The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 The ProblemPage 1 With Judges’ Donations To Page 12 Covid –19

Wednesday 29 April 2020 P9.50 (Incl) VAT “Kitso ke maatla” SINCE 1984 UB In the Race for COVID-19

Cure Page 3 As Gov’t Records One New Infection , Bringing The Number to 23 Covid-19 Cases

Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris says that scientists at the University of Botswana (UB) met today to expedite further research processes following the discovery of an indigenous plant that may have properties to prevent and cure COVID-19 Virus Although finding cure is still far, he said that they have been testing various plant material including Mongana which is said to have properties that kill malaria and COVID-19.

F/Town Mayor Saleshando Has Not Submitted Evidence Investigated For Covid-19 – Skelemani Page 2 Food Relief Tender LOO wants BDF, Po- • BDP threatens to take action against Mayor lice Salary Deduc- • Town Clerk defends him tions For COVID-19 • Mayor says he declared his interests Page 4 Fund Stopped Rebuilding The Economy After COVID-19 Crisis Around P10 billion in an Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) will be needed, but this time around to build home grown industries that will create mass employment, rather than enriching tenderpreneurs only, Economists say. Page B1 Page 2 news Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Saleshando Has Not Submitted Evidence – Skelemani

• Speaker says he is still awaiting LOO’s evidence (BDP) that I have received tion, Vice President Slum- the evidence.” ber Tsogwane said the dec- • Says he will present the evidence before the BDP once submitted In his response, Sale- laration of state of public shando differed, and rather emergency was necessary said, “I have given the for the purpose of taking • Saleshando diff ers, “I have submitted evidence” Speaker the evidence, it is appropriate and stringent up to him to decide wheth- measures to address the er he shares it with you or risks posed by COVID-19. not.” When giving his sub- Saleshando had raised mission President Masisi, the allegations in his de- vowed to revoke the SOPE fence to why the extra as soon as the government ordinary sitting of Parlia- has established a full grip ment should vote against on the virus. Masisi’s proposed six “I personally gave as- months of State of Public surance to the leaders of Emergency. parties that took part in “This will enable the the 2019 election, of my President to give tenders complete commitment to to his party members with- stick to the intention of the out being questioned. We constitution and my will- will request for a com- ingness and desire to uplift mission of inquiry of the the state of emergency the COVID-19 money on how very minute the experts it was used. I want to tell who know how best to you that you will be the manage this pandemic in- one to answer,” he said in form me that we no longer a televised parliamentary need those powers to be debate. applied to manage what When asked to pro- remains.” vide evidence to support “The state of emergency LETLHOGILE MPUANG mit any evidence pointing procurement without ten- that he was still awaiting the allegations and if not, may not need to last six to President Mokgweetsi dering, Speaker of the Na- evidence from the Maun withdraw the statement, he months and I hope it does eader of Opposi- Masisi’s relatives or any tional Assembly Phandu East legislator. “No, I have promised to compile the not because states of emer- tion (LOO) in Par- Botswana Democratic Skelemani has said. not received anything,” he evidence and submit to the gency are disruptive by Lliament Dumelang Party (BDP) member ben- Skelemani told The Bo- said. “Once I have received Speaker. their own nature,” Presi- Saleshando is yet to sub- efiting from COVID-19 tswana Gazette this week it, then I shall inform them The mover of the mo- dent Masisi had said. LOO wants BDF, Police Salary Deductions For COVID-19 Fund Stopped Calls for health workers to be exempted from deferment of salary increment

TEFO PHEAGE when we all took the back seat tics of the dead. There is need indicated that if schools are not and worked from home. It is for you to assure our health reopened soon, all students will he Leader of the Oppo- unfair to subject them to an ad- workers, who are risking their have to repeat. To the greatest sition, Dumelang Sale- ditional financial strain. I there- lives working in the frontline extent possible, this should be Tshando has written a fore urge you to reverse the call of this ravaging war, that gov- avoided,” he said. letter to President Mokgweetsi for donations by the head of ernment will avail adequate The letter continues: “For Masisi calling on him to stop the the police and army. Let those Personal Protective Equipment all intents and purposes, learn- salary deductions of the disci- in the disciplined forces who (PPE). Our two public universi- ing in public schools has come plined forces to the COVID-19 wish to contribute follow the ties (UB and BIUST) recently to a halt while private schools Relief Fund. The government same procedure set for every announced a number of innova- continue to deliver content to has taken a controversial deci- Motswana. They can deposit tions related to COVID-19 re- their students through e-learn- sion to deduct the disciplined directly to the advertised ac- sponse. I commend the two uni- ing. Our public education has forces salaries under the guise counts and not through their versities for their innovations,” to transform and central to the of volunteerism. superiors. Kindly also consider he added. transformation is the use of Saleshando says Masisi exempting health care workers He urged Masisi to instruct technology in the classroom. should intervene. “Members of from the recently imposed sal- the National COVID-19 Re- The rollout of iPads to students, and associated internet infra- the Police Service as well at the ary adjustment postponement,” sponse Team to engage the two structure, is no longer a political Botswana Defence Force have Saleshando stated. universities together with Busi- rally issue. It’s an urgent imper- received communication from “Some countries have intro- ness Botswana to explore the ative requiring your attention.” their superiors urging them to duced special allowances for possibility of setting up produc- He called for the engagement contribute their earnings or sav- their health sector employees tion plants for some of the re- of the temporary teachers who ings to the COVID-19 Fund. in appreciation of the burden quired equipment. have the requisite qualifications Fixed amounts have been set they carry in responding to the On education, Saleshando for the jobs they do to be fully for each rank. Though the com- crisis.” says as the current lockdown employed. “The temporary munication suggests that the The Leader of the Opposition comes to an end, there is need teachers operate through termly contributions are voluntary, we further called on government for Masisi to give clear direc- contracts and are unsure of their all know that a request from the “to exempt health workers from tions on what is to happen with- jobs at the moment. Their work highest authority, in the culture a decision to defer salary incre- in the education sector. conditions are not conducive for of disciplined forces, is a com- ments”, which civil servants are “The State of Public Emer- the provision of quality educa- mand,” he said. currently protesting. gency (SoE) regulations state tion centred around a motivated The letter further says: “Our “In all the countries that have that schools will remain closed teacher. We need to urgently men and women in uniform are recorded a high number of CO- for the duration of the SoE, confirm all temporary teachers part of the front line and have VID-19 deaths, health workers which is six months. The Min- as permanent employees,” he had to carry a heavier workload have formed part of the statis- ister of Basic Education has says. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 news Page 3 UB In The Race To Find Cure For COVID-19

LETLHOGILE MPUANG still have to do more research. “We do have the capacity and rica. Its leaves are used to make We need to follow all health expertise as a country to find herbal tea, as well as to treat cientists at the University protocols and make sure that the the cure ourselves,” Dr Norris ailments such as coughs, colds, of Botswana (UB) have cure does not have any negative (PhD) asserted. “Even if any fever, loss of appetite and head- discovered several indig- effects on people.” of the Western countries found aches. S a cure today, it would take two enous plants that may have prop- He noted that one of their big- The President of Madagas- erties to prevent and cure the gest challenges was that there years for it to reach Botswana.” car Andry Rajoelina last week novel coronavirus, this publica- were no subjects to test potential Lead Researcher, Professor launched his country’s local tion has established. cures on. “These cures need to Daniel Motlhanka also told this herbal remedy. Malagasy In- These plants includes Artemis- be tested on subjects that have publication that his team is cur- stitute of Applied Research rently testing several medicinal ia, that is used to make COVID- the virus for us to observe how (IMRA) explained that it is plants in a bid to find a possible Organics in Madagascar where the body reacts,” he pointed out. derived from Artemisia. As of “You would find that some cures remedy for Covid-19. He how- at least two people are reported April 22, Madagascar’s case do indeed kill the virus but affect ever pointed out that funding re- to have been cured after using it. stats stood at 121, of which 44 the liver. Over the past few days, mained their biggest challenge. The Minister of Health and had recovered with no deaths. Wellness, Dr Lemogang Kwape, we have had more than 10 peo- “We are currently putting up a Last week, Zimbabwe’s gov- referred this publication to UB ple coming forward saying they proposal that we will be submit- ernment authorized traditional when contacted about Botswa- have traditional herbs that could ting to the Botswana Innovation herbalists to treat Coronavirus na’s potential lead in the race to cure this virus, but thorough re- Hub for funding,” explained patients, find a cure for the deadly disease. search has to be conducted.” Professor Motlhanka. Lippia At UB, Vice Chancellor Pro- Professor Norris emphasised Javanica (Mosukujwane) is also The US Centers for Disease fessor David Norris told The the determination of UB to find one of the plants that have been Control (CDC) however says Botswana Gazette that his team a cure for COVID-19, saying tested. there is no scientific evidence of scientists today (Tuesday) to Botswana would not sit idly by Artemisia is the plant that is that any of these alternative expedite the process of finding a and look to Western countries to believed to have the potential remedies can prevent or cure the cure locally. find a cure. The Coronavirus has to cure and prevent the Corona- illness caused by COVID-19. In “But we are still very far,” already claimed more than 200 virus. It is a popular medicinal fact, some of them may not be Professor Norris cautioned. “We 000 lives around the world. plant in southern and East Af- safe to consume. Gov’t Expected To Discharge Some Covid-19 Patients

TEFO PHEAGE with mild symptoms should take no longer than two weeks to re- he government is prepar- cover. However, if you develop ing to discharge the first more serious symptoms such Tcohort of COVID-19 as pneumonia, it can take much patients who are hospitalised at longer to recover. Using avail- Sir Ketumile Masire Hospital able preliminary data, the me- because they have recovered, dian time from onset to clinical The Botswana Gazette has es- recovery for mild cases is ap- tablished. proximately two weeks and is However, the Director of three to six weeks for patients Health Services, Dr Malaki with severe or critical disease.” Tshipayagae, says it is unlikely It is not known how the govern- that all patients who have recov- ment will handle the process of ered will be released. According discharging patients who have the government to release a state- in respiratory tracts and test nega- a check-up after two weeks and to the World Health Organisa- recovered but different countries ment on the issue. “What we can tive twice in consecutive samples again after four weeks. The Chi- tion (WHO), the recovery time have adopted slightly different say for now is that the patients taken at least 24 hours apart. nese protocol calls for setting up from Coronavirus depends on protocols for discharging a novel are in good shape and are in con- These discharged patients are to a separate or specially designated a number of factors, including coronavirus patient who has re- stant communication with their stay in isolation, which means hospital facility for cured CO- how sick one becomes, one’s age covered. families through their phones they are to have no contact with VID-19 patients’ return visits and and gender, and one’s underlying Countries are currently basing and social media,” he said. their family members, will eat re-testing for novel Coronavirus. health issues. their discharge protocols on the China, the country from which the by themselves and will have no The Chinese experience was fol- “For people with mild symp- Chinese model. deadly virus began, recommends outdoor activities for 14 more lowed everywhere in the world toms, the fever should settle in Speaking to this publication, discharging COVID-19 patients days. It is mandatory for them for treatment of COVID-19 pa- less than a week, although the the Minister of Health and Well- if they don’t have a fever for three to wear a face mask and live in tients, with countries altering the cough may linger for slightly ness, Dr Lemogang Kwape, days, show improved respiratory a room with good ventilation. protocol, depending on their own longer,” says WHO. “People asked this publication to wait for symptoms, reduced inflammation They have to visit a hospital for clinical experience.

