matter, you The blame should be on the the way he stopped to get his was not a well person. At any Approached by this publi- tendent Motube said he was should engage the relevant Ministry of Health.” mobile phone from a neigh- rate, some of the police of- cation, the spokesman of Bo- not aware of any such case. bour. His two children, aged ficers knew about my condi- tswana Police Service, Senior However, against the back- 13 years and 11 years, were tion but even they assaulted Superintendent Dipheko Mo- ground of these incidents and and inmates inside. Speak- BIRRO also wants the riding in the back. Suddenly me nevertheless.” The brutal- tube, said he was not aware of similar ones elsewhere across the police, accompanied by ing with this publication government to provide pris- ising only stopped when his the case. Mmele’s case is Botswana, the Office of the soldiers, called out to him yesterday, Sejakgomo cited oners with toiletry, as well assailants realised that he was similar to that of James Sele- President issued a statement South Africa’s Sunday Times as to arrange for phone calls saying his car was parked in seriously injured and took lo* (not his real name), a 21- in which it condemned police the road. “I told them I was newspaper story about 26 because visits by family and him to hospital, his original year old unemployed man in brutality, noting that assault- friends are now denied as a just getting my phone and confirmed Coronavirus cases destination. However, the po- Matsiloje Village in the North ing civilians is against the at a prison in East London. measure against COVID-19. was on my way to get my lice were not interested when East District. Selelo’s house law. When the highest office According to the newspaper, medication at the hospital,” “In these difficult times how Mmele subsequently tried to lies 500 metres from The in the land issued this state- three of the cases are inmates is a prisoner to know of the he said. “They asked to see report the matter. His condi- Other Place, which is a small ment last week, some of the while 23 are employees death of a relative, for in- my permit and I told them tioned has improved a little, shopping complex. Accord- cases had been captured on working at the prison. The stance?” Sejakgomo queried. that I did not have one but at least sufficiently for him to ing to him, at around noon- videos that were going viral situation came to light after “So it is vital for them to be had reported my case to the be back in the wheelchair. tide on 11 April, he walked on social media mass testing and screening assisted with phone calls in District Commissioner that When The Botswana Ga- to the complex to buy mealie at the facility following an order to avoid them sliding I needed regular medical at- zette called the Commander meal, bread flour and a few employee testing positive for into depression.” COVID-19 a week earlier. On a decidedly positive Sejakgomo thus implored note, Sejakgamo lauded the Ex-Convicts Body Wants Prisoners Tested For Covid-19 the government to reinforce government’s decision to healthcare for prisoners in release 130 prisoners as a • BIRRO warns that employees of prisons department could be conduits of infection of inmates order to prevent their infec- small token of reducing con- tion with the rampant vi- gestion and combating the • Asks for telephone calls to take the place of visits by family and friends rus. “Because health bays spread of the COVID-19. He at Botswana’s prisons do urged the convicts who will TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO The Botswana Gazette has in prisons because getting would mean the government not provide enough medical be released to adhere to the established. infected (with) the virus in- has been careless and must care, prison authorities take guidelines of the Ministry he Botswana Insti- At the time of going to side prison is not the same compensate the prisoners.” inmates to clinics and hos- of Health for combating the tute for the Rehabili- press yesterday (Monday), as getting infected on the Sejakgomo warned that pitals outside,” he pointed spread of COVID-19. “They tation and Reintegra- Botswana had recorded 13 outside,” said Mothei Se- employees of the prisons de- out. “This exposes them to must not rush into things like T potential infection with CO- engaging in sex because sex tion of Offenders (BIRRO) cases and one death from the jakgomo, the Director of the partment were potential con- has called on the Ministry of novel coronavirus. organisation whose mem- duits of infection of inmates VID-19. It is therefore unac- is said to be one of the con- Health and Wellness to test “It is important for the bers are ex-prisoners. “Get- because they interact with ceptable to send prisoners to duits for the spread of the vi- prisoners for COVID-19, government to conduct tests ting the Coronavirus inside the general public outside facilities outside.” rus,” he noted. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 news Page 3 Fia Warns Of Need To Preserve Integrity Of Covid-19 Relief Fund ... but Director says the Fund could receive ‘dirty’ money

TEFO PHEAGE have to tighten controls to avoid ically I doubt that it would make any challenges.” sense for the fund to receive mon- he COVID-19 Relief ey from such characters. Fund could find itself “I agree that money “But in grappling with these is- Tmired in money launder- launderers could find sues, we must also remember that ing controversies if gatekeepers such characters are also human are not keenly alert at all times, their way through it,” he and may at some point also want the Director of the Financial In- to play a part.” telligence Agency, Dr Abraham conceded. “But the risk He observed that the question Sethibe, has warned. is minimised by the fact was more an ethical one than it Strict measures and controls was a legal issue. As contribu- will have to be adhered to if the that they do not accept tions pour flow into the fund fund is to remain free of contro- from individuals and organisa- versy, Sethibe emphasised in an cash. In that way, banks tions alike, the Sebina brothers interview with The Botswana can swiftly report recently made a relatively hefty Gazette. one of P500 000. “I agree that money launder- suspicious transactions." The two, Kegone and Tshepo, ers could find their way through have hoarded headlines for their it,” he conceded. “But the risk is Asked specifically about the alleged links to founding head of minimised by the fact that they propriety of people accused of DISS, Isaac Kgosi, who is facing do not accept cash. In that way, money laundering making con- several serious charges, including banks can swiftly report suspi- tributions to the fund, Dr Sethibe money laundering and tax eva- Botswana President, Mokgweetsi Masisi waiting to address the media after the cious transactions. The fund will responded: “Legally, yes, but eth- sion. special parliament session seating at the Boipuso Hall. 100MB free data everyday Orange Botswana is allowing you to connect with your loved ones for FREE.

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T’s and C’s apply Page 4 news Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette he Minister of Health and the Direc- tor of Public Health are reportedly Tin trouble with the President after a Masisi Wants Answers lapse led to the entire elected leadership of the country being exposed to infection with COVID-19, The Botswana Gazette has established. For Dangerous Lapse According to impeccable sources, Presi- dent Mokgweetsi Masisi has made his disappointment known to the two men, Dr Lemogang Kwape and Dr Malaki Tshipi- In addition to tackling COVID-19, a slip that has driven yagae. The exposure was in the form of a the entire leadership of Botswana into mandatory close encounter with a nurse from Block 8 Clinic - which classified as a red zone - was assigned to duty at the National Assembly quarantine has placed the Minister of Health and the when President Masisi and MPs met in an extraordinary session in response to an an- Director of Public Health at the centre of unenviable ticipated onslaught of the Coronavirus pandemic. attention, TEFO PHEAGE reports. The session was thrown into pandemoni- Director of Public Health, Dr Tshipiyagae um the next morning when news broke that the nurse had tested positive for the dreaded disease for which there is no cure. As a result, it was only a matter of time before all the MPs present, including President Masi- si, were ordered into mandatory quarantine by the Director of Public Health, Dr Tshipi- yagae, the very man whom, together with Minister Kwape, is being regarded with trepidation because of the dangerous lapse. This must have been a particularly hard turn of events for the President because he had only days before emerged from quarantine after receiving a clean bill of health following a controversial visit to Namibia for the inauguration of Hage Gottfried Geingob as president. “The President is obviously unhappy and has expressed his disappointment to the Keeping safe? health ministry leadership.” While government is trying hard to down- play the issue of reckless exposure of the Keep banking. country’s leaders to a deadly virus, The Gazette has established that people at the health ministry are being called to account for the lapse. “The President is obviously unhappy and has expressed his disappointment to the health ministry leadership,” said a source who cannot be named. “This is because the country’s leaders cannot be on the ground to direct operations at this critical time.” With Absa, it’s safer and easier to check balances, transfer money The source added that President Masisi had labelled the incident “embarrassing.” including bank to wallet and pay your bills from wherever you are. Reached for comment, Dr Kwape said Bank from anywhere with our Absa Mobile Banking App, online the President was the only appropriate au- banking or cellphone banking. thority to respond under the circumstances. “The question can be raised during one of the many press conferences that he usually Visit absa.co.bw or dial *161*234# to keep banking. addresses,” he asserted, adding that he (Dr Kwape) would not publicise it even if it was the case that he was reprimanded. The Opposition has been coming down hard on the government in the aftermath of the incident, excoriating the ruling party for what it has characterised as “toying #BankSafe #StaySafe with their lives”. When the issue broke in Parliament, Dr Tshipiyagage, was at pains to explain what is essentially an inexplica- ble -and dangerous - slip in the system. “It was just regular testing for exposed people (when a) nurse who was in Parliament tested positive,” her said. Other people with whom the nurse had been in contact were to be traced and the relevant COVID-19 protocols followed. On Sunday, Minister Kwape expressed the hope that patients kept in isolation at Sir Ke- tumile Masire Teaching Hospital were doing well and that they would continue to be under the watchful eye of caregivers. Meanwhile, President Masisi and all MPs who were present when the nurse was on duty during their special meeting have been advised to remain in quarantine until their Absa Bank Botswana Limited (registered number BW00001237900) is regulated by the Bank of Botswana. results are out. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 news Page 5 Botswana Doctors On High Demand As Covid-19 Intensifies • USA, UK poach Botswana’s best doctors • COVID-19 lead Doctor is a wanted man by US gov’t • Masisi confirms local doctors are in demand internationally • They chose to serve this nation - Balopi

LETLHOGILE MPUANG

he skyrocketing demand for medical professionals globally, as a result of Tthe Coronavirus ( COVID-19) pandemic, could result in the Botswana Gov- ernment losing some of its best medical doctors, The Botswana Gazette has established. So huge is the demand that first world countries such as the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom region amongst others, have already announced the shortage of healthcare professionals in their countries, as a result of the deadly virus. This publication has it on good authority that one of the lead doctors in the High level Presidential task force assigned to deal with this virus, is being sought after by the US government. Professor Mosepele Mosepele is said to have received several lucrative offers internationally. Professor Mosepele is a specialist in Infectious diseases, Internal Medicine and General Medicine. President Mokgweetsi Masisi recently said some countries were indeed interested in having some of Botswana’s “best medical brains” and also revealed that Professor Mosepele is actually one of the targets. Minister of Employment, Labour Pro- ductivity and Skills Development Mpho Balopi also confirmed that Botswana - pos sesses some of the best trained medical professionals who are in demand globally, during this period. “We do have people such as Professor Mosepele and others who have been trained in some of the top institutions in the world such as Harvard,” said Balopi. Further he added that it is normal for countries to poach around for the best skilled force when facing pandemics such as the deadly COVID-19. He said countries look around for professionals who have been trained at their Universities because they believe they are the best globally. “We are aware they have been offered huge sums of money,” he said. Interestingly, Balopi said the doctors have chosen to serve their country instead. “We had conversations with them, particularly Professor Mosepele. For them, it is not about the money, they are committed to serving this nation and help during this pandemic. They are patriotic,” he stated. Demand for these doctors comes at a time when trade unions are at loggerheads with government over the benefits given to frontline workers during this pandemic. The Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) has dragged Government for failure to prioritise workers’ safety against COVID-19. BONU has, on several occasions, threatened to down tools as a result. President Masisi has however swiftly moved to strip workers of any rights to strike during this six month of State of Public Emergency. Page 6 news Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette

ered to be “just fine” whose circumstances Politicians, Social Workers Clash Over Food Basket Scheme may have been changed or seriously affected by the pandemic, “These people should qualify for assistance,” Maripe continued. “There Controversy surrounds COVID-19 food basket scheme before it takes off may be varying levels of vulnerability within a single household and all these should be TEFO PHEAGE ferred to speak on conditions of anonymity The sad story, however, is that the contro- assessed on a case by case basis. We must said the government must rise to the occasion versial government instruments are already tread carefully on these categorisations to bitter clash between social workers and clarify the issue because politicians want being used to assess while UB is still busy avoid tripping ourselves in trying to rescue and councillors is taking shape fol- to hijack their task. developing their “comprehensive and inclu- ourselves.” lowing the government’s move to Already there is confusion as to who should sive” framework. “The instrument currently Asked whether their suggestions will assist hurriedlyA roll out the COVID-19 food basket - the situation, considering that the govern- benefit in the programme and Batswana have used by the government has a lot of deficien ment has already rolled out the programme, programme as both seem to be fighting for already taken to social media to make fun of cies and gaps which do not address the ques- their space in the programme. the assessment principles, which the Univer- tions raised by COVID 19 in so far as this Dr Maripe said they hope it will assist. “Of Politicians are complaining that they, as sity of Botswana social workers department issue is concerned. The scope of the assess- course, we aware that they have rolled down a programme we deem loose, but we hope stakeholders, are kept in the dark but have to has already classified as “counterproductive ment on the ground is the one you would use ours will assist. The thing is that we, the answer difficult questions from the electorate and not well thought out.” The department is under normal circumstances and does not ad- every day while social workers are worried already developing a holistic national assess- dress the challenges accompanying this pan- stakeholders, were not consulted when these that politicians, as always, want to politicise ment framework intended to bridge the gaps demic,” said Dr Kgosietsile Maripe of UB things were done. In my view, the health min- the assessment and pay back their supporters. left by the instruments developed by the gov- social work department. istry should have taken other sectors on board Some social workers on the ground who pre- ernment. Maripe said there may be people consid- when this crisis hit. Now all these are emergency responses,” he said. Politicians are complaining that they, as stakeholders, are kept in the dark but have to answer difficult questions from the CEDA EMERGENCY electorate every day while RESPONSE FUND social workers are worried that politicians, as always, want to politicise the assessment and pay back their supporters. Dr Maripe further said the government is not well-equipped to carry out the task human resource-wise. “One social worker per ESSENTIALS SUPPLIES LOAN (NEW PRODUCT) village with about, let’s say 7000 inhabitants. The ration is just way too big to match. Was there orientation for these people? The answer is no. Even if you may say the social This is a special loan facility that will be extended to companies that are involved in the production of essentials that workers are accompanied by the chief of are related to Covid-19 and or products that have a high propensity and viability to be manufactured during and whoever, who will be doing the analysis? Do beyond the period of Covid-19. The loan is aimed at ensuring heightened citizen participation and empowerment in they understand what they are dealing with?” the production and supply of items such as sanitizers, gloves, masks and other identified essentials to ensure the he said. country’s sufficiency. Dr Maripe’s concerns are echoed by his as- sociate, Dr Kgomotso Jongman, who says “I NB: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PRODUCT IS ELIGIBLE TO ALL BATSWANA, EVEN THOSE WHO saw the template upon which the social work- DO NOT HAVE AN EXISTING CEDA FACILITY. THE MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT IS BWP 30 MILLION. ers are to base their work and I felt so sad.” He continued: “I can imagine what social SOLUTION ESSENTIALS SUPPLIES LOAN workers are currently going through in trying to implement what they have been tasked Objective Facilitating new entrants in the market of identified essentials through a to do. The pieces of documents in their pos- special loan. session are so divorced from the reality and Purpose To increase the country’s independence on medical and other critical the task. The challenge of COVID-19 is more essentials as identified during Covid- effect, to ensure sustenance through serious a problem than how it has been taken local production by the leadership.” Eligibility Botswana citizens According to Jongman, when the disaster Period of Offer April, 2020 until 31st December, 2020 hit, there were talks of psychosocial support. “Nobody is talking about the psychosocial Tenure Up to 15 years support now. It has been relegated to the Moratorium (interest free) Up to 24 months periphery.” He expressed worry as well that district council social workers cannot do this For more info please contact the numbers below: work alone and said the government needs to BRANCH LOCATION CONTACT NUMBER TO TEXT beef up the teams with skills and personnel. The Minister of Local Government and Gaborone Branch + 77597028 Rural Development, Eric Molale, told this Molepolole Branch + 77930841 publication that they have not set timeframes Kanye Branch + 74853512 on the assessment. “They are to last until Hukuntsi Branch + 72922802 everybody who should be assisted has been Ghanzi Branch + 77504736 assisted,” said Molale. But his ministry’s spokesperson, Masego Ramakgathi, said: Maun Branch + 76342365 “The assessment elapses on the 14th of April Kasane Branch + 72601278 (today) and thereafter we shall roll out the Letlhakane Branch + 74377819 food baskets after analysis.” Already some Francistown Branch + 72986201 families are complaining that they have not Selebi Phikwe branch + 72688229 seen any social worker. On the councillors/social workers issue, Palapye Branch + 75291587 Molale said councillors are important stakeholders because they are part of the local leadership committees against COVID 19 response. Councillors countrywide are complaining #BuildingBatswanaForBotswana www.ceda.co.bw that they have been kept in the dark. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 news Page 7

whether or not someone is adequate. What and qualifications tailor-made for sign- lan scale is then being used to say that the mes- guage interpreters locally. Sign Language ‘Dissonances’ sage is not being adequately received? Is it This regulatory body that would have a the outcry of certain people? A deaf person registrar of qualified interpreters in place who would like to remain anonymous has for easy access and job placement. All this stated that the interpreters on Btv are okay would be done in collaboration with relevant May Put Lives In Danger and that it is just that a certain group of peo- stakeholders to ensure maximum produc- ple don’t like them and so they cry foul. The tivity and hence create a world where deaf person further stated that if they think that people can access information and services POTlako bogatsu turer of special education at the University the Sign Language interpreters are not up to in a better way. of Botswana who teaches students who are standard, why are they not training them for Even after the Office of the President he advent of COVID-19 is putting an going to be teachers of the deaf at different themselves? brought forth their own Sign Language inter- accent on inadequacies in the work of institutions in Botswana, there are around Mr Lesley Baleseng, who hosts a disability preter, there are still complaints emanating TSign Language interpreters that may four levels of Sign Language, the first level dialogue show on RB2 called Abilities (a dis- from the deaf society. An anonymous source have been ignored because the massage was being Basic Sign Language and the fourth ability media project) and is a Sign Language has stated that the interpreters aren’t giving not about saving lives. one being interpretation courses. At the Uni- interpreter himself, has said that the solution a lot of facial expressions and body move- In the past few months, we have seen the versity of Botswana, they have not reached to this problem that lies beyond what is seen ment to complement the palm movement to world trembling before the novel Corona- the fourth level yet and Mpuang is not aware on television because it may come in having make them understand the message fully. virus pandemic. Botswana, like any other of any institution in Botswana that has. a regulatory body for Sign Language inter- She states that the interpreters just look like country, has had to adapt to changes being If there is no place where actual interpre- pretation in Botswana that will, among other statues, which makes it hard to fully grasp made to curb the spread of the virus. Mes- tation is offered, it makes it hard to gauge things, teach ethics, and have programmes the issue at hand. sages have been disseminated through various media platforms to ensure that they reach all corners of the country. But it is relevant to ask if these messages are being fully under- stood because complaints have been raised from the deaf community all over the country about its members not fully grasping the The Botswana Association of the Deaf released a press release saying that they had Re kopanetse go direla met with BTV managers and the Disability Director of lefatshe la rona. the Office of the President. Some of the resolutions that Thank you to all the frontline staff for putting us first. Thank you for putting our country first. Your are a result of that meeting efforts are greatly appreciated, especially during were that the current BTV this time of the Coronavirus outbreak. interpreters will be retooled We promise to do our part in order to overcome this pandemic. Batswana a re kopaneleng go direla to meet required standards, lefatshe la rona. two more interpreters will be brought on board, and working relations will be strengthened between all the affected stakeholders. message of the virus due to poor interpretation. In the Botswana television news segment, as in many news segments across the world, we find Sign Language interpreters. These are men and women who listen to what is being said and deliver the news through hand signs in order to communicate with people who are deaf. However, it seems what is being done is inadequate as there are many deaf people across the nation who have taken to social media to complain about it. The Botswana Association of the Deaf released a press release saying that they had met with BTV managers and the Disabil- ity Director of the Office of the President. Some of the resolutions that are a result of that meeting were that the current BTV interpreters will be retooled to meet required standards, two more interpreters will be brought on board, and working relations will be strengthened between all the affected stakeholders. The novel Coronavirus is a big problem that, if not managed properly, can infect a lot of people and many may lose their lives. Because it is a new occurrence, it is of the utmost importance to keep the public informed about what to do and what the latest developments are, among other things. But there seems to be a level of miscommunication between deaf people at home and the Sign Language interpreters on television. According to Dr Kerileng Mpuang, a lec- Page 8 news Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Gov’t Dithers About Charging Straying MPs • Justice Minister says he has no greenlight to charge them • DHS says it considers reasonableness before preferring charges

SESUPO RANTSIMAKO

he government is undecided about whether to charge and prosecute Tfour MPs who recently went shopping at the end of a parliamentary meeting Need to reach whereby everyone was advised to head straight home into quarantine. The four are the MP for Nata/Gweta Polson Majaga, the MP for Tonota Pono us during the Moatlhodi, the MP for Gaborone Bon- nington South Christian Greef and the MP for Moshopa/Manyana Karabo Gare. The Director of Health Services (DHS), Lockdown? Dr Malaki Tshipayagae, subsequently had them rounded up and placed in mandatory quarantine after videos of them at a super- market went viral on social media. We’ve introduced a WhatsApp line for While the government your convenience, text us on +267 76227017 or +267 72946834 dithers about whether or not to charge the straying Or MPs, the Minister of Defence, Email us at Justice and Security, Kagiso [email protected] Mmusi, has disclosed that Or 286 members of the public across Botswana have so Call us on +267 3951564 far been fined for violating Don’t have access to all three? measures for prevention and Our offices will be open control of the Coronavirus. Monday - Friday from 09:00 - 13:00 While the government dithers about whether or not to charge the straying MPs, the Minister of Defence, Justice and Secu- #staysafe rity, Kagiso Mmusi, has disclosed that 286 members of the public across Botswana have so far been fined for violating measures for prevention and control of the Coronavirus. In an interview with The Botswana Gazette, Minister Mmusi said the Depart- ment of Health Services (DHS) had not given his ministry the greenlight to pre- fer charges against the four MPs. But the same minister has also said contravention of COVID-19 precautionary measures is punishable by fines of up to P100 000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years. “I can confirm that 286 members of the public have been fined for different lockdown of- fences, the four MPs excluded,” he noted. Reached for comment, Dr Tshipayagae said they look at the reasonableness of the behaviour of the perpetrators before charging them. He added that based on the reports of the MPs, no Coronavirus precautionary or quarantine measures were A member of the BIHL Group Bifm Unit Trusts are regulated by the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA). Please violated. “So I don’t think the MPs will be note capital invested is not guaranteed and that past performance does not guarantee future performance. All fund prospectuses are available at Bifm offices, Plot 66458, Fairgrounds Office Park, Gaborone. charged for any offence because they re- gretted what they did,” he said. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 news Page 9

six months, progress with the curriculum will be seriously affected for both regular Final Exams and extension students. We are only waiting for formal communication from the Ministry of Education about the way forward.” Unlikely this The Minister of Basic Education, Fidel- is Molao, also recognises this fluid state of affairs and speaks of “credible examinations” becoming a difficult prospect if Year BEC schools remain closed for more than 60 days. “It has to be noted that the main issue is coronavirus,” Molao said in an in- • 60 days are a critical terview. “If we remain closed for upwards of 60 days, we will have lost the whole measure year, making it impractical to run credible examinations. This raises a serious difficulty of all grades having to repeat next • Missed finals means year.” all grades repeating

SESUPO RANTSIMAKO

he State of Emergency means thou- sands of pupils of primary schools Tand students of secondary schools across the country may not sit for their final examinations this year, The Botswana Ga- zette has learnt. “It has to be noted that we prepare the final examinations before even the school calendar starts,” a spokesperson of the Botswana Examinations Council, Fingile Makgalemele, said in an interview. “It has to be noted that we prepare the final examinations before even the school Bank From calendar starts.”

