NEWS: GAPS IN BOTSWANA’S OFFICIAL INDEPTH: A GUEST OF THE PAGE 3 COVID-19 REPORT WORRYING PAGE 10 STATE REMEMBERS

April 26 - 2 May, 2020 EXCELLENCE IS STANDARD PRACTICE PRICE: P12.50 www.sundaystandard.info @SunStd_bw

Botswana in COVID-19 data censorship Another CoA n Botswana transparency compromised as government switches to COVID-19 data masking n Government to withhold ruling casts public interest information from citizens n Botswana’s new strategy is a COVID-19 infection threat multiplier - experts aspersions on SUNDAY STANDARD REPORTER Judge Khan otswana government’s THOBO MOTLHOKA & MPHO KELEBOGE COVID-19 public health response this week shift- A panel of three Court of Appeal Justices ed from transparency has again raised questions about Acting to obfuscation and data High Court Judge Rahim Abdool Khan’s masking as the country’s coronavirus competence. Bcases climbed to 22. Delivering a unanimous ruling in a case In a curious break from its com- involving Public Procurement and Asset mitment to transparency in the fight Disposal Board (PPADB), Zhengtai Group against the coronavirus, Coordina- Botswana, and China Jiangsu recently Jus- tor of COVID-19 Task Force Dr. tice Stephen Gaongalelwe stopped short Kereng Masupu disclosed this week of accusing Khan of making judgements that government had taken a deci- based on emotions. PPADB and others sion mask the country’s COVID-19 had lodged an appeal against a High Court data. decision to overturn a decision to award a Masupu argued that govern- P1.5 billion Maun Water Tender to Zheng- ment’s decision to apply masking to tai Group Botswana which tender had ini- the country’s COVID-19 data field is tially been awarded to China Jiangsu. Gaon- to protect information that is classi- fied as personally identifiable or sen- sitive personal data. Under the new plan to control The decision by PPADB the COVID-19 message, govern- ment will start withholding infor- to withdraw the awarding mation of public interest especially of the tender to China Ji- the demography and geographical locations of new virus cases. The angsu followed a letter from new strategy will make it difficult for Batswana to gauge when the the Directorate of Intel- virus progresses from limited “lo- cal transmission” (in which carriers ligence and Security (DIS) are identified and their contacts can be traced) to “community transmis- labeling the company a sion” (in which it is no longer known who is carrying and transmitting the “national security threat”. virus). Answering questions from jour- nalists, Masupu revealed that unlike galelwe made reference to submissions that South Africa, Botswana will not Judge Khan might have gotten frustrated by stratify its COVID-19 data, but will what he found to be deliberate delays by the instead aggregate it to hide demo- PPADB and others. graphic variables that may compro- “I must say while it might well be so a mise patients’ right to privacy. judicial officer’s judgement should never re- “We are a very small society flect anger at any of the parties.” and if we stratify information some He said it was also impermissible for the people may see through it and guess Court, as the lower Court did, to confine who the patients are’, he argued. He itself to the interests of one side only. cited a recent example where the Zhengtai Group had already started team received complaints from some works on the project before their counter- Ramotswa residents about disclosing parts won the case at the Court. The CoA the geographic information of the found that it was wrong for Khan to sub- Ramotswa old woman who tested stitute the PPADB’s decision to award the tender to Zhengtai Group when work had CONTINUES ON PG 3 Coordinator of COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Kereng Masupu already commenced and Zhengtai had not been found to be at fault. The decision by PPADB to withdraw the awarding of the tender to China Jiangsu followed a letter from the Directorate of Intelligence and Se- curity (DIS) labeling the company a “nation- al security threat”. “It is common cause that Sekwakwa’s blunder opened up Botswana to COVID-19 Zhengtai Group Botswana was in no way SUNDAY STANDARD REPORTER reversed a directive by the Director Tshipayagae evoked provisions of (WHO) on international travel and “Please note that those will be antine to control the spread of com- to blame for the DIS letter,” Gaongalelwe of Health Services to enforce man- the Public Health Act to enforce as per the Public Health Act (2013) monitored by the Ministry of Health municable diseases. said. He said case law shows that generally a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry datory quarantine earlier last month, mandatory quarantine on all arriving in control of communicable diseas- officers in their respective health dis- It is however, not clear if Per- court must be reluctant to substitute its own of Health and Wellness, Solomon Botswana would have contained the travellers from affected countries for es, the Ministry of Health and Well- tricts. Furthermore, those who are manent Secretary in the Ministry of decision for that of a body tasked with such Sekwakwa’s blunder was responsible first two cases of COVID-19. a period of 14 days. ness has taken a decision to enforce here as tourists will be quarantined at Health and Wellness is empowered duties like PPADB. In considering such an Botswana’s first three recorded cases A week before Botswana’s first A Savingram from Dr Tshipaya- mandatory self-quarantine of all ar- their place of residence (hotel, guest by the Act to reverse the Director’s applications, Gaongalelwe said, the court of coronavirus, and probably more. two imported cases of Coronavirus gae addressed to HATAB dated 6th riving travellers from affected coun- houses, lodges, inns).” decision. Sunday Standard investigations slipped past border controls, Direc- March 2020 states: following the tries for a period of 14 consecutive The Director is empowered by CONTINUES ON PG 3 have revealed that had Sekwakwa to tor of Health Services Dr Malaki latest World Health Organisation days, at their place of residence. the Act to enforce mandatory quar- CONTINUES ON PG 3

WEATHER WEATHER SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY SUNDAY STANDARD IS A MEMBER OF THE PHYSICAL ADDRESS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS FORECAST Max: 28°C Max: 28°C Max: 27°C BOTSWANA PRESS COUNCIL AND SUBSCRIBES Commerce Park, Plot 104, Rowland, Ngilichi House (Meriting Spar) Unit 6, Francistown GABORONE Min: 14°C Min: 13°C Min: 13°C TO THE BOTSWANA MEDIA CODE OF ETHICS Unit 21. Gaborone TEL: 3188784 FAX: 3188795 TEL: 2412319 FAX: 2412310 & INFO Source: www.weather.com 2 Behind the News April 26 - 2 May, 2020

Covid-19 delays burse Authority receiving financials SUNDAY STANDARD REPORTER complaints of unfair business

A number of companies listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange which were due to release their audited financial statements practices during lockdown have notified shareholders of anticipated delays due to the coronavirus. Implementation of border closures policy and lockdown literally coming at cost to consumers Botswana’s top budget grocer, Choppies Enterprises, which for the last two years was embroiled in controversy over its operations is one of the companies that have notified the markets that audited financial statements will be delayed due to the disruptions caused by Covid-19, a disease that has caused havoc across the world. For Choppies shareholders and market observers, the delay of results for financial year ended June 2019 is nothing new, but only adds to the anxiety. Choppies remains suspended on the BSE and Johannesburg Stock Exchange over its failure to publish Matida Mmipi audited results on time. The June 2019 financials are already overdue by seven months and were supposed to be published by end of June 2020. The retailer says this Botswana’s will not be possible as measures imposed by the government to curtail the spread of the virus has affected the work of auditors. strategic fuel “The current lockdown in Botswana imposed by the government has affected reserves can the work stream related to the completion of the Annual Financial Statements in cover 18 days respect of the financial year ended 30 June Botswana Oil Limited says that the current 2019 and the Auditor’s Report thereon,” strategic reserves storage guarantees an 18 the company said in cautionary note on days’ cover and that the fall in crude oil Wednesday. prices presents further opportunity for it “Accordingly, it is anticipated that the to further enhance its stocks in the interest said Financial Statements and Auditor’s of national security of supply. Report shall be completed and released on “Closely monitoring the price trend or about 30 July 2020, presuming that the and capitalizing on the price as it goes current lockdown will cease on 30 April down is normal business practice,” says 2020.” Matida Mmipi who is BOL’s Head of This means that the June 2019 Stakeholder Relations. financials will be ten months late as In an ahistorical development, demand for oil is down 30 percent as flights have ordinarily they should have been published been grounded and factories shut down by September 2019 latest. However, the due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia company has had troubles with auditors and Saudi Arabia worsened the situation and regulators after it failed to publish by continuing to pump more oil through- the audited June 2018 financials on time, out March amid decreased demand. Resul- setting in motion a corporate scandal that tantly, the price for Brent Crude, which is played itself over a year. The company the global benchmark, has fallen below $20 finally released the financials in December a barrel for the first time in 18 years. While 2019, late by a year and five months. oil producing nations have now cut pro- Gideon Nkala Adding to the drama, the company’s duction by 10 million barrels, this reduc- auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), tion is not commensurate with the decline dropped the retailer as a client and refused he Competition and Con- ful cottage industry of hand sani- notify the public about unsafe goods flation about one supermarket chain. border closures policy, suspend the in demand. As a result, these nations find sumer Protection Author- tiser production. Some of what was as well as to “direct the supplier to In the case of a complaint from importation of potatoes. This forced themselves having to spend over $30 a bar- to sign off the June 2018 financials. The ity’s Director of Commu- touted as sanitisers were actually wa- replace the goods, refund any con- Metsimotlhabe largely because of the store to buy from a Gantsi farm- rel to get the oil off their hands. retail chain giant says it will be suing PwC nications and Advocacy, tered down detergents like Jik and sumer who bought the unsafe goods the lockdown constraints, he was un- er who sells his produce at a Gabane Historically, oil markets take between for over P800 over how the whole saga Gideon Nkala, says that the Windolene – which can become a or compensate the consumer for any able to ascertain the veracity of the warehouse at a higher price. Nkala a year and a year and a half to stabilise. unfolded. Authority continues to receive com- serious health hazard when used on damage suffered by the consumer in complaints. In the second case, Nk- says that he confirmed this account Sunday Standard sought to find out from Meanwhile, Choppies added that in the Tplaints from consumers about unfair bare hands. The Authority did issue using the unsafe goods at an amount ala received two different complaints to be true. In explaining his own Botswana Oil, which manages the govern- event that the lockdown is extended, the business practice albeit on a smaller a warning about “dubious products determined by the Authority. from Otse about a local store having pricing, the Gantsi farmer stated ment’ strategic reserves, whether it would anticipated date for completion of the said scale. being sold in the market.” Section In a statement that the Authority increased the price of a bag of pota- that unlike his competitor farmers in take advantage of lower prices by buying annual financial statements will be delayed While some of those complaints 15(4) of the Consumer Protection issued before the lockdown, Nkala toes from P49 to P70. On following South Africa who draw water from more petroleum products. While capital- and a further announcement advising relate to alcohol-based hand sanitis- Act outlaws trading in goods that indicated that they would be moni- up these reports telephonically, the the Orange River, he has to contend izing on the price as it goes down would shareholders of the revised expected date ers, Nkala that the statutory instru- do not conform to the mandatory toring the situation to guard against store manager confirmed the prices with high input costs - that include be the most natural thing to do, Mmipi of completion will be released. ment issued by President Mokgweet- safety standards set by the Botswana unfair business practices. While the and indicated that the price increase extraction of water in a desert. says that BOL also takes into cognizance Besides Choppies, G4S Botswana, the si Masisi helped curb predatory trade Bureau of Standards (BoBS) or in- Authority’s offices are closed, some was unavoidable. For consumers, the lockdown other factors that come into play when it only listed security company on the BSE, in these sanitisers. When COVID-19 ternational bodies it recognises. Sec- of its officers (including Nkala him- Apparently, the store had been and implementation of the border comes to the stockpiling fuel reserves. One public service announcements began tion 15(5) empowers the Authority self) have been working from home buying the potatoes at a cheaper closures policy have eliminated the she mentioned is “quality of the product if says its December 2019 financials which suffusing the airwaves and taking up to re-call unsafe goods which do not and fielding calls from members of price from South Africa but not long option of shopping around the re- stored for prolonged periods.” were supposed to be published before substantial acreage in newspapers, conform to mandatory safety stan- the public. Nkala says that he has re- ago, the Ministry of Agriculture and gion, town or village for cheaper Indeed, while crude oil can last mil- end of March, will be published before there emerged a not altogether law- dards, to halt trade of such goods, to ceived complaints related to price in- Food Security did, in terms of the products. lions of years underground, the refining this month ends, attributing the delay to process alters its composition and makes it the requirement to weigh in the impact of susceptible to degradation. Environmental Covid-19 on the financial standing of the factors such as heat, oxygen and humid- security company. The company added ity also affect the fuel’s condition. In that that its auditors are working around the regard, while buying more and more fuel clock to assess the impact on the viability Maun police broke arm of assault victim during lockdown patrol might seem a smart buying decision, there of the business. Results of an x-ray examination that for their acultural conduct. It was at is downside that Mmipi describes. The country’s top microlender and one was done at Letsholathebe Primary this point, he claims, that the officers Regarding the lockdown itself, Mmipi of the most profitable companies on the Hospital in Maun show that a man fell upon him, taking turns slapping says that in discharge of its mandate, Bo- tswana Oil Limited acted proactively and BSE, Letshego Holdings, which operates who had a nasty run-in with a police him hard across the face and kicking put measures in place to ensure security in other markets outside Botswana has patrol team suffered a broken arm. him all over his body as he fell to the of supply when indications that the world also notified shareholders that the financial When he spoke to Sunday Stan- ground. dard last week, Mooketsi Goitse- “Then they handcuffed me, would go into lockdown in response to statements for the year ended December modimo complained about a swollen dragged me on the ground like a bag the COVID-19 became apparent. In addi- 2019, which are supposed to be publicly arm. He suspected the arm was bro- of maize and threw me into the back tion to the current stock that can cover 18 released at the latest in March, will only be ken when three police officers from of their patrol vehicle,” he says. days, she says that the government has put available on April, citing the lockdown for the local police station fell upon him The vehicle took him to the measures in place to increase local stor- the delay. like a tonne of bricks during a heated police station where he was thrown age capacity through the construction of “The Independent External Auditors argument. Courtesy of an x-ray ex- into a holding cell and released a few storage facilities, amongst them the Tshele of the Letshego Group, informed Letshego amination, such suspicion has been hours later without being charged, by Hills Depot. that it would not be able to complete their confirmed. Goitsemodimo’s medi- one of the officers who had earlier On its website, BOL says that a study review of the audited financial statements, cal card says that “following assault assaulted him. He says upon releas- undertaken by Ministry of Minerals, En- and therefore issue their audit opinion, more than one week ago”, he suf- ing him the officer told him: “I don’t ergy and Water Resources (MMEWR) be- tween 2012 and 2014 revealed that there due to additional disclosures needed fered a fracture in the ulnar (the long ever want to see you here again.” were three main petroleum product con- to be included in the audited financial bone in the forearm that stretches His body aching all over, Goit- from the elbow to the smallest fin- semodimo later went to a medical sumption areas in Botswana; Gaborone, statements around subsequent events ger) of the right arm and that callus clinic and provided the nurse who Francistown and Gantsi/Maun. and related notes specifically relating to has formed. Callus means soft tissue, attended him with an account of the “These areas were found to constitute Covid-19. This is due in the main to the especially in an area that has been alleged assault, that was transferred 57 percent, 35 percent and 8 percent of impact of the lockdown in South Africa subjected to friction. His right arm is to his medical card. The handwriting the overall national consumption of pe- where the EY Technical IFRS team is now encased in a cast. is characteristically hieroglyphic code troleum products respectively. The study based,” Letshego said. Goitsemodimo, who is epileptic, that is difficult to read but some parts recommended the construction of Tshele Property investment behemoth, has a leg disability and walks with are clear enough: “reports to be as- Hills oil storage with a capacity of 150 Turnstar Holdings, which owns Game the aid of a stick, says that he was saulted by the police on the 8th April, million litres; expansion of Francistown City, one of the biggest and busiest mall assaulted by police officers who had 2020, sustaining injury to the face … by 30 million litres and construction of in the country, said its financials for the apparently been acting on a tip that cheek bruises … forearm swollen Gantsi oil storage facility with 15 million litre capacity to augment the existing two year ended January 2020 which were due home-brewed beer was being sold … soft tissue injury … report that government storage installations currently this month will be delayed as a result of at his family home in Sanyedi Ward. they were kicking him in the face … in use,” the website says. the lockdown, with auditors unable to All told the patrol team comprised pain on the ears … reports discharg- four police officers (three males, one ing [circled h] ear … reports some Expert analysis of what lies ahead in complete the annual audit as it was ongoing female) and a soldier. The woman cracking sounds.” From reading the a post-COVID-19 world is far from rosy. when the lockdown came into effect. officer and stayed in the patrol van Botswana Police hieroglyphic handwriting on the One is that the bankruptcies of cruise “The Turnstar Group Audited Annual throughout the period that the offi- card, it is unclear to make out what ships, airlines, and oil companies will Financial Statements for the year ended cers and soldier searched the home- new mother, was secluded with her of the hut but minus the soldier who didn’t find what they were looking he was discharging from the ear but keep oil consumption depressed and that 31 January 2020, will be published on or stead. The altercation began when two-week old baby in line with in- expressed grave misgivings about for and coming out, got into a ver- Goitsemodimo himself says that he should demand accelerate, pumping back before the 31 May 2020,” the company the police wanted to search a hut digenous culture. Goitsemodimo violating a strict cultural norm, the bal spat with Goitsemodimo, who was bleeding from both ears after the oil to match the demand will take consider- said. in which Goitsemodimo’s sister, a says that he balked at the searching officers bulldozed their way in. They says that he remonstrated with them police beat him up. able time - precipitating a spike in prices. April 26 - 2 May, 2020 News 3