Take a stand against COVID-19

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absa.co.bw Account Number 1044199 Swift Code BARCBWGX Absa Bank Botswana Limited (registered number BW00001237900) is regulated by the Bank of Botswana. Page 4 news Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette F/Town Mayor Investigated For Covid-19 Food Relief Tender • BDP threatens to take action against Mayor derstand that leadership phone calls from this re- comes with responsibili- porter, nor respond to sev- • Town Clerk defends him ties. eral messages sent to him. “This is why we even Interviewed by one of • Mayor says he declared his interests discourage Ministers to be the online publications the involved in procurement. Mayor stated that he has In fact, all BDP leaders declared his interests and SESUPO RANTSIMAKO the Mayor may have ben- should not be fighting for followed the required pro- efited inappropriately from businesses with Batswa- cedure. Further he said he RANCISTOWN: the tender. na,” he added. was not even selfish as he The ruling Botswana “As the ruling party we The BDP SG cautioned, did not tender for the meat Democratic Party strongly believe and have F “The law has to be applied supply despite the fact that (BDP) says it will investi- clearly stipulated in our on anybody involved in gate how Francistown City constitution that our role is he also runs butchery. “I corrupt practices. Further, gave others an opportu- Mayor Godisang Radisigo to ensure that there is jus- as the ruling party we will nity to supply meat. I did was awarded a tender to tice and equity in the man- go beyond the law and ap- not grab everything for my supply COVID-19 Food ner we serve the people. ply our constitution.” business,” he told the on- Relief Packages to the We discourage any conduct Balopi further cautioned line publication. Francistown community, that could compromise our leaders to desist from do- Reached for comment and take action accord- principles. We also stipu- ing what the Francistown ingly. lated in our constitution Mayor did. Francistown City Town BDP Secretary General that we want citizen em- Through his company Clerk Lopang Pule said Mpho Balopi told The Bo- powerment. We therefore Lwange Investment, the Radisigo was given the tswana Gazette in an in- have to be seen to be sup- Francistown Mayor won green light to participate in terview that his party will porting Batswana,” Balopi the tender to supply CO- the tender because he de- approach the Mayor, to said. VID-19 food relief pack- clared his assets as per the establish what may have In addition, Balopi said ages at a price of P911.95 tender requirements. Fur- transpired. The involve- those involved in improper per package. ther, he also owns a general ment of the BDP comes af- practices while in leader- Since last Friday the dealer, which is one of the ter several complaints that ship positions have to un- Mayor could not take tender requirements. Public Transport Operators Want Gov’t To Pay Their Operational Costs • Propose to have wage subsidy replaced • Minister claims ignorance to the proposal

SESUPO RANTSIMAKO ment is that the 50 percent wage subsidy is only ben- RANCISTOWN: eficial to their employees The Botswana Bus leaving the employers with FOperators Associa- nothing. “We met with the tion (BBOA) has reported- Transport and Communi- ly proposed for its members cations Minister to discuss to be paid one-third of their this issue and hopefully we operational costs instead of will get a positive response. the wage subsidy currently The wage subsidy offered offered by the government by government falls short in response to the econom- of the costs we incur,” re- ic shocks brought about by vealed an operator. the lockdown. The Botswana Gazette BBOA Chairman Tirafa- has learnt that while the lo Mponang confirmed the government has offered 50 proposal in an interview percent wage subsidy to with The Botswana Ga- businesses affected by the zette. Mponang said they COVID-19 lockdown, the only proposed operational BBOA is rather proposing costs for scheduled routes promised to revert to us for the wage subsidy. Min- several proposals, he does What I can assure them is to be paid one-third of their as they are mostly hit by in the near future,” said ister Segokgo said he could not remember all the de- that the government will operational costs instead. the lockdown. Mponang. not share details when tails. “I am aware that the pay them a wage subsidy The Association’s main “The Minister of Trans- In the meantime, reached for comment. association has submitted so that they are able to argument according to port and Communications Mponang said public trans- He said although the As- several proposals but I do retain their employees,” those close to the develop- Thulaganyo Segokgo has port operators will apply sociation has put forward not have all the details. Segokgo said. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 news Page 5

what it calls the “government’s lack of clear UDC demands Reasons For Sacking Of Health PS leadership, strategy and transparency in han- dling the management of funds, testing and distribution of food hampers to the poor and • Says Masisi must have resorted to emergency powers to fire the two men the needy that have been left without any in- come by the lockdown. People are hungry • Calls for transparency in use of COVID-19 funds and distribution of food hampers and getting desperate under the lockdown. It is not clear what happens after the end of the lockdown on the 30th April. It is also not TEFO PHEAGE “The dismissal of the two grounds for his action as a best governance clear what will happen within the 6 months practice,” the statement continues. “Other- he Umbrella for Democratic Change who were leading the wise the nation will believe the rumours do- of SOPE.” (UDC) wants President Mokgweetsi ing the rounds that there were ulterior mo- The opposition calls on Masisi to say some- battle against COVID-19 thing about serious allegations of corruption TMasisi to state why the Permanent tives for the dismissals. Worse, some citizens Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Well- has prompted more may be arrested for circulating such rumours doing the rounds regarding procurement ness, Solomon Sekwakwa, and his deputy and face offences for violating the country’s under COVID-19 emergency funding. The Dr Morrison Sinvula, were fired because the questions than answers,” cyber laws and SOPE regulations.” Permanent Secretary to the President, Elias two men are technocrats who deserve to be The President, the UDC says, must there- Magosi, did not take this publication’s calls treated with respect. the UDC says in a fore come out clear and instil public confi- while the spokesperson of the presidency , “The dismissal of the two who were dence in his actions. Andrew Sesinyi, ignored this publication’s leading the battle against COVID-19 has statement. The UDC further expresses concerns over questions about these issues. prompted more questions than answers,” the UDC says in a statement. “It is assumed the President set aside the basic disciplinary pro- cedures and instead used the State of Public Emergency powers (SOPE) to dismiss the two. By this statement, Botswana’s official op- position joins the Alliance for Progressives (AP) in questioning the validity of the firing We stand with you of the two men. AP president Ndaba Gaolathe recently described Sekwakwa as a highly re- spectable professional and a decent person who would not hurt a fly. “The South African President, Cyril Rama- phosa, recently disciplined one of his minis- Our customers have stood with us for the past 70 years and we stand with them during the ters who had violated lockdown travel ban COVID-19 outbreak. We know that the COVID-19 crisis has affected a lot of our customers regulations by visiting a friend for lunch,” the financially. That’s why we’ve created a COVID-19 Relief Programme to help ease the strain during UDC notes. “The minister was publicly re- this difficult time. buked by President Ramaphosa who slapped her with a two months’ suspension, one of which was without pay. She was also slapped Absa’s COVID-19 Relief Programme for Retail customers: with a R1 000 fine.” Botswana’s presidency has not said anything about the sacking of the Payment holiday will be offered for the following products; Personal Loans, Mortgages and Vehicle and Asset Finance 1 two men. and will be reviewed for eligible customers affected by COVID-19 “We call on President Masisi to satisfy 2 Free Absa to Absa funds transfer on mobile and internet banking as well as on the Absa Banking App national concerns and share publicly the 3 Free ATM funds transfer to your own Absa accounts 4 25% discount on ATM cash deposits, purchase of airtime, bill payments and Cash Back at POS Machine We have also launched the Absa Bot, a virtual assistant available 24/7 to answer customers most commonly Hundred 5 asked questions

Starving Illegal Absa’s COVID-19 Relief Programme for Business Banking and CIB customers:

Immigrants Turn Loan payment holiday relief, restructuring of existing facilities and short term liquidity requests will be reviewed for 1 sectors and eligible customers affected by COVID-19 Themselves In 2 Free new installations for Absa Integrator and Absa Internet Banking 3 Free monthly membership fees for new Absa Integrator and Absa Internet Banking customers TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO 4 25% off on all Absa Integrator and Absa Internet Banking Domestic electronic transfers

s hunger takes its toll, Zimba- bwean illegal immigrants are Aturning themselves in to the Who can benefit from the Absa Covid 19 relief programme? police amid the country’s lockdown Customers in the Retail, Business and Corporate and Investment Banking segments. to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,The Botswana Gazette has established. This publication made the discovery When is the Covid 19 relief programme starting? in an interview with Botswana Police It’s effective April 1 2020. Service (BPS) Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube. He noted that as of this past Sunday, about 97 Zimbabwe- an illegal immigrants were already un- How do I access the Covid 19 programme offer? der police custody after turning them- For Retail customers, you should be signed up for our digital banking channels to enjoy the free offers. selves in. “Our expectation is that they will be deported to Zimbabwe some Furthermore, affected customers should send their Omang/Passport and the official letter from the employer time this week,” Motube told this pub- indicating the changes in remuneration to AbsaBotswanaDebtRelief@absa.africa for assistance or drop them off at lication on Monday. the nearest branch. According to Motube, the illegal im- For Premier, Business and Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) segments, talk to your Relationship Manager. migrants said they turned themselves in because they are no longer able to se- cure ‘piece jobs’ to sustain themselves For all your questions and queries, our Contact Centre is available on +267 315 9575 or visit our website absa.co.bw due to the lockdown. “People are now home and are able Together, we can beat Coronavirus. to do the jobs that they ordinarly out- #StaySafe sourced to illegal immigrants. This now means the illegal immigrants are liter- ally starving. That is why they are turn- ing themselves in,” Motube said. Terms and conditions apply. Absa Bank Botswana Limited (registered number BW00001237900) is regulated by the Bank of Botswana. Page 6 news Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette

“As the President of the Re- “above” in order to do that. public of Botswana and health For his part, Member of Parlia- We Have Been Sidelined – Basarwa officials have stated, this pan- ment (MP) for Gantsi North John demic needs all concerted efforts Thite said government’s efforts to LETLHOGILE MPUANG a comment from the Minister of “Botswana Khwedom from various stakeholders to fight support the Basarwa tribe should Local Development Eric Molale its spread since it does not have a not be undermined. He however he Botswana Khewdom were unsuccessful as his mobile Council feels that it cure,” reads the letter. admitted that the Coronavirus Council has written to phone rang unanswered prior to “Botswana Khwedom Coun- (COVID-19) had seriously af- government demanding press. can contribute through cil feels that it can contribute fected the livelihood of Basarwa. T through talking to its clientele, The ruling Botswana Demo- representation in the COVID-19 In the letter, the Khwedom talking to its clientele, Task Force. The Council decries Council, which is an umbrella some of who do not understand cratic Party (BDP) legislator add- that Basarwa have been side lined body for Basarwa, demands di- some of who do not Tswana and English to adhere to ed that they are constantly solicit- in the government’s processes of rect representation in the CO- understand Tswana the stipulated guidelines by the ing all sorts of assistance for the dealing with the virus. VID-19 Task Force in the Letl- health authorities.” said tribe. Khewdom Council Executive hakane, Nata and Gantsi regions. and English to adhere The Khwedom Council further According to reports, a recent Director Keikabile Mogodu says These areas have a large presence submitted that they have at vari- report compiled by the Office of the Ministry of Local Govern- of Basarwa. In addition he point- to the stipulated ous local levels approached local the President (OP) has suggested ment and Rural Development has ed that Basarwa were amongst guidelines by the authorities for inclusion but they that Kweneng, Gantsi, Boteti and not responded to the letter dated the hardest hit communities by have indicated that they would Ngamiland are the hardest hit dis- 25th April 2020. Attempts to get this global pandemic. health authorities.” prefer an instruction from offices tricts by the COVID-19. Inside Saleshando’s Letter To Masisi

