DAILY

YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

THETHE SECOND FIRST MEETING MEETING OF THE O FSECOND THE FIFTH SESSION SESSION OF OF THETHE ELEVEN TWELFTHT HPARLIAMENT PARLIAMENT MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2020

ENGLISHMIXED VERSION VERSION HANSARDHANSARD NO: NO. 200 193

DISCLAIMER Uno cial Hansard This transcript of Parliamentary proceedings is an uno cial version of the Hansard and may contain inaccuracies. It is hereby published for general purposes only. The nal edited version of the Hansard will be published when available and can be obtained from the Assistant Clerk (Editorial). THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER The Hon. Phandu T. C. Skelemani PH, MP. DEPUTY SPEAKER The Hon. Mabuse M. Pule, MP. (Mochudi East)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Names Constituency

RULING PARTY (Botswana Democratic Party) Hon. L. Kablay, MP. (Government Whip) Letlhakeng-Lephephe Hon. Dr U. Dow, MP. Specially Elected Hon. M. R. Reatile, MP. Jwaneng-Mabutsane Hon. P. Majaga, MP. Nata-Gweta Hon. J. S. Brooks, MP. Kgalagadi South Hon. C. Greeff, MP. Gaborone Bonnington South Hon. T. Letsholo, MP. Kanye North Hon. T. F. Leuwe, MP. Takatokwane Hon. T. Mangwegape-Healy, MP. Gaborone Central Hon. S. N. Moabi, MP. Tati West Hon. T. Monnakgotla, MP. Kgalagadi North Hon. P. K. Motaosane, MP. Thamaga-Kumakwane Hon. O. Regoeng, MP. Molepolole North Hon. J. L. Thiite, MP. Ghanzi North OPPOSITION (Umbrella for Democratic Change) Hon. D. Saleshando, MP. (Leader of the Opposition) Maun West Hon. A. Lesaso, MP. (Acting Opposition Whip) Shoshong Hon. D. L. Keorapetse, MP. Selebi Phikwe West Hon. Y. Boko, MP Mahalapye East Hon. Dr K. Gobotswang, MP. Sefhare-Ramokgonami Hon. C. K. Hikuama, MP. Ngami Hon. K. K. Kapinga, MP Okavango Hon. G. Kekgonegile, MP. Maun East Hon. P. P. P. Moatlhodi, MP. Tonota Hon. T. B. Lucas, MP. Bobonong Hon. M. G. J. Motsamai, MP. Ghanzi South Hon. K. Nkawana, MP. Selebi Phikwe East Hon. O. Ramogapi, MP. Palapye Hon. Dr N. Tshabang, MP. Nkange Hon. D. Tshere, MP. Mahalapye West Hon. M. I. Moswaane, MP. Francistown West (Botswana Patriotic Front) Hon. T. S. Khama, MP. Serowe West Hon. L. Lesedi, MP. Serowe South Hon. B. Mathoothe, MP. Serowe North (Alliance for Progressives) Hon. W. B. Mmolotsi, MP. Francistown South TABLE OF CONTENTS THE FIRST MEETING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT MONDAY 23 NOVEMBER, 2020

CONTENTS PAGE (S)

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER...... 1-7

Response to the President’s Speech Motion (Resumed Debate)...... 8-34

Monday 23rd November, 2020 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

Monday 23rd November, 2020 development status of all farms in Botswana, including those on state and tribal land. The THE ASSEMBLY met at 2:00 p.m. conclusion of this exercise which is anticipated (THE SPEAKER in the Chair) during the next financial year will provide a more precise response to the question. P R A Y E R S (iii) Your advice on the introduction of tax on farms * * * * that are not in productive use for a specified period of time has been noted. It is something that my MR SPEAKER (MR SKELEMANI): Order! Order! ministry will consider in the future going forward. Honourable Members, good afternoon. May we start our business of today with questions. (iv) Mr Speaker, the creation of a buffer zone between the river and the commercial farms requires QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER negotiations with the farmers to expropriate TULI BLOCK FARMS some portions of the land for the stated activities, taking note that the middle of this river is the DR K. GOBOTSWANG (SEFHARE- international boundary we will also have to RAMOKGONAMI): Asked the Minister of Land engage our neighbour (Republic of South Africa) Management, Water and Sanitation Services to update on this issue. However, my ministry will soon this Honourable House on the status of Tuli Block embark on an exercise to negotiate for a servitude Farms and to state: or way leave along our international boundaries to facilitate opening up of patrol routes for security (i) the total number and ownership of farms per purposes. I thank you Mr Speaker. nationality; HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. (ii) how many farms are owned by absentee landlords, and how many of them are not in productive use; HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary.

(iii) whether he would consider introducing tax on DR GOBOTSWANG: Supplementary. Thank you Mr farms that are not in productive use for a specified Speaker, thank you Minister for your response. Clarify period of time; this Minister; I do not know if you are aware that in (iv) whether he would consider creating a buffer zone the past, there was a buffer from the river up to where between the commercial farms and Limpopo River the farms begin? Are you aware of that? What does to allow local communities access to the river for the international laws say about a buffer zone which is grazing, fishing, small scale riverbank irrigation between a road and a river? Make it clear Minister, I and tourism. think you mentioned that some of them are not in their original measurements. Can you confirm if that is true? MINISTER OF LAND MANAGEMENT, WATER If that is the case, what do you intend to do about them AND SANITATION SERVICES (MR MZWINILA): Thank you Mr Speaker. Minister? Thank you.

(i) Mr Speaker, Tuli Block has a total of 95 original MR MZWINILA: Thank you Mr Speaker. these farms freehold farms and out of these, 78 farms have were allocated in 1906, so I was not aware that there legal boundaries up to the middle of the Limpopo is a buffer zone because according to our records, River being our international boundary with South we realised that they were allocated in 1906 through Africa. The ownership of farms needs a thorough Proclamation No.13 of 1905. So we were not aware of investigation and verification, and the exercise is any buffer. work in progress. The second question asked whether they are in their (ii) Mr Speaker, for one to ascertain the absentee and original measurements as allocated in 1905? Yes, we productive use of freehold land, there is a need to believe they are in that condition, I also elaborated that conduct an intensive field investigation. Currently, we are still assessing to confirm whether they are still in there is an ongoing exercise to determine their original measurements. Thank you.

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HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. Machaneng are lacking space because of these farms. Thank you. MR LUCAS: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. Minister, these farms have been allocated up to almost MR MZWINILA: Thank you Mr Speaker. I believe half of the river so, it becomes a challenge for the police, this is a new question and I do not have an answer. BDF and others who patrol around the river or to the Thank you. borders. Do you not think it is important to contact the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security and deal with MR RAMOGAPI: Supplementary. Thank you Mr this issue as soon as possible? Speaker. Honourable Minister, I think the issue of buffer zone confuses you Honourable. Are you aware Secondly; these farms have been allocated up to the that your ministry once carried out a study to find out river simply because South Africans were scrambling whether farm owners increased their farms such that for water from Limpopo river. So, for Batswana to they reach the river since there is a buffer zone between access water from Limpopo river, they have to get the river and farms? They were able to produce results permission from these farms. The question is; when are from this study and presented them at Central District you intending to deal with the issue of monopolising Council (CDC), they wanted us to create tarred roads or shared water from Limpopo since this river also belongs roads in these farms. So Minister, I want you to closely to us as Batswana even though South Africans are investigate this issue and do not accept shallow answers. mostly benefiting from it? Thank you very much. Thank you Mr Speaker.

MR MZWINILA: Thank you Mr Speaker. I have MR MZWINILA: Thank you Mr Speaker. The already addressed the first question by highlighting Honourable Members know about that study but I do that, we are in the process of creating patrol routes not. We are in the process of carrying out research on within these farms, we are working with the Ministry of these farms. I think if there is a study, we will find facts. Defence, Justice and Security. Currently, I do not have knowledge of the information he has, I am only aware of what we know as the ministry. The second one is about usage of shared water; the Thank you. boarder has divided us in terms of shared water usage and this programme is monitored and managed HYBRID AND ORGANIC SEEDS through some agreements. We have an agreement with MR T. B. LUCAS (BOBONONG): asked the Minister South Africa through a programme called Limpopo of Agricultural Development and Food Security to state: Commission (LimCom). This programme clearly states the amount of water which we may each have. LimCom (i) the advantages and disadvantages of using hybrid is not meant for everyone, we follow the procedure. It is seeds as opposed to organic seeds in Botswana; managed through agreements as Government ministries (ii) the quantities and cost of hybrid seeds procured have licenses for accessing this water. So we have an outside Botswana in the last three financial years; agreement as opposed to how much water can be used by Batswana as well as how much can be used by South (iii) the quantities and value of hybrid seeds produced Africans. That is the agreement. Thank you. in Botswana in the last three years; and (iv) effort(s) made to produce organic seeds in HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. Botswana. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. ASSISTANT MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MS MANAKE): Good afternoon Mr Speaker. Good HONOURABLE MEMBER: Further supplementary. afternoon Honourable Members.

MR GREEFF: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I wish to first start by defining the distinction Minister, is it possible for your ministry to consider between hybrid seed and organic seed. buying one of these farms so it is used as a grazing area for Batswapong? I am saying this because if you (a) Hybrid is a first generation (F1) plant resulting look at Tswapong, areas like Ngwapa, Mokobeng and from a cross of two pure lines (genetically different

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parents) with different characters. Hybrids are Disadvantages homogenous meaning every plant is exactly similar to each other for a particular variety and • They are lower in yields uniform in characters. • Slow to mature

(b) Open Pollinated Variety, is made up of a • Low…(Inaudible)… sorghum ability population of plants of similar genetic make-up, which are generally heterozygous (have multiple Mr Speaker, as per the second part of the question, there parents with differing degree of similarity), and is a table which I can give to the Honourable Member heterogeneous (each plant differs from each other). because there is a lot of information on it to actually see, regarding the imports of seeds into Botswana. In short (c) Organic seed is grown in organic systems which from 2017, maize seed was P32 million and sorghum focus on soil and plant health, with natural seed was about P10 million. In 2018, maize seed was fertilisers and pest control. Therefore, open about P46 million and sorghum was about P12 million. pollinated and hybrids organic seeds can be In 2019, maize seeds went to about P57 million, while produced in an organic system and the resulting sorghum about P60 million. seed be classified as organic. Hybrid seeds production in Botswana started in Having said that I wish to outline the advantages and 2018/2019 season by One Seed Company and for the disadvantages as follows: past two seasons they produced total maize hybrid seed Advantages amounting to 150 metric tonnes. The cost of procuring such seed is P21.00 per kilogram of seed and then they • Mr Speaker, hybrids yield approximately 20 per cent are sold at about P31.54 per kg. As per the quantities more than open pollinated varieties. that were produced in the last two seasons, in 2018/2019 quantity produced was about 105 metric tonnes and in • Hybrids are uniform in their characteristics as all 2019 to 2020 quantity produced was about 45 metric plants look similar and uniform in the field as they tonnes and the total cost was about P3.1 million. are genetically identical. These makes them tolerant to certain stress similarly and be able to produce to Seed production in Botswana has long tried to minimise their potential under such stress. the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilisers to try reducing their negative impact on the environment. Disadvantages However, it will be impossible to produce seed under • Hybrid requires much care and more labour, complete organic systems due to the country’s unstable therefore, it is expensive to produce. climate, where there is constantly pest outbreak infestation during most cropping seasons and most of • Hybrid needs near ideal conditions to produce to its the soils are sandy and poor in nutrition. genetic potential. It should be noted that most of the country’s small scale • Hybrids are vulnerable if they come across stress grain of food production can be considered organic as environment where they are susceptible, because there is low or no application of chemical fertilisers and of their homogeneity, every plant will be affected usage of fertilisers. similarly by such stress. It is also worth noting that we have about seven organic Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) manufacturing companies locally and we continue to advise Batswana to integrate the utilisation of organic Advantages: and chemical fertilisers, where possible to rehabilitate their soil. I thank you Mr Speaker. • They can be replanted. MR LUCAS: Supplementary. Minister, perhaps you can • They are cheaper to obtain enlighten us on the efforts you are currently undertaking • Farmer can produce and store own seeds. to ensure that the seeds which were being used at our constituency such as mamokweetane, sekgwathama and • Procurement cost incurred only once. lendebe are suitable. These seeds are better suited for

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the soil there, what are you doing to ensure that farmers things we have already started doing, to ensure that use them through the assistance of the Ministry of we go back and learn that and then we improve going Agriculture and Food Security? forward.

Secondly, Minister, do you not think it is expensive Are we encouraging their use? This kind of farming to order these hybrid seeds? And do you not think it we are involved in, we have handed out OPGs, the is going to make things difficult for us in terms of it likes of sekgotlhwane (sorghum variety), white grain being an expensive expenditure for farmers when they sorghum and so on. We have handed out seeds for two procure those seeds? Do you not think it is necessary to hectares, others as hybrids. We are going to continue use organic seeds which adapts to the local conditions? doing research which would develop even our own Thank you very much. sekgotlhwane so that we can continue with the seeds because we have realised that they are important and MS MANAKE: I thank you Mr Speaker. Regarding they can take us somewhere. the question Honourable Lucas asked about seeds, it is something we picked that your question actually is Like I have already said, at Pandamatenga, farmers who advocating for Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) seeds. produce sorghum mostly use white grain sorghum. This Let me indicate that we have a unit at Agricultural has given us the courage to rectify this issue of our seeds Research which focus on those seeds. Currently the which we have been using in the past so that we can most common seeds used even by commercial farmers move forward with our plan. I thank you. is segaolwane. Let me indicate that, it is something we are working towards. If you go to page 25 of our MR MMOLOTSI: Further supplementary. Honourable manifesto we indicated that as Botswana, we are going Minister, in the Ministry of Agriculture, do you have a to produce seed manufacturing companies. We have department or a place that focuses on seeds that Batswana already started that project to see how we can support have used in the past, which you say you had a way of Batswana to manufacture seeds locally. As you said, it conserving them so that they are not destroyed? Do you is expensive, to tell the truth we do not think this is the have a department that focuses on their conservation so total cost because as per the imports we saw, it actually that they are not destroyed? Also all the seeds we know, amounts to about P129 million per year. Seeds like which we have used in the past, is there anywhere where grains and vegetables. So let me indicate that regarding if a Motswana wants a certain seed that was used in the that issue, we have promised it and we are going to past, can come to you requesting for it and you can give implement. I thank you. it to them or show it to them?