Sekwakwa’s COVID-19 blunder Gaps in Botswana’s official spoils opened up bankers party COVID-19 report worrying BONNIE MODIAKGOTLA Botswana to THOBO MOTLHOKA World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus The country’s local lenders continue laring gaps in official re- this week told the international com- to grow their balance sheets, defying COVID-19 ports on the state of the munity that the fight against COV- the headwinds that have affected other country’s COVID-19 may ID-19 was far from over. “Make no sectors, ramping up on loans in the first CONTINUED FROM PG 1 be creating space for spec- mistake: we have a long way to go. month of the year, following the usual ulations and conspiracy This virus will be with us for a long Curiously, even before the ink on the tradition of customers replenishing their theories to flourish. time,” he said in a statement. director’s directive had dried, on March accounts after festive spending. But the GSince the first three cases in the “Although numbers are low, we 7th, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of banks will have to adjust their sails this country were reported on March see worrying upward trends in Af- year to weather a storm that has spared no Health and Wellness, Solomon Sekwakwa 30,2020, the public has not been ap- rica, Central and South America, and other industry. issued another Savingram, reversing the praised on their health. Eastern Europe. Most countries are The latest financial statistics available Director’s directive. While one of the three initial still in the early stages of their epi- from Bank of Botswana (BoB) shows that A Savingram signed by Sekwakwa and cases was reported dead less than a demics. And some that were affected total deposits held by banks increased by addressed to HATAB states, “ Reference day following the announcement, early in the pandemic are now start- 0.4 percent from December to P76 billion is made to our Savingram REF:MH20/33 there has not been a progress report ing to see a resurgence in cases.” in January, setting a new record in the local dated 6th March, 2020 in which the Minis- on the other two. He said while stay-at-home or- banking industry for the biggest deposits try of Health and Wellness informed your No information on any of the ders and other physical distancing held by banks. measures have successfully sup- office that the Ministry management has initial cases displaying symptoms has In the now familiar trajectory, the been shared with the public by health pressed transmission in many coun- taken a decision to enforce mandatory growth in deposits in the first month of authorities either. International re- tries, the virus remains extremely the year was spurred by businesses which self-quarantine of all arriving travellers search has shown that the median dangerous. account for 68 percent percent of total from affected countries for a period of 14 time from patients first having symp- Ghebreyesus said early evidence deposits. Households trailed with P16 consecutive days. toms to finally having a negative test suggests most of the world’s popula- billion worth of deposits, representing 21 “The Ministry wishes to withdraw the for the virus was 10 days. tion remains susceptible, saying that percent of total deposits held at banks. correspondence with immediate effect. If It had been 24 days since the means epidemics can easily re-ignite. Another record was also set in the there are any further developments you announcement of the first reported “One of the greatest dangers we total credit extended by banks, jumping will be notified accordingly.” cases of COVID-19 Botswana. By face now is complacency. People in by 1.1 percent from December to P63.5 The result was that Batswana return- the time of going to press the coun- countries with stay-at-home orders billion in January, also making it the are understandably frustrated with ing from COVID-19 high risk countries try stood at 22 confirmed cases with largest outstanding loans in the history of one casualty. The number of local being confined to their homes for were allowed to join their families and the country. In another known pattern, transmissions has also increased to weeks on end. People understand- friends without putting them through households were responsible for the bulk eight as the expiry date for the 28 day ably want to get on with their lives, of the loans, holding 63.7 percent of the quarantine, risking pre-symptomatic local lockdown looms. This has prompted because their lives and livelihoods total debts, while businesses account for transmission. health authorities to switch strategy are at stake. That’s what WHO wants 36.5 percent of outstanding loans. As it turned out, four days after Se- from the initial plan to undertake Dr. Kereng Masupu too. And that’s what we are working The appetite for credit by households kwakwa reversed the director’s directive community testing of 20,000 people, for, all day, every day,” he said. was expected to grow in the second half and two days two days after the UK CO- to contact tracing. lages with confirmed cases of the vi- of the COVID-19 Siviya patient had VID-19 Task Force Coordinator Ma- He said the world cannot go back of the year, bolstered by government VID-19 risk level was raised from moder- Authorities hope to identify rus such as Molepolole, Mahalapye, been reported to have tested negative supu told the nation this week that to the way things were. “There must workers who were supposed to get ate to high, a 27-year-old pre-symptomatic those who have had physical con- Bobonong, and Siviya. Professor for COVID-19. Daily News quoted they have taken a decision to avoid be a ‘new normal’ – a world that is wage increases in April. However, that healthier, safer and better prepared. Motswana young man arrived from the tact with the people who have so far Mosepele Mosepele, Deputy Coordi- North East District Health Manage- sharing “too much information” on decision has since been suspended as the tested positive for the virus. nator of COVID-19 Task Force, said ment Team (DHMT) coordinator, the confirmed cases to avoid giving The same public health measures UK. At the time, the UK had registered government battles to contain Covid-19, Coordinator of COVID-19 Task contact tracing was bearing fruits Rodah Phindela as having said they away identities of the patients. we have been advocating since the a total number of 1,140 cases with at least a viral infection that has become a global Force Dr. Kereng Masupu told the and should be intensified through had managed to trace 36 contacts of South Africa this week reported beginning of the pandemic must re- pandemic, infecting millions and killing 21 deaths and was listed as a high-risk nation this week that the government target testing and abandon commu- the 34-year-old man from Siviya vil- at least 1,055 recoveries out of 3,635 main the backbone of the response hundreds of thousands. country. will impose a partial lockdown of vil- nity testing. A total of 24 contacts lage in the North East District. CO- confirmed cases with 65 deaths. in all countries.” As a response, countries worldwide He was however allowed to go home have imposed measures that have negatively after being ‘advised’ to monitor his health. affected economic performances due to On March 28th he tested positive for the movement restrictions aimed at slowing virus and the following day his partner the spread of the disease. Businesses tested positive too, recording Botswana’s considered non-essential have been first local transmission. Another CoA ruling casts aspersions on Judge Khan temporarily closed, affecting various value Minister of Health Dr. Lemogang CONTINUED FROM PG 1 were uncontroverted averments of chains, and putting pressure on non- Kwape could barely hide the disappoint- imminent threat to the health and governmental workers’ wages. has to consider the magnitude of the even life of patients in need of While the coronavirus continues to ment on his face as he took the nation project and the welfare of the com- drugs, it was irresponsible and cal- cause uncertainty in markets, businesses through the sequence of events leading munity at large. lous of the judge to have treated the have taken cautious approaches which to the first local transmission of the virus. “In this matter the project in matter in what I can call an uncaring might result in job losses. However, in The young woman (by the Minister’s own question involves provision of water, manner. These are strong words but Botswana, companies have been barred admission) had no travel history. an essential commodity in a wide area they echo what has been said by this from retrenching workers, instead The ‘couple’, according to the Minister, which has suffered inconvenience court before.” they have been advised to tap on the tested positive for COVID-19 a day apart for some time. Zhengtai commenced Walia also cited the China Jiang- government’s announced P2 billion on March 28 and 29 following admission the works in October 2019 though it su judgement in which Justice Isaac Covid-19 relief package. The size of at Scottish Livingston Hospital (Molepo- was later interrupted by court orders. Lesetedi had lamented the delay in the package will increase to P5 billion, lole). It was only two weeks following the As a result of such interruptions op- the court making its decision saying according to government, as it ramps up that “the ruling was delivered after efforts to stabilise the economy. gentleman’s arrival from the UK. erations have stalled resulting in im- the Respondents’ attorneys had on Banks have also factored in the mense prejudice to the community.” Molepolole is currently one of the several occasions approached the Covid-19 impacts, allowing some of The panel consisting Justices Ga- COVID-19 flashpoints in Botswana and Registrar and finally written to the their affected customers to apply for ongalelwe, Singh Walia, and Zibani has been earmarked for contact tracing Judge expressing the need for the three months loan repayments holidays. and testing. Makhwade eventually ruled in favor ruling to be delivered expeditiously.” Furthermore, the government has In another case, on March 15th, eight of PPADB, Ministry of Land Man- Justice Stephen Gaongalelwe In that case too, Walia noted, the guaranteed some loans that will be taken days after Sekwakwa reversed the director’s agement, Water & Sanitation Servic- same judge presided. “This Court by affected businesses, also as part of the directive, a pre-symptomatic Ramotswa es, and The Attorney General. into question. In 2019 questions ceuticals Botswana Propriety Limit- ral Drugs. Delivering a judgement, is not alone in deploring the delay relief package. It is not the first time Judge were raised over his decision to delay ed sought to interdict the Ministry of old woman returning from South Africa Court of Appeal’s Justice Walia in judgment delivery, particularly in Khan’s competency has been called a ruling in which Portfolio Pharma- Health from procuring Anti-Retrovi- with family members slipped past Botswa- found that: “In a matter where there cases brought on urgency.” na border controls. A few days later she was admitted to Ramotswa Lutheran Hos- pital, where she was tested for the virus. T O Her results were released post-humously, revealing that she was COVID-19 positive. Botswana in deadly COVID-19 censorship ADVERTISE According to experts, cases of pre- CONTINUED FROM PG 1 an indistinguishable mix of unveri- off the coast of mainland China Tai- Centre credit Taiwan’s success in parency”. symptomatic COVID-19 that fly under fied information, helpful informa- wan was expected to have the second containing the virus on its public Leonard states in his report, positive to the virus. the radar without being detected may have tion, misinformation and intention- highest number of cases of coro- transparency. “Taiwan’s commitment to transpar- PLEASE Experience from other countries fuelled the rapid spread of the virus. Ex- ally manipulated disinformation. navirus due to its proximity to and In a comparative study - Taiwan ency has also been critical. In the however suggests that Botswana’s perts say, ppeople with the virus but with- With the virus cutting a deadly number of flights between China Is Beating the Coronavirus. Can the United States, the Trump administra- new COVID-19 information strat- swathe across the globe, the world While South Africa has followed CONTACT: out symptoms or diagnosis because they US Do the Same , world acclaimed tion ordered federal health authori- egy is a threat multiplier - Where has been divided between the Chi- the path of Taiwan, Botswana seems did not feel very sick in the earlier stages, author of Bots: The Origin of New official information sources are per- nese censorship model and Taiwan’s to be drifting towards the path taken ties to treat high-level discussions on were the source of at least two-thirds of 318 8784 ceived as untrustworthy; this sets the transparency model in dealing with by China, United States of America Species, and renowned American the coronavirus as classified mate- documented COVID-19 cases in China climate for the viral spread of un- COVID-19 information of public and India among other countries. journalist who coined the term “ rial. In Taiwan, the government has during the early days of the outbreak. founded speculation. interest. A number of experts have open source journalism” Andrew gone to great lengths to keep citizens O R President Mokgweetsi Masisi this week This will not help Botswana’s Taiwan, one of Asia’s most vi- warned that censorship of COV- Leonard also came to the conclu- well informed on every aspect of the dismissed Sekwakwa and his deputy Mor- fight against the pandemic, when the brant and boisterous democracies ID-19 information is a threat mul- sion that the success and failure of outbreak, including daily press con- rison Sinvula with immediate effect with- country is already battling a heady has managed to stay ahead of the tiplier. Most, among them research- the two countries in fighting the pan- ferences and an active presence on 241 2319 out citing reasons for their removal. cocktail of COVID-19 rumours — virus against all odds. Only 81 miles ers from the COVID-19 Resource demic came down to “ public trans- social media.”

We’re here for Botswana during the COVID-19 crisis

Absa Bank Botswana has donated P1.5 million to the National COVID-19 Relief Fund in support of the efforts by the Government of Botswana in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional P500,000 will be made available to support other government initiatives related to fighting the pandemic.

#StaySafe

absa.co.bw

Absa Bank Botswana Limited (registered number BW00001237900) is regulated by the Bank of Botswana. 4 April 26 - 2 May, 2020

VACANCIES

Lucara Botswana (Pty) Ltd operates the Karowe Diamond Mine at Letlhakane in the Boteti sub district. The plant was commissioned in April 2012 and has gone on to achieve exceptional performance. It is the source of some truly special diamonds. The plant completed major upgrades that include introduction of X-Ray Transmission (XRT) technology in diamond recovery. This is adding to the already existing innovative application of autogenous milling in diamond processing. The Company is embarking on projects, which entail enhanced large diamond recovery.

Lucara Botswana invites suitably qualified candidates to apply for the following positions:

. Budget and Resource Management (Operations) Personal Attributes: . Safety Health and Environment PROJECT ENGINEER . Results Driven . Legal Compliance . Teamwork Job Summary . Building Relationships Personal Attributes: Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Project Engineer will be . Project Management and Planning . Analytical Skill the Site Engineer responsible for construction and installation works, . Challenging and Influencing . Innovation managing all engineering works and resources, including technical . Risk Management and Commodity Modelling . Communication acceptance of the work, scheduling of work and engineering input . Teamwork to keep capital costs within budget, and to ensure that the technical Q u a l i fi c a t i o n s a n d E x p e r i e n c e : . Analytical skills integrity and work scope adherence is maintained throughout. . NCC or National Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering . Eight (8) years’ experience as a qualified tradesman or Qualifications and Experience: Effectiveness Areas: technician preferably of which three (3) years should be in a . Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) . Operational Effectiveness Mining environment or equivalent. . Project Delivery Effectiveness . Registered with Botswana Registration Board . Basic Computer training (MS Office Excel, MS Office Project . Maintenance Effectiveness . Good understanding of purchasing in mining operations and/or and MS Office Word). . Financial Effectiveness heavy manufacturing processes . Two (2) years in a Clerical role and/or Engineering maintenance . Business Optimization workshop experience/Working knowledge of a Computerized . Contractor Management Maintenance System . Project Schedule Management . Safety, Health and Environmental compliance DRAUGHTSMAN . Legal Compliance Job Summary: MAINTENANCE FITTER Personal Attributes: Reporting to the Maintenance Planner, Draughtsman is responsible . Planning and organizing for producing mechanical designs and drawings for the mine. Job Summary: . Accountability Reporting to the General Engineering Supervisor, the Maintenance . Effectiveness Areas: Fitter is responsible for maintaining equipment according to sound Strategic thinking . . Conflict Management Provision of drawings and designs engineering practice and equipment specifications. . . Site inspections and measurements Change Management . . Innovation and Creation Site surveys and measurements Effectiveness Areas: . . Documentation . Maintenance effectiveness Teamwork . . . Communication Safety, Health and Environment Financial Effectiveness . Project Management . Q u a l i fi c a t i o n s a n d E x p e r i e n c e : Personal Attributes: People Development . . Communicating with impact . Client Relationship Degree in Mechanical or Civil/Structural Engineering or . . equivalent Teamwork Safety Health and Environment . . Building Relationships . Legal Compliance Eight (8) years’ experience in process plant engineering in the . . mining environment Planning and Organizing Engineering Legal and Operational Compliance . . Innovation . Engineering Operational Communication Project Management Professional (PMP) or Prince 2 qualification . . will be an added advantage Analytical Skills Process knowledge and skill . Maintenance Skills and Knowledge Q u a l i fi c a t i o n s a n d E x p e r i e n c e : . Mobile equipment operating skills . Diploma in Design and Drafting SENIOR CRANE OPERATOR . Advanced Computer Skills Personal Attributes: . Four (4) years post qualification experience . Analytical Skill Job Summary: . Innovation Reporting to the General Engineering Supervisor, Senior Crane . Communication Operator is responsible for asset utilization, maintenance, repairs . Teamwork and reliability and supervision of the Crane Operation. RIGGER . Analytical skills Job Summary Effectiveness Areas: Qualifications and Experience: Reporting to the Lead Rigger, the Rigger will be responsible for . Asset Utilization and Management . Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) carrying out safe lifting and movement of loads and plant machinery, . Planning or equivalent. and inspecting and servicing lifting equipment throughout the Mine. . Budget and Resource Management . National Craft Certificate or equivalent. . Safety Health and Environment . Minimum of two (2) years post qualification experience . Legal Compliance Effectiveness Areas: . . Inspections and Lifting Equipment Maintenance Previous experience in Process plant or Mining environment will . Rigging be an added advantage Personal Attributes: . . Valid driver’s license . Subordinate Effectiveness Communicating with impact . Safety, Health and Environment . Teamwork . Building Relationships Personal Attributes: . Project Management and Planning . Analytical Skill MAINTENANCE BOILERMAKER . Challenging and Influencing . Innovation Job Summary . Communication Reporting to the Engineering Supervisor, the Boilermaker will Q u a l i fi c a t i o n s a n d E x p e r i e n c e : . Teamwork . be responsible for carrying out welding, fabrication and pipe Trade Test B . Analytical skills . Basic Rigging, Crane Operations, Safety Health and maintenance work at the Crushing and / or Milling Sections, both planned and repair work, to the required quality standards, to Environmental Systems Qualifications and Experience: . ensure optimal plant/equipment availability and reliability in order At least five (5) years post qualification experience in crane . Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) to achieve production targets, while working in a safe and secure operation preferably in a Mining environment or equivalent. . work environment. Valid Class B Driver’s License . NCC in Rigging . Knowledge of lifting/rigging equipment Effectiveness Areas: . Minimum five (5) years’ experience with practical experience, • Planning with at least three (3) years in a Mining environment, including MAINTENANCE PLANNER • Inspections inspection of equipment • Fabricating and Welding/Maintenance and Repair . Class B Driver’s license Job Summary: • Raising requisitions Reporting to the Assets Care Engineer, the Maintenance Planner will • Safety, Health and Environmental Compliance. be responsible for providing logistic support to the maintenance management of plant mechanical and electrical equipment PLANNING CLERK Personal Attributes: to ensure optimal plant availability and reliability, in order to • Planning & Organising Skills achieve production targets, through effective implementation of a Job Summary: • Innovation computerised maintenance management system (CMMS). Reporting to the Maintenance Coordinator, the Planning Clerk is • Communication responsible for Clerical support in the relevant Department/Section • Teamwork Effectiveness Areas: to ensure effective and timeous planning, scheduling and recording • Analytical Skills . Assets Management of all Plant maintenance work. . Shutdown Planning and Feedback reporting Q u a l i fi c a t i o n s a n d E x p e r i e n c e : . Budget and Expenditure Control Effectiveness Areas: • Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education . Process Improvement . Maintenance Data Capturing (BGCSE) or equivalent . Safety Health and Environment . Administration • NCC in Welding and Fabrication April 26 - 2 May, 2020 5