TEFO PHEAGE register their business interests and “They do not see the need to channel through a rapid self-assessment process donations to the national fund but appear he Leader of the Opposition, Du- and further submit the quantum of the to be using the Corona crisis to en- melang Saleshando, has written losses they have endured on account of dear themselves to those under the Ta letter to President Mokgweetsi the lockdown, and government to offer threat of hunger. I am sure that the Masisi calling him to close the gaps in some financial relief. DCEC, if asked to advise on this his government‘s efforts against COV- “This is a project that LEA in conjunc- development, will inform you ID-19’s challenges to the nation. Sale- tion with CEDA should be able to de- that this amounts to cultivating shando listed a number of areas which liver with relative ease and build critical fertile ground for future corrup- he urged the president to look into and data needed for the development of the tion. The donors that are open- address. informal sector,” he suggested. ing their doors for ministers’ On business and residential rentals, On the farming Sector: constituencies expect the fa- Saleshando said a number of Batswana “There are reports of farmers being vours to be returned at a later entrepreneurs do not own the premises denied permits to attend to their farms date. Kindly advise cabinet that they occupy for their business op- and ‘masimo.’ We are at a point where members to focus on the erations. There is a need, according to our ability to feed ourselves as a nation national fund and not be him, to ensure that businesses owned by should be at the pinnacle of our immedi- driven by narrow partisan Batswana will be able to resume opera- ate national strategic interest. Farming interests at a time of a cri- tions post-COVID-19, failing which the by nature does not require high density sis,” reads the letter. campaign for citizen economic empow- of workers and allowing the sector to op- Tourism, Creative erment will be doomed even before a erate will not undermine our response to Industry and Event law on the same is passed. COVID-19,” he says. Management: “As with business premises, home Saleshando says our current reality “Long before the ownership is still low in Botswana. The compels us to urgently reconsider our lockdown, some low-income group, most of who are in approach to agriculture. “In the last de- of the sectors that the informal sector, are tenants and risk bate of the national budget, all MPs who provide employ- being evicted as at the end of April by contributed to the agriculture budget de- ment for the youth landlords. Kindly consider opening up bate noted that the allocated amounts are were compelled to the COVID-19 Fund to property owners a small fraction of what is needed to turn close down. In- (commercial and residential) and direct- the sector around,” reads the letter. ternational travel ing Botswana Housing Corporation not “As part of the economic recov- was severely to collect rentals from low and medium ery strategy post COVID-19, consider disrupted as cost tenants for at least three months,” launching an aggressive programme of early as Janu- reads his letter. identifying farmers who can be assisted ary and tour- On the informal sector, Saleshando to expand their operations. Subsistence ism operators, says Batswana in the informal sector, farmers should be hand held to gradu- particularly in commonly referred to as “hustlers,” are ate into efficient commercial opera- Ngamiland, in dire straits, saying compliance with tions. Senior civil servants who are part were compelled the lockdown meant losing their entire time farmers should be enticed to retire to shut down, income. early and take up the new agricultural many send- “This sector of our economy, though schemes geared at helping Botswana to ing their staff critical, is not under the watch of BURS produce enough to feed itself. on unpaid leave and therefore not catered for by the Provision of Food Baskets: or terminat- COVID-19 Fund. At the time when the Saleshando says as a response to the ing employment COVID-19 (Fund) was set up, a parallel delays in the distribution of food, “a contracts. Most of facility should have been established for number of your cabinet members” have those who work in the likes of ‘Mma Seapei,’ the airtime now resorted to setting up their own con- this sector as bar tenders, wait- vendor, taxi men etc..,” he says. stituency programmes and using their ers and waitresses, drivers and He proposed that the government ministerial positions to secure food ham- freelance professional guides are should urgently call on operators to pers for their individual constituencies. the youth,” reads the letter. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 advertisement Page 7

DEBSWANA’S SUPPORT TO COMMUNITIES AND THE Jwaneng Mine Hospital doctor, Dr Rachel Seleke, shows NATIONAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUND traditional leaders the Isolation Centre.

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had an unprecedented impact on the entire global community and the diamond industry, of which Debswana is a significant stakeholder, has suffered greatly from the inability to sustain sales due to global movement restrictions implemented as an infection spread response measure.

As part of these world-wide interventions, the Government of the Republic of Botswana (GRB) has also effected a number of swift interventions to prevent and manage the spread of the virus. These include a request by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Botswana, Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K. Masisi for the private sector to contribute towards the national COVID-19 Relief Fund, whose primary objective is to cushion the impact of the pandemic on the cross-section of Botswana’s economy and communities. Self contained porta cabins provided as accommodation for health workers

Since the spread of the pandemic escalated, Debswana has committed resources to provide financial and in-kind support towards corresponding relief efforts, these also being in line with the Company’s Corporate Social Investment programme’s focus area of SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES. The Company has so far spent P14 million on the pandemic preparedness of our hospitals and operations, as well as support to communities. Over the next few weeks Debswana will contribute a further P10 million towards national relief efforts and community support.

In formulating its contributions Debswana has taken the following aspects into consideration:

1. The current interventions are focused on Prevention and Response, albeit with plans already developed for the pandemic Recovery phases. Assistant Minister of Health 2. Communities within our mines’ environs are a particular focus area due to their checks OLDM hospital readiness resource constraints to respond to the pandemic, relative to urban areas of the country. ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT 3. Debswana runs two district referral hospitals which are already at the core of the Boteti and Jwaneng-Mabutsane sub- district’s response to the pandemic. With an additional contribution of P10 million the Company will continue to support 4. Debswana is a member of the Joint (Government and Debswana) District Disaster interventions at both impact communities and national levels. Management Committees through which the Company implements its Emergency Response Preparedness Plans in the event of any crisis. Both sub-districts’ clinics Debswana will commit the P10 million as follows: are experiencing significant shortages of resources, such as front-line personnel protective equipment (PPE), for which requests for support have been submitted to a) P5 million for the production of 250,000 re-usable masks and distribution to the Company’s respective operations. front-line workers such as the Police and Military; as well as Government essential 5. Lack of access to remote learning due to limited or no internet connectivity, as well workers and communities around our Mines. The masks will be made by as a lack of access to broadcast media (radio and TV) for students in all of these pre-existing tailors in Botswana and around our communities, thus stimulating outlying communities. economic activity such as local production, import substitution and socio-economic development during this time of economic downturn. Since the previous month, Debswana has been proactively engaging stakeholders in our b) P3 million to purchase food packages, provide water and various supplies immediate impact communities, as well as at national level, such as the District Disaster requested by communities around Orapa and Jwaneng. Management Committees (DDMC), District Health Management Teams, National c) P1.3 million to support education programmes around the communities in Orapa Emergency Operation Centre, Ministry of Health and Wellness, community leadership, and Jwaneng. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders, to work on prevention d) P700, OOO to augment costs for medical Personnel Protective Equipment being and response initiatives. The Company conducted risk assessments from which an purchased by the Anglo Foundation for 24 clinics in the 200 kilometer radius around inventory of its resources and assets that can be mobilised was formulated. our Mines. e) Technical support in the form of Emergency Preparedness training. COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS FOR ALL DEBSWANA OPERATIONS AND IMPACT COMMUNITIES With regard to Debswana’s employees and contractors we have ensured and continue to further consolidate the following; Debswana has to date spent P14 million to prepare its operations and hospitals to fight the pandemic. 1. Purchased disposable masks, sanitisers and gloves for Debswana’s 12,000 employees and contractors who work at our operations. This consisted of procuring related medical supplies, PPE, testing equipment, converting 2. In the next few weeks, spend P480,000 for the production of re-usable masks for some of its accommodation facilities into isolation centres, as well as pandemic all employees and contractors. educational materials and communication platforms. Of this figure P7,682,758 was spent 3. Provision of daily medical screening to employees and contractors (currently on local suppliers. In addition, Debswana’s mine hospitals also serve as district referral only essential services and skeleton staff are working). hospitals in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and have to be 4. Providing daily COVID-19 educational messages and advice to employees via adequately prepared. SMS and email. 5. Provision of a toll-free number with 24-hour for communication and wellness Other funds and efforts were spent on: support services for employees. 6. Our crisis management teams have put in place robust plans for post lockdown 1. Re-allocation and streamlining of hospital services at both Jwaneng and Orapa re-entry to our operations that will ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety towards COVID-19 treatment and patient care. protocols. 2. Availing funds, facilities and Company employees to assist the District Health Management Teams. The Acting Managing Director, Ms. Lynette Armstrong had confirmed that; “Debswana 3. Enabling Government to convert some district clinics into COVID-19 treatment remains committed to play its part in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Our centres. efforts in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 extend way beyond this pledge. Through 4. Re-deployment of mine hospitals’ ambulances to support wider healthcare efforts our existing and long-term socio-economic development, Corporate Social Investment around the communities: Jwaneng (two ambulances) and Orapa (one ambulance). programme, Citizen Economic Empowerment programmes and our Debswana Values, we 5. Provision of water and sanitisers to the Company’s impact communities. will ensure the continued support in the best way possible even post the COVID-19 6. A cash donation to the Boteti DDMC to purchase masks, gloves and other medical crisis.” supplies. 7. Provision of self contained porta cabins for a period of six months to be used by a clinic in Jwaneng and Mabutsane to house health personnel (eight rooms in Jwaneng and sixteen rooms in Mabutsane). Page 8 news Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Local Companies Suffocate Under Covid-19 Advertising Ban

against COVID-19. However, they now stand at risk of incurring huge losses as their stock might end up expiring. Their woes were worsened when Facebook outlawed all adverts and commerce listings of face masks, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and test kits. Rob Leathern - Di- rector of Product Management at Facebook, wrote on March 19: “In addition to masks, we’re now also banning hand sanitizer, surface disinfecting wipes and COVID-19 test kits in adverts and commerce listings. This is another step to help protect against inflated prices and predatory behaviour. We’ll be ramping up our automated enforce- ment…” Braintec Cleaning Services is a wholly citizen owned company that offers contract cleaning, office care, commercial laundry and hy- giene supplies services. The com- pany also offers trans care services, which entail cleaning and fumiga- tion of high traffic environments like railway stations, airports, bus terminals and parking lots. Ketshabile said Braintec has in stock International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certified sanitizers that can help Batswana combat COVID-19. KEABETSWE NEWEL to market and distribute their prod- companies are unable to market to government is also a challenge “Our biggest concern is the lack ucts and services. and distribute much needed essen- because most departments demand of enforcement of standards. We hile welcome, the re- The situation was worsened by tials like hand sanitisers and masks hard copy profiles, so sending suspect most of the products that striction of public social media giant Facebook’s because of the restriction of move- emails is not effective,” he said. are being sold are not Botswana Wmovement occasioned blanket ban on advertising of all ment. He added that local companies Bureau of Standards (BOBS), by the State of Emergency that was products and services related to the “We understand the need for had stockpiled COVID-19 es- South African Bureau of Stan- enforced through the Parliamentary COVID-19 pandemic. restriction of movement, but we sentials in response to President dards (SABS) or ISO certified. It’s resolution of 9th April 2020 has left Brian Ketshabile, Managing Di- can’t go door to door to market our Mokgweetsi Masisi’s clarion call important to maintain the highest local cleaning and hygiene compa- rector of Braintec Cleaning Ser- products to Batswana as we have for them to avail enough essential hygiene standards during this pan- nies in a lurch as they are unable vices said in an interview that local to adhere to set restrictions. Selling supplies to boost Botswana’s fight demic,” he said.

he Facebook COVID-19 Information Centre is a Tportal featured at the top of the social network’s News Feed, that provides a central place for people to stay in- formed about the Coronavirus pandemic. It includes real-time updates from national health authorities and global organisations such as the World Health Organiza- tion, as well as helpful articles, videos and posts about social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19. As of last week, Facebook users in Botswana can opt to follow the centre to get noti- fications and see updates in their News Feed from official Botswana government health authorities, WHO and UNICEF. Botswana joins 23 other countries in Africa in which Facebook first launched the COVID-19 Information Centre in early April. These include South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Facebook Launches COVID-19 Ethiopia and The Democratic Republic of Congo. “We’ve built the information centers, in collaboration with national health partners, to Information Centre In Botswana ensure that people can get ac- cess to information from trusted the pandemic accessible to all saying it will go a long way in re- launched in February 2020 to raise “Information is a powerful health sources. The launch of communities’, commented Face- ducing the proliferation of misin- awareness among Batswana on weapon, particularly in a fight the COVID-19 Information book’s Head of Public Policy, Af- formation on the COVID-19 pan- cybersecurity and safety issues. such as the ongoing battle against Centre on Facebook across sub- rica, Kojo Boakye. demic, especially on social media The Campaign runs educational COVID-19, and the more people Saharan Africa aligns with our For his part, eBotho Campaign networks. messages in the media promoting are informed, the better chance commitment to making accu- Coordinator, David Moepeng wel- eBotho Campaign is an ini- safe, responsible and productive of victory against the pandemic,” rate, timely information about comed the move by Facebook, tiative by InFuture Foundation use of the internet. noted Moepeng. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 advertisement Page 9

TOA ALL MESSAGE HOLLARD BOTSWANA STAKEHOLDERS

As a responsible corporate citizen, we are actively investigating opportunities to also contribute towards supporting existing activities and initiating new ones to alleviate the impact and spread of this virus and the consequent COVID-19 disease on our clients, our staff, our partners and Batswana, particularly the economy.