DR GOBOTSWANG: Supplementary. Thank you Mr MS MANAKE: Thank you Honourable Speaker and Speaker. Honourable Minister, I have started addressing Honourable Member. Yes, Honourable Mmolotsi, there meetings to encourage subsistence farmers to choose is that department, it is called Agricultural Research. organic seeds. So I want to know if as the ministry you That is where all these varieties of seeds are, and we encourage subsistence farmers to choose their organic have even started to prepare on patenting or protecting seeds such as skothani, mokoloboto and others? them in order for them to be given to our Batswana, so that they are the ones who set up manufacturing Second question, hybrid seeds are expensive so is companies like I am saying. All of them are available Government going to give farmers hybrid seeds for at Agricultural Research. Anyone who wants them can free forever? I am talking about subsistence farmers go there and they can give them information on what to Honourable Minister. Thank you. do to reproduce them properly. Then they will also offer them the skills to grow them, how they are grown so MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Before that they do not mix them, and how they can reproduce explaining, let me correct Honourable Gobotswang, the a quality seed. I thank you. seed is called sekgwathame. Let me indicate that we are encouraging them and we are determined and will MR TSHERE: Supplementary. Thank you Honourable continue with a knowledge-based economy focusing on Speaker and good afternoon. Thank you Honourable our indigenous knowledge. Because the seeds we are Minister. I wanted to know, following up on a question referring to now, we were able to plough and conserve by Honourable Mmolotsi that, a while back, there was them for next year. Let me indicate that those are the what is called Seed Multiplication Unit (SMU) within

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the Ministry of Agriculture. Where is it right now Honourable Minister, do you not realise that this thing because I remember a long time ago, it was supposed to is causing delays because if this plan for Segoditshane focus on these Setswana seeds, indigenous seeds? Are can be implemented, it can assist you to see that now they multiplying them? Where are they growing them? because this is working, we can roll it out to other Do you target some Batswana to grow seeds in their constituencies like there is the likes of Tati River which land or do you just grow them for the unit? Thank you. is in a condition we wish that some time, that corridor can be able to be used for tourism? MS MANAKE: Thank you Mr Speaker. Seed Multiplication Unit is there Honourable Tshere. The MR MZWINILA: Thank you Mr Speaker. This plan seeds that I am talking about are the ones we are handing took a long time and the delay was due to the fact that out at the moment, they are from the Seed Multiplication there is someone we sent on our behalf to make these Unit and it has even contracted Batswana who grow plans and unfortunately he did not manage to do what seeds for them and they are taken to Batswana. As I am we wished for. That means that we took the project and speaking, all the seeds from SMU, are the ones that are we did it ourselves as a ministry. That is what caused the all over the country, they are at our offices and they are delay with regards to this plan. the ones that are going to be grown this season. It is not a new thing, it has been happening for some time. So The second question was whether we can make the that is why we are saying, as the Government, we want development plan of Tati River. Yes, it is possible this project to be implemented, to equip Batswana with but right now, I cannot comment on that because it is the skills to produce these seeds, and educate them in another question or you are not focused on this question. future. Like I have already said, it is a thing we have Thank you. sworn to and we promised Batswana. I thank you Mr MR MANGWEGAPE-HEALY: Supplementary. Speaker. Thank you Mr Speaker and good afternoon. Thank you Minister for that answer. Minister, one may want DEVELOPMENT OF SEGODITSHANE to know that in this development plan or master plan CORRIDOR FOR URBAN TOURISM that we speak of, as we often see in other countries, next to rivers you will find that there are residential MR W. B. MMOLOTSI (FRANCISTOWN SOUTH): plots, like at Hartbeespoort in South Africa, in regards asked the Minister of Land Management, Water and to Segoditshane River Master Plan, can we expect that Sanitation Services to brief this Honourable House on in areas like Gaborone Central, that can assist us with progress regarding Government’s plan to develop the plots? Segoditshane corridor for urban tourism. Secondly, does this master plan also speak to issues of MINISTER OF LAND MANAGEMENT, WATER transportation as we know that our city of Gaborone has AND SANITATION SERVICES (MR MZWINILA): a problem of connect challenges of public transport, so Thank you Mr Speaker. The Gaborone Development I want to understand whether even that master plan, is Plan (1997-2021) had zoned the Segoditshane River Valley System as an ecological corridor, recognising going to help us solve this problem? I thank you. its ecological value and fragility. Heeding to the MR MZWINILA: Thank you Honourable Member. I recommendation that further studies be carried out on think that in the master plan or in its layout, there is the the corridor in order to come up with firm and long- intention to allocate residential and tourism plots. term development guide, my ministry embarked on the preparation of a master plan for the corridor and is The second question, whether in the master plan, we expected to be completed by March 2021. With regard have a plan that in that corridor we are going to do to the proposals of the plan, I urge this House not to pre- something about issues of transport? So, that means that empt the outcome of the project to develop the plan as it is true Honourable Member and the issues are going we are in the middle of extensive consultations. I thank to affect your Constituency. Thank you. you Mr Speaker. SEROWE ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY MR MMOLOTSI: Supplementary. Honourable Minister, as you have just said that this issue of the MR B. MATHOOTHE (SEROWE NORTH): corridor is from around 1997, do you not realise that asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural it has taken a long time for it to be implemented? Also Development:

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(i) if he is aware that the Serowe Administrative MR MOTSAMAI: Supplementary. Mr Speaker, Authority (SAA) officers are operating from although the Honourable Minister is responding, it is portable offices within old Sekgoma Memorial quite evident from his answers that it is going to take Hospital, where COVID-19 suspected cases are him a long time to solve the problem the Honourable quarantined; Member is talking about. Honourable Minister, when are you going to rectify this situation? If the situation (ii) when he would consider constructing a Rural the Honourable Member is talking about gets worse, Administration Centre (RAC) for SAA since it is a whatever you are planning to do is going to be costly for health hazard to operate within these premises that you. Therefore, it is wise for you to do it on time, so that are used as quarantine for COVID-19 recovering the project would not be expensive and that in future, if patients and that this puts the SAA officials at a anything happens, no one should say, “I have long said high risk of contracting COVID-19. it.” All of you should in one accord be accountable for the expenditure incurred. ASSISTANT MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT The last one, Honourable Minister Molale was saying (MR MODUKANELE): Thank you Mr Speaker. service centres that you built back at the constituencies Good afternoon Honourable Members. Mr Speaker, are a responsibility of our Councils. The employment my ministry is aware that Serowe Administrative that is done is not done by Council Secretaries; it starts Authority is operating from portable offices within at your offices. How are you going to make use of these the Old Sekgoma Memorial Hospital. The Serowe service centres that you have long built, when their Administrative Authority offices are located away from ceilings are now falling off? The example I can give is the buildings where COVID-19 suspected cases are in regard to the Ncojane service centre. When are you quarantined. going to engage people to start working, so that people would get services nearby? Answer. Over and above, adherence to COVID-19 protocols are strictly enforced. In short, all the necessary care and MR MODUKANELE: Mr Speaker, let me say from the precautions are taken to ensure the safety of officers. Honourable Member’s statement, which is a bit long; I just got the last part in regard to the service centre. Last Mr Speaker, while my ministry appreciates the need time I was standing here saying these service centres are for construction of Rural Administration Centre for available, even Honourable Molale, talked about this Serowe Administration Authority, the project could not issue that we have every intention, resources permitting, be accommodated in National Development Plan (NDP) that all service centres should be operational, where 11 due to budgetary constraints. However, the project possible, like I am saying. If there is something…we will be considered in future along with other priorities in will follow it up Honourable Member and ensure that the next plan period. I thank you Mr Speaker. those ceilings are fixed within a short space of time that we can afford. MR MATHOOTHE: Supplementary. Maybe the Honourable Minister should clearly explain that when In regard to another issue, you lost me in the midst of we talk about portable offices, those caravans were those many statements, which probably…if there is temporarily designed for housing people who were anything new that I might have omitted, you can bring building the old Sekgoma hospital. As we speak now, it as a new question, I will endeavour to answer that to those caravans are old. Does this mean there is not any your satisfaction Honourable Member. other arrangement; will there be no place where people could be assisted? What are you going to do with that MR MAJAGA: Supplementary. I thank you situation? Honourable Speaker. I thank you Honourable Minister and the Honourable Member who asked this question. MR MODUKANELE: Mr Speaker, the truth is that as Honourable Minister, do you not think it is appropriate the Honourable Member was saying, if we could source that since this issue of service centres, sub-districts and some porta cabins in the process, before we have access whatever, is worrisome and it is affecting the whole to funds to build new offices or permanent structures, we country, maybe because of the budget, you should make shall see how we can continue to rectify that situation. I a plan that in each and every Recurrent Budget, you thank you Mr Speaker. should deal with two or three instead of waiting saying

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when funds are sourced, that is when you would address Council Secretaries and Council Officers there, whom this situation. Maybe the problem could be solved. I a situation similar to the one you are talking about, we thank you. will certainly get in touch with them to make sure that what is possible to be done, within the confines of the MR MODUKANELE: Thank you Honourable resources that we have at the moment, could be done so Member for Nata-Gweta. I believe you and I have that we could rectify such a situation. I thank you Mr talked about this issue at length and I believe what you Speaker. are saying is something which is the current thinking. Where possible, like in Nata where I was with you last MR LESASO: Supplementary. Thank you Mr Speaker. time, where at the end of the day you would find out that Mr Speaker, the issue that the Honourable Minister is almost everything is in place, maybe what would be left talking about concerning the Administrative Authorities is ensuring that there is manpower, these are some of really causes concern, because he is not explaining the things which a service centre of that nature or sub- what their plan is. Even the time they shall decide to district could continue to assist people with so that they build them, what do they have in place that would run could get helped nearby rather than going to places like smoothly without the challenges we are seeing today? Tutume and so forth. Currently we have challenges with service centres, small buildings, rather than being occupied, furnished It does not only apply to Nata, it is the current thinking and used by people…When we talk about these sub- which shocks me and I am wondering Honourable districts, you do agree that they should be there, but you Member Motsamai, I thought when Honourable Molale do not have a plan of preparing for these sub ones. What was here last time he expounded this issue. Were you are you going to do with major ones, so that they would outside drinking tea Honourable Member, or were you be able to assist the people? People are suffering; even there? If you were in this House, I take it that Honourable today, they do not have the services that they need. Molale covered a lot of ground concerning the issue of sub-districts, service centres and fully-fledged districts MR MODUKANELE: Mr Speaker, since November as it were. He even went as far as talking about the issue 2019, when we all came to this August House, I think of the decentralisation policy, which I take it that at the there has been a question after question regarding this end of the day, he did acknowledge that it would inform same issue and we have answered. The theme of all those our plans going forward regarding the whole issue of answers was simple and straight forward that the issue sub-districts and service centres as it were. I thank you of sub-district service centre has long been approved Mr Speaker. by Government, that they are going to be there. Where possible, some of them are going to be fully-fledged MS MONNAKGOTLA: Supplementary. Good districts. The only constraint and hindrance to actualise afternoon Mr Speaker… these principles and agreements is the state of the economy. The reason why I am talking about 2019 when HONOURABLE MEMBER: I am bleeding. we came to this August House, Honourable Molale in MS MONNAKGOTLA: …thank you. Honourable his response on the State of the Nation (SONA) last year Minister, since you know that buildings are trailing confidently said that we are going to have sub-districts behind, have you ever considered the settlements that and districts. Little did he know that in two, three or side. In Monong, Hunhukwi, the old buildings where five months we are going to be facing the COVID-19 only the social worker has room to enter, she would pandemic. Little did he know that there is going to then attend to whilst they are outside. The Honourable be an outbreak of COVID-19 and that his ministry is Ministers should come and appreciate these buildings. going to work tirelessly. That is why earlier on I asked Do they even know them? I thank you. if we were all there when he made that statement. He was answering a question here on Friday. He said that MR MODUKANELE: Mr Speaker, I thank you. I his ministry used over P431 million which they did not thank you for the question Honourable Member. I budget for, to ensure that people are assisted with food believe you and I have agreed that in a very short time, hampers. By extension, that alone would inform you we shall be together, going to Kgalagadi, where you that if he had made a plan to do something, naturally it were referring to, at the settlements. So that we can go is going to be affected. One of those things is what we and appreciate the situation as it is. Before we go there, are talking about today. No one is hiding behind his or let me assure you Honourable Member that we have her finger or would not want to see a service centre.

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I will be the first person to want a service centre in that is all over even in social media of Batswana. They Lerala-Maunatlala and Mmadinare as we speak because want to know if you cannot anticipate the upcoming it is one of those that have been long approved but events. During the holidays which will be in two weeks’ it is not happening. Last time I was at Mmadinare time, are they going to be able to travel to their villages? addressing the residents about the same issue. Before They plead that during this week or next week, the someone becomes an Acting Leader of the Opposition Minister should clarify this issue. Are they not going to first and foremost, he is a Motswana. We all wish that be restricted since they have not been travelling for the these developments or services can reach Batswana, whole year? I was at Maun and Kasane yesterday and this including the Constituency of the Acting Leader of the issue is all over, the issue of whether people are going Opposition if at all services do not reach there. I thank to be allowed to go and harvest mophane worm, if they you Mr Speaker. are going to be allowed to plough even though we know that we are in trying times of COVID-19 pandemic? We HONOURABLE MEMBER: Supplementary. Really! heard that countries like Spain and Britain always make Honourable Healy’s constituency is just fine. special briefings but we are just quiet, we are not saying MR MANGWEGAPE-HEALY: Supplementary. anything. Thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker. Minister, we appreciate that MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, response. One would want to know what informs the I believe most of you were here when the COVID Team timelines that decides on whether the area should have was briefing and what Honourable Majaga is saying is a sub-district or not. Is population a factor? I am asking not new. That issue was raised together with the spike. this because Gaborone is the biggest district, population They indicated that they needed time to do that. I am wise in the whole country but our service centres like afraid you cannot get that answer now. In fact, that has Gaborone City Council (GCC) are old. As you go around nothing to do with our procedure, we are procedural. If implementing these developments, when are you going we are going to have a General Meeting tomorrow, you to consider us? Also, looking at the population… may then raise it there.

MR SPEAKER: Be careful, you are not going to be Honourable Members, the debate on this Motion is answered because there is no time. resuming today, when the House adjourned last week th MR MANGWEGAPE-HEALY: Also, would you Thursday 19 of November, Honourable Mmolotsi consider dividing Gaborone to different sub-districts? I was on the floor and he was left with 4 minutes and 55 thank you. seconds.

MR MODUKANELE: Mr Speaker, Honourable MR MMOLOTSI (FRANCISTOWN SOUTH): Member, I appreciate your very loaded question. Thank you very much Mr Speaker. When we adjourned Honourable Member, let me inform you that right now last week, I was concluding my remarks on the education I do not have all the information that can do justice to sector, where I was actually congratulating my staff and your question. We will come back to you at a later date. students at all the schools in my constituency for the Thank you. good performance and good conduct.

MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, Today I would like to proceed and talk about Citizen I believe you have seen the corrigendum, we will Economic Empowerment (CEE); Mr Speaker, therefore move onto the Motion. Government has over the years awarded tenders worth billions of Pula to foreign companies at the expense of RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S citizens. Currently, there are more than six road projects, SPEECH all done by foreign-owned companies. We have citizen- owned companies with vast experience in doing similar Motion projects but the system has consistently pushed them (Resumed Debate) aside. We cannot continue marginalising Batswana contractors in favour of foreigners. We should have a MR MAJAGA: Procedure. Thank you. Mr Speaker, robust and deliberate policy that gives advantage to our with due respect, if I am out of order, you will get me to own citizens so that they are empowered economically. sit down. There is an issue which worries me, an issue There is no reason why non-citizen companies should be

8 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

given works when our own people are struggling. While laws to close all loopholes that subject our people to other countries assist their private companies to get jobs abuse and exploitation. in other countries, our Government is not willing to give local companies jobs in their own country. Mr Speaker, Mr Speaker, we also want to conclude by talking about this cannot be right and cannot be allowed to continue. topical matters that we continue to hear. Allow me to conclude Mr Speaker, by sounding the alarm bell and Prepaid water meters; in the 11th Parliament, I moved raising the red flag. Our democracy is on a downward a Motion asking Government to consider rolling out spiral; our governance structures are on a free fall. It is prepaid water meters so that our people can prepay shocking that the President is silent about the infamous for water in the same way they do for electricity. This P100 billion saga in his speech, yet this matter is of Motion was motivated by high and unexplainable water such national interest that his Government is even at bills given to the people. Parliament passed this Motion loggerheads with one of our key trade partners and and the Minister made some notable progress on the neighbours... matter. We kindly plead with the Minister to progress the matter further to finality because Batswana are not MR SPEAKER: There you rest Honourable Member. coping with the high water bills as the billing system is MINISTER OF AGRICULTURAL at times very erratic. DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY (MR GARE): Thank you Mr Speaker. Good afternoon Mr Speaker, let me talk about health; we continue to and thank you for giving me this opportunity to also experience severe shortages of medicines and drugs in comment on the speech as presented by the President. our health facilities in the whole of Francistown, in fact Mr Speaker, allow me to point out that in my view, this in the whole of Botswana. is an all-encompassing speech because it covers all the issues which we believe every Motswana wants to know There is also acute shortages of nurses and doctors in so that when they make decisions which affect their the local clinics and also at Nyangabgwe hospital. The lives, they should be armed with all the information. new system where patients are not visited by family members, although understandable, has denied patients The President has talked about the growth of the economy in the whole including our country. He spoke of parental care. Nurses are overwhelmed because about inflation and also the state of our foreign reserves of these shortages and therefore, patients who would and our roadmap in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. Mr ordinarily be assisted by family members do not get Speaker, this is important so that when Motswana makes help. This has made life in the hospital very miserable decisions pertaining to his or her life, he or she should for many patients. Government should as a matter of be aware of the state of the economy in the country. urgency, fill vacancies in the health sector because COVID-19 dictates so. Mr Speaker, I am here today wearing two hats; one as a Member of Parliament for Moshupa-Manyana and We have previously requested Government to integrate another one as the Minister of Agriculture. Therefore Infectious Diseases Care Clinics (IDCCs) into the I will address matters affecting the ministry and revert mainstream health care system Mr Speaker, in order to back to those of the constituency. deal with the issue of stigma and discrimination. A lot of patients default because the thought of going to IDCCs Mr Speaker, I believe it is important as Batswana to nauseates them. It is absolutely unnecessary in this era realise the importance of the agricultural sector. It is and age to still think that HIV positive people should very key considering its role in the economy. Creation not mix with other patients. This integration should also of jobs, improves Batswana’s economy and positions us happen before the end of the first quarter of 2021 Mr at a high economic level. This then means we can sell Speaker. the goods we produce to other countries. This sector has potential to achieve that. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I will Protection of Employees just be augmenting what the President already presented and try to expand on issues which I believe Batswana Mr Speaker, efforts should be made to ensure that must know; what our aim is as a ministry, going forward. employees are sufficiently protected by the law. COVID-19 has exposed a lot of abuse in …(Inaudible)… Mr Speaker, it is important that I start with an employees and it is our hope that we will relook at our issue which I believe every Motswana is itching to

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understand; Integrated Support Programme for Arable where as we speak, we are sitting on a backlog of P213 Agriculture Development (ISPAAD). My co-worker million that we do not have. Batswana are… Honourable Manake answered a question last week and I believe I must add on to what she said so that it is MR MOATLHODI: Point of clarification. Thank you clear as to what our aim is or what we want to achieve Mr Speaker. Thank you Honourable Minister. With by this programme is. Mr Speaker, I understand that all humility, pardon me for interrupting you. Before hectarage has been reduced. I want to point out that you move on from ISPAAD, are you aware that most since the inception of ISPAAD, there has never been a of the seeds have not reached Tonota? When will they year where we did not use more than our budget. As we be delivered despite my personal plea, personally speak, we are still paying outstanding debts of tractor confronting you? owners from two years ago, three years ago and even Secondly, do you realise that there is nothing wrong further than that. When you look at this, even in terms of with pouring more funds in agriculture? Farming must financial management and audits, it is bad for us because be heavily funded and thereafter your officers must rise in short, every year, we are financing ISPAAD with up to go and ensure that we have ploughed, we look supplementaries. Supplementaries in terms of financial after our fields, we weed and do everything to harvest books is bad, just like virement. It is bad to all the time bountifully. The Bible says, “he who sows sparingly ask for supplementary budget, because supplementary will reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will should be requested on unforeseen circumstances. Now reap bountifully.” Thank you Mr Speaker. if as a ministry we tell ourselves that every year we will MR GARE: Thank you Honourable. Let me start with finance ISPAAD with supplementaries, it is something the issue of investment. Let me also highlight that our that the auditors, those who supplement our budget intention is to appreciate how we spend our money going forward, might wonder, what are we doing? because we have to invest in it hoping to benefit from it. That is why some today accuse us that our Ministry of Whatever we do, we have to manage it, do it in such a Agriculture is riddled with debts. That is why we end up manner that when we monitor our profit or anything that doing things the way we do them. we will be buying so as to invest, it produces great profit. It is important to not be biased towards one side only, Now this year, before we extended registration, we had that is, sustaining our lives but also considering what registered 94 000 or 95 000 farmers but our budget forced we are benefiting from that. That is why we are working us to assess what we can do to manage without having to hard to devise ways through which we can invest our ask for supplementary, or even when we request for it, it money; yes, we are going to invest it so we have to be should not be at the level that we normally do it. That is certain that we are going to produce reasonable profit. why maybe we ended up there. Mr Speaker, we believe that seeds have been delivered I must point out that currently we have what we can to different districts so we are regretful if Honourable call transition ISPAAD because we are reviewing Moatlhodi has not received them. Honourable Member, this programme aiming at that it is important that I also promise you that we are going to make a follow- Government should have return on investment. There up to find out what happened to those which were is no use or it does not make sense to use P684 million, supposed to be delivered at Tonota. Concerning the but at the end of the day our harvest does not even issue of investment, it is important to come up with a make10 per cent of the investment. In other words, it sustainable and efficient plan and we are intending to do is not sustainable, because we are just pouring funds in that. It should not seem like I do not support the idea to something which is not profitable. Our aim is to have an invest on it, my point is that it has to be cost effective, output based ISPAAD. It will give us confidence that efficient and sustainable. when we invest funds in this ISPAAD, we are going to get a harvest that will give us projected outcomes. Let me proceed because I am running out of time. We have to do something about the entire agricultural In continuing Mr Speaker, ISPAAD is not the only sector, not Integrated Support Programme for Arable programme we have. We have others such as Livestock Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) only. Let us also Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID). consider horticulture and others, it is important for us We are also looking into reviewing them because they to produce enough goods such that we move away from also have a weakness of being open-handed to a point importing goods from other countries.

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Moving on Mr Speaker, one of the things which we are we have an abattoir at Kgalagadi North which is in a supposed to consider or are considering as a ministry, good condition to slaughter livestock that is going to be is the entire agricultural sector. I must highlight that we exported, we will surely use it. have challenges as far as beef production is concerned. Currently, Batswana are not making expected profit I mentioned that it is important for Batswana to produce from their cattle. A cow is not a natural commodity, so quality products. We have made efforts as a Government Batswana buy and care for them with their own money by creating centres where Batswana are going to be hoping to make profit when selling them, but we have trained on how to keep small stock. We have Lobu… not yet achieved that. Let me promise Batswana that HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. we are working very hard to ensure that these things produce good results so people can make reasonable MR GARE: Hold on for two minutes so I can conclude profit. In the meantime, and while still trying to amend sir... these things, we made a decision to give Batswana a HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… chance to export their live livestock because they will make better profit which they can invest back into the MR GARE: We have Lobu, Impala, Setata and others sector, instead of leaving their livestock to go to waste. where we are intending to capacitate Batswana such that So issues of beef strategy, we are working on them to they do things in a way that we make great profits when map how we are going to implement them to ensure that this market expands. we make better profits from beef production. As I proceed Mr Speaker, I will give you a second. I must Mr Speaker, I will also talk about the issue of small highlight that it is important for me to appreciate our stock. We were with those who are interested in buying President for making efforts to come up with an initiative our goats from other countries, we met at Francistown on which is currently famous, where he donates a buck. Tuesday. Mr Speaker, last time Honourable Moswaane We also appreciate that because we also praise others mentioned that we are intending to sell Francistown when they donate some food items or books. Sometimes Abattoir, but that is not so, they are going to use it it is painful that Batswana get the impression that an through rental agreements. If all goes well, it is a great initiative like this one, is just meaningless altogether. market where Batswana will be able to make better According to my little understanding of livestock, 114 profit from their livestock. For example; this market buck have already been donated and they are altogether buys lamb at a price of P64 per kg and a goat at P59.00 worth P684, 000.00. If we were to use a ratio of 1: 25, per kg. This is the reason why we are rushing after them having a buck against 25 goats, Dr Dikoloti will add to ensure that we meet all their requirements so we do on to that, I believe you will produce 2, 850 kids in a not lose but secure it. If we can do that, Batswana are period of six months and if you convert them in terms going to benefit from their goats or livestock. So we are of value cash, it is about P3 million. So you cannot making efforts to ensure that Batswana produce quality simply dismiss that and claim that it is nothing because livestock because foreign markets prioritises quality... we expect these kids to produce other kids in two or three years from now. For this reason, I appreciate the HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. President for coming up with this initiative.

MR GARE: I will give you a minute, a second please. Concerning the issue of beef Mr Speaker …

MS MONNAKGOTLA: Clarification. Thank you HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. Minister for giving me a chance. I have a question concerning Francistown abattoirs where livestock will MR GARE: Last one sir. be slaughtered. We also have Kang Meat Market at MR MOATLHODI: Elucidation. Thank you Mr Kgalagadi North, so are you not going to assess it so we Speaker. Honourable Minister, let me correct you using can create employment Minister? Thank you. my culture. I do not know why you are worried because MR GARE: Thank you Honourable Member. Our others are criticising the initiative by President. In intention is to prioritise this important step first, to Setswana we say, ‘pitsa e takela moapei,’ (a situation secure the market. We believe going forth, we will is understood better by a person experiencing it) and have collection centres around the country. I believe if ‘Kgosi thotobolo e tshololela matlakala,’ (a good leader

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takes all the blame) so you should not be worried, just disregarded the meat regulator. It is very important more commend him and move on. especially when it comes to meat; chicken, pork, donkey meat and every meat product in the meat market. So it MR GARE: This is not an elucidation Mr Speaker. You is important that the meat regulator is in place. We are should not do that again next time Honourable, we have also working hard to ensure that at the end of the day our limited time. people are not cheated in this line of business.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… MR BOKO: Clarification. Thank you Honourable MR GARE: Yes sir …(Laughter!)… The important Minister. I have a question which might be a follow-up thing across the entire agricultural sector is to note that to the clarification sought by Honourable Monnakgotla. the issue of value chains is important. I am saying this Last time, there was an explanation regarding Kgalagadi because even though we produce more raw materials, region that it is the hub for small stock, but it seems we are not able to make reasonable profit because we like you have ignored this. We want to know why, more are not able to process them. As a ministry together with especially as the President is excited about small stock, others like Ministry of Trade, we are trying to facilitate which is not a problem. The question is, are you still Batswana so they start processing or industrialisation undertaking that initiative or you have changed as you such that we can make more profit from our raw are now talking about Francistown abattoirs? I want you materials from agriculture, so we can also tone down to… our imports expenses which amounts to P7 billion HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)... every year, of which much of it is processed foods. It is important to process these things in Botswana to ensure MR BOKO: No, I am still talking. I have been given that we also keep jobs here. the floor. Honourable Dikoloti, this is not used on the floor, I am on the floor. Honourable Minister, maybe you As a ministry, we continue with other interventions should quickly clarify the issue. Thank you. like infrastructure; we are referring to roads, telecoms, electricity and others. We have managed to deal with MR GARE: Next time, I will not yield for you some roads like those at Panda, we created some Honourable. facilities at Mosesedi, Gulubashe and Motloutse. We are going to continue to do these things in other clusters HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Laughter!)… to ensure that Batswana do not suffer, where they will be able to access internet to communicate and reach MR GARE: But to answer you my friend; the truth is, markets easily even when they are at the fields. we have not ignored and we did not select any region to be the hub. We believe that Kgalagadi has economic We have to highlight that it is impossible to do anything competences on small stock. That is why we have a without research, as such we are putting more pressure programme to build a small stock abattoir in Kgalagadi; and resources on this issue to ensure that research, like Tsabong. We cannot invest so much money and you say someone was enquiring about seeds earlier on, these are we have ignored the project. I want you to correct that things which needs proper research and we are doing word, we are not ignoring it Honourable Member but that. We continue to fund things like Information and the truth is we are going to do everything possible to Communication Technology (ICT) to make things ensure that the entire country benefits, those who are easier such that we have virtual markets in future. capable can invest in small stock and benefit from this market I was talking about. Mr Speaker, I will conclude my debate here especially that I have run out of time. Nevertheless, I will not Mr Speaker, that is all about the Ministry; it was go before highlighting that we have to review all our important that I highlighted those. As I have indicated policies. So, we are dealing with the Agricultural that I am wearing two hats, I am also representing Policy of 1991 which we believe is our major pillar Moshupa-Manyana constituency. Before I start Mr in agriculture to assess the challenges that we have; Speaker, I should perhaps indicate something which food security, market and others. We are also going disturbed my peace last time and I thought maybe to review this policy to ensure that we address the someone will intervene but no one did. The issue that current situations. The other thing I should indicate, there are a lot of developments at Moshupa-Manyana is if Honourable Hikuama was here is that we have not completely false. I wondered what the purpose of those

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words are; was it to try to show that the President is use Polokwe road as it destroys their trucks. That is a biased or are they just mocking. I failed to answer people cost on their side. So, we believe it can benefit everyone of Moshupa-Manyana as to what those words meant. If who is in business going to Jwaneng, Namibia and so there were developments at Moshupa-Manyana, children on. We have to address these things. That is why I am could not be walking from Dithobane to Machana, or saying if Moshupa was well-developed, I will not be have children walk from Mosiang and Sehibidung to here saying we need a road. Tshwaane. People of Manyana have long requested for developments for the last 20 years and they are still not Moshupa Police Station was built a long time ago while assisted. I was still in primary school. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has no office, the building is leaking It was said that we have a hospital but I think I should and it is in a totally bad condition. It should also be explain to Batswana that this hospital was built after addressed. being in the past four National Development Plans (NDPs). It means we waited for it for 20 years. It is a People in the transport business at Moshupa are unable 70 beds hospital, with a catchment area of a population to do their business because there is no bus rank. We are of 36 400. When we compare the hospital with the in a situation whereby our constituency deserves a bus population, it is not enough. rank so that those in the transport business can run their business smoothly. The stadium which was mentioned of P5 million is quite a small project. I think it is an insult for a person to stand If you visit a village like Bikwe and it rains, you are in Parliament and say there are a lot of developments going to have to stay there until it stops because there at Moshupa-Manyana. This constituency has a lot is no bridge for one to cross from Manyana to Bikwe, of challenges. I am not happy about such statements there is no road. When I recall the words that Moshupa- because I see that they disadvantage the people of Manyana is well-developed, I was hurt imagining that Moshupa-Manyana and those are mocking words. we need a lot of developments at my constituency, I wonder how people of Moshupa-Manyana are going to Honourable Motsamai, in 2019, you and your party travel. went to Moshupa to ask them to vote for you so that you can bring developments. I do not know what you HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)... are going to tell them come 2024 because you said they MR GARE: Yes sir, I am requesting for them as I do not need developments, they have those. Anyways, speak, it is important for me to mention them as I did we will cross the bridge when we get there because I Honourable. We, like any other constituency we have am going to remind you that you said they do not need a lot of challenges such as water supply plans, it is them. important for them to be made. If you look at an area Mr Speaker, the constituency of Moshupa-Manyana has like Moshupa North, Suping get water supply from a lot of challenges. We were hoping that the Moshupa- tanks. That village has grown, so it is necessary for the Manyana road will be included in the Economic Stimulus pipes to be extended so that people can install taps and Programme (ESP). It was not included but we remain easily get water supply. hopeful that it will be included. We have a road from Mr Speaker, when you also look at the issue of education, Moshupa to Naledi which passes through Ralekgetho we have children from Pitseng and Ralekgetho who and Pitseng. I do not think it can reach Jwaneng but attend school at Mogale. Mogale is in Mmathethe- honestly speaking, we have about 16 hectares where Molapowabojang constituency. However, when you we can produce food. At Pitseng and Ralekgetho there look at this school, it is an 18 stream type of school but it is no yard which does not have a tractor, or at least a is 24 streams due to lack of developments and resources. plough. It means people in that area are farmers, during Children are then compelled to adapt to such situation. rainy season they are disturbed by the road when they It therefore means even boarding facilities are not are supposed to go and plough, the road is in a bad enough which impacts their school performance, their condition, so this is something we need to address. It wellbeing and they end up taking chances and think they will not only benefit the people of Moshupa-Manyana, can attend school from Mogale to Pitseng or… people transporting goods from Gaborone to Jwaneng are forced to pass through Lobatse because they cannot HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation.