VACANCIES CONTINUED

• Thorough understanding of welding and fabrication techniques Effectiveness Areas: . Audit Support • Ability to read engineering drawings • Process Maintenance / Operational Effectiveness . Safety, Health and Environment • Basic engineering design and development skills • Diamond Control • A minimum experience of five (5) years post qualification • Cost control Personal Attributes: experience, at least 3 of which must be in Mining Industry • Safety, Health and Environment Compliance . Sound Communication skills . Good client service skills . Personal Attributes: Attention to detail . Results driven • Communication skills . MAINTENANCE ELECTRICIAN • Teamwork Mentoring and leadership . Upholding Confidentiality • Excellent technical skills Job Summary • Team player Qualifications and Experience: Reporting to the Maintenance Electrical Coordinator, the • Innovation (Proactive) . O’ level and AAT or equivalent qualification. Maintenance Electrician will be responsible for carrying out • Strong knowledge of metallurgical processes . Computer skills, relevant accounting and asset management inspections, installations, system operations and mainteance to • Good analytical Skills courses ensure network availability of supply, and operatinal safety in the • Good Job / Work Ethics . Three (3) years post qualification experience in a computerised area of responsibility • Accountability accounting environment of which at least two (2) years should Effectiveness Areas: have been at the same level. • Qualifications and Experience: . BICA Membership Preventive, Predictive Maintenance and Repairs • • Shutdowns O ’Level or BGCSE Certificate or equivalent and appropriate • Warehouse Requisitions Central Control Room operator training programme • • Safety, Health and Environment (3) years Plant Operational experience in a diamond mineral • Safety, health and environmental compliance. processing production plant with at least twelve (12) months on ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT - the job Central Control Room Operator training/ at least one (1) LETLHAKANE Personal Attributes: years in a similar position. • . Planning and organizing. Central Control Room Operator Training Job Summary • . Accountability. SHE related training Reporting to the Financial Accountant, Accounts Assistant is • . Conflict management. Working Knowledge of SCADA systems responsible for performing effective accounting transactions, in • . Team leadership. Knowledge of Diamond Control procedures including search accordance with organisational policies and procedures, in the . Innovation and creation. and diamond pick ups areas of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Asset • Leadership training Accounting, Cash Management, General Ledger and Reporting. Qualifications and Experience: • Microsoft office training • National Crafts Certificate (Electrical) or equivalent Effectiveness Areas: • Diagnostics ability . Accounts Payable • Understanding of SHEA procedures . General ledger • Electrical equipment installation, maintenance and repair SHIFT SUPERVISOR . Accruals and Pre-payments • Power generation and distribution, and network switching . WHT, VAT & PAYE submission Job Summary . knowledge Records Management Reporting to the Shift Foreman the Shift Supervisor is responsible . • Driver’s License Customer Care to oversee the operation of a specific defined section of the pro- . Safety, Health and Environment cess plant efficiently, effectively and safely to meet set production targets.This position will also be responsible for ensuring effective Personal Attributes: RECOVERY SUPERVISOR communication across all stakeholders, supervising the section . Sound Communication skills maintenance, minimizing plant down times and ensure compliance . Good client service skills Job Summary to statutory, company policies and procedures. . Attention to detail Reporting to the Process Engineer the Recovery Supervisor is re- . Results driven . sponsible for coordinating the operation of the diamond recovery Effectiveness Areas: Teamwork . plants (BSP and Audit Plants) efficiently and effectively to meet pro- • Metallurgical Plans Implementation Upholding Confidentiality duction targets. This position will also be responsible for overseeing • Operational Effectiveness the BSP and Audit Recovery plant maintenance and ensuring that • Contracts administration Qualifications and Experience: . any contractors working in the red area complies with all statutory • Budget and Resource Management (Operations) O’ level and AAT or equivalent qualification. . and company policies and procedures. • Legal Compliance Computer skills with relevant accounting and asset management • Safety, Health and Environment Compliance courses. . Effectiveness Areas: At least three (3) years accounting post qualification experience • Metallurgical Plans Implementation Personal Attributes: in a computerised accounting environment of which at least 2 • Operational Effectiveness • Communication skills years’ will have been at the same level. . • Contracts administration • Mentoring and leadership BICA Membership • Budget and Resource Management (Operations) • Excellent technical skills • Legal Compliance • Team player • Safety, Health and Environment • Innovation (Proactive) MECHANIC • Strong knowledge of metallurgical processes Personal Attributes: • Good analytical Skills Job Summary • Planning and organizing • Good Job / Work Ethics Reporting to the General Engineering Supervisor, the mechanic is • Mentoring and leadership • Accountability responsible for asset maintenance, repairs and reliability • Excellent technical skills • Team player Qualifications and Experience: Effectiveness Areas: • Innovation (Proactive) • BGCSE Certificate or equivalent qualification. . Maintenance Execution • Strong knowledge of metallurgical processes • Four (4) years Plant Operational experience in a diamond min- . Planning • Good analytical Skills eral processing production plant with at least three (3) years at . Budget and Resource Management (Operations) • Good Job / Work Ethics Plant Operator level. Previous experience as a Supervisor will . Safety, Health and Environment . • Accountability be an added advantage. Legal compliance • Supervisory Development Programmes Qualifications and Experience: • Plant Operator Training Personal Attributes: • • . Sound Communication skills BGCSE Certificate or equivalent qualification. Safety, Health and Environmental Systems . • Supervisory Development Programmes • Metallurgical training will be an advantage Good client service skills . Attention to detail • Plant Operator Training • Working knowledge of SCADA systems . Results driven • • Safety, Health and Environmental Systems Working Knowledge of Diamond Control procedures including . Teamwork • Working Knowledge of Diamond Control procedures including search and diamond pick ups . Upholding Confidentiality search and diamond pick ups Qualifications and Experience: ACCOUNTS SUPERVISOR - . Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) or equivalent. CENTRAL CONTROL GABORONE . At least eight (8) years post qualification experience in ROOM OPERATOR earthmoving field. Job Summary . Basic hydraulics and troubleshooting will be an added advantage Job Summary Reporting to the Financial Accountant, the Accounts Supervisor is . N3/N4 Reporting to the Recovery Foreman the CCR operator is respon- responsible for assisting the entire Finance function in achieving . NCC in light vehicle or Earthmoving sible for remotely controlling and monitoring the operation of the its mandate of providing accounting services to its customers and diamond recovery plants (Recovery, 4 – 8 mm XRT, Audits and main maintaining financial security by adhering to internal controls. Only candidates who meet the above requirements need to XRT Plants) efficiently, effectively and safely to meet set production apply enclosing detailed curriculum vitae and certified copies targets. This position will also be responsible for ensuring effec- Effectiveness Areas: of certificates, clearly indicating the position applied for on the . tive communication across all stakeholders to minimize plant down Sales accounting email subject line to [email protected]. . Treasury Function times and ensure compliance to statutory, and company policies . Procurement and procedures. CCR Operator is also accountable for the Plant . GL Reconciliations Closing date for applications is May 10, 2020. Only short-listed Operators and attendants within their field. . Operating Expenditure candidates will be responded to. 6 News April 26 - 2 May, 2020 The Cost of Coronavirus – A Layman’s Perspective Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. - Henry Ford n the 31st of December behest of a microorganism con- roommates. Some already finding not fit the stereotype described by 2019, just as the world tinues to shock people to this day. a hug from their spouses as repul- an American author named Phil- was about to usher in But what exactly is the cost of sive as a Judas kiss. Others having lip Yancey, “We talk too much, 2020, Chinese health the spread of this virus? For now, gone to the extent of even physi- love too little and lie too often.” authorities were grap- no one can accurately quantify the cally and sexually abusing their The question though is, will pling with a unique pneumonia- cost. And probably, no one ever loved ones. Some countries such this work? Years ago, it was re- Olike virus. The unknown virus will. The cost manifests itself in as France and Brazil have appar- ported that some retired people was affecting residents of Wu- a number of areas, among these ently reported an unprecedented in one country in the Far East han in the province of Hubei. To being the economic, health and surge in domestic abuse since struggled to save their marriages. their credit, the Chinese alerted social fronts. This article discuss- lockdown. Australia has reported Women were used to managing the World Health Organisation. es the cost of coronavirus from a huge upsurge in google search homes by themselves with very Hardly a week after that, Covid-19 a general perspective, without fo- for help in dealing with domestic little input other than financial was identified and the world was cusing on any specific country. abuse. What about your country? contribution from their husbands. advised that it belonged to a coro- Imagine the pain of spending When the men retired, they tried navirus family that include SARS Economic Cost. From an eco- 24 hours a day with your abuser! to usurp home management from and the common cold (for this nomic perspective, quite a good May individuals who have the their wives, and their wives vehe- article, the terms Covid-19 and number of emerging and devel- propensity to abuse their spouses mently rejected that. This resulted coronavirus are used interchange- oping nations are bearing the take advantage of the lockdown in avoidable tensions and unex- ably). Eleven days into the new brunt of this plague. They were to introspect on when and how pected divorces. Would we see a year, the new virus had claimed not fiscally ready for this magni- things went awry and pursue similar challenge, people failing to the life of its first victim and six tude of disruption. Their disaster meaningful measures for mending appreciate what they have, daring days later the second victim suc- relief funds are not bottomless their relationships. Remember, to selfishly push boundaries, even cumbed to the virus. By the end and cannot adequately cushion ate the need for instituting such a trying times. But even for these could not be relied on. Quarantin- to carefully wash palms, fingers it is never too late to do a good if it means losing the love and re- of January 2020, confirmed cases them from the effects of the vi- bold measure, but purely because countries, there is a small section ing came at a humongous cost for and spaces between fingers. And thing. It would be the height of spect of their spouses? Now, the had risen to just under 10,000 and rus. They are not endowed with their survival is at stake. of vulnerable individuals living in some nations, with some people surely gone are the days when one naiveté for anyone to think that issue is not only with retired peo- lives of close to 200 people had sufficient financial resources to Small and medium enterprises abject poverty and near squalor having to be quarantined in ho- would struggle to find hand wash they can just wish away their mari- ple. The issue is with people of been lost. keep the flames of economic ac- and countries that have not fully conditions. One must hasten to tels. detergents in bathrooms of ports tal woes, without putting forth a all age groups. Would people be As confirmed cases and tivity burning. Some are already succeeded in diversifying their add that several developing coun- All this begs the question; of entry, offices, shops and - res concerted effort toward reversing able to adroitly pursue reasonable deaths ballooned worldwide, the teetering on the brink of reces- economies are likely to be trapped tries have also taken initiatives why was the whole world caught taurants. such challenges. That would not peace and happiness? Of course world started paying heavily for sion as the flame of economic in some form of economic in- broadly similar to those taken napping? In all fairness, health au- Could there be some benefit be positive optimism. It screams hundred percent in our state of dismissing the virus as a Chinese activity flickers with an almost activity. Companies are likely to by developed countries, but of thorities and governments do not in the form of reduced carbon negative optimism. And by its na- imperfection is impossible. epidemic. The virus had no re- invisible glow. fail in meeting their contractual course within limitations imposed have a crystal glass they can gaze emissions? Yes, owing to less ture, it breeds negative energy and A renowned Nigerian au- spect for physical borders. In no Add to this challenge, the obligations with respect to pay- by the quantum of their resources into with a view to ascertaining automobiles on the road, fewer its eternal soulmate lethargy. It is thor named Chimamanda Ngozi time what had started as a health huge number of unemployed ing suppliers, meeting their rental and fiscal constraints. what the future holds. Although aeroplanes in our airspaces and this kind of flawed optimism that Adichie once put it so aptly, crisis in Wuhan, or epidemic if people and those already hustling commitments, timeous remunera- they have facilities and equipment fewer factories polluting our envi- probably prompted one of the “Stand up for your loved ones. you like, had spread its tentacles to make a living through informal tion of staff and even servicing of Health Cost. By all standards the required to take care of the nor- ronment. A good number of enti- founding fathers of the United Tell the people you love that you across the globe ultimately cur- sector initiatives. For these peo- mortgages. For the future, despite health cost has been phenomenal. mal day to day load and probably ties are now using the Zoom app States Mr. Benjamin Franklin to love them. Tell them often. Find dling into a pandemic. By the end ple, putting food on their table prevailing ILO conventions, the When the virus started wreaking any reasonable unforeseen in- as a medium for holding meet- write, “He that lives upon hope reasons to laugh.” So be on the of the first week of March, the each day and paying for essential advent of the virus might result havoc in China, a good number of creased load, there is just no way ings. This started as an interven- will die fasting.” lookout for creative ways of re- virus had spread to 90 countries utilities remain a monumental in public and private entities pro- nations were quite content with they could have accurately fore- tion targeting businesses entities. We cannot afford to stoke the viving that bond with your loved with over 100,000 confirmed cas- challenge. They have to go out tecting themselves from financial watching from a safe ground, al- seen this quantum of disruption. Now this innovative platform is flames of antipathy. May love pre- ones, you may just be surprised at es and close to 3,500 dead. At the almost each day to hustle. Some liability against employees, sup- most reducing the far east country However, professionals in being used all over the world even vail over pride and motivate err- its therapeutic value. It is in order end of March, confirmed cases of them have always lived a day pliers and service providers with to a pariah-like status. By the time the health fraternity have always for family and religious meetings ing parties to look their spouses for us to allow our mind to run had increased nine-fold to over or two away from famine, but extensive, watertight and legally the world woke up from its deep known that ever so often, a new as well as for teaching students. in their eye, and with a contrite wild and imagine good things. In 900,000. through their industriousness and enforceable force majeure clauses. slumber, and started hemming virus would hit the world and Although a few problems have heart say, “I’m sorry. I’m pre- his last column in the Guardian The virus did not discrimi- resourcefulness they have always A number of first world and hawing its way into dealing metamorphose into a pandemic been found with its privacy, it pared to change.” Since we are (UK), before assuming his new nate. The world watched help- succeeded in giving their families countries have taken the lead in with the virus, it was perhaps a in no time. A few examples are in nonetheless remains a good inter- forced to spend time with our position as professor of sociol- lessly as monarchs, royalty, emi- something to nibble on. formulating a response strategy case of too little too late. Yes, the order. The Spanish flu (1918/19) vention that could be used post spouses, doesn’t it make sense for ogy at the University of Manches- nent statesmen and their spouses, Now that hustling is out of that talks to sustaining their econ- stables were already empty, the with an estimated death toll of the corona-virus era to reduce us to have fun while we are at it? ter, Gary Younge, a renowned celebrities, accomplished entre- bounds for many of them, you omies primarily through govern- horses had long bolted! 40 to 50 million people, HIV the need for traveling to specific Or would we rather be gumptious journalist wrote these encourag- preneurs, fitness fanatics, health can imagine the pain and despair ment driven economic stimulus The initial worldwide iner- (1981 to date) with about 30 mil- meeting areas. in allowing our egos to take cen- ing words, “In these bleak times, professionals, academics, dignitar- in many households, with fathers packages and charging central tia in crafting and implementing lion or more victims, Swine Flu We all know that owing to ex- tre stage and sadly destroy what imagine a world where you can ies, wealthy and poor individuals and single mothers contending banks with the explicit mandate sound plans for ensuring speedy (2009/10) with about 200,000 isting wealth disparities between should be a solid bond. If you thrive, for which there is no evi- fell victim to the virus. In a bid to with the horrible effects of Co- of infusing stability into capital and reliable tests, isolation and people succumbing to the virus, social groups, some people’s risk can, try to remember that wed- dence. And then fight for it.” contain the spread of the virus, vid-19. For many men, the surest markets and improving liquidity quarantining of suspected cases Ebola (2014-16) with 11,000 vic- of contracting the virus is high. ding vow, when you inwardly said Of course this is not the time by the beginning of April about way of figuratively emasculating through quantitative easing and left much to be desired. In some tims. Prior to these, the world Think about people living in to your sweetheart the words of for throwing stones and shifting half of the world’s global com- them is to deny them an opportu- other sustainable initiatives. Some countries, funds had to be ex- or certain geographic areas suf- close proximity to each other, for Dolly Parton, “Together we can blame. This is the time for each munity was in lockdown. The rate nity to provide for their families. developed countries like the UK pended on makeshift health facili- fered from deadly plagues such whom social distancing remains make the rain stop and make the one of us to play their role in at which almost the entire global They are worried and rightly so and the US already have a provi- ties and procurement of testing as the Antonine Plague, the Great a far-fetched dream. People liv- sun shine.” Dig deep and revive ensuring that they do not unwit- village capitulated to hard hitting about the length of the lockdown. sion for giving their citizens hard equipment. Some of the equip- Bubonic Plague and the Third ing in the slums of Khayelitsha, that heartfelt innate passion of tingly help in spreading the virus. socio-economic paralysis at the Not because, they fail to appreci- cash to help them survive these ment was found to be faulty and Plague. Some of the many plagues Cape Town; Orangi Town, Kira- never allowing anything to get be- Kudos to all Governments which in human history came in the chi; Kibera, Nairobi and Dharavi, tween you and your loved one. made the painful but necessary form of microscopic virulent Mumbai. Incidentally, for now, If you are corona-phobic, you decision of putting their coun- viruses. Clearly, virus-induced these are not the areas worst hit may probably be feeling caged. tries under lockdown irrespective plagues don’t send warning scin- by Covid-19, in fact they do not Perhaps suffocating as if you are of the financial cost. A special tillas as forerunners or precur- even appear in the list of the top in a small area that does not allow word of appreciation to all in the sors to pandemics. They often ten countries. Our wish is that the air and light in. To take your mind health field and everyone whose hit when they are least expected virus may stay away from these away from feeling that way, there work falls in the category of es- and cause untold sorrow. highly vulnerable communities. are some things that you may wish sential services for their self-sac- In view of this informa- So, what exactly is the social to resist. Resist the temptation of rificing spirit in unselfishly- brav THIS IS OUR PLEDGE. watching the same depressing ing the frontlines, putting lives tion, some individuals claiming cost? People answer this question WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE YOU OUR VALUED CLIENT to be the brightest daffodils in differently depending on their news over and over again. Think- of others ahead of their own. the bouquet keep nudging us to perspective in life. If you are a ing that by watching the same Some of them do not even have WITH SERVICES EVEN DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN. think aloud. Even without the gregarious character, the so called stuff uncountable times would appropriate protective gear, but APPROPRIATE PAYMENT CHANNELS ARE AVAILABLE DIRECTLY benefit of the so-called perfect social butterfly or the life and soul change the status quo goes head they are quite happy to risk their 20/20 vision, would it not have of a party, and you are forced to on against the grain of conven- lives for the sake of many. And a TO C.I.P.A. AND TO OURSELVES DURING THIS PERIOD VIA ONLINE been reasonable for health ex- endure lockdown conditions, you tional wisdom. Resist the tempta- more deserved commendation to perts to foresee that the next would probably feel that you are tion of spending endless hours on the global citizenry for complying TRANSFERS/DEBIT OR CREDITCARD & EWALLET. worldwide plague would come in solitary confinement. You may Facebook reading other people’s with all lifesaving conditions put WE WILL REGISTER YOUR COMPANY WITHIN . in the form of a virus? Further- get bored, especially if you live views. Why don’t you take time to forth by governments. 48 HRS more, would it not have been on your own. A French philoso- write your views and share them It would be remiss of us if we RE-REGISTER YOUR COMPANY WITHIN 48HRS. prudent for these professionals pher named Jean Baudrillard once with the world! If you have stock- failed to applaud efforts expended to push for procurement of all wrote, “Perhaps, the world’s sec- piled alcoholic beverages, please by various governments, private FILE YOUR ANNUAL RETURNS WITHIN 48HRS the necessary equipment with a ond worst crime is boredom. The drink responsibly, surely this is business entities and philanthro- view to ensuring that the spread first is being a bore.” Try to find not the time to add one or more pists in ploughing funds into re- BUY ONE OF OUR COMPANIES BY CHOOSING ANY OF THE of the virus is effectively con- ways of stimulating your mind souls into the list of alcoholics. search. Neither do we want to fail APPROVED COMPANY NAMES LISTED BELOW. tained? And if they did, why did and engaging in wholesome activ- There is an abundance of to acknowledge the hard work Governments fail to listen? 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THERE IS LIFE POST COVID19. as a way of preserving our health to forfeit a fully-fledged wedding If there is nothing to say, and To put it bluntly, lest we fall in you are not accustomed to fill- the unenviable trap of deceiving CONTACTS: 74325642 [WHATsAPP/73871215 FOR FURTHER DETAILS. and that of our loved ones and reception, thanks to the disrup- colleagues. Gone are the days tive Covid-19. ing conversation gaps with flim- ourselves, which is the greatest of seeing people allowing a Take a moment to reflect on flam, just smile at your loved one. injustice a living being could ever Ts & Cs APPLY. little water to hit their palms people who have allowed their Never underestimate the power inflict upon itself, it is essential to (quite common in gents during love for each other to wane over of that smile. It is often loaded frequently pinch ourselves in the pre-coronavirus era) and mov- time. Spouses who merely toler- with powerful meaning. After all, chest and remind ourselves that ing on without bothering to use ate each other. People who have sometimes, silence is golden! If we are not necessarily always in a proper hand wash detergent reduced their spouses to house or we all do the right thing, we may total control. April 26 - 2 May, 2020 7