In navigating these unique circumstances, we want to communicate with you, our valued stakeholders, the steps Hollard Botswana is taking, further to the P830,000 pledged to the Government, to assist in this pandemic.

Valued Clients Valued Partners

All Motor policy holders will receive a 15% discount on their premium for the As a privileged partner to your business, we also understand that limiting any month of May. Policyholders who have already paid their annual premiums will be impact this health event could have on our service to our clients is imperative. refunded an equivalent of 15% monthly premium. Please note that this will not be applicable for policy holders who have done their May renewals and were given For our motor body repairers, we will be offering; a discount. We will review this for the month of June, should the lockdown be extended and communicate accordingly. • Upfront payment of 75% of the cost of procuring spares for all repairs once the For ease of accessing the full benefits of their insurance policy to our valued total repair cost is determined following assessment. policy holders we further offer; • Interim payments for work in progress when requested. Our assessing teams • Cash settlements in the event that repairs cannot be commenced due to the will conduct work in progress audits and settle the repairers for the work non-availability of spares so as to offer flexibility in ensuring repairs are already done. This will be monitored closely to ensure quality repairs and undertaken timeously. Hollard will offer a free post repair inspection to ensure timeous completion once the lockdown has been lifted and businesses the satisfactory completion of repairs. continue to operate.

• For replacement of lost or stolen all risk items we will be offering immediate • Immediate settlement of repair jobs where repairs have been completed but cash settlement, up to the limit of the sum insured, to allow flexibility in the the vehicle has not yet been collected by the clients due to clients not having repurchase of said personal items. Cover for said stolen or lost items will be their excesses / co-payment to contribute. suspended until proof of repurchase is provided in order to reinstate cover.

Premium Relief during the Covid19 period will be given to all Life policy holders, if they are affected by the Covid19 Pandemic. Please note that necessary Valued Hollardites documentation will be required.

All Funeral claims caused by the Covid19 virus will be paid. To the heartbeat of our organisation, our valued Hollardites, we are one big team, made up of real and mindful individuals. As an organisation that falls under All our valued retail clients will receive the Covid-19 benefit in the event of the essential services, it was quite important for us to identify ways of operating death of an Insured Life and being positive to the COVID-19 virus at the date of death. without putting our valued staff at risk and as such:

Covid-19 benefit has NO waiting period on all funeral claims caused by COVID-19 virus. • Some of our Hollardites have been placed on Covid19 leave and still receiving full pay. • We do have some Hollardites still working, from home and quite a few working from our offices. We have made sure that our valued Hollardites working from the office are always provided with Personal Protective Equipment to minimise Valued Brokers any Covid19 risk to them. • All our valued Hollardites will receive their benefits in the event of the death of an Insured Life and being positive to the COVID-19 virus at the date of death. We’ve built our reputation around passion and commitment to creating lasting, • Waiting period will be waived on all claims caused by COVID -19 virus. relevant partnerships. That’s why we’re dedicated to assisting our valued Brokers weather this storm, in which we will be offering them: We are committed to Ensuring Better Futures for Batswana during this crisis and we remain hopeful that our unrelenting spirit of solidarity and Botho will help bring • Full commission payments against discounted premiums. us all closer; and that by joining together, even though we are apart, we can all • Covid19 bereavement cover of P10 500 should they, or any of their employees help create a better future for ourselves, our families and our communities. lose their life due to the corona virus. This value will be in place until the end of May 2020. Let’s all stay safe, mmogo re ka henya bolwetsi jo. • Cash relief to identified brokers who have been impacted by the Covid19 Pandemic.

Please also note that we have requested NBFIRA to be flexible and extend credit terms from 45 days to 90 days to ease impact on collection and non-compliance by brokers. We will communicate accordingly once a response has been provided.

Hollard Insure: [email protected] +267 75624454 Contacts Hollard Life: [email protected] +267 77797553/+267 73652719 Page 10 news Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Bokomo Botswana Contributes P1million To Covid-19 Relief Efforts • Bokomo aids national efforts towards the COVID-19 fight • Bokomo maintains commitment to production and business continuity during lockdown

okomo Botswana today announced that in support of Government of BBotswana’s efforts towards mitigat- ing the adverse impacts of the Coronavi- rus on the nation, it has donated P1million worth of Champion Sorghum to the COV- P R O P E R T I E S A V A I L A B L E F O R S A L E ID-19 Crisis. This donation has been made to assist in alleviating the hunger/poverty burden on the Government in this time of national need. Speaking on the donation, Bokomo Bo- T A T I S I D I N G 1 0 0 tswana CEO, Werner de Beer said, “Our nation, as with the rest of the region and globally is being severely impacted by the Your dream home is waiting for you, second time home COVID-19 virus. When our government announced that a relief fund has been es- buyers are invited. tablished, we began to mobilize our pro- duction teams in order to support national efforts. As Bokomo we understand our “bigger picture” role during these abnormal times. We remain fully committed to our contribution towards national food security and take this responsibility very seriously. We have also put measures in place to safe- guard the welfare of our team members so that we can have continued production and supply during these unprecedented times. ” The Champion brand consists of a locally manufactured product range that includes Samp, Maize Rice and the newly released Sorghum offering, named Champion Sor- ghum. These products are not only staples of our local diet, but are part of our heritage. The Champion brand is envisioned to be a mark of pride, particularly at a time when our nation seeks to diversify the economy by growing industries that create jobs. Champion Sorghum is produced in Bo- tswana by Bokomo, using the latest mill- ing technology at its manufacturing plant located in Gaborone West. The sorghum is sourced from The Botswana Agricultur- al Marketing Board (BAMB) as part of a long-standing business partnership. Cham- pion Sorghum is currently being distributed throughout Botswana and is another exam- ple of Bokomo Botswana celebrating and promoting our traditional Botswana food. Bokomo CEO, Werner de Beer further expressed gratitude to the Bokomo Botswa- na team, “I would like to acknowledge and commend the entire Bokomo team for their dedication, diligence and efforts they make on a daily basis to ensure continued 24 hour production in these perilous times. Their HOUSES AVAILABLE ON BOTH OUTRIGHT SALE efforts have enabled the company to make this donation. We stand united as one with AND TPS. 49 UNITS REMAINING... the nation in the fight against the Coronavi- rus and are also optimistic that together, we shall overcome”. PRICE RANGE: P585 000 - P970 000 The P1Million worth of Champion Sor- ghum is intended to support the Botswana Contact Keith @ 72214517 [email protected] or [email protected] Government with the Covid-19 Feeding Scheme, currently rolling out across the country. Bokomo will continue to regularly engage with the government and support Botswana until the fight with this pandemic has been won. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 Politics billboard Page 11

Our economy - that struggles to diversify - that is in the hands of non-citizens – that is hugely dependent on South Africa, is in ruins. The two main GDP contributors to our economy, tourism and mining, have taken a serious bludgeoning and pounding from COVID-19. Beds in hotels and lodges are vacant, and our diamonds are not being sold.