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MR GARE: I yield Mr Speaker. a lot. Vision 2036, on Page 22, talks about a sustainable utilisation of natural resources; let me say this is an MINISTER OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS (DR important thing for the communities to have a way DIKOLOTI): Elucidation. Thank you Mr Speaker. they can monitor that when this sand is taken from the Thank you Honourable Member, thank you for being rivers, it is taken properly so that no one can willingly such a great leader. A true leader does that, he follows take it from the rivers. We have to stockpile it in one children from his constituency to Maokane. Whilst place and those who want it can access it at that place. you are still on that point, let us request the Minister So Honourable Member, I want to emphasise that the of Basic Education because even teachers are suffering, community trusts should be empowered to be able to there is no accommodation at Maokane, they have to control this sand. travel daily through Jwaneng road which is in a very bad condition. So they should work together to see MR GARE: I thank you Honourable Member, you are how they can assist children at Mogale so that they can right, that can work better if we do it that way. I believe access quality education as we talk about the issue of that our Honourable Minister who has been listening knowledge-based economy. Thank you. attentively has been looking this side a lot to indicate that he has heard that Honourable Member. I believe MR GARE: Thank you Honourable Member, you have that something will be availed. presented it well. That is indeed the case, we visited the area together and the situation is unsatisfactory. I MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL believe that even though he says he wants a clinic first RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND TOURISM but he has heard you, he will act and see what he can do (MS KERENG): On a point of elucidation. Thank about the condition of Maokane Mr Speaker. you Mr Speaker. In half a minute let me indicate that Mr Speaker, I am about to finish, there is an issue that as the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources is a concern at Moshupa-Manyana Constituency, the Conservation and Tourism, we will be targeting that in issue of sand. There is an issue of sand which when our our plan to empower the community or our people in rural areas. They can be able to control their natural resources people want to build they have a problem to access. We and benefit from them. The Community Based Natural used to have rivers, and we had old men who took sands Resources Management (CBNRM) Programme will be from these rivers with shovels, the likes of Stewart’s focused on environmental conservation programmes, father and Mr Gaoboe, and so on. At the moment, we not only addressing waste, we are talking about trees, have a problem that really there is no one who can build soil erosion, these rivers that are eroded, and then we without using sand. I just want to say to our Honourable can help them to get…it will be like Ipelegeng which Members that it is important to see what we can do in has been improved. They can generate income and guard terms of having these sands under the communities, against those who are involved in illegal sand mining. and their use and care should be under the control of There should be guards and the local people should be communities so that they can protect them. the ones doing that job so that they can conserve these I am saying this because that has happened in the things and also generate income. Thank you. recent past, where there was an agreement between MR GARE: Thank you Honourable Minister. I am very the community and the ministry, they were able to thankful that you are coming with that kind of solution, access sand, but they used it sustainably. Ever since I think it will assist our people, the situation of illegal that agreement came to an end, now it seems like sand mining will maybe go down. It is important that things are getting out of control, we always see trucks when a person is about to finish, since we the people leaving the villages of Moshupa-Manyana at night. It is of Moshupa-Manyana are not jealous, when things are overwhelming when you look at the fact that the people good we will say that. We are thankful for that hospital. of Moshupa-Manyana cannot use that sand and theft has We are thankful for that sewage system project and gone high... others which have been implemented. It is important MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS that when a person is about to finish keeps on requesting AND COOPERATION (DR KWAPE): On a point of from Government or Honourable Members that it seems elucidation. Honourable Member, let me add onto your our artists are neglected. Maybe we need to sit down and words. We are a team and this issue of sand concerns us see what we can do so that they can generate income.

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It has been a long time and they have not been doing Motions that came from them, I remember Motions that anything, I think maybe we should consider them and were moved by Honourable Letsholo and Honourable see what we can do to assist them. Thiite which we embraced. We embraced all those Motions, even though we knew Honourable Thiite and Let me also thank the Government for making the Honourable Letsholo are members of the BDP. decision to increase the numbers in churches. In these times of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), lack of income Honourable Matsheka as the Minister of Finance and due to COVID-19 and the many challenges we are Economic Development also came with a lot of Bills, facing, it is important that people have the chance or which were aimed at solving the situation at that time. We the opportunity to go and pray. Church in our lives accepted them, even though we knew that Honourable and the lives of Batswana is something that we need. Dr Matsheka is a member of the BDP. However, they Whether there is a wedding, funeral, or a birthday you have not accepted any Motion that came from this side. need church and you need a Pastor. So I wish that we We have forgotten that we were elected by Batswana will keep on looking at how we can increase them in almost equally, because out of 100 Batswana, BDP was terms of numbers and what we can do so that people can voted by 52, and as the Opposition we were voted by attend churches in large numbers. The situation we are 48. Are you saying all the ideas that are brought by 48 in needs us to do that. people there is not even a single one that you agree with, while all your ideas that come with 52 people are good, Mr Speaker, I take it that is all I had to say as my and are all acceptable? No Honourable Members! It response to the President’s address. Thank you. cannot be like that.

HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Applause!)… MR BOKO: On a point of clarification. Thank you DR GOBOTSWANG (SEFHARE- Honourable Member. We come a long way voicing RAMOKGONAMI): Thank you Mr Speaker. Let me the same complaint you are voicing. This tendency start by saying Honourable Members, we have reached of the ruling party failing to implement ideas or this a year since we have been sent here on an assignment, stubbornness and hostility, how does it affect the we are getting into the second level, the second year. Let democracy and development of the country as a whole? us look at this year and where we began in November This is not the beginning today, those who are here, 2019, we have to introspect and see how much we have those who have been in Parliament explain that this done. So since the Honourable Speaker is cautious about stubbornness and hostility come a long way, how does time, I think I should not address a lot of issues. Let me it affect democracy and developing people? Thank you. say, we have realised that when we started, we started well. We started well because we realised we all came DR GOBOTSWANG: Thank you Honourable Member. here on an assignment, that all the Motions that we bring Really that is the whole point of a democracy. The here are those which can benefit Batswana, regardless democracy that you explained as ‘an inclusive system’, of who comes with it and not looking at party colours. but when we get to Motions, almost half of Batswana are excluded. Is this democracy? So I want to appeal I remember when we all agreed that this Integrated to the Honourable Vice President and also the Leader Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development of the House that he should try to rectify situation, so (ISPAAD) should be looked into, so that small scale that our Motions can be accepted. They are using their farmers can plant by broadcasting. Honourable numbers as if they were elected by 75 per cent and Kekgonegile also came with another Motion on we were elected by 25. This is the issue that I quickly citizenship, that children who one of their parents may wanted to touch on. be a foreigner, when they reach 21 years they should be verified as Batswana and should not be have a dual Now coming to the President’s speech… citizenship. No, we also agreed to it without any hassles. The problem started in the last meeting of the Winter HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. Session. That is when it became clear that the aim and DR GOBOTSWANG: One second Vice President command of Honourable Members that side was that (VP). no Motion from the Opposition will be passed. That is how we saw it. Then it turned out that all Motions from HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT (MR the Opposition were rejected, but from our side, all the TSOGWANE): Clarification. I thank you Dr

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Gobotswang. I believe the initial statement is the one Compare it with when he quoted the Former President I understood better. We have heard what you have just of the United States of America, Mr Barack Obama. He said that initially we were working together properly, copied and pasted, but failed to acknowledge the source. that we used to welcome Motions that were brought In some universities, when you commit that offence by the opposition Members, so what could have gone you can even be fired. The current situation is that he wrong? Well, we shall tell you what happened. The copied his own words from his previous speeches and thing is the Members just came with any Motion, even pasted them on the current one. So it is not that bad, those that were not important. I thank you. I am perplexed as to why Honourable Segokgo is so saddened. DR GOBOTSWANG: Thank you Leader of the House. Remember that the situation that we are in where we are Let me come to the issue of food production. lamenting about being unable to feed ourselves, being Honourable Members, we have a challenge here. The unable to provide clothes for ourselves; these are issues most important thing here is that it seems we agree that were talked about 40 years ago by the forerunners that after 40 years a country, we should be eligible to in opposition politics, the likes of Dr Koma, may he feed ourselves. What is still missing is that we should rest in peace, Motsamai Mpho, Phillip Matante, O.K. agree that the President and his Government should tell Menyatso, Mr Mareledi Giddie, Paul Rantao and Mr us when we would be able to sustain ourselves, which Dabutha. These issues that we are talking about now, year? If he could do that, we have to ensure that we they used to talk about them and you called them dreams, improve speed every year. Unfortunately, this does not communism things. That is why we find ourselves in a exist. Even the Zambezi Integrated Agro-Commercial situation we are in. Development Project which was talked about last time, which was long talked about by Dr Koma a long time As we come up with Motions and you do not accept ago, that water should be taken from the Chobe Zambezi them, in 40 years you will be hoping there would be and be carried to the eastern and southern parts of this another pandemic and you will keep saying, “this country so that we start irrigation farming; it is not even disease is the one which has opened our eyes.” mentioned in the President’s speech. I was listening to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and I had Coming to the President’s speech, when you summarise hoped he would clarify something along the lines of this it in English one can say it lacks ambition. There is issue; he did not help at all in this regard. nothing he is talking about which one could be convinced that indeed we are going somewhere. I remember what In our manifesto as the Umbrella for Democratic Change J. F. Kennedy said in 1961 when he was sworn in for (UDC), we had pointed out several things that are the first time, he told the Americans that, “in ten years, stumbling blocks to being self-sustainable as a country. my vision is that I would like to see Americans at the I will list three. First of all, we talked about the prices at moon.” In eight years before reaching his tenth year in the Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB), his term, Americans landed on the moon. with which they buy produce from farmers, they cannot take us anywhere. I remember the one time when we HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Applause!)… produced a lot of food, the price for buying legumes DR GOBOTSWANG: This is not there in the was taken up. We managed to clock 100 000 metric tons President’s speech. That is the challenge. You can see when our annual cereal requirement is around 300 000 that we have a President who does not have ambition metric tons. We would say it was a bumper harvest. We and a specific target as to where he is taking us. If you were still far from self-sustainability. That is the first look at it closely, it is a cut and paste. That is all he point. is doing. That is what is taking place. The Honourable The second issue is in regard to extension service. Leader of the Opposition has talked about this and As the UDC, we realised that this is problematic. It pointed out how it was copied from the 2018 SONA; is as good as having been killed, it has collapsed. It word for word, sentence for sentence and it was pasted in collapsed because agricultural demonstrators and the latest SONA. I know this hurts Honourable Segokgo veterinary officers take most of the time in offices so much; he is always hurt and saddened when we talk completing forms, signing and working on Livestock like this. Honourable, I do not know why you become Management and Infrastructure Development (LIMID), so sad because what the President did here is nothing. Accelerated Rainfed Arable Programme (ARAP) and

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Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture waiting and you think that you can produce and talk Development (ISPAAD). That is their main job. Over about being sufficient and efficient. You bring people and above that, they do not have resources; not even a who do not have equipment and then farmers line up, motorbike, bicycle or a vehicle you could say belongs you do not even research, you do not have data, it could to the cluster or such and such an extension. So, there have long shown you that making small scale farmers is virtually no extension service in Botswana. It has to queue for tractors and planters does not take you collapsed, and then you think we can go somewhere. anywhere, it cannot take you anywhere. There is no Last time I was in Ramokgonami and they showed me output that is going to come out of this. So when are you an office belonging to veterinary officers. In this era of going to measure, next year? COVID-19, it could be closed because there is no way people can work in such a situation, working in large Your reasons for reducing the number of hectares from numbers like that. The District office in Machaneng is a five to four are not valid at all. You also know that even very old building like those which existed in the 1800s, when you try to reason, you do not have anything to yet it is found in an upper-middle income country. How say, there are no reasons. We cannot say that we want embarrassing! It is unlike us to work in such situations. to be self-sufficient and then reduce hectares because you are in debts. Arrears are a product of failure on your The other issue that we mention in the UDC manifesto part, financial systems that do not serve their purpose. is that we cannot continue to lament and wait for rain. Honourable Dr Matsheka, keep an eye on this ministry. We have to gravitate towards irrigation farming. For They are not following any system. Are they saying that irrigation farming to be there, we have to start with they are still paying tractor owners who ploughed three little reservoirs and see how we could assist small-scale years back? What kind of a financial system is that? So farmers. How much water is required to be given to you are trying to address your failure by introducing those involved in irrigation farming? programmes which are going to fail dismally. No Honourable Members, this is not right. Yesterday I was talking about Batswana youth who are trying to plough at the Matsiloje-Matopi Cluster, they Let me move on to horticulture. Honourable Members, are asking if they could not be given some water from horticulture is a disaster. Right now peoples` vegetables one of the dams so that they could irrigate their crops. are rotting in trucks yet we are still far from being self- It is not happening. We cannot continue with dry land sufficient in the production of vegetables. farming, agro agriculture, we have to gravitate towards irrigation farming. MR MOATLHODI: Clarification. Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you Honourable Member for Sefhare- Transitional ISPAAD is emanating from where? Ramokgonami. The grievance that you have just aired Where is it? When one says they are coming up with a is the same as the one in which the price of a bag of programme, and it is a transitional programme, you must beans has reduced from P700 to P400, while farmers have a document you can show in Parliament to say, here struggle when growing crops. According to you, what is the programme. You cannot go around saying, “hey can be done to motivate our farmers? there is a transitional ISPAAD, which is output based.” What is output based? What is that? What do you mean DR GOBOTSWANG: Thank you Honourable because next year you will be expecting to implement Moatlhodi. You will recall that I started off by saying a programme for next year using what happened that that the important thing is to increase prices at Botswana other year, yet farmers are not told how things are going Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB). That is the only to transpire. way to motivate farmers, they will then venture into farming because they know that they are going to make While you keep saying food production is not profits out of it. We should not only motivate them by commensurate with the funds you are injecting in ploughing their fields for free. That is the motive behind farming, I have informed you that with my extensive growing crops, so that we can sustain ourselves. experience in research, I would like to tell you that small scale farmer who do row planting cannot match those Horticulture; people grow vegetables and they go bad in who do broadcasting. Farmers who used the traditional trucks even though there are no vegetables in the market. method of seeding in October when the rains started I am asking myself, in other countries, vegetables go bad are now weeding. Those who do row planting are still in trucks only because the market is saturated. That is the