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Editor: Outsa Mokone LETTERS: Sunday Standard welcomes letters from PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Deputy Editor: Spencer Mogapi readers. Letters will be edited for possible libel, Commerce Park; Business Editor: Victor Baatweng or length. The editor reserves the right to publish Plot 104, Moores Rowland, or reject a letter. Letters should be sent by e-mail Unit 21. Advertising Manager: David Seema to: [email protected], or be faxed to 3188795. They can also be posted to the postal POSTAL ADDRESS: Pictures Editor: Oaitse address on the right. Even where pseudonyms are Sunday Standard, Sejakgomo preferred writers should sign in their true names. Postnet Kgale View Head of Graphics: Boago Obuseng Only signed correspondence will be published. P/Bag 351, Suite 287, Gaborone TEL: 3188784 FAX: 3188795 opinion opinion

GUEST COLUMN Children will pay the biggest THABO SELEKE price of Covid-19 in Botswana Coronavirus Tsunami: The economic hit of the lockdown There is no doubt that the pan- Now schools have been closed for in the middle of winter, and the situa- and also in those districts where pov- on children should never be underes- demic will deliver a blow to many of more than a month. As UNICEF has tion for children will become dire. erty and schools’ results have tradi- Will everything be all timated. Botswana’s children. observed, school closure as a result If ministers are waiting for a sta- tionally been the worst in the country. Yet that is what we are seeing As a matter of fact, the pandemic of Covid-19 and the restrictions that tistic that a school going kid has died The country’s western belt – from right in Botswana? among our leadership. has brought into public glare the limi- come with lockdown has “upended” of hunger, they will not get it. down south to the north is almost ir- When they brief the nation on tations and total inadequacies of the the lives and routine of children and Any death will be attributed to redeemable, even without covid-19. We have all heard the expressions, “A lack need for human capital development in what interventions the government much-touted welfare systems in Bo- their families. other causes. Poverty and poor school results of planning on your part, does not consti- various areas of health training such as is coming up with to cushion families tswana. Stresses on families are now at For these kids, when schools were go hand in hand. tute an emergency on my part.” health policy analysis, health economics, While that may hold true for an in- health informatics, health and logistics against losses of income as a result Just when they mattered most, the new heights. Today there are relative- closed, it was not only an afront on The size of the family is also di- dividual situation, it does not hold true and health care service delivery / health of covid-19, minister after minister safety valves proved as weak as to be ly few cases of covid-19 in Botswana. their leaning but also on something rectly proportionate to the quality of when dealing with a disease pandemic. care financing. Heavy reliance on general would say Government would ensure non-existent. It can still go either way. If, God more crucial - food. life led by that family. The Covid-19 has triggered an un- practitioners and physicians who are not that no citizens die of hunger. It all started with the closure of forbid Botswana ends up where As people worry on when schools We are seeing all those at play to- precedented crisis in human history. Ev- trained in robust training on public health eryone and every country is trying to play and policy needs to be looked into going This casual statement has become schools. other countries in Europe and north will reopen, for many kids it is when day. There is a way out. catch up. When new threats to human life forward, there is currently a serious gap. a boilerplate kind of response. And In Botswana schools provide not America are where large numbers of will they once again access their liveli- Deliberate public intervention arise, anxiety, needs and expectations are The. Institute of Health Sciences also there is no evidence to suggest that just education, which has lately be- parents will become absent because hood. provides that way. high. Policymakers require information need to be reformed, these institutions any official honestly and sincerely be- come more and more mediocre, but they are hospitalized, then the toll on Just a few weeks before lockdown This is certainly not the time to be quickly that will inform risk assessments must be capacitated to provide quality lieves in what they are saying. also food and nutrition for many of children will reach a breaking point. UNICEF called the editors of main- pessimistic, but it is very unlikely that and potential counter measures. The fail- health care training. Their training courses ure of a government to conduct the nec- must not only meet the national accredi- These clichés (and they are indeed the children. This means that the primary stream media to brief them on the the children in Botswana will be see- essary planning in order to be prepared tation with BQA but must also meet the clichés) are anchored on old misno- Outside of the education frame- source of food for many children is general state issues pertaining to chil- ing any surge in the quality of their to provide a competent and effective global standards and should be affiliated mers from another generation when work, a majority of children in Bo- not there. dren in the country. life soon. response to a predicted inevitable event, with other Universities in the region and Botswana used to have a strong fam- tswana revert to all the frailties and This has placed extra burden on That meeting has over time Botswana may be ahead of its such as a disease pandemic, becomes an globally offering these health courses as emergency for all of us. opposed to take them to fly by night in- ily structure, strong welfare system vulnerabilities found in their homes. families that are themselves weak proved prescient. peers on taking care of children. The public likewise, demands trans- stitutions that have been set up chasing and a wealthy government. Schools are now not just for edu- even during the best of times. Botswana’s underinvestment on But it is the best among the worst parency and trust and assurance that the the government purse. It will also assist None of those are true today. cation and sport. They have become At the moment authorities are children is glaring. cases, and thus really not much to actions taken by all those involved includ- in sending less students to those so-called And many people die of hunger holy grails of nutrition and with that more obsessed with numbers of con- And given the country’s deterio- brag about. ing politicians, scientific and public health privately-run institutions that are 100 per- which sadly either go unreported or survival for many children. firmed covid-19 cases and less with rating public finances, there is simply Botswana needs to invest more officers are guided by overarching con- cent depended on government funding. cerns about global health. Post Covid-19, there will be a com- classified as other causes. When schools are open, many how children can be protected, main- no how the country is going to catch on children, including strengthen- Research has demonstrated that in pelling need for the University of Bo- In fact, many families barely sur- children can count on schools to tained and fed while their parents are up; post coronavirus. ing children’s defence and protective the past decades, the emergence of new tswana to establish a Centre for Global vive beyond hand to mouth kind of deliver them three hot meals a day – affected. If anything, the situation will de- mechanisms in a crisis. infectious diseases has shaped not only Health, which can be housed at the Sir existence. well balanced and without fail. In a few weeks, Botswana will be teriorate, especially in the rural areas medical concepts, but also those of sci- Masire Hospital or at the Faculty of ence and public health, affected political Health Sciences. This center will spear- responses at global, regional and national head training program on health policy levels. It had serious economic impact and analysis, global health, health diplomacy influenced the anxieties and expectations and politics, health economics, health in- of the public. The Covid-19 adds an- formatics, logistics and health, health care opinion other such disease and its impact may be financing and epidemiology. The stereo understood in such a historic and global type mentality that this is the preserve context. of public health is driven by naivety and In the 1980s for instance, the emer- should be a thing of the past. BIUST can gence of the HIV/AIDS had an enor- also invest in Medical health technology mous impact on medicine, science, poli- and offer training modules in Medical tics and society - an impact that is still Tech and may work closely with industry Botswana Police Service enjoys popular support unfolding. The concerns raised by HIV/ players and not with fly by night business AIDS changed the relationship of pa- Men and Women who have entered this hakanatlhogo. Elsewhere the behavior well resourced, well paid, highly ef- and the level of compliance was very tients to their disease and treatment. It space for money opening a window for of the police was equally the same. fective and efficient. Researchers good. However, there were still a few provided the clearest example, to date corruption. When I drove to Bokamoso Hospital, underscored the fact that Botswana who either the message did not reach that a disease has the capacity to become Unbelievably, even as the virus con- a globally transforming political issue, af- tinues to spread widely globally and with I encountered three roadblocks along is a model African country known them or it meant nothing to them fecting national & intentional relations. new cases of local transmissions in Bo- the A-1 Road, along Paul Rantao for its democratic stability, strong as they could be seen squeezed on a There was also the emergence of tswana, people are still queuing for per- Road and the other along the Mogo- economy and blessed with visionary two-wheeled very small donkey card the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome mits and are still dismissive on the seri- (SARS) in 2003 which affected 23 coun- ousness of the virus. The reality is that if GUEST ditshane/Molepolole road. To their leaders and that it keeps on getting unperturbed. tries, which demonstrated the speed at the government of Botswana was to relax credit, the officers addressed most of things right and the world acknowl- David Ramphaleng and Bonkani which infectious diseases in the globalized and bow down to un-necessary political us as bagolo ba me and requested to see edges the country’s strides. About Dube are the only ones among farm world can move beyond its local origins pressure the disaster the country is cur- COLUMN if motorists had permits. corruption, the finding is that it is managers who are up to date with to become crisis affecting the health of rently dealing with, the worst will come KWAPENG MODIKWE people & economics by reducing interna- as Covid-19 will spread even more rap- The performance of the Botswa- almost none existent. Countries mak- current affairs. Ramphaleng goes to tional travel and trade. idly and widely, causing more deaths. Bo- na Police during this state of emer- ing Africa’s top ten are Botswana, bed at about midnight listening to SARS became a fundamental test tswana’s health system will not be able to At least for now, the Botswana Police internet facilities in the area I come case and driving force for countries to care for patients, as well as those requiring gency period, reconciles perfectly well Rwanda, Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia, the radio especially Motsweding FM reshape the International Health Regula- non-Covid-19 medical care. This will pro- Service and their colleagues in the from. I produced my identity cards with the findings of the World Inter- Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ghana, South or Duma FM. As for Dube, he is tions (IHR). The regulations which came long the disease and will also prolong and BDF seem to be at their best in en- and newspaper articles bearing my national Security and Police Index Africa and Morocco in that order. If just superb. He asks questions which into force in 2007, are an acknowledge- deepen the economic situation. suring compliance to the regulations byline to proof my journalistic cre- ment that all countries are at risk from There will also be an urgent need to which have rated the Botswana Police I were the commissioner of the Bo- show that the man is well informed. certain threats, such as a new infectious address the issue of Brain drain which is governing the state of emergency de- dentials. The headline in one article Service as the best in Africa and the tswana Police Service or the Minister During our interactions, he kept me disease with the potential for international likely to arise post Covid- 19. However, clared two weeks ago by the President was “Corona virus may reach us” seventh best in the world. The ratings of Defense, Security and Justice, or busy wanting to know how true it was spread. the fundamental question to ask is how to deal effectively with corona virus while the other one was “South Afri- The IHR also stress the need for a can brain drain be converted to into brain were presented by an organization even the commander-in-chief of the that corona virus was manufactured proactive approach by affected countries gain? What policies can be adopted to pandemic. I was travelling from the can Lockdown good for Botswana.” called Displore in the last half of last armed forces, I would do all in my by China to counter the United States and the need for transparency in report- stem such movements from developing Kgope farming areas at the weekend The officer was impressed to see that year. It found its way into my What- power to ensure that the Police Ser- in their trade war and how the corona ing. This approach encompasses preven- countries to developed countries. The when I suddenly bumped into a road I had been writing articles about co- th tion, containment, investigation and time- push and pull factors in the journey of sapp page on 17 November 2019. vices maintain current standard and virus would impact on vulnerable ly reporting. Furthermore, in 2011, a new hope – what mitigating factors should be block on the Rasesa/Lentsweletau rona virus long before the state of At that time, I did not give it the at- their number one position in Africa societies and very poor economies fundamental Public Health agreement put in place to address the brain drain and Road exactly a week after the state emergency was declared. He then tention it deserved because I did not and that they move from position of countries such as Zimbabwe. He called the Pandemic Influenza Prepared- benefits to be derived from brain gain. of emergency came into effect. No gave me the green light to proceed. ness (PIP) framework was adopted. This The recent episodes in Botswana and take it serious. I regarded it as one of seven in the world to at least position was aware that US President Don- framework pertains only to Influenza vi- South Africa have been a fiasco. South Af- roadblock had ever been set at that Throughout our discussions, the rest those fake video clips which often go five or four. This will be very good ald Trump has called the corona vi- ruses but reflects the large concerns of rica for instance used the apartheid skoop particular Seleme lands before, so it of those manning the roadblock with viral on social media. It was only this for the country in many ways. rus China virus because it started in Members of WHO, including Botswana. en dornoor approach in their early response was a surprise for me. I grew up in him stood a distant away in groups It is on the basis of this that we have to the Covid-19. In Botswana, we have week when the conduct of the police I now return to my story about China. However, Dube wonders as seen WHO developing the Global Action seen how dis-honest and dis-respectful the area. There were ten or more po- of two or three but kept a watchful impressed people, not withstanding the level of compliance to the state to how a country could manufacture Plan for the Covid-2019 response and the some politicians can be. In just less than lice and BDF officers. From the look eye. They waved at me as I passed isolated cases of indiscipline else- of emergency by the rural folks in the the virus as a weapon against a for- roll out to its member states with its clean an hour after they were expected to be in of things, it appeared they had been through the road block. hands campaign and social distancing at quarantine a video of them on a shopping where, that I revised it. There is the farming areas. These are folks who eign enemy and tests the very same the center stage. Will the new Corona vi- spree went viral, including the opposition there for some days. As the vehicle Several people who had gone common saying that, “a rotten potato do not have running water, folks who weapon on its own people and also rus be worse? Spin Doctor, Rre Pono Moatlhodi, who slowed down, one unarmed police of- through that road block said they spoils the other”. For me it is not do not have toilet facilities, folks who against its friends since the spread of The 2009 H1N1 Influenza pandemic later wrote and issued a lousy and clumsy ficer approached and extended greet- were surprised by the good reception always the case. The recent Lobatse no longer use the position of the sun the virus was not selective. demonstrated that a global outbreak of apology. ings in a highly obedient manner. The they were given by the officers. Some even a relatively mild disease could over- An attempt was also presented to case, in which police offers were al- to determine the time because most But be what that may, corona whelm the capacity of many countries to use Science as a reasonable justification questions he asked were “sir, where had expected a hostile reception since leged to have beaten up two people, have cellular phones but enjoy indulg- virus is giving the world sleepless respond and raised a number of issues, in the political deliberations that went on are you from and where are you head- they did not have permits but to the is unfortunate and isolated incident. ing on bear drinking from sunrise to nights. Here at home, the govern- along with the rapid pace of development in Parley by making reference to the incu- ing to”? He paused for a response. contrary, everything went on smooth- and enormous amounts of information bation period of the Covid-19 cycle. The We are told it is being adequately ad- sunset if it is made available to them. ment continues urging people to stay and mis-information, politicians and Scientific - Mis - Information threw some The next question was “sir, may I see ly. One driver who did not want to be dressed at an appropriate level. The More often than not, they travel 20 at home and maintain social distanc- aided in particular by the different social opposition fanatics into a wild a party. a permit entitling you to be on this quoted yet had a permit to visit his rating by the World International kilometres a day in search of alco- ing, wash hands with water and soap media platforms created significant levels Un- be known to them this was just cheap road at this particular time?” cattle post area said those “boys at of district and anxiety among countries. political grand standing by making refer- Security and Police Index covered holic beverages or mabolara. They do or use sanitizers. This is a plea which The pandemic has eventually un- ence and using science as an excuse. In I did not have one but explained the road block are good. They don’t capacity, processes, legitimacy and not access newspaper messages. Most everybody should not find it difficult derscored that Botswana’s health system their celebratory mode, the unfortunate that the permit requirement started harass people. They are soft and re- outcomes. In the capacity domain, re- of them do not care much about cur- to carry out. In some major villages needs serious reforms post Covid-19. Bo- un-suspecting victims as well as naive vic- when I was already in that farming spectful. I don’t know if they have lie tswana’s medical care delivery system is tims threw lock down parties. The new searchers looked at resources a nation rent affairs. You will see them smok- such as Mochudi, the loud speaker not set up to respond to pandemic surge. research on the Covid-19 disputes the area and there is no issuing authority detector to determine if someone is dedicated to the internal security. For ing dagga but you may never know van drives around spreading this im- Unfortunately, Botswana is now pay- scientific arguments presented by the MP. in the area. The inhabitants are pasto- not telling them the truth”, he said. the processes domain, they looked as the source of supply. The Senamane portant message. Perhaps it may be ing the price for failing to properly plan The incubation period, the time between ral farmers while others are engaged Even in the streets of Mochudi, the in terms of the lessons learnt from the catching the virus and beginning to have to whether the resources allocated to Dam, constructed by Makuka Regi- good if these rounds of trips are ex- HIV/AIDS pandemic and other diseases. symptoms of disease suggest that if you in subsistence agricultural pursuits. police were visible but were not ha- the police were used in an effective ment soon after the Anglo Boer War tended to the outside villages, in the The Tsunami wave from the Covid-19 haven’t developed the symptoms by day Secondly, I am a freelance journalist, I rassing people who appeared break- manner while the legitimacy domain for the chief ’s cattle is a meeting farming areas where the messages do will hit Botswana’s health care system 12, you could still be spreading the virus. have been assessing the level of com- ing the state of emergency regula- much more, which calls for an urgent In day the second day the arguments had is a measure as to whether the public place as it is currently the only source not reach the communities. need to train health care professionals, shifted from science to political begging. pliance to the regulations of the state tions. They advised them accordingly views the police in a favorable man- of water for the area’s herd. During OUR MOTTO: wash your hands nurses, counsellors, policy analysts and of emergency among the rural folks while at the same time not compro- ner. the first week of the state of emer- with clean water and soap, keep social health care administrators. *Thabo Lucas Seleke is Researcher and I am going to Mochudi to file my mising their duty. They applied le- The outbreak of the Covid-19 and Scholar of Global Health Policy It was found during the survey gency, it was clear that the social dis- distancing and remain at home until has demonstrated that there is urgent Analysis article to the newspaper. There are no gal measures against hard core ditl- that the Botswana Police Service is tancing message had reached many further notice. April 26 - 2 May, 2020 Opinion & Analysis 9