THE POLEMIC CORNER Covid 19 Fears – A

Lekgowe, Mogapi Nation’s Economy And & Kgosi Emotions, All In Ruins t is a season of darkness, de- strength. As long as a vaccine is spair and desolation – we live not found, COVID-19 will hover critical COVID-19 products to ment and the uncertainty of the velopment, could not answer the Iin grim circumstances. We over our necks like a guillotine. developing countries will become moment and the future. We still question. These are people whom find ourselves hunkered down In a landlocked country such as hampered, and their prices will do not know how COVID-19 will the majority of have gone unac- in our homesteads sitting out the ours, with near porous borders, go high. In its 2020 World Eco- ravage us. That, in itself, is a dis- counted for, unnoticed or even devastation of COVID-19, we even if we eliminate or contain nomic Outlook, the IMF forecasts ease on its own. What will happen forgotten, and have long written- watch as the whole world col- the disease, it is likely to be re- that the global economy is set to to those who have been infected? off the viability of their social lapses under a novel virus with- introduced. It will be introduced shrink by about 3% in 2020 and a Will they recover? If they recover, contract with the government – out cure or vaccine, daily, we get into Botswana by citizens and recovery a long way off in the lat- does that mean they will not be they do not know what it exists up to count the dead, and await non-citizens, whether knowingly ter part of 2021 - a lot of suffering able to infect others? How many for and they have lost faith in it. the authorities to tell us how or unknowingly. Yes, knowingly, and gloom is still ahead. will be infected? The grief over The minority, out of choice, have many of ours are infected, how because now the current standard There will be more suffering in what is lost (which may never be been held hostage to undying op- may will ride the pendulum that and accepted management of the developing countries like ours. gained), and the massive sea of timism of prayer where only the swings between life, recovery virus is a regional lockdown and In a matter of days, the country uncertainty over what is looming toughest strains of hope survive, and death. HIV/AIDS taught us serious contact tracing. Non-citi- turned into a welfare state, and beyond the current dark cloud, praying diligently for their leaders to be wiser today than ever. The death, but not on this speed and zens can now cripple each other’s the government was forced to are the pathogens consuming any- paths available to ordinary folks scale. With no muscle to cook economies. An outbreak in the hand out food baskets to those one’s mind. Questions that har- are narrowing every day. The fu- up a vaccine, and those with the Okavango delta diverts tourists to facing extreme hunger. The re- bour both hopelessness and fear. ture, long promised and available muscle saying a vaccine is still the Kruger. ality is probably that more than What is next after this chaos for summon daily filled with hope a long way off, COVID-19 pres- Life as we know it has, at the and havoc? half the country will face hunger is rather gloomy. It is this level ents a grave threat to Botswana’s drop of a hat, changed. Globali- in the next coming days as most That many ordinary folk do not of uncertainty that makes many public health and its economy for sation has completely undergone people lived hand to mouth as in- have a sure-fire answer to this tremble, the kind no one can ever the foreseeable future. regressive transmutation. Since formal traders as the sector was question rather ratchets the fear prepare for. In truth, we truly are yet to Covid-19 is a global phenom- decimated in an instant with the of uncertainty into plain paranoia. These are truly difficult times suffer. enon, measures taken by individ- instigation of extreme social dis- Many who have been locked out we face as a nation. The path Our economy - that struggles ual countries to limit and manage tancing. Many of our people will of toiling daily to put food on for hope remains narrow and to diversify - that is in the hands the movement of people into and survive the COVID-19 pandemic the table, now sleep, get-up to do foggy for many ordinary people. of non-citizens – that is hugely out of its country are going to be both out of a combination of sheer nothing and watch daily as their The broader swath of the forgot- dependent on South Africa, is in simply accepted by other nations accident, the grace of God and little savings get depleted one ten class of peasants, blue collar ruins. The two main GDP con- (and courts), regardless of how measures put in place by the gov- meal at a time. And perhaps to workers and the working poor are tributors to our economy, tour- draconian they are. Self-preser- ernment. put salt to the wounds, the help- at war for survival. And just like ism and mining, have taken a vation and self-protectionism will lessness with which they feel any war, it will not take time be- serious bludgeoning and pound- supersede global integration and What, however, an ordinary knowing the pain and agony of fore the body bags start arriving. ing from COVID-19. Beds in inclusivity for the foreseeable Motswana out there is grappling putting their children to bed on President Masisi will need a hotels and lodges are vacant, future. As developed countries with alone is the psychological empty stomachs. When asked concrete plan to rescue the nation and our diamonds are not be- fight for the lives of their own turmoil effected by the economic about them, about the percent- from these grim times. It is now, ing sold. It is going to take time citizens, and impose protection- and social anxiety arising from age they contribute to the GDP, more than ever, that his leadership for these sectors to regain their ist trade measures, the supply of the societal exclusion, imprison- the Minister of Finance and De- credentials will be tested. PageOnl 12y the private sector can advertisement Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette save Botswana economy The Botswana Gazette from COVID-19 collapse Opinion Forum few days ago Dr. Thapelo Matsheka, the Minister of Finance and Economic PAGE 12 Wednesday 29 April 2020 SINCE 1984 ADevelopment delivered a message to Batswana, a message that would later trend on social media. In essence the message was that ‘government is broke’. Perhaps too broke to go all out and fight COVID-19 alone and to also put in place economic responses that can sustain the entire economy now and post lockdown as a revival plan. While Botswana, inclusive of the private sector has around P70 billion in foreign reserves, only P20 billion belongs to the taxpay- er. Literally speaking, government does not have the money to fight COVID-19, considering that the country also needs a buffer as a net importer. Several Batswana were ‘shocked’ by the news that the country has only P20 billion in reserves. Perhaps most Batswana took solace in the mis- laid idea that the President could just drawdown a reasonable chunk from the reserves to procure enough medical supplies, assist businesses dur- ing the economic lockdown, and perhaps inject that into the economy. Or a handsome economic stimulus package (ESP) to jump-start the already ailing economy, that would have taken serious beatings from the COVID-19. The honest truth is that with the little that government has, she cannot do everything, even if President Mokg- weetsi Masisi wanted to. Botswana’s deficit is Botswana President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi hosted the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's Special Envoy on Lesotho Jeff Radebe at the already hovering at around P10 billion. It needs State House in Gaborone on 24 April 2020 to discuss the political situation of Lesotho. (Pic: Press Photo) to be financed. Government has committed P2 billion into the COVID-19 Relief Fund. Further, over P2.4 billion worth of medical supplies is apply their minds objectively to such cases? needed, government has announced. Businesses The Problem With Judges’ Quite often we talk of separation of pow- need support. The informal sector is collapsing. ers between the three arms of government. Batswana in their households are literally hun- The Relief Fund is an initiative of the Ex- gry. The honest revelation is that government ecutive which ordinarily would have noth- coffers are really shallow at this instance. Donations To Covid –19 ing to do with the Judiciary, save only in in- It would take a caring private sector to chip stances where a case touching on the Fund in generously, considering that COVID-19, if lends on its table. A collective decision by not contained well in time, as a result of limited The theoretical and philosophical questions the Administration of Justice headed by the resources can either wipe Botswana from the Chief Justice to lend support to the initiative entails a value judgment on the part of the face of the earth or completely bring the entire he Judges of the High Court (HC) table legal disputes with the wisdom of the justices as to its efficacy. Is this the start of a economy to a state of paralysis. and Court of Appeal (CoA) have all Biblical King Solomon. precedent of a norm of a symbiotic relation- It was out of this desperation that President Tpledged to contribute 5% of their The COVID-19 pandemic has visited ship between the Executive and the Judi- Mokgweetsi Masisi genuinely took to the po- salaries to the COVID 19 Relief Fund (the on the global community pressures and ciary, whereby the latter discard its judicial dium and seemingly threatened the wealthy in- Fund) for the next three (3) months, sub- challenges of a magnitude never experi- robes to give support to executive decisions, vestors who are reluctant to assist Botswana in ject to review. By humanitarian standards, enced in living memory and governments the majority of which are political? And its time of need. It is no secret that donations this is a commendable gesture which must the world over have made unprecedented what are the perimeters of the relationship? should be voluntary. Also, there is no law in be applauded. interventions in mitigation. Such is the In which of the multiple executive interven- Botswana that forces any company or wealthy The Fund was established by the Public harsh reality besetting all countries and tions to be undertaken in future are we yet to individual to donate to a good cause. While it Finance Management (COVID 19 Pan- Botswana is no exception. The covid 19 see judges collectively participating? There is voluntary, it is also an open secret that patrio- demic) (Corona Virus) Relief Fund Order, Relief Fund is one such response adopted is a real risk that if left unchecked and with- tism and the spirit of philanthropy are like value 2020 to be administered by the Minister of by Government of Botswana and has been out a code to guide the justices, the decision appreciation. It shows how much an investor or Finance and Development Planning with a roundly received by varied sectors of soci- by the Judiciary might herald the blurring company values the very society that enriches Committee on behalf of the Government ety, especially business. of the separation between these two arms of them. Out of P70 billion kept offshore as foreign of Botswana (GoB). In taking the decision to forfeit part of government. reserves, the private sector in Botswana owns Commendable as it might be, the mag- their salaries in support of the Relief Fund, It is very easy for us to be blinded by the a whopping P50 billion, which was made here nanimity of their Lordships engages an the judges were obviously moved by the public spiritedness displayed by the judges, in Botswana. Should government fail to contain important consideration of judicial ethics: nobility of the government initiative and especially during these trying times. Judges the spread due to insufficient resources, the pri- Ethically, to what extent can judges partic- an acknowledgment that they are a part in their magnanimity have taken the deci- vate sector too, with its billions, can be reduced ipate in public extra judicial initiatives of of broader society equally affected by the sion to occupy the same social space with to non-entities. The private sector makes money the Executive which might have a bearing challenges bedeviling it. One must how- businessmen, politicians and broader soci- from Botswana, and mostly from government. on their judicial function in future? ever not lose sight of the fact that the pub- ety to answer the Executive’s call for public Government does not have enough money to Ordinarily, a judge based on his moral lic is responsive to the personal choices contribution in response to the pandemic. It fight the COVID-19 medically, and to also in- and judicial conscience forms the view that judges make in their personal and private is one thing for a judge to respond individu- ally, in the present case however, the Judi- ject a bloodline into the economy to the full ex- they could not objectively sit in judgment lives. Justice is not just a function of hear- ciary’s response is institutionalised. The tent, and support households at the same time. over a matter for a myriad of reasons, one ing of cases and delivery of judgments by judges’ collective decision has given rise This can lead to devastating effects through of which being that he is personally and judicial officers, it also engages the public to the vexed questions raised in this piece. which jobs can be lost. Government is the larg- intimately close to the issues falling for perception of legitimacy of judicial deci- We should never lose sight that “judges are est employer with over 150 000 civil servants. determination in a given case, the proper sion making. important public officials whose author- Collectively, they have the largest purchasing course is for their recusal. Underlying the The administration of the Relief Fund ity reaches every corner of society. Judges To page 13 moral justification of judicial recusal is the and other matters incidental could well resolve disputes between people, and inter- dictate that judicial officers must in the dis- give rise to litigation, which would come pret and apply the law by which we live. charge of their function, be objective. They before the same judges who have made The Gazette Newspaper is published by News Co. Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Through that process, they define our rights Plot 125 Sedimosa, Gaborone are expected to dispense justice objectively personal contributions to it. They obvi- and responsibilities, determine the distribu- Int. Finance Park (next to Game City). P. O. Box 1605, and should assert their independence from ously would be personally affected by tion of vast amounts of public and private Tel: 3912833/3900451/3180701 Fax: 3972283. the pressures and challenges of everyday such litigation as they are a part of its pool Gaborone Botswana, printed by Printing and Publishing Company resources, and direct the actions of officials Botswana (Pty) Ltd, Nakedi Road, Broadhurst. P. O. Box 130, life, be they public or otherwise. In other of benefactors. Would they exude a public in other branches of government. (Jeffrey Gaborone, Botswana. words, they are expected to resolve intrac- perception of confidence that they would M. Shaman, “Judicial Ethics” 1988-89).

Managing Director: Shike Olsen Editor: Lawrence Seretse Email: [email protected] DISCLAIMER Deputy Editor: Keabetswe Newel Readers please note that the views aired on this page are those of the writers and not the publishers. Letters must bear the full address and name of Advertising Manager: Joyce Mohurutshe Email: [email protected] the author even where a nom de plume is to be used. Letters must conform to the laws of Botswana and to the Press Council of Botswana’s Code of Ethics. Letters will also be edited for libel, length and language. Letters must be a maximum of 500 words and they should be received by Friday www.thegazette.news 12.00 noon. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 news Page 13