“This therefore raises doubts about this year’s final exams. The State of Emergency Home will end in October, which is the time for final examinations. With schools closed for

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#StayHome #ProtectBotswana For more information, please contact Customer Care Center at +267 3987801 Page 10 feature Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Lockdown Parents play different roles but the May Lead one thing they have in common is ensuring that a home is showered To Better with love, protection and respect. But the competitiveness and pride that is Spousal caused by different pressures of life often overshadow that. Appreciation

BONGANI MALUNGA

ttempting a work/life balance is an unenviable task that requires one Ato sacrifice a lot of hours to put food on the table while also having to be present at one’s home with love and commitment. While those in the working and business worlds often have their hands full, the stay-at-home parent who ‘slaves’ over the stove to make sure we are well fed may often feel underappreciated because they ususlly see their loved ones when frayed by the hustle and bustle of the work. While COVID-19 has put the work and business routines of many on hold as the country observes precautionary measures, their humble abode could benefit as their increased presence may lead to them having first-hand experience of the same bat- tles they face, albeit in a different deploy- ment. Most stay-at-home parents get to do the ‘donkey work’ of picking up after everyone, sorting out the laundry and doing the ever stressful school run. It all seems easy, Your safety is our from a second-hand view and looks like a job that anyone can do as we are tricked into thinking it requires no skill. However, the mental strain of doing it for 365 days top concern. is often underrated. As a result, most stay-at-home partners often feel underappreciated because they do not get a regular chance to rest, to re- fresh and to have a day off to themselves. During these challenging times, we understand that you may like to find alternative ways Numerous quarrels are usually started to do your banking. by the constant comparison of the roles played by each half of the homestead. “If We wanted to remind you that with digital banking, you can still get most of your you could walk in my shoes” sets off argu- transactions done quickly, securely and conveniently from the safety and comfort of your ments that often stem from lack of appre- home. ciation and understanding of each parent’s role. Access over 70 services, from anywhere with the SC Mobile app Parents play different roles but the one or Online Banking thing they have in common is ensuring that a home is showered with love, protection and respect. But the competitiveness Transfer money to local & Open a new or additional and pride that is caused by different pres- international beneficiaries account sures of life often overshadow that. Staying at home will give their better Pay bills (Electricity, DSTV, halves a chance to see the daily hurdles Request your statement Mobile Money) they face at home, such as tripping over toys, cleaning the house, taking turns watching the kids and having a role rever- sal of sorts which will surely be an eye- Apply for a personal loan Activate your card and PIN opener. Appreciation of each partner’s difficulty is likely to lead to a better understanding Block and replace Update you KYC details between them. This could ignite the spirit a lost/stolen card of togetherness in the homestead as both sides may have a chance to be heard. The Download the SC Mobile Botswana App first step to reaching common ground is appreciating each other. This leads to a sc.com/bw Here for good more relaxed dialogue which can only be good for the homestead. Terms and Conditions apply The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 Politics billboard Page 11 Bpf Spokesman Arrested For Fake News SESUPO RANTSIMAKO

hree men, among them Justice Motlhabane of the Botswana Patri- Totic Front (BPF), are in detention in Gaborone after being arrested in connection with releasing and publishing information the police say is fake and misleading. According to BPF’s Secretary for Legal Notice Affairs, Kagisano Tamocha, Motlhabane was arrested alongside Letsogile Bapuri and Oratile Dikologang who run online publications, Botswana Trending News (BTN) and Botswana People’s Daily News (BPDN), respectively. “I can confirm that Motlhabane and the other two men were arrested without charge on Friday and detained at Palapye Police Station,” Tamo- cha said in an interview. “They have been moved to Gaborone West Police Station for further questioning.” “I can confirm that Motlhabane and the other two men were arrested without charge on Friday and detained at Palapye Police Station,” Tamocha said in an interview. According to the police, Motlhabane is linked to information that is always being published in the two online publications. The Investigators want to establish if this is the case. The Secretary General of the BPF, Rose- line Panzirah-Matshome, released a statement after these arrests. “The party makes it clear (also) that we shall not be deterred by these actions. The more they harass our activists and seek to curtail our freedom, the harder we fight We have limited for their removal from power through the ballot. We will be alerting fraternal parties and organizations in the region, as well as services in our branches: the international community (about) these blatant acts of political harassment (that Funeral Claims is) taking root in Botswana,” Panzirah- Matshome’s statement read. Death Claims Meanwhile, the public relations office of Botswana Police Service says it is not aware of the arrests and detention of Motl- For all other services, please habane and the online journalists. Assistant contact us through the following channels: Commissioner Dipheko Motube referred this publication to a press statement that seemed unrelated to the matter in question. Contact Centre: 3623700 “Three men aged between 24 and 36 years were arrested on Thursday for alle- Email: [email protected] gations of maliciously and repeatedly publishing through electronic communications WhatsApp: 76242018, 73652713, 72946847 offensive statements against government,” the statement read. “The police would like to caution members of the public to desist from publishing misleading (information) intended to cause panic, fear and alarm to the public (and) degrading and maligning the leadership of the country.” botswanalife.co.bw botswanalife botswanalifebw Botswana Life is a member of the Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited Group (BIHL) Page 12 advertisement Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette This is the second time

Parliament has been The Botswana Gazette recalled to endorse a state of emergency. Opinion Forum

he first was when a blunder almost PAGE 12 Wednesday 15 April 2020 SINCE 1984 cost 60 000 Batswana their right to Tvote in the 1999 elections. How- ever, while the State of Public Emergency 20 years ago only lasted a few days, this Responding To Covid-19: We Expect “Blood, time it is different and Parliament approved six months which has allowed the Govern- ment, among other measures, to strictly limit freedom of association and travel. Sweat, Toil And Tears” From The President No one should have any doubts that these infringements in Constitutional rights are justi- inston Churchill said, “Want fraction of that being Intensive Care Unit testing centres touted as close to fully fied to combat the dangers the Coronavirus of foresight, unwillingness to (ICU) beds, a full blown spread of the functioning, the process and progress is poses to Botswana. Both the President and act when action would be sim- disease spells certain doom for the people still very slow. Vice President revealed how unprepared Bo- W ple and effective, lack of clear thinking, of Botswana. Our neighbour, South Africa, has intro- tswana is to tackle the pandemic with less confusion of counsel until the emergen- In 2000, at the World Aids Confer- duced mobile testing centres that are said than 200 intensive care beds in the country. cy comes, until self-preservation strikes ence held in Durban, the then president to be carrying out 60 000 tests per day Thankfully, the number of infections in the its jarring gong - these are the features of the Republic of Botswana Mr. Festus and that has been said to be too few even. country is very low compared to our neighbors which constitute the endless repetition of Mogae announced to the world that the We are said to be able to do about 500 and the rest of the world. history.” people of Botswana faced a serious exis- tests per day. At the moment, the extent But the dangers are equally high and un- Slap-dash action based upon vague tential crisis from HIV/AIDS. From the of local transmission, which is a recipe less we all obey the rules about staying at laws offering half-baked solutions will first discovery of an HIV positive person for disaster, is unknown. Countries like home and practice extreme social distanc- not avert loss of lives to COVID-19. We in Selibe-Phikwe in 1985, the virus had South Korea and Germany have managed ing the pandemic could, and would explode. stand to perish if the government has no been insidiously spreading amongst the to get a grip on the virus early on because We therefore support the Government’s de- capacity to employ the right resources at population until the country’s health care of mass testing and flattening the curve cision although we are uncomfortable with the right time. system buckled and burst at the seams. early on. We need to apply these lessons the six months period. Currently the lock That is why, without dilly-dallying and quickly. down is for 28 days and we hope and pray shilly-shallying, on the 31st March 2020, Slap-dash action Above all, we are going to need a con- that during this time the lockdown will be after Botswana registered only three cases crete, effective and realistic plan to get effective and by next month the dangers of coronavirus, President Masisi declared based upon vague ourselves out of this. will have receded. We also hope that even a State of Public Emergency (SOPE). The It is immediately evident that the if the lockdown has to be extended into President is empowered by the Constitu- laws offering half- economy is taking a serious hit from the June, Government will lift the State of Pub- tion and the Emergency Powers Act to do COVID-19 pandemic. What, however, is lic Emergency before the end of six months. so. Our Constitution protects our God- baked solutions will not clearly apparent is the scale by which This is because the longer it lasts the potential for given liberties such as the right to life, our economy will be battered. It is still

abuse and unjustifiable infringements increases. liberty, speech, movement, association not avert loss of lives increasingly difficult to say when our The rights that have been curtailed define our and assembly, amongst others. economy will open for business. Man- democracy and we appeal to Government to By its nature, a declaration of the to COVID-19. We datory quarantines and the lockdown/ reconvene Parliament by the end of June to SOPE is a drastic instrument that gravely restricted movement of persons have all seek a further mandate to continue the State of curtails these fundamental rights. For that stand to perish if the but decimated household incomes, thus Public Emergency based on whether the pan- reason, it must only be invoked where the essentially bringing all forms of business demic continues to pose a threat to our lives. facts clearly and palpably call for it. Our government has no to a grounding halt. A cloud of uncertain- In the meantime, we must all be vigilant not forefathers did not leave this matter to the ty continues to wreak havoc on the minds only to continue social distancing but also whims, urges and impulses of one man, capacity to employ of our entrepreneurs every day. against incidents of abuse, whether this comes and make him a King, and the Republic In an attempt to assure the nervous en- from overzealous Police or soldiers, but also his Kingdom. He can only extend it when the right resources at trepreneur that there is light at the end of against attempts to loot the P2 billion fund the National Assembly agrees. the tunnel, the government has put for- set up to help Batswana and business - in- When he first declared the SOPE, the the right time. ward an economic response to the CO- deed the economy as a whole - to survive. President gave a speech justifying his de- VID-19 pandemic. The efforts are some- In particular we must speak out if employ- cision to Batswana when he had the op- “Saturdays were for funerals,” as Uni- what unprecedented but there are still ers use the pandemic to fire workers and at- tion of simply issuing the proclamation. ty Dow would later reflect in one of her gaps that, if left unaddressed, will worsen tempt to take money out of the country. In addition, the President used the demo- books. People died like flies. Two -de economic inequality post-COVID-19 as The President has already warned that Govern- cratic apparatus to obtain the SOPE and cades later, the seismic ramifications of the measures proposed by the government will act forcibly against such companies televised the proceedings. The people of HIV/AIDS are still felt in this country ment seem geared towards the formal and has promised a Citizen Economic Em- Botswana got to witness first-hand the and the war is still not won. We certainly sector of the economy, leaving the vast powerment Act to ensure that a greater share President and his ministers make their can’t fight two wars on two fronts. COV- majority of our informal sector out in the of the economy is in the hands of Batswana. case. Whilst there was a dent on trans- ID-19 presents a new existential threat to cold. But we are all employers and each of us who parency as the public did not get to wit- the people of Botswana once again. This In an effort to ensure a strong and quick employ domestic helpers and farm workers ness the proceedings, he arranged for his time it won’t take 15 years for one’s lungs economic recovery, the government is must act responsibly and help them survive medical team to meet with the members to stop functioning. Two to three weeks better off getting money into people’s these difficult times. This will not be easy be- of the National Assembly and make the is enough for anyone with an underlying hands, especially those in the informal cause travel to our farms and cattle posts is case before them. All democratic lead- health condition like HIV/AIDS, hyper- sector, as quickly as possible. It is also banned. It will also be hard to help our parents ers around the globe who are responding tension or diabetes to succumb to the dis- not inducing much public confidence and grandparents in villages throughout the to COVID-19 have the backing of their ease. Botswana is not in short supply of that the vast majority of the economic country. Nevertheless, we expect all Batswana medical teams. people with underlying health conditions, response will be administered by the big to demonstrate “botho” during these troubled We learnt that our public health system unfortunately. and slow government bureaucracy that is times and ensure the most vulnerable among is in a dire state of disrepair. The Presi- On the 16th of March, the Director not known for logistical operations that us survive and emerge from this pandemic dent honestly and publicly admitted that of the WHO, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, require urgency and expediency. For a safely and in good health. our public health system is in a dire state implored nations to “test, test, and test” problem whose scale is yet to reveal it- of disrepair. In fact, the World Health Or- and noted that countries can’t fight the self, we are better off preparing for the The Gazette Newspaper is published by News Co. Botswana (Pty) Ltd, ganisation (WHO) has cited Botswana as virus blindly without knowing its extent. worst-case scenario. Plot 125 Sedimosa, Gaborone one of the countries least prepared to deal Unfortunately, our testing has been woe- From the President and his Govern- Int. Finance Park (next to Game City). P. O. Box 1605, Tel: 3912833/3900451/3180701 Fax: 3972283. with the outbreak of COVID-19. With fully slow and extremely limited. Whilst ment, Batswana will expect “blood, Gaborone Botswana, printed by Printing and Publishing Company few ventilators and the entire country’s the National Health Laboratory has been sweat, toil and tears.” Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Nakedi Road, Broadhurst. P. O. Box 130, bed occupancy of 6000, with about a capacitated to carry out tests and other Gaborone, Botswana. Rockfall Lekgowe Law Group