THE WATCHDOG SPENCER MOGAPI & analysis DEPUTY EDITOR SUNDAY STANDARD cartoon Fighting Covid-19 reawakens the old boys clubs in the public service When an evaluation report is tining where an entire cabinet finally made on how Botswana and parliament were forced to responded to coronavirus, a go on quarantine. chapter and a half will be dedi- We can only blame that on cated to why and how Solomon the leadership, but also on the Sekwakwa and Dr Simvula ulti- clumsiness of the expert team mately lost their jobs. assembled to lead us through the Until they were sacked, the pandemic. two men were at the coalface of Fighting Covid-19 requires fighting the virus. skills in logistics. The evaluation will look at Logistics is not guesswork. It the meetings in the build up to is engineering based science. expulsions. But also, the person- These are complex skills that alities in those meetings. premier policy makers at the Sekwakwa was sacked as a government enclave often shy Permanent Secretary in the Min- away from. istry of Health. Those skills extend to pro- Dr Simvula was his deputy in curement and also distribution. the same ministry. Botswana Defence Force re- The moment an announce- mains by far the most developed ment was made that Sekwakwa home of such skills and exper- and Dr Simvula had been sum- tise in the country. marily sacked, the rumour mill The pandemic has also ex- went abuzz. posed structural defects we have Everybody tried to search always known existed in Botswa- for answers. None were forth- na’s public service. coming. Forty years on, the country A few senior government has not produced logistical ex- officers called the sacking “long perts. overdue.” For the last forty years Bo- “The search for a scapegoat tswana continues to rely on one has been ongoing,” one of them man to manage huge logistical said. efforts entailed in Covid-19. His Others called the sackings a name is Gabriel Seeletso. diversionary tactic. We are where In the early 1990s Seeletso we are - in a new territory. And managed cattle lung disease in mistakes are inevitable. In fact, the Ngamiland. It was a huge the public will gladly forgive mis- budget undertaking specifically takes made in good faith. to rid the area of lung disease, The sacking of Sekwakwa pay the farmers and restore Bo- and Co will underscore and tswana’s share of the European highlight a scary fact that instead union beef market share. opinion of fighting as a united front, Bo- After that Seeletso was again tswana has been caught up in the at hand when Botswana created middle of turf war. the IEC (independent Elections Another civil servant has Commission), he was called to talked of a nostalgic veterinar- come and establish the IEC as The coronavirus pandemic presents a ian, plugged out of retirement its founding Chief. and given excessive powers as Most recently he was called Covid-19 coordinator,” pow- back to come and run an ill- second glorious opportunity for national unity! ers that are already going to his fated EVM (Electoral Voting to originate from the southern part of hence the need to grab them when While many people may have been head.” Machine.) that was on course the country, critics have found a prime they so avail by chance or by deed. hurt, humiliated and marginalized by But still the stakes are too to delivering an unprecedented case to discredit the president and en- Whereas the opportunity has been President Masisi’s actions or the ac- high to lose focus. It remains a electoral anarchy. ter his name in the history books as an lost mainly because many people have tions of his handlers, at this point in matter of life and death. Seeletso should consider incorrigible tribal demagogue. come to believe that the president’s time our formidable common enemy Those of us outside of the himself a very lucky man who President Masisi has been accused pledge was insincere, dishonest and is the coronavirus and our differenc- public service are gobsmacked, never goes away. Every time the of deliberately dividing the nation in more than just a hoax, the coronavirus es have become blurred except for a confused but also uninspired. country needs a magician to run We want to trust. But noth- logistics he is ever at hand. BADGE OF order to reap from the comfort of pandemic presents President Masisi few individuals who appear to have ing around us inspires trust. Two weeks ago he was yet being in the presence of his kinsmen. with yet another golden opportunity skipped some crucial stages of human Sekwakwa was clearly a like- again called to be the country’s COURAGE These are serious accusations that to pursue an agenda of national uni- evolution and have no potential to ap- able character. But so far there is relief coordinator. KENNETH DIPHOLO cannot be dismissed as the mere imag- ty – indeed a second chance to unite preciate human goodness in the form no evidence to suggest he was a There is no denying that old inations of delinquents who escaped Batswana. of national cohesion. Such people will particularly distinguished career alliances and personal friend- In his inauguration speech on 1st ent in all beings. from maternity wards and landed on The coronavirus pandemic comes continue to frustrate efforts to unite civil servant. ships including inside cabinet November 2019, President Masisi Thus, President Masisi’s pledge keyboards. as a terrifying enemy that does not Batswana and best way to deal with But his sacking is already have played a big hand. pledged to do all in his power to unite to unite Batswana so that we are able The reality is that President Masisi distinguish between ethnicity, political them would be to acknowledge that casting a long shadow over ef- Seeletso should count him- forts to fight Covid-19 in Bo- self a lucky man. Every time the the people of Botswana. President to take on our challenges as a united actions, particularly in terms of fill- party affiliation, gender or social class. deviant behaviour is a normal human ing up senior positions in government Thus, by virtue of its being a common condition. tswana. His sacking has become country runs into a crisis he is Masisi expressed that ‘therefore I want to people was a timely and decisive pro- a huge national event. But also, a never out of reach. with persons from particular tribes enemy, the coronavirus provides us A majority of Batswana are united urge all of us to continue on this path and nouncement that had the potential to distraction. To be taken for such a key work together in building a peaceful and har- make him a unifying statesman and a and his pledge to unite Batswana stand with a common purpose to find our- in their generosity of spirit and action Even those who never heard existential matter, not once, not monious country as a united people’. darling of the pro-unity movement. at cross purposes. selves, regroup and face the enemy as to defeat the enemy that threaten to about him are now asking about twice but thrice because no other The President’s inauguration However, since making the pro- It has to be noted that it is not a united front for individual and col- wipe out our nation. It is up to Presi- him. That is the nature of poli- serving public servant is as good speech consistently made reference to nouncement in November 2019, Pres- an exaggeration that President Masisi lective survival. dent Masisi to seize the golden op- tics. Events always have a way of would take special skill, special unity and/or a united people in ways ident Masisi’s actions or the actions inherited a nation divided down the Certainly the coronavirus is not portunity and take a much more ac- shaping and even determining attribute and special talent. that suggested that the President was of his handlers, especially in terms middle owing to a decade of bound- President Masisi’s fault neither is it tive role in providing an environment the route of politics. No nation should rely on genuinely worried at the escalating of filling up senior positions in gov- less misrule and pompous nepotism. Batswana’s fault. It is something all conducive to mend our adversarial re- “Events, my dear boy, one man for so long to resolve events,” a British Prime minister so many catastrophes. political and ethnic polarization that ernment, have been inconsistent with A common refrain is that a divided na- of us have to face and from a vantage lationships and consolidate our unity. once replied when asked what There is yet another concern. is threatening to tear the nation apart. his pledge. Whereas he had publicly tion is susceptible to stress and shocks point, it is really frightening as a threat In an instant, Batswana have dis- could derail his campaign. To this day briefings have and can hardly prosper. to humanity and an even greater threat covered that we are more vulnerable When we look deeply at these po- preached national unity, his choice of There is no doubt that Co- still not graduated to higher litical and ethnic differences ravaging people for senior positions in govern- In fact and indeed, a divided na- to Botswana given our tiny population than we ever thought and that part of vid-19 comes at a time of im- more informative levels. the Botswana society, the realization is ment sits almost opposite his declara- tion is a nation in distraught and can- and an underdeveloped health system. it points to toxic polarization of our mense political dearth inside They are still about the rudi- that these are a result of our failure to tion. The President has been accused not defend itself from external and Whereas differences are inherent society and that unless the trend is government, including and espe- mentary issues. appreciate that part of what had hith- of showing a preference for people internal invasion whatsoever. As such, in living beings, and while it is neither reversed as a matter for national sur- cially at cabinet. There have not as yet gradu- erto set us apart from the rest of the who originate from the southern part President Masisi’s pledge to pursue an possible nor desirable to pursue ab- vival, a large number of our people Divisions between political ated to other equally important African continent until we lost the tag of the country in ways that suggest agenda of national unity and contain solute national unity, the bottom line would perish. parties are also leading to is too aspects like ventilators, testing as a success story in Africa, was down the existence of a practice sociologists escalating political and cultural polar- is that Batswana are presently united While death is inevitable, the death much grandstanding. capacity and protective equip- to deliberate efforts at promoting na- call ethnic nepotism, wherein the ad- ization came as a relief to many re- by a clear and present danger in the of a large number of citizens and resi- A pandemic of this magni- ment for frontline personnel. tude requires not just epidemio- One hopes these are not the tional unity and making all citizens ministration favours people from par- sponsible citizens. form of the coronavirus. This danger dents that would be fuelled by political logical expertise but also crack reasons why Sekwakwa and Dr The uncomfortable truth is that makes our political and ethnic differ- and ethnic differences would look like embrace a sense of belonging to the ticular ethnic groups. management skills. Simvula were sacked. nation of Botswana. However, it has to be noted that President Masisi had initially squan- ences petty and a distraction at this a campaign of genocide and the state Lapses from bad luck and Surprisingly even the ex- That posture of national unity a majority of the beneficiaries of this dered the opportunity to unite a peo- point in time. president would inevitably take the mistakes of bad judgement will perts briefing the nation seem took a huge dent alongside the coun- practice, if indeed it is deliberate rou- ple willing and keen to be united for In this regard, President Masisi ultimate blame for failing to unite the always happen. mesmerized by confirmed cases try’s loss of innocence as a fascinating tine, actually are qualified for the jobs the good of their republic, soon after ought to humble himself and forget nation against a common and existen- In our instances they were even as they know that the num- success story of an African country they have been offered. Yet, since a taking over the presidency of the re- that he ever behaved like a hard core tial enemy. mostly a lack of grasp of the bers are by all measure an under- that escaped the resource curse, main- majority of people who have been of- public. tribal chief who brazenly and wanton- President Masisi cannot just sit gravity of the stakes. statement of reality, given low ly due to our lackadaisical view of fered senior positions in government That moment was a very unique ly showed non-tribesmen the middle back and expect the fear of the coro- The Head of State has been testing capacity. the value of national unity. Thus, Bo- under his presidency are potentially opportunity occasioned by our real- finger. President Masisi ought to re- navirus to draw us closer to one an- quarantined, not once but twice. Their strategy seems stag- Thankfully in both instances nant; “awe and shock.” tswana’s erstwhile exceptionalism was his kin and friends, accusations that he ization that we had taken our national invent himself as a national leader other. Instead the president ought to he eventually tested negative. That cannot be. Batswana partly derived from national cohesion is in fact a tribal supremacist are not unity for granted and we were now whose duty is to serve the interest of steal the thunder from the fortuitous But there is no denying that have paid with their lives to get that is a product of deliberate efforts without substance. paying a huge price for our indiffer- Botswana and Batswana without fear effects of nature’s fury and lead us in both country and government where we are. at ensuring a socially inclusive society Even if it is coincidental that those ence and complacency. Such unique or favour as he had expressed it in his the direction towards purposeful and was missed his direct leadership, Somebody should tell us in spite of obvious differences inher- who landed the plum jobs happened opportunities do not come every day inaugural speech. sustainable national cohesion. especially in the second quaran- what is next. Analysis Indepth April 26 - 2 May, 2020