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funny market system of Botswana; we have a shortage DR GOBOTSWANG: The other issue is about cattle of vegetables but they go bad in trucks. It seems like by-products. This issue has long been preached, that we there is no solution. Our government is in the dark, they should manufacture and supply cattle by-products. have ran out of ideas and they do not have solutions to this issue. Honourable Members, the solution is that one HONOURABLE MEMBER: Correction Mr Speaker. Honourable Member talked about cooperatives, that we DR GOBOTSWANG: Even these ones... should review cooperatives. When a market has been set up, like the one which was set up at Block 3, we should HONOURABLE MEMBER: Correction Mr Speaker. not have instances where people deliver their produce DR GOBOTSWANG: I will yield for the one who there and after some time they are told, “hey, come and wants to make a correction, otherwise she will soon say take your produce, it is rotten.” When you take your produce to the market, you should… point of order Mr Speaker.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification.. ASSISTANT MINISTER OF INVESTMENT, TRADE AND INDUSTRY (MR MOLEBATSI): DR GOBOTSWANG: …when you get there, you Correction. I was saying that the Honourable Member should be given a cheque and then part ways with the market. That is the only appropriate thing to do. I am should correct something here; he is saying that when running out of time, pardon me Honourable Members. the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) led government took over, as if there was any other government before There is also an issue of dairy farming. When it comes the BDP led government. Thank you. to dairy farming, it is as if we want to swallow before chew. MilkAfric... DR GOBOTSWANG: Oh! No, you are telling the truth. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. I forgot to say that the British government performed better than you when it comes to dairy production. You DR GOBOTSWANG: MilkAfric, without small and have just reminded me brilliantly. medium producers, what kind of an industry is that? An industry that does not have Small, Medium, and Leather park; even on this one you want to swallow Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) yet we want to jump to the before you chew. You cannot just jump and say that you top. If we are not very careful, MilkAfric will end up are going to make Lobatse a Leather Park. There are like the Palapye Glass Project. When it collapses, the no Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). whole industry will collapse with it because it was not When we were schooling at Swaneng, there was created to have Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises Swaneng Tannery there. You destroyed it because you (SMMEs). You just want to swallow before you chew. did not like Patrick Van Rensburg, you said that he was So that issue is the one that… a communist. You failed. You sent people to schools for HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. further training. Some people tried to start this business and they were challenged. I have them, the likes of Mr DR GOBOTSWANG: Honourable, I said that I do not Matshidiso Freeman Tsheko and others who were there. have time. There are many tanners in this country and they failed because they did not have a supportive government. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. They have now given up on tannery. You now jump to DR GOBOTSWANG: I will yield for you some other say that you are going to make Lobatse a Leather Park. time. So, let us promote collection point. When we were When it collapses, the whole industry will go with it. So, growing up, there were dairies at the cattle posts and we have to take one step at a time. those dairies produced different things like yoghurts. We milked cattle and delivered our milk to the collection HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. You are point, when the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) debating brilliantly Honourable Member. I was saying led government took over, collection points collapsed. that maybe you should assess MilkAfric and give us Even if we were once at the top, right now we are at the your point of view about it. They are saying that they bottom. These are some of the shocking things. are not able to buy cattle because of foot and mouth but Sunnyside recently bought cattle in Kwazulu-Natal. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. What is your take on this issue?

18 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

DR GOBOTSWANG: That is because there is no These are the things that you could be looking into. It is experience. When you talk about someone from time to do a salaries` review and conditions of service Sunnyside, it is the third generation of dairy farmers in of Dikgosi. That is what you could be looking into. You the family so he or she has experience, he or she started should review your organisational structure because it from scratch all the way to the top so he or she knows right now you pay some Headmen of Arbitration and what to do. Business Development Corporation (BDC) you do not pay others, it is utter confusion. is another Palapye Glass Project. Old Age Pension is embarrassing. How come a HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. country with an economy like Botswana fails to pay old age pension of P1, 500? Honourable Minister DR GOBOTSWANG: You will have to forgive me my Dr Matsheka, where have you seen such a country? friend, otherwise you will disturb the flow of my debate. What an embarrassment! As Umbrella for Democratic Let me move on to Bogosi and politics. Honourable Change (UDC), we still maintain that minimum of Members, no, those are excuses. Botswana Democratic P1, 500 should be paid. Some of us with the likes of Party (BDP), you benefited from the support of Dikgosi Honourable Molale are almost at the retiring age and we who are politicians. You even praised them. You did not must start preparing for ourselves. If we fail to fix things think that one day they will leave you. Accept that some for ourselves, no one will fix them for us. have left you, the likes of Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Applause!)... and some are yet to leave you. If the issue is politics, it is easy to eliminate politics from Bogosi; take out the DR GOBOTSWANG: Ipelegeng; hey! I do not know Minister from Bogosi. What does the Minister want in what the Government is saying concerning Ipelegeng. the affairs of Bogosi? It is easy because politics follow a Last time Honourable Molale came here, if I can quote… politician. Nowadays decisions that are taken in Bogosi, MR SPEAKER: Please do. you can just see that the appointed Dikgosi are political activists of the BDP. DR GOBOTSWANG: …he said, “Mr Speaker, as I promised during my delivery of the Committee of HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. Supply speech, my ministry has recently concluded the DR GOBOTSWANG: People would have consulted reengineering of the Ipelegeng programme. As I did and agreed on the name of the Kgosi they want, present promise to this House, the programme is rescheduled the name to the ministry and then Honourable Molale to start today,” and that was on the 1st of September. Do comes up with his own name which you do not know you remember him saying when it ends? where he got it from. Now they are politicising Bogosi. I HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Laughter!)... want to caution you and your Dikgosi who are appointed in the method that you are using nowadays that we are DR GOBOTSWANG: Now listen to what the President going to reject them. We do not welcome them and said recently, if I may quote… we are not going to cooperate or work with them. My constituents have asked me to tell you that. We are MR SPEAKER: Please do. watching you on the people that you are appointing DR GOBOTSWANG: “The Ipelegeng programme in Dikgotla. We are watching you at Mokobeng, will be re-engineered with focus on maintenance of Mhalapitsa and Machaneng. If you appoint Dikgosi in public facilities,” State of the Nation Address (SONA) this manner, you should know that they will be your in November 2020, Page 32. Honourable Molale on the Dikgosi and not ours. 1st said it started on that day and the President is saying HONOURABLE MEMBERS: ...(Applause!)... it is yet to start. What are you saying? We have seen the one which Honourable Molale talked about, there is no HONOURABLE MEMBER: Tell him. labour-intensive public works, it is the same one where slashers were used. Mr Speaker, he actually misled this DR GOBOTSWANG: You do not look after Dikgosi. Parliament. As we continue, please advise us on what There is no progression, you could put politics aside can be done about him. and look after Dikgosi. Right now there is confusion in terms of organisational structure. You find that the Early childhood education; where is Honourable senior gets the same salary as the one he is supervising. Molao? Honourable Molao is not here, stop misleading

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people. There is no preschool in public schools. It is a understand what you are saying. Where is Honourable reception class, so, do not mislead people. Again why do Segokgo? We are still apprehensive concerning the you undermine your early childhood education policy? things that we were promised but not delivered. We were You cannot take pre-schoolers to primary school the once promised a unified secondary at Sesholo, second same way you cannot take primary school children to primary school at Ramokgonami, technical college secondary school. What is wrong with you? Preschool at Chadibe, all these were not done. Right now I am has rules and regulations. There has to be swings in serious about this one, I want the Radisele-Pilikwe road. the playground, where they nap and so on. At least We do not want to hear stories, we have had enough. teach them for three years. You cannot come here and talk about preschool-public schools, there is nothing Upgrading of Mokobeng Health Post; this one will soon like that. I agree with Leader of the Opposition that be like Radisele-Pilikwe, it is in the plan but there is no Batswana are doing their best. Sponsor these children progress. When we talk of Mokobeng, we are talking to Batswana schools to attend preschool not a reception about farms, Ngwapa and other people who still get class. You make a policy which you also break. Why assistance from health post. I admit that we once had do you make a policy and break it? Right now you go disagreement as to where this clinic should be built. around closing preschools of Batswana saying they are I want to report to the Minister that we have reached not following the policy yet you break it. That is why a consensus, we have a plot and we have revealed Honourable Rakgare came rushing here after jet-setting it. Recently when Permanent Secretary (PS) was at here and there and he says he does not know what he is Mokobeng, I told him that the plot is available and I do supposed to do. He believes that laws are made for other not want to hear stories. I want that clinic built. Batswana and not him. Workers; workers in this country are suffering. I am Violence in schools; Honourable Members, this is inclined to agree with Honourable Members who are a sensitive issue. The worrying thing is, it seems this saying the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity ministry does not know its root cause. They are trying to and Skills Development must be dissolved. If you take deal with symptoms. Right now looking at our resources brigades and Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) and education, we could be in a position to know what back to Education, they will be left with nothing to do. the root cause is. Then we will focus on the root cause Batswana are suffering since they were dismissed from but now we are just assuming. This is 2020, not 1960, their jobs during State of Emergency (SOE). Security we should not be working on assumptions. officers are crying, shop assistants are crying, and it is like the ministry is on sabbatical. You cannot hear what Civil servants’ accommodation in rural areas; civil it is saying. Now we were saying, if this ministry is servants in rural areas are crying. What happened to incapable, it should be dissolved or if possible, let it be backlog eradication? His Honour the Vice President immensely empowered. (VP), what happened to backlog eradication? You said you are going to build civil servants accommodation in MINISTER OF EMPLOYMENT, LABOUR rural areas, you failed to deliver. Now here is my idea; PRODUCTIVITY AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT the same initiative that is used for civil servants in towns (MR BALOPI): Clarification. Thank you Mr Speaker. should be applied for those in rural areas. Those in towns Honourable, I want to tell you that there are three are accommodated in Botswana Housing Corporation stakeholders who are working on this issue; business, (BHC) houses and pay P350, with Government paying Government and workers unions, so you will get the remainder. In our villages, we have Batswana who answers from them. built houses which can accommodate civil servants and they pay P350 and Government pay the remaining MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, balance. You cannot discriminate our people who time has struck, you have run out of time. Let us obey are toiling. Some could be paid Remote Area Service COVID-19 protocols, we will come back at 4:30 p.m. Allowance (RASA), but you refuse to do that. PROCEEDINGS SUSPENDED AT 4:05 P.M. FOR Radisele-Pilikwe road; we are still apprehensive. We APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES expected the Radisele-Pilikwe road to be tarred through PROCEEDINGS RESUMED AT 4:35 P.M. Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), we were told that we are going to get a loan from China, now we do not “EXCHANGE OF SPEAKERSHIP”

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MR SPEAKER (MR PULE): We are resuming of old age. Some of them have worked as Constable, debate, and when we took a health break, Honourable Sergeant and looking at some of them, you can tell Gobotswang has just finished his debate, and now the that it is difficult at home. This situation compels us to floor is open. Honourable Brooks will be followed by appreciate and acknowledge those people so that when Honourable Regoeng. they retire, they have something to show.

MR BROOKS (KGALAGADI SOUTH): Thank you Let me also highlight that I, Sam Brooks, I am concerned Mr Speaker. Let me briefly, humbly and with all due about the gap between police officers who came from respect take this opportunity this afternoon to respond Local Government and those who came from Central to the speech made by the President in 2020. Government. The Minister denied it when I asked about it last year, but my intention is to show him that it still Mr Speaker, I believe this is the second time I respond to exists. From way back, police officers from Central this speech ever since I came to Parliament. I believe as Government progress better than those who come from a representative, firstly I am expected address what His Local Government. These things were done to unite Excellency the President said in relation to Kgalagadi these departments Mr Speaker, so we cannot help it but South. I want to highlight that it was an eye-opener, it wonder if those who are joining others have to suffer has showed me direction. because of where they come from. We are not pleased Let me first and foremost thank President Dr Masisi for with these things Mr Speaker. all the issues that he raised, especially those that were Mr Speaker, I want to commend the President for his focusing on Kgalagadi South Constituency. There many great initiative where he donates bucks. I would also of them and I will address them as I tackle different like to critisise any Honourable Member in this House ministries, especially those affecting Kgalagadi South. or outside or wherever they are who is against this I will not say what is not there but say what is true and initiative. As residents of Kgalagadi South, we believe appropriate Mr Speaker. that is an insult to us because Kgalagadi is mostly Let me also appreciate those who were commended by dominated by small stock. So if small stock comes the President last time when he started his speech in this from Kgalagadi; in our previous Parliament session, I very House, those who were invited so he can show us mentioned that you might despise it thinking it has no their work, where he explained their different jobs as value but it is a seed, the result of that sustained the well as how they performed. On that note, I appreciate Kgalagadi areas and the entire Botswana and even built that the President commended a certain police officer the university. When we talk about “UB motho le motho who was a sergeant during that time, I am saying during kgomo”, we are talking about pastoral agriculture. that time because I do not know the position he took I want to continue to respect you in that manner thereafter. That is why I am saying I was proud of that. Honourable Members, I do not want anyone to have It reminds me of the Former President Mr Masire’s a misunderstanding with me because I know and trust words when addressing a meeting at Werda, a certain you. I am at liberty to respond if it gets messy and you police officer who had been a Constable all his life, who might not like it. So we have to pay attention to these was about to retire was reciting a poem for the Former things in case we end up fighting because of them. President Mr Masire, may his soul rest in peace, when the Former President stood in a Kgotla meeting, he said, Let me also highlight that bucks and sheep which are “since this man praised me in this manner, I urge you donated also come from Kgalagadi Constituency. to give him a cow.” He was talking about a promotion. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation! So we are happy because the President is commending some people, the challenge is, it is going to take a long MR BROOKS: Lift your hand so I can see you. Where time without honouring the President’s words. This are you elucidating from? Let me proceed, I will give gesture where he brought him to Parliament was an eye- you, I am left with two minutes. opener to those who have powers to find how they can I want to emphasise that we buy most of our livestock also commend him. We are worried about these things from Kgalagadi South Mr Speaker. They are then Mr Speaker because even at Kgalagadi settlements, we delivered to other Constituencies as a seed just as we have some police officers who are about to retire because receive some seeds which come from Pandamatenga;

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we happily accept them so we proceed with ploughing there flatly refuse to allocate land to us as farmers in and earn a living from them. So we have to appreciate the Kgalagadi region. Now that I am here as the mouth that. piece of the people of Kgalagadi, let us request land for them. However, a Motion will come, maybe I should I am happy that Cabinet usually meet in different areas, inform you beforehand Honourable Members so that let me say I also want to see you flying to and meeting you can support me when it is here. It is not like I will at Kgalagadi for the same. We have all the necessary deny you clarifications forever, Honourable Ramogapi, resources to host you. We have youth farmers, hotels we will always be friends. and everything which you will realise that after leaving the place you will have improved the lives of the people Mr Speaker, we have to improve; in the past if you of Kgalagadi. wanted to breed your livestock, there were scooters used by veterinary officers to travel to each and every farm HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. taking care of livestock. They should be given these MR BROOKS: I want to thank… scooters or vehicles or be given car allowance to attend to the challenges faced by farmers. Mr Speaker, this can HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. encourage the youth to venture into such as there will be an officer advising them. We should talk about these MR BROOKS: I want to thank… things. The other challenge which can be addressed if HONOURABLE MEMBER: It is me. veterinary officers are given vehicle allowances is the issue of Botswana Animal Information and Traceability MR BROOKS: I want to thank the Minister of System (BAITS), it will be dealt with. We are currently Agriculture and Food Security for all the efforts he told to do BAITS online, hey! Online how when there undertook ever since his assumption of office. Mr is no network? Online how, when you have to travel Speaker, people of Kgalagadi are happy that when another 500 kilometres to access network? Mr Speaker, hunger struck and all hope was lost regarding what they some of our farms are far away from network, it is a can do with their livestock, the Minister heeded their desert but they have to give us services even if they are outcry; he temporarily opened the borders while trying far away from us. to deal with the situation at Botswana Meat Commission (BMC). He further extended the period to seven months Mr Speaker, I should mention these things whilst I have beginning February. Mr Speaker, we therefore have to the floor. Mr Speaker, I wonder why we abandoned thank the Minister… Lobu, which I strongly believe that it can be a centre of excellence. It has everything which can attract any HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. Motswana or Honourable Members in this House but MR BROOKS: That deserves our gratitude as we realise Lobu farm does not even have a fence yet we believe it that indeed Batswana at Kgalagadi are fully reliant on is taking care of the livestock of Batswana. This is not farming. However, this does not mean we have to give right Mr Speaker. There is something which gives me up our attempts to revive BMC, we still want to focus on sleepless nights and I always wonder if the only time it but for now, you deserve this gratitude. we will see the Rural Development Council (RDC) at Lobu is only during Khawa event? It has been two, three With that being said Mr Speaker, when we talk about consecutive years up until last year, they only went there improving farming, we have a challenge of land at because Khawa event was there. We had made numerous Kgalagadi, a large population of wildlife is occupying requests that RDC should visit Lobu to attend to its most of the land; when we talk about Wildlife challenges. I have a concern regarding His Excellency Management Areas (WMAs) and parks. So, if we attempt the President’s statement, I am not against, get it right; to improve agriculture so that Batswana can venture into if we open establishments like Lobu at Francistown, are it to sustain themselves, they cannot practice agriculture we not making a mistake like the one we did when we up in the sky, so the Minister of Land Management, Water opened BMC at Francistown and Maun at the expense and Sanitation Services and Minister of Environment, of Lobatse? Have we not learned a lesson from Lobatse Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism should BMC? Sam Brooks’s view is… converse. We have long made this request while I was still a Councillor, 15 years ago and some officers HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker.

22 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

MR BROOKS: …my suggestion is that we should BMC was established, it was for the benefit of the nation extend, refurbish… not a Member of Parliament. I might not own a cow or never will but my voters at Francistown have many MR MMOLOTSI: Procedure. Mr Speaker, maybe cattle and they wish to sell but currently have nowhere we should be careful with the Honourable Member’s to sell. statement for the risk of running this House out of order by giving Batswana the impression that it was a mistake MR SPEAKER: What is out of procedure Honourable to open BMC at Francistown and Maun. This will not Mmolotsi? be good for us because BMC in Maun and Francistown were helping Batswana, in fact people of Francistown MR BROOKS: Mr Speaker, thank you... and surrounding areas are complaining about the MR SPEAKER: No, wait first Honourable Brooks. closure of BMC. If the Honourable Member believes What is out of procedure? that opening BMC that time was a mistake, maybe he should withdraw because criticising developments in MR MMOLOTSI: The fact that he is imputing other constituencies is out of order. improper motives on me by saying I do not own or know anything about a cow. I am an agriculture teacher MR BROOKS: Thank you... by training...

MR SPEAKER: Wait Mr Brooks. No, he cannot MR SPEAKER: No, I never heard him say Honourable withdraw Honourable Member. According to my Mmolotsi does not have a cow… understanding of the point he made, he says if we open another structure of Lobu at Francistown, is it not going MR MMOLOTSI: Yes, but… to be like the time when other BMCs were opened. MR SPEAKER: “…if a person does not have a cow,” He was comparing, he never said it is wrong to have that is what he said… opened BMC at Francistown or Maun. He is not out of procedure, I think he was comparing. MR MMOLOTSI: I was the one saying that so now he is passing remarks… MR BROOKS: Thank you sir. A person who does not own a cow does not know the challenge of the entire MR SPEAKER: No, Honourable Mmolotsi… process. Those of us whose livelihood depended on (Laughter!)… cattle since childhood know how those two BMCs were MR BROOKS: Thank you sir...(Laughter!)…Mr opened and the effects thereafter… Speaker, if we want to extend establishments, we have HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. to make reviews. We should also reflect on our past experiences where we had negative consequences, this MR BROOKS: …Mr Speaker, those are the ones we is what Sam Brooks and residents of Kgalagadi are say… saying. We have long given the Bray community a farm when I was still a Councillor in 2014 but even now… MR SPEAKER: Procedure Honourable Member. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Elucidation. MR BROOKS: …we are discussing them today but I want… MR BROOKS: …they have not been allocated the farm. We should stand up as the Ministry of Agriculture MR SPEAKER: Procedure Honourable Mmolotsi. and improve the lives of people who have ventured into Honourable Brooks, when there is procedure you must farming. We have to do everything we possibly could. immediately sit down when I call the speaker. In the past when a project was excelling, the Ministry of MR BROOKS: Okay. Agriculture was involved.. We are not criticising them, we are saying, they should put more effort and give the MR MMOLOTSI: Procedure. Mr Speaker, he should people of Bray their farm; they should not give it to not impute improper motives on me that I do not know them only as a name Mr Speaker. and own a cow. The main issue today is not whether one knows a cow or owns it but that developments in I also want to thank the Agriculture and Lands Botswana are distributed looking at the need. When Committee, which is led by Honourable Reatile and

Hansard No 200 23 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

his colleagues. A few days back they went all over the agreements that were made by Mr Mogae and Mr Mbeki Kgalagadi District, listening to people’s grievances. I indicated that, the profits that will be generated from want to thank them for the good job they did because that park will be shared equally by the two countries. I it has made my work easier. I believe that in their have the belief that everywhere you go in Transfrontier report if they can present it the way people gave it to Park, you will find boards that were made in Uppington, them, it would not be as if it was okay and then it was address, phone number whilst you are still on the tampered with. If that cannot happen, then we will be Botswana side. very thankful Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, 28 000 square metres is in Botswana, 10 Mr Speaker, when we talk about dairy farming at 000 square metres is on the South African side. Why Lobatse, I totally agree that we can go somewhere. does it seem like everything is done in South Africa? Let the ministry focus on projects. We once had a When we talk about planes, when tourists want to visit dairy project which was situated at Tsabong, which KTP, they have to first do a clearance at Uppington. It supplied milk to prison, hospital andother places . It is just that everything is done Uppington. Will we keep failed because we did not have the technical advice. depending on other people like a calf which has lost its What really bothers me is that, the ministry will go mother? for benchmarking in countries that are far, when we have Namibia. We started this project by initiating Mr Speaker, let us open our eyes and focus. Opening farmers because we went to Namibia as the Council borders; I have never been absent in Parliament ever to benchmark on how they produce milk. When we since I was elected at Kgalagadi South. I took part in the got back, we called the farmers and showed them that Covid -19 regulations that were passed in Parliament. I in Namibia they do 1, 2, 3, they took that system Mr believe that even when we open the economy, I will also Speaker, and they started producing milk. The Ministry be a participant. It is heart-breaking that all the seven of Agriculture did not give those farmers support, that is borders at Kgalagadi, are closed. Oftentimes when I why the projects ended up collapsing. ask what the people of Kgalagadi have done wrong so that they can apologise, I would be told that what I am HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. saying is not right. I would be referring to these kinds MR BROOKS: Mr Speaker, I talked about them…Let of words. Not that I am saying something that is out of me hurry up Honourable Member, I will yield for you. line.

I want to point out that, I liked what the President said in HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. his speech that electricity will be generated in Kgalagadi, MR BROOKS: …we were saying we should stop with District, at Tsabong. When we bring things like power these issues, and point them out, if we can open… stations, they will create employment opportunities for the youth, and also bring developments to the HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification constituency or village where they will be located. We Honourable Brooks. do not have anything that regulates prices with regards HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… to generating electricity, or solar panels, it is because of these that electricity is available at the end of the day. MR LETSHOLO: On a point of clarification. Thank This is what the farmers and other people are currently you Honourable Brooks. Maybe you should explain to using. My fear and concern is that now when it is said this House if you know, why it was impossible to have we implement this new system, prices are going to go an airport at KTP just like in South Africa so that tourists up. The time has come to have a body that regulates could get there easily? Also explain why some Batswana prices in Botswana so that things can go accordingly, were not given campsites just like on the South African for Batswana to benefit, not whereby something is side? If we can be able to do that, how will the youth and implemented, and then the next thing you hear that Batswana benefit? Thank you sir. prices have gone up. MR BROOKS: The reason I was with you not so long Mr Speaker, let me go through them quickly, I do not ago at KTP, I wanted you to add onto this issue of KTP have time. When we talk about Kgalagadi Transfrontier when I am addressing it. Those are the words I was Park (KTP), it is a place that we take pride in. The going to conclude with that even the tarred road from

24 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

Bokspits to KTP, it is on the South African side. You Khuis, Khawa, and so on. I have added a bit of salt onto leave Gaborone travelling on a tarred road, when you what my people have done. reach Bokspits you have to get into South Africa, and travel next to the border fence. KTP is just potholes, in HONOURABLE MEMBER: You are adding. future we will be wondering whether these things are MR BROOKS: I am adding. Honourable Speaker, okay. Let us address them … I do not know where I erred if I am supposed to say HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. the correct thing. I would like to appreciate the NDP 11 review… MR BROOKS: …with love and humility. Wait first so that I can conclude on the last one and yield for you. MR KEORAPETSE: Procedure. Mr Speaker, remind Honourable Brooks that there are two languages that I want to thank the Technical Advisory Committee of are officially allowed in Parliament being English Kgalagadi South. What they gave to the President and and Setswana. If you do not use one of the languages the way he has presented it, it is what we have done properly, and you are guided, you have to accept that and agreed on. I will add a bit of salt so that we can guidance or correction. To add a bit of salt like you were go to Khawa, Khuis, and through Kokotsha pans. We saying, means not telling the truth. Therefore accept the have Houmoed Pan and Jackies Pan at Kokotsha, where correction and not just be adamant that what you said is tourists have already set camps. When we talk about okay. This side of the aisle we said all languages should Kgalagadi Heritage Site… be acceptable, and that there should be a booth that side where interpretation takes place, and then we can then HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. put on headphones to listen . Right now, you could be MR BROOKS: …it can assist to take us somewhere debating using your own language, and there would be Honourable Member. no problem. So please accept the correction my brother. I thank you. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. MR SPEAKER:Yes, he has heard you. MR MOATLHODI: Procedure. I thank you Mr Speaker. Even you the Honourable Member of MR BROOKS: Mr Speaker, as much as I understand Parliament for Kgalagadi South, I thank you. I do not them, if I do not say it the way they understand it then know if Honourable Sam Brooks realises that when they cannot move me. Mr Speaker, I would like to he says, “I will add salt.” In Setswana adding salt, for gravitate towards saying… lack of a diplomatic word Mr Speaker, as I humble DR GOBOTSWANG: Procedure. Honourable Brooks, myself, it means lies. So let me say does Honourable I humble myself as you are my in-law because my wife Member realise that he is going to say words that are not is from Kgalagadi. I just wanted to say, you have been acceptable in this respectable House. adviced that ‘to add more salt’ is not a good expression, MR BROOKS: Thank you Mr Speaker. I do not want to use certain words because I may end up in trouble, but you have been adviced. I humbly request MR SPEAKER: …(Laughter!)… I do not know if he that you should not continue using that expression in is out of procedure or it is using that word wrongly. I this Parliament, because we would be lowering our also heard him when he said he is adding a bit of salt. I standard. I plead Mr Speaker. think that maybe because he is a person of… maybe his Setswana is not up to standard, he wanted to say he will MR SPEAKER: Honourable Brooks please wait a be adding onto it. Am I right Honourable Brooks that moment. I had corrected the statement for you and I you meant to add onto it, you wanted to add something said when you talk about ‘adding more salt’ you meant onto it? Thank you Honourable Brooks. increasing. I understand the Honourable Members when they say they are advising you that, “to add salt” MR BROOKS: Honourable Speaker, leave me to add means augmenting whatever you were saying with lies; salt to what my people have brought before the Office that is indeed true. So they wanted to understand what of the President that we are going to make Kgalagadi a you meant, did you mean augmenting, without doing case trial in those villages. Sam Brooks is saying he is anything wrong? …(Laughter!)…Accept the correction adding a bit of salt because we have included Kokotsha, Honourable Member and continue.

Hansard No 200 25 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

MR BROOKS: Mr Speaker, if there is anyone who say another person is adding a bit of salt you mean they has the authority to chase me away from Parliament are not telling the truth, but in reference to yourself, he because I have added a bit of salt,” and added onto what knows what he means. He just told you that he meant my people have done, then let me be chased out. Mr augmenting, so I do not know why you are giving him Speaker, I would like to thank… such a hard time.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure.

MR SPEAKER: No, Honourable Members, now it MR SPEAKER: I believe you have heard Honourable seems you are elongating it. Members. I believe when one wants to come in with a point of procedure it should be different. I was saying MR MMOLOTSI: Procedure. Mr Speaker, Setswana Honourable Brooks has heard that it is not adding a bit is a simple language which is easy to understand, that of salt, it is augmenting, I think that is what he wanted is why there is what is called standardised orthography. to say; or reiterate. Well you are correct Honourable It means there is the Setswana which is acceptable. No Members, because Hansard records can say the one is killing Honourable Sam Brooks, the Honourable Honourable Member was saying “he is adding a bit of Members are just saying “adding a bit of salt” is different salt,” and it would not be proper. So you have corrected from augmenting something. He should just accept that him, he has heard you and I believe it will be captured the Honourable Members are correcting him because in in the Hansard that you corrected him, although he is Parliament we use words that are acceptable. He should not accepting the correction; but you have corrected him not just refuse, and try to emulate the Honourable anyway. Honourable Motsamai. Member who is able to say people are deaf whereas he knows that that word is not acceptable. Mr Speaker MR BROOKS: Thank you Sir. Mr Speaker, I would I request that we should try to use the standardized like to thank the Ministry… orthography of Setswana because as we are here, we are MR SPEAKER: Honourable Brooks, Honourable in a classroom and we are also teaching children back at Motsamai wants to rise on a point of procedure. home the proper use of Setswana words. We should not just take it that we are debating and then we become MR MOTSAMAI: Procedure. Mr Speaker, I just unbendable and adamant that no one would make us wanted to say, I have never seen a ruling like the one change our choice of words. What he has said is wrong you want to issue, despite the fact that I am not a and therefore he has to use a proper expression, which Speaker, and I might probably never become one. When refers to exactly what he intends to communicate. an Honourable Member accepts a correction, they do MR SPEAKER: Well, you are being provocative. I just so, and you also want corrections to be according to the said we have corrected his expression by saying it is not decorum of the House, that is the way you are ruling. adding a bit of salt, it is augmenting. I suspect he wanted That is what we agree with. If you say, ‘no he has heard to say, “I am augmenting…” you,’ and then you do not show your position; it is either you say a Member should withdraw or not, that is how HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Murmurs)… you should make a ruling. In addition, Mr Speaker, pay close attention to the Vice President, because most of MR SPEAKER: No, Honourable Members, he has the time when someone makes a mistake on their side, heard you, it is just that he… he stands to shield them. He does not think by doing so HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Murmurs)… he is defaming the image of Parliament, and devaluing the Setswana language and Parliament. He just stands LEADER OF THE HOUSE (MR TSOGWANE): up to protect those in his camp. As the Vice President, he Procedure. Honourable Members, you have given your could be accepting that, “As a Vice President I am also guidance, but the Honourable Member has told you that not conversant with the Setswana language. So because his understanding is different from yours. Also he is I do not know Setswana that is why I am accepting the not talking about adding a bit of salt with reference to words as uttered by Honourable Brooks, who also does another person, he is referring to himself. In Setswana, not know Setswana.” It means both of them are leading it is different when you are referring to yourself and each other and they are both lost. Mr Speaker, “adding a when you are referring to another person. When you bit of salt, salt is something bitter…

26 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Laughter!)… MR BROOKS: …I want to thank the Minister of Transport and Communications regarding the road that MR MOTSAMAI: In a nutshell the meaning is that, was discussed in the Mid-Term Review… you are messing up your statement, in Setswana. Honourable Brooks is basically saying he is tampering MR MMOLOTSI: On a point of procedure. Mr with the words he said, we are telling him and not asking Speaker, I plead that you should not allow things to him, salt is bitter. go on like this. You have to make a ruling that is final. Standing Orders state that the Speaker’s ruling is final. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I thought So, when you make a ruling, Honourable Brooks does Honourable Brooks has heard you. not have a choice as to whether he likes it or not. When HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… you make a ruling, he cannot say. “No, that is not salt, it is sugar.” We are serious about Parliament, I do not MR SPEAKER: No, he might not be accepting but he think that it is even fair for the Leader of the House to has heard what you said… say that it is not wrong if someone is insulting himself and that it will only be wrong if he insults others. HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Murmurs)… We cannot operate like that Mr Speaker. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Brooks, you are a very honourable person, but Honourable Members are HONOURABLE MEMBER: Further procedure. correcting you that the expression you used of adding a MR MMOLOTSI: When someone kills himself it is bit of salt is not proper. Even though you are not out of not wrong, it is only wrong when he kills others. Mr procedure, it is the use of language. As you were saying, Speaker, I think your ruling is in order and therefore, it is going to be a permanent record, so we are saying what you ought to do now is to insist that the Honourable accept the correction . Member should correct his mistake as per your ruling, so that we can peacefully proceed with the business of MR TSOGWANE: Procedure. No, I would like us this House. to understand. Do not just agree with the likes of Honourable Motsamai who are not even conversant MR LEUWE: Further procedure. Thank you Mr with Setsewana. We have a Standing Order, so if lying Speaker. I agree with Honourable Mmolotsi that your is imputing improper motive, when referring to myself ruling is final. So, you made a ruling that Honourable that I will add a bit of lies, what is wrong with that, Brooks should proceed. We should abide by it and carry because I am not imputing improper motive on another on, we should not go back to the issue that he wants to take us back to. As he has just said, your ruling is final person? I am not referring to anyone, , he is referring according to the Standing Orders. Mr Speaker, let us to what he did, and then he gave examples, saying, “ proceed. Thank you. adding a bit of salt he meant increasing the number of villages above the already existing list.” Then he MR SPEAKER: You are quite right Honourable Leuwe mentioned those villages. So I do not know, what is because Honourable Mmolotsi does not realise that he he being punished for? You cannot crucify the man for is now out of order because he wants me to reverse my that, he did not insult anyone, and he did not impute any ruling. I ordered Honourable Brooks to proceed, and as improper motive on anybody. He said he is referring to for the sugar issue, I do not know what he is talking himself, so why are you prosecuting him? about. So he should proceed to debate, I will not be a part of the sugar issue that he is talking about. I have are you prosecuting him? made a ruling that we should stop this conversation, and focus on our debate. MR SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I am now making a ruling, we are closing this issue, Honourable MR BROOKS: Thank you Mr Speaker. In the Mid- Brooks heard you. Term Review Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Minister of Transport and Communications. I want to plead MR BROOKS: Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, that as we have been promised and funds having been when I proceed with my debate, I added sugar… allocated, the Mmathethe-Hereford-Werda road should HONOURABLE MEMBERS: …(Laughter!)… be constructed promptly. Kgalagadi constituency is

Hansard No 200 27 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

faced with a challenge of unemployement . Mr Speaker, When we talk about the budget, it is important for the so if we can go and start this project, it will help as the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development youth will benefit from it. At the same time, he should to dig into their pocket and increase the budget that consider the Kokotsha-Tsabong road which has long has been allocated to Councils; development budget been awarded to the constructor in 2018 for 12 months, and recurrent budget. Right now we are fighting for he was told to carry out the re-sealing of 30 kilometres Constituency Fund with Councils, there are serious road. 2018 October up to date, the constructor is still on disputes because recurrent budget is no longer funded site resealing bit by bit. Mr Speaker, that is disgraceful Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, these things fuel conflicts and disheartening. between Member of Parliament (MPs), Councillors and people who work in the Constituency. Let me thank We have a rural area called Maleshe which is opposite Councils… Tsabong and it has long been forgotten when roads are constructed. Mr Speaker, we have to realise that, time MR MOSWAANE: On a point of order. Mr Speaker, the has come for us to consider them so that there can be Honourable Member here is out of order to some extent, roads leading to Maleshe, which is currently growing you will guide me after I explain how I comprehend rapidly. Tsabong is expanding there. what he is saying. I hear that he is saying that the budget for the Councils should be increased, but he is the same When we talk about tourism, we have to consider Member of Parliament (MP) who is saying that it is okay Gakhibana-Khawa, Bokspits-Two Rivers and Tsabong- to go and donate P3000 bucks using presidential jet, Mabuasehube roads. We have to make sure that… helicopter and 50 government vehicles which costs half HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. a million,and these funds could be allocated to councils. I do not know if the Honourable Member’s comment is MR BROOKS: …network does not get lost anywhere in order, does he understand what he is talking about? between Bokspits and Tsabong. If we believe that towers Maybe he should go back and correct his statement that that have been erected 30 kilometres from Tsabong, it is okay to distribute bucks using a presidential jet, 40 kilometres from Gakhibana affect the ones which presidential helicopters and a huge entourage which connect networks, why do we not configure networks so exhaust half a million pula when P3000 is needed to that it can be accessible everywhere? We should not lose transport a buck. Thank you so much. network only to be told that it is so because it connects in Kolonkwaneng, Kolonkwaneng connects in Gakhibana, MR BROOKS: Mr Speaker, unfortunately I do not have while there is no network between the villages yet there time, I was going to answer Honourable Moswaane. I are towers, communication towers which we see there, will answer him next time. Mr Speaker, I want to thank which we can extend our networks to Mr Speaker. Kgalagadi Sub-District Council for they managed to use Mr Speaker, I want to plead with Ministry of Local the little that they were given not so long ago. In that Government and Rural Development; even when we way, we are relying on the Minister to make sure that are supposed to visit my constituencies, there are no there is Civil and Planning Partnership (CCP) so that we Dikgosi; their contracts long ended. We have long had carry out projects hastily Mr Speaker. There is no way challenges, we are failing to take a decision to appoint we cannot thank people who did that job. Mr Speaker, Dikgosi. I believe that relevant secretaries at the workers and Councillors of Kgalagadi Sub-District tried ministries wrote letters stating that contracts of some to use funds properly. Dikgosi should be renewed. I cannot mention their names Mr Speaker, but the time is now. It is painful to Before I sit down Mr Speaker, I should not forget to talk go the constituency and not find a Kgosi there. about the main issue that I will continue to talk about until something happens. You will agree with me that Right now when we talk about Werda and Kokotsha, we were at the Parliament chamber when I humbly said Kgosi operates from Makopong. He is the one who that the issue of Tsabong hospital requires the attention handles issues of Draaihoek, Werda and Kokotsha of the President himself. When I made that statement, I Mr Speaker. We are not doing justice to the Kgosi of did not mean that the President should go to Tsabong. I Makopong because the villages are big, and every time simply meant that procedurally the relevant Ministers they need the attention of Kgosi. We have to address should go and see the situation at Tsabong, the situation with these kind of issues. that we always talk about. I get fearful, I feel cold and I

28 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

shiver when we talk about Tsabong hospital Mr Speaker. are the things that we should bluntly point out when it There is sorrow and heartbreak there Mr Speaker. comes to Tsabong Hospital.

I cannot forget to thank the two Ministers who went One of the things I have learned and liked about the there. Ministers never go to my Constituency except Ministry of Health and Wellness, when you ask, what Honourable Autlwetse and Honourable Shamukuni. have you learned about COVID-19, the answer is, wear They are the only ones who went there to hear my your mask and social distancing. We have learned these outcry. We ran out of time before we could go to things and accepted them. Going forward, apart from Tsabong hospital, Iam talking about a shack kwa batho these things, what is our take concerning the lives of ba nyelelang teng( where people perish). Kgalagadi constituents? These things Mr Speaker are painful and disappointing. Mr Speaker, let me not take too much of your time. We are talking about 20 villages, clinics of 20 villages HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. which are serviced by Tsabong. When a patient arrives MR BROOKS: The very thing that I Sam Brooks at Tsabong hospital at six in the morning, they only get requested that,eventhough I lobbied for the opening attended to by a doctor at two or three in the afternoon, of borders, we should have an place where those who because of the situation that is there Mr Speaker. Mr are infected at the borders can be rushed to by the Speaker, these things… immigration officers. Please Mr Speaker, I am not MR MOSWAANE: On a point of order. Mr Speaker criticizing my Government, I voted for it, I love it till I want to talk about the use of words. He talks about my dying day and my coffin will be wrapped in BDP… go nyelela in a shack(nyelela is an ambigious word meaning to perish or defecate) I do not think that is HONOURABLE MEMBER: Clarification. proper Setswana. MR BROOKS: …if you did not know. That is what I HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Laughter!)… wanted to say.

HONOURABLE MEMBER: Are you saying where In conclusion Mr Speaker, Ministry of Youth people are perishing? Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, must know its youth database. We know that some graduate MR MOSWAANE: Yes, he is saying, there is a shack even as some are coming in, they should know the where people are perishing. I do not understand, maybe projects that they are giving the youth. Honourable he needs to correct or rephrase the statement. Thank Members should not only boast about successful you. youth projects. We should also see them assisting with MR BROOKS: Mr Speaker, let me proceed. I am trying challenged projects that Government funded. We should by all means to avoid Honourable Members especially see Ministers there so that we can assist one another Honourable Moswaane. Since I am well mannered, I am with ideas of what can be done going forward. trying my best because I come from a constituency that Mr Speaker, we will talk about others since time is has been disadvantaged for a long time. I am saying this not on my side. Mr Speaker, we forgot the informal sorrowfully and Mr Speaker. I humbly request that they sector. We have totally forgotten it. We must look should respect me, I will respect them. into the informal sector. They are also contributing to Mr Speaker, when we talk of Struizendam, Bokspits, improving their lives and the economy of Botswana by Vaalhoek, Rapplespan, Gakhibane, Khawa, Khuis, being independent. We have forgotten them yet they Middlepits, Bogogobo, Kolonkwane, Maubelo, are suffering. Recently when companies benefitted Seetelo, Maleshe, Omaweneno, Maralaleng, Draihoek, from wage subsidy, no one from the informal sector got Makopong, Werda, Kokotsha, all these clinics refer to anything. When they enquire, they are told that they did Tsabong, where does Tsabong transfer to? We lose hope not register with Botswana Unified Revenue Service when we think of… When you hear that your parent has (BURS). How can you register with BURS when your been transferred to Tsabong, you lose hope and hand annual profit is P5000 yet you are not registered under everything to God. If we are lucky, we will get to see the destitutes programme or anywhere? Mr Speaker, we our parent again and thank God for his protection. These need to look into these things.

Hansard No 200 29 Lastly, our children who work in shops, like one has set aside P1.3 billion for this programme that will Honourable Member said, let their salaries be increased. resuscitate the economy of Botswana. Moreover, we If I get 10 per cent salary increment, they should also get saw National Development Bank (NDB) come up with that 10 per cent. If we get 2 per cent increment, that 2 Agribusiness Stimulus Fund (ASF) where they have set per cent must also apply to them. We should not leave aside P50 million to assist small traders. That was not it to shop owners to consider their increment. By so all, NDB again came up with a programme of Essential doing, we are not protecting our currency as Botswana Service Fund (ESF) where they have set aside P20 because most of these business owners in our country million to assist small businesses. All these are good are foreigners, they are here to make money and use initiatives which must benefit Batswana which are the our children. As much as we appreciate that they leave aspirations of Masisi’s Government. I would like to behind developments but we do not want them to leave request all Honourable Members to advise our people developments that will not benefit us because our most of the time… children are suffering. Thank you Mr Speaker. MR MOATLHODI: Procedure. The procedure that I MR SPEAKER: Order! Order Honourable Members! am calling on Mr Speaker, is that our Standing Orders Honourable Regoeng, we are not doing well in terms of are very clear. If I am not wrong, I think it is Standing time. Honourable Brooks has taken almost an hour on Order 23, subject to correction. It is very clear that His the floor, but part of that hour was used up in points of Excellency the President’s name, must be used very order and procedure which were not adding any value. correctly to that effect. Even in Setswana, you cannot just say Government of Masisi, as if he is your equal. HONOURABLE MEMBER: …(Inaudible)… We say, the Government of His Excellency President MR SPEAKER: Honourable Gobotswang, when the Masisi, that is what we expect from him, more so that he Speaker has taken the floor , you listen and you should is a Member of the ruling party. He must be exemplary not make side remarks. I am trying to talk to Honourable with the decorum. Members here, we are Honourables, let us respect time. MR SPEAKER: He took note of that. Our points of order and procedure should add value to the debate for the sake of keeping our time. MR REGOENG:Thank you Mr Speaker. we love our President and will continue to respect him like we have MR REGOENG (MOLEPOLOLE NORTH): Good been doing. I heard you sir. afternoon Mr Speaker. Good afternoon Honourable Members. Thank you Mr Speaker for giving me an As Members of Parliament, we have to ensure that opportunity to also comment on the President’ speech. people from our various constituencies benefit from He presented the State of the Nation Address after the government programmes. We must not forget that we are last one he gave 12 months ago. The current one he gave their representatives. While in this House or outside, let in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a special us tell them what is happening, things that Government address made unique by this disease which has affected of Domkrag want them to benefit from. On this issue, our lives and those of other people. We believe he took I want to highlight that, there are some tenders which relevant decisions in trying to find a way of protecting are usually offered at Councils. These programmes from the lives of the nation of Botswana. He did not despair. Councils mostly focus on the informal sector, those We commend him for that with the assistance of this who cannot generate their own income. They may get Parliament. He saw it befitting to come up with the a tender to supply schools with food items and at the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERTP) clinics. So those who deal with Councils must make to fight against this disease. The aim was to deal with sure that the informal sector is involved as far as these the period that we are in. Although we had approved the programmes are concerned. Mid-Term Review budget , we were forced to change it or come up with ERTP. What usually happens is that, sometimes on a Friday, Council will call a person saying, “you must go and Mr Speaker, the aim was to assist Batswana who were supply schools with food on Monday.” The poor person affected by this pandemic. We are grateful because will not have money and would not even have time to run afterwards, he came up with another initiative of around to look for money, so these programmes should Industry Support Fund (ISF). He explained that he assist them. I request those who deal with councils

Hansard No 200 30 to talk to their employes , to give people time. They We need facilities like market centres so that those who already know the schools which have to be supplied cook food or those who sell other goods, will have a with food so they have to ask relevant people well on place where they operate their things. Young people time, so that they can prepare themselves well on time. and those who are doing other things are challenged We currently have programmes where people would get because they do not have a market place. So we urge loans from financial institutions after they have awarded these parastatals to also consider other areas not only tenders so that they can be able to supply. So, they are towns. They must understand that we also have these able to supply food because of the assistance they get kinds of things in rural areas. I once saw these things from those financial institutions. This is what happens at Kenya in the rural areas. They have such facilities in Mr Speaker; they give people these tenders, they give rural areas. The question therefore is, why can we not them two days such that if they fail to get money, they have them in Botswana? Namibia; I also saw them there. pass it on to someone else. I believe they deliberately You will find buildings where someone cooks Setswana do these things, they deny them things which are meant food while another cooks something else and you will for them. have variety to choose from if you go there. Others sell in a different manner. So we need these things in our So let the Ministry of Local Government do something constituencies and rural areas, let us take them there. about this. They should emphasise the point that the Our current condition requires us to do so. So let BDC informal sector should be assisted, they should be given go out and assist those who are in rural areas. time to prepare. It should not appear as if they always have money. They earn a living by hustling. If they get Let me also commend Local Enterprise Authority a tender and you only give them one or two days, how (LEA). They are doing a very excellent job. Businesses do you expect them to prepare for that? Mr Speaker, of young people are excelling simply because of their let us pay attention to that. Let us try to assist others contribution, they train and find markets for their goods. wholeheartedly and truthfully. So let them continue to do this good job so we can assist Batswana. We should be grateful for programmes like Letlhabile. The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry also Mr Speaker, I will address these parastatals one by one; changed their guidelines. the President also talked about Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). We are delighted because in MS MONNAKGOTLA: Clarification. Thank you his speech, he indicated that in a period of 12 months, Honourable. That is an excellent debate. You mentioned up to September, BITC managed to assist companies NDB so my question is, can they assist youth at that are exporting with export earning of P2,783 billion. Kgalagadi North if they won a tender? If the youth at That is a great effort which they must keep up. Our Monong and Hunhukwe won a council or Government intention is to get inflow. Not only that, we expect to tender, where will they get the funds? How are they receive an inflow in our country just as the President assisted? Thank you. mentioned in his speech. He set a target but we managed MR REGOENG: I believe these kind of programmes to exceed it with an amount of P630 million. So we have are widespread across the country madam. We cannot realised that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow is have them in one area and I believe there are those who important. It would be important if everything can go are close to them. So let us not assume that they cannot according to what he stipulated in his speech, even benefit since they are far away. I believe they will also though we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. benefit from this programme. This will help us to get something which can help us move this country forward. Mr Speaker, there are other parastatals which mostly operate around Gaborone for example; Botswana Let me also talk about youth employment from the Development Corporation (BDC). They are intending to speech, the President explained that we spent about make some developments in towns; Francistown, Selebi P94,7 million to try to create jobs for young people. Phikwe and Gaborone. For this reason, we encourage This is a lot of money, maybe the important thing is them to reach out to people in other areas. We also need for the relevant ministries to be focussed. As I have factory shells in villages like Molepolole so young mentioned, young people are receiving relevant training people can run their projects there. That is what I want. so that their businesses can grow. We are busy sourcing

Hansard No 200 31 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

markets for them. That is important because as funds track, but in all fairness to the Honourable Minister have been allocated, if we fail to do everything that I responsible for Land Management, Water and Sanitation mentioned, it will all be in vain. So I believe these are Services, last week Friday when he responded to the the efforts that we are making. Motion as tabled by Honourable Reatile, he spelt out positively his ways, how he is going to be dealing Another thing stated in the speech is that, Government with land problems. All we need to do as Parliament is managed to absorb 8 457 Intern officers in the formal rally behind him, advocate and execute all resources to employment. That is a great effort because these ensure that the Minister’s positive means are properly officers are hardworking. If possible, let us try to absorb executed. I so pray. all of them in the Government formal employment. You will find them working very hard sometimes better than MR REGOENG: I am moving on to the issue of permanent officers. So responsible authorities should agriculture Mr Speaker, one of the projects close to my ensure that these people do not wait for a long period. heart is to locally produce sufficient milk. We need to There are those who are kept for two, three years and take this project seriously because dairy project is not does not know their future. an ordinary project, we waste a lot of money importing Mr Speaker, I want to focus again on the issue of land. milk and dairy products. Furthermore we can create I think we all agree that land is an important resource, a lot of jobs through this project, that alone has a lot which we all need and have to protect. Land is the cause of benefits. Even the issue Honourable Moatlhodi just of conflicts in some countries. We have available land clarified regarding the Minister’s response, maybei t is and our population is still low so this land can be enough because I was not present in one of the Fridays. Going for us all. Perhaps we should administer it in such a way back to the issue of land there are some people who are that each one of us has a plot. So my suggestion is that genuinely interested in dairy production but they need the Minister and his ministry should try to review our land. They need where they can keep cattle and grow current land tenure, the goal is to allocate residential feed for their cattle. So the same thing should go for plots to people. I have realised that some people are this one, if there is a cluster interested in venturing into allocated land then they sell it perhaps we should stop this project as we encourage clusters they should be selling land, that is just a personal request. I know that considered to be allocated land. There is a project we we are a free market economy but things such as land want to be implemented which Honourable Members should be governed because we are going to end up were talking about of Milk Africa. We want it to be having people with no land while some have plenty. implemented and reap benefits. This company cannot This will have a negative impact more especially for the get milk anywhere besides from Batswana but Batswana upcoming youth. If we do not protect this resource, by cannot produce milk if they have no land to keep their the time they reach the legal age, they will not be able to livestock and grow livestock feed. So we should also acquire land. Minister, my suggestion is that you should see how people can be assisted so that they are given all amend the clause to prohibit the selling of land, one can the necessary resources to implement. improve self even if they have it, it is not like you can The other issue I want to comment on is the one the improve self if you have sold it. Minister was informing us on regarding Integrated The other thing I want to request, still under the Ministry Support Programme for Arable Agriculture of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, is Development (ISPAAD) that, it is being reviewed. This that we have children who lost parents but they do not programme needs to be reviewed because we know have accommodation, some stay at the grandparents’ that we once had a programme like this one which was home. When the grandparents pass on they are left called Arable Lands Development project (ALDEP). I behind with the uncles and aunt and conflict ensues. So agree with him that we have to benefit from the money my suggestion is that, if there is proof that these children we invested in farming. I strongly believe that if the are orphans and they have no place to stay, there should Minister can present statistics to show that ever since be a way to assist them. the implementation of this programme 10 years ago, we did not achieve our goal which is food sufficiency. We MR MOATLHODI: On a point of elucidation. Thank have not achieved that goal but we have invested a lot you Mr Speaker. Much as my colleague, to quote of money. Have we reduced our import bill, no we have Honourable Monnakgotla’s language is on the right not. Minister as you raised this issue, you should take it

32 Hansard No 200 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

seriously and quickly amend so that we can benefit from not procedure and he could have stood up on elucidation, these programmes. he could have even assisted us. Honourable Regoeng was not out of procedure. The other issue the President mentioned is affordable housing. We have Botswana Housing Corporation MR SPEAKER: You are quite right Honourable (BHC) which builds houses but it is not enough. As Leuwe. I have a problem that you will stand up on I was saying, when we talk about people our focus is a point of procedure and you do not raise any un- mainly in the urban areas, we overlook people at the procedural thing, that is why I kept quiet and allowed rural areas. There is no BHC at the rural areas so please Honourable Regoeng to continue, but the fact is that he was not out of procedure, I think he was simply giving introduce it because people do not have accommodation him information. more especially teachers, they are sharing. This is alone contributes to poor performance of students at schools MR REGOENG: Mr Speaker, I agree with you that because they cannot concentrate on lessons. So it is there was no procedure, and even though it is an advice, important that we analyse this issue carefully. let me say to him Honourable Member, land is available at Molepolole. As you see me speaking here today, it It is not only teachers, nurses also do not have enough is because there is always postponement when BHC accommodation. If BHC was at the rural areas perhaps has to come there. Bakwena have designated land for it could see how it could address such issues. Minister BHC to build on, that is why you see me appealing to responsible should ensure that they build houses across this House and Honourable Members to ensure that, not entire country and not only in urban areas. It should be Molepolole only but all Constituencies, BHC should go spread to rural areas so that there can also develop. out there and not confine itself to urban areas. Health infrastructure... Mr Speaker, let me address health infrastructure. Let me MR MOATLHODI: Procedure Mr Speaker. Thank be thankful that the old buildings of Scottish Livingstone you Mr Speaker. Honourable Member I implore Hospital were refurbished, I am impressed with that. that you correct me if I do not quote you properly. I What bothers me is that, we have many buildings, not want to remind my colleague who I love very much, in Molepolole only, which the Government is not using Tshepo’s father. As you are a Member of Parliament for optimally. I will give an example; Scottish Livingstone Molepolole North, your full right is to do what I also Hospital which was built after the old one was not did, during the 10th Parliament, I complained the same optimally used. When you get there you will find that way he is complaining. I went to the General Manager there are wards where there is only one patient whereas (GM) of Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) and at Princess Marina Hospital people are sleeping on the said, sir you are not there at Tonota and they told me floor. You will get in some rooms to find two people to go and request land on their behalf and I talked to sleeping there on beds while other beds are just idling Tonota Subordinate Land Board which allocated them and there is no one using them, but at Princess Marina land. Right now as I am speaking to you, they have Hospital they are sleeping on the floor. It seems like we already completed 12 houses, and they said they will are not using our resources appropriately. As they… build 100 mixed housing houses. I am pleading with (Inaudible)… are maintaining it, it should not just stay you Honourable Member, go and see the GM of BHC there, it should be given a task it is supposed to do, and tell him about your concern, they are very kind and not maintained because sometimes we construct people. Then you go and tell Kweneng Land Board that structures and we do not use them. The other example BHC wants to bring houses for Bakwena, please give that I will provide is that, a health institute was built us land, and they will be very quick. May God help you at Molepolole, it is a state of the art facility, as I am Honourable Member to achieve this project. speaking to you right now, it is highly underutilised. It was purposely designed and built to offer six HONOURABLE MEMBER: Procedure Mr Speaker. courses 10 years ago, which are; General Nursing, MR REGOENG: Thank you for that advice, but what I Midwifery, Community Health, Pharmacy Program, do not understand is that… Family Welfare and Ophthalmology. Right now as I am speaking to you, it only offers General Nursing, all MR LEUWE: Procedure. Thank you Mr Speaker. I these other…(Inaudible)…even they were constructed, totally agree with Nkamo’s father, but I believe that was they are not being used. What is overwhelming is that,

Hansard No 200 33 Monday 23rd November, 2020 RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH Motion (Resumed Debate)

when you get to hospitals, we have shortage of nurses, colleges and brigades fast so that young people in the pharmacy technicians, and laboratory scientists, people streets can be absorbed into those facilities. who should be offered courses there. Not so long ago I was with a foreigner who works at Sekgoma Memorial MR SPEAKER: Order! Order! Honourable Members, Hospital, he has been working there for 15 years as a it is now 6:00 p.m. and I shall now call upon the Leader medical scientist officer simply because we do not of the House to move a Motion of adjournment. have Batswana with those qualifications. When you MOTION get into our pharmacies in hospitals, even the private ones, you will find that most of their employees are ADJOURNMENT foreigners but we have facilities where young people of Botswana could be educated on those fields, and occupy LEADER OF THE HOUSE (MR TSOGWANE): … those positions. Sometimes we build and we do not use (Inaudible)…with Degree and qualify for Certificate these facilities for what they were constructed for and and Diploma with a qualification they acquired from let me request Honourable Members that , let us try to secondary, should we neglect them or not . On that note ensure that we use those facilities we are constructing. Mr Speaker, I will request to move that this House be I strongly believe that if the facility at Molepolole was adjourned. used, we could have trained an immeasurable number Question put and agreed to. of nurses. I believe that we must rather have excess than shortage. We have nurses but they are not enough, there The Assembly accordingly adjourned at 6:00 p.m. until is shortage in labs, at pharmacies it is foreigners but we Tuesday 24th November, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. have young Batswana who roam the streets and have no access to these things.

Secondly, when we offer our youth courses, it is either at Certificate or Diploma level whereas we have massive facilities which we could be using to offer the youth Degrees so that we upgrade their level and are able to compete at the international market, but we do not do

that, most of them when we offer them education, it is either Diploma or Certificate. When are we going to upgrade them to a higher level like that one so that they can be able to compete internationally like everyone else?

Education; let me thank the Ministry of Basic Education for doing a very good job. The objective of the Government to provide everyone with education, is what the ministry is doing and we are thankful for that. We often have challenges when we get to higher levels because when they complete Form 5 (O Level), absorption rate drops. Not so long ago the Minister was explaining here that for the last five years, only 40 percent of young people were admitted for tertiary education when they completed O Level, so the question is where do the other 60 per cent that we throw in the streets go? My belief is that we should rather invest heavily in education than other sectors . For us to do justice to this country, we have to invest in education, that is when I think we would have effectively done our job. The issue that we are still capacitating our colleges, this thing is taking forever. Let us capacitate technical

34 Hansard No 200 HANSARD RECORDERS Mr. T. Gaodumelwe, Mr T. Monakwe, Ms T. Kebonang HANSARD REPORTERS Ms T. Rantsebele, Mr M. Buti, Ms N. Selebogo, Ms A. Ramadi, Ms D. Thibedi, Ms G. Baotsi, Ms N. Mokoka, Mr J. Samunzala, Ms Z. Molemi

HANSARD EDITORS Ms K. Nyanga, Ms C. Chonga, Mr K. Goeme, Ms G. Phatedi, Ms B. Malokwane, Mr A. Mokopakgosi, Ms O. Nkatswe, Ms G. Lekopanye Ms T. Mokhure, Ms B. Ratshipa

HANSARD TRANSLATORS Ms B. Ntisetsang, Ms. M. Sekao, Ms. B. Mosinyi, Ms. V. Nkwane, Ms. N. Kerobale, Ms K. Motswakhumo, Ms T. Motsau, Ms O. Phesodi, Mr K. Setswe

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

Hansard No 200 35