EDITORIAL social goodwill. The wealthy investors and corporate, can simply donate a generous Engen percentage of their money to help govern- Only the private sector can save Botswana ment contain COVID_19, feed Batswana, sustain businesses and inject a stimulus into economy from COVID-19 collapse the economy to fast track recovery through ensuring money circulation. In that case, the Donates From page 12 very money which the private sector gener- power, which enriches the private sector. or fast-track the containment of COVID-19 ously gives back, will come back to them Loss of jobs as a result of limited resources to allow the economy to be re-opened. With in the form of a healthy society and active by government to sustain the economy, will its limited resources, government can do its economy. Batswana will buy from retail- also crumble the private sector. The private best, but effects will be severe, so much that ers. Small businesses, the informal sector Fuel And sector employs people because of the busi- jobs will be lost, companies will collapse. and bigger businesses will make money ness they get from government, if govern- Loans to commercial banks will be unpaid. and deposit in banks. They will buy cars ment faces challenges because of limited Impairments will rise and affect not only the and clothes. They will party in recreational resources, everyone goes down. The pri- profitability of the banking sector but- pur places and leave lodges, bars and restau- vate sector, if it cared enough, and put aside chasing power will also dwindle, and the rants with cash. Everyone will benefit and Funds To capitalism for a few months can raise col- retail sector earnings could also plunge. In the wealthy generous investors will return lectively, billions of Pula, which govern- short, even the wealthy private sector will to their usual business of profit and num- Help Fight ment can re-inject into the economy as ESP, take a hit, and lose billions in business and bers. Covid-19 s a company that cares deeply about the communities in which it oper- Aates, Engen has pledged its support to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) and the COVID-19 Relief Fund, in an effort to play a small part in helping fight and overcome the pandemic. Engen donated 10,000 litres of diesel worth P94,800 to the BDF, who are work- ing closely with the Botswana Police Ser- vices to assist in ensuring daily compliance with lockdown rules. Engen has further pledged their support to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which is managed by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Chimweta Monga, Managing Director of Engen Botswana confirmed that the com- pany has donated P150,000 to the fund as a show of support and called on individuals and the private sector to make donations to the Fund and help assist the Government’s fight against the pandemic. “We are grateful to our Government and humbled by the work of the many organ- isations, NGO’s, businesses and individu- als who have all pulled together in an effort to combat this outbreak,” said Monga. Engen has also prioritised hygiene measure at all forecourts and convenience stores as well as the provision of safety materials, including sanitizers, gloves and masks to all of dedicated Engen forecourt and Quickshop staff. Engen is a leading marketer of fuels and lubricants in Botswana and currently oper- ates 59 service stations and 39 Quickshop convenience stores across the country. Page 14 column Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette th Drop It, Lets The 4 Industrial Revolution: Talk Fintech How Do We Begin? Onkabetse formation Technology in effort to ings et al; but, is it? know that it is a bad idea to buy Gwamulumba automate production. The 4th Industrial Revolution: a breaking model, rather it is bet- Now, 4IR is simply a fusion Is this for the elite? ter to buy the facelift model that of all the past industrial revolu- There is a common adage that essentially is a correction of the hanks to social media, tion became a need. Mass pro- tions & economic situations that has become very intelligible breaking model. 4th Industrial Revolution duction was needed. We need to the world endured; just improved when said. It is around idea gen- An idea first comes (4IR) is now a household understand the fundamental need and made better through digi- eration. William Arthur Ward is T tization. All these revolutions credited as the one that coined concept known by Batswana that pushed for Revolutions. The to life in a prototype across all spectra. Starting the first Industrial Revolution simply have something in common. the official version and it goes conversation around it is not hard needed to mechanize production. Cheap Input costs. 1IR had water “If you can imagine it, you can format, the public at all. But like all professionally This mechanization was based & coal as inputs. 2IR had Cop- achieve it. If you dream it, you keeps a blind eye to it written columns, we need to do on trial and error, I know this be- per as the cheap input. 3IR had can become it.” some justice and dissect the 4IR. cause during those times, the test microelectronics as cheap inputs. An idea first comes to life in and normally interact The Origins of 4IR trials (stress tests) could not be In my view the cheap input for a prototype format, the public with it when its on 4IR is a continuum of previous- maximally permuted. 4IR is Data. Technology devel- keeps a blind eye to it and nor- ly existing economic revolutions. The second Industrial Revolu- opment is largely dependent on mally interact with it when its the shelves. I am a car The first revolution was simply tion rode on the might of electric long hours of product develop- on the shelves. I am a car enthu- the genesis of industrial mecha- power for mass production. The ment and as it were, data is the siast. When the new huge BMW enthusiast. When the nized production. But the writ- 1st Industrial Revolution maxi- vital input needed to guide pro- grille was presented at car shows, new huge BMW grille ers often leave the Ground Zero mized abundance of Water & duction under 4IR. consumers made less noise, and production to mere imagination Steam power (Coal). Electricity Now our Conversation has of- have of late come to make noise was presented at car and chose to mention nothing at generation was pioneered by the ficially begun! about it. Well. Someone out there shows, consumers made all; this was the Agricultural eco- famous Michael Faraday. And We note that there is a relation- is already on the next level de- nomic phase (In the region where trust me it was not easy for him ship amongst all the revolutions, signing something, maybe mir- less noise, and have of we find Botswana now the eco- to convince those in power at the including the founding Economic rors that are more intelligent than nomic activity was by Hunters & time, or the skeptics. Newspapers Activity. How many sectors are the current ones. The difference late come to make noise Gatherers and later on improved were printed a century earlier, and affected by 4IR, and what exactly between these seers known as about it. to agriculture – Crops & Animal you can imagine the ridicule that should an ordinary Motswana be designers and the consumers focusing on when 4IR is men- gives you a Businessman. A good Husbandry). When the first revo- was thrown at Faraday for his vi- 4IR is not for the elite. It is lution ensured, obviously there sion on electricity distribution. tioned? Many people in the social businessman profiles needs of his the solution between what con- were many failures that have nev- Well. The 3rd Industrial Revolu- media space indicate that 4IR is customers and sell solutions to sumers are complaining about er been documented. Some ideas tion was a game changer. A fu- usage of Zoom & plethora of oth- the problems and the complaints and what the designers have in were shelved and never saw life. turistic novel idea for production er video conferencing technol- by the customers. Riding on the store. Nowadays reinventing In the end, the need to mechanize that would go a long way. This ogy, fingerprint access to build- concept of cars, car enthusiasts some factors needed in produc- was based on electronics and In- To page 25 The Bo tswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 column Page 15 to the needs of customers. Cloud comput- low account fees. TymeBank is a new digital have adopted similar legal and regulatory ing provides the computer power necessary entrant to the South African banking sector environments, which has enabled the use of to deliver analytical insights in real time, and has made a 56% cost saving compared to cloud banking in their financial sectors. which enables financial institutions to move other startups by using cloud services from Africa’s financial sector regulators’- ap towards a customer-centric model where the AWS. proaches are very much work in progress. financial needs of customers are fully under- Before financial service providers can The report urges African regulators to de- stood. Financial institutions can also gain a adopt cloud banking, regulators need to sup- velop clear policy positions and regulations higher level of data security, resilience, fault port and approve the use of cloud technology on data privacy, risk and security; data sover- tolerance and disaster recovery from cloud within the financial sector. Some interna- eignty; cybercrime; protection of intellectual computing. tional regulators are already allowing the use property; vendor risk; and migration com- A few international and African banks of cloud banking in the financial sector. The plexity and operational risk to enable finan- have already realised the value of cloud European Union has been at the forefront of cial institutions to reap the benefit of cloud banking. WeBank is China’s first digital defining an enabling regulatory environment banking. bank that is based in a private cloud and uses for cloud banking services, which has in- Genesis Analytics is a global African firm innovative technologies, such as Artificial volved both the regulation on the use of data that has worked in more than 74 countries Intelligence and blockchain, to effect an ex- and privacy and protection of data. Under the across the world, 41 of which are on the traordinarily high volume of transactions at regulations, financial institutions have to en- continent, and Orange Business Services is a a very low cost. WeBank has been able to sure that consumer personal data is gathered network-native digital services company and run at 95% lower cost than that of traditional legally and under strict conditions and that the global enterprise division of the Orange banks’ IT operations and has passed this cost consumer data is fully protected. Other de- Group, connecting, protecting and innovat- saving onto their customers in the form of veloping markets like Turkey and Argentina ing for enterprises around the world.

Cloud-Computing Solutions Can Help Significantly To Reduce Banking Costs In Africa

ore than 700 million Africans lack access to a bank or mobile money Maccount and only 41% of Africans are financially included. This is due to the high cost of providing financial services in Africa which forces many financial servic- es providers to remain focused on serving wealthier customers. These are some of the many insights from the report Cloud Banking in Africa: The Regulatory Opportunity by Genesis Analyt- ics and Orange Business Services on how the application of cloud computing in financial services can help financial services providers reach and serve the poor. Download the full report from the Genesis Analytics site. Part of the cost problem is that financial institutions in Africa are so much smaller than elsewhere – the biggest bank in Africa (SBSA with assets of $148 billion) ranks 296th globally; most banks in Africa have assets of less than $5 billion. But African consumers are increasingly expecting these banks to provide the same range of digital services as banks in other countries. This is why consumers have been turning to mobile banking in such numbers. The telecommu- nications companies have been much more successful at delivering affordable financial services than banks are, but also need to find new ways to reduce costs if they are to reach out to even poorer customers. Cloud computing creates an opportunity for providers of financial services to rethink their technology spend and significantly re- duce costs. Cloud computing involves us- ing internet technologies to provide virtual infrastructure that is scalable and delivered as a service. Fixed costs can be converted into a subscription-based approach and up- front capital investments are converted into operational costs. Cloud computing allows banks to pay less for ICT infrastructure and services and achieve higher utilisation on ICT spend. Particularly for small banks in small markets where specialised ICT skills are in short supply, cloud computing can ease a critical operational constraint. The most compelling reason to move to the cloud is undoubtedly cost savings, but there are other business reasons too. The flexibil- ity of cloud-based operational models allows financial institutions to experience shorter development cycles for new products, which supports a faster and more efficient response Page 16 news Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Our collective humanity is at stake: African Development Bank President frican Develop- and pharmaceutical com- ment Bank Group He made the call during a global Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) webinar panies on the continent President Akin- as development and in- A vestment opportunities. wumi Adesina says an accelerated global health While China is home and economic effort is to 7,000 pharmaceuti- needed to overcome the cal companies, and India COVID-19 pandemic in “The crisis has significantly hurt 11,000, Africa by con- Africa. trast has only 375, even economic activity across multiple though its population is Stating that “one death roughly equal to half of is one too many” and that sectors, including tourism, the combined population “our collective human- of both Asian giants. ity is at stake,” Adesina transportation and commodities.” Adesina urged mul- urged U.S. and African tilateral institutions to government officials and align and step up their corporate executives to collective efforts with forge new and sustain- regard to Africa’s debt, able partnerships that manage their ratings, and would endure beyond the work together with rating pandemic. agencies. He made the call dur- While COVID-19 in- ing a global Corporate fection rates are relative- Council on Africa (CCA) ly low compared to the webinar. The CCA is a rest of the world, there leading U.S. business as- //www.biznisafrica.com is a growing sense of sociation that promotes urgency given the acute Africa President and CEO Sullivan, who said the pan- bond, the largest ever US governments, $3.1 billion business and invest- absence of healthcare in- Florie Liser lauded the Af- demic was unprecedented dollar-denominated social for countries that fall un- ment between the United frastructure on the conti- rican Development Bank’s in terms of its health, so- bond. The bond, oversub- der the Bank’s concession- States and Africa. nent. proactive leadership role in cial, economic, and finan- scribed at $4.6 billion, is ary African Development Urging participants With an eye on the responding to the crisis in cial impact. “The crisis has listed on the London Stock Fund and $1.4 billion for to be their brother’s and present crisis and be- Africa. significantly hurt econom- Exchange. The Bank also the private sector. sister’s keepers, Adesina yond, Adesina called for The COVID-19 pandem- ic activity across multiple launched a $10 billion CO- Fielding several ques- said there was a compel- urgent, new and resilient ic threatens to erase Afri- sectors, including tourism, VID-19 Response Facility tions about Africa’s health- ling need to pay atten- partnerships that will ca’s unprecedented growth transportation and com- to assist African govern- care system, Adesina said tion to underlying global help leave no one behind. and economic gains over modities.” ments and businesses. the region needs to more inequalities, and the Distributed by APO the last decade, she said Adesina highlighted The Bank’s response than double spending in impact on rich and poor Group on behalf of The webinar was moder- the Bank’s recent $3 bil- package includes $5.5 bil- the sector. He cited the African Development countries. ated by Citi Bank’s Peter lion “Fight COVID-19” lion earmarked for African acute shortage of facilities Bank Group (AfDB). Corporate Council on Bayer Joins The Call For The Continuity Of Life-Saving Malaria Prevention Measures In The Wake Of The Covid-19 Pandemic • 1,100 people die from malaria everyday, taking the life of one child every two minutes. • Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

s the resilience of the prevention at Bayer, says, we need to ensure that prog- most robust health “As the world’s attention ress is not lost. Asystems around the focuses on COVID-19, our “Today, more than ever be- world continues to be tested efforts to eradicate malaria fore, we truly appreciate the in the wake of the corona- must remain a priority as it immensity and global impact virus pandemic, this World is in times of health and eco- of infectious diseases. They Malaria Day, Bayer encour- nomic crises that diseases don’t respect borders and re- ages countries especially have the potential to re- quire governments, scientists vulnerable to malaria, to en- surge. We simply cannot let and academics, innovators, sure the continuity of malaria our guard down if we are to NGO’s and corporations to prevention and control mea- protect the millions at high work together.” emphasised sures in support of the ap- risk from malaria, many of Dr. Applegate. peal from the World Health whom are farmers, and stop Bayer is continuing to sup- Organisation (WHO). the cycle of hunger and pov- port our partners to imple- Nearly half the world’s erty. For Bayer malaria has ment vector control by en- population remains at risk been – and will continue to suring our production sites, from malaria infection and be – high on the agenda.” supply chains and logistics in 2018, it led to a staggering By ensuring access to core continue to bring life-saving 405,000 deaths worldwide, malaria prevention measures malaria tools to those most 94% of which occurred in the strain on health systems in need. Bayer also contin- Africa. Considering these can be reduced, allowing ues to invest in research and numbers, it is critical that more availability for treat- development to identify new programmes to prevent the ment of COVID-19 cases. transformative tools to fight disease continue in regions Since 2000, the coordinated against the disease. such as sub-Saharan Africa, battle against malaria has World Malaria Day, where populations are most culminated in a 60% re- marked each year on 25 vulnerable and health in- duction of malaria-related April, is an occasion to frastructures are oftentimes deaths saving close to seven highlight the need for con- fragile. million lives. This year, CO- tinued investment and sus- Dr. Jacqueline Applegate, VID-19 is threatening to dis- tained political commitment President of the unit work- rupt malaria prevention and for malaria prevention and ing in vector-borne disease treatment programmes and control. healtheuropa.eu The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 Page 17 The Botswana Gazette columnbusinesscolumnnews Page B1 Wednesday 29 April 2020 BusinessNews SINCE 1984 Rebuilding The Economy After COVID-19 Crisis Almost P10bn needed in ESP Around 75 percent of government money is made from selling luxurious goods and services in the form of diamonds and tourism. Leading consumers of Botswana diamonds and tourists are in developed countries, whose economies are projected to decline by 3 percent in 2020. Economists say that diamonds and tourism will only recover after the global economy has stabilised, which will take some time even post COVID-19. As a result, around P10 billion in an Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) will be needed, but this time around to build home grown industries that will create mass employment, rather than enriching only tenderpreneurs, Staff Writer KEABETSWE NEWEL reports.