Managing Director: Shike Olsen Editor: Lawrence Seretse Email: [email protected] DISCLAIMER Deputy Editor: Keabetswe Newel Readers please note that the views aired on this page are those of the writers and not the publishers. Letters must bear the full address and name of Advertising Manager: Joyce Mohurutshe Email: [email protected] the author even where a nom de plume is to be used. Letters must conform to the laws of Botswana and to the Press Council of Botswana’s Code of Ethics. Letters will also be edited for libel, length and language. Letters must be a maximum of 500 words and they should be received by Friday www.thegazette.news 12.00 noon. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 Page 13 The Botswana Gazette timeoutcolumnbusinessnewsnews Page B1 Wednesday 15 April 2020 BusinessNews SINCE 1984 COVID-19 Pandemic Strikes Local Capital Market is the largest company by market quarter) the BSE performed well. capitalization at P6.8 billion. It is According to the BSE’s Market • Listed equities feel the pinch also one of the most profitable list- Performance Report for the 2020 ed companies. 1st Quarter (q1) period, the Domes- • Tsheole says BSE has been resilient, as global stocks collapse Chobe was also on the chopping tic Company Index (DCI) experi- block, losing the largest in value by enced a slight depreciation of 0.09 • Credits Local Fund Managers trading strategy far in the week, to close at P11.00 percent in the period 1 January to percent share. 31 March 2020 in comparison to a “ This 4.3 percent depreciation in 0.43 percent increase registered in • Resilience must attract international investors-CEO the share price of the company was the same period in 2019. somewhat expected, given that the Further, the Domestic Company impact of Covid-19 is really being Total Return Index (DCTRI) ap- felt in the tourism and hospitality preciated by 0.56 percent, boost- sector, as local borders have been ed by a combination of price and closed off to international visitors dividend improvements during the and various lockdowns implement- quarter. On the foreign companies’ ed across the world,”Juma and front, the Foreign Company Index Makgatlhe said. (FCI) registered a depreciation of The third stock to drop was Ban- 0.71 percent in Quarter 1 of 2020 cABC, falling to its Initial Public relative to a decrease of 0.26 per- Offering ( IPO) price of P2.00 per cent over the same period in 2019. share, in its first movement of the According to Tsheole, this is a year. This unfortunately resulted in spectacular performance consid- the stock’s year to date ending the ering the fact that capital markets session at -1.0 percent. The appe- globally have taken serious hits tite for buying the bank’s stock is as a result of the COVID-19 pan- on the low end, as has been the case demic. Tsheole said the BSE listed for a few months now. The total re- equities are dominated by institu- turns index (DCTRI) on the other tional investors Fund Managers. hand, gained in the week – a small “Our local fund managers invest 0.03 percent, pushing its yearly for the long term. They buy stocks growth to 0.44 percent. Cushioning and hold for the long term. There- the index from fore, where there is a panic sell-off Although there are notables hits due to market dynamics, they do on some listed equities, Tsheole be- not ordinarily sell, which leads to lieves that the BSE, as compared to some kind of stability in equities, KEABETSWE NEWEL COVID-19 pandemic, is leaving its date that stood at -0.72 percent. The other equities globally has been re- “he said, adding further that BSE mark on the local equity market. stocks losing in the week were First silient. He said the BSE for the past shares were undervalued in terms three months is the only stock ex- of the Price to Earnings (P/E) ra- rokerage firm, Motswedi “The number of casualties the National Bank Botswana ( FNBB), change in the world that performed tions in Mauritius and Johannes- Securities said the Domes- pandemic is adding to its list con- BancABC, and eco-tourism outfit tic Companies Index (DCI) tinues to grow. The stocks that are Chobe Holdings Limited. Accord- positively, up until last week, when burg. Tsheole said it is foreign in- B depreciations were recorded in vestors who are selling off equities on the Botswana Stock Exchange considered liquid, which are those ing to the BSE daily market report (BSE) is beginning to feel effects deemed to be popular, have taken (Thursday 9 April) FNBB dropped some stocks. on the BSE. “Generally speaking, of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a turn towards the bears in the mar- 5 thebe in the week, to close at the In an interview with The Bo- it is unavoidable that BSE will be tswana Gazette, Tsheole said by affected but we are still optimistic the BSE Chief Executive Officer ket – taking the local indices with price of P2.70 per share, extend- (CEO) Thapelo Tsheole believes them. The DCI fell for yet another ing the stock’s yearly loss to -5.3 investing for the long term, local that the market will rebound after the BSE has been resilient as com- week , another steep drop for the percent. Motswedi researchers fund managers have played a role this pandemic,” he said, adding pared to other global stocks which DCI, although not the steepest said this stock was the largest con- in minimising ‘panic selling’ dur- that trading activities are however ing the COVID-19 pandemic lead- impressive looking at the volumes. have plunged significantly. drop the index has experienced on tributor to the DCI decline, given According to Motswedi Securi- a week-on-week basis this year,” that the stock has the largest mar- ing to resilience at the domestic Tsheole said investors are trad- ties market research compiled by said the Motswedi researchers. ket capitalisation on the domestic bourse. ing at the comfort of their homes, Head of Research Garry Juma as The DCI dropped -0.48 percent board at the moment, as such the Further, he also took solace in thanks also to the automated trad- st colleague Salome Makgatlhe, the in the week to close with a year to largest weight in the index. FNBB the for the past three months (1 ing system.

To alleviate any possible pres- repayment history for up to six sure on the banks and extend months and the offer to restruc- potential additional sources of ture loans for entities adversely BOB Unveils Liquidity Support liquidity, the central bank is in- affected by Covid-19. Against troducing the cost of accessing this background, the Bank will overnight funding by licensed generally exercise regulatory commercial banks from the forbearance in relation to assess- For Commercial Banks Bank of Botswana Credit Facil- ment of non-performing loans ity which will be provided at the and determination of expected prevailing Bank Rate (currently credit losses, for regulatory and Banks to access overnight funding from BoB 4.75 percent), without the cur- compliance purposes,” she said. rent punitive 6 percentage points Given that the full extent of above the Bank Rate. economic and financial disrup- KEABETSWE NEWEL regard: the prudential capital ad- liquid cash by banks to fund their Further, repo facilities current- tion from COVID-19 is yet to equacy ratio (CAR) for banks operations. ly available only on an overnight be established, the measures anking sector regulator, operating in Botswana has been Further, Dr. Mosanako said basis will be offered against currently expended by the Bank the Bank of Botswana has reduced from 15 percent to 12.5 commercial bank liquidity is cur- eligible securities with maturity of Botswana will continue to be Bintroduced a COVID-19 percent. Capital Adequacy Ratio rently adequate. of up to 92 days; and subject to reviewed as the need arises. Fur- Relief Fund and Liquidity Sup- (CAR) is the ratio of a bank’s cap- “Moreover, normal operations completing regulations and ar- thermore, the Bank has a suite of port for the commercial banks ital in relation to its risk weighted facilitate augmentation of liquid- rangements relating to valuation other policy options that could to enable them to satisfy capital assets and current liabilities. It ity for individual banks on an on- and custody, the collateral pool be implemented and respond, in requirements and address liquid- is decided by central banks and going basis. These include the in- for borrowing by licensed com- a timely and effective manner to ity challenges as they continue to bank regulators to prevent com- terbank market and the purchase mercial banks from the Bank of provide liquidity to financial in- support economic activity under mercial banks from taking excess and sale of Bank of Botswana Botswana will be extended to termediaries or preserve market conditions of possible increase in leverage and becoming insolvent Certificates (BoBCs), including include all corporate bonds list- liquidity, according to the bank. credit defaults and need for addi- in the process. By reducing the repos (that is, buying back of pre- ed and traded on the Botswana Dr. Mosanako said the Bank is tional lending. CAR by 2.5, it means that extra viously purchased BoBCs) and Stock Exchange. committed to acting decisively Dr Seamogano Mosanako, funds which would have been reverse repos (purchase of addi- “Bank Of Botswana acknowl- and timely to maintain price Head of Communications and ordinarily kept as regulatory re- tional BoBCs after auction),”she edges the granting by banks of and financial stability in order to Information Services said In this quirements are now freed up as explained. moratoria on loans with a good support economic activity. Page 14 business Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette National Executive Committee. At the con- That she has never joined any other Union Mogwera Loses at BOPEU, Again gress, which took place on the 30th Decem- save for BOPEU, is not special in any way ber 2019, Mogwera was then expelled from according to Kanjabanga. Further, he argued BOPEU. New national office bearers were that the very structure that expelled Mog- • Ex-president Mogwera loses interdiction against BOPEU leadership elected. Mogwera approached the Courts wera was within its rights. Moreover, Kan- and sought to have a decision to dismiss her jabanga moved that Mogwera’s suggestion • Court rules against her application to have her expulsion set aside from the BOPEU membership set aside. that the matter is urgent because she stands • Registrar of Trade Unions finally registers BOPEU office bearers An interlocutory application was also filed to lose a motor vehicle and rights in the fu- by Mogwera, which sought to block the reg- neral scheme is absurd. There is another mat- istration of new office bearers, pending the ter before a different Judge, in respect of the GAZETTE REPORTER anagae, dismissed Mogwera’s urgent inter- decision by the Court to have the decisions said motor vehicle. Kanjabanga questioned locutory application, on grounds that the taken at the congress set aside. why she has not sought a court injunction fforts by Masego Mogwera, ex-Pres- matter was not urgent. BOPEU was represented by Attorney when she became aware of the said matter 5 ident of the Botswana Public Em- Further, Justice Gabanagae ruled that at Gabriel Kanjabanga, while Mogwera was months back only to apply for urgency after ployees Union (BOPEU) to have her the time Mogwera filed her application at represented by Attorney Dutch Leburu. In her expulsion. E his response, Kanjabanga moved that Mog- “These proceedings are not interlocutory expulsion set aside and to also interdict deci- court, she was already expelled from BO- sions taken at the Special General Congress PEU membership, and as a result, was no wera’s application was not urgent. He said because the reliefs sought under the substan- late last year hit a snag after the High Court longer a member of the Union of Choice and Mogwera’s averment that she joined BO- tive application are not related. The decision ruled against her. not party to decisions taken at BOPEU. PEU in 1996 cannot be a basis for urgency of the NEC meeting of April 27th 2019 is th The Botswana Gazette can reveal that on Mogwera was suspended from the BOPEU so much that the court process can be dis- completely divorced from the 30 Novem- the 13th of March 2020, Justice Chris Gab- Presidency on the 27th of April 2019 by the rupted on her account. ber 2019 resolutions at the Special General Congress. These are detached structures. The congress is actually a super structure that is not subservient to any authority within the hierarchy of BOPEU,” argued Kanjabanga. Mogwera also cited that the BOPEU constitution was violated in the decisions leading to her expulsion. Kanjabanga said she failed to annexure the said constitution and called the Court to examine if indeed the BOPEU constitution was violated. Further, he said Mogwera’s application to interdict the Registrar of Trade Unions(represented by the Attorney Gen- eral) does not stand as the Registrar is not party to the main application. He said in terms of the law, only parties to the main application may be admitted into the interlocutory application. “This matter ought to have been brought as a substantive application on its own, as such it must meet its demise,” he argued. Responding on behalf of Mogwera, Attorney Leburu said he had annexed BOPEU constitution previ- ously, which he said has been violated. “The decision they are seeking to purge today, is a continuation of the 2018 congress that concluded with the 2019 Special General Congress,” he stated, adding that BOPEU President Olefhile Monakwe preside over a meeting that rendered the court decision to interdict any court decision against Mog- wera redundant. To Leburu, the termination of membership must be constitutional. “All actions must have been put on ice until February 2020 when the substantive matter is called,” he said, adding further that Mog- wera was never even served with a notice of her termination which is uncalled for. However, Kanjabanga responded saying the Special General Congress as the most supe- rior structure is empowered to deal with any matter, including termination of membership. “This was not a disciplinary process but a termination of membership. The Union was exercising its powers in terms of section 21.2 of the constitution, “he responded. That Mogwera is not a member in good standing, the rights that she claims she stands to lose are already not available to her according to Kanjabanga, adding that Mogwera also has no right to be a director at Babereki Invest- ments, because she serves at the pleasure of the shareholder, BOPEU. Justice Gab- anagae has since dismissed the matter with costs. Further, the Registrar of Trade Unions Beseniah Buraga finally registered the new BOPEU National Office Bearers (NOB) after a long struggle by the leadership. In a letter dated the 2nd of April 2020, Buraga confirmed that as per decisions taken at the congress, Kebonye Philip Tlhage, Mbaki Kula, Mandla Gunda, Bakane Lesotlho and Boikhutso Lucas are confirmed as trustees. Of the national office bearers, Olefile Fast Monakwe is confirmed as President, Tshepo Mokgwe 1st Deputy President while Patricia Raditladi is 2nd Deputy President. Kaboya- one Rash Sedimo is confirmed as General Secretary, Ketlhapeleng Karabo is Deputy General Secretary while Panama Dipatane is Treasurer General. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 business Page 15 Lucara Outlook Uncertain, as COVID-19 Hits Diamond prices decline

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Steven Bogatsu a major step in the right direction towards is to help support our Retail (individual) FNBB CEO containing the spread on the COVID- and Commercial customers whose finances 19,and drastically minimising its impact on have been impacted during this challeng- ince the beginning of the COVID-19 our society and economy. ing period. We are therefore pleased to an- outbreak, First National Bank We would like to assure our customers nounce the following relief measures: SBotswana (FNBB), has been closely that in addition to putting in place the nec- Cashflow Relief monitoring developments, with view essary precautionary measures to ensure Our Cashflow relief intervention will be of provisionally restructuring its opera- the health and safety of our customers, staff available to eligible customers with a good tions and solutions to meet the changing and vendors during this time, we continue track record of honouring their payments demands and minimise the impact of the to reinforce our capacity to provide unin- prior to 1 March 2020. The cashflow relief pandemic. terrupted essential banking services which measures will be applied to both Retail FNBB commends the Government of allow customers to do their everyday bank- and Commercial customers for a period of Botswana on its decision to invoke extreme ing through our innovative digital channels three (3) months (from 07 April – 30 June) social distancing (lockdown) for a mini- and branches. and will include the following: mum of 28 days. We believe the decision is We also believe that our responsibility • Instalment relief for the following prod-

ADVERTISING WEEK AFRICA TO BE RE-SCHEDULED Marquee Stars including Tiffany Haddish, Steve Harvey and T.I. On Hold For New Dates Organizers Vow to Press On As Global Conditions Allow

uct classes: • Retail customers: home loan, personal 1 April, 2020, Johannesburg - - Advertising Week Africa loan and WesBank loans; (AW), the world’s largest annual gathering of brand, • The launch of ADCOLOR Africa • SME customers: commercial property creative, entertainment, marketing, media and • Keynotes by a large number of luminaries including finance, vehicle and asset finance and technology industry leaders has announced that the High Commissioner Tembi Tambo, Nobel Laureate term loans maiden edition of Advertising Week Africa (AWAFRICA) Prof. Wole Soyinka, National Urban League CEO will shift forward because of the rapidly developing Marc Morial, Acclaimed Actor, Director and • SME businesses with an annual turnover up to P10 million and an initial loan Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. Advertising Playwright Dr John Kani, Music of Black Origin Week Africa’s Executive Director, Tosin Lanipekun said Founder Kanya King, CBS Correspondent Michelle amount not exceeding P5 million will “The commitment of our corporate & media partners Miller, AAF COO Connie Constance Frazier, benefit from our instalment relief pro- and both the South African and Johannesburg local Saturday Morning Founders Kwame Taylor- gram. No fees will be charged for any governments is resolute. And the thoughtful advice Hayford, Jayanta Jenkins, and Geoff Edwards relief granted; of our Advisory Council all point in the same unified • Assistance for Retail customers with pro- direction. We will get there, but this is simply not the No new date will be announced at this time. “Africa is cessing insurance claims, where possi- time as the world unites to fight this unique, common at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and it is ble; (typically retrenchment cases only, enemy.” just too early for us to make any reasonable forecast as but not definitive). to when the crisis will have been fully addressed and • Interest and fees will continue to accu- One of six global Advertising Week editions planned definitively over.” said AWAFRICA Advisory Council mulate on outstanding balances. for 2020, AWAFRICA joins a long list of Coronavirus Chairman, Tunji Adeyinka. “As soon as conditions allow, Transactional Relief casualties, a list which includes a number of large-scale we will be back and remain committed to bringing the The Bank will zero rate some payments business-to-business events, most of the world’s major sharpest minds from across the African continent on its digital banking channels. As of 02 music festivals including Coachella, Glastonbury and together with their global contemporaries for an April, the following payments will be the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and most outstanding showcase of innovation and creativity,” he 100% free until 30th April 2020: certainly the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games. added. “The biggest message at this time is to stay safe, unified and optimistic, even as we have been advised to • Payments made on the FNB App; This marks the third postponement of an Advertising keep a social distance from each other. We will triumph • Payments made on Mobile banking and Week event in the past three years due to broader over this virus together” • Cash withdrawals made through Cash@ global environmental and societal conditions. The Till, a service which allows customers inaugural edition of AWLATAM in Mexico City was About Advertising Week: to withdraw cash from their accounts at pushed forward from November of 2017 to February of selected grocery stores who offer the ser- 2018 due to a massive earthquake. Since that time, the Advertising Week is the premier global education, vice through FNB POS Machines. event has taken place three times, most recent just a few engagement and event platform for advertising, weeks ago in early March just ahead of the worldwide brand, creative, marketing, media and technology For the months of May and June, FNB lockdown. AWAFRICA was already postponed from professionals. Founded in 2004, Advertising Week App payments, mobile payments and November 2019 to May 2020 due to xenophobia- has grown into the # 1 business-to-business event in Cash@Till fees will be offered at a 25% fueled violence. Advertising Week Europe, which was New York City. In addition to New York, Advertising discount on the current fee. The Bank earlier billed for March 16th to 19th was postponed till Week’s global footprint has expanded to five additional hopes that these measures will help ease September 14th because of the coronavirus outbreak. worldwide live events: AWEUROPE (London); AWASIA customers’ financial constraints until things (Tokyo); AWAPAC (Sydney); AWAfrica (Johannesburg); stabilise. “As conditions on the ground allowed, we came back and AWLATAM (Mexico City). AW has also uniquely FNBB remains committed to helping its bigger and better in México City and that’s certainly elevated the live experience to smartphones and wider Commercial and Corporate Banking the mandate for AWAFRICA. Our commitment is tablets with year-round digital platforms, AW360 and unwavering, but like everyone else we recognize the AWLEARN. client base with a range of innovative cash- realities of where we are now and the priority for all flow relief solutions and urge our clients to of us is to do what we can to help end this crisis by AW Global: contact their relationship managers in this following the new rules,” said Advertising Week Global Aanchal Khurana regard. CEO, Matt Scheckner. Sunshine Sachs For Cashflow Relief assistance and in- [email protected] formation customers can make contact Among the plans which were confirmed for AWAFRICA: 212 691 2800 via the FNBB digital banking channels or • Live appearances by Tiffany Haddish, Steve Harvey Contact Centre; and Commercial and Cor- and T.I. AWAFRICA: porate Banking clients can contact their re- • A day-long Youth Summit for 1,000 with a focused Lasi Mashaba lationship managers.FNB remains commit- lens on education and jobs Af r i c a Co m m u n i c a ti o n s Me d i a Gro u p ted to helping the nation address some of • The launch of Kevin Hart’s Comedy in Color in [email protected] the prevalent economic difficulties during this time and beyond. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 column Page 17 if you so choose? There are various rights that are double edged just as I posit above; the right to choose The assumption is that a religion is equally a right from religion; the freedom of expression guarantees one to not we all carry a sense of express if they do not wish to – likewise, the hope somewhere innately right to life should surely guarantee one the autonomy to be free of that very life. It is a inside of us; whether true right that only the person carrying it can and should have the right to forego it if they so or not, hope is not a static choose. The truth is that we actually make feeling that everyone concessions on this issue; when it comes to persons suffering from or living with ex- carries inside of them. To cruciatingly painful conditions or circumstances such as where a patient suffering some, hope is a fleeting from stage 4 cancer asks for a merciful kill- experience that might not ing often termed as Euthanasia. Euthanasia is described by Encyclopedia Britannica as: carry the same power it “…an act or practice of painlessly putting does for many. to death persons suffering from painful and incurable disease or incapacitating physical QUEER I To page 24

Tshepo Ricki Kgositau Corona Virus Update “The Right to Life the and the As The BIHL Group, the safety and health of our staff, customers and stakeholders is of the utmost importance as we engineer the legacies of our Right from Life: people daily. As we monitor and learn more about the Coronavirus, the Group would like to sensitize our people about our efforts as an organisation in A Conundrum” protecting our customers and employees.

he most of Batswana use this phrase Please be aware that we are making every effort to ensure a safe and hygienic “go tla siama” very often and loosely Twith a good intention to make those environment across all of our premises. This includes: going through the most feel better, to have hope and look for a beautiful tomorrow. The assumption is that we all carry a sense Offering a sanitizer dispenser at the reception of all of our branches of hope somewhere innately inside of us; whether true or not, hope is not a static feel- nationwide; we encourage all of our valued customers to make use of this ing that everyone carries inside of them. To during entry and exit of our premises some, hope is a fleeting experience that might not carry the same power it does for many. It is why we continue to see many folks, more especially black folk, get shocked and Customers are encouraged to use our contact center lines or feel defeated or even helpless when someone says they are depressed or living with depres- email for any enquiries sion. Many immediately jump to offer names and numbers of psychologists and the pletho- ra of mental health specialists who apparently Botswana Life Insurance Limited: [email protected] or 362 3700 are experts at dishing out hope for the hope- less or sparking a match for those that feel Bifm Unit Trusts: [email protected] or 395 1564 the walls are caving-in on them where dark Botswana Insurance Company (BIC): [email protected] or 360 0500 shadows steal the littlest ounce of happiness they have. The truth is that many of us do not fully fathom what depression is; the thinking is Furthermore, The BIHL Group has a designated internal Coronavirus committee that one only gets depressed when they have in place dedicated to give full and deserving attention to this matter. We are nothing or lose it all, as true as that might be, even those who seemingly have it all can be closely monitoring updates regarding COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and depressed. That is because the depth of the internal conversations we have with our- Wellness as well the World Health Organisation (WHO) and we will continue to selves are often than not only known to us. seek their guidance. Many of us have come into a world where we must perform strength and courage, where we must fabricate confidence and mask our vulnerabilities because the world in its raw form is a not a safe place for any one of us in our most raw form. I have recently lost a friend and gender diverse younger sibling called Bubbly Kutl- wano Selaledi who died by suicide. Yes, death by suicide and NOT committed sui- Insurance | Financial Planning | Retirement | Investments | Wealth | Long term Savings cide. Many people have been indoctrinated into the criminalised version of someone dy- Plot 66458, 3rd Floor, Fairgrounds Office Park, Block A, Gaborone ing by suicide where you hear phrases such as PO Box 336, Gaborone, BW “so-and-so committed suicide”, denoting that T: +267 370 7400 ending your own life should be or is a crime. D: +267 370 7429 I dare ask, what is the point of the right to life F: +267 397 3676 www.bihl.co.bw if you do not have a right to end that very life Page 18 advertisement Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Stay home, stay safe.

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We keep it flowing, for you The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 timeout ‘I SPENT OVER Page 19 P300K ON SOUL T1 The Botswana Gazette T1 Wednesday 15 April 2019 FILL UP’ - FRANCO P172K spent on props and accoutrements

“We have been considering this TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO

move for a while now and we ocal rumba sensation, Frank ‘Franco’ Lesok- wane, says he had already invested approxi- finally took the plunge.” Lmately P322 000 in his “Soul Fill Up” music festival before it had to be postponed, thanks to the advent of COVID-19.But for the cancellation, Fran- co’s fest would have taken place on April 4 at the National Stadium in Gaborone. In an interview with this publication, the indomi- table Franco said the postponement of his widely-ad- vertised festival had hit him hard financially because the much-acclaimed ‘King of Kwasa’ had already invested approximately P322 000 on props and accoutrements. Franco noted that he spent about P150 000 on promoting and activating the festival. “We paid people who travelled around the country to hype up the mood of reveller.” Let’s go 50/50 - Yarona “I spent P172 000 paying for the National Stadium, which I don’t think is a big deal because I’ll be allocated a new date,” he said. Franco noted that he spent about P150 000 on promoting and activating the festival. “We paid people who travelled around the country to hype up the FM says to Local and mood of revellers,” said the singer who is also popular for his gyrating dance moves on stage. “The un- fortunate thing is that we will have to spend more money after this to activate the mood for the new date.” International Musicians But did any sponsors come forward? “No one had contributed any money when the festival was postponed but several entities were interested in sponsor- • Growth in recorded works of good local music has helped to put local artists ing.” Meanwhile, the indefatigable entertainer has on the same pedestal as their international counterparts vowed to stage the festival once the Coronavirus pandemic is out of the way. “That is why we have told • A trial run of 100 percent local content at Independence last year provided people to keep their tickets safely,” he said. Yarona FM with the impetus to go ahead

GOSEGO MOTSUMI the plunge,” Motsisi said. initiative YaronaFM50. It only source of income for “Local music is good and was rolled out at the perfect them because events and outhful radio station we could not ignore this time of the COVID-19 lock- festivals have been post- Yarona FM recently growth. The playing field is down because our numbers poned or cancelled due to Yembarked on an ini- now level, and so for every (of listenership) have gone the COVID-19 pandemic. tiative to play 50 percent international song that plays up. People are confined to The 70 percent local airplay local and 50 percent inter- will be a local song in all our their homes and are tuned to initiative also seeks to avoid national music, much to radio programmes.” media platforms for enter- the huge royalties being paid the delight of local musi- It emerged in the course tainment and information. to international artists when cians. This is an improve- of the interview that as a This 50 percent quota will their works enjoy more local ment on the station’s 40% matter of fact, this station go on for as long as the State airplay. quota set by the Botswana had played 100 percent lo- of Emergency is in effect. Among outstanding ad- Communications Regula- cal music during the long If the response is great, we vocates of this has been will continue.” tory Authority (BOCRA). weekend of Botswana’s jazz artist Thabang Garog- In an interview with Time Independence last year. This Yarona FM initiative we, who recently took the Out, Yarona’s Programmes “And it worked well for the also came at a time when campaign to social media. the call by local artists for Manager, Tshepang ‘DJ station!” the manager ex- “The growth of Botswana broadcasters to give them a claimed. That served as the music begins with this kind Izzy’ Motsisi, said growth in bigger share of airplay was the recorded works of good basis for the radio station of recognition,” he posted. reaching a new crescendo. local music inspired the sta- to chart the new course to “Thank you Yarona FM for Local artists launched a 70 tion to put local artists on increase local content last seeing the good that comes percent local airplay cam- the same pedestal as their week that Motsisi says has paign in an effort to boost with playing our music. You international counterparts. been so well received by their royalty pay out from did not wait for BOCRA to “We have been consider- listeners that there has not the Copyright Society of compel you to do it. Rather ing this move for a while been a word of disapproval. Botswana (COSBOTS). you saw a patriotic need for now and we finally took He explains: “We call this Royalties are currently the our growth.” Page 20 timeout Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Interpreters Into Sign Language Gain Added Importance Diff erences in language structure, issues of dialect and the denigration of the hearing-impaired are what Sign Language interpreters routinely contend with. But COVID-19 means a more critical role for them as they keep the deaf community safe. Staff Writer GOSEGO MOTSUMI met one of them.

ith news programmes and press has assumed a more critical importance. conferences by Members of Topo Seremo is one of the interpreters that WParliament becoming more viewers see in a box on the screens of their frequent in the advent of the Coronavirus, TV sets, usually at the bottom on the right, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Vice President Slumber Tsogwane wearing masks to protect them from Covid-19. interpretation of these into sign language Masisi on a phone call after the approval of a six month State of Emergency during a special parliament seating at Boipuso Hall. relaying what is being said to the hearing- (Pic:MONIRUL BHUIYAN/PRESS PHOTO) impaired. “I have a year’s contract with the national television station to work with Btv news and other programmes,” the Goodhope na- tive told The Botswana Gazette in an interview. “These now include crucial information about COVID-19, health programmes, and special parliamentary debates. I do everything I am assigned to do to get the important messages to the community of the hearing-impaired.” With his Level One to Level Three Sign Language qualifications, Seremo’s daily duties entail bridging the communication gap between two people or groups. His facial expressions and dynamic body language convey meaning in Sign and have made him something of a bright spot in an otherwise difficult situation. “My job ensures that the hearing-impaired are not left out when important messages are relayed,” he explains. “It is particularly important now that this community is also up to date with what is going on with regard to COVID-19 in Botswana and around the world.” Seremo’s ‘pantomime’ may seem easy, especially to people without hearing difficulties. However, this interpreter says Sign Language is very different from the Eng- lish in both sentence structure and deliv- ery of words. While the English Language tends to be structured subject-verb-object, some Sign Languages tend to be flipped around. They will place the concept of the sentence first and then translate the details PART TIME PROGRAMMES ARE NOW NOW ARE PROGRAMMES TIME PART PART TIME PROGRAMMES ARE NOW afterwards. Facial expressions, says Ser- emo, are also a big part of the job, hence AVAILABLE AT NEW ERA COLLEGE ERA NEW AT AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AT NEW ERA COLLEGE interpreters do everything they can to relay not just the words but the tone as well. The Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma Advanced and Diploma Certificate, Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma emotions of the speaker must also come out through the interpreter. Understandably, Seremo says there are Programmes: Programmes: many challenges associated with his job. Construction Engineering Construction • • Construction Engineering “In Botswana, as indeed elsewhere, Sign Electrical and Electronics Engineering Electronics and Electrical • • Electrical and Electronics Engineering Languages are different,” he explains. “In addition, we have hearing-impaired indi- Telecommunications Engineering Telecommunications • • Telecommunications Engineering viduals who have never gone to school but should also be catered for.” “The hearing-impaired from the north- 2020 th 4 May Start Classes NOW APPLY APPLY NOW Classes Start May 4th 2020 ern part of Botswana use different signs from those in the south. It is basically not Flexible Payment Plans Payment Flexible Flexible Payment Plans simple to convert the spoken word; it is complex and often frustrating. Consider also that meanings in English Language are not always clear and that it cannot be easy to think of two meanings simultane- ously. Yet you have to be focused because you cannot afford to miss anything that is being said.” Besides these difficulties is the reality that the deaf community is considered secondary in just about all matters. But with the global crisis of COVID-19, Seremo and Contact Part-Time Coordinator For Application Forms Application For Coordinator Part-Time Contact Contact Part-Time Coordinator For Application Forms his colleagues are up there making sure that Call: (+267) 73649477 (+267) Call: Call: (+267) 73649477 they get the information needed to keep the neweracollege [email protected] email r o or email [email protected] neweracollege hearing-impaired healthy and safe. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 timeout Page 21 Life Behind the Cordon of COVID-19 The Gazette samples what this means to an entertainer who was hardly ever home in Gabs and an essential service employee who lives alone in Mogoditshane.

GOSEGO MOTSUMI These two examples typify the new reality for most people during these 28 days of OVID-19 has caused major dis- lockdown across Botswana. What has been ruptions in family life through ex- your experience so far? Ctreme social distancing, closure of schools and the nationwide lockdown to prevent and control further infection and death from the rampant virus. Even so, family bonding that is hard to come by in the hustle and bustle of everyday life has a greater chance under the abominable disease. In an interview with The Botswana Ga- zette, kwaito-kwasa star, and family man, Odirile “Vee Mampeezy” Sento, said he was making the most of the new reality by spending time with family and is enjoying playing games, watching TV and cooking with his wife and children. For Vee, as the entertainer is better known, this is a depar- ture from his usual routine of work, travel- ing and making new music for his fans. “Apart from the fact that my hustle is now suffering, my wife and kids are very happy that I am home all the time, which has not been the case in a while,” he said. “I have also pressed a reset button in my life because I now realize that I needed to rest. It gives me great joy to participate in family activities - helping out in the kitch- en and having long conversations with my children.” But there is Olefile Mokibe, an essential service worker who currently lives alone in Mogoditshane. Mokibe says he uses social media and telephone calls to have a sense of connection with his loved ones during these difficult times. “I am in a long-distance relationship with my partner who lives across town,” he explains. “I only leave the house to go to work and I have a virtual connection with my family. It has not been easy.” Bank for FREE in April In our effort to support you and make banking convenient we are offering zero fees on our digital channels. Buy airtime, electricity, pay DStv and so much more on Tobetsa mobile banking and e-pula. Register for Tobetsa mobile banking on *187*247# or *188*123# or contact our Digital Channels Consultants on 367 1690 for e-pula. Ts & Cs apply

Page 22 news Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette The Truth About What's Up In China And Foreigners Band Jr that people are beginning to go out to work til now. They can only move within their there is a need to keep track of people. And campuses. o many people have asked me about China has too many people to track. This However there are many foreigners who the videos and news posts coming out green card is linked to mobile apps like we are not under schools or students. How do Sabout China discriminating against chat. . It is like a health passport that clears they implement green cards to allow these blacks. Let me briefly try to explain what’s you from the virus and you have to use it people move freely and be traced easily. going on and it’s something that many for- when entering public places. This helps in Last week in Guangzhou some foreign- eigners in China don’t understand due to the event that the public place you visited ers tested positive. And they were Africans. language barriers. became a virus hot spot then authorities How could they trace where they had been Right now China is implementing a can easily trace visitors. Chinese citizens and who else had been there since foreign- green healthy passport or card for all its who are allowed to go back to work now ers are not using this green APP? for cau- citizens and everyone living in China in or- all have this green card and those without it tion they had to test all Africans because der to easily track and trace people if they are still under quarantine at home. most of them frequent same places. The come into contact with any covid19 case. Now the question is about foreigners. measure looked extreme but that’s what As we are all aware China has managed Foreign Students who reside in schools are they had to do because they had no ways of to contain the domestic spread of the vi- already being quarantined in their hostels tracing people. Even people who had not rus through the 2 months lockdown. Now and are not allowed out on the streets un- been out were tested because they might

have been in contact with someone who was out. Let’s remember that testing is very ex- pensive for many countries. Many Chinese persons can’t get a test right now. As you know tests kits are scarce. In my city all universities are keeping foreign students confined to our campuses, until now we can’t get out of the campus. We can only walk within the campus. Some Chinese citizens can now go out with the green pass. But all schools are still closed until today. Am explaining this for you to understand why Chinese authorities are nervous and scared when they see foreigners roaming around the streets right now. They are worried because they have no way of tracing them and they have no way of knowing their health status. Many Shops can’t let foreigners in not because of their skin color as some people would like you to believe. But they are just following instructions to let people who enter have a health passport and right now foreigner’s don’t have. Soon if we are to be allowed back on the streets and markets we will all need to join Chinese citizens in having this healthy code on our phones. That proves that we have been tested. According to authorities they are working tirelessly to roll out this health passport scheme to foreigners once the country officially opens all business and schools. Now what explains the videos going around? Those videos are coming from the city called Guangzhou, We all know Guangzhou as the trading city and the main export hub in China. Such commercial cit- ies around the world always attract all sorts of migrants. Some legal, and some illegal. Guangzhou has so many illegal foreigners. The corona pandemic has forced authorities to come into conflict with people who do not have legal permits to stay in China. Faced with possible deportation people find different ways to fight. Some are using social media to seek sympathy and force China to leave them alone. It is very sad that they are using the name Africans and making everyone in Africa worried. But there are many people in Guangzhou who are from Africa and are safe in their homes and schools because they follow the law. It is better to ask those people what they do in Guangzhou and what Visas they carry? You will be surprised to find out that majority do not have any legal documents and they are not employed. They make money by acting like middlemen and guides for African shoppers often duping them to pay more. Anyway i hope i have explained what’s up in China right now. If you have any questions about racism or other forms of discrimination in China leave them in the comment...Happy Easter The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 news Page 23 hard at work to improve the working conditions of Africans living in China. These The Chinese Embassy measures include providing health management services without differentiation, to designate hotels for the accommodation of foreigners required to undergo medical in Botswana Condemns observation and adopt price adjustment for those in financial difficulties; to set up -ef fective communication mechanism with foreign consulates-general in Guangzhou; Coronavirus-fueled and to reject all racist and discriminatory remarks and behaviors. At present, all infected patients and close contacts have been identified. The rest will be released Xenophobia Against from quarantine according to relevant epidemic prevention process. The local authorities will continue to take necessary measures to protect the health and safety Africans in China of foreign nationals. Pic: africafeeds.com

GAZETTE REPORTER

midst the reports of the rising tide of discrimination driven by both ACoronavirus-fueled xenophobia and deep-rooted prejudice against Afri- cans in China, the Chinese Embassy in Botswana released a statement condemn- ing the reports. Their stand is that the Chi- nese Government has been attaching great importance to the life and health of foreign nationals in China where all foreigners are treated equally. “Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and African countries have been support- ing each other in fighting the pandemic. We won’t forget the support voiced and provided by African countries and their people when we were at the most crucial stage of the fight. We reject differential treatment, and we have zero tolerance for discrimination,” the statement read. Currently, China’s most urgent task is to prevent imported cases and domestic resurgence. Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province and a major border city with a large foreign population including many African residents, is facing increasing risk due to more and more imported cases. By 12th April, Guangzhou has reported 26 imported cases of foreign nationals. Among them 19 are from African countries, accounting for 73%. There are also 60 asymptomatic cases from abroad, and 57 of them are from African countries, accounting for 95%. The statement further read: “African residents in Guangzhou usually live in groups and like gathering, and are generally re- luctant to take protective measures such as wearing masks. Frankly speaking, their lifestyle has brought a lot of panic in the neighboring Chinese communities when the pandemic situation is still severe and thus resulted in some overreactions and tensions in the neighborhood. The Chinese governments at all levels have always rejected such overreactions, and have been trying to provide guidance and mitiga- tion.” In order to effectively protect the health of all Chinese and foreign nationals and maintain the hard-won epidemic prevention outcome, the Guangzhou authorities recently conducted a major investigation of all high-risk groups. Over 15,000 people were required to quarantine at home or in designated places. Among them, 4,600 were foreigners, including African nationals and foreign nationals from 13 countries including Russia, the United States and Australia, Canada among others and the measure is not targeting African nationals. The Chinese authorities are currently Page 24 queer 1 Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette us’ internal suffering cannot be healed by no thing to go by, then “having it all” does not amount of free counselling sessions? When make you immune to depression. When I was “The Right to Life do we stop pushing persons living with de- a little trans girl growing up in a world that pression to fashion a reason to wish to con- kept negating my gender identity and de- From Page 17 tinue living when the world continues to take gendering 1my girlhood, I at some point was disorder or allowing them to die by withhold- away or prohibit every small thing that would caught by my mother in the process of muti- ing treatment or withdrawing artificial life- make them happy and hopeful? lating myself trying to cut off that thing be- support measures.” I personally know this monster called de- tween my legs which apparently was the end In essence a person can ask to be left to die pression whom I continue to have to chain all of it all of my gender and being. I must out of their own volition, and given the perva- down in the dungeons of my mind like have been 10 or 11 in age at the time, but I sive medical-legal complex that tells us that Khaleesi did her dragons at some point on lived with such chronic depression because we can only grant such a wish when a doc- Game of Thrones, because to be honest de- no one seemed to listen to my cries about the tor or medical specialist confirms for us that pression is not something all of us heal from; fact that though I seemed “regular” on the ex- such a person is indeed suffering to a point some of us simply learn to live with it. I know terior, inside I was dying every day wonder- where we cannot be able to help ease that that this is hard for many to grasp, because ing why I had to exist in a world that showed pain in any form we permit it. I then place the many still believe that once you achieve or me on a daily that it will never acknowledge question before you all, how do we measure attain certain things in life such as graduat- nor celebrate my existence as a transgender emotional, mental and spiritual terminal suf- ing with a degree, or landing a 5 digit salary child. Unless you have experienced it per- fering in a person when we often do not allow or marrying the world’s No.1 eligible bach- sonally, you can never easily understand the them space to show physically their internal elor, then you certainly cannot be depressed. death of not being loved for who you are by excruciating pain? Do we even want or pro- If Angelina Jolie’s years of depression whilst your own parent. No matter the amount of vide platform to acknowledge that some of married to the heartthrob Brad Pitt are any- love from friends, colleagues and even lov- ers, when you are queer like some of us, the yearning of full acceptance and love from your own family, siblings, father or mother is a yearning we all live with. You can easily see how LGBTIQA+GNC people who have the full support of their families often succeed in all their life’s endeavours as opposed to those of us who have been rejected by our own families (of cause not all LGBTIQA+GNC persons rejected by their families are depressed or fail to succeed in life; for some that rejection becomes the propeller for them to succeed and prove their families wrong). The WHO and other organisations such as the National LGBT Health Education Center at the Fenway Institute (lgbthealth.org) esti- mate average global suicide amongst LGBTI persons to be 4.5 times higher than those of non-LGBTI persons; more so during our teens and early 20s. This is why I continue to advocate that gender affirming health care services for transgender and gender diverse persons in example, is actually lifesaving treatment and not cosmetic as most health insurance and medical aid schemes plus governments incorrectly perceive the surgeries and hormonal treatment we need to live dignified, hopeful and happy lives. It pains my heart to see how the cis-tem (the system that advances cis-gender and heterosexual people’s needs as the only important needs to legislate or develop policies for) continues to deny us the necessary dignity and affirming health care, forcing some of us to access such care in the black market out-of-pocket, where it also places our very quality of health at risk. When we are unable to access gender affirming health care out of pocket, we end up falling into the clutches of depression and then they even criminalise our choice to end our existence in this world. Our existence is criminalised and our exit is also criminalised, when then will queer folk get the dignity they deserve? We need to stop saying someone has committed suicide when they have in fact died by or due to suicide. Many of us do not wish to even entertain the idea when someone living with depression tells us they wish to die by suicide. Immedi- ately after Bubbly’s passing, I had a conver- sation with a close friend who is also close to Bubbly and the overwhelming feeling of helplessness; that they or we could have done something more to better support Bubbly and give them reason to live made me think deep- er about this. I even had a chat with a close colleague of mine who knew how hard Bub- bly’s passing had hit me more so that Bubbly died on the same day we buried another trans sister of mine Lesiba Mothibe. My colleague said to me “maybe some people’s emotional, mental and/or spiritual suffering is so de- bilitating that no amount of effort from our end can save them from wanting to die just to have all that pain come to a total end”. This statement then dawned on me and sunk in when I read Bubbly’s blog where they put their thoughts down (https://thegayeffect. home.blog/author/bubblyk/). In 2019 Bub- bly shared a heart wrenching piece titled ‘Not a suicide note’ which some of its raw parts read: “If you are reading this, It’s either I want to die but I cannot coz I am afraid of those I’ll leave behind…I can’t, I don’t want this life, The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 queer 1 Page 25

can certainly respond positively to counsel- those dying in this manner and ourselves who live? Is it not because of this selfishness of ling and even anti-depression medication survive them the opportunity to say our final ours to demand of those suffering internally where possible. However, we need to come goodbyes. Many will not let us know when to just endure that pain to satisfy our non-em- to the realisation that some depression is so exactly they will die by suicide, because they pathetic need to just have them walk around far seated and incapacitating that no amount know we will do everything in our power to as empty shells without a living soul on the of our “help” can actually help. I think we stop them from having a dignified death if inside, that we are often left with guilt for not should start getting used to the very contro- they so choose to die by suicide. An open- having granted them space to involve us in versial and unconventional response of “If ness to this might just be the key to us better their process to die by suicide? Is it right to you want to die my friend, I will hold your dealing with depression on the onset. deny anyone the right to forego their right to hand when you do it”. Then maybe we would If you wish to have an intelligent dialogue life with dignity and criminalising this brave not need suicide notes and answers to our on this with me, then put on a queer eye for act? What should be done with journalists questions of why, when our dearly beloved one second and seek answers to the follow- and reporters who continue to sensationalise have passed on by suicide. Maybe we could ing; how do we measure if someone’s inter- our lives when we die by suicide? These have been there to say our goodbyes when nal suffering is something they can be healed are very controversial questions that all my they chose to die by suicide instead of how from? Is it not selfish of us “non-depressed” friends that have died by suicide continue to suicide often happens in the solitude of the folk to stigmatise dying by suicide when stir inside of me and I need some Queerians one choosing it unlike a terminally ill person others cannot live with their pain anymore? who follow my thought leadership to help me who dies through euthanasia who gets to say Who is to say which level of pain warrants deal with. Remember to put on a queer eye as their proper goodbyes, surrounded by friends a merciful death or suicide is it for you and you attempt answering them. and family. The more we criminalise and I to say, or for the person suffering to deter- In memory of Kutlwano Bubbly Sela- stigmatise death by suicide, the more we rob mine when they want to forego their right to ledi: 10-April-2020 these clothes, this place, this body, I don’t want it all, but who then do I tell when each time I try to scream I’m forced to pop pills to numb it all. But numbing doesn’t erase, Aon Botswana supports Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund its temporary pain relief solution…This vow of immortality I swore just so I won’t break hearts is breaking my own. I’m in shreds and nobody seems to notice. This is not a suicide note, I’m merely putting my thoughts on pa- per to remind myself that I long died, this vessel is getting exhausted of carrying my corpse. But I just have to hold on, not for me, it’s never for me.” When you see the depth of the above vulnerability, you can then understand why I was appalled to have read a disgusting piece written about Bubbly’s passing on Good Friday in Botswana by a reckless reporter that made a local tabloid front cover, simply sensationalising Bubbly’s death with Aon Botswana has stepped up to support the COVID 19-Disaster Relief Fund, donating basic no regard for the nuances of depression and suicide. It is such media practitioners that food supplies, toiletries, sanitiser and cleaning supplies in the first of two donations to provide continue to hinder an in-depth discussion on immediate relief for vulnerable communities and people quarantined in camps as a result of the such matters affecting the lives and wellbeing of so many of us. I have found myself lockdown. Aon has committed to a second donation towards the end of April to Governments’s appreciating the bravery it takes to not only COVID 19-Disaster Relief Fund, bringing its contribution to the fund to P200 000. have suicidal ideation but to succeed at going through with suicide. It cannot be easy to face the end of your time on earth not Botswana is already on a 28-day lockdown, after President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a state of necessarily necessitated by a terminal illness emergency to help curb the spread of coronavirus on 2 April 2020. but walk into your own death head-on. Re- membering how I once in my trans girlhood The hospital-grade hand sanitiser was donated by Cleaning Services Botswana and STC Chemicals plotted to drink a can of Jeyes fluid (which a Motswana calls tipi) at the height of my to add to Aon’s fund donation, while grocery items were purchased by Aon from The Spar Group. gender dysphoria and the abuse my mom and I endured at the hands of my former step- dad she was married to, but chickened out “As the largest broker in Botswana, with the highest number of citizen employees, we understand of it. To be honest I chickened out because I just how important it is for business to be actively involved with and invested in the wellbeing couldn’t imagine the self-blaming and guilt of our communities and colleagues. Our country, and indeed countries across the globe, face my mother was going to have to live with unprecedented challenges when it comes to mitigating and alleviating the devastating impact that for a very long time and the fact that I grew up hearing that persons who died by suicide the pandemic and lockdown is having on our citizenry and economy. The Covid-19 pandemic has were buried with their hands cuffed like highlighted the stark realities faced by poor communities during this time, and the grim outlook criminals because suicide was criminalised. that many small businesses now face, along with the people they employ. Now more than ever So, for anyone who says people who choose to die are sissies, or chickens, selfish, weak is a time for solidarity and for business and Government to come together to play our role for our and cowards is all those things themselves, communities and the recovery of our economy and social structures during this crisis,” says because it only takes a brave person to end Barnabas Mavuma, Managing Director of Aon Botswana. their own life. Imagine the pain of electro- cuting yourself to death, which is something a Namibian trans sister of mine Queen Garaj “Many forces are reshaping our world and entire industries, and Covid-19 has without any doubt chose for herself some years ago. Only the highlighted the important role that business needs to play in society, and that goes well beyond brave can be able to die this way, I salute all the traditional myopic focus on financial performance. As Aon we take our ethical and societal these soldiers who confronted their deaths head-on; all their deaths had a strong mean- responsibilities very seriously, and we are both proud and humbled to be part of the COVID ing and lesson for us all. 19-Disaster Relief Fund which Government has established to assist those in need. It is up to all of There is nothing cowardice about choosing us across the public and private sector to play our role, and help navigate our way back to certainty, to die by suicide and we need to transform our language around people’s suffering (de- recovery and growth,” concludes Barnabas. pression) and the manner they see fit to stop this suffering (suicide) if we wish to better Photo caption: Managing Director of Aon Botswana, Barnabas Mavuma, was at the government support those going through this. Sometimes the way to best support them is to help them warehouse to receive the goods and officially hand them over. die peacefully with dignity if they choose this is what will help them. Our inability to Aon is the largest provider of risk consultancy and insurance broking services in Botswana. We are really listen to those that cry out for our help part of Aon plc (NYSE:AON) a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of at times makes it difficult for those wanting an ear to come to us for help because the risk, retirement and health solutions. kind of help they want from us is help we will deny them. I certainly am not saying that Our 50,000 colleagues in 120 countries empower results for clients by using proprietary data and all people suffering from or living with de- analytics to deliver insights that reduce volatility and improve performance. pression want to die or should be left to just die given that there are varying degrees and basis to depression, of which some of those Page 26 sport Wednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Molefhi Kannemeyer Obenne of mutual compromise must be made by the parties concerned. ith the State of This is in consideration of the fact Emergency (SoE) in that clubs are not able to make Wfull swing across the money and so may not be able country for the next six months, to meet the agreed financial ob- the game of football - especially ligations in accordance with the its players - has been thrown agreed terms due to COVID-19. into an untenable situation in Therefore, the employer and the Botswana. Over employee must agree how to deal the years, with or without any with payment, accommodating pronounced problems, our foot- the short falls. But FIFA encour- ball has failed to pay players ages consideration of national la- and coaches in accordance with bour laws to avoid disputes going agreed terms. to court and to resort instead to The country has now come Players Status Committees (PSC) under an SOE without prior and/or National Dispute Resolu- consultation with anyone in the tion Chambers (NDRC). Alter- beautiful game. However, it has natively, FIFA suggested that all now been confirmed that the payments due to players may be Botswana Football Association suspended alongside the suspen- (BFA) was asked to send wage sion of football activities, pro- bills of its affiliates to the Bo- vided there is insurance to take tswana National Sports Com- care of players’ payments during mission (BNSC) and has done suspension. so in order that players are paid 3. Registration Periods or during the SOE. It is all we can Transfer Windows: do to hope that this commitment Pic: sports.ndtv.com/ FIFA has two regular fixed will be fulfilled. transfer windows which are well At the global level, FIFA has documented. The first one, which moved swiftly to deal with is- should not last for more than 16 sues around the COVID-19 weeks, is traditionally from June pandemic. A working group FIFA Addresses Issues to August/September. The second headed by Vittorio Montagliani, one, which must last for a maxi- who chairs the FIFA Football mum of four weeks. But with Stakeholders Committee, has the uncertainty ushered in by the been put together with repre- pandemic, FIFA has offered some sentatives of FIFA administra- Under COVID-19 sort of flexibility to allow FAs to tion, confederations, MAs, the determine the appropriate peri- European Club Association ods without exceeding the usual (ECA), FIFPRO and the World Guideline will be especially relevant to Botswana where non- lengths. Leagues Forum. Mandated by The dispensation indicated that the Bureau of the FIFA Coun- payment of players are perennial issues points 1 and 2 are general provi- cil (the Bureau), Montagliani’s sions and are therefore not bind- group, will look into issues such nificantly, the Bureau recognised New Agreements: Seamlessly, the same goes for ing because the Bereau was only as these that plague football in that the disruption to football The regulations clearly spoke new agreements signed, as well providing a framework to rescue Botswana. Hence on Tuesday caused by COVID-19 was a case to the expiring agreements, that as those already signed and were football and its stakeholders. the release of a document titled of force majeure that should be is, agreements which were ter- due to commence at the start of Even so, FIFA has emphasised “Football Fights COVID-19: viewed in accordance with Ar- minating at the end of the season, the next season. The start of the that it expects players to be paid FIFA Guidelines to address ticle 27 of RSTP. say 31 May 2020. Such contracts season will also be determined under any circumstances. Hope- legal Consequences of COV- The published regulations ad- should now expire on the last by the FA, regardless of whether fully, we will not see cases of ID-19” on April 7. dressed three areas with regards day of the current season as de- your contract was to start on 1 non-payment being reported to This is also in line with efforts to Expiring agreements and new termined by the FA of the respec- July. If the season starts on 1 Sep- the Footballers Union Botswana to address issues related to FIFA agreements, Agreements that tive country. Simply put, if your tember, that’s when your contract (FUB). Therefore, clubs will be Regulations on the Status and cannot be performed as the par- contract was to expire at the end will commence as well. hoping that the SOE relief which Transfer of Players (RSTP) by ties originally anticipated, and of May, and if the current season 2. Agreements That Cannot was extended to BFA will help various Football Associations Registration periods or transfer goes beyond that and ends at the Be Performed As The Parties them to avert serious disagree- (FAs) or Member Associations windows. end of August, that will be the ex- Originally Anticipated: ments resulting from struggle (MAs) around the World. Sig- 1). Expiring Agreements And piry of your current contract. Leniency and fairness with a bit with COVID-19 Italian Football Federation Hopes To Test Players For Coronavirus In May Before Season Restart

The Italian Football Federation hopes that players can be tested for coronavirus at the start of May in preparation for the season to restart.

erie A has been suspended Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, since 9 March because of the he added: "Soon, there will be a Sglobal pandemic. meeting. We will establish the pro- There is no set date for when the cedure which we will then com- campaign can resume in Italy, with municate. Juventus are a point clear at the top of Serie A after 26 matches Pic: Getty Images 12 full rounds and four outstand- "We will start, I hope, at the being fixtures still to play. ginning of May with tests to en- the idea is to finish the champion- clubs have been infected. Brescia president Massimo Cel- "As soon as the conditions are sure that players are negative and ships." Juventus lead the Italian top lino, whose side are bottom of the right, we'll finish the champion- training can follow. Italy has been one of the coun- flight, one point ahead of Lazio table, has said he is ready to for- ship," said federation president "Will we play through the sum- tries hardest hit by the coronavirus and nine clear of third-placed In- feit the club's remaining games if Gabriele Gravina. mer? We don't have a deadline but crisis, and players at a number of ter Milan. the season resumes. BBC.com The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 15 April 2020 sport Page 27 Window Extension Will Affect Ngele’s Transfer Decision

BONGANI MALUNGA dates for next season. This Players whose will be of great interest to ogakolodi contracts are set players who are set to be Ngele has, so free agents at the end of far, kept his to end in June, the current season. cardsM close to his chest including Ngele, Players whose contracts regarding his future at are set to end in June, in- ABSA Premiership club will still be given cluding Ngele, will still Black Leopards, the club be given special provi- has expressed an interest special provisions sions to continue playing in triggering a one year to continue for their clubs to finish the contract renewal when the 2019/2020 season if the player’s contract ends in playing for their return of the league ex- June. However, Ngele is clubs to finish the tends beyond June. still undecided and there is At the moment, Ngele is a growing concern that he 2019/2020 season allowed to have talks with might leave the club when other interested clubs and his current contract ends. if the return of the possibly sign a pre-con- Ngele joined Leopards league extends tract. The extension of the in June last year on a one transfer window is likely year contract, the club in- beyond June. to give the player and his serted an option to renewal management team more Africa and the world at for another year when the time to find a new club player signed in 2019 but large suspended. This has or to renegotiate better disrupted the schedule of the final decision about a contract terms with Black BNOC Olympic possible renewal is in the the leagues and FIFA has Leopards if he has the de- player’s hands. With the revealed that leagues will sire to remain in the Lim- club battling relegation be given permission to ex- popo region. The extended and looking likely to be tend and change the timing period will give Ngele’s relegated, they do not look of their transfer windows. team a chance to scope Reports have indicated Medal Target like an attractive proposi- the market and find a new tion for Ngele as he has that the PSL (which runs suitor beyond the regular started other business ven- the ABSA Premiership) three month period which tures as well. is currently in discussions can be tough, especially The COVID-19 pan- as executive members are for a player who is not in demic has seen the foot- currently planning for set- high demand as he was a Likely to Increase ting new transfer window ball season in South few years ago. As COVID-19 forces Olympics to be postponed to 2021 ...New Olympic Qualification Dates TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO we were or are putting our of whether the medal target hopes on still have age on stays the same or increases From Page 28 th the Tokyo i their side,” Serufho noted will depend on the Nation- now run from December 1 2020 to 29 BoBA through mouthpiece Taolo 2020 Olym- in an interview with this al Associations (NSAs). June 2021. Tlouetsile also okayed the revised pics being publication. “And they will “They have to submit their W When asked to comment on the new qualification dates stating that their postponed by about one still be active next year, so new plans and budgets to dates, BAA vice president administra- hope (as BoBA) is that more funds will year, there is a likelihood if the target does not stay us before the end of this tion Oabona Theetso noted that revis- be availed to them. BoBA have thus that the Botswana Na- the same, it will increase.” month and we will use ing the dates was the only fair thing to tional Olympic Committee far qualified one boxer (Keamogetse such to determine the num- do as athletes are now inactive due to Kenosi) for the games and according (BNOC) will increase their Botswana ber of medals,” he said. to Tlouetsile they can still qualify two target medal for the games, the virus . “ And the qualification was “That is because if they re- to come to an end on the 29 of June this more.“ For us if funds are there we will BNOC Chief Executive initially set itself quest a certain amount they year of which it was not going to be fair do the work of which a lot of it will be - Officer (CEO), Tuelo Se will have to justify how those who did not qualify,” he said. “ done by coaches. I think the challenge rufho has said. a target of two that money is going to be It now comes as a blessing in disguise that they will face is repositioning the Botswana initially set used and benefit the nation mentality of the boxers from the virus itself a target of two med- to them that the qualification period has medals for the in terms of medals.” been extended.” and working on their weight so that als for the Olympics which Meanwhile, Serufho not- Theetso went on to note that the re- they can regain their shape quickly,” he were billed for Tokyo, Ja- Olympics which ed that the postponement said. pan from the 24 of July to vised qualifiation dates also gives gives them time to look them (as BAA) more time to even pre- Meanwhile, according to IOC, ath- the 9 of August. They were were billed for for more funds and prepare pare further and possibly qualify more letes and National Olympic Commitee postponed due to stain of further. “Like I said, we are that have already obtained an Olympic the COVID-19 pandemic Tokyo, Japan athletes. Athletics have so far qualified just waiting for the NSAs four athletes for the games and they are; which its death toll glob- qualification quota place will retain to submit their adjusted Galefele Moroko, Christine Botlogets- this despite the postponement of the ally is increasing daily. from the 24 of plans and budget,” he said. Games. “In all, 57 per cent of the total “The target will not be we, Amantle Montsho who all qualified July to the 9 of “We will then review , con- in the women’s 400m category as well athlete quota places have already been reduced but it will rather solidate them and go to the as Nijel Amos in the men’s 800m. The allocated so far, with approximately stay the same or increase. August. Ministry of Sport as well BAA vice president administration is 5,000 athlete quota places still to be There is no way we will as other possible sponsors hopeful that the number will increase assigned,” IOC noted in an statement reduce the target because The BNOC CEO went to request for funds so that if at all they are allocated more funds. released last week. most of the athletes that on to note that the decision the NSAs can prepare.” Page 28 BNOC OlympicWednesday 15 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Medal Target Likely to Increase Page 27

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BONGANI MALUNGA want. With all that said, the most important thing is that we all have ecurity Systems coach Daniel to abide by the advice and restric- ‘Chicco’ Nare has revealed tions placed by the government be- Sthat their hands are tied in cause our health and safety comes terms of maintaining players’ fit- first,” Nare stated. ness during the current COVID-19 “We are now banking on the lockdown. The coach told this pub- end of the lockdown at the end lication that movement restrictions of the month, that will guide us have made it hard for the players going forward,”Nare added. The to try to start training on their own, Systems coach also revealed that as a result his club has no super- most coaches within the league vision in place as the COVID-19 will consider requesting for a two measures have rendered them pow- week grace period once the league erless in terms of monitoring their is given the green light to resume. players. He is of the view that the proposed All forms of football where ini- two week period will give all teams tially suspended until April 10 but a chance to run the players through the Botswana Football Association the paces to regain full fitness and has since extended the suspension resume the season. to April 28 while also observing Meanwhile, this publication has the government lockdown. The been informed that if the league re- lockdown has begged the question mains suspended until June, there of whether or not players are still could be a July period whereby the working hard to maintain their fit- teams will be allowed to play out ness levels while awaiting the fate the remainder of the 2019/2020 of the 2019/2020 season. Accord- season in July. There are also re- ing to Nare, keeping a close eye on ports that, going forward, the players is “extremely difficult” for local league could be coaches. rescheduled to fit It is Extremely “Honestly a January to De- speaking, there cember period are no programs with all the we have lined cup com- up, it is impos- petitions in sible to keep track of mind. the players’ fitness and Difficult to Keep training routines. All of our players live in rent- ed houses, most of those houses are in controlled areas whereby there are no yards, with everyone not Track of Players’ being allowed to take walks outside or jog, the players are not in an ideal position to Fitness – Nare train as much Clubs to ask for two week grace period if the league resumes as they Baa,Boba Okays New Olympic Qualification Dates • They hold that it gives them more time to prepare • Athletes that already qualified get to keep their spots

TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO nounced that the Olympics, which were scheduled for Tokyo, Japan otswana Athletics Association from the 24th of July until Agust 9 (BAA) and Botswana Box- 2020, would now held next year from Bing Association (BoBA) have the 23rd of July to August 8. The post- welcomed the new and extended To- ponement was due to the current stain kyo 2020 Olympics Games qualifica- of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). tion dates as they feel the adjustment The IOC has also been forced to gives them an opportunity to prepare make adjustments to the qualification further and send more athletes to the period which was supposed to elapse games, Gazette Sport can reveal. on the June 29 this year. According The International Olympic Com- to a statement released by IOC last mittee (IOC) late last month an- week, revised qualification dates will