A guest of the state remembers After spending 17 days in mandatory quarantine, MESH MOETI shares the experience of what happens when the state suspends citizens’ rights

hen the state troop out to congregate at the takes away a closed gate where we stand on citizen’s rights, one side of the fence while our the little things tormentors, who masquerade as often taken for public servants, most of them in granted, like when and what to masks, stand on the other. Weat, fly out the window. As a Food is being served. We guest of the state, you are not troop out of wherever we’ve to be bothered with such trivial been to queue for whatever is matters. Someone else will de- being served. Forget about so- termine your eating timetable. cial distancing here. You’re used to breakfast at Through social media and 745am? Tough luck buddy. the tireless efforts of civil society “We serve breakfast from 8 activists such as Pusetso Mora- to 10 sir,” the lady at the other pedi, Uyapo Ndadi, friends, and end of the line patiently ex- many others our plight came to plains. the notice of decision-makers, Now, that means your and we were moved to more morning meal can reach you habitable conditions in hotels in anywhere within that two-hour Palapye. But that was not before stretch. Forget consistency, we endured two days in which we slept on bare mattresses and man. That does not belong here. were under the guard of police Remember you are a guest of officers, some possibly my son’s the state. Today the knock that age, who sauntered about bran- signals arrival of the meal pack dishing horsewhips and rifles may be at 830am, while the fol- as if daring us to...... I have lowing day it might be at 9am or no idea what. I recalled another even 930am. And, by the way, era, and another police chief. you don’t get to decide what you Whatever happened to the hu- are served - whether at break- mane face of the police service fast, lunch or dinner. once led by an affable man, a Your daily ration of bottled true gentleman, called Norman water is limited to two 500ml Moleboge? bottles. So you jump rope in the Funny how word gets evening to exercise, thereby tak- around in a camp. And today ing up your water intake beyond is no exception. You notice what’s currently provided? Once A quarantine place heightened activity, and you en- quire from the guy in the Bar- again, tough luck dude. The would not be interpreted as an courteously ushered through celona replica shirt that he has lady who answers the call made act of aggression. In the ab- borders and ports of different clearly worn for a couple of to the guest relations desk ex- sence of an international con- countries had decreed that this seasons. When the response plains that there’s nothing the vention and norms, the rules time my own country’s immi- comes, you don’t know whether hotel can do to help your situ- were not always clear. And gration officials not let me “pass to celebrate or curse. We are be- Kanye Seventh-day Adventist Hospital ation. They won’t even sell you there were no guarantees. This freely without let or hindrance”. ing moved from this place, the an extra bottle or two. changed in the aftermath of the Returning from a country Catalan club’s fan says. “It’s not allowed,” she ex- First World War when, in 1920, that at the time had recorded Nobody saw the need to plains before we both agree to the newly established League of three cases of Covid-19 while communicate this little detail end the conversation. Nations championed the idea of Botswana was yet to register the previous evening. You are When nation states were a worldwide passport standard. any, made me eligible for the a guest of the state, so presum- carved out, it impacted on So today, on top of a flag just introduced mandatory 14- ably you have no need to know people’s unfettered move- and national anthem, each na- day quarantine. what’s being planned for your We are looking for passionate, loyal and trustworthy candidates to join our team. Be able to read and ment. People could no longer tion state has a national pass- Incidentally, when govern- tomorrow and the day after. So write English and/or Setswana languages. Have ability to follow commands and acquire knowledge roam the earth as they pleased port that it issues to qualifying ment information machinery you hurry to retrieve your wet because now there were bor- citizens and, in some cases, non- first announced the decision to and skills as taught. Should also possess good interpersonal and communication skills. undershirts that you had just ders to respect. But the need citizens who are often victims quarantine returning citizens hung on the laundry line, to to travel beyond the confines of persecution in the countries and residents on March 24, it pack your bags because it has 1. Senior Medical Officer of the borders that now quar- of their birth. was only in reference to people been decided that you should antined human beings into the In many respects, the na- entering the country from South up and go. Right now. Or as the Salary: D3 (P239 292 – P263 808) geographical area they had the tional passport is still very much Africa. A couple of hours later, government people said, “now (mis)fortune to be born in did like King Artaxerxes’ letter that a decision had been taken to ex- now”. Qualifications: Honors Degree or Bachelors in Medicine, and should be registered with not stop when the fences went Nehemiah bore in his posses- tend the protocol to returnees But, as we would learn from the Botswana Health Professions Council. up. International travel persists sion and the “sauf conduit” of from Zimbabwe as well. to this day, and it happens for later years. And so began my 17 days as experience, “now now” does not mean immediately as we had Work Experience: At least five (5) years working experience in the medical field. a myriad of reasons - from My passport, for instance, a guest of the state, first at Ma- government diplomatic work, carries a request by the Presi- sunga Senior Secondary School. initially thought. Though we had finished packing our bags Leave: 30 working days per annum business, leisure, flight from dent of the Republic of Bo- We were checked into the persecution, criminal undertak- tswana to “all those whom it school’s boarding dormitories, and sat under the soon receding ings, study to anything else that may concern” that I be allowed where we came face to face with shades by 9am, it was only after 2. Drivers-3 Positions drives people to wander around to pass freely without let or hin- the ugly face of Botswana’s pub- 2pm that we began to board the the world. Movement through drance, and that I be accorded lic education system. It’s unfor- bus - and even much later that it Salary: B4 (P45 012 – P51 360) per annum ports of entry is facilitated by “such assistance and protection givable that in today’s Botswana, roared to life, and began the trip a document whose origin is as may be necessary”. boarding learners still have to to Palapye where I would spend Qualifications: Junior Certificate (JC), valid driver’s license (class “B”), heavy duty license traced to the biblical era. One of the acts of curtail- contend with non-functioning the next 15 days before being will be added advantage. In the book of Nehemiah, ment of a citizen’s right to free toilets, flooded bathrooms, and cleared after undergoing a Co- its eponymous central charac- movement is the withdrawal, or lack of warm bathing water. vid -19 test, thereby turning into Work Experience: Minimum of two (2) years proven driving experience. ter - who was an official under denial, of a passport. It’s the These didn’t seem ideal condi- a statistic - part of the numbers King Artaxerxes I of Persia - tried and tested action of choice tions to quarantine over 160 that are quoted as having been tested for the coronavirus in Leave: 20 working days per annum sought permission to travel to by authoritarian regimes against people without risking another Judea. And having granted such citizens who often don’t share public health disaster. Botswana. leave, the king gave Nehemiah the popular worldview. The atmosphere around Ma- So what did I take out of my Applications: Applicants should include; Application letter, detailed curriculum vitae, certified cop- a letter “to the governors be- Such an abrogation of citi- sunga Senior Secondary School time in quarantine? I value free- ies of relevant qualifications, certified copies of current registration with relevant professional bod- yond the river” requesting safe zens’ right to freedom of move- had the depressing feel of refu- dom more. I value the crucial ies, two written references which are less than six months old, certified copies of identity document passage for him as he travelled ment is something we can never gee camps you often see de- role of civil society in holding or passport and preference may be given to candidates who apply locally. through their lands. imagine happening in Botswana. picted on TV. But even in such the powerful accountable. I val- All Applications should be addressed to: The historian Martin Lloyd, Our rights, we like to think, are conditions, the human spirit ue an independent judiciary. Yes in “The Passport: The History protected by that very sacro- refuses to die. Friendships and politicians are elected to take de- The Human Resources Department of Man’s Most Travelled Docu- sanct document whose copy alliances are struck. People are cisions, some of them very dif- Kanye Adventist Hospital ment”, states that centuries many of us don’t even have - the generous to a fault. You have no ficult, on behalf of citizens, but P O Box 11 ago, what was known as the Constitution of the Republic of cellphone charger? Strangers of- citizens must always maintain KANYE “sauf conduit” (safe conduct Botswana. fer theirs. You can’t stand a cold oversight over all public officers pass) was designed to grant Imagine the irony then, shower? The two guys down the - elected leaders and the govern- ment bureaucracy. It is often For more information please contact Human Resources Office at 5441107. the bearer “passage in and out when I returned from a visit to corridor have an electric kettle of a kingdom” being visited; a Zimbabwe, to find that my right that they are happy to share. during abnormal times, such written request that acted as a to free movement ended the In such a camp, word has as this one, that the rights of Closing Date: 10/05/2020 gentleman’s agreement that two moment I stepped into the geo- a way of getting around. The citizens, especially the poor and rulers recognise each other’s graphical territory of Botswana. District Commissioner has an less powerful, are most violated authority, and stepping over a A government led by the per- announcement to make, and by overzealous enforcers who border by the other’s subject son in whose name I am usually somehow we get to know. So we turn themselves into demigods. April 26 - 2 May, 2020 Indepth 11 Leading the fight against an invisible enemy The man tasked with leading Botswana’s response to Covid-19 has fought against both livestock and human epidemics in a career spanning over 30 years. MESH MOETI reports

eemingly overnight, coronavirus cattle in the whole district to contain the dis- Covid-19, certain practices should be re- has put a stop to everything. One ease,” he recalls. viewed due to their predisposition to spread farmer has even had to abandon To this day, mention of Masupu’s name infections. Masupu agrees. In that bracket Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital his integrated horticultural proj- among the pastoral farmers in the North he mentions the tendency to shake hands ect after an unexpected call. West District elicits different emotions. He throughout the day, without having to wash A source with knowledge of how it all has fans and harsh critics. “But as medical professionals we are want to draw lessons.” “It all depends on when we arrive at time the hands frequently. He would also like to Sunfolded says there was a thorough discus- To his fan base, the man is a hero who not dictators of what society should do,” he So when will we go back to our normal that evidence tells us that we have brought sion of the skills set in the country, and one eradicated a disease that threatened a peo- see a conversation around being crowded in adds. “Society will decide its own practices lives – so that interviews can be conducted the virus under control,” he answers. “The name ticked all the boxes. And so the deci- ple’s way of life, while the opposing camp various buildings and amenities such as pub- and culture. After this experience, some face to face once again, and retired epide- time frame will be dictated by what unfolds, sion was made. All that was left was to place blames him for the disease’s spread lic transport. will revert to the old ways, while others may miologists can go back to tend their farms? particularly at this phase.” the call to the man, and find out if he was throughout the district. available. To his credit, perhaps he may The call inviting him for a meeting at point out that since the last out- Office of the President found Dr Kereng break of CBPP 25 years back, there Masupu at his smallholding just outside Mo- has not been another occurrence. chudi where he is known to be one of the A former colleague who major producers of different crops such as worked under Masupu at the De- butternut, cabbage, and lablab. partment of Animal Health says he One of the country’s foremost epidemi- is a scientist to his fingertips who ologists, Masupu politely declines to discuss pays attention to the minutest de- the intimate details of the meeting at OP, tail. He says because the man has except that he was briefed on the Covid-19 a huge capacity for work (an early status at the time, and that government was riser and a late sleeper), he can be putting together a Covid-19 Task Force. a hard task master. But methodical, Then came the cut to the chase. he is. He was asked to be the coordinator of The former colleague, who the task force. In his wry humour, he re- later veered off veterinary science calls the offer being presented as a question and is now a deputy permanent whether he still had the energy to do this secretary in one ministry, recalls an DEBSWANA’S SUPPORT kind of work. He did not ask to be given incident in 1988 when a young Dr time to think about it because all around Masupu was a livestock officer in TO COMMUNITIES AND THE him he could see that the country was hur- Serowe. An elderly man was inex- Jwaneng Mine Hospital doctor, tling towards a national health crisis. So no plicably bitten by his cat and died Dr Rachel Seleke, shows time to play Mr Hard-to-Get. at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital. NATIONAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUND traditional leaders the Isolation Centre. “I said since it was a call to national duty, It was a mystery because the I would do it,” he tells me over the phone. cat had never shown any violent I have asked for a few minutes during tendencies towards people. The The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had an unprecedented his lunch break to fill in a few details to the pathologist at Nyangabgwe re- impact on the entire global community and the diamond industry, of which Debswana is a significant stakeholder, has suffered greatly from the inability to sustain sales due outline I have put together from talking to fused to do a post-mortem on the to global movement restrictions implemented as an infection spread response people who know him – former colleagues, corpse because he said he was not measure. friends, clients…… they come in all shades well-versed in animal diseases. So – and the conversation goes for much lon- Masupu asked to remove a brain As part of these world-wide interventions, the Government of the Republic of Botswana ger than we had planned. Not once do I pick smear from the man’s head and (GRB) has also effected a number of swift interventions to prevent and manage the spread of the virus. These include a request by His Excellency the President of the a sense of irritation or edginess. sent it to the veterinary lab for test. Republic of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi for the private sector to contribute In the best of times, the interview would The result showed that the man towards the national COVID-19 Relief Fund, whose primary objective is to cushion the have been face to face, possibly over a cup had died from rabies, which he had impact of the pandemic on the cross-section of Botswana’s economy and communities. Self contained porta cabins provided as of tea. But these are not the best of times. contracted from the cat. accommodation for health workers In fact, we could be in the worst of times. “So we vaccinated all the ani- A novel virus is whizzing across the world mals in the area for rabies,” the Since the spread of the pandemic escalated, Debswana has committed resources to changing life as we used to know it, deci- former subordinate says. “That’s provide financial and in-kind support towards corresponding relief efforts, these also mating populations, bringing national econ- how persistent and methodical he being in line with the Company’s Corporate Social Investment programme’s focus area omies to their knees, and spreading fear, can be.” of SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES. The Company has so far spent P14 million on the anxiety and uncertainty. This is the time of When he left NACA, then be- pandemic preparedness of our hospitals and operations, as well as support to communities. Over the next few weeks Debswana will contribute a further P10 million social distancing, and WFH (working from gan a period of wanderlust as his towards national relief efforts and community support. home), and conversations are done elec- services were enlisted by the gov- tronically. ernments of Zambia (one year), In formulating its contributions Debswana has taken the Masupu’s professional training in vet- Namibia (three years), Nigeria and following aspects into consideration: erinary medicine. He is an alumnus of two South Africa (six months each) to universities in the United States, Tuskegee set up HIV/AIDS intervention 1. The current interventions are focused on Prevention and Response, albeit with University (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) strategies. He later became the plans already developed for the pandemic Recovery phases. Assistant Minister of Health and University of California (Master of founding Executive Director of 2. Communities within our mines’ environs are a particular focus area due to their checks OLDM hospital readiness Preventative Veterinary Medicine). Hav- Champions for an HIV-Free Gen- resource constraints to respond to the pandemic, relative to urban areas of the country. ing spent his early professional years at the eration, a group of former presi- ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT 3. Debswana runs two district referral hospitals which are already at the core of the Ministry of Agriculture, his career focus was dents and other influential person- Boteti and Jwaneng-Mabutsane sub- district’s response to the pandemic. With an additional contribution of P10 million the Company will continue to support changed by another pandemic that – in the alities which was launched in 2008 4. Debswana is a member of the Joint (Government and Debswana) District Disaster interventions at both impact communities and national levels. words of Botswana’s president at the time, by President Mogae to mobilise Management Committees through which the Company implements its Emergency Festus Mogae, in one of his most symbolic high-level leadership in response to Response Preparedness Plans in the event of any crisis. Both sub-districts’ clinics Debswana will commit the P10 million as follows: speeches – threatened the country with ex- HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. are experiencing significant shortages of resources, such as front-line personnel protective equipment (PPE), for which requests for support have been submitted to tinction, HIV/AIDS. When he was appointed to the a) P5 million for the production of 250,000 re-usable masks and distribution to the Company’s respective operations. So when Mogae’s administration es- Covid-19 Task Force in mid-March, front-line workers such as the Police and Military; as well as Government essential 5. Lack of access to remote learning due to limited or no internet connectivity, as well tablished the National AIDS Coordinating Botswana had not recorded its first workers and communities around our Mines. The masks will be made by as a lack of access to broadcast media (radio and TV) for students in all of these pre-existing tailors in Botswana and around our communities, thus stimulating Agency (NACA) to address the HIV/AIDS case. What he calls the “baptismal outlying communities. pandemic, it was deemed that Masupu’s epi- case” came during his first week on economic activity such as local production, import substitution and socio-economic development during this time of economic downturn. demiological expertise was needed more in the job. We are now sitting at 22 Since the previous month, Debswana has been proactively engaging stakeholders in our b) P3 million to purchase food packages, provide water and various supplies the new battle front. confirmed cases, one death, zero immediate impact communities, as well as at national level, such as the District Disaster requested by communities around Orapa and Jwaneng. That was after two years fighting an- recovery, and 5 023 tests. Management Committees (DDMC), District Health Management Teams, National c) P1.3 million to support education programmes around the communities in Orapa Emergency Operation Centre, Ministry of Health and Wellness, community leadership, other fast-moving epidemic that, like the At the National Emergency and Jwaneng. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders, to work on prevention current coronavirus, threatened livelihoods, Command Centre in Gaborone, d) P700, OOO to augment costs for medical Personnel Protective Equipment being and response initiatives. The Company conducted risk assessments from which an and called for drastic measures. Only that where he turns up at 6am each purchased by the Anglo Foundation for 24 clinics in the 200 kilometer radius around inventory of its resources and assets that can be mobilised was formulated. was a livestock disease. morning and often only retired our Mines. e) Technical support in the form of Emergency Preparedness training. In 1995, Contagious Bovine Pleuroneu- for the day at 10pm, he leads a COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS FOR ALL DEBSWANA monia (CBPP), which affects the lungs of closely-knit team of distinguished OPERATIONS AND IMPACT COMMUNITIES cattle and buffalo, was noticed in one farm- professionals who bring different With regard to Debswana’s employees and contractors we have ensured and continue to further consolidate the following; er’s kraal in Xhaudumo Valley, on the edge skills – from the security cluster, to Debswana has to date spent P14 million to prepare its operations and hospitals to fight the pandemic. of the Okavango Delta. It quickly spread. medicine, epidemiology, communi- 1. Purchased disposable masks, sanitisers and gloves for Debswana’s 12,000 Masupu was dispatched to head a national cation, and IT. employees and contractors who work at our operations. This consisted of procuring related medical supplies, PPE, testing equipment, converting task team to contain the disease. The same structure has been 2. In the next few weeks, spend P480,000 for the production of re-usable masks for some of its accommodation facilities into isolation centres, as well as pandemic all employees and contractors. He draws a parallel between CBPP and replicated in all the districts. At educational materials and communication platforms. Of this figure P7,682,758 was spent 3. Provision of daily medical screening to employees and contractors (currently Covid-19. For one, just like CBPP, Covid-19 that level, the structure is a Dis- on local suppliers. In addition, Debswana’s mine hospitals also serve as district referral only essential services and skeleton staff are working). is highly contagious and if not contained trict Command Centre. The dis- hospitals in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and have to be 4. Providing daily COVID-19 educational messages and advice to employees via through restricted movement of carriers, it trict structures present situational adequately prepared. SMS and email. can spread very fast and spiral out of con- reports to the National Emergency 5. Provision of a toll-free number with 24-hour for communication and wellness Other funds and efforts were spent on: trol. Command Centre every day. support services for employees. “The dynamic of how this virus spreads, Having fought to contain both 6. Our crisis management teams have put in place robust plans for post lockdown 1. Re-allocation and streamlining of hospital services at both Jwaneng and Orapa and the importance of contact tracing make livestock and human diseases, I ask re-entry to our operations that will ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety towards COVID-19 treatment and patient care. protocols. it very similar to CBPP,” he says. Masupu which is easier to control. 2. Availing funds, facilities and Company employees to assist the District Health To illustrate the importance of restrict- “None is easier,” he answers. Management Teams. The Acting Managing Director, Ms. Lynette Armstrong had confirmed that; “Debswana ed movement in the current case, he makes “In both instances you deal with 3. Enabling Government to convert some district clinics into COVID-19 treatment remains committed to play its part in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Our the point that when CBPP was first noticed human beings. To control a disease centres. efforts in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 extend way beyond this pledge. Through 4. Re-deployment of mine hospitals’ ambulances to support wider healthcare efforts in Xhaudumo, the red zone only extended you need the buy-in of the people, our existing and long-term socio-economic development, Corporate Social Investment around the communities: Jwaneng (two ambulances) and Orapa (one ambulance). around the valley. But because some farmers who in the case of livestock epi- programme, Citizen Economic Empowerment programmes and our Debswana Values, we 5. Provision of water and sanitisers to the Company’s impact communities. who did not agree with the measures sug- demics are the livestock owners will ensure the continued support in the best way possible even post the COVID-19 6. A cash donation to the Boteti DDMC to purchase masks, gloves and other medical gested to contain the disease smuggled their and caretakers. And in both in- crisis.” supplies. cattle out of the red zone, the disease soon stances, your success depends on 7. Provision of self contained porta cabins for a period of six months to be used by a spread to Shakawe, and ultimately the entire the degree to which the population clinic in Jwaneng and Mabutsane to house health personnel (eight rooms in district. abides by the measures that are Jwaneng and sixteen rooms in Mabutsane). “Eventually, the entire Ngamiland be- meant to contain the epidemic.” came a red zone and we had to kill all the Already, there is talk that post April 26 - 2 May, 2020

BusinessAnalysis | Markets | News April 26 - 2 May, 2020 What does Global Oil prices fall mean for Botswana?

WHAT IT MEANS SO FAR: The oil price crash is now upending the global economy, with ramifications for every country in the world including Botswana

VICTOR BAATWENG depending on whether a country is a exports are also currently under surpluses. likely lead to a drop in local pump rate has been constant since a slight demand in general”. net oil-importer or net oil-exporter. pressure”. On top of the trade shortfall, prices. Transport is 23% of the uptick from November’s 2.1 percent Global markets figures show that ovid-19 pandemic aside, In Botswana local financial Officials balance of trade figures Botswana is expected to run budget inflation basket and hence low or rate - the lowest annual inflation rate oil sold for over $60 a barrel at the the plummeting price of analyst - Kwabena Antwi says the as shared by the state-owned statistics deficits in the next two financial years, disinflationary pressure within this since 1975. The highest inflation beginning of the year but went as oil is the biggest energy drop in prices should be positive for agency – Statistics Botswana shows and given the latest developments, component will keep overall inflation rate recorded in Botswana was 16.4 low as $20 by Friday last week. The story in the world right the domestic economy. that the country ended 2019 with a experts warn that the deficits will muted”, says Kitwe. percent in 1981. decline has been attributed mainly to now. Antwi works as Capital cumulative trade balance deficit of widen in size and affect some of The most recently available Meanwhile Kitwe says the third a supply glut caused by OPEC+ after Apart from answering the Investment Analyst at local asset P14.3 billion, the second highest government’s planned interventions Consumer Price Index (CPI), which positive outcome of low oil prices they failed to agree a deal in March Cquestion onwhy price of oil keep management firm – Kgori Capital since 2012’s trade deficit of P16.3 to stimulate the economy. measures the change in prices, for Botswana is that consumers 2020, as well as an expected decline falling, analysts throughout the globe based in the capital Gaborone. billion. The country’s huge deficit has Despite this fear from some shows that inflation rate for March will spend less on fuel, “which will in demand as a consequence of social are busy explaining how this Oil price He explains that the global oil put an abrupt end to what has been sectors, Kitwe says another positive 2020 remained at 2.2 percent, the mean they have more money to distancing restrictions implemented fluctuations are affecting economies. prices drop will reduce Botswana’s an impressive recovery, marked by from the oil price fall is low inflation. same rate which has prevailed since spend elsewhere. This will positively by many countries across the globe The effects, analysts say, is different import bill, “which is welcome as five straight years of trade balance “A drop in oil prices will most December 2019. The 2.2 percent affect other industries and aggregate to combat the spread of COVID-19. De Beers reduces 2020 production due to Covid-19

PORTIA NKANI with the company’s focus on safety March 31st, overall rough diamond increased by six prevent to 0.5milion reflected through appropriate health, production by De Beers was in line carats owing to planned higher grade The world’s leading diamond hygiene and distancing measures. with the prior year at 7.8million carats, at the marine operations. In Canada, producers De Beers Group, owned Anglo American Chief Executive, with limited impact from Covid-19 diamond production rolled down by Anglo American and the Botswana Mark Cutifani, said, “we are also measures introduced at the end of by 19 percent primarily due to the Government has since reduced its implementing a number of cash the quarter in producer countries. closure of the Victor mine, which production guidance for 2020 in improvement measures, including However, unlike in other reached the end of its lifespan last line with anticipated demand by operating cost reductions of at least jurisdictions, in its Botswana year. seven million carats to 25-27 million $0.5 billion and an approximately $1.0 operations, production decreased Rough diamond sales totalled 8.9 carats, with lower volumes at all its billion reduction to our 2020 capital by five percent to 5.6million carats million carats from two sale cycles operations. expenditure guidance. This further driven by a seven percent decrease during this first quarter before the According to De Beers through builds on our already robust current at the Orapa diamond mine, while next cycles were suspended owing its parent company, Anglo American, liquidity position of $14.5 billion. We production at Jwaneng fell four to Covid-19 pandemic. This was late this past Thursday, lockdown are acting to protect our optionality percent owing to planned lower an increase compared with the first measures have significantly impacted through this uncertain period and will grade. quarter of 2019. diamond production in southern continue to act in the best interests South Africa diamond production Anglo American has indicated Africa, manufacturing in India and of our shareholders, our employees, increased by 97 percent to 0.8million that the prevailing measures to retail operations in the United States, customers and our broad range of carats as the final ore from the deal with Covid-19 and economic while consumer demand has returned stakeholders across society.” Vanetia Mine opencast is mined uncertaininty are likely to result in to the Chinese market. Meanwhile, in its first quarter prior to transitioning to underground delays to both project approvals and Most of the sites around the production report late this past mining. commissioning of certain in progress world are continuing to operate, week again, for the three months to Rough diamonds In Namibia, diamond production projects. April 26 - 2 May, 2020 Business 13 Turnstar Holdings blames financials delays on Covid 19

GameCity Mall

VICTOR BAATWENG In response to newly April – 30th April 2020, to curb 20189. This translated in to an registered cases of the global the spread of the COVID-19 increase of 6.57 percent over otswana Stock coronavirus pandemic in virus, our auditors have been the corresponding prior half Exchange quoted Botswana by late March 2020, unable to complete the annual year. Still during that period, the property outfit – President Mokgweetsi Masisi, audit. The audit was ongoing group’s expenses increased by Turnstar Holdings declared a state of emergency when the lockdown came 6.18 percent to P58.3 million. has said that it also placing the country on into effect”, reads part of the Turnstar’s property will miss the deadline date for lockdown for 28 days from April Turnstar statement. portfolio include amongst Bpublishing its Audited Financial 2. The statement further stated other Game City shopping Statements for the year ended Movement of citizens that the Group’s Audited Annual Centre in the capital Gaborone, 31st January 2020. away from their home has Financial Statements for the year Nzano Shopping Centre, in In a statement issued to the since been restricted to those ended 31 January 2020, will be Francistown, Fairgrounds Office capital markets on Wednesday, performing essential services published on or before the 31 Park, Mogoditshane, Supa Save 21 Day Public Notice Turnstar said that the Audited and transporting essential goods May 2020. Mall, Turnstar House, Main Financial Statements which are and are issued government travel In late 2019 the group Mall, offices in Commerce Park, due to be published by the 30th permits. reported that it had recorded Mogoditshane Flats, Hyundai April 2020 will be delayed due to “Due to the Government revenue of P134 million for Warehouse, Tapologo Estates, as ongoing national lockdown. imposed lockdown, effective 3rd the half year period – 31 July well as Mlimani city in Tanzania.

Introduction - Acceptance of China Union Pay After a damper year, Botswana Credit and Debit Cards on ATMs and POS Banks face bleak year Please be advised that Stanbic Bank will be introducing the acceptance of China Union Pay branded Credit SUNDAY STANDARD net income, despite another on a high note. The bank assets the digital channels, a decision REPORTER bank rate cut to 5.5 percent. In grew to P99.1 billion in January, which is likely to lower non- and Debit Cards on Point of Sale (POS) and Auto Teller addition, the banking industry up from last year’s P98.7 interest income. Botswana’s banking sector, saw a surge in bad debts due to billion, with growth coming The central bank has also Machines (ATMs). largely seen as resilient and at the closure of the BCL mines, from increase in loans extended taken measures to support most, lucrative, showed signs of estimated to have wiped more by the banks in the first month banks during challenging cracks last year after a historic than 6,000 jobs. of the year, according to BoB’s period, like increasing liquidity 2018, and growing concerns The loan impairments were financial statistics for January. by allowing banks to hold less For more information contact Customer Care Center at that current developments this more significant in 2017 and Though data for February reserves with the central bank, year might widen the cracks. coupled with the reduction of and March might still reflect and also making it cheaper for +267 3987801. The expectation was high the bank rate to 5 percent, the positive sentiments in the the banks to borrow, while that Botswana’s ten commercial banks’ net income slipped to banking industry, the impact of waiving some regulations to banks will cross 2019 as P1.2 billion. In response, the Covid-19, the disease caused by allow banks to restructure another record year of earnings banks tightened credit lending coronavirus, started to afflict loans, including loosening following the P2 billion net policies, avoiding risky sectors, the country’s economy in early restrictions on how banks income recorded in 2018, the also increasing banking fees and March, and measures later assess non-performing loans highest bank earnings in the charges, propelling banks to the put in by the government to and determination of expected history of the country. It was historic P2 billion cumulative tame the spread of the virus credit losses. a remarkable comeback for an profits. in April, including restricting Still, there are whispers that industry whose profitability was The following year, it movements, thus affecting the central bank is likely to hampered in 2013 after Bank appeared banks were headed consumer spending and trade, slash the bank rate next week of Botswana (BoB) imposed for another historic year, will certainly have a negative during its scheduled Monetary a moratorium on banking fees with the first half of 2019’s effect on the banking industry. Policy Committee (MPC) and charges, ending consecutive net income outperforming Besides the lockdown meeting on April 30, following years of rising profits, and 2018’s corresponding period. imposed by the government, in steps of other central banks’ beginning a steep decline that However, in the second half the commercial lenders, at the response to the havoc caused only came to an end in 2018. of the year, the central bank insistence of government, by coronavirus. However, Bank profits fell from 2013’s reduced the banking rate made some concessions, financial industry insiders have P1.7 billion, touching new lows to 4.75 percent, while loan including loan repayments warned that cutting the bank of P1 billion in 2015, also on impairments also soared, holidays that will run for up to rate will do more harm to banks the back of the bank rate that resulting in total net income of three months to selected clients. as it will lower interest income was reduced from 7.5 percent P1.7 billion - the third highest To reduce traffic at brick and during a time when some loan to 6 percent. Profitability after the 2018 and 2013 net mortar branches, banks have repayments are suspended, and started improving in 2016 incomes. urged their customers to use will also affect other investment following the suspension of A resurgence this year is digital channels, as most banks institutions that have invested in the moratorium, resulting in highly unlikely even though offer incentives such as reduced money markets, thus reducing an increase of P1.4 billion in commercial banks began 2020 banking fees and charges on valuations. 14 Business April 26 - 2 May, 2020 Stalling the inevitable, mounting job losses on the horizon

BONNIE MODIAKGOTLA known for its high value diamonds to companies to remain afloat, parliament that 6,314 jobs were and picturesque safaris, unravelled protecting jobs. lost between 2014 and 2018 when s the lethal coronavirus plans to inject P2 billion to keep the With a cure for the disease yet to 155 companies retrenched workers. continues to ravage the economy engine humming, geared be found, and infections still rising, However, Balopi’s figure was world, infecting millions at supporting affected businesses there is no clear indication when the quickly dismissed by legislators, and killing hundreds of through various concessions and measures imposed by the government who questioned the accuracy of the thousands of people, subsidies, with the government will be lifted. But what has become numbers given past events in which measures put in place by various shouldering much of the economic clear is, the government can only seek massive job losses were reported, Acountries to impede the spread of the costs. to stall the loss of jobs for the next citing the closure of BCL mines in virus have slowed economic activities. President Mokgweetsi Masisi in six months, but what happens after 2016, estimated to have shed over For countries like Botswana, some April, the month that marked the that will be a bloodbath of massive 6,000 jobs on its own. of the interventions to limit the second year of his presidency, took job losses, as businesses count their Statistics Botswana’s most recent economic damage can only hold on an extraordinary measure, imposing losses, while still facing the challenges available labour market data, the for so long, delaying the inevitable job a state of emergency(SOE) which that existed prior to the Covid-19 quarterly labour force survey results losses. was ratified by parliament after a pandemic. for July to September 2019, show an Before Covid-19, the disease protracted debate, allowing the SOE In the last two years, the unemployment rate of 20.7 percent caused by coronavirus, became to run for six months. Reasons Commissioner of Labour and Social for that quarter. The government a global pandemic, Botswana’s advanced by President Masisi was that security was already inundated with data agency estimates the official narrow economic base dependent the fight against the virus required companies seeking approval for unemployment rate at 17.6 percent, on diamonds for over four decades certain provisions that can only retrenchments, citing the tough but added that if you include the was already facing its own pressures; be implemented using presidential operating environment. From April discouraged job seekers in the widening budget deficits, rising emergency powers. 2018 to January 2019, 30 companies calculations, the unemployment rate unemployment figures and the Now known as the Covid-19 retrenched 399 workers, with the could be as high as 33.5 percent. increasing inequality gap. Emergency Powers, the president fledgling manufacturing industry The International Labour In fact, earlier this year when the has used his sweeping powers to emerging as the hardest hit, bleeding Organisation (ILO) has placed virus started gaining trajectory, the bar companies from retrenching or about 212 jobs. Botswana in the top ten of countries country’s finance authorities proposed dismissing workers during the course Three months later, Employment, in the world with the worst youth an economic transformation agenda, of the SOE. Instead, the Masisi Labour Productivity and Skills unemployment rate. The organisation promising an economy that will be administration advised companies Development ministry said it received which defines labour as any work weaned off diamonds, with a leaner in distress to apply for part of the to retrench has now shrunk to 23 to allow the employer and employee the same terms as existed before. further intentions to retrench from carried out by any economic active and efficient government that will P2 billion relief package. Even still, companies. to engage and conclude on how to Already, more than 5,000 over 100 companies. It is not clear person aged between 15 and 24 slash wasteful expenditure, and allow businesses that cannot withstand the Kabelo Ebineng, the permanent separate. businesses have applied for the wage how many of those companies years says with Botswana’s youth the private sector to take a central role pressure of the slowed economic secretary at Employment, Labour “What is outlawed is dismissal, or subsidy offered by the government went ahead and retrenched as the unemployment rate at 37.1 percent, in driving the economy. activities, can close down but should Productivity and Skills Development, a retrenchment on the basis of and under Botswana Unified Revenue government does not publicly publish the country falls in the tenth Hardly a month after the lofty not retrench employees during the six said there are ongoing discussions during the state of emergency,” he Services, in which the tax collector will this information. position of countries hard hit by ambitions, the severity of the virus months period. with companies to agree on employee said in a media address last week. assess application by the companies, Botswana has been grappling unemployment. reverberated across the world, forcing In the most apparent sign to date retention strategies, further discussing “The effect of this would be for and offer wage subsidies from P1,000 with the increasing unemployment Economists and other experts countries to impose tough restrictions of how the lockdown imposed by the how wages can be structured, ranging both parties to agree to suspend their to a maximum of P2,500. roll, which was exacerbated by the agree that after the coronavirus aimed at curtailing the spread of the government has affected businesses, from full pay, half or quarter pay, and employment contract on account The senior official said the 2008 financial crisis which affected pandemic, millions of jobs will be disease that has since infected over the Commissioner of Labour and even taking paid or unpaid leaves, that their contractual obligations government has since ratcheted up the country’s diamond sales, stalling lost and may never be recovered. 2 million and killed nearly 300,000 Social Security received notice of depending on certain facts. are frustrated by temporary the P2 billion Covid-19 fund to come planned government projects, thus Countries like Botswana which are people. In April 2, Botswana placed intention from 53 companies to “These facts may include, but circumstances, which neither of them up with a P5 billion package, which limiting job opportunities. Further resource dependent might bear the its nearly 2.4 million population under retrench. The number of affected not be limited to the financial status could foresee, and cannot control,” is 2.5 percent of the Botswana’s compounding the situation, the full brunt of it, with the economy a nationwide lockdown, restricting employees was not availed. However, of the business, and the packages on said Ebineng. almost P200 billion gross domestic country has been battered by a spate taking longer to recover as the movements and closing businesses in a flurry of behind the scenes offer by the Botswana Government,” He said under the circumstances, product(GDP). The billions will be of job losses. government emerges from one of considered non-essential. negotiations between companies and said Ebineng, who added that the parties could mutually agree to used in the coming months to provide Minister of Employment, Labour its biggest spending sprees, all in Fearing a possible economic government officials, the number regulation to bar employers from suspend their relationship, until things wage relief and other concessions Productivity and Skills Development, attempts to save the economy that fallout, the landlocked country best of companies that had planned dismissing workers during SOE is return to normal, and then resume on such as tax and cashflow support Mpho Balopi, in February told was already bleeding jobs.

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Lifestyle April 26 - 2 May, 2020 Love in the time of COVID-19 The coronavirus lockdown is the ultimate stress test for relationships, and may even lead to arguments and, later break-ups and divorces – WRITES MPHO KUHLMANN

housands of Batswana Kgomotso Jongman of are currently cooped Jo’Speaks in Gaborone says, up at home with their “There are families for whom partners, spending the quarantine will be a bonding more time than they experience, while for others have ever spent together in it will increase tension and Tyears or ever. This should be any make the atmosphere to be romantic spouse’s dream come more explosive. It’s even more true – an opportunity to spend upsetting when you bear in mind quality time and bond with you that home quarantine is part of bay. But alas! That is not always a situation at present that for the case. Cabin fever can drive a some of us can be threatening wedge even in the most loving – both financially and in terms relationship. of health. We’re very used to Life under lockdown transactional relationships with has altered the dynamics of our significant others, between many romantic relationships. careers and family life, we’re used Some couples in long-distance to the comings and goings, but relationships have chosen to now things are different. Those quickly move in together, while in a single life are used to having others have been forced to a choice between aloneness and isolate separately from their togetherness. Physical proximity partner. And these new living increases the risk of contagion arrangements are putting – not only in the case of the relationships through a stress test. coronavirus but also when it Dr Sethunya Mosime, comes to reactions to stress.” senior Sociology lecturer at the University Of Botswana says “A lot of people around the world right now are reflecting on their relationships, as they’re dealing with changes to daily life and work. Maybe you’re stuck at home together in home quarantine, or maybe you’re separated for several weeks at least. In either case, a global pandemic can put a lot of stress on a couple, especially if both of you react to it differently. Any issues that already existed before the virus panic can become in addition to being cooped distance relationship difficult quarters makes some people magnified. For example, if you’re up with their partners triggers and the singles are finding it feel trapped in a situation, already feeling irritated by the a negative impact on some difficult to meet new people. which can trigger anxiety and division of labour in the home, relationships while others will Some couples forced to stay defensive responses. Individuals or who earns more money, these thrive and become stronger. in isolation have since realised automatically react emotionally issues can become heightened. A love-lockdown experience, that they’re not right for each when they experience anxiety, Times like these are the ultimate particularly where there are other. A realisation which, which can transfer to their stress tests for relationships, underlying issues of resentment doesn’t make those days in partner(s) feeding into their and they may even lead to more and poor communication, lockdown fly by any faster. In own anxiety. To a degree, rising arguments and, later, divorces. could be devastating for most fact, isolating together brings tensions within relationships Crisis often brings out the best relationships. Relationships its own stresses. In the current aren’t necessarily surprising. in people, but it can bring out usually dependent on quality situation we are losing our Global pandemics are the worst in people too.” time and physical touch boundaries. People isolating inevitably high-stress times. All the coronavirus bad have now been reduced to with their partners are probably But for those couples who are news and the lockdown can relationships through digital not used to the amount of more resilient, or at least are be an emotional amplifier and screens – a change sans choice, time they are now spending better in communicating about many romantic relationships will and barely any warning. together. As people’s romantic their concerns and anxieties, be weakened or strained. Young couples who don’t lives, work lives, and domestic there may be a silver lining to A couple’s collective live together are finding this lives begin to pile on top of COVID-19. Even at the darkest anxieties, worries and stresses enforced and sudden long- each other, the extreme close moments of

Coronavirus being spread through adopted cultural practices It is late to wean Batswana away called Culture Botswana 2.0 as it is today. Then you would out in the open and more than from western cultural practices quotes Tjako Mpulubusi, a never hear a Motswana say adequately ventilated. In one because the British colonialists former Director of the National “Wow!” Today hugging is respect, this social distancing did a more than thorough job Museum and Art Gallery, as like COVID-19 – it’s all over. helped control the spread of of getting them to discard their saying that Khama III (Seretse’s Hugging in Botswana became infectious diseases. way of life. Interestingly though, grandfather and Tshekedi’s commonplace in the early 2000s Then Batswana became if Batswana had not adopted father), detested handshaking and there is actually a 2005 “civilized”, meaning they certain cultural practices from because he associated it with newspaper article that recorded adopted western culture. More the west, they would now be drinking alcohol – which he also this historic development. than a century later, a highly able to deny COVID-19 at least detested. During Khama III’s Kissing: When the unusual disease (the British four channels through which it is time, the only people who were Portuguese passed through government believes it is a bio- transmitted. shaking hands were white men Botswana in the 1500s, when the engineered super weapon and Handshaking: The work in Gammangwato. They walked Scandinavians passed through the CIA is investigating) called of Dr. Neil Parsons, a British around with bags and after Gammangwato in the early COVID-19 has come out of scholar who has taught at the greeting each other by shaking 1800s and when the British China. The COVID-19 public University of Botswana, shows hands, would take out bottles visited to stay in the late 1800s, service announcements say that that handshaking was alien to containing alcohol and start no Batswana had their tongues in order to prevent the spread at least one Tswana tribe (by drinking. locked around each other’s or of this pandemic, people should extrapolation to all) until 1956 Culture Botswana 2.0 were pecking their children on neither shake hands, hug nor when Seretse Khama returned says that the equivalent of a the cheek when they left home kiss and should also distance home from exile in Britain. The handshake greeting in Setswana to let cattle out to pasture. To themselves socially from others, future founding president of culture is of someone getting recontextualise what President including family members. That Botswana had fallen out with down on one knee a little way Mokgweetsi Masisi said last PSA describes pre-colonial his uncle, Tshekedi Khama, and from the hosts and exchanging month, these people didn’t die culture. a kgotla meeting in Serowe, greetings from that distance – because they were not kissing. In fairness to the historical recoiled in horror when it much like what happens when a Shared accommodation: In record, most Batswana have suggested that the two men delegation from a groom’s family pre-colonial society, housing historically never bothered to should shake hands to prove calls at the homestead of a bride accommodation was not shared cover their coughs and sneezes that they had really reconciled. to ask for the latter’s hand in as is the case today. Parents, pre- (and some still don’t) but at least Parson writes that Bangwato marriage. pubescent, pubescent and post- they had four cultural practices men at the kgotla said that Hugging: Believe it or not pubescent children as well as through which they could hand-shaking was an “alien” but at the turn of the century, same-age and other relatives had have mitigated the spread of tradition. An online publication hugging was not as commonplace their own huts. The kitchen was COVID-19. April 26 - 2 May, 2020

Sports Analysis | News | Results April 26 - 2 May, 2020 Botswana Hunger stalks Premier League players Chess blitzes through COVID-19 Lockdown

ORATILE OTSETSWE

Coronavirus may have brought almost all sporting activities to a standstill, but for chess, the game continues. With no end in sight for the current lockdown and no social gatherings envisaged for a long time, local chess has found a way to circumvent the lockdown. Online chess tournaments! According to Botswana Chess Federation (BCF) public relations officer Kutlwano Tatolo, a series of online tournament featuring local players are currently ongoing. The tournaments are played through the LiChess application platform, which she says is free to download. The BCF PRO says local chess players have rallied to compete against each other on the online tournaments, with at least 107 players currently competing. “The federation thought having chess tournaments every weekend was a lot, now people are playing chess every day. The commitment is remarkable,” the BCF PRO says. She says players from various regions in the country have embraced the idea of the online tournament. Tatolo says they have players from regions such as Maun, Nkange, Masunga, Mochudi and Charles Hill, just to name but a few, actively competing. She says the tournaments offer a platform for both elders and youth players with free entry to play. Prisons player “After the lockdown, BCF will have improved players. I am appealing GODFREY MOWANENG for social distancing. When the rest of and their efforts to reach management does not answer our calls.” got our slashed salaries this week that they had consulted their players to other sporting codes to explore the country went into panic buying, continues to hit a snag. Some of them Prisons XI management could without proper communication. It through mobile communication and digital arenas where possible,” she otswana Premier League the broke footballers were watching are not Botswana Prison Services not be reached for comment as their was communicated through mobile everyone at the club was receptive advices. players, most of whom from the side-lines because they were (BPS) officers and only earn a living phones rang unanswered at the time phones just a few days before pay day and appreciated the developments. In order to be part of the chess are one pay-check way not paid their March salaries. from football,’’ a source told Sunday of going to press. that our salaries have been reduced by “We dealt with every individual. All movement the players need to have from poverty are facing Prisons XI top brass has allegedly Standard. Morupule Wanderers players 25% and we were not given a platform players have individual contracts and access or download the lichess hunger and starvation as rebuffed players’ call for assistance are One player opting for anonymity are also having to tighten their belts to respond. We are aware that there it should be understood that we will application and create user accounts. “The online platforms would help to their monthly earnings dry up. some players currently do not have in fear of victimisation said “it is so and get by on a shoe string budget are challenges but I believe that there keep assisting them even beyond their keep people engaged and curb issues BSunday Standard has established food and face possible starvation. bad that I do not have food in the because their wages have been slashed should be considerations before contracts ending as some are due in that may come with people sitting idle that scores of Prisons XI players are “It is really bad for Prisons house. I rely on football to put food by a quarter without their consent. taking unilateral decisions,’’ one player June 2020. We do not know where having nothing to do,” notes Tatolo. now living on hand-outs because they players as they only got their salaries on the table. Management is ignoring With most of the players earning an said. this scourge is heading but we hope Tatolo says the tournament, end of February. Nothing has been us and we have tried by all means to average P 4 000, their earnings have Morupule Wanderers Patron Tom to continue working together during received their last monthly wages end which is organised by International communicated to them since then engage with the club captain but he shrunk by P1000 on average. “We Mongale however told Sunday Standard these trying times,’’ said Mongale. of February before government called Arbiter (IA) and Organiser (IO) Vincent Masole takes place every day between 8pm and 10pm. For his part the tournament organiser, Masole says on any other COVID-19 rocks BFA foundation day the tournament is open to all players around the world. He says the DUNCAN KGANGKENNA control. Should the BFA activities their supporters riddle the elections goal of online chess tournaments is extend past the normal season break, with personal attacks, making for an to provide a safe environment where The Coronavirus pandemic seem which usually encompasses the interesting spectacle. chess players can compete and enjoy set to rock the Botswana Football August date, Letina says elections For the upcoming elections, a the games. Association (BFA) to its foundation would take place in between the rematch is on the cards with the To ensure fair play, Masole – literally. activities. incumbent BFA president Maclean says participants in the online BFA leadership was this week “BFA elections are not tied to Letshwiti taking on his predecessor tournaments have to adhere to the hoping for the best and preparing the season. They are a constitutional Tebogo Sebego. LiChess anti-cheating measures. He for the worst that the football requirement that occurs on its given In their last elections duel, which says any player caught cheating during association’s founding document – time. If the mandate of the other Letshwiti won, the election had to go the tournament is banned from The Constitution – would trump the leadership elapses there has to be for the second round to determine participating in future tournaments. coronavirus and that the BFA elective elections to usher in a new regime to the ultimate winner as none managed Meanwhile, BCF organised congress scheduled for August will run the association,” he said. to pass the 70% mark needed to win an exclusively local online chess go ahead as planned. There are however rumours in the as per the BFA elections act. tournament this past Saturday 25th The chairperson of the Botswana BFA corridors that some members In the first round both Letshwiti April. The tournament was strictly for citizens and residents of Botswana Football Association (BFA) electoral are running around football regions and Sebego polled less than 70% only. The tournament, aptly dubbed committee chairperson Moemedi lobbying for a postponement of hence they had to go for the second Botswana Lockdown Blitz, sees local Letina optimistic that the elective elections to December. round to determine the winner. players take on each other through a congress will go ahead as scheduled. Latina said those members While a call for nominations is yet to LiChess application platform. Sunday do not have a mandate to seek come, clandestine campaigns for the In an interview with the The BCF sponsored exclusively the postponement of the BFA BFA positions are underway with two Standard, Letina said the elections local chess tournament to a tune of would go ahead as scheduled on the congress. “Maybe they want to factions, led by both Letshwiti and P2 500, with the whole amount being 8th August 2020. stand, and they want more time Sebego seemingly prominent. prize monies. According to the BCF, “It is in the constitution that to prepare, but the BFA elections According to the BFA electoral the tournament was played in two elections should be staged by the are the sole responsibility of the committee chairperson, the categories, the Open section and the second week of August every four electoral committee.” Contacted for committee is expecting to open for ladies’ section. years. We have scheduled elections comment, BFA Chief Executive nomination in June. He says after Masole says while the tournament and we are optimistic if COVID-19 Officer (CEO), Mfolo Mfolo would the nominations, they will follow the is on digital platforms, there are does not disrupt them, they will go not commit to the allegations that the process of vetting candidates looking rules and regulations in place which ahead,” he explained. BFA leadership want the elections at the elections guidelines before all players must adhere to, to avoid Letina says the committee is aware postponed. committee must be respected,” elections process in accordance with Appeal committee (second instance announcing the candidates who will elimination from the tournament. that BFA activities are currently on “The elective General Mfolo said. According to article the electoral Act of the BFA. body). Due to their highly political be eligible to stand for elections. All players must take part in the hold and the suspension might end Assembly is the prerogative of 54 of the BFA constitution, the The electoral Act of the BFA nature, the BFA elections always Letina says during the process, tournament with their real and towards the end of the year, provided the electoral committee to decide. electoral committees oversee the consists of electoral committee attract huge interest among football those who would have shown interest official Lichess- ID or they will not the COVID-19 pandemic is under The independence of the electoral organising and supervising of the (first instance body) and Elections supporters. Lately, candidates and but do not qualify will be vetted out. be eligible for prize money.