t the University of Botswana Antwi said while it is difficult to quanti- (UB), Senior Finance Lectur- fy because the level of support required Aer in the Faculty of Business, depends on how long the lockdown and Ishamael Radikoko says a good per- other COVID-19 restrictions remain in centage of the Gross Domestic Product place, driven by the spread of the virus, (GDP) that is enough not to disrupt ex- internationally the stimulus package cessively the country’s budget but at the size varies from 2 percent of GDP to as same time good enough to contain the high as 10 percent of GDP. pandemic will be needed as an Econom- Radikoko believes the funds should ic Stimulus Programme (ESP). be used to jump-start all sectors of the “I am thinking something in the range economy that have been affected or will of 10-15 percent of GDP which will be be affected from both the supply and de- about P4.96 –P7.43 billion based on the mand side. GDP at current prices reported in the He says this is because different sec- third quarter of 2019,” he says. At Kgori tors are hit at different speed, some of Capital, Portfolio Manager Kwabena which is instant while others will expe- To Page 18

INVESTMENT FUND Dec-19 Jan-20 Feb-20 Mar-20 Apr-20 Mompati Life Fund 11.72 11.69 11.93 11.69 11.40 Mompati Retirement Annuity Fund 53.60 53.45 54.57 53.44 52.10 Mompati Educator Fund 13.86 13.82 14.11 13.82 13.47 www.botswanalife.co.bw Mompati Offshore Fund 2.97 2.98 3.05 2.93 2.70 BOTSWANA LIFE Ex-IGI Fund 44.58 44.51 45.09 45.02 45.00 Khumo 2016 Preservation Fund 11.61 11.63 11.65 11.67 11.68 MONTHLY UNIT PRICES Shariah Model Portfolio Fund 0.89 0.91 0.90 0.74 0.61 Balanced Life Fund 12.76 12.74 13.06 12.80 12.50 For any enquiries regarding the above, please call Balanced Retirement Fund 58.46 58.37 59.82 58.66 57.26 our Finance or Actuarial Departments at 364 5100 Moderate Life Fund 15.08 15.06 15.43 15.13 14.77 Growth Offshore Fund 3.32 3.34 3.43 3.30 3.04 For more information, see our Fund Fact Sheets on our website

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INSURANCE I FINANCIAL PLANNING & ADVISORY I RETIREMENT I INVESTMENT Botswana Life Insurance Limited is a member of the BIHL Group Page 18 business Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Rebuilding The Economy After COVID-19 Crisis From Page B1

rience a lagging impact depending ling, which means that many tour- on how prolonged the pandemic ists will be afraid of travelling in will be. the short to medium term post CO- “If rationing has to be done due VID-19, which will deny Botswana to limited funding the most vul- tourism revenue. nerable will be the Tourism and “It will hit hard on hotels, restau- Hospitality, Manufacturing in gen- rants and affect employment,” he eral, travel and logistics companies explains. In his views, Sibanda said including the airlines (in our case the ESP should as a result be used Air Botswana), Individuals and to create indigenous industries that Families, and small and medium will employ mostly the unskilled enterprises including those in the and semi-skilled Batswana en- informal sector because collec- masse to also reduce government tively they contribute a large chunk burden of feeding the households. of the country’s GDP,” he reveals. Sibanda mentioned agriculture and then folded their arms. We need to products in Botswana. If we don’t, the informal sector, like access Antwi concurs with Radikoko. agro processing as the low hanging invest in sustainable projects that we will export all our money to to finance and doing away with However he adds that the tourism fruits. To him, it is also time to in- will pay back the economy in the other economies and help them hurdles such as need for collateral sector will require some support vest in key sectors of the economy short term, and then in the long quickly bounce back, while we when accessing funding from state as borders were closed and local that are more stable than commodi- term of about 5 to 10 years,” he struggle,” he pronounces. owned development finance insti- travel restricted. ties. adds. He adds that government should tutions. Minister Dr. Matsheka said “The entertainment industry will Instead of using huge budgets to seek to reduce the trickledown ef- government will not create any also require support as virtually We need to invest in procure goods from foreign econo- fect of the Pula in South Africa. fund specifically for the informal festivals and concerts scheduled to mies, Sibanda says it is time to “ If you walked into Choppies sector. He said it is because the in- take place in 2020 have been can- sustainable projects finance Batswana to procure ma- today, or Pick And Pay and spent formal sector is no different from celled,” he reveals. that will pay back chines and produce the very prod- P1000, the next morning they will households. Radikoko however Their suggestions strike a famil- ucts that we import and produce use a large portion of your money says with the households, the un- iar chord with that of an indepen- the economy in the locally. Further, Radikoko said the to re-order stock from South Af- employed and the underemployed, dent economist, Louis Benedice idea with stimulus is to keep the rica. In South Africa your money a pay cheque should be made that Sibanda. The need for an ESP is short term, and then companies operating and also not will pay truckers, shops, filling can cover basic needs for at least warranted by the fact that unlike affect employment such that even stations, employees, who in turn three months. “In my view the process of as- other economies, Botswana is driv- in the long term of after the pandemic the business ac- will pay rent, maids, and also buy sessing people for need during this en by luxury goods and services, tivity continues. from Spaza shops and taverns. It’s period is not necessary because which people tend to avoid during about 5 to 10 years.” “Therefore in my view all com- a whole value chain of what our even people who normally have an economic crisis. To Sibanda, panies should be assisted whether a money does in South Africa and purchasing power are struggling economies like the US, Europe Botswana imports almost all its company is a foreign direct invest- other foreign economies,” he notes. and Asia are the biggest consum- food from South Africa. Minister this time around. Looking at the ment or a local company. To him, most of the products we speed at which everything is mov- ers of Botswana diamonds and of Finance and Economic Develop- Of course priority should be giv- import can be restricted into larger also spend a lot of money as tour- ment Dr. Thapelo Matsheka says ing a pay check will help to curtail en to local companies as the eco- quantities that would then be re- the situation, and people will not ists in Botswana. Stock markets in COVID-19 has shown Botswana nomic stimulus is unfolded but ulti- packaged here in Botswana, to en- have to wait for the logistics and those economies have collapsed, that there is need to create local mately the companies with foreign sure that we create economic value processes of assessment and then meaning that investors there (who manufacturing industries and pro- shareholders should be assisted here. To him, by funding such, then food deliveries when hunger has ordinarily buy diamonds and visit duce especially food, and avoid re- especially those that are employing the economy will be easily stimu- long approached,” he advises. as tourists) have lost money and as lying on other economies. a lot of Batswana and contribute lated. Sibanda says in the event an ESP such, have decided to cut on spend- According to Sibanda, Botswa- significantly to the business activ- SUPPORTING HOUSE- is planned, government must be ing. “It can only mean, cutting na introduced an ESP a few years ity and hence our GDP,’ he states. HOLDS AND THE INFORMAL careful of the extent to which the back on luxury such as jewellery back, but the most of the money For his part, Sibanda says Bo- SECTOR economy is stretched. “We must do and travelling. This translates to a was given to contractors to build tswana must be careful with its At Kgori Capital, Antwi states what we can afford. If government serious loss of mineral and tourism roads. “What we learnt was that af- bailout to ensure that government that there is need for transforma- can focus on creating home grown income, leading to a 13.1% GDP ter the completion of those roads, spends money where it creates the tion of regulatory framework, by industries, people will be employed decline,” Sibanda states, adding there is nothing sustainable that we most value. creating laws and policies that de- and the informal sector will benefit that even post COVID-19, there remain with as a country, despite “We should use state funds on liberately ease doing business and from increased economic activity,” will be stigma attached to travel- that the contractor cashed in and companies willing to beneficiate supporting small businesses and Sibanda states. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 business Page 19 Choppies Kenya Accounts to Remain Frozen in a P19.8 Million Tax Dispute

TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO current retail market in Kenya is moving towards consolidation,” otswana’s largest retail said Choppies CEO Ottapathu in conglomerate, Choppies October 2017 when showing his BEnterprises Limited last confidence in the Kenyan market. week lost a case in which they “This should benefit us in grow- sought their bank accounts to be ing our footprint more rapidly than unfrozen in an ongoing tax brawl originally anticipated.” with Kenyan Revenue Authorities However, settling in Kenya (KRA), this publication can reveal. seemed problematic for Choppies This is after Choppies had filed as it was hit by operational turbu- an application in Court under Cer- lence leading to inability to pay tificate of Urgency seeking orders suppliers. to unfreeze their accounts pending Due to that, the company mid completion of an ongoing tax dis- last year received a lifeline from pute. Kenyan taxman, KRA froze Export Trading Group, a Kenya- Choppies bank accounts to secure based retail business, that pumped taxes amounting to Sh173,388,416 in a staggering US6 million (ap- which is equivalent to P19. 8 mil- proximately P64 million) to lion after learning that Choppies Choppies Kenya which was on the is in the process of winding up its brink of collapse because of liquid- business operation in Kenya. ity challenges within the Choppies According to a statement re- Group. Parin Patel, the Manag- leased by KRA last week Wednes- ing Director of Choppies Kenya, day , they presented evidence in at the time announced that part of court showing that Choppies has the funds would be used to settle already sold their branches, assets 50 percent of outstanding debt to and stocks to Tusker Mattresses, suppliers while the rest will be Chandarana and Quickmart super- pumped into operations. markets, as well as Appmatt Limit- Survival in Kenya neverthe- ed without informing KRA in spite less, continued to prove difficult of the ongoing dispute. for Choppies as in September “The High Court in Nairobi, Ke- last year reports from the country nya found that KRA was right to suggested that the retailer is plan- freeze Choppies accounts to secure ning to exit the market after put- the taxes in dispute,” said KRA in ting up their assets on sale clas- a statement signed by Commis- sifying twelve of their outlets as sioner, Legal Services and Board distressed. “Zambia has a steady Coordination Paul Matuku. “The performance in a volatile economy, court also faulted Choppies for not Kenya’s distressed business has disclosing their financial position been identified for disposal. Tanza- stating that they did not disclose nia and Mozambique are distressed how much was held in their ac- while Namibia is performing as counts and that they would realize expected,” Kenyan publication, from the sales of the assets.” The East African, quoted Wilfred With that, Choppies was ordered Mpai, Choppies Director in Kenya to provide security for taxes to be as saying at the time. found due and payable to KRA in Still in September last year, an- view of the fact that they are clos- other Kenyan publication, The ing business in Kenya. KRA and Standard, reported that Choppies Choppies were also given 14 days have issued termination letters to to explore an amicable settlement over 200 workers as their plans of the tax dispute. to exit Kenya intensify. The pub- Asked of their view on the rul- lication stated that Choppies Hu- ing, Choppies CEO Ramachan- man Resources Manager in Kenya dran Ottapathu noted that he is not Joshua Were attributed the lay off aware of any ruling but acknowl- to redundancy.“This termination edged that there is a letter that not- is due to reduced business which ed the two parties should settle has been running for several by meeting. “There are no months…the company dues to tax authorities in is unable to sustain Kenya from Choppies the current wage bill and there is no ongoing noting that business tax dispute,” he briefly has gone down,” told this publication the newspaper yesterday (Monday.) quoted Were as Choppies entered saying at the Kenya in January 2016 time. after acquiring Uk- wala Supermarkets in East Africa’s largest economy. Choppies had at the time iden- 0001 tified Kenya as a key market for the com- pany in East Africa. “The Page 20 Business Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette ‘Allow Sales of Liquor If The Lockdown is Extended’- Alcohol Traders

TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO “This includes online platforms where possible which will limit body that represents alco- travel of consumers,” BAIA wrote hol traders, Botswana Al- on the letter dated April 9 which Acohol Industry Association was addressed to the Minister of (BAIA) has implored the govern- Investment, Trade and Industry ment to allow the sale of alco- Peggy Serame, it is signed by the hol on controlled measures if the organisation’s chairman Mothusi country’s lock down which ends Molokomme. “ This will ensure on Thursday is extended, this pub- that consumers do not travel un- lication can reveal. necessarily. We also recommend The country effected a lock that bars should be granted a spe- down on April 2, 2020 in order to cial dispensation to operate strictly curb the spread of the deadly CO- as off consumption outlets subject VID-19 pandemic that is persisting to the strict social distancing re- to claim people’s lives daily across quirements. This would also en- the world. As one of the measures sure that these outlets do not expe- of the lock down, the government rience further negative economic banned the sale of alcohol as an ef- impact.” fort geared towards containing the In the proposal, BAIA request virus from spreading. However,the that, if the lock down is extended, move came in as a huge blow to sales of alcohol should allowed those in the alcohol industry as between 10 a.m and 6 p.m on all they are continuing to make losses weekdays as well as 10 a.m to 2 daily. p.m on Saturdays with no liquor Things might be even more sales on Sundays and Public Holi- worse for the alcohol traders as days. “The number of customers there are reports that the lockdown allowed in an off-consumption which comes to an end this Thurs- liquor outlet will be a maximum day might be extended with a fur- of one person per square metre,” ther two or three weeks. While they the alcohol traders stated. “Liquor support the country’s decision on outlet owners will also ensure that the lock down to control the spread security measures are in place at of the virus, BAIA appealed with their own cost to safely disperse the government to allow the sale dense crowding outside of a liquor of liquor in off-consumption sale outlet.” outlets.

Serame last week Wednesday sale of alcohol for one month (or confirmed that BAIA have in- rather indefinitely), threatens the deed written to her Ministry and company’s cash-flow. The stock noted that their recommenda- market analyst argues that KBL’s tions would be considered when core business is the sale of alco- decisions to ease trade restric- hol. “If they stop selling alcohol, tions across the board are made. they lose money,” he said. In Speaking in an televised press 2019, KBL sold 128 million hec- conference, Serame also noted tolitres of alcohol every month, that some alcohol traders have which resulted in an average of already begun accessing the vari- P25 million in monthly profit. ous relief packages government According to Juma, KBL will has made available to the econ- omy. not sell alcohol until at which the Meanwhile, analysts are al- lockdown and/or state of emer- ready predicting a bleak future gency completes. “Sales volumes for Kgalagadi Beverages Limited will significantly decline, and (KBL), the country’s leading li- that will significantly eat into the quor producers due . According profits expected by shareholders to Motswedi Securities Head of of KBL,” he stated, adding that Research Garry Juma the ban on KBL will lose millions of Pula. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 timeout Page 21

T1 The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2019

tunity to pay for their current package and view the higher package at no extra cost. This equates to a 35% discount on Does Lockdown Boost TV the higher package and is their way of thanking loyal DStv customers for their continuous support. “MultiChoice Group and Online Subscription entered a closed period on 31 March in preparation for and Viewership? the release of their annual results in June,” GOSEGO MOTSUMI early March when the lockdown in Bo- BBC and Aljazeera, among others, be- tswana began. cause access to reliable news is impor- Legwaila said. “We ith almost everyone home- “MultiChoice Group entered a tant during the lockdown. bound, television and on- closed period on 31 March in prepa- For those who want to keep fit, the are therefore not able Wline media platforms are ration for the release of their annual gym is coming to them through DStv to answer questions among territories least impacted by results in June,” Legwaila said. “We with easy to follow workouts ranging COVID-19. Just last week, Netflix an- are therefore not able to answer ques- from high intensity to more mindful, related to subscriber nounced that almost 16 million peo- tions related to subscriber numbers and restorative practices that are broadcast ple created accounts in the first three product take-up.” daily on SuperSport Blitz at 8 am and numbers and product months of the year. That is almost dou- However, she told The Botswana 5 pm. ble the new sign-ups the streaming ser- Gazette in an interview that DStv “The drama continues in telenove- take-up.” vice saw in the final months of 2019. remains committed to supporting las such as The River and The Queen There has since been additional in- Batswana in their homes with the best on Mzansi Magic while those who like “Through the MultiChoice Talent formation that suggests that subscriber available programming to keep them- to binge-watch can enjoy back-to-back Factory, we launched an online learning counts are also on the rise in the face selves and their families informed viewing of their favourite series such portal that supports over 40 000 mem- of all the lockdowns. However, for and entertained. There are education- as Game of Thrones and Sex and the bers of the creative industry to gain ac- reasons of housekeeping, the Corpo- al channels for students to keep their City on M-Net Binge,” Legwaila ex- cess to courses and online masterclass- rate Affairs Manager at MultiChoice young minds stimulated and engaged. plained. es, so they can continue to hone their Botswana, Thembile Legwaila, can- Legwaila said MultiChoice has add- DStv recently launched the “We’ve craft whilst adhering to the public health not say whether there has been a surge ed Btv to its bouquet and broadened Got You!” campaign giving active and measures of social distancing and isola- in subscriptions and viewership since news channels with CNN, Euronews, disconnected customers the oppor- tion,” Legwaila added. Page 22 timeout Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Sereetsi’s “Serubing” Proceeds To Go To COVID-19 Relief Fund

At some point early this week, the COVID -19 Relief Fund will be healthier by P6K, thanks to Sereetsi & the Natives who raised the money from a benefit concert that they staged live online

GOSEGO MOTSUMI

fter hosting a resoundingly successful online con- cert styled Serubing Live Session 2 online last Aweek, Tomeletso Sereetsi, founder of contempo- rary folk band Sereetsi & the Natives, will be donating the show’s proceeds to the COVID-19 Relief Fund. “The Natives,” as he fondly refers to his legion of supporters, fans and audience, made monetary contributions to the concert while they enjoyed a front-row seat to his un- plugged live session online. “Sereetsi & the Natives managed to raise about P6000 and I am donating all of it to the COVID-19 Relief Fund,” he told Time Out in an interview. “There are Batswana who need the money more than I do. I will be making the humble deposit from the online concert early this week. The result is very encouraging and it shows that if there wasn’t a crisis where everyone is worried about the im- mediate future, we could have raised more.” The COVID-19 lockdown means that artists cannot earn a living the traditional way and Sereetsi’s online concert is part of an effort to respond to the government’s appeal for donations towards the COVID-19 Relief Fund. The celebrated folk music artist believes it was high time artists explored opportunities to create music and strat- egize for the post-COVID-19 environment. While the old way of doing things will probably still be most impor- tant, the silver lining in the dark cloud of the Coronavirus is that creatives are forced to realise the potential of the “Views from the online concert are Internet and to make it work economically for them. “Views from the online concert are sitting at 28K. I sitting at 28K. I am not sure how many am not sure how many people were viewing the show in real-time because we were broadcasting on several pages at the same time. I am glad that other artists are organ- people were viewing the show in real- ising the similar COVID-19 benefit concerts. It is time we did something for our country too. Batswana need time because we were broadcasting on us,” said Sereetsi. Sereetsi is currently exploring other online platforms and the band is scheduled for another online concert on several pages at the same time. I am Wednesday this week (29 April) on Stageit. Stageit is a web-based performance venue headquartered in Holly- glad that other artists are organising the wood, USA that hosts virtual concerts by music artists who perform live via webcam. However, this concert is similar COVID-19 benefit concerts. It is not for the COVID-19 fund but will be staged to grow the band’s international footprint. “I will be gigging quite a bit online from now onwards,” Sereetsi affirmed. “Those time we did something for our country who want to see this performance may be required to pay too. Batswana need us.” a minimal fee on Stageit,” he said. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 timeout Page 23 Thothe Took Her Native Fragrances To The BBC “The market is wide and amazing and you find that most perfumes in the market are sourced from the Western world. So to have a brand that focuses on indigenous products is still new and something that has so much potential,” Thothe told the BBC

GOSEGO MOTSUMI aBW” initiative in Kasane jars for their candles and last year. With the initia- diffusers. n the midst of the CO- tive being to showcase Bo- “When you buy the prod- VID-19 pandemic, the tswana’s products, she in- uct, you are not only buying Ifounder and creative teracted with a community the candle but you are buy- director of home grown of manufacturers, clients, ing an art piece and chang- concept, White Label Fra- and contacts that presented ing someone’s life. We also grances, hoists Botswana’s opportunities for her brand. have hand sanitisers that we flag high whenever she finds “This is where I submitted a can deliver to your door- an opportunity. Thamani profile of my company be- step during the Coronavirus Thothe was recently fea- cause I heard that the BBC lockdown,” Thothe added. tured in one of the world’s was looking to feature a lo- White Label Fragrances biggest news networks, the cally grown concept on their was established in 2017 BBC, sharing her entrepre- platform,” she explained to after Thothe’s father intro- neurial journey in the less Time Out. “They responded duced her to fragrances. travelled world of manu- and early this year we pre- Naturally perfumes came as facturing bespoke products pared for the feature.” something she used as a hy- from indigenous African White Label Fragrances giene routine every day and ingredients. is an African luxury niche she was inspired to make it “This feature has definite- fragrance brand that cu- a routine for people from all ly placed a spotlight on my rates and blends bespoke walks of life. country and my products,” fragrances with specially “Starting this manu- she told Time Out. “It has selected raw materials to facturing company, I was taken Botswana to the rest suit various tastes. They taking something I use ev- of the world. Actually, there have an array of products ery day,” she enthused on is quite a lot of international that includes body scrubs, the BBC. “Something that recognition from around the body oils made from morula would smell like home and world as I am constantly on and baobab oils, male and is produced in Africa by Af- Zoom calls because there female perfumes as well as ricans. The market is wide are a lot of inquiries about gender-neutral perfumes. and amazing and you find our products. Unfortunately, They also have a home that most perfumes in the we cannot currently export range that includes candles market are sourced from the because borders are closed. and diffusers. Just recent- Western world. So to have a But it is a good start.” ly, the brand introduced its brand that focuses on indig- Thothe’s time to shine scented candle jar from its enous products is still new on a bigger platform was “Lelapa X Botswana” col- and something that has so “This feature has definitely placed a made possible through the lection. White Label Fra- much potential. Some of the Botswana Investment and grances collaborated with hurdles that we face as start- spotlight on my country and my products.” Trade Centre’s (BITC) local women from Gabane ups are not having platforms creatively named “Push- Pottery who hand-made the to be in chain stores.” Seatbelts & Open Spaces is Making Masks For The People Cloth facemasks fashioned out of common materials are quickly invading the market as additional voluntary public health measures in the advent of COVID-19

GOSEGO MOTSUMI creatives have felt a bit are not a replacement for helpless sitting on the side personal protective equip- n response to the rec- lines,” Sekate explained to ment and people should still ommendation for N-95 Time Out. “My father is maintain social distancing, Iface masks and res- the Councillor for Sikwane- washing their hands regu- pirators to be reserved for Mabalane and I wanted to larly and avoiding touching “I also saw an opportunity to healthcare workers and help him in his leadership their faces. other frontline medical per- role to donate a few face Seatbelts & Open Spac- turn my trash into treasure sonnel in the battle with masks to the public. A lot of es places an elegant spin the best way I know how." the Coronavirus, local eco- people are clearly interested to recyclable items ably friendly fashion business, since I posted them online.” that their mask designs are www.greenmatters.com Seatbelts & Open Spaces, The Centres for Disