THE SECOND MEETING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT TUESDAY 09 FEBRUARY 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Names Constituency

RULING PARTY ( Democratic Party) Hon. L. Kablay, MP. (Government Whip) - Hon. Dr U. Dow, MP. Specially Elected Hon. P. Majaga, MP. Nata-Gweta Hon. J. S. Brooks, MP. Kgalagadi South Hon. C. Greeff, MP. Gaborone Bonnington South Hon. T. Letsholo, MP. Kanye North Hon. T. F. Leuwe, MP. Hon. T. Mangwegape-Healy, MP. Gaborone Central Hon. S. N. Moabi, MP. Tati West Hon. T. Monnakgotla, MP. Kgalagadi North Hon. P. K. Motaosane, MP. - Hon. O. Regoeng, MP. Molepolole North Hon. J. L. Thiite, MP. Ghanzi North Hon. P. P. P. Moatlhodi, MP. Tonota Hon. A. Lesaso, MP. Shoshong OPPOSITION (Umbrella for Democratic Change) Hon. D. Saleshando, MP. (Leader of the Opposition) Maun West Hon. M. G. J. Motsamai, MP. (Opposition Whip) Ghanzi South Hon. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. Selebi Phikwe West Hon. Y. Boko, MP. Mahalapye East Hon. Dr K. Gobotswang, MP. Sefhare-Ramokgonami Hon. C. K. Hikuama, MP. Ngami Hon. K. K. Kapinga, MP Okavango Hon. G. Kekgonegile, MP. Maun East Hon. T. B. Lucas, MP. Bobonong Hon. K. Nkawana, MP. Selebi Phikwe East Hon. O. Ramogapi, MP. Palapye Hon. Dr N. Tshabang, MP. Nkange Hon. D. Tshere, MP. Mahalapye West Hon. M. I. Moswaane, MP. Francistown West (Botswana Patriotic Front) Hon. T. S. Khama, MP. Serowe West Hon. L. Lesedi, MP. Serowe South Hon. B. Mathoothe, MP. Serowe North Hon. M. Reatile, MP. Jwaneng-Mabutsane (Alliance for Progressives) Hon. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. Francistown South Tuesday 9th February, 2021 APPROPRIATION (2021/2022) BILL, 2021 (NO. 2 OF 2021) Second Reading (Resumed Debate)

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE SECOND MEETING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT TUESDAY 09 FEBRUARY, 2021

CONTENTS PAGE (S)

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER...... 18-27

STATEMENT 2020 Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE) Results...... 28-31

Appropriation (2021/2022) Bill, 2021 (No. 2 of 2021) Second Reading (Resumed Debate)...... 1-17, 32-52

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Tuesday 9th February, 2021 MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, the debate on this Bill is resuming. When the House THE ASSEMBLY met at 11:00 a.m. adjourned yesterday, Honourable Regoeng was on the (THE SPEAKER in the Chair) floor debating and he was left with eight minutes, 43 seconds. P R A Y E R S MR REGOENG (MOLEPOLOLE NORTH): Thank * * * * you Mr Speaker. Let me continue where I left off last night. Yesterday when I concluded I was still on the …Silence… Ministry of Tertiary Education, we still have an acute MR SPEAKER (MR SKELEMANI): Order! Order! shortage of health workers. I therefore appeal to the Honourable Members, good morning. Let us start relevant Minister to increase the enrolment of nurses in our business today with the Second Reading of the health institutions. If I recall well we have five or six Appropriation Bill. Institutes of Health Sciences (IHS), their enrolment is around 50 which means we produce 300 graduates or HONOURABLE MEMBER: Excuse me Mr Speaker, so. When you look at the number of those who retire or I cannot hear anything at all, if you are speaking that those who resign because of greener pastures, they are side. There is a connection problem. more than 300, and that means that there is a deficit in HONOURABLE MEMBER: Technology Honourable our health facilities leading to congestion. So from the Member! funds that you have been allocated, see what you can do MR SPEAKER: There must be something wrong, I can going forward. hear you quiet well. Technology. The second one that I want to address Mr Speaker, is the HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Speaker. issue of Transport and Communications. Mr Speaker, HONOURABLE MEMBER: Even locking us outside the current heavy rains have caused damage to the Mr Speaker, they are locking us outside. We cannot roads so we wonder whether the funds you have been even talk to you Mr Speaker. allocated will enable you to repair those roads. Our MR LESEDI: Procedure. Good morning Mr Speaker, A12 Molepolole road is in a bad condition because of my procedure is that those who are not wearing jackets the rain especially where it goes through the village, to should put them on Mr Speaker. an extent that the drivers now use another alternative route which is the main road. Can you try to speed up MR SPEAKER: You are telling the truth. Thank you to see how these roads can be maintained? Even the very much Honourable Member. internal roads are in a bad state as I am speaking to HONOURABLE MEMBER: Thank you, Nkamo’s you right now. I believe that if you can expedite things father. … (Laughter!)... Honourable Member, you will be able to figure out how you can assist. MR SPEAKER: Is it still not audible that side? Can you hear me? The other ministry that I want to get into Mr Speaker, is the Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation HONOURABLE MEMBER: Let us proceed, he is the Services. We have all been complaining all over the only one who cannot hear us. country about water, plots and sewage systems, let us HONOURABLE MEMBER: Honourable Motsamai, pull our socks this year and ensure that we use the funds did you come to work without wearing a jacket? that we have been allocated promptly. When I began Mr Speaker, I spoke a lot about the fact that,it seems like we HONOURABLE MEMBER: I can hear you Mr are not setting time frames for ourselves when we carry Speaker! out these projects. Let us change and ensure that these things are implemented as soon as possible. APPROPRIATION (2021/2022) BILL, 2021 (NO. 2 OF 2021) I am about to conclude Mr Speaker, let me direct this issue to the Honourable Minister of Finance that, Motion there are two allocations of our Budget being the (Resumed Debate) Development and the Recurrent Budget. Most of the

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time it seems like we allocate 80 percent of the total saying people should not be retrenched, so how are they Budget to the Recurrent Budget as opposed to 20 going to be paid? Therefore, I request that going forward, percent to the Development Budget, should we not we must instil a sense of urgency in our projects. If we look into this as a developing country? Most of the will not do that then we will continue to find ourselves funds go to the Recurrent Expenditure as opposed to in the current situation. With that Mr Speaker, that is the Development Expenditure. Maybe it could be better all I had to say. Let me conclude by saying, I accept that going forward, we consider allocating more funds this Budget as it is, subject to what I have requested the to the Development Expenditure, especially looking at Honourable Minister to consider. I thank you sir, with the fact that, most of the people are in rural areas. If we those words. can take developments there, instead of using a lot of funds on the Recurrent Budget, then that can work for MR REATILE (JWANENG-MABUTSANE): Let us Honourable Members. me thank you Mr Speaker, for having given me the opportunity to speak to Batswana regarding the Budget I am about to conclude, but I still want to make a request. that was presented to us by Honourable Dr Matsheka. I know that in Botswana we have a very conservative Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank the Leader of system, and I believe we should admit that, the time has the Opposition for having presented the opposition’s now come to do things differently, so that we cope with perspective, as well as the Honourable Members who spoke before me because they were addressing the the rapidly changing circumstances. If we are going to challenges faced by Botswana, we are united here move at the current pace, I do not think we will end up because of the country Botswana. anywhere. We will end up being found by things like Corona, while we are still moving at this slow pace. Let Mr Speaker, let me preface my debate by quoting one of me urge the different ministries, and also the leadership our parents, a founder of politics, who once said, “learn of this country being Members of Parliament, that we from the masses, then teach them,” that is where I will should do things differently so that we can be able start my debate. These words were said by our father, to cope with recent times. If we will move at a pace Chairman Mao Zedong whom they call Chairman Mao we have been moving at then , we will find ourselves Tse Tung. trailing behind. Mr Speaker, I have to point out that this is a sad Budget, Let me also say, when we implement our Budget, we when you look at it with an eye of a poor person. When actually want it to perform. However, I still want to you look at it from a perspective of the rich, it is quite emphasize the issue of turnaround time, the issue of pleasant. Those are the only two eyes you can use to timeline on the execution of our projects, even on the perceive this Budget Mr Speaker. When the eye of a rich performance of the Budget, performance monitoring, person perceives this Budget… project implementation and monitoring, these are very important. When I look at this speech, there is less …Silence… emphasis on such issues. When you look at countries MR SPEAKER: Something has gone wrong, what is which came after us, like Georgia, Singapore and even going on? Rwanda, they are already ahead because they tie money to time, whereas for us, it is like we divorce the two. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Yes, Mr Speaker, we My request is that in the various ministries, we should could not hear him there. marry these two, time and money must go together. Right now, the suppliers that supplied Government have HONOURABLE MEMBER: It is because of the eye not been paid for three months. You can imagine small of the rich. businesses that rely on cash flow that comes and goes, HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Laughter!)… this thing disturbs their cash flow, and this is because of the fact that, we are not sensitive to time. So that was my HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… request, that we should see what we can do. MR REATILE: Mr Speaker, maybe they should put Some of the hotels that have been assisting in the fight the clock up so that I can see how much time I have. against COVID have not been paid for the last three The issue that I wanted to talk about is in regard to the months, how do they survive? As Government, we are original Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), during

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their campaigns they would say “do not be tempted to requesting that we should do a Mid-Term Review, vote for the opposition parties because if you do so, the he presented it to us having done some assessments funds we are keeping in the foreign reserves will be used and we agreed with him. He also gave us the Total in one day.” The members of the BDP (Domkrag) who Estimated Cost (TEC) Mr Speaker, for the Mid-Term built the BDP used to utter these words. The likes of Mr Review which was about P101,341,000,000.00. Today Kwelagobe, and our fathers who have already departed Honourable Matsheka is pointing out that he increased from this world. Right now Mr Speaker, I am frightened, the TEC without asking for authority from Parliament, wondering whether the opposition parties have already which is irregular, it is unprocedural, it is unethical, it taken over as the Honourable Members said, because is not something which should happen in this House of the foreign reserves got depleted at the blink of an eye. yours Mr Speaker. Right now Honourable Matsheka’s They assumed power in 2019, and now we are hopeless TEC is at P101,479,000,000.00. Mr Speaker, this because our foreign reserves are disappearing. The means it is not the one we approved at Ditshupo Hall, question is, has the opposition taken over Government so we do not know where this one is coming from. I in Botswana? Mr Speaker, I did not believe there would know Honourable Matsheka to be someone who is very be someone in Botswana, being a member of the BDP cautious about his integrity and professional ethics, that (Domkrag) who could deplete the foreign reserves as it he wore a gown for as a guru in economics. So I believe has happened; P12 billion vanished without a trail yet as we continue, he will see to it that amendments are there is no dam, road, hospital, school or drought relief. made as soon as possible, he will set his document aside The question is where did the funds go to? The funds and amend certain things. were depleted by those who are holding the reigns; those whom we have given the power to lead. Mr Speaker, let me demonstrate, the funds for Office of the President (OP) were P3,523,000,000.00, Dr Mr Speaker, you cannot look at this Budget with an eye Matsheka hiked the figures to P3,590,000,000.00. What of a poor person and believe that it is proper. This is is the difference Mr Speaker? It is P67.2 million, he did because when you take paragraph 133 as presented by that without the approval of Parliament. Mr Speaker, Dr Matsheka, when he started he said, “I will offer a the funds at Finance were P1,140,000,000.00, now the tax amnesty during the coming tax year.” What he is figures are at P1,250,000,000.00. He increased by P110 pointing out is that, he is basically going to give the rich million without the authority of Parliament. a break so that they should not be weighed down; hence he is delivering them from debts as they have been When you move on to Industrial Court, we allocated doing business with the Government, and not paying it P17.5 million and he increased it to P19.5 million their dues. Now since we want you to pay the principal which means that he increased with an extra P2 amount, you will not pay penalties, just because you million. We allocated P156 million to the Ministry of are rich. There is no poor person who will benefit from Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development paragraph 133; it is only the rich who will benefit Mr (MYSC) and he increased it to P181 million. This means Speaker. That is why I am saying, this Budget is for that there is a difference of P24.1 million at MYSC. He the rich, it has no idea that a poor person is there. Mr did not stop there, when he got to the Ministry of Health Speaker, let me point out that, it is for the first time we … are having a Budget that is just focusing on the rich in Botswana. It is saying to the poor, “poor person come MR SPEAKER: Honourable Reatile, clarification. back, the economy is falling so we want you to start paying tax, ensuring that the monies which the rich MR REATILE: Granted Mr Speaker. are supposed to pay as penalties, we are now going to MR MOATLHODI: Clarification. Thank you Mr source them from you, yet you have not done anything Speaker. Thank you Honourable Member of Parliament wrong.” Mr Speaker, that is what this Budget is saying, for Jwaneng-Mabutsane. Paragraph 120, which I will it is not dealing with anything else. This is the first time be very quick to refer your good self to it, “in the past, we are seeing such a Budget from the BDP (Domkrag) budget deficits have been largely financed by drawing which is so cruel to the poor, protecting the affluent with down on accumulated savings held in the Government everything in their power. Investment Account (GIA), which is the Government’s Mr Speaker, Dr Matsheka came to us during the portion of the foreign exchange reserves held at the last winter session when we were at Boipuso Hall, Bank of Botswana. This option is no longer available,

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as the GIA has been depleted by past drawdowns and storages since it is stored there for national security. the revenue shortfall in the 2020/2021 fiscal year.” In all Right now, we do not have those funds because these fairness my beloved Honourable Member, it is clarified people come with fuel. We pay them for the availability that funds were depleted by what is stated here. The way of fuel and then there is what is called direct bridging. I am so fond of you, I know that you understand Public They are saying that they cannot keep fuel in storages, Accounts Committee (PAC), I plead that we should tell they go straight to the filling station to deliver fuel. the truth, and refer to this statement here. May God help What does that mean Mr Speaker? We pay people just you. Thank you Mr Speaker. to thank them for being rich and that they once entered the border carrying millions even though it does not MR REATILE: Mr Speaker, Honourable Moatlhodi is mean that they do not have other reserves. I wonder not on the same page with me so I will not comment on whether Batswana have sinned against the government his statement because I will attend to the issue that he is since this current budget highly favours the rich even talking about later. We are talking about different issues. though the poor Batswana are the ones who voted this Mr Speaker, that is not the only issue, when we move current government into power. We are thanking the rich to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, we allocated for sponsoring us with t-shirts even though they did not them funds amounting to P3, 676, 000,000.00, and vote. We should ask ourselves what we are trying to do Minister Matsheka reduced their funds by P65.2 and answer ourselves. Are we comparing the vote of a million and allocated them P3, 611, 000,000.00. In short Motswana with the t-shirt that we donated to them so Mr Speaker, this means that on this Budget, Minister that they can vote for us? Matsheka increased the Total Estimated Cost (TEC) by Mr Speaker, allow me to air my grievance because I P138 million, which is irregular. That is what I am trying live among the poor, as a poor person. I do not have any to demonstrate here. I am not talking about anything that other perspective because I do not know how the rich requires prophecy. It does not require anything. I am not making up these figures. I am talking about figures which perceive things. Look at what happens when I address I was given, figures which were approved in July. Today other issues; roughage; poor people should be sustaining I am talking about figures which are on the table. These themselves with roughage. They call it “Bahumanegi” at are the only two books; Mid-Term Review expenditure. Bolux and Bokomo. Why am I saying this Mr Speaker? I am not talking about anything else. When you go to Bokomo right now, all the roughage goes out to South Africa to be processed into animal Moving on Mr Speaker, I was just trying to demonstrate feed only for it to be sent back so that we can buy it. so that his officers can constantly assist him and see Here the government is encouraging small scale farmers what is happening. Mr Speaker, Botswana Democratic to rear small stock because a market has been secured. Party (BDP) manifesto says, “We are a middle-income How are small scale farmers going to feed those goats? economy.” As we are a middle-income economy, the As a desert country, what are we going to feed cattle with BDP manifesto says that we are transforming to a high- when you allow roughage to go outside? Honourable income economy. The question is, where we are now, is Peggy Serame, are you aware of this situation? Why are there any light that shows that we are on the right track? you being cruel to us poor people? I notice that we are going backwards, we are slowly moving towards a low-income economy. That was just When you get to Bolux and try to swipe, they do not a dream and it is over. We cannot expect anything. We allow that because they do not want Minister Matsheka should just know that things are getting worse as far as or Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) to know the economy of Botswana is concerned. how much money they are generating. When we buy roughage there, we buy it cash. We cannot say that they Mr Speaker, let me carry on with my debate; when you are selling it at South Africa, they want you to buy it look at the Fuel Levy, we are saying that Batswana in bulk. When you go there with a small truck, they do should pay fuel levy and we are increasing it with P1.00. not even look at you. Even if you can go to Bolux right We saw what the fuel levy did for us last time when we now, you will see small trucks queuing for roughage experienced a fuel crisis. When the Fuel Levy started, in vain. What will livestock of a poor Motswana feed the aim was for it to reduce the pinch of the fuel prices on? How can we deny poor people a by-product like on Batswana and for us to be able to pay fuel companies this in Botswana? How did Batswana offend Botswana like Puma, Shell and Engine for keeping fuel in their Democratic Party (BDP) after voting for it?

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Mr Speaker, when we say that we are going to increase Speaker did not recognise you. You are about to anger levies of second hand cars at Mogoditshane, we are me. targeting places where the poor buy vehicles, we do not target Naledi Motors and Motor Centre because the rich Mr Speaker, I was saying we need to ensure that we have buy there. We target Mogoditshane because it is where done that at African Copper, Khoemacau, Karowe and the poor buy vehicles, it is where they buy small trucks. Lucara because these companies make billions and use That is why I am saying, when this Budget was drafted, it to develop where they originate. That is why DeBeers it was intended to make life difficult for the poor in has donated millions to South Africa and donated small Botswana so that they know that they are here to work change to COVID-19 fund to show us that we are just for the rich not to work for themselves. caretakers of their diamonds but the real beneficiaries are in South Africa. Mr Speaker, this was a clear indication Right now when we increase fuel prices Mr Speaker, that here we claim to be rulers whereas we are just mere combi drivers will soon say, “we cannot manage, we are caretakers of foreigners’ property and they are able to increasing our fares.” Mr Speaker, who uses combis? enjoy those benefits freely knowing that the caretakers The poor. The rich drive Range Rover, Land Cruiser will do the job. twin cab and Mercedes cars. Mr Speaker, we have to keep an eye on these things and see that this favours Mr Speaker, what we could have done is to make sure us only, and not the people who sent us here. This is that Botswana Defence Force secures 100 beds in South an issue that we should talk about without blinking and and 100 beds in North from that P2.4 billion because the look at the direction of this budget. funds were available. However Mr Speaker, we failed to Mr Speaker, I cannot see the clock, I plead that they take these matters seriously and that is why Sir Ketumile should display it now so that I see how I can present my is overwhelmed. A patient has to be transported from points. Tsabong or Palapye to Sir Ketumile because of poor planning. We did not think to take this disease seriously. Mr Speaker, when I get into the issue of COVID … We saw how countries were planning seriously but we failed deliberately. MR SPEAKER: You still have 15 minutes. Mr Speaker, from the Budget Speech, Honourable MR REATILE: Okay, thank you. Matsheka has indicated that the meat regulator is coming MR SPEAKER: …(Inaudible)… and he has allocated a budget to take care of that. I was saying, when… MR REATILE: Alleluia! When I get into the issue of COVID, I believe that we did not handle it properly. I MR SPEAKER: Honourable Mathoothe, your hand heard one Honourable Member saying that this is not was up! our virus, it is for the Chinese. We pointed out that it is …Silence… ours, it is a secret, and we do not want anyone to touch it. Then we failed to be calculative on how to handle the HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker! issue of Corona. Mr Speaker, what we could have done is, after assembling Dr Masupu’s team, they could have MR SPEAKER: I look at the hands. Honourable informed the President that they have consulted amongst Mathoothe! themselves as a team responsible for advising when it HONOURABLE MEMBER: Okay! comes to COVID-19 and therefore believe that there should be isolations at mining companies. We could MR SPEAKER: I will mute you if you do that. have had isolations at Jwaneng, Orapa and Morupule, the figure could have been 100 everywhere. Then we HONOURABLE MEMBER: The man from Serowe is say, since Selebi Phikwe has… lost…

HONOURABLE MEMBER: It is also there in Orapa DR GOBOTSWANG: Mr Speaker, it was a point of Honourable Member. procedure to say, hands are raised but it takes a while for them to be attended and when they are finally attended, MR REATILE: Honourable Member, I am talking you find your point invalid as the Honourable Member about 100. In Jwaneng it is 34, so do not interrupt me, would have passed the point you wanted to comment on.

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Thank you Mr Speaker. and tax payers. Our tax is taken lightly whereas Mahotshwane will be required to pay Value Added MR SPEAKER: Okay! Honourable Ramogapi! Tax (VAT), fuel levy and sugar tax without water. Mr Speaker, I am talking about a village with over 1000 MR RAMOGAPI: Mr Speaker, I have my hand up people who are supposed to survive by water bowser. because I want to debate. That is embarrassing and heart breaking in Botswana MR SPEAKER: Okay, put your hand down. Government. These things are happening to Batswana.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Honourable Member of Mr Speaker, at Itholoke, they are also decrying shortage Palapye is lost. of water. They are asking to have water like Gaborone residents. They are asking to have water like those who MR REATILE: Thank you Mr Speaker. I was still get water from the North-South pipeline Mr Speaker. saying, I have noticed that Honourable Matsheka has Residents of Thankane, Sekoma, Keng and Khonkhwa a budget allocation for the meat regulator, we wanted are asking for nothing else but water. At least take to confirm the establishment. Mr Speaker, what is everything and give them water. According to the Bible, going to happen if we are slow, given that we have Jesus Christ said water is life. already been given a window to export live cattle? In 1998, Namibia started to export live cattle to South Mr Speaker, Kokong residents are asking for a road, 18 Africa partnering with National Petroleum Corporation kilometres (km) from junction to Kokong. Residents of of Namibia (NAMCOR). Right now as I speak Mr Jwaneng-Mokhomma-Samane-Thankane also want a Speaker, NAMCOR is liquidating because cattle are road. Right now the gravel road has turned into a dam. finished because they were exported to South Africa, You travel a distance of 15km in that dam like road. Mr simply because we are also slow to come up with a law Speaker, Itholoke, Mahotshwane and Kutuku residents to liberalise, competition will be localised not where have a right to have a road built for them through the Botswana will be competing with South Africa. Mr proceeds from tax. Speaker, cattle in Botswana are going to be finished Mr Speaker, senior secondary; our situation is almost very fast. I do not think we will even go up to five years. similar to that of Kimberly. Diamonds were first I supported him but I do not support the sluggishness. If discovered in South Africa at Kimberly. Just recently, you could be quick about it Morolong, you would have Kimberly had no university where diamonds were done Batswana justice to localise competition so that it discovered. The first thing to be built in Kimberly was is not Botswana versus South Africa. a mental institution. So, we do not know what you are Mr Speaker, moving on to the issues which I have been going to build for us. It seems our children will always sent to talk about. The constituents through technology be consigned to buses and trucks. Honourable Matsheka, have sent me to tell Honourable Matsheka that they we request that you finance a senior secondary school are also tax payers and voters in Botswana. They told in our constituency. If you cannot, why not give us a me to inform and remind him with those few humble waiver like you do for the rich and exempt Jwaneng- submissions. They asked me to tell him that, Vice Mabutsane from paying tax? We will be most grateful President once came to Mabutsane to see the junior because the money that we use to pay tax would be used school that they contributed for and the contractors ran for transport to go and access services. Mr Speaker, why away with the money. This is the seventh year and no are we paying tax if our tax does not benefit us? one is saying anything. We are always told that they We want Kutuku and Kanaku primaries to be fully- are coming but to no avail Mr Speaker. The wall was fledged. Mr Speaker, Mabutsane village as the first sub- left standing like the Jericho wall in the Bible. The district in South should have full village infrastructure. contractor has run away with money and no one in the What sin has these people committed? BDP Government is bothered. They are just singing praises. That BDP’s name is marred, it is defrauded MR SPEAKER: Honourable Moswaane, what are you by the elites, no one is bothered. By now the school asking for? Why is your hand up? could have been built to increase hostels but nothing is HONOURABLE MEMBER: Are you referring to happening. Honourable Moswaane or Honourable Motsamai Mr At Mahotshwane, there is no water yet we are voters Speaker?

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HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation Honourable This means BHC is following a different manifesto Reatile sir? instead of the one from Domkrag. They are doing the opposite of the BDP manifesto. So ensure that you come MR REATILE: I have run out of time Honourable up with National Credit Protection Law Mr Speaker, Members so I will not yield for anyone, I have five but it will be elaborated much by Minority Leader of minutes left. Kindly bear with me Honourable. Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF). Honourable Matsheka, HONOURABLE MEMBER: Thank you. you may also come up with a “National Unemployment Insurance Scheme” because we do not have people at MR REATILE: Mr Speaker, Mabutsane Primary work. These are some of the issues which Mr Koma Hospital was included in the past National Development raised, he suggested to implement them and you claimed Plans. So as residents of Mabutsane, we request you to that they will bring about communism. However today, build it. Have we sinned against you, tell us what we we are dealing with communism and we do not have a owe to you as leaders so that we can pay, so that we choice so let us make use of it. You know that we have qualify for developments like other Batswana? What sin been having the rich for a long time, they are the ones have we committed against you that you are not telling who reign. us? Lastly, Namibia and Botswana have ReconAfrica Mr Speaker, I must also highlight that we have been company which is responsible for mining oil from aware of how things are operated in Botswana. Namibia which shares this mine with Botswana. Honourable Brooks came up with a Motion to subdivide They are going to mine it through fracking which is our farms at Banyana last time, so that we can give them prohibitted. They have an agreement to mine oil from to the less privileged. You seriously reprimanded him, he Botswana while they are in Namibia Mr Speaker. withdrew that Motion and ran away. Thereafter, he came During the process of fracking, all Nhabe tourism is with the Motion to take over the Wildlife Management going to disappear. As a result, tourists are no longer area (WMA) and those who reprimanded him were the going to visit that area because fracking is disallowed very first ones to support it. They know that they are on the basis that it causes earthquake. These are some the ones who are going to benefit from that land if this of the things which we have to re-assess Mr Speaker. I Motion is approved. The truth of the matter is, let us am saying this because Namibia has 10 per cent shares not focus on ourselves but on the nation Mr Speaker. I from this company while ReconAfrica remains with highlighted that Ms Otsetswe says we must learn from 90 per cent. Botswana does not have any shares from the less privileged before we can start training them. that. This means consultants… if we manage to mine HONOURABLE MEMBER: Just cry. this oil in a period of three years, we would accumulate US$162 billion. Our budget could be worth trillions, it MR REATILE: Mr Speaker, I do not have time to cry but would be P1.7 trillion if we convert it to pulas. If we to represent my constituency. So, I request Honourable keep doing things in this manner Mr Speaker, where we Matsheka to come up with what is known as “National guard companies from Canada, enough is enough, that Protection Law,” or “National Credit Protection is as far as our compassion goes, let Batswana stand up Law”. People are retrenched at Majwe, companies are and reject Honourable Matsheka’s budget. This budget cancelled and contacts are cancelled. So, you will say does not cater for Batswana but the rich and they are those who have been paying mortgage loan for 20 years the ones who can praise it, it does not regard the poor, and are left with two years, you cannot liquidate them it abuses them. So let the poor stand up and reject the by repossessing their property, so you give them two budget presented before this House because it does not years window to settle their balances. Some people cater for them but for the rich. Thank you. took loans and bought cars, you do not cancel them, you simply suspend them so that they recover, because MR SALESHANDO: I have raised my hand on a point they are emotionally drained. Moreover, Government of procedure, I do not know if it is ...(Inaudible)… employees transferred their kids from private schools MR SPEAKER: Procedure. to public schools, simply because Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) is against Botswana Democratic MR SALESHANDO: Yes Mr Speaker, it is indeed Party (BDP) manifesto which says BHC rentals would a simple one. Honourable Reatile has raised issues be reduced. On the contrary, BHC has increased them. relating to the financial statement estimates which were

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given to us for the financial year 2021/2022 and I have type of mining that you will be doing, then we do our a copy here. He has raised a serious issue, that it is not monitoring by visiting your mining site and the reports related to the Mid-Term Review approval that were that you give, through our specialists so that these things passed by the House. I think at some point you need to may be operated accordingly. So nothing like that will get clarification. I had hoped Honourable Dr Matsheka happen because fracking is restricted in Botswana will ask for clarification but he is silent. So, if this and therefore, let us not frighten Batswana through debate goes on right at the end, and we find that indeed newspaper articles which have an exterior agenda. the numbers have been tempered without approval of Parliament, we would have wasted a lot of time. Perhaps I thought to clarify that statement before starting you should tell us when you are going to clarify because my debate. I appreciate the budget speech presented before us by the Minister. We must understand that he Honourable Reatile is done. I am uncomfortable if we is requesting Parliament to assist him with the budget leave it right up until the end of the debate. allocation so that our development plans may be a MR SPEAKER: I hear you Honourable Leader of success. There is a saying that, “tlala ga e ise e ko e fetse Opposition, we will ensure that Honourable Dr Matsheka dirwe tsa kgomo.” Molete would say , “ee ke ka dira is aware of what has been raised ...(Inaudible)… the tshwaio,” while Mongwaketse says, “nna ke ka dira foundation to allay your fears. loswao.” So, let us ensure that we allocate this budget accordingly. Furthermore we have to focus on what we MINISTER OF MINERAL RESOURCES, GREEN have and stop complaining about what we do not have. TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY SECURITY (MR One writer, Shakespeare once said, ‘I cried when I had MOAGI): Thank you Mr Speaker. Good morning Mr no shoes but I stopped crying when I saw a man without Speaker and the Honourable Members present in this legs.’ He was trying to show us that we should focus House. on what we have and allocate it to developments, that I intended to focus on my debate but I am compelled to is what should be done. Therefore, my debate will be start by addressing the presentation by the Honourable centred on relaying suggestions which can help with the Member for Itholoke, Kanaku. I am saying this because allocation of this budget to implement all the services his presentation may mislead the nation, even though it we need. This situation drives our initiatives, projects is untruthful. and implementation to focus on a short, medium and long term goals, looking at our national development I support the request made by the Honourable Leader plan so that they can be catered for within the current of the Opposition, that Honourable Matsheka must give economy. a detailed clarification. The thing is, we are talking about public documents, and they are accompanying We were informed by the Honourable Minister and His documents to the Budget Speech, under financial Excellency the President in their speeches that, there statements, tables and estimates of the consolidated has been a decline of diamond sale; 1 billion in 2019 and development budget funds revenue. So these are and 1.5 billion in 2020. It shows that the pot we have the things we have which were clarified. Moreover, we been taking from to provide for services to the public are here debating the budget so that we may request this has declined. Quarter two of 2020 was particularly hard- Honourable House to amend these things, to approve hit. Since we know that these things are cyclic in life, them lawfully. I do not know where else we would we saw that towards the end of the year there was an go if something was changing, where else would Dr improvement in the diamond market. That is our beacon Matsheka go other than coming to this House to make of hope that we will get funds to provide all essential amendments? services to Batswana. Restrictions of movement to tourist destinations by the wealthy is also an added I would also like to indicate that, in Botswana there is no advantage because they are now using the money to buy discrimination between the rich and the poor. We are all diamonds therefore the diamond market will improve. Batswana and we all pay tax. We do all that is required That is our hope. together so that we may improve our country from middle-income economy to a high-income economy. So one of the processes which cost us as the Government, as Batswana is overdesign. There is a lot of money Let me also address the issue of fracking. This is how wasted at the overdesign stage; whether it is Government we operate it, we issue out a licence which shows the infrastructure, bridges, schools or hospitals. This point is

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related to Paragraph 59 of Minister Matsheka’s Budget any other department should undergo training on how Speech which talks about poor value for money. I to monitor those projects and write a report so that we am saying this because I know that when you design, can save on the costs and ensure that those projects are you should look at codes required for those buildings, delivered on time and are of the right quality. This is an environment, occupancy levels, such things. There example that when you get to the councils there are huge is no need to overdesign whereby you will procure pile of cases, contractors are fighting with the councils large quantities of ring beam of cements as we see at due to projects which were poorly implemented caused hospitals and some newly built schools. The same goes by lack of knowledge. People should be properly trained for energy, electricity or water utilised there. The funds so that at least they are knowledgeable when they have allocated for such building could be used to connect to account. water reticulation, we desperately need at Magope, Disana, Otse North, Goora Baditlwane, Mogobane and We have a recent storm water drainage project at Metsimaswaane. Ramotswa and some things are not going well; the contractor started storm water drainage where the water That is our argument that we should not overdesign in is supposed to end. If the rain water overflows from that to reduce cost overheads. I am saying this because you storm water drainage, it is going to overflow to people’s will find that the water reticulation project of Magope homes. He should start the storm water drainage at the and Disana at Ramotswa are estimated at over 200 starting point of water flow so that water can flow nicely. million. If we are talking about a fit for purpose design These are the things people can notice when projects are which will reticulate water in people’s homes, I do not implemented. think it can cost over P50 million. This is the money which can be sourced from Constituency Fund, Fuel and Since 2019 we had water treatment works at Boatle and Road Levy. The hope and expectation we have is that there was only 1 per cent remaining, 99 per cent was 22 per cent portion of Development Budget allocated complete but to date we are talking about commissioning. to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation as reflected We have to quickly act on these projects because people by Paragraph 72 of the speech will connect water at cannot get water supply. These are the projects which Magope, Disana, Seuwane, Metsimaswaane and Otse have to be implemented properly. North where we do not have water supply. I strongly believe that Lobatse Water Master Plan has already been Still on the topic of infrastructure since it includes awarded so these suggestions should be applied for our roads, we are talking about a transformed Ipelegeng; benefit. employees should be deployed to our farms where people are encouraged to produce food, food security. I am also looking at the fact that, if you do round visits We have to construct access roads to those areas; at the construction sites more especially water projects Matlapekwe, Tsietsamotswana, Sengome, Mmamenwe all over Botswana, you will find that there is an excess and Molapowamodimo. I encouraged council to obtain in procurement of pipes and culverts. Why is there so licences to get gravel. This gravel will help them reduce much waste? However since these materials are already costs to construct and repair access roads to farms. There procured, there should be given to each constituency should be fair payments to contractors and Ipelegeng more especially during these heavy rainfalls and put employees should be paid on time. culverts at Ratauyagae, Lesetlheng and Goo-Mmipi so that we repair roads which were damaged by rain. DR GOBOTSWANG: Point of clarification. Thank Minister Mmusi, we are going to come and seek you Honourable Minister, I heard you saying there is assistance from Botswana Defence Force (BDF) by a transformed Ipelegeng at Ramotswa. Care to explain, borrowing trucks because we know that you have them because at our constituencies we still have the old in order to build these culverts for easier access roads Ipelegeng where employees use slashers so I do not going to the lands. There should be no wastage when we know if the one at Ga-Malete is any different? Thank have another option. you Honourable Minister.

The other point I will mention still on same subject MR MOAGI: Thank you Mr Speaker. No Honourable of projects is project appraisal and monitoring stage. Gobotswang, this is a three legged pot, so it needs Honourable Members, there has been an indication that our input in order for it to balance. So whatever you our officers providing those services at the Councils and desire Ipelegeng to be, it requires your input. That is

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why we talk about Ipelegeng and Village Development transformers, electrical cables, we request that they Committee (VDC) which are at our constituencies so should be assisted in Botswana. It makes no sense for that we can get the desired effect. Let me continue, I a Government building to refuse to use the pipes from need an update on time Mr Speaker. We have talked Flo-Tek, and procure the pipes from Spain. No, let us about fast-tracking the backbone of Information and spend money locally, so that it circulates locally and we Communications Technology (ICT). This can help spend it locally. us Minister Segokgo when it comes to e-governance. Everything has an electronic biometric security feature. Moving on I want to talk about the issue of Citizen We should stop moving around with too many things, Economic Empowerment (CEE) as it is even promoted whether you go to Omang, Transport Organisation or in the speech. You saw recently the contract of Majwe wherever. One should be able to get assistance by just being terminated. Does that not mean that the workers providing that biometric feature. So that we move away are going to suffer? What is important is that, where from the cumbersome work of certifying Omang, and projects can be done by citizens , give them the projects so on. to do them. It does not make sense to take P3.5 billion to other countries. Those funds should be circulating Many young people are qualified in ICT, and that is in our economy right here in Botswana, and create where creation of employment is. We are going to see more jobs for Batswana. Those machines belong to young knowledge works absorbed at Innovation Hub to Debswana. Everything belongs to the mine. Batswana go and do research and development of many things that who are qualified, will continue using those machines can be useful in our country. They can research about here. No Motswana deserves to lose a job like that. medicines like right now as we are facing a pandemic. They can investigate data theft or fraud as people are The mines we have not been close to, we will get close stealing from other people’s bank accounts. They can to them. We will use Section 12 of Mines and Minerals focus on the robotics which take things to isolation Act to ensure that everything that is done in Botswana, centres since we are told to social distance, and avoid is the right thing. Ensuring that they implement them, as contact. So we want these things to assist us. These long as they are safe, efficient, and also affordable. things can assist the agricultural sector. They can look after crops as drones, either used for transport, or to MR SPEAKER: Why is your hand up? apply pesticides. Those are the things that we want to be used there. Those in the diamond industry can HONOURABLE MEMBER: It is a request for track the origins of their diamonds using these kinds elucidation Honourable Speaker. of technologies. Assist us with that backbone of ICT, MR SPEAKER: Minister Moagi, request for which can link many ministries in the country, and we elucidation. can be able to do what is supposed to be done. MR MOAGI: Granted, 10 seconds Mr Speaker. Still on the issue of employment; Honourable Members, there are other sectors especially those that are export- MR MANGWEGAPE-HEALY: On a point of led. We are talking about an economy that is supposed elucidation Mr Speaker. Thank you Honourable to be export-led. I am saying this with my focus on the Member. I will not waste your time. It is heart-warming industries at Taung in Ramotswa like the steel industry to hear a Minister who is from a ministry that uses a lot and the other ones that manufacture pipes. Honourable of funds talking about a lot about issue of CEE. I mean, Members, if they export in other countries, you will find when you look at a city like Johannesburg, you should that, they are negatively affected by the exchange rate of know that a good chunk of jobs and money in that the Rand especially on the regulated prices of things like economy is sustained by our own mines here namely steel. We should always ensure that the exchange rate is Jwaneng and Orapa, it is impressive to hear how you see not too strong so that it does not destroy these kinds of things Honourable Member. Thank you. industries. They have already closed two factories that could be employing our people, and increase creation of MR MOAGI: Thank you sir. Moving on with CEE; jobs in the country. Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) has assisted us by increasing what we can borrow to Flo-Tek, Elolam, Power Engineering and those who move to a higher threshold. As you have increased that provide their services in Botswana, whether it is pipes, as CEDA, you should also not limit people with some

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stringent conditions. Nowadays people are coming to commute to and from work. If you can equip us with my office a lot, they are complaining that they went to that boom gate Honourable Member, we will be greatly apply since they saw that there are opportunities, but assisted. I do not think the P4 million that is said to be now you want many things. You want range and pasture the cost is the correct amount, I believe that the amount condition reports. Even if you went and assessed the is less than that, but assist us in that way Honourable range where someone is going to grow crops at, you end Member. up looking at other things Honourable Members. If they try to go to the Ministry of Agriculture because that is We have pump stations and transmission reinforcement where they can get assistance, they find long queues. or an electrical substation at Boatle. It is one of the That means that now the poor person waits for four things we are very thankful for because, since they months for that report of pasture conditions. So please, are in the commissioning stage, they will reduce a lot let us prevent them from hiring consultants, so that they of the overload that affects the electrical supply of can get the money they need from you. Ramotswa and neighbouring areas. We will no longer request for electricity from Gaphatshwa and so on. This There are infrastructure projects that will be included in will improve the situation so that we can have a stable the Revised National Development Plan (NDP), namely electrical supply, which is not susceptible to daily power Mmamabula–Lephalale and Mosetse–Kazungula cuts. That will also help us to provide water to distant Bridges like it was stated in the Economic Recovery and areas in villages, as there are a number of them around Transformation Plan (ERTP). So they are very important the Ramotswa Constituency. Water is pumped using because they are going to assist us to accelerate some electricity. We are requesting that this should be fulfilled of the projects especially those of mines and power Honourable Member. stations. The other issue that worries me when we talk about I would like to tell Batswana that we are assisting them infrastructure is in regard to accommodation. It is sad with mining licences, power purchase agreements and because those houses are not being utilised, they keep power supply agreements. So we do that considering saying they belong to the Council. Someone working the fact that, you have told us that your plan is to open at the land board or a teacher cannot occupy that house. a mine that will employ 1000 Batswana or so. After We are all Government workers. You cannot just keep we give you those things, you go all over the country a building there and have bats multiplying in it. These pitching to the highest bidder, which means that you houses should be given to anyone who is looking for hold these things. Batswana do not get jobs but they are accomodation, even if it is someone from the private expecting them from you. Please, let us not delay these sector, as long as it is vacant. We have to give these projects, so that Batswana can get jobs, which can breed houses to people, and utilise them, and revenue should other job opportunities. be collected to the Government coffers.

We appreciate the Gaborone–Boatle dual carriage way Looking at education, let me point out that things did which you built. It is very elegant, it has reduced traffic not go well, and we know where the challenges are. We when you are at Boatle and you are using the road. should not burry our heads in the sand, and surrender. When you are from Boatle coming towards the village it We have high hopes because Basic Education was given is narrow and bumpy with potholes. Please Honourable a significant amount in the Budget hence a number of Members, if anything, resurface that road for us. So that things which are a concern in schools will be addressed, it does not create the traffic congestion that I see because and they will address this situation, and improve the the Greater Gaborone area is similar to Ramotswa, it quality of education from where it is. Other things are has accommodated many people who have escaped the just in regard to welfare issues which we know about, challenges of rent in Gaborone. We should assist them because considering Mogobane Community Junior so that these issues, do not affect them negatively. Secondary School (CJSS), it is the only CJSS which does not have a dining hall. During this rainy season Also Honourable Member, on this one I humbly request students have their meals outside, and there is always Honourable Minister Segokgo to equip us with a boom that disgruntlement to say, “ah, let me just teach and go gate at the rail crossing so that we can remove the humps back home.” I just wanted to say the challenges faced there because, they create a very bad traffic congestion by teachers, workers, and everyone; the things that they especially in the morning and evenings when people need in schools, they should also be addressed through

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the little Budget that you were given as the Ministry of should be provided with critical care equipment such Basic Education. as those for dialysis, Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians (ENT), x-ray, ultra sound, scans, so that we could reduce Even the Ministry of Tertiary Education, I request the congestion at the referral hospitals such as Princess that we should not deny them funds that much. Their Marina. I believe as we always lament about hospitals, Budget should be increased as much as possible because at least we should come to a point where we build porta we could see many things through the research and technology that they do. Many people back at home cabin structures, not brick and mortar. The emphasis could also survive on what they know. When we talk should be that we equip and stock the necessary about striving for a knowledge-based economy, we consumables in those hospitals, so that even people know that our forefathers used to heal broken bones who have been trained, who are professional medical (thobega). It is a traditional Setswana surgery. They caregivers, would be able to help at such hospitals. In healed babies’ fontanelles (phogwana); our mothers addition, in this era of COVID-19 we should consider performed mid-wifery duties, and many other traditional the retired professionals in those fields. We have many practices. These practices could become businesses for retired nurses and doctors. I believe it can be negotiated some people because even when animals have fractures, that with such an allowance, they would be able to assist they could also be treated through thobega. These in terms of providing services to the people. would assist people to earn a living. They can also do Mr Speaker, how far am I in terms of time? research in our traditional plants like moringa (moringa oleifera), borokolo, meretologa, dingaparile (devils’s …Silence… claws) and mekgwapha (aloes) so that we could have medicinal practices which could assist us. MR MOAGI: On the Local Government side… I am now drawing you to paragraph 41-42, as the MR SPEAKER: Two minutes, 40 seconds. Minister talked about state owned enterprises, notably talking about the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), MR MOAGI: Yes, I wanted to touch on this one as well, which is under the ministry I am responsible for. It is regarding Bogosi. This one also Honourable Members, our Honourable Councilors, our Village Development indeed true sir, electricity should be given to people, Committees (VDCs), our Dikgosi are lamenting because but we have realised that BPC has shortcomings, and they are the ones running the Local Government in our these should be dealt with. We started with appointing a villages, so their request is that, they should be given a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will lead us going little something and I hope they will get something from forward. Many things that have not been done properly Honourable Morwaeng’s budget. They should be given will now be put into consideration. We are starting with the mandate to assist in the criminal activities such as ensuring that the resources we are using are in good when people cross borders illegally and so forth. They condition, have we been taking care of them; asset should be able to summon people within a reasonable care and maintenance. We have to ensure that there is time so that they would be able to call people to order. financial prudence, can we now then guarantee security Their voice should echo in distant places. I am relaying of supply; whether we will give people electricity and so this request on their behalf. forth. We are making an effort on these things, and we want them to be there. Agriculture; last time when I visited chickens farms, I noticed that farmers are suffering due to lack of Since there has been several power cuts, on behalf of electricity. I would like to encourage them to produce the BPC, I would like to apologise for that. These were electricity, using products from their farms such as cow some of the challenges we were facing, some were dung to be able to keep the chickens warm and give brought about by the rains, and some were a result of them lighting, and provide food where it is needed. It vandalism. We cannot make excuses , we will fix and seems there is no chicken abattoir, so I am encouraging upgrade our infrastructure; be it poles, cables or sub- the youth to go and apply for funds at Citizen stations, so that we would be stable. Over and above Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and be that, we are going to bring solar energy which will assist able to build a chicken abattoir to help the Malete area people to have better electricity. because it needs such.

In health issues, there is hospital called BaMalete We talked a lot about Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Lutheran Hospital (BLH), let me request that hospitals sir, which is going to do most of our infrastructure

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projects. We are in progress, I will talk more during the for them to produce food should also put more effort Committee of Supply Speech, but Transactional Advisors Mr Speaker so that their country can have food. Mr have already been found. The role of the Transactional Speaker, even a Motswana who stays home should Advisor is to be able to do as the Honourable Leader know what their role is, a role that can help to sustain of the Opposition (LOO) was saying, that we are not our country, particularly with regards to COVID-19. saying anything about timelines, hence they would be They should know that they have to take part in helping able to tell us where our tariffs could be , here are the to curb the spread of COVID-19. agreements which you have been signing with people, and this project could be implemented ina ceratin period Mr Speaker, the main issue is about how we perceive of time, maybe in 4 to 10 years. We would also see these issues as political leaders. I believe that we have that the lab-grown diamonds; we are a 15 per cent to take them serious looking at the situation we are in. shareholder of DE Beers, so we are part and parcel of the We should put our political differences aside and focus things that are taking place there by virtue of that. What on things that can help Batswana. We should adopt a we want is that, we should bring those technologies, bipartisan approach to the issues at hand and see how those labs should come home and be able to assist our we can share opinions in order for us to adopt useful locals to acquire jobs. ideas, not paying attention to the side that it comes from. That is what I believe Mr Speaker. I am concluding with Botswana Television (Btv) Mass Media. I request that it should open doors for our In his speech Mr Speaker, Minister Matsheka addressed children because they have talents. Open doors for them many issues that I would like to get into. I would like to so that they can make content with the already existing start with levies. I am starting with it because it has stirred infrastructure, which is not being utilised to the highest a lot of noise. There is a lot of debate about it because percentage. They should also be assisted with airplay so some people are against this idea while some support that they would be able to… it. Let me start by highlighting that, this is a good idea, this is why it is said that sometimes we should do what MR SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Minister! is called a necessary evil. Yes, we know that it is going to reduce money from the pockets of Batswana, but as ASSISTANT MINISTER OF TERTIARY Batswana we have to take part in generating income EDUCATION, RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND for our economy. I recall a debate that once took place TECHNOLOGY (MR SHAMUKUNI): I thank you in 2002 when Value Added Tax was introduced. Some Mr Speaker. Let me also comment on the Budget speech people were strongly against introduction of VAT, and that was presented to us by Honourable Dr. Matsheka. the government tried to explain that the aim is to try and Mr Speaker, the Honourable Members who spoke generate income. In 2010, we increased VAT by 12 per before me have pointed out the situation we are in, a cent and there were still issues Mr Speaker. Even here, state of unrest, and how it has affected our Budget. I we have the responsibility to explain why as a country agree with them that it is not a good state, and it requires or as a government we see it fit to talk to Batswana, so that as Batswana, we should arise and come together that they understand the rationale behind introduction of to support our country and our economy. This made levies, since we wish to introduce it. me remember the famous statement that was made by I believe that Honourable Matsheka’s proposal is very one of the former Presidents of America, that, ‘ask not simple Mr Speaker, that with this levy, we should also what your country can do for you, but what you can do help to increase income. When we cross borders to go for your country’. Mr Speaker, we are currently in a and ask for loans from financial institutions, Batswana situation whereby we have to stand up and try to sustain should see that they increase their contribution when it our economy as Batswana. A civil servant who wakes comes to raising funds for developments. up every day to go to work should do so knowing that as Batswana, we expect them to improve results so that When you look at our tax to Gross Domestic Product at the end of the day services are delivered quickly to (GDP) ratio Mr Speaker, I take it that it is the lowest Batswana. in Southern Africa. Countries that have relations with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and A farmer who acquires assistance from Ministry of Development (OECD) on average the tax to GDP ratio, Agricultural Development and Food Security in order in terms of percentage Mr Speaker, is around 34 per

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cent. South Africa is on 27 per cent, Lesotho 21 per cent, here, so that it does not get us in danger of contracting Namibia 20 per cent, as Botswana…(Inaudible) … diseases like diabetes and so forth.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Point of clarification Mr We know that nowadays even the toddlers who are two Speaker, if the Member of Parliament (MP) agrees. years, three years are already diagnosed with diabetes. In future, this situation can overwhelm our health MR SPEAKER: Honourable Shamukuni, he is asking facilities. So it is important to have levies like this one for clarification. Mr Speaker. They have worked in other countries like MR SHAMUKUNI: Yes, proceed Honourable South Africa, for example use of sugar by companies Saleshando. on products has been slashed by half because of tax just like Dr Matsheka proposed. MR SALESHANDO: On a point of clarification. Thank Levy Mr Speaker on second hand vehicles, here I will you Honourable Shamukuni. I heard you explaining the propose Mr Speaker that vehicles are not the same. There issue of tax, that is it time for you to tell Batswana the are utility vehicles that I believe Batswana use for their reasons why we want this tax. I want you to state one hustle, they are the ones that assist Batswana nowadays. levy, explain to people in Chobe why it is important These utility vehicles are named “Matsheloyana” when to introduce a levy on second hand vehicles that they we implement this levy on second hand vehicles, we are buying; small trucks, Honda fit cars that are all should waive them because we know how much they over your constituency, vehicles that they are using to assist Batswana in their businesses to run around on make a living and not introducing levies on brand new a daily basis. There are other vehicles which assist cars. When someone buys a car that costs more than P1 Batswana to access areas which used not to be easily million, we are saying that that levy does apply on him, accessible in the past, cars like surf, we sometimes see It will only apply on those who buy cheaper cars. What them pulling trailers to reach areas like cattle posts, is the main reason, so that Motswana can understand the places which need the use of 4 by 4 vehicles and we rationale behind that? know that 4 by 4 are quiet pricey Mr Speaker. So Batswana can afford these affordable vehicles which are MR SHAMUKUNI: Be patient Honourable found at Mogoditshane. I would like to ask Dr Matsheka Saleshando, I will address those issues. Just be patient, that we should waive levy on them. Of course Mr so that I flow with my presentation. Mr Speaker, I am Speaker, there are some vehicles which are popularly only demonstrating that in terms of tax to GDP ratio, known as “”Vrr-phaa!” which sellers buy at a very low Botswana is the lowest in the region with 12.1 per price and overprice them when they get here. Let us tax c e n t a s p e r t h e fi g u r e s o f 2 0 1 8 . L e t m e h i g h l i g h t t h a t . them so as to raise the necessary revenue which should

drive our economy.

Dr Matsheka, something that we may have to develop Mr Speaker, let me also point out that, the sugar tax is the way we administer our tax. I know that we try that Honourable Saleshando was against is actually to improve our systems regularly so that our tax very necessary because if you can look at the National collection can be efficient, we should keep doing that. Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) reports, Let us digitise and make sure that those who evade tax they indicate that most of the non-communicable so to speak, there has to be serious punitive measures diseases that we are challenged with at this point in and the amnesty you have extended to them right now, time are caused by too much consumption of products they should know that it is a once in a lifetime kind of which contain too much sugar, maybe time has come deal. They should not think that when they evade tax, for us to reduce these products. One way of reducing sometime in future maybe the Minister can come up their existence, or their high import is only to tax like with another amnesty while they run and hide again. In Honourable Matsheka suggested. What he is suggesting terms of tax administration Dr Matsheka, let us adopt is that, an original coke should cost more than coke stringent measures and see how best we can deal with zero, at the end Batswana will know that it is better to this situation. consume products which contain less sugar. Mr Speaker, it will even force these manufacturers to add reasonable In terms of downsizing the public service Mr Speaker, amount of sugar in their products when they send them I believe we have to engage in serious consultations

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with workers. Workers and unions should be consulted future generations which had to be attended to. Even to come up with the best way forward. Mr Speaker, on this one, there are issues of diabetes, respiratory and I believe with the right incentives, there are many infertility which are feared to arise. All these Mr Speaker workers who can leave the public service. They can are going to require a proper health infrastructure going resign if they are assured that they are not resigning forward. into poverty. We should put together the right incentives whereby when they resign they become productive and We should also help them to retain and motivate not resign into poverty but to improve their lives. Still staff, who are the frontline workers doing a tough job it would not have changed anything. Mr Speaker, I am Mr Speaker. We should assist them concerning their sure that the majority of them will take those incentives conditions of service. There are the expert community to retire voluntarily. Right now if we downsize without Mr Speaker, whose contracts time and again expire. consulting workers extensively on the way forward and Others for example in Kasane hospital, Chief Medical what those incentives are…(Interruptions)… Officer is on leave because there are issues surrounding his contract, it is expiring. I thought because of the Mr Speaker, I wish that upon consulting… situation that we are in, this is the time that we should have said we are going to renew contracts automatically. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. Those who want permanent residence in this medical MR SHAMUKUNI: Mr Speaker, let me save my time. field, where there is shortage, let us make sure that We should also have dialogue around the Pension Fund in terms of their work permits, everything becomes because the subscribers currently feel that these Pension seamless, we ensure that their things are available all Funds do not benefit much the subscribers but the fund the time. Nurses who are so experienced and about to itself. So we should sit around with subscribers to see reach retirement age, like it was the case in Kasane… how best we can assure them of financial security upon …Silence… retirement. We should look over some of the existing policies so that when people retire they would be assured MR SPEAKER: What is happening in Kasane? that through the Pension Fund they are set for life, they are going to have that financial security. MR SHAMUKUNI: Let me continue Mr Speaker, in the area of investment in research; research for Mr Speaker in terms of Health and Wellness; I have development. Mr Speaker, we have to commit funds noticed a growth of P165 million over last year’s budget towards research. The Minister that I am assisting at allocation of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. I the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research, Science believe this is meant to try to cushion the Ministry of and Technology (MoTE) Dr Letsholathebe, sings this Health and Wellness in the situation that we are faced song almost every day. We should commit a lot of with. Budget permitting, we could have increased it funds towards research. We all do not know where the because this is very small since the Ministry of Health vaccine that we are waiting for is going to come from. and Wellness is facing a mammoth challenge. The However, this is a product of research and you are going burden of this disease increases daily. This has also put to find that economies which spent a lot funds towards our health infrastructure on the spotlight. Now we have research and innovation, the top 10 are the ones leading come to realise the acute shortage we have in health now in producing the vaccine that we are all waiting for. services and some resources are old. For example, We need to invest Mr Speaker, capacitate our research Kasane hospital is very old, ceilings are falling and institutions, they have shown competence. Botswana there are termites and molds in the building. Ministry Institute for Technology Research and Innovation of Health and Wellness needed a hefty budget allocation (BITRI) through its technology of genome sequencing to ensure that maintenance is carried out in hospitals are the ones who advised that 501Y.V2 variant of South and they procure more medical equipment that can Africa has been detected in Botswana. We do not know assist Batswana. Mr Speaker, I am saying this because its prevalence. They need funding to go around the right now we are dealing with a virus and we do not country to establish its prevalence. If we are unable to know the clinical issues which will arise as a result of establish its prevalence, we are going to be like some this pandemic. When you look at the history of these who ordered the vaccine which is not effective in viruses; Spanish flu of 1918, after period of this flu, eliminating the virus which might be spreading across there were certain clinical issues which arose in their Botswana. So, let us approve the supplementary budget

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which will be used for research Mr Speaker, let us of the most important areas in Botswana, Linyanti area. approve it as a Parliament. So if we can ensure that Kachikau-Satau-Parakarungu road is tarred and construct an all-weather road to the Performance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs); Linyanti areas, local tourism will flourish that side Mr Mr Speaker, we discussed it many times in this Speaker. Batswana from Satau and Parakarungu villages House. For this reason, I believe some of the heads of will experience growth in tourism, I am referring to certain parastatals have concluded that we are simply cultural tourism. Currently, tourists mostly visit that threatening them, because we keep discussing it and are area to view our wildlife, they do not enjoy the cultural slow to effect our plans. I believe that Dr Matsheka tourism, but the issue is access to the road because it will move with speed to implement the rationalisation collapses when it is raining. The road has to be raised strategy this time around, so that these other enterprises, and tarred Mr Speaker. that take steal from the our economy as we invest a lot on them yet there is no return on investment, collapse. Mr Speaker, we have also talked much about the unified secondary school. Dr Matsheka, the infrastructure that The Development Budget by Dr Matsheka; I thank you you are effecting in Kasane is going to attract many very much because your intention is such that we do people. Residents of Chobe have also been crying, so everything possible even though we do not have money, as you are effecting them there, there would be a need so that we may do something about many of our projects, for these institutions to be availed there; secondary especially those that may recover our economy. I will schools, technical colleges and others. If you can give be a little bit biased towards Chobe projects, not only relevant ministries sufficient funds to implement them, because they are from my constituency. Yes, they are then they will greatly assist us in Chobe. going to assist the local economy of Chobe, but they are extremely strategic to growing and diversifying our In conclusion Mr Speaker, because of time, I urge you economy as a country. to assist the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Matsheka. Chobe Constituency, particularly Chobe West, we know Dr Matsheka talked about establishing a dry port in that they have done a lot at Chobe East, commercial Kasane. That is a good idea which we greatly appreciate. farms are flourishing in Pandamatenga, but subsistence A dry port is necessary, especially after completing farming is lagging behind. So assist the Ministry of Kazungula bridge. We should move on to bring other Agriculture by implementing infrastructure at farms Mr services which will optimise usage of this bridge so as Speaker, so that areas that we know ...(Interruptions)… to generate more income, we have to increase it because we have joined it to Zambia bridge. So Zambia bridge MR SPEAKER: Honourable Ramogapi! is more advanced than ours, they establish some of these facilities before us, we will be playing catch up MR SHAMUKUNI: Let me conclude Mr Speaker. as we move on. This is to say, establishing a dry port in MR SPEAKER: Honourable Ramogapi is raising a Kasane is a welcome development Dr Matsheka. hand.

Right now you have a provision for Kasane hospital in MR SHAMUKUNI: I yield for you Honourable your Budget. I want to thank you for that because it Ramogapi. was mentioned in the Mid-Term Review, that we are going to fund it during this financial year. Mr Speaker, MR SPEAKER: …(Inaudible)… what are you talking thank you very much because Dr Matsheka felt it was about? Honourable Ramogapi! necessary for us to start implementing a new hospital in MR RAMOGAPI: I thought he had concluded, so I Kasane as it was our dream. We know the kind of health wanted to respond. facilities required as Kasane is growing, so we totally support implementation of a new hospital in Kasane Mr MR SPEAKER: No! Continue Honourable Shamukuni. Speaker. MR SHAMUKUNI: Let me suggest how they can I usually talk about the condition of roads in my be assisted Mr Speaker, we failed to plough last year constituency Mr Speaker, that I am only left with 35 because seeds were distributed late Mr Speaker. Those kilometres (km), but this 35 km is extremely important who were tasked to supply them at Kasane in areas like to this economy, because it will be opening access to one Parakarungu highlighted that they encountered some

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challenges and you know that this thing greatly bothered Let me talk about taxes because when we talk about farmers. So, we have to correct these things in future ordinary Batswana more especially at Selibe Phikwe, we Mr Speaker. We know that this area has the potential to have underprivileged people, some are enrolled under assist us in terms of feeding the nation of Botswana and Government programmes. Honourable Matsheka and creating jobs Mr Speaker. there is no increase in the little allowance they receive.

Mr Speaker, I believe we will address many issues during Let me start with fuel levy; Batswana should know the Committee of Supply when dealing with projects, that Honourable Matsheka is going to tax fuel, in other where different ministries will indicate projects that will words if you have livestock more so that we have a few be conducted on our constituencies. Let me conclude goats at the village behind Selibe Phikwe and you want to buy fuel in a 20 litres container, no matter the cost with land servicing and its importance in Chobe Mr of the petrol, you have to increase that amount with Speaker. It is a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and P20. If the fuel price increase, it means he is going to people are allocated in a scary bush where you may find take P1 from each, that is what Honourable Matsheka elephants, lions and buffalos. So we prioritise these is saying. Honourable Matsheka, be compassionate, we kinds of areas to make sure that land servicing is at are in trouble, we are dealing with COVID, you did not the top in our list. We should also connect street lights increase our living allowance and you are taking away because in order for learners to access schools, they that little amount. walk a long distance in the bush to go to schools. They pass elephants, buffalos and other dangerous animals I would now like to talk about sugar levy. It is along the way Mr Speaker. disheartening given the current circumstances where poverty is rife for Honourable Matsheka to tell ordinary So in terms of land, let us service it so that taxies may Batswana, the elderly that you will never drink tea assist these people. Let us provide them with good roads which may be a solution to this dangerous situation that because I am introducing the sugar levy. He says they we have in our constituency. It is mostly experienced in should drink sugarless tea because the rate of obesity villages like Kazungula, Newstance, big villages which is high. We cannot add salt to our tea, we should drink are growing like Kachikau, Kavimba and Mabele. They our tea the normal way; by adding sugar. Amidst such require these areas to be serviced Mr Speaker. Thank poverty, in Honourable Matsheka’s view we are obese. you Mr Speaker. Honourable Matsheka alludes that ordinary people, old women whose staple food is porridge should stop eating MR SPEAKER: Honourable…(Inaudible)… that because if they add sugar they will become obese. Really Honourable Members! Honourable Matsheka, HONOURABLE MEMBER: Thank you Mr Speaker, are you alluding that people are getting obese because are you referring to me, did I not hear clearly? of the sugar they add to their porridge, their staple food? MR SPEAKER: Not you, Honourable Nkawana. We do not eat sausages back at the rural areas our staple food is porridge. Honourable Matsheka, withdraw this HONOURABLE MEMBER: Am I audible Mr levy because it is going to have a negative impact on us Speaker? the underprivileged who do not eat all this fancy food consumed in urban areas. You should at least tax those MR SPEAKER: Yes. in the urban areas, the rich. One Member of Parliament MR NKAWANA (SELEBI PHIKWE EAST): Thank indicated that these tax was introduced to make the you Mr Speaker for giving me the time to also comment underprivileged pay tax more than the privileged. So on the 2021/2022 Budget proposal presented before us the privileged should be taxed and exempt people at the by Honourable Matsheka. rural areas because that is our livelihood.

It is my desire to start with the proposed taxes so that We should also know that when you go to Selebi Phikwe, ordinary Batswana can understand what those taxes you will see people setting up small stalls, selling sweets mean. I would also like to implore the Minister of as a way of making a living but Honourable Matsheka Finance and Economic Development to withdraw wants to collect levy from those sweets as they cause some because it will have a very negative effect on the obesity. Honourable Matsheka, be compassionate, this economy of ordinary Batswana. will be the last straw, you have closed the mine now

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you want to close our stalls, where we sell sweets at the Honourable Matsheka could be serious and collect that mall. Please if you want to collect tax, do so elsewhere levy. Moving on Mr Speaker, the most disheartening and exempt us. part is that, if you ask Honourable Matsheka what he is going to use the money collected from so many levies I would like to also talk about another levy; plastic for…for example, sugar levy which he alludes causes levy. Ordinary Batswana do not know what plastic obesity? His response is that he is going to buy air levy means. It has been years because when you buy assets. You are going to purchase air assets with poor something from the shop, you have to pay for plastic. peoples’ money from the villages all over Botswana, The cashier usually asks if she should add plastic and because they eat porridge with sugar and they also drink you pay P0.25, P0.50 and so on. That is the same levy tea with sugar. When he has not increased the salaries of Honourable Matsheka is talking about as if it is a new Ipelegeng and those people who get grants of P500.00 initiative. It is an old levy, millions of Pulas have been from the Government. He has failed to explain what he collected by shop cashiers but Honourable Matsheka is is going to assist them with but what he intends to do if failing to collect this money from them. We do not know he sees them holding sugar, it will be a huge offence; he if this is due to the fact that, there is a lot of money to is going to tax them. be collected or he cannot identify who was collecting this money but those are public funds. Honourable MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Member, Matsheka could have given us an update that in this you will continue this afternoon. Honourable Members, financial period how is he going to collect levy from it is now 1 o’clock, we should adjourn and come back at business owners. He also knows that if the money can 2 p.m. Let us adjourn. be counted it is quite a lot. The disheartening part is that some became rich because of that money, some shops PROCEEDINGS SUSPENDED AT 1:00 P.M. FOR even closed and left with that money. Others have sold APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR their shops to some people it means there is no… PROCEEDINGS RESUMED AT 2:00 P.M.

MR MANGWEGAPE-HEALY: Point of clarification MR SPEAKER: Let us resume our business of today Mr Speaker. Thank you very much Honourable Member. with questions. It seems like there is a lot of confusion regarding plastic levy. Are you sure plastic levy has been charged? Can QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER you mention some shops who have been charging plastic PTA AND VDC ALLOWANCES levy but did not pay the Government? Thank you. MR D. TSHERE (MAHALAPYE WEST): asked MR NKAWANA: Thank you Honourable Member. It Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is not a secret, you also buy these plastics. You are not to state whether he is reviewing or considering buying plastic because you have to…you are buying it increasing the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and because there is a law of plastic levy. There is no need Village Development Committee (VDC) allowances to give example of some shops because there is no shop from a once-off sitting allowance to monthly allowance which does not sell plastic. You know what you know. to reflect the continuous nature of their engagement. Let me continue. ASSISTANT MINISTER OF LOCAL MR KEORAPETSE: On a point of elucidation. GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Honourable Nkawana, in life we have never paid for (MR MODUKANELE): Let me thank you Mr Speaker. plastic in Botswana until the introduction of plastic levy, Let me also thank Honourable Member for his question. that is when shops started collecting that money. When Let me point out this Mr Speaker, and correct something you buy groceries, they charge you for plastic which has before we move on that VDCs are not paid once-off never happened before until the introduction of plastic sitting allowance like Honourable Member was saying. levy. So they took advantage and started charging. We pay them every time they meet, which in English is Simple solution is to inform them to bring that money. called “sitting allowance.” Due to economic reasons, it was agreed that they can meet 12 times in a year. That MR NKAWANA: Thank you Honourable Member. means that as they meet at those times, every time they That is my point, most shops made profit all these years meet they are paid that money. by collecting plastic levy. It is right and we wish that

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I would like to also indicate Mr Speaker that, Kgotla, they are the ones who prepare for it, it there is Honourable Members should understand that these an event they are the ones who do everything, the whole VDCs or Ward Development Committees, ordinarily by month they will be working there at the Kgotla. So, if definition, they are voluntary work. From the beginning, you are saying they should meet once, are you not able they have been committees of voluntary work, just to realise that their job continues for the whole month? like the Parents and Teachers Committees, in which parents have volunteered to see what they can do to be The other thing that I want to understand Honourable involved in their children’s education. Something which Minister is that, I am confused, because where you I believe all of us as Members of Parliament encourage, are, with the former Minister, when salaries of public for parents to be involved in their children’s education. employees were increased, we saw these people’s I believe that all of us in this House, will continue to salaries also being increased. It has now been two years encourage that. since salaries of people were increased, but you are not considering these VDC members. Why Honourable Honourable Members, this is the foundation of some Minister? How are you different from the person who of the things this country relies on since the time of was in office before you? Thank you Mr Speaker. independence, which are self-reliance, development MR MODUKANELE: Let me thank you Mr Speaker, and unity. They are some of the things that promote can you hear me Mr Speaker? the pillars of our country. So, PTA is not paid anything, we do not reward them with anything. I should point MR SPEAKER: Yes sir. out that, as time went on, Government saw the need MR MODUKANELE: Yes sir, let me respond to for VDCs to be rewarded with something as a way of thanking them and recognizing the important job they Honourable Tshere’s comment. Maybe let me correct are doing, but not as a way of payment. Right now as we something and say even the person who was in office speak, let me point out that they are paid an amount of before me, the fact is that it was not automatic that when P400 and P370 for members; P400 for the Chairperson other workers’ salaries were increased, their salaries Mr Speaker. If you take this money and add it all for were also increased. This procedure of determining what the whole country, it is a lot of money. It amounts to was there to be added to their salaries... (Inaudible)… 35 million, 226 thousand and 120 pula (P35, 226, 120), the amount was followed. a budget which is an annual budget for VDCs salary payments Mr Speaker every year, as we speak now. What I was saying Mr Speaker, even right now we are also still discussing the issue, we are not just sitting Let me get back to another issue Mr Speaker, the around. At the end of the day, we have to consider what question is, do we intend to increase... (Inaudible)… Honourable Matsheka’s budget says. We are currently or these salaries. Let me say, yes the love and desire are there. We have a clear desire that if the economy facing the COVID pandemic, we cannot compare today permits, like we have been doing from the past, we with yesterday or with the period the Member asking the will review it Mr Speaker, to ensure that the salaries of question is trying to make that comparison with. I think VDCs, are increased by a certain percentage. Let me it is a wrong comparison, that I should point out. There emphasize that, this will be a function of the status of was no COVID five or two years ago, he knows. the economy at that time. Thank you Mr Speaker. Going back to a question I would like to address; we are MR TSHERE: Supplementary. Thank you very aware and I have clearly pointed out that we know the much Honourable Speaker, and thank you very much roles of the village Parliaments. I know them very well Honourable Minister for the answer. Just a quick one, I because I work with them every day. The truth is that we can hear you saying they are allowed to meet 12 times in should state the facts correctly. I said we are making a a year, which means once a month, they are supposed to review. We are going to continue reviewing. In this dry meet. My question is that, I do not know if Honourable spell, if we could source some funds, we are going to Minister can realise that that these committees of a do what the Government always does and the members “Village Parliament”, their job continues throughout the of the village Parliament, know that this Government is month, they do not meet once in a month like you are very responsive. When we have access to something, saying, they meet every day. If there is an event at the we will do just that. I thank you Mr Speaker.

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REVISED NATIONAL POLICY ON EDUCATION with a view to explore whether that area is suitable for fishery. I do not know whether this report has not MR S. N. MOABI (TATI WEST): asked the Minister reached your desk because I have that information. of Basic Education when the ministry intends to adopt Thank you very much. the Revised National Policy on Education. MR MTHIMKHULU: Thank you Mr Speaker. When Later Date. you asked your question Deputy Speaker, it was as FISH FARMING IN RURAL AND PERI-URBAN if a study has been conducted to show that the place AREAS you are talking about is the best among other places in Botswana, such that it could be made into a Special MR M. M. PULE (MOCHUDI EAST): asked the Economic Zone (SEZ) for fish farming in that area Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration if he is aware that investigations done because of its comparative advantage. That is why I am under the Poverty Eradication Programme on “Fish saying such a study has not been conducted. Farming in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas of Botswana (HAND-BOOK/MANUAL)” have established that the Yes, when you talk about the request that was made in soils around the Kgatleng area, particularly along the river 2018 by a certain group that once came, it is true, they villages of Mabalane, , , asked for assistance to start a fish farming business or , Malolwane and Oliphant’s Drift are the integrated fish farming under Poverty Eradication. That most suitable for development of large scale fishery study was conducted. After it was done, as my answer programme involving horticulture and other value chain points out, it was discovered that indeed fish farming fishery activities like processing for export, locally and could be done at that place they had identified. Over internationally, if so, can he update this Honourable and above that, as the answer shows, it was discovered House on timelines for development of same to address that that fish farming project is not economically the high unemployment in the region/country as well as feasible to operate it in that area that was identified in Economic Diversification Drive (EDD). Mmathubudukwane. The way you asked your question was as if the study showed that Mmathubudukwane or ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL the place you are talking about is better than all other AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC places in Botswana. That is the one that has not been ADMINISTRATION (MR MTHIMKHULU): I done yet; and that is why I am saying that study is not thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I am not aware there. I thank you Mr Speaker. of any report that established that the soils around the Kgatleng area, particularly along the river villages of GH10/11 LAND Mabalane, Sikwane, Mmathubudukwane, Ramonaka, MR J. L. THIITE (GHANZI NORTH): asked the Malolwane and Oliphant’s Drift are the most suitable for Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation development of large scale fishery programme, involving Services: horticulture and other value chain fishery activities like processing for export, locally and internationally. There (i) if he is aware that allocation of a portion of land is therefore, no planned and budgeted project nor any named GH10/11 was unceremoniously halted; beneficiaries currently identified for fish farming in (ii) if the halting will not worsen the grazing pastures the area. There was however one potential beneficiary challenges in Ghanzi District which have been in September 2018, who had expressed intention to under pressure for years due to recurring drought; do integrated fish farming in Oliphant’s Drift. An assessment was done and the recommendation was that (iii) when these farms will be allocated; and the project was not feasible at the time in the area. I thank you Mr Speaker. (iv) how many cattle ranches, small stock agricultural holdings, water points and game ranches will be MR PULE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. availed? Honourable Minister, I am surprised when you say you are not aware because I have information that tells me MINISTER OF LAND MANAGEMENT, WATER that in 2018, an expert in fishery and a team of officers AND SANITATION SERVICES (MR MZWINILA): from Poverty Eradication Programme went to that area Good afternoon Mr Speaker.

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(i) Mr Speaker, I am not aware of the unceremonious MR THIITE: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. halt on allocation of the questionable land named Thank you Honourable Minister. Honourable Minister, GH10/11. It is so because the whole process to it is not so long ago that you promised the residents have the land parcels ready for allocation has of Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) that they not yet been completed. Outstanding at GH10 is would be given part of these ranches considering the a strategic environmental assessment, while at economic situations that they live in. Can the Minister GH11 both surveying and strategic environmental confirm whether this intention still stands? I want to assessment are still outstanding. Delays in the further request the Minister to just give us the average process were however, as a result of complaints size of these ranches, how big are they going to be? by Batswana and the residents of settlements in the periphery of the land portions in question, The last one Honourable Minister, last year during indicating that they were not fully consulted the Midterm Review of the National Development in planning of the mentioned pieces of land. Plan (NDP) 11, we talked about an instrument called These included SO2 in Ngwaketse and KW6 in Economic Revitalisation Transformation Plan (ERTP). , since SO2, KW6, GH10 and GH11 In the current situation that we are in, where there are were all earmarked for ranches, either commercial repercussions of COVID-19, we are experiencing lack big farms or game farms or community ranches. of jobs. Batswana have lost jobs and businesses are not doing well. Minister, how much do you perceive that Further consultations were undertaken in September people are in need of land, beef and in general, small 2019. During the consultations, communities in production or to produce their own food? Is there a Kweneng and Ngwaketse indicated that the land connection between Ministry of Land Management, earmarked for ranches be utilised to augment communal Water and Sanitation Services and Ministry of grazing instead. Jwaneng-Ghanzi only requested that Investment, Trade and industry? We sometimes see a certain portion of the land be reserved for Ghanzi people marketing themselves selling life insurance residents. Subsequently, it was resolved that a number policies…(inaudible)… moving closer because they of ranches be reduced in both Kweneng and Ngwaketse want to sell policies. Does Ministry of Investment, while a decision is yet to be made on the reservation Trade and Industry realise that it has to be nearby with request by Ghanzi. Further consultations are ongoing in services so that when you allocate land, people can be Kweneng and Ngwaketse after the review of the layout able to access them and develop land quickly? Minister, plans while Ghanzi is left with surveying and strategic do you have that development? I thank you. environmental assessment. MR MZWINILA: Thank you Mr Speaker. We agreed (i) The halt might worsen the situation of grazing that one ranch is going to be reserved for Central pastures in Ghanzi District. However, as a Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) which is going to democratic nation, it is vital to fully consult be titled Community Ranch. I take it that that is the Batswana when planning for available land, agreement that we made. Honourable Thiite, that is especially agricultural land, because it is in very what we told them when we were together at CKGR. high demand. That is the procedure that is there. One of these ranches is going to be reserved for CKGR people. (ii) Allocations will be made after a thorough consultation has been done and concluded at the Secondly, the Honourable member was asking about the local level in each of the localities. average size of small agricultural holdings, roughly they are 2 kilometers (km) by 2 km. Stock ranches are 6.5 km (iii) The initial plan with GH10 and GH11 was 147 by 6.5 km, roughly each one of them. Game ranches are small stock or small agricultural holdings, 25 roughly 8 km by 10 km, each one of them. large stock ranches, eight game ranches and 16 communal water points or livestock watering The Honourable Member also asked about ERTP more points or meraka. It is important to note that the final especially our connection with Ministry of Investment, plan may change after taking into consideration Trade and Industry; there is connection between our the results of the re-consultation exercise which ministry and Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry is part of the democratic dispensation. I thank you when it comes to land allocation because they often Mr Speaker. come to us to ask us to allocate land to local investors

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and foreign investors. We reach an agreement looking performance by the contractor. My ministry is at the reasons advanced before us and their advice and currently engaged with the contractor to resolve then do as they say. Thank you Mr Speaker. the performance issues in order for the project to be completed. Thank you Mr Speaker. TUTUME-MAITENGWE ROAD DR TSHABANG: Supplementary. Thank you Mr DR N. TSHABANG (NKANGE): asked the Minister Speaker. Honourable Minister, when you say that the of Transport and Communications to update this lifespan is 20 years, from 1994 to 2014, now you are Honourable House on the status of the Tutume- resealing and it is not going to cover that road. The road Maitengwe road and further state: is dead. Are you aware of that? Secondly, the current (i) the lifespan of the road; state of affairs, you awarded a contractor and he has been in site, left and abandoned site in August 2020. It (ii) why resealing was preferred over reconstruction; is now seven months. The ministry and the contractor and have not resolved the situation in which the contractor has abandoned the site. What was delaying you for (iii) the current state of the resealing exercise and why seven months up to date without awarding the project to construction is on start-stop mode. another contractor to resuscitate the project? The rains MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND have made the whole thing worse, so, are you going to COMMUNICATIONS (MR SEGOKGO): Thank increase the money to cater for what has happened now you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the maintenance of after the rains? Thank you Mr Speaker. Tutume- Maitengwe road is currently underway, where MR SEGOKGO: Thank you Honourable Tshabang. the plan is to overlay 22 kilometers of the road… It is indeed true that the road was constructed in 1994. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Mr Speaker, he is not When we are doing resealing and we have given a audible enough! lifespan of the road, it is precisely to ensure a longer lifespan of the road. The lifespan of the road has been MR SEGOKGO: Mr Speaker, am I audible enough? expanded by the maintenance works that are done on it. MR SPEAKER: Yes sir. That is the first thing that I want you to realise. You will also realise that we awarded this project using a strategy MR SEGOKGO: Okay! Mr Speaker, the maintenance that shows that we carried out assessments to see the of Tutume-Maitengwe road is currently underway, kind of work that is required in some parts of this road. where the plan is to overlay 22 kilometers of the That is why we divided it in such a way that there is road with asphalt, reseal 27 kilometers, reconstruct 2 resealing and reconstruction works. I believe that this kilometers (with asphalt surfacing) and road marking explains why we are doing the works that we are doing the entire stretch of the road. now.

(i) The lifespan of a road designed and constructed It is true that the contractor has not been on site, but according to standard is 20 years. our deliberations with him are still ongoing. Our (ii) A road deteriorates over time and according to discussions where greatly delayed as well as the delay nature and amount of traffic. To ensure a longer that was there. The other thing is that COVID also lifespan of the road, resealing is done, and overlay played a part in delaying us. It disturbed us somehow. I is done where the road needs to be strengthened to do not mean that the answer that I gave saying that the withstand loads for longer. Reconstruction is done contractor did not do things right is the main answer. I where the road has shown complete failure. in am trying to point out that some delays were linked to that way Mr Speaker, I explained that we divided COVID. Secondly, the months that you just mentioned works looking at what the assessment of the road were not enough for us to award the project to another says. contractor to resuscitate the project. I do not believe that we could have managed to do everything that you (iii) The project is currently delayed; of the planned were requesting. We are working with him and we are activities, only 20 kilometers of resealing was moving towards concluding the project. If that fails, done. The delays are mainly attributed to poor that is when we can part ways with him and look for

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other contractors. This means that we are going back Given this situation, when do you think it can be ready to looking for a contractor, something that worries us and when will they start to be advertised according to because it causes delays. Thank you Honourable. the Ministry of Lands and land board? Thank you.

CONCESSIONS IN THE OKAVANGO DELTA MS KERENG: Thank you Mr Speaker, sorry for that. On the Honourable Member’s question about the MR K. C. HIKUAMA (NGAMI): asked the Minister processes that we are still doing which are delayed by of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tawana Land Board, it is true that I still do not have the Tourism to explain to this Honourable House the five information of when the process of verifying those sites reserved concessions in the Okavango Delta to be will be complete which affects how these sites will be allocated to 100 per cent citizen owned companies, allocated. Our aim is to finish that process and allocate consortia and joint-venture partnerships; as stated on those sites this year. Thank you Mr Speaker. page 23 of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2020 by His Excellency the President of the Republic of MR SPEAKER: Honourable Dr Dow! Botswana and to specifically state: HONOURABLE MEMBER: Are you able to see that (i) the five concessions; and we have raised our hands this side?

(ii) the criteria/formula used to be followed in “BABY DUMPING” CASES allocating the concessions. DR U. DOW (SPECIALLY ELECTED): asked the MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to state: RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND TOURISM (MS KERENG): I thank you Mr Speaker. Good (i) how many men have ever been prosecuted as co- afternoon Honourable House. The Honourable Member accused persons in “baby dumping” cases, and if is asking for an update on the concessions that we none, whether he considers a man who is aware have pledged to allocate to Batswana to enable them that he has made a woman pregnant to have any to participate in the tourism sector, in the area and in obligations, including the legal obligation to care Botswana as a whole as is it our commitment. for the baby, upon its birth; and Mr Speaker, my ministry in collaboration with the (ii) what legal reforms he considers necessary to Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation extend the obligation to care for a new born to Services have identified three sites in the Moremi Game the father of the same, thereby ensuring that the Reserve and two concessions in the Okavango Delta obligation does not rest with only one parent, the for allocation to citizens and citizen owned companies mother. and consortia. Tawana Land Board is still in the process of verifying the sites to confirm their readiness for MINISTER OF DEFENCE, JUSTICE AND allocation. SECURITY (MR MMUSI): Thank you Mr Speaker thank you Honourable Unity Dow. The concessions and identified sites will be advertised (i) Mr Speaker, there is no specific crime known as through an open tender targeting citizens and 100 per “baby dumping.’’ However, in the Penal Code, cent citizens owned companies and consortia. The there are several offences relating to acts of undue Ministry of Land Management, Water and Sanitation disposal of babies, namely: Services is in the process of completing management (a) Infanticide contrary to Section 208 of the Penal and operational guidelines for the identified sites which Code; will depict the criteria or the formula that will be followed in allocating the concessions or sites following (b) Concealing birth contrary to Section 223 of the a public tender. I thank you Mr Speaker. Penal Code; and

MR HIKUAMA: Supplementary. Thank you Mr (c) Killing unborn children contrary to Section 224 of Speaker. Thank you Honourable Minister for the answer. the Penal Code. Are you saying Tawana Land Board is still verifying and developing operational guidelines? Does that mean In relation to the offence of infanticide, the offence is even up to now you still do not have that information? often ascribed to the various psychological factors on

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the side of the mother following giving birth. It would countrywide in the last 10 years; the Minister should be far-fetched to ascribe any criminal wrong-doing to a further state: man in this context as any link to the offence is likely to be very sketchy and not easy to establish. (i) the number of teachers per school promoted (not progression) in the past 5-10 years; Mr Speaker, on the offence of concealing birth, which is the one where babies are often described as “dumped”, (ii) if promotions policy is linked to results, and the primary culprits are often the mothers of such babies. if promotions of Selebi Phikwe teachers is The circumstances of dumping are usually related commensurate with their performance in terms of to unplanned pregnancies, fear of parental or family examination results; and rejection, lack of sustainable financial, material and (iii) if he is aware that lack of promotions for teachers other support for the child from the father or family and in best performing schools could demoralise related circumstances. Even though some people would teachers with undesirable consequences. have been aware of the pregnancy, including even the father of the “dumped” baby, investigations would not ASSISTANT MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION link such a father to the concealment (or “dumping”). (MS MAKWINJA): Thank you Mr Speaker, thank As a result, there have been no prosecutions of men as you Honourable Member. Before going into the answer, co-accused for baby dumping. I want to applaud you and encourage the teachers and school heads of Selebi Phikwe to continue doing (i) Mr Speaker, given that there are no prosecutions the excellent job they did. This year they have done of men in these cases, I am of the view that indeed exceptionally well. 2019; five out of six schools, the extensive Legal Reform is necessary to close these results slightly declined and right now only two out of gaps. This being a multi-sectoral issue, all affected seven have slightly declined and others have improved. stakeholders should collaborate and reverse These are commendable efforts considering the huge this unfortunate state of affairs. I thank you Mr challenge of COVID-19 that we were facing. Some Speaker. were even criticising that education will not yield any CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN KGALAGADI results in 2020. Teachers and school heads of Selebi SOUTH Phikwe, we greatly applaud you and as a ministry we are very proud of you. MR S. J. BROOKS (KGALAGADI SOUTH): asked the Minister of Transport and Communications to state: On the first question Honourable Member, the following are the number of teachers promoted in the last 5-10 years (i) when the ministry will reconstruct the Tsabong- for Selebi Phikwe secondary Schools; Makhubu 12, Kokotsha road since it is in a bad state; Meepong Junior Secondary School (JSS) 16, Lebogang; (ii) when construction of the following roads will 0 and this is one of the schools whose performance commence; has declined. Phatsimo JSS 16, Mojamorago JSS 3, Boikhutso JSS 2 and Selebi Phikwe JSS 26. You will (a) Mmathethe – Werda via Hereford; notice that these figures compared to primary schools are much better because the enrolment of these schools (b) Motopi – Makalamabedi; and is lower than that of primary schools. Now, there are (c) Tsabong – Maleshe gaps which are higher than those in primary schools. On the second question, it is true promotions are linked to Later Date. performance and also availability of positions especially PERFORMANCE OF SELEBI PHIKWE JUNIOR in secondary schools. However, there are a number of SECONDARY SCHOOLS factors that are considered when promoting staff, that is school leadership assess performance of individuals MR D. L. KEORAPETSE (SELEBI PHIKWE and recommend names to the region. The region also… WEST): asked the Minister of Basic Education if he (Inaudible)… and deserving individuals are promoted. is aware of the performance of Selebi Phikwe Junior So, it is a very fair and equitable system where we get Secondary Schools in the last 5-10 years, and if yes to recommendations from the schools and the region. Ours illustrate this performance per school, especially top 10 is just to confirm and tick.

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The last one on lack of promotion causing demoralisation; MS MAKWINJA: What did I say I am doing? I am I totally agree with you. The painful part with secondary monitoring the performance of schools to see the school teachers, especially those in junior secondary strategies that they use…(Inaudible)… schools is that they were appointed together as youthful cohorts. So their promotion is what a White man terms MR SPEAKER: …(Inaudible)…Honourable to wait for a dead man’s shoes. This means they have to Keorapetse. improve themselves and we keep on motivating them so MR KEORAPETSE: Yes sir. Concerning the issue that they can stand on their feet because many of them are you are talking about Minister, are you worried like I young people. another thing is, they are competing with am looking at the responses that you have been giving all teachers from junior secondary schools whenever concerning the condition of education at Selebi Phikwe, there is a post somewhere. That is why it becomes really there is shortage of textbooks like you said and we challenging for them. Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank actually have other challenges. Are you not worried like you Honourable. I am on the basis that, research has not yet been carried MR KEORAPETSE: Supplementary. Thank you out to find out what Selebi Phikwe is doing differently? Minister. Let me take this opportunity to applaud the Do you not think Selebi Phikwe may perform poorly Selebi Phikwe Meepong, Mojamorago, Makhubu because of that, especially looking at the shortages that and Phatsimo for performing well in their Form three you have been talking about? I am saying this because results. It is common for Selebi Phikwe schools to if you carry out a research, you are going to find the perform well, it has been like that right from the time strategies which Selebi Phikwe is using which are we were schooling there. My question is; have you different from other schools. I am really worried because carried out research to find out what Selebi Phikwe is we may end up performing like other schools that do doing differently such that even when our economy has not perform well in future. I am saying this because we declined because of mine or effects of COVID-19, they have not yet researched about that to find out that which remain consistent performing well in primary schools we are doing which has to be protected, such that we and junior community secondary schools? The intention continue to have it at Selebi Phikwe. is to find out what can be done to sustain these best results in the whole country? MS MAKWINJA: I agree with you Honourable. Other schools have performed poorly compared to Selebi Secondly, what measures are you putting in place which Phikwe. We have tried our best to improve the condition can be emulated in other areas? Thank you. of classrooms so that their performance may improve MS MAKWINJA: Thank you very much Honourable. since COVID-19. We are also trying to improve the condition of textbooks. I believe the schools in Selebi We are dealing with that issue to find out the strategies Phikwe perform well academically because they are used by schools which perform well like Nanogang, it in town and learners get support from parents who are has been number one in all junior schools ever since. I not far from them. All these schools are in town, it is do not have information concerning whether research possible to find that many of these parents are educated, has been carried out to find out. I can only tell you that, I they know the importance of schools. So it is true, books once visited some schools when I was at Selebi Phikwe. are some of the things which may greatly improve They had great enthusiasm and interest in teaching. This performance, we do not deny that. Let me also highlight shows that teachers love their jobs with all their hearts. that some schools perform really well even though Additionally, that alone motivates learners. Learners get Selebi Phikwe is better than them in terms of textbooks. motivated if they see that teachers and the headteacher’s intention is to make a difference in their lives. That is MR SPEAKER: Honourable for Molepolole North, what I witnessed. I did not say that research was carried Honourable Regoeng. out. They are things which we have to do going forth, … Silence… so that we can find how we can assist other schools. I am saying this because if I compare Selebi Phikwe MR SPEAKER: Honourable Regoeng! Let us go back with other schools which I usually visit, there is no to Honourable Majaga. comparison. Thank you. MR MAJAGA: Thank you Mr Speaker. Good MR SPEAKER: Minister you have lost me. What did afternoon. Sorry for not responding on time earlier, it you say you are doing? was due to these gadgets.

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LOCAL TOUR OPERATORS IN CHOBE MR SPEAKER: Can you try to unmute! NATIONAL PARK …Silence… MR P. MAJAGA (NATA-GWETA): asked the Minister of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation MR SPEAKER: We cannot hear you. and Tourism to consider changing the policy where HONOURABLE MEMBER: Unmute Honourable by tourists drive themselves when they access Chobe Minister. National Park; and to further state: …Silence… (i) if the Minister cannot consider assigning local tour operators to perform this activity; MR SPEAKER: Please unmute!

(ii) when the ministry will impose strict regulations …Silence… so that there will be no access to National Parks without tour operators and vehicles; MR SPEAKER: Can you try to unmute?

(iii) if the ministry will consider encouraging big MS KERENG: I have unmuted Mr Speaker. companies in the tourism industry to support small MR SPEAKER: Yes, now we hear you. companies by giving them some activities; MS KERENG: … (Sigh!) … the network seems to (iv) if the Minister will consider collecting and be a challenge this side Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker can I monitoring bed levy funds to Batswana on behalf continue? of the Government; and MR SPEAKER: Yes, continue. (v) whether the ministry will regulate the number of vehicles and boats owned by big companies in the MS KERENG: Thank you sir. The Wildlife tourism industry. Conservation and National Parks Act regulate self-drive visitors in terms of appropriate vehicles and general MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL conduct which is strictly enforced by Park staff. RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND TOURISM (MS KERENG): Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker, local tour operators are allowed to ferry for the question Honourable Majaga. tourists in and out of Parks and Game Reserves, Chobe National Park included. This explains the considerable Mr Speaker, the existing policies being the wildlife and number of day visits undertaken by local tour operators National Park Act and the Tourism Policy who allow for into some of the Parks and Reserves. Government also different categories of visitors into protected areas such took a deliberate decision to lease out campsites inside as Chobe National Park and that includes self-drives. Parks and Game Reserves to private operators who This set-up is intended to cater for tourists of various support mobile safaris and individual camping guests categories to have equal access into the Chobe National visiting our parks. Park. The ministry has reserved the activity of receiving and The arrangement provides the means through which a transporting travellers and guests within protected areas large proportion of Batswana can afford access into the under Category C of the trading licence. However, Mr park. Furthermore, it is part of the regional… Speaker it should be noted that the activity of self- MR SPEAKER: Honourable Minister, there is too drives satisfies a specific market for tourists who derive much echo where you are, I am not sure what is wrong. pleasure out of driving themselves across our parks. So, … (Inaudible) … If you can move a little bit and it is the market segment that we do not want to jeopardise continue please! in offering opportunities for them to experience driving around the park. …Silence… (ii) Mr Speaker, the current legislation does not restrict MR SPEAKER: Continue Honourable Minister. entrance into the national parks by private vehicles. This approach is one of the means through which …Silence… a large proportion of Batswana can afford access

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into our protected areas. Mr Speaker, during the carrying the load of boats and it would determine next financial year, my ministry will conduct for the size and amounts of operations that should consultations on the possibility of establishing be as we progress in building our tourists per self-drives regulatory body that will establish sector. principles and ethics in line with international best practice. That is to create a balance among actors In an effort to manage number of vehicles and boats and participants in the tourism sector. along the Chobe Riverfront, a holistic strategy that is meant to decongest the area was adopted in 2010. This (iii) Mr Speaker, even though my ministry encourages strategy has helped to reduce traffic as desired, and business relationships between companies that are continues to be implemented and monitored accordingly. involved in the tourism and hospitality industry in general, such working relationships and related I wish to conclude by saying that Mr Speaker, the arrangements are a prerogative of the private tourism strategy and management plan are going to help sector itself. Suffice to mention, Mr Speaker, us to deal with issues of congestion and monitoring and that there are cases where large companies do regulation of the amount of boats and vehicles in our engage local companies and small operators for protected areas. I thank you, Mr Speaker. that matter to assist them with certain services, MR MAJAGA: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker especially ferrying of tourists and guiding them and Honourable Minister. Honourable Minister perhaps around our protected areas and that includes you can explain, are you aware that these big companies operating of boats in the Okavango Delta. In terms in the tourism industry are across the borders? They of accommodation facilities such as hotels and are at Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kasane, Victoria falls and mobile tour operators, they are also involved in Namibia. Are you aware that these companies hinder working together with large operators. these small businesses to partake in all those activities (iv) Mr Speaker, the Department of Tourism under because they have got muscles? It is the same company my ministry is mandated to collect bed levy that side, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. What is in accordance with Regulation 13 (Tourism your take on that? Thank you. Regulations 2010). All accommodation facilities MS KERENG: I thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you pay tourism levy into the Tourism Industry Honourable Member. I can agree with you that there Training Fund and the Department of Tourism could be potential or possibility of maybe low balancing does monitor all licensed operators for compliance in terms of access and benefits by a different scale of with the Tourism Act to ensure that these levies operators in the sector. I do not have information that are paid. suggests that local operators are being jeopardised because Acts that are regulating the movement of I would like to mention Mr Speaker, that we are operators in the parks give equal opportunities for those currently working on reviewing all our funding orders who need the requirements in terms of accessing our in order to make our funding ...(inaudible)… Tourism national parks. Industry Training Fund to be more accessible to our operators in terms of building their capacity so that they I would like to mention that probably or ...(inaudible)… can adequately and efficiently participate in the tourism would be used for reviewing the Tourism Policy together activities. with developing the master plan and the strategy to see how best it will balance access into tourism. You will (v) Mr Speaker, most of our national parks and also know that our commitment is to afford Batswana game reserves do not have problems in terms of owned companies and Batswana at large an opportunity traffic levels except for the riverfront segment of to participate in the tourism sector in a better way as we the Chobe National Park. I wish to indicate that move forward. I thank you, Mr Speaker. all our protected areas have management plans that stipulates carrying capacities amongst other MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, we have things. My ministry is currently reviewing the overshot the runway. The questions by Honourable Chobe Management Plan which will be completed Brooks and Honourable Regoeng will go on to by the end of the next financial year. It is going tomorrow. Honourable Kekgonegile, Number 10, to determine the capacity of the river in terms of Honourable Brooks Number 9 and the last one by

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Honourable Regoeng should go on to tomorrow. Motswasele JSS in Molepolole, Tsodilo JSS in Maun, Tlogatloga JSS in Gaborone, Borwa JSS in STATEMENT and Kgale Hill JSS in Gaborone, and these account 2020 JUNIOR CERTIFICATE for the highest number of merits since 2010. I wish to EXAMINATIONS (JCE) RESULTS commend the high performers for their hard work during difficult conditions. These candidates will each receive MINISTER OF BASIC EDUCATION (MR a laptop in recognition of their stellar performance. In MOLAO): Mr Speaker, may I take this time to consideration of the foregoing statistics, it has been appreciate the opportunity accorded to me by this concluded that public school candidates’ performance House to address you on the 2020 Junior Certificate remained the same between 2020 and 2019. Examinations (JCE) results released on the 8th February, 2021. The Junior Certificate Examination is a standards- Overall performance Mr Speaker, which comprises based assessment intended to provide information on performance of candidates from both public and private the achievement of candidates after three years of junior centres together with private candidates, stood at 80.72 secondary education, the results of which are used per cent, for Grade E or better, compared to 84.76 per mainly for selection into senior secondary education, cent in 2019. This represented a decline of 4.04 per cent, vocational and technical education as well as the world which is significant. The proportion of candidates who of work. The assessment of the 2020 cohort was carried did not satisfy minimum requirements for award of a out through 11 multiple-choice components, 27 open- qualification, assigned letter U, slightly increased from ended components, three practical examinations and 14.42 per cent to 15.10 per cent. On the other hand, eight coursework assessment on 17 syllabuses. The the number of candidates that were not graded, that 2020 cohort comprised of candidates from mainly is assigned letter X, drastically increased by 3.38 per public schools, private schools and individuals who cent. These are candidates with incomplete information, registered with Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) their status is likely to change once they provide the or Botswana Open University (BOU). necessary information. Performance at credit grades (C or better) is 33.16 per cent compared to 35.38 per cent Mr Speaker, the total candidature in 2020 cohort was 43 in 2019, which is a decline of 2.22 per cent. 883, out of which 22 200 (51 per cent) were females and 21 683 (49 per cent) were males. This is an increase of Comparing 2019 and 2020, a decline in performance 6.91 per cent from 2019 cohort which had a candidature is observed across all grades with the exception of of 41 048. the Merit grade, the award of which was satisfied by 11 candidates in 2020 compared to three in 2019. As Mr Speaker, it is worth noting that public schools’ in the previous years, female candidates significantly performance did not differ significantly from that of the outperformed their male counterparts in quality pass of previous year. In 2020, 84.20 per cent of public school A to C. candidates satisfied the minimum requirement for the award of the JCE qualification, that is, Grade E or better Overall performance varies across regions with the best compared to 85.50 per cent in 2019. This represents an performing region being South East with 91.89 per cent insignificant decline of 1.30 per cent. Credit pass rates at Grade E or better and 44.57 per cent at Grade C or (Grades C or better) for public schools is 35.80 per better, followed by North East region at 91.37 per cent cent compared to 37.50 per cent in 2019, which also at Grade E or better and 43.74 per cent at Grade C or shows an insignificant decline of 1.70 per cent. There better, while the least performing regions are Kgalagadi are 11 candidates Mr Speaker notably, who performed and Ghanzi at 77.50 per cent at Grade E or better and exceptionally well and attained MERIT in 2020, 25.02 per cent at Grade C or better and 70.86 per cent at compared to only three candidates who attained merit Grade E or better and 21.74 per cent at Grade C or better in 2019. This is encouraging particularly that the 11 respectively. It should be noted that the least performing merits are spread across 11 centres across the country, regions of Ghanzi and Kgalagadi, however showed an namely; Kgalemang Motsete Junior Secondary School improvement this year. Kgalagadi region has improved (JSS) in Serowe, Rutwang JSS in Tonota, Mmaphula from the 22.77 per cent in 2019 to 25.02 per cent while JSS in Palapye; Bobirwa JSS in Bobonong, Nkange Ghanzi improved from 20.61 per cent to the current JSS in Nkange, Ramokgonami JSS in Ramokgonami, performance of 21.74 per cent at Grade C or better.

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Mr Speaker, I take this time to congratulate the quickly to cases as and when they occur in our schools, outstanding performance at credit grades, displayed including the suspension of teaching and learning for a by some schools, namely; Nanogang in Gaborone with period of time to deal with the situation on the ground in 77.7 per cent, followed by Meepong in Selebi Phikwe individual schools. with 76.2 per cent and Orapa at 72.7 per cent. I also take this time to commend teachers for their commitment I wish to conclude Mr Speaker my presentation, by and dedication to improving learner performance appealing to the entire nation, especially Members of despite many challenges they faced especially during this House to continue to support our learners during the current year, the obvious one being teaching and this difficult time. Learning should continue despite learning through the COVID-19 environment. We the challenges and dangers posed by the COVID-19 remain truly indebted to them and may these actions pandemic as education is a fundamental right for all continue to be seen even in the years to come. our kids. Social and psychological support are of paramount importance to learners and teachers, and we Mr Speaker, it is important to note that the 2020 school should all continue to offer those in partnership with calendar and indeed the examinations took place under all stakeholders, Non-Governmental Organisations an environment that was exceptionally different due to (NGOs), the private sector and the parents. Together we the COVID-19 pandemic. Learners had to learn and will overcome this pandemic. I thank you Mr Speaker. sit examinations during a period that was punctuated MR SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Minister. by lockdowns, travel restrictions, social distancing, Order! Order! Honourable Members, as you know at quarantines and isolations at school level due to this stage, short questions may be allowed only for the COVID-19 cases. Teachers had to assist candidates purpose of elucidation. to access the examinations in quarantine and isolation situations. Marking of the examinations was also DR DOW: Thank you Mr Speaker, my hand was up by decentralized to six marking venues across the country mistake. I did not raise my hand. which was costly and logistically cumbersome. However, MR SPEAKER: …(Inaudible)…you can. in the midst of all that, both our learners and teachers remained focused on the ultimate goal. I therefore wish MS MONNAKGOTLA: Thank you Mr Speaker, good to take this moment to heartily congratulate the Junior afternoon Mr Speaker. Thank you Honourable Minister, Certificate Examinations (JCE) Class of 2020 for a good for your statement on JC results. Honourable Minister performance and challenge them to do better at senior that, Motaung Junior Secondary School at Kang has a secondary school level. I also take this opportunity to thank the teaching fraternity and parents on the efforts pass rate of 19 per cent. You changed Head Teachers made to assist the learners. These results are generally within a short period of time. It was previously led good owing to efforts by teachers, learners, and parents by Head Teacher Mosenki, you transferred him and alike. brought Head Teacher Mokgolodi, you transferred him and brought Head Teacher Ramotsamao…(Inaudible)… Mr Speaker, we continue to witness rising numbers of within a short period. How do you expect the students COVID-19 cases in our communities and schools across to pass when you are changing the heads frequently the country during this year, even in areas that did not like this? Another thing is that in Kgalagadi North there experience such cases in 2020. This is a cause of concern is shortage of books, shortage of accommodation for for us in education, as it will most likely cause more the students and teachers is high and we are far from disruptions to teaching and learning in our schools. The amenities. Honourable Minister, how can we manage? ministry is looking at this turn of events with a close How can students pass? I thank you Mr Speaker. eye, and will continue working with all stakeholders to MR MOLAO: Mr Speaker, I thank you. I have to ensure a safe learning environment for both staff and point out that the transfer of teachers, not just the Head learners. Teachers, is not something we wish to do frequently in As one of the response measures, our leadership in our various schools; but there are always reasons why regions and schools across the country have been urged those teachers are transferred. Sometimes it is due to to work closely with all stakeholders, including District health issues which dictate that the teachers cannot stay in Health Management Teams (DHMTs) to respond such schools for long, including Motaung in Kgalagadi.

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When they give reasons, it is considered whether they examinations under these circumstances, their cut-off could continue working there or not, considering their point would be this much. Right now, the Examinations health. It could also be some family related issues that Council pointed out all the reasons according to how might prevent them from continuing working there. Our they viewed them, considering how the students wrote; wish is that when we say someone has worked for a long they discussed whether it was imperative for them to time in a place, at least they should take five years; that shift the cut-off point for the past year as compared to is the standard we have put up. Sometimes it is possible the 2019 one. There could be specific areas which they for us to transfer them before the end of five years, can talk to better than I can, but in general terms, it was because they would have asked to be transferred and we just the same as the one for the year 2019, according would look at the motivating reasons they would have to the researches they did when they received the advanced. work as done by students. For example, I know that in agriculture, giving it as an example; practical results Shortage of books in schools; it is true that the shortage were not used because students took a long time away of books plays a role in the negative results, not only from their gardens as we were on lockdown. The whole in Kgalagadi, but the whole Botswana in general. We country was given an alternative paper, as a response to are trying to buy books at all times, unfortunately that situation. most of the time when our children complete school, Guidance teachers, counseling is necessary across all they do not return the books that they were issued and schools, so that where there is an outbreak of the virus, it becomes a bit hectic for the ministry to replace the it would be there; being done by teachers who have been very same books every year, since others would have trained in the field of Guidance and Counselling and gone home with them or they would have lost them. Our wish is to increase the books as this time we have then also done by professionals coming from outside; been given a better share from the Budget. We are going those who might not necessarily be teachers, to come to continue buying books and we are also going to try and assist with counselling teachers and students from to introduce information communication technology in primary across to all stages which are…I cannot stand the various schools, to try to be at par with the situation here and say we have the ability to have an adequate as it is. The challenge regarding books is there, hence number for all teachers, in all the primary schools which we request for your support Honourable Members and are over 700 in number which are…We ask for help parents in general that the books in their homes, which from other departments and from the private sector; the completing students brought from school should be those who have the know-how of counselling. We ask returned to schools so that other students would have them to assist us, to render assistance in our schools; be something to refer to. I thank you Mr Speaker. it primary, junior secondary and senior secondary, to counsel all students, together with staff in general. We MR MMOLOTSI: I thank you Mr Speaker. My continue trying to do so. For me to assure you that we question to the Minister is, in terms of standardisation of will employ the requisite number of teachers, I will not marks, when he compares this year and last year, which be telling the truth Honourable Member. I thank you Mr year had the highest cut off points compared to the Speaker. other. Was the cut-off point of A, B, merit or whatever higher last year or was it higher this time? Secondly, the MR SPEAKER: Thank you. We are running out of Honourable Minister talked about the spread of COVID time. I will call upon the last two Members, Honourable in schools, just as it has happened in the communities; Dr Gobotswang... my question is, do you not think this time around we HONOURABLE MEMBER: Me too. need more guidance teachers, especially in primary schools, so that they could assist with counseling the MR SPEAKER: No, you do not choose for yourself. children because this disease can be very, very traumatic Followed by ...(Interruptions)… and that will be it. to the children and the parents? DR GOBOTSWANG: I thank you Mr Speaker. MR MOLAO: Thank you. When examinations were Honourable Minister, I heard you saying you have made marked, the examiners considered the circumstances an arrangement that regions and management should under which the children were writing and they review the statuses of schools, especially when there is would make a decision that the children who wrote a COVID case and see what they can do, maybe even

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to end up suspending classes. I am not sure if you have them, it is necessary to assess the state they were when verified this. Have you written down the guidelines and giving them marks. They assessed comprehensively submitted them to the regions and schools? Last time during examinations. At this point in time, except for when there was a case of COVID at Sefhare Junior, there those who might have said something that they did not was confusion as to what should be done; teachers were tell me, assessment did not compel them to reduce the panicking, not knowing what was going on, the District cut-off points. Honourable, this is what I am saying. Health Management Team (DHMT) did not have any Every Case is assessed separately and then a decision is answers either. Maybe you should elaborate this issue taken looking at the reasons advanced to those who are further, have you really communicated with the regions given the authority. This is what I am saying. about what they should or should not do? From where I am sitting, we did not instruct Botswana The second one; I see a contradiction between what you Examination Council to reduce the cut off points so are saying that cut-off points do change. I was listening that many leaners can cross over just because this was to a senior official from education earlier on the radio; a COVID year. That is why you will notice that there is they were asked this question of whether they reviewed a slight difference between the just released results and the cut-off points, based on the situation the children results from last year despite the fact that we had the wrote under. They were clear and said no, there is no COVID-19 issue. Thank you Mr Speaker. such an arrangement, that all competing students should be grilled in a similar manner, not saying those who MR KEORAPETSE: Thank you Mr Speaker. I believe wrote in such and such a year had a friendlier threshold that the Minister recognises how schools in Selebi for cut-off points. Please elaborate further Honourable Phikwe… Minister; what is the policy saying regarding this issue? …Silence… I thank you. MR MOLAO: Honourable Member, I cannot hear you. MR MOLAO: I thank you Mr Speaker. We have talked to the Regional Director regarding all our regions, ten MR KEORAPETSE: Someone has muted me. I of them. We also relayed the messages to the Head take it that the Minister realises that community Teachers. The main thing is fighting the disease, junior secondary schools in Selebi Phikwe performed working closely with the health workers, those from the exceptionally well; Meepong, Mojamorago, Makobo DHMTs, to guide us when there is a case in a particular and Phatsimo. Firstly Honourable Minister, have you school, they assess it in order to see if that case compels conducted any research to see the extent to which the school to close at that time, if the teaching process shortage of textbooks, reprographics facilities, teaching should stop or it is a case in which teachers or leaners materials and other things affect results? who are involved can be isolated from others while the school continues operating. That is why I am saying Secondly, out of candidates who sat for their that assessments are carried out one at a time because examinations in 2020, how many are ungraded? When circumstances are not the same. We gave them a green you summarise the number of candidates who failed, light to halt classes for a day, two days a number of days how many are they? What are you doing about the when the circumstances compel them to do that, so that future of these children as a ministry? What is the future testing and contact tracing can be done. We gave them… of children who have failed their examinations?

Mr Speaker, someone muted me this side. The issue of Lastly Honourable Minister, I heard you saying that cut-off; I said that Botswana Examinations Council is the you are going to give laptops to all high performers, only body that can assess the condition or situation that so is that all that you are going to do? Do you mean learners wrote exams under. There should be a report that it is not yet time for you to pair those laptops with from the centre that monitored examinations, the report internet modems so that these children sustain their high that states the circumstance that might have affected performance? Secondly, have you not yet introduced a learners negatively in such a way that their results were programme that will ensure that you keep an eye on the also affected. That is when Botswana Examinations performance of these children and pave a way for them Council (BEC) can evaluate that situation and then take to be crème de la crème? They are future scientists. a decision that learners who wrote their exams under They can in future go to prestigious universities and be those circumstances, due to the reasons advanced to valuable to our country. Since they are high performers

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today, do you not have a programme which will sustain eye on them. I can cite Maruapula Private School as their performance up until they become top achievers at an example, that they often move them closer to them Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education by sponsoring them at their school so they continue to (BGCSE) or International General Certificate of sustain their performance. This is something that private Secondary Education (IGCSE) level all the way to schools are doing. I believe that it is also an assignment tertiary? Is that programme still not yet there? If it is for us to follow them even if they go there. They should still not yet there, have you considered it? sustain their performance until they get to the Top Achievers programme. This is what we are intending to MR MOLAO: Thank you Mr Speaker. I do realise do as a ministry. that schools in Selebi Phikwe performed well, and they continue to perform exceptionally well every year. You asked about the summary, I gave figures. Maybe That is what we have observed and we are starting a I should go through them again, the proportion of programme in which we will see what we can do for candidates who did not satisfy minimum requirements high performing schools in Selebi Phikwe and other for the award of a qualification, those who are graded schools in order to assist them to sustain their pass rate. U, X, slightly increased from 14.42 per cent in 2019 to We are still discussing it. We will soon announce what 15.10 per cent in 2020. The candidates graded X, also we are going to do for those schools in recognition of had their percentage increase with 3.38 per cent. That their stellar performance. is worrying. I have not included the raw figures here but they are there in the whole file, I will find them and You asked about shortage of resources; it is true that give them to you but it is around 9, 000 candidates in there is no study before me which says that shortage the U category and they are ungraded due to various of photocopiers and other resources affects education. reasons. Mr Speaker, I do not think I left anything out I am making a general statement that when conditions in my summary but I will find the raw figures very soon are not favourable in schools, shortage of books and and forward them to you Honourable Member. photocopiers or anything that can ease teaching and APPROPRIATION (2021/2022) BILL, learning process, there are chances that performance 2021 (NO. 2 OF 2021) will go down. I do not think that that can be the only factor because when we look at Selebi Phikwe schools, Motion they have shortage of resources just like other schools (Resumed Debate) but they continue to perform way much better than other schools. It is not only schools in Selebi Phikwe, MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, when you take Nanogang Junior Secondary School in when the House adjourned for lunch, Honourable Gaborone, this school continues to perform better than Nkawana was on the floor. He has just used only 10 all schools in Botswana consecutively. It is one of the minutes of the time allocated to him. So you got yourself schools which has an extreme shortage of resources as 30 minutes, Honourable Nkawana. compared to other schools in Gaborone. This means that although shortage of resources affects results, teachers MR NKAWANA (SELEBI PHIKWE EAST): Thank in these schools are doing something different from you Mr Speaker. When we went for lunch, I was still other schools which have more resources as compared affirming my position that I do not support Honourable to schools which are performing well. They are able to Matsheka’s budget presentation due to a number of produce good results despite challenges that they have. concerns. We have been discussing this issue at the ministry so Moving on to electricity, we have noticed tariffs which that we can research on why schools in Selebi Phikwe are going to make life hard for Batswana, business and Nanogang school are performing well. This is people and everyone, especially that we have been something that we are starting now. affected by COVID-19. COVID-19 did not just affect Laptops which are going to be given to high performers Government’s purse only, it has affected everyone in are going to be combined with everything that will Botswana. If we increase prices, it means small traders, make them useful to these children, they will not just be manufacturing and everyone else will be affected by machines which cannot benefit them. We have not yet electricity tariffs. Maybe Honourable Matsheka could introduced a programme on how we can keep a close consider postponing hiked tariffs given the current

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COVID-19 situation to give us a chance to see how the HONOURABLE MEMBER: He is going to consume situation… your time; Nkawana, this one takes time. He will clarify when he debates. MR LUCAS: Elucidation. Thank you very much Mr Speaker. Honourable Nkawana, before you go any MR SPEAKER: …(Inaudible)…anything? further, you mentioned payment of sugar tax or sugary beverages. Do you see that Honourable Matsheka is MR NKAWANA: Declined. now moving towards taxing food especially those which MR SPEAKER: Remove Boko! Honourable Nkawana, are generally liked by disadvantaged families? I suspect Dr Kwape is asking for clarification. that after sugar tax we are going to be taxing salt, soups such as jikelele and knorrox. We need to be careful of MR NKAWANA: Okay. that. DR KWAPE: Clarification. Thank you Mr Speaker. I HONOURABLE MEMBER: What is he really talking do not want us to mislead Batswana especially when about? it comes to healthy food. Honourable Lucas is saying we should tax certain vegetables and not others. It is MR LUCAS: Honourable Matsheka needs advice that if not about certain vegetables but about the value of he wants to tax those who are economically able, which vegetables. He should just come out right and say, food should he tax. I believe the rich are fond of certain vegetables should not be taxed instead of selecting a vegetables such as parsley, celery, okra, lettuce and so few. There are reasons why sugar and salt are taxed. on. If Honourable Matsheka wants to tax those who are economically able, he should consider those vegetables MR NKAWANA: Thank you Mr Speaker, thank you and raise their tax and leave the disadvantaged alone; he Honourable Kwape, I thought you are going to derail should not touch cabbage and spinach. Thank you. me but you are on track, that is what we are saying.

MR NKAWANA:…(Laughter!)…Thank you I was still on Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC), Honourable, I believe Honourable Matsheka… which we have noticed that the Government intends (interruptions)… to increase rentals. Mr Speaker, this is something that Honourable Matsheka in his budget can assess if we HONOURABLE MEMBER: He is just talking as if cannot assist Batswana given the COVID-19 pandemic he is at… because no one has surplus income to counter increased rentals. Since we have all been affected and not just MR NKAWANA: …shows that he agrees. Government only, all the people in villages who are I continue with my debate without withdrawing… renting BHC houses will not manage at the moment. (interruption)… Thank you for… Otherwise we are going to find people on the streets because they have been thrown out of the houses and HONOURABLE MEMBER: Honourable Lucas, their property being damaged by rain. Honourable because you have shaved your head… Matsheka, your budget should accommodate such costs.

MR NKAWANA: …that advice Honourable Member. Moving on to imported vehicles Mr Speaker. We must We have seen the news on papers that the Government understand that tax on imported vehicles, new or used, intends to increase… the first thing we should acknowledge is that we do not manufacture any vehicle in Botswana, that is number MR SPEAKER: I see the hand from Honourable one. Number two is, the vehicles that Batswana can Kwape. afford are the very ones which have boosted our MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS economy and our ability to reach areas which were AND COOPERATION (DR KWAPE): Thank you once far. The burden that Batswana have been carrying Mr Speaker, I just wanted to make a clarification if the has been lightened and right now their lives can be Honourable Member allows? compared with our neighbours. Times have changed; we no longer deem anyone who has matshelonyana MR SPEAKER: Honourable Nkawana, clarification (small truck) as a rich person. Nowadays, anyone who sought. possess that vehicle is seen as someone who is offering

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services to other Batswana or the country. This is the We have a school like Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching challenge that we have, especially at Selebi Phikwe; Hospital, so we can engage members like Dr Dikoloti we buy vegetables like cabbages outside town but we and specialists from BVI and we will surely make it. do not have a horse and trailer which supply Small, Our challenge is that, we have grouped ourselves, we Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) with goods. are failing because of lack of interest and everyone They instead use matshelonyana to access farms. Where operates individually. But doctors could be funded if possible and if borders are opened, they cross to South they work as a team. All I am saying is, if we could share Africa and supply us with food with reasonable prices, our resources and focus on manufacturing vaccines, we so that we may survive. Their prices are reasonable and would go somewhere and that would really assist us. are better than the ones charged by chain stores. These Right now people are buying vaccines from others, so SMMEs earn a living through using their small trucks. we would be doing the same and benefit from that. So we mentioned that we are going to start taxing them, I do not know if we do that because they operate SMMEs Firstly, Batswana would survive. Secondly, since we and cannot survive or what. Like other speakers said, I export cattle vaccines to other countries, we would believe we spend a lot of money on expensive vehicles. also generate income by manufacturing and exporting Vehicles like a Land Cruiser and a Station Wagon each human vaccines. For this reason, we would generate cost P1 million but we claim that they are reasonable. I income like others usually say. believe these kinds of vehicles are used at weddings, not to deliver cabbage, three legged pots or tents. Moreover, I will move on to the issue of Ipelegeng Mr Speaker. I have never seen any of my friends who have this We have been told that Ipelegeng would be better in the kind of vehicle carrying some goods which may assist next year, that it will be reengineered, that their jobs Batswana. I see that one of them, my neighbour, is would be improved. That is what we are also saying in laughing. the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) manifesto, that the state of Ipelegeng is bad and not good for the Mr Speaker, Honourable Matsheka, we have a challenge, employees. We desire Ipelegeng to lead better jobs so do not add to our sorrows while still dealing with this which produce results, not once in a while but on a daily massive challenge. Doing that is the same as destroying basis. us, especially some of us who live by hustling. I am not referring to theft, I mean fending for oneself, especially I am saying this because if we task them to clean the at Selebi Phikwe, where our challenges have doubled road, that particular road will be dirty in a matter of two Mr Speaker. You know very well that our challenges days. A certain Minister once used a particular word, have doubled. When you visited Selebi Phikwe last may his soul rest in peace, Mr Morake, he referred to time, you realised that it is an abandoned city. This is as it as ‘‘shololovia’’. It means repeating something which a result of prioritising to tax people, we forget that they is unprofitable time and again. If we were engaging are the ones who generate it and we do that so they may Ipelegeng in building structures so that they may be earn a living from it. We also forget that sometimes it involved in infrastructure development, where we becomes really hard for them. engage workers through Ipelegeng labour, it is one of the ways through which we could be saying that As I move on with my debate Mr Speaker, I will talk funding Ipelegeng has profited Botswana. Moreover, about manufacturing of vaccines in Botswana because Mr Speaker, I mean where we give them sufficient Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) started doing it salaries, not the peanuts that they get which you failed a long time ago, they have great specialists and our to increase. If you pay someone P500 and they spend neighbouring countries, Southern African countries are sleepless nights, thinking that they are still going to envious of them. We also export these vaccines to them; be employed, then you give them P500 at the end of I reckon we have two types of them and I remember the month and do not employ them next month, that the one for Foot and Mouth. We also have other is chaotic. So we want Ipelegeng to be sensible such livestock vaccines. I believe we can source funds for our that Batswana learn something from it, where they specialists or this facility, so we can develop it, where leave something reasonable for the nation and youth of these specialists would be able to carry out research to Botswana. find vaccines that may assist us, especially now that we are dealing with COVID-19 pandemic, they could really In the past, Ipelegeng built bridges and borders in be advanced. certain areas. They were not sweeping roads, there were

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no cleaners there. They were doing activities which internship means whereby a person is attached to concern the entire nation, those that we can show today. an institution during the term of his/her study for We have classrooms in schools in some areas which Certificate, Diploma, Degree. One can be attached to were built by Ipelegeng. Additionally, we can show that gain experience, that is internship. By the time you finish this Village Development Committee (VDC) house was your training or schooling you have gained experience built by Ipelegeng. Currently, they specialise in slashing and you are certificated on the basis of what you learnt and sweeping roads and these jobs are performed by at the institution, you have gained experience. Internship our learned children and our parents. Those that will officers in Botswana are not given certificates after be limping from Ipelegeng as they are trying to sustain completion. The certificate they are given cannot even themselves so as to earn a living since they do not have be a testimonial to show that I was an Intern officer at a choice. The most painful thing is that Honourable this institution and therefore I am a qualified candidate Matsheka is silent about increasing the salaries of better than the one who did not serve. So, our youth… Ipelegeng workers in April. MR SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Nkawana. We requested for Ipelegeng workers to be paid a Thank you very much, your time is up! minimal wage of P1 500 per month. The embarrassing thing is that Honourable Matsheka does not at least MR MAJAGA (NATA-GWETA): Thank you Mr promise to increase it by P400, you are just silent about Speaker. Thank you for giving me this time. Let me it sir. So Morolong, respond to Batswana’s complaints, comment on the Budget Speech presented by Minister those Batswana who are working at Ipelegeng across Matsheka being the Minister of Finance and Economic the country cannot sustain themselves, they cannot Development. Mr Speaker, let me first explain that this get a bank loan or give a pay slip to show that they is our first budget since the COVID-19 pandemic which are employed. But we include Ipelegeng workers may result in a lot of questions regarding Minister when talking about employees. So where are their pay Matsheka’s budget. What are its objectives? Let me take slips? They do not have them! That shows that you this time to support him and the President in the situation are exploiting the lives of Batswana. Honourable, let they are in because during difficulties people turn to the us stand up today, let us fight for both ourselves and Head of State and Minister of Finance and Economic Batswana who are in rural areas. Development being Minister Matsheka who presented a budget during these difficult times. We should Mr Speaker, I will also talk about Citizen Entrepreneurial encourage Batswana to during these difficult times, Development Agency (CEDA). We used to play tennis partake on this budget and own it and find ways to help in the past, if your opponent annoys you and the ball the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and belongs to them, you snatch it away, others will remain improve whatever we can. That is what we have to do behind without having a ball. Sometimes CEDA regarding the budget Honourable Matsheka presented in changes goal posts like someone said. So let us ensure Parliament which we have to own. that CEDA has a clear and straightforward policy and guidelines which everyone can understand, which do Mr Speaker, we are in difficult times in which we not change every day. They should be simplified so must find ways to increase collection of revenues. We that youth applying for CEDA can understand and meet are in difficult times which calls for us to come up the standards. Currently CEDA approves after a very with initiatives as leaders, as Parliament of Botswana long struggle which if there was an opportunity by the or anyone who is authorised to serve the country. We time they approve your loan of maybe P100 000, that have to come up with initiatives to increase our revenue opportunity is no longer there. collection in order to restore the revenue of this country.

Therefore Mr Speaker, Honourable Matsheka should Mr Speaker, you might realise that Minister of Finance review all CEDA guidelines and ensure they are and Economic Development has introduced a lot of compatible to our objective. He should ensure that they taxes which already find empty pockets of Batswana are good for Batswana and everyone can qualify to and these so called big companies. Mr Speaker, you apply for CEDA. might be aware that some companies are still held back by State of Emergency (SOE) which this country Let me now talk about these employees, a few days is currently running under. Perhaps some could have back one Member talked about them explaining that closed down by now. So when you look at these taxes

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presented by the Minister before Parliament which are Even in future, we can have other pandemics. Mr meant to help generate revenue, we should be careful Speaker, I had thought that at this time we would have looking at the situation of most companies. We can see learnt something, looking at our previous budget for the situation Batswana are in. After that scrutiny that is 2020/2021, now in 2021/2022, we are just left with 10 when we can weigh these things and see how we are months to implement this budget, but we had the last going to move on 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and beyond budget. My idea Mr Speaker, I was considering that where we now see that our budget has a huge deficit. maybe at this moment, not saying that the Ministry of Mr Speaker, as Honourable Members, we should weigh Basic Education is not suitable, we could have allocated such things and ensure that going forward, we reduce more money, and some of it we could be able to fund this deficit, or totally obliterate it so that we restore the Development Budget and Recurrent Budget. We could economic situation of our country to where we used to have allocated more money to the Ministry of Health so have a balanced budget. that some of this money be used to buy this medication, from the Recurrent Budget, then we maintain a lot of our Mr Speaker, I am aware that COVID-19 is a global facilities, looking at big health facilities like the likes pandemic which therefore calls for the change of Maun Hospital. This could be the time to maintain of our planning, budgets and our way of doing them; the likes of Kasane Hospital which I know is in things. We should change looking at the fact that the budget. We could be doing this as urgent as possible, everything whether it is developments or human maintaining health facilities for sustenance in the future development revolves around money. If there is no taking other things like tourism into consideration. We money, all our dreams or developments and our mere know that the Ministry of Basic Education has been existence will be compromised. As we once tackled given money, and they share some of the developments Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired with the Ministry of Local Government when it comes Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disease to primary schools. without overdrafts but worked with the little we had, we These are the things I thought we will consider and should go back and look at how we addressed HIV when figure out how do we do to avoid borrowing, which if it attacked us so that we learn from our past experiences and go forward. we keep relying on it a lot, it will end up dropping our world ratings. Since it is done Mr Speaker, I am not too Mr Speaker, during that time, Government of Botswana upset about it, but I have to advise that going forward, made a deliberate decision to tackle this pandemic with if we are meant to do a budget during tough times, we all she has, so we have to do the same. The Minister should should be mindful of such. therefore present to us by saying apart from borrowing money from World Bank, International Monetary Fund Mr Speaker, this budget, was supposed to promote local (IMF), we have no other source of revenue, so we can tourism. I know something is being done, but there was borrow from Pension Funds, bonds and so on because if supposed to be a huge impact because we know that our we borrow money Honourable Minister, we will not be borders are closed. We are supposed to figure out how able to attain our world ratings in future. These are the we improve this sector locally and that its beneficiation things we should assist you with Honourable Minister can generate the income that we were getting before of Finance and Economic Development; to look at each COVID issues. These are some of the issues which I and every corner because that is what you should do expected to see here Mr Speaker, and see where we are when you are in a difficult position Mr Speaker in order going. to win the battle. So we have to look into those Pension Fund, bonds and other things, other local companies The vaccine-we are thankful that the Government is which will not acquire more interest compared to the determined like other countries to purchase the vaccine likes of World Bank, African Development Bank and or it has already made a plan of how they are going to others. get it. The Government was not supposed to be on its own during these tough times Mr Speaker. Companies Mr Speaker, when I look at our health facilities like Botswana Public Officers Medical Aid Scheme during these tough times, they need to be maintained (BPOMAS); all these companies that deal with health and equipped for future use and other pandemics we issues were also supposed to partake in this era of would not know as you see the COVID-19 changing. COVID because of the revenue that we contribute as

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patients across these different companies. They also MR SPEAKER: Go ahead Honourable Member. have a responsibility to acquire these medications and assist the Government, instead of just relying on the MR MAJAGA: Thank you Mr Speaker. I was still Government only. talking about revenue streams and how...

Mr Speaker, this budget is complicated, but we are MR SPEAKER: Honourable Majaga he said he is supposed to assist Minister of Finance because he is rising on a point of clarification. So, I just wanted him going through a lot of challenges concerning the country. to clarify what point he is standing on, so he is still on the floor. Mr Speaker, borrowing money from International Monetary (IMF) Fund and World Bank to purchase this MR MODUKANELE: Thank you Mr Speaker. You medicine whereas we have pensions, we are supposed to have said it, and you are right Honourable Member. hear about the role they play. Do they play only to pay There is a point I wanted to clarify for the benefit of the for our medication, whereas this is a pandemic, disease House because earlier on some Honourable Members also? They must partake and see how they can help us. said Honourable Matsheka wants to tax people who drink sweet things and so on. Let us also continue Mr Speaker, we wanted a budget that was going to indicating that Honourable Member, and address the create employment for us even though we are in tough issue that Honourable Matsheka said he was going to times. We must have some sustainable manufacturing increase the tax threshold, from 36 to 48, which indicates businesses and tourism. As we see what the likes of that he is taking into consideration the people who earn Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) less to save them from blows of tax. Our colleagues are and National Development Bank (NDB) are doing even neglecting this, they are only saying, this budget did though the money is not enough, and if now we are going not… to use their exact words which I cannot use, the to put more money in manufacturing and agriculture, truth is that the Minister has responded to this situation agricultural business is the way. We should ensure that that other people are going to be negatively affected, revenue is generated there and big projects are revived and he has saved them from the tax threshold. Thank to address this unemployment and create permanent you Mr Speaker. jobs through the agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Mr Speaker, looking at where the money … MR MAJAGA: Thank you Honourable Member. I thank you for your comment. Mr Speaker, it is not that HONOURABLE MEMBER: Mr Speaker, I have the budget should be taught to the nation only, even all raised my hand. of us in this House… it is something that is supposed to ASSISTANT MINISTER OF LOCAL be taught to people so that they can understand it and GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT have detailed information. (MR MODUKANELE): Thank you Mr Speaker. I thank The things that were mentioned by Honourable you Honourable Majaga for giving me an opportunity. Matsheka are those that are related to health. We know You are right on that one Honourable Member. Maybe I that there are certain countries which have obese people should take you a bit back and say, you have talked a lot in different age groups. He was trying to address that about the issue of this Government revenue that we are issue but not that he will stop sweet products for elderly supposed to work together on this issue and see where men and women and also us consumers of sugar. we can source funds. Let me continue and go through them quickly since MR SPEAKER: Honourable Modukanele, you did not there is insufficient time. I talked about what we can say what point you are standing on. do to generate revenue. Mr Speaker, as our foreign MR MODUKANELE: I said clarification Mr Speaker. reserves are drying up, as a country and legislators, we are supposed to stand up and see that post COVID, MR SPEAKER: No, you did not say. even if we may live with it because no one knows, only MR MODUKANELE: If I did not say, forgive me Mr God knows, that is God’s case, we have seen that in the Speaker, but it is a point of clarification. future we will do everything we can with our money so that it can be available so that we can have some foreign …Silence… reserves which if we can do all the things I addressed, we

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will reach the target. We know one would say P1 billion the time of Cyclone Dineo in the year 2016/2017. The each and every month to make P12 billion of foreign village of Gweta might vanish within a blink of an eye, reserve and where did it go, what did it do? This one is knowing how powerful water is. So we once came up an issue for another day. If you may find people who can with Motions during the State of Emergency (SoE), the explain, that is where we may come in so that we clearly people in that area said I should come and beg and ask understand because when you are on the budget you just with everything I have, because I have advocated for summarise it this way and say P12 billion has been used, them here. Since we are in a SoE, and we have long it has been misused and so on, then you would not have asked that there should be a storm water drainage that a good answer that you may argue with as a leader. If could drain water from the village of Gweta, why are we will have something the other day as this House, we you not assisting those people during this period; that want to know what happened to other money that was nation of yours should not perish Mr Speaker due to the on the reserves, we can challenge that and there can be water we long knew about. We came up with Motions in some answers to that. I would be one of those who can this House, but the storm water drainage which can cost challenge, so that when I go back to my constituency, P10 million is failing to be built, to drain away water when people ask me questions I would be informed. I from Gweta so that it passes to the Makgadikgadi. A am done with that point. manmade big culvert is what is needed. Those people Mr Speaker have said, when I come for the budget Mr Speaker, parastatals. I am one who have always been session I should come and beg with everything I have, vocal in Parliament. Honourable Minister Matsheka, and in April they will tell me what they are saying. I reduce them. Ministers, do not fear, as long as long am at that point Mr Speaker, before this House during as you would consult the Cabinet and His Excellency the Budget Session, I am pleading with you Honourable (HE), reduce these parastatals. Merge those parastatals, Members. Some Members do go there sometimes during a lot of our resources are there, we could be buying...60 hard times; the likes of Reggie, please go there again. I parastatals, maybe they could be 25. Another 30, we am inviting everyone to go and see with their own eyes, could be using those funds to buy the vaccines for instead of just hearing it from me. Let me pass that one COVID-19 with funds going to the parastatals, only if of me being a mourner... you could look at the wage bills. A time has come, so HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. we should not just keep talking as comrade Honourable Nkawana was saying here that one of the late Ministers, MR MAJAGA: When you have problems you cannot the late Mr Morake, may his soul rest in peace, once just keep quiet and not tell your colleagues; and have said we should do that. Even now, do that, and when them just hearing hear-says, yet the situation would be it fails we would know if it is the Cabinet that turned like that. it down or whoever. We might sit here and accuse the President, yet the mandate would be on us as Ministers. Mr Speaker, as I proceed... These parastatals are too many, and you know that that MR MOATLHODI: On a point of clarification. Have is where the lives of people are, greener pastures, all you allowed me? people run there yet they are not productive. Consider this matter as urgently as you can. MR SPEAKER: Yes, but I am asking you to speak Mr Speaker, now going to my constituency. As you virtually. can see me here, I am lamenting. I am seriously MR MAJAGA: Yes, I yield. He should be quick Mr unsettled. I am under attack, there are torrential rains; Speaker. they are falling countrywide. There is no place that is spared from floods. Mr Speaker, I challenge and ask MR MOATLHODI: Clarification. I thank you Honourable Members to visit me so that they could go Mr Speaker. I thank you Honourable Member, the and see what we are experiencing because the floods in Honourable Member of Parliament for Nata-Gweta. my constituency are not going anywhere, they are going Do you not think it is important that when Honourable to make the villages in my area vanish. I am talking Matsheka responds, he should give us an answer about villages like Gweta and Tsokotshaa. These are regarding the dismal situation at your constituency floods of the Makgadikgadi, they do not just go away especially from Zoroga up to Gweta East, the lands, simply like that. This is a new phenomenon to us since villages and peoples` properties are submerged? Do you

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not think it is important for Dr Matsheka to give us the for Honourable Segokgo. You are correct Honourable Government’s position on this matter? Thank you sir. Lesedi, we will take a break after Honourable Majaga. Honourable Segokgo, go ahead with your point of MR MAJAGA: I thank you Mr Speaker, thank you clarification. Honourable Moatlhodi. I am glad because that area or constituency has been declared a flood prone area, MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND which came about as a result of a Motion that once COMMUNICATIONS (MR SEGOKGO): passed through this Parliament. Honourable Ministers Clarification. Thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable visited that area many times, even when Honourable Majaga, since we visited Nata-Gweta, in fact twice; I Shamukuni was still at the Office of the President. These am really concerned about the flood situation that side. are the things that we talked about as Motions, back then during the times of Cyclone Dineo, now currently HONOURABLE MEMBER: Come closer to the during the time of Cyclone Chalane, we would not be microphone Honourable Minister. experiencing what we are experiencing now. Lands, MR SEGOKGO: Honourable Majaga, what we agreed cattle posts and roads; we did not have a problem with on regarding culverts, they are ongoing, right? When them. It is... a request is made that a situation should be addressed, I would like the Honourable Members to know and MR SPEAKER: Honourable Segokgo, what point are remember that something would be done once a you rising on? hydrological survey is done, to know the water path in that area. The main thing is that there is no natural HONOURABLE MEMBER: On a point of drainage, there are no rivers. We have to ensure that clarification. when we fix the problem, we should not create more MR MAJAGA: I will yield, let me finish my point first. problems. In any case, let me not be too long, thank you Honourable Member. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. MR MAJAGA: Thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable MR MAJAGA: Mr Speaker, I was still appreciating Minister, we know of all your efforts, and we appreciate what Honourable Pono Moatlhodi said. Ministers went them. Right now, what we wanted could have long been there, they know the situation and Parliament passed a built before you even became a Minister. Since now Motion, and this thing could have long been done Mr it is you, you are doing your part. What is being built Speaker. now, which is a culvert Mr Speaker is a non-starter, MR LESEDI: On a point of procedure. Mr Speaker, and it is not even something we can talk about here. It thank you. Maybe you should observe time, I believe by has exacerbated the problem because that small culvert now we could have gone for the health break. should not have been built. It is the one that is channelling all the water into the village. A big culvert should have …Silence… been built across the village, one which would cost around P10 million or P5 million. So this is channelling HONOURABLE MEMBER: Mr Speaker? all the water into the village; the whole village is under MR SPEAKER: Hold on Honourable Majaga, hold on. siege, and it is worse that Cyclone Dineo. During Dineo We are talking about something this side. we did not see what is happening now. What happened can be deemed to be chengedza bakhwa, just to make MR MAJAGA: I was saying Honourable Segokgo people think something was done; it not that useful. I am should finish his part. grateful for your efforts, and those of Kabo Morwaeng.

…Silence… HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Laughter!)...

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Are you now arguing? MR MAJAGA: Mr Speaker, let me proceed. If we do not turn all the mines in Botswana into joint ventures, I HONOURABLE MEMBER: No one is arguing. must urge the Minister of Minerals, Green Technology MR MAJAGA: Mr Speaker, should I proceed? and Energy Security and Minister Matsheka that from now going forward, the government should have shares MR SPEAKER: Honourable Majaga, you were yielding in all the mines. I am saying this because our foreign

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reserves are down and these other private mines are Tutume, he is now sick because of all the traveling. making money, they have diamond mines and we do So can it be hard to post a District Commissioner and not benefit. As a way to generate more income, the Assistant Council Secretary at Nata? We know that government should have some percentages in all the there are no funds to build a council, but you allocate mines in Botswana. them their budget, there is a bank at Nata, so that they do their job. That is what they are requesting. Mr Speaker, moving on to other issues, we should see funds being allocated to the Ministry of Tertiary I will address the issue of roads only if God can help Education, Research and Technology in order to me to catch the Speaker`s eye during the Committee conduct researches. These are not types of medicines of Supply, When Minister Segokgo brings his budget, that Batswana can fail to produce. You can see that we I will address this issue then. We are grateful for Nata- are always teased... Maun and Maun-Shakawe roads, go and construct them. As for Public Private Partnerships (PPP), I do not want HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. to talk about something that does not have modalities. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Majaga, Honourable Next year, we are going to be told that guidelines of Moagi is standing on a point of clarification, do you these PPP roads are still being drafted, and it will take yield? five years. People no longer want that. You should stand here today and tell us to go and construct a road using MR MAJAGA: No, let me continue Mr Speaker. Time. PPP, we will do a tollgate because we know that you cannot do a tollgate without the other alternative, but it MR SPEAKER: Continue, Honourable Majaga. will depend on how we can tax business vehicles so that MR MAJAGA: Mr Speaker, I was still talking about that road can be constructed or else it will never end... research; Ministry of Tertiary Education, Research and HONOURABLE MEMBER: Mr Speaker, my hand is Technology must be funded. Reports and budget tenders up. are always awarded to individuals who happen to be foreigners, but University of Botswana (UB) has got MR SPEAKER: Honourable Motaosane, he is left with lecturers and professors. Tenders should not be awarded 22 seconds. to private companies, they take a larger share of our budget, but we have people who can do this job for us at MR MAJAGA: I yield. a good and cheaper rate. Nowadays we should see how MR MOTAOSANE: Point of clarification. Thank we are going to use our limited resources, to engage you sir. Honourable Majaga, are you simply saying our own to make our own things. So Mr Speaker, these that whether buildings are there or not, a District funds should have been allocated to research like I once Commissioner and Senior Assistant Council Secretary advised in relation to the Ministry of Basic Education, (SACS) should go and do... the results are always the same. There was Vincent Commission, the Kedikilwe Commission, last time MR SPEAKER: Time is up! Honourable Member, Arone also tried to do something, but results are always time is up! Honourable Members, we have to take a the same at the Ministry of Basic Education. Ministry of health break, actually we made a mistake. We should Local Government and Rural Development is partaking, have gone out at 4 o’clock. So can I request you take these funds are going to be diverted to corrupt tenders a health break, and when we come back, Honourable which people are going to fight food supplies tenders Minister Kwape will be on the floor. because of corruption. I do not perceive this one as some people might perceive it. HONOURABLE MEMBER: How many minutes Mr Speaker? Moving on Mr Speaker, in Nata Constituency, I will not talk about all these issues because I will address them MR SPEAKER: Sorry, for 20 minutes, so let us come during the Committee of Supply. Mr Speaker, they are back at 16:40. not asking for anything, they are saying that they only PROCEEDINGS SUSPENDED AT 4:27 P.M. FOR want their Rural Administration Centre (RAC), they APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES are saying that they are only requesting for a District Commissioner at Nata. Currently he travels from PROCEEDINGS RESUMED AT 4:45 P.M.

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MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, maybe it now Minister Matsheka is able to present the budget is very important for me clarify the confusion that allocation because he can go and knock somewhere was there earlier on because I am told that there was and ask for funds that he has been saving. We thank once an agreement that since we are in our offices, the this government for having a vision, more especially its assumption is that we are alone in our offices. Probably predecessors, to have emergency funds which we can there is no need for us to take a physical health break go and take during trying times like these. We should as a group, we can just continue doing what we have also advise people who have been saying that funds been doing, going out and coming back, so that is why are misused to pay close attention to what Minister there was confusion, but we will correct it. Honourable Matsheka is saying in his budget allocation. He is Kwape, you take the floor. saying that we did not generate enough money hence we are forced to go and take money from our savings MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS in order to top-up what we have. He did not say that we AND COOPERATION (DR KWAPE): Thank you misused funds, we are compelled to go and take money. Mr Speaker. Thank you for giving me an opportunity He is saying that we did not generate enough income to comment on the Budget presentation which was as we had anticipated. This calls us then to go back to delivered by Honourable Matsheka. Let me start by crossroads where we had five pillars that the country wishing the Honourable Members a happy new year was founded upon. One of the pillars that I recall is because we have never met. This virus has set us apart democracy where everyone can freely express their and we only meet virtually, so I wish them a prosperous views. Unity; to become a united nation. We also strived year. by all means to have developments in this country and Mr Speaker, let me start by saying that I support the have Botho. 2021/2022 Budget allocation as presented by Minister The last one that I want to talk about is self-reliance. Matsheka. I want to emphasise that ever since our country gained independence, there has never been a year that Some of the things that Honourable Matsheka talks passed without presenting the budget allocation. I fully about, be it increasing tax or anything are a form of believe that this is the 55th Budget Speech, not hundredths self-reliance. It is not the first time that Batswana have Budget like some Honourable Members were saying. to be self-reliant. We exercised self-reliance when we Even though that is the case Mr Speaker, there was an had no university in Botswana and called upon every outbreak of the virus that no one knew anything about Motswana to donate a cow to build the university. It across the whole world when this government had only was not punishment to Batswana, it was to say, let us do one year in office. All our plans were shuttered, plans to things that will tomorrow benefit us. I want to emphasise develop this country to where we want it to be. When I that I applaud the way Honourable Matsheka made an talk about this issue, I remember words of one Scottish effort that, although we are in trouble, we should at least writer by the name Robert Burns, he said, “the best laid have funds availed. plans of mice and men oft go awry.” So this rings true to the words of Robert Burns, but even though that is the I also want to condemn what was uttered by some case, it is important for us to accept that the situation Honourable Members who said Honourable Matsheka’s that we are in, the situation that is triggered by the virus speech is a charge sheet. It is not a charge sheet but self- has caused a decline in the economy as we can all see. reliance. Some said it is similar to the father stealing The economy is weakening because the whole world is from his child. There is nothing like that, this is self- on a standstill, which means that we are no longer able reliance. It is common among Honourable Members to sell our diamonds, tourists who visited our country that when things get tough…When the President asked are not able to travel and we are not able to collect Value for State of Emergency from this Parliament, some Added Tax (VAT) that collect when we sell goods, we stood on the side lines and wanted nothing to do with it. are not able to get it. This situation ends up affecting Some like Honourable Boko said, when the going gets jobs, more especially on the youth who need jobs in the tough, they will slip out. This shows Batswana the kind situation that we are in. of leaders we have. This is clear especially when we are faced with a difficult situation as is the case right now. Although there are no funds, there is something that we have to appreciate, if you can go back, some people Nevertheless, let me address certain points concerning ridiculed Botswana for having emergency funds. Right Honourable Matsheka’s speech. He is saying we should

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use funds prudently and taxes collected efficiently to MR SPEAKER: Honourable Saleshando, you have increase Government revenue. Mismanagement of your hand up. funds is a breeding ground for wastage. This means that projects which were meant to be completed within a set MR SALESHANDO: Clarification Minister. time are not completed. This results in overhead costs. DR KWAPE: Alright Sir, I yield. The duration set for the completion of the project is also extended. For example, in my constituency, it has MR SALESHANDO: Thank you. Minister Kwape, been years since we were told that the sewage project is when you and I were students, the Minister of Economic commencing but the way this project is done or being Development was Dr Mogae. He said the same thing done may highly endanger us. Right now during these which you are saying that, we have many parastatals and rains, there could not be trenches which put peoples` there is need to reduce them. BDP Government instead lives in danger. increased them. He said there is need to see which ones can be merged and that did not happen. All the Ministers Mr Speaker, despite the challenges that we are facing, who came after Mr Mogae, be it Mr Baledzi Gaolathe, Honourable Matsheka tried to make the little that we Mr Matambo have said the same thing in their Budget have to go a long way. We are pooling together our Speeches. Is it acceptable that 20, 30 years later, you natural resources, minerals, skills and other things with stand up as Minister and say what was said 30 years the hope that after this pandemic passes, our offspring ago which was not carried out? Are you happy with the will see how best to drive our economy in the right way things are done that you will also leave and others direction. will come who will say the same thing with Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) not budging an inch to ensure I would also like to address the issue of parastatals as that it is implemented? captured by Honourable Matsheka. I support him that some need to be looked into, starting from their boards DR KWAPE: I will tell the Honourable Member to their CEOs and the way they use their funds. If we what makes me happy. What makes me happy is that are satisfied that the leadership of these companies are he is talking about our history as students and right doing their work efficiently and their expenditure is now we are Honourable Members. Therefore, it is our on point, then we will be assured of their usefulness. responsibility to ensure that we implement that. I think I am also of the view like he said, that we need to that is a suitable answer for Honourable Member who is also my cousin, Dumelang Saleshando. check if they should continue to operate the way they have been operating. Organisations such as Citizen One of the things that we need to take into consideration Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Local is funding researches. One Honourable Member Enterprise Authority (LEA) and National Development mentioned that researches are able to upgrade us to a Bank (NDB), in my view could have been merged so desired economy. Therefore, organisations such as that the services they are offering can be accessed in one CEDA, Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), place. This could reduce administrative costs. Like in LEA and NDB should fund researches which at the end the past, Government made a decision to merge National can benefit this country. Food Technology Research Centre (NFTRC), National Veterinary Laboratory and Department of Agricultural One other important thing is to ensure that we find a Research to reduce costs. The funds of the programme way in which institutions which fund our businesses in under the Ministry of Honourable Rakgare could be Botswana consider competitive advantage. We have set relocated to that formed organisation so that when ourselves a standard that we want to be a knowledge developments are reviewed, the youth could go to that economy. Therefore, it is important to look at the skills organisation not where right now these organisations are we possess as Batswana. Honourable Moagi once all over the place. We want to… spoke about thobega and phogwana (traditional healing practices). We have fruits that we can invest funds in HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. their researches so that at the end we can export them to generate revenue. DR KWAPE: Another thing that I want to address is that organisations such as these ones, especially those Mr Speaker, we implore funding parastatals to do their which offer financial assistance… work quickly. For example; in this ploughing season,

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most people requested funding to plough so that they can engage experienced personnel. As we speak, developed be able to provide for their families. To date, some have countries are using drones and harvesters. So Minister not been given a response. It is therefore imperative for Gare should have a programme which ensures that them to assist Batswana expeditiously. This means we fields share a harvester, just like he has formed clusters must have systems in place such as turnaround time so so that Batswana can be assisted with equipment which that the applicant can go and do what he or she wanted can be used by all of them, instead of putting oneself in to do at an opportune time. many debts simply because an individual wants to have a harvester or a sprayer which they use maybe once a Another one Mr Speaker still under financial institutions year. is that, applicants are required to submit some of the documents that they do not have. For example; While still on agriculture Mr Speaker, I would also like if someone is interested in goat farming or cattle to talk about developing the abattoir. I am saying this production, and they say that they only have a borehole because a Motswana who has four or five cattle would and do not have money to buy livestock, they are at times be cheated by agents if abattoirs are not empowered. asked to go and test the water, yet that costs almost like I visited a certain area which I cannot name, I found drilling a borehole. This is a drawback and it things like out that they sold weaners. I asked them where they are this should be assessed. taking them to and they said they are taking them to the feedlots. I wondered how much profit was made by a Another point which we have to assess, the one that seller from that. When assessing these things, we should requires Honourable Matsheka to assess is that, those set a standard price, such that if a person has four or five who once started operating businesses and were cattle and sells them, they can make… unsuccessful, since these are not banks but parastatals which their aim is promoting businesses, he should have MR SPEAKER (MR PULE): Honourable PPP, your a programme which is going to rid these people from the hand is up. May you hold on Honourable Kwape, some situations that they are in; I am referring to where they hands are raised by PPP and Honourable Manake. On can be rehabilitated so that they will be able to progress what point are you rising Honourable PPP? with their businesses. MR MOATLHODI: I am standing on a point of I would also like to respond to paragraph 48 of the clarification Mr Speaker, if I can be given a second. budget speech by Honourable Matsheka, it talks about distribution of electricity. We appreciate that it is being MR SPEAKER: A request for clarification Honourable distributed across the country. I also want us to pay Kwape? PPP is asking for clarification. attention to the issue of solar power when Honourable DR KWAPE: Yes sir, I yield. Lefoko Moagi present his report. When dealing with it, let us not say that we are going to put stations which are MR MOATLHODI: Clarification. Thank you Mr not connected to the grid. If we can install solar power Speaker, thank you Honourable Minister for giving in areas like Tsonyane, Gamae and Lobutse which are me the opportunity. You were addressing the issue of in my constituency, if they can generate more electricity abattoirs which reminds and breaks my heart when but are not connected on the line, they would not have a I think that abattoirs at Francistown and Lobatse are place where they can deliver it. My request therefore is, neglected. We then went on to build new abattoir at let us connect these stations to the grid before installing Tsabong, how do you reconcile these two Honourable solar power to generate electricity. We would appreciate Minister? that, especially that it is something which Minister DR KWAPE: I hear you Honourable Moatlhodi, we are Lefoko Moagi likes so much. saying the same thing. We are saying that we are going Concerning issues of agriculture in relation to the to empower abattoirs so that farmers at home who have season that we are in Honourable Speaker, agriculture two or three cattle may make profit. We do not differ. proved to be one of the things which we can rely on, it Since Honourable Matsheka has presented his budget can save us. So I appreciate your plans to improve our speech, we have to view these things in a broad manner agricultural sector. Minister Matsheka also mentioned so that poor people at home may benefit. We do not that before assisting people, we are going to assess how want situations whereby agents who do not keep cattle much they are going to produce. We encourage them to make sufficient profit when selling cattle than farmers.

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Honourable Gare is listening, let us have a standard seen it gazetted. So I want to understand if you were price so that we have a base in terms of how much a aware of that, maybe you want to bring an alternative to person may sell or buy a cow, when the market force the Motion that I brought or maybe you are approaching controls it up there. it differently.

MR SPEAKER: Honourable Manake’s hand is up Let me also highlight that where I come from in Ghanzi, Honourable Kwape, I do not know the point she is after addressing this Motion, we realised that prices standing on. escalated …(Inaudible)… heifer prices, they charge ASSISTANT MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL P24. So, clarify it Honourable so I may understand your DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MS views concerning this issue. Thank you sir. MANAKE): Thank you Mr Speaker, I seek clarification DR KWAPE: I think we are on the same page from Honourable Kwape. Honourable Member. There are many ranches at your MR SPEAKER: She is asking for clarification region but in other regions when a person sells one cow, Honourable Kwape. they are cheated. Let me emphasise this issue that they are robbed day light by the butchery owners, maybe that DR KWAPE: I yield. is where the misunderstanding is. My point is, if there MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker, thank you is that minimum pricing all over the country, butchery Honourable Member. I thought to ask you a question owners should not buy below that price. That is the Honourable Kwape, you sound like you are complaining point I am trying to make. because people are selling calves/weaners. Do you know that, that is a good thing because if many of them are Let me move to technology. I am very much grateful kept, they pollute the environment? Additionally, we are that despite the negative effects of this pandemic, it has challenged by issues of shortage of land, do you know brought other good things, for example, we are now using that? Moreover, do you know that calves are currently technology a lot. We are currently in a technological affordable? Thank you Mr Speaker. world, we are able to sit in Parliament and as Minister Matsheka indicated students are going to be given tablets DR KWAPE: We are together Minister. All I am trying as a way to reduce congestion in classrooms. More to say is, agents/millers are selling weaners. You usually teachers were employed to help reduce the number of highlight that in order for a cow to generate profit, it students in one classroom. Although there are negative has to be at a zero tooth stage, at a certain age and not a effects brought by the disease there are some positive weaner; I said I found weaners. We must set a standard aspects as well. price for these kinds of things so that if a person is selling something, it meets certain standards. We should In paragraph 70 which talks about road infrastructure also deduce a minimum price for selling that cow. development; let me be thankful that Kazungula Bridge is complete and it is an advantage as it will create jobs As I move on Mr Speaker… in Botswana. Let me emphasise that most of the internal MR SPEAKER: Honourable Thiite, your hand is up but roads have streetlights. At my constituency, we use we have just started. Honourable Thiite, clarification. solar power and I am grateful. However, there are some He wants clarification Honourable Kwape. projects which are lagging behind and even though there is no money, action should be taken, projects such DR KWAPE: Yes sir. as bridges at our constituencies like Gamae, the road that Honourable Mephato Reatile was talking about of MR THIITE: Clarification. Thank you Honourable Jwaneng-Maokane which passes through villages of Kwape, thank you Mr Speaker. Honourable Kwape, you Lefhoko and Tsonyane. It is in a very poor condition. mentioned an issue which troubles me a lot, the price for selling or buying a cow. During the first State of I am also thankful that in his speech Honourable Emergency (SOE), I brought a Motion to sell a heifer Matsheka mentioned the Mmathethe road which will at a minimum of P19 per kilogram. You have brought lead to the farms. This road will help farmers to travel. it up again, you are emphasising it but up to date, ever When we implement these projects we are also creating since Parliament approved that Motion, I have never jobs at areas where those projects are implemented.

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I want to quickly talk about the water issue; we are In conclusion, I want to be thankful that Local Enterprise thankful for the water connection from North South Authority (LEA) has commenced the development of Carrier, the only problem is that most of the water the former Botswana Enterprises Development Union is lost underground. So perhaps there can be a better (BEDU) buildings. We will now have an area where arrangement while trying to solve these problems to youth will be able to operate. Even plot allocation engage Village Development Committees (VDCs) and Minister Mzwinila, your officers at Kanye promised to local artisans to fix those leakages rather than waiting deliver. for Water Utilities. Minister Rakgare, I have prepared myself to participate In the health sector, I am very thankful that Minister in the ground breaking of Kanye tadium (stadium). We Dikoloti gave us an update regarding the procurement are waiting for it, we know that there is no money but it of vaccines which will minimise the COVID-19 disease. was in the plan. We know that it is not something which can happen within the blink of an eye but we appreciate the efforts. In conclusion Mr Speaker, I want to talk about… HONOURABLE MEMBER: Did he say tadium? When it comes to health services, although there is an improvement, in places like Kanye, the hospital MR KWAPE: Yes sir tadium. has been in the National Development Plan for a long time, so it should be considered or rather considered HONOURABLE MEMBER: What is tadium? from a different perspective which was mentioned MR KWAPE: …(Laughter!)… by Minister Matsheka. We were talking about Public Private Partnership (PPP) who we can engage for HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… design, building and operation and the Government will MR KWAPE: I want to talk about people who are faced not use her money, the private sector will be investing with difficulties of having their properties repossessed in that project and reap the benefits as a way to reduce while a person has some pension savings. So we should the burden for the Government. So I am thankful that consider the option of giving those people their pension Minister Matsheka talked about PPP in planned projects savings so that despite other hardships, at least those like roads. people can have a home. These things are important and people are reporting them to us. So Minister Matsheka, I would like to conclude with the issue raised by one I humbly request that during law amendments because I Honourable Member regarding levies like the sugar know that these things are governed by acts, people who levy. If you say we are increasing the sugar levy, it have pensions should be allowed to…(Inaudible)…so means we want to prohibit our people from eating soft that they can have something which they can use to porridge, I do not know if you are aware of the dangers of cushion themselves. consuming too much sugar. In children, it causes damage to teeth and for the elderly it causes non-communicable Let me not rumble on Mr Speaker and allow others to diseases. If we reduce sugar consumption, we reduce also comment. Thank you Mr Speaker. hospital costs. Perhaps the Minister can broaden the MR SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Member. At scope and collect levy from other food commodities this juncture, I was supposed to pick someone from the such as salt, cooking oil more especially processed other side of the aisle as we agreed; two-one, two-one oils like butter and reduce prices on food commodities but there are no hands. It means the next person on the with added health benefits like Ntlatlawane so that we line is Honourable Leuwe. consume those for our health benefit. MR LEUWE (TAKATOKWANE): Thank you Mr At Local Government, the Minister talked about tax Speaker. Good afternoon Mr Speaker and Honourable collection. I believe using technology for this exercise Members. can be much easier. If a person is owing tax, he/she Mr Speaker, let me thank you for giving me this time should not be able to renew their vehicle licence. There to also comment on the Budget speech presented by should be a link which Minister Molale usually talks Honourable Matsheka. I do acknowledge it and will about that there should be one system monitoring all start by supporting it although I will throw in a few these activities, so it is important to use this technology. suggestions.

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I want to start by thanking Minister Matsheka and then they are intrigued by something passing outside. I his Government because we are facing a very painful believe that if this ministry for Honourable Molao has pandemic which is experienced by everyone and is a been allocated these funds, they will try to tackle these global problem including Botswana. My fear was that issues. We were once promised caravans, that they will this Budget will be in a very bad shape looking at the be used to relieve classrooms of overcrowding. Maybe fact that we used a lot of money towards this pandemic. as we are still waiting for the construction of classrooms The reason I thank him is because there is not much there, the schools which have classes that are taught difference between the current Budget and the previous outside will receive an arrangement of classrooms. one and there is clear direction of where we are headed. Teachers at the moment are still staying outside schools because there is completely no accommodation. You I want to indicate that in my view regarding Honourable will find that maybe a school like has 30 Matsheka’s Budget, perhaps I could have placed the teachers, but has eight or ten teachers quarters then you Ministry of Health and Wellness as a priority given wonder where these many teachers are staying. It is nice the circumstances. I agree that the Ministry of Basic for them to stay in teachers quarters which they have Education needs a lot of money, but I believe we should control over that yard, unlike when they have rented at prioritise health above everything else. First of all, we someone’s place who may end up compromising their should ensure that the person we are saying we are job, because you will find landlords limit the times you going to educate, the one we are going to provide with do your job or arrive at home. So it is befitting that resources is healthy. Right now the Ministry of Health is when we take this money we try to tackle the issue of the one that all our eyes are looking at. That is why right accommodation for teachers. now when Honourable Minister Dikoloti is on television There is no home you can go to that does not have a everyone comes closer because they want to hear what teacher, and those being remote villages. Some are far, his promise is. That is why I am saying, if I was the with roads that are in bad conditions. These poor people one listing the ministries I would make the Ministry of are trying by all means for the students to follow their Health our first priority so that when we focus on other footsteps. I believe that where you are Mr Speaker you ministries we have already focused on health. also went through a teacher. A teacher is the foundation Generally, I believe that the budget has addressed some of the life of every Motswana. I believe that they are of our requests. If you take a ministry like Education people who should be taken seriously, to indicate that which is at the top, it is facing many challenges. Even they have taken part in our upbringing. I believe that this pandemic has greatly affected it, as you can see they can do that only if they are provided with what is that even when the Minister is reporting, he is really rightfully theirs whereby they are given all those they reporting with emotions of grieve because all the schools rightfully deserve which can assist them to be able to all over the country have been affected. Right now they take students where they want them to be. You can just have been affected while they are in conditions that are see the results as Honourable Molao has just presented not suitable for teaching, due of lack of funds. So if we them before us, you will find that a certain school in have done what we did by allocating them an amount of a remote area has performed better than the one that the budget that we believe is significantly larger, even is in town which we think have all the resources. You though the amount is insufficient, I believe that it will will note that that indicates that teachers have a lot of take the Ministry of Education forward. commitment, and they need our support. They need the support of the Government. Since I know that there The education sector is facing a great challenge of are many teachers in areas that are undeveloped, I had personnel, all the structures, there is no Member of an idea that we are supposed to do something that will Parliament who can stand here and indicate that in his entice public servants to go to remote areas. We are or her constituency the Ministry of Education is doing now seeing a situation whereby when an employee is well in schools. If you take an example of schools transferred to go and work in a certain area, and another like primaries, you will find that there are still many employee is being transferred from a remote area to classrooms that are taught outside. They are being Gaborone, the one from the remote area will arrive in taught outside like that but it is… nowadays it is no Gaborone before sunset. The one from Gaborone is longer suitable to teach outside, it is not in line with going to take forever, with no one to fill in his or her recent times whereby when you are still teaching a child position, which will now result in his or her job suffering

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because he or she is looking at the expenses of going to 67 kilometres west of Tonota. They take position three a remote area. He or she is considering roads and the nearly every year, it has an 89 per cent pass rate, but it challenge of accommodation. So I am saying let us think is in a remote area. It performs better than schools at of something better, which can make them to go there, Tonota. The only problem I have Mr Speaker is that I one; there is an allowance called Remote Area Service plead with Honourable Molao and his ministry to often Allowance (RASA), to me those are just peanuts. Let us pay these teachers a visit. I am just using Mabesekwa as implement a RASA that when one thinks of leaving a an example, I know that Mabesekwa is his constituency, remote area to go and work in an urban area, and he or he always go there. It takes a long time without seeing she no longer receives it, it stirs his or her feelings. Even for someone in Gaborone, when he or she is transferred teachers, and their problems are not heard. Let us pay to a remote area they should feel that they are going to teachers a visit. Apart from that I agree with Honourable earn something better. We should have an amount that Member, Kopano’s father, word for word, comma for will entice them to go there. comma. Thank you sir.

Two; let us ensure that accommodation at our areas like MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe! Takatokwane and so on is free. It should be an incentive MR LEUWE: …(Inaudible)… that when someone is at Takatokwane, and the other one is in Gaborone, then they at least know MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe go ahead. Unmute that they are better because they are not paying rent and your microphone. the other one is paying rent. That can entice employees MR LEUWE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you so that when they are transferred, they go freely and Honourable Moatlhodi for showing that this challenge when they are there, they stay there and work freely cuts across the entire country, it is not only at without any worries. I wish that we could be doing Takatokwane Constituency. This means that if it could that by enticing public officers to go to remote areas. be addressed, I believe that we can take our country I want to get into the agricultural sector. The people of somewhere. I agree with you Honourable Moatlhodi. Takatokwane constituency are saying their main request is that…the life of Takatokwane is squarely based on I want to get into the issue that when it comes agriculture, agriculture. the people of Takatokwane Constituency rely on it. Since they make a living out of agriculture, that is the HONOURABLE MEMBER: You should look at the hands Mr Speaker. only thing their lives are based on. The request is that, when it comes to the budget, they listen attentively in MR LEUWE: It is based on agriculture. Since their life an effort to hear what has been done for the agricultural is based on agriculture, that is the only thing that they sector because that is the only thing they have at remote make a living out of. areas. Their request then is that, when this is changed, they should be notified and they should be involved. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe! PPP what are you Let us be consulted, so that we contribute, so that if standing on? we really want to improve this agriculture, what can MR MOATLHODI: I request to stand on a point of we do because there is a Setswana adage that says, elucidation. ‘setlhako se babalela yo o se rweleng,’ meaning that, “experience is the best teacher. When this consultation MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe… (Inaudible)… is done, the farmers’ associations and individuals should be informed because the challenges experienced by the MR LEUWE: I yield. farmers’ association are different from those experienced MR SPEAKER: Go ahead Honourable PPP. by individual farmers. A request from Takatokwane Constituency is that they should be informed, as they MR MOATLHODI: Elucidation. Mr Speaker I thank have been hearing that Integrated Support Programme you, and I also thank Kopano’s father a lot. Thank you for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) is going Honourable Member of Parliament for Takatokwane to be modified. They should not be told on the 11th hour Constituency. I agree with him, word for word, comma for that they would be assisted with ploughing only four comma about everything he has said regarding teachers. hectares instead of five. If they were informed, they At my constituency, there is a school called Mabesekwa, could have given their take. Also, their request is that if

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a farmer is given an opportunity to plough five hectares, Thank you Mr Speaker. When it comes to roads, we all farmers should be given a chance so that at the end have a road which generates a lot of revenue. Right they would see how much food they have produced from now during this season of rains, there is no one who the five hectares. If a farmer produces an amount they can use that road; even if one uses a 4X4. The people were expected to produce, those in Takatokwane are of Takatokwane have been lamenting about it for a long time. Right now what they are saying is that they will not saying for such a farmer the number of hectares should turn their backs on the Government as others assume. be increased; instead of painting all the farmers with one They said they know that even though Government brush saying, they are not producing enough. The one does not have much to offer, they will keep requesting who would have produced a lower yield would also be (ngwana o anya mmaagwe le a sule). Since they voted addressed accordingly. It should not be said because that for this Government trusting that it will deliver, they one did not manage, then they would put those who are are going to do all that is necessary to be able to meet managing at a disadvantage. The other issue they raised number 1 (The President), regarding this road. Their was that there are middle aged persons who have passed request is that they have long had a challenge of lack the youth bracket, but not considered as the elderly yet. of roads; many roads in the Takatokwane constituency. These people have gone through all the challenges in “If we could be given the Letlhakeng- road, their youth; hence their wish is that they should be tried other things may come later,” and this was said by all in and tested whether they cannot produce food for this this area, that their cry is not being hearkened to in that country; we should have a clear agricultural programme manner. They are not going to turn their backs on anyone; they are not going to revolt against Government. It is to say, “we want you to make use of this programme, we their Government, they will dialogue with it, they will are giving you this and within this period, we expect you demand from it despite the shortcomings; they know to have given us such and such results.” This is what how the situation is, but their challenges still stand, they the people of Takatokwane are requesting. Even those will hear...(Inaudible)… who are employed are saying when those programmes come; they will make way for the young people and I would like to talk about the issue of downsizing the go out there and produce food through the agricultural public service. I agree with downsizing the public programmes if the Government would consider sorting service. I heard it being emphasised on social media that out this situation. using technology would mean that the public service employees should be reduced from the offices. The I am passing that point, time on the other hand is flying. advice I am giving is that as we are complaining that we I would like to point out that there is no session of want to create jobs, and people are lamenting out there Parliament that passes without me talking with a broken that they want jobs, and then we also have thoughts of heart about the road from Letlhakeng to Kaudwane. The laying off some people; we would not be solving the people of have sent me to inform you that they problem Mr Speaker. My advice is that when we connect are not going to turn their backs against Government; computers like that, which will be the ones doing service they are not going to ignore the Government. delivery or the technology; we should do it with extreme MR SPEAKER: Honourable Boko, what are you caution and wit. We should start with the older ones and standing on? Honourable Boko has his hand up. give them their packages which will enable them to continue taking care of their children and continue with MR BOKO: On a point of clarification Mr Speaker. life; not just cutting them off as others assume it would be done. As Government, we still want people to have MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe, he is seeking jobs and we want to see Batswana working, making clarification. a living. I wish as we continue downsizing the public MR LEUWE: Mr Speaker, Honourable Boko is one service in a way that I have outlined, that we should not Member whom when one seeks for clarification he says reduce from the bottom, that we should reduce at the others should not yield for them. Secondly, I never like top based on age; we should also consider the informal to disturb anyone during their time. I kindly request that sector. I wish to see us as the Government sitting down they should let me speak and relay the lamentations of and realising that the informal sector is a pillar in the Takatokwane Constituency. I allowed them to debate many lives of Batswana. Many families are surviving during their time. because of the informal sector. If you take someone

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who sells Quick Recharge Airtime for example, they are have collapsed, they are pleading that millions that taking care of their family; the one selling vegetables, are being mentioned here should reach areas like the one patching tyres, the one driving a truck ferrying Takatokwane, Tsetseng, Motokwe, Sorilatholo and people’s goods from house to house, the one cutting hair Kaudwane so that they can develop because they also on the streets, and by the way I have these ones close to sustain the economy of Takatokwane in this country. my heart because I never cut my hair in a salon. I always They should not only hear about the budget in the radio, gravitate towards... it should not just be hearsays from Gaborone.

MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe. I can see the I would like to move on to the issue of wastage, which Leader of the House’s hand. Honourable Leader of the I would address briefly. Minister Matsheka, I heard that House, on what point are you standing on? a lot of funds are wasted, we do not know where they are going. My plea is that if we can save this 37 per cent HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT (MR Morolong, those are a lot of funds and they can even TSOGWANE): I request from the Honourable Member be used to construct a road that leads to Salajwe. Let to make a little elucidation. us guard against these funds because there is no way MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe, elucidation. you can allocate funds to someone and then those funds just disappear without holding that person accountable. MR LEUWE: I yield. I plead that you should keep an eye on that.

MR TSOGWANE: Thank you Honourable Member. COVID-19 team; I would like to give a round of The issue you are talking about regarding the downsizing applause to the COVID-19 team more especially the and the options you are giving is very important. I should President of this country because when he started… I was hoping that as time goes on, many Batswana agree with you that as we have been talking about the will realise that the President has a vision. When he funds which are not enough, and the posts which stay started, there were a lot of allegations but they did not for years without being filled, yet the budget is given; discourage him, together with the COVID team. I was that alone means something is not right. once hurt by the turmoil that was there when Professor Mosepele wanted to resign. I am grateful that at the end Honourable Member, like you were saying, it is the things went to back to how they were and right now objective of the Government to make people interested when he appears on television, everyone moves close in retirement through programmes that could entice to the television to hear what Prof is saying. Thank you them to make them realise that being self employed is for that arrangement Mr President, keep it up Mosau. better than working forever in Government. I thank you A lot of people who do not understand the steps that Honourable Member. you are taking will understand them later on. Right now MR LEUWE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you very I hope and believe that we are going to win the fight much Your Honour the Vice President (VP). I believe against COVID-19 because this time around we are a if that programme is made, many people will make a team. Things are not the same as back then when some way for others; and in some instances there would be no people said that there is no virus. This time around we further employment, hence there would be a reduction are a team and I am grateful that we are united because of the employment of people in a proper way such that there is a Setswana idiom which says, “moroto wa o esi, when someone leaves the public service they would not ga o ele,” which means that team work is better than turn into a pauper. I appreciate your elucidation very individual work. The Englishmen also says, “united much VP. we stand, divided we fall.” I believe that when we are united like this, we will defeat the enemy. I was still talking about the informal sector. Before this COVID-19, you could not go to my Constituency I would like to point out that when it comes to issues Takatokwane, the Constituency that sent me to this of health, it is very disheartening because we are the Parliament and not come across a yard that sells sweets, ones who disturb those who are at the forefront. They chips and other things, or just any other small business. need support from us as leadership, when a child sees Right now when you tour that Constituency, you will not his or her parent, he or she calms down even if his or see anything ever since those back and forth lockdowns her emotions were high. I plead that we should be the and curfews that we are currently in. Their businesses ones who comfort our front liners. People who are at the

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forefront are our children, they are sacrificing their lives looking at Ministry of Local Government and Rural for us, and they are sacrificing their lives for Botswana. Development, he should increase their funds looking Honourable Members, I plead that Batswana should at the fact that programes like Ipelegeng fall under this support people who are at the forefront. They are not ministry. We are hoping to hear that Ipelegeng stipends managing, that is why the President started by saying are increased with P20 or so because lives are unstable. that we do not have enough resources and that if things We were hoping that maybe allowances of members are going to be like this, the situation is going to be of Village Development Committees (VDCs) which more painful. We are experiencing the very same thing falls under Ministry of Local Government and Rural that the President was talking about, let us stand up and Development would be increased because they are the forget the past and map a way forward. ones who are hands-on, even more than Councillors and Members of Parliament. They are the ones who are I want to move on to the issue of levies. I know very managing things back at the Constituencies, planning well that paying tax is painful, it even pains me as a developments and any other job that you can think of. taxpayer. Everyone who pays tax is pained by this and All these tasks are on the hands… when tax is increased, people who pay tax are going to experience the pinch of that. If we can go back a little and MR SPEAKER: Honourable Moswaane, your hand is pay close attention, when the virus started, Botswana up. Honourable Leuwe, Honourable Moswaane’s hand Unified Revenue Service (BURS) was instructed to is up. What are you standing on Honourable Member? offer assistance, the government said, “BURS, help.” Honourable Moswaane, you are rising on which point? It worked tirelessly to help those who it was supposed to assist. My question is, where did BURS get those MR LEUWE: Honourable Moswaane! Is my time funds from? BURS got those funds from the levies. It paused? Yes, it should be paused. returned back the money to the taxpayers saying, “We MR SPEAKER: Honourable Leuwe, go ahead. have a situation here, so we have to assist you so that you do not dismiss workers from work because you are MR LEUWE: Thank you Mr Speaker. I was saying that no longer generating income through levies. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, supports peoples` lives. Dikgosi fall under Ministry The only thing that I am focusing on is to plead with of Local Government and Rural Development, that is Minister Matsheka that I believe that they have why I am saying that it is a huge ministry and that is introduced many levies all at the same time. Maybe why it is assigned two Assistant Ministers. When you when we introduced it, we should have introduced it look at Headsman of Arbitration, those people have a gradually bearing in mind that everyone is feeling the lot of work and I believe that something has to be done discomfort, taxpayers are also strained, trying to go easy about them. They should be strengthened so that they on them. However, tax is very important. The plea is can continue doing their job because it is reducing the that we should do it in such a way that it will not strain backlog at the Courts of Law. I believe that is why there taxpayers. Funds that we are generating from levies are was a Motion at Ntlo ya Dikgosi which proposed that going to assist people in future, building clinics which they should have their own independent ministry so that have to be developed, paying people front liners, more it can listen to their grievances better. I believe that if the especially during this pandemic. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Before I conclude Honourable Member, I want to can be allocated funds according to how I know it, highlight my discontent concerning funds which are according to how robust their Minister is, it is going allocated to Ministry of Local Government and Rural to deal with the grievances at Tribal Administration. I Development. This ministry used to boast saying that it believe that these problems will come to an end and no is a ministry for the people and indeed they were telling one will even think of having an independent ministry the truth. If there is one ministry which is decentralised which will deal specifically with Bogosi issues. more than all the ministries in Botswana, I strongly Mr Speaker, let me stop here since my time is up believe that it has to be Ministry of Local Government and thank Honourable Members and residents of and Rural Development because it goes further into rural Takatokwane for listening. Thank you Mr Speaker. areas. This compels us to give them a larger share of the funds when we allocate funds. I was hoping that when MR MATHOOTHE (SEROWE NORTH): Thank you Minister Matsheka presents his budget, more especially Mr Speaker. Let me also comment on the Budget Speech

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as presented by Honourable Dr Thapelo Matsheka. In There is a portion where Honourable Matsheka addressed his introduction, he explained how badly we have been Citizen Economic Empowerment (CEE); we have long affected by COVID which might contribute to sectors waited for this policy and we want it implemented which have been generating income in Botswana to be as soon as possible. When you look at our villages affected. I had expected him however to have started particularly big villages, when land board advertises with maybe giving us a report of how much they have commercial or industrial plots, the successful applicants budgeted for purchasing the COVID vaccine because are mostly the rich. So, we must come up with what is I believe that is the thing which is responsible for the called targeting. If we know that we have the youth who decline of our economy. So, I had thought he would start do welding and fabrication who operate from home, we out by giving us a categorical strategy on how they are have reputable young mechanics where even Ministers going to deal with this disease and what their Budget is take their cars for repairs but every time they apply for saying. Maybe we should not have a repeat of what once industrial plots, they are turned down. As Government occurred when the Minister of Health went to the radio. or land board, we must go out of our offices and do a That is my first point. survey of young people who operate from their homes. From the Budget, I will focus on increased taxes and If we have 100 plots to allocate, we can take 10 from the Government Expenditure where the misuse of funds survey who do production and allocate them, considerate leads to wastage. In my view, I believe we could have that all this time they have been chased from the village closed financial gaps before we think about collecting or to go and find where they can operate. If we do that, we raising taxes. If there is wastage observed on projects, are implementing CEE instead of allocating to people we must come up with a clear cut strategy on how we who indicate that they have money and thereafter seek are going to reduce that wastage. That is how we were out these ones who operate from homes and rent out to supposed to look at these things. them. We must change the way we do things because mechanics are found in all villages and Members of We should also have a clear strategy on how we are going Parliament can take their vehicles there when they hear to collect tax where we have been failing to collect, not about that reputable mechanic. These are Batswana who where we know that those gaps exist and then we go to when you enquire why they do not have a plot, they tell impoverished Batswana and burden them with increased you that they always apply unsuccessfully. These are the taxes yet we know that we have a bottomless tank where people we could target. when we collect in it, we lose on the other end. Even when you have a ploughing field and you notice that CEE and farming; there are farmers who are doing their there are gaps where cattle and goats get in and graze best in this area and you realise if this person could on your crops, as a man before you plough, you start be assisted with land, he or she can do more and even by fixing those gaps so that you get a bountiful harvest. employ others. When it comes to plot allocation, we It would be wrong to increase tax for Batswana and disregard them and fail to assist them even when they impoverish them all the more yet we know that we are ask for extension. These are issues which should be the ones who do not close the financial gaps which we addressed under this policy to promote growth. These know exist. We are told that the only reason why sugar tax exist is to serve as a control measure to the obese are issues we should address when it comes to farmers community that Batswana have turned into. and those in industries to assist them with plots. I want us to consider these issues in the upcoming policy … One might be inclined to believe that the reason (Interruptions)…Mr Speaker, Honourable Matsheka why imported vehicles are taxed is because they are raised a number of issues. He said that maybe land prohibited. This is done to discourage Batswana from boards and councils… buying them because we believe these vehicles assist disadvantaged families. I agree with those who said MR SPEAKER: Honourable PPP, you have your hand we could have rather looked to tax those who buy raised up, what are you standing on? expensive cars in what is termed luxury tax. This would ...Silence... quell our fears that we are just ostracising disadvantaged Batswana if the rich are also charged luxury tax. That is MR SPEAKER: What point are you standing on? my view on that one because I do not believe that we Honourable PPP, are you experiencing technical should continue impoverishing Batswana. problem? Honourable Mathoothe, proceed.

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HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Laughter!)… Economic Empowerment (CEE) Policy, if you can go to Radihemelo in Serowe, they are using unclean water MR MOATLHODI: I do not have technical problem for irrigation to make room for allocating plots to the Mr Speaker, I am set. youth so that they can produce there. If you also go to MR SPEAKER: So, on what point are you standing? Dikabeya…

MR MOATLHODI: On a point of clarification Mr MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Stop there Honourable Speaker. Member. We have run out of time. At this juncture, I will call upon the Leader of the House to pass the Motion of MR SPEAKER: Honourable Mathoothe, he is asking adjournment. for a point of clarification. MOTION MR MATHOOTHE: I yield Mr Speaker. ADJOURNMENT MR MOATLHODI: Thank you Honourable Speaker. Thank you very much Honourable Member for Serowe LEADER OF THE HOUSE (MR TSOGWANE): North. May you explain this, I receive reports from Thank you Honourable Speaker. I move that his House residents of Mogoditshane on a daily basis, those do now adjourn. who manufacture gates and get chased by the police. The police charge them P2, 000.00 saying, “stop Question put and agreed to manufacturing gates in your homes,” but plots have The Assembly accordingly adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until not yet been allocated to them. We also have some Wednesday 10th February, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Zimbabweans who also manufacture gates in their homes. Tell me what can be done to save these Batswana since they sustain their families? Thank you sir.

MR MATHOOTHE: Thank you PPP. I am representing my constituency at Serowe, not Mogoditshane but they have some similarities. I am referring to some Batswana who work in homes, those who manufacture gates, do welding and fabrication and some youth who are well known mechanics, those who usually apply for industrial plots when they are advertised. What I am saying is, the ministry responsible for land allocation must carry out a survey which will help them to identify those who work at home. This will assist when allocating plots because they will reserve those which will just target some youth who have been manufacturing and waiting for five or 10years, those who were unsuccessful all along. They will simply allocate them because they will be sure that if we allocate these people, they are going to work since they proved it over the years. I am saying that because we have challenges, we will simply be allocating them. I will be departing from Gaborone to Serowe with a briefcase, where I will be allocated. Thereafter, I will be neglecting my plot. What I am saying is, we need to target those people that are on production than those who are not on production. If 100 apply, let us allocate 20 of them, the rest will be advertised. I will not respond to the issue of Zimbabweans.

Mr Speaker, I will continue to talk about plots reserved for agriculture. For example; if we talk about Citizen

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

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

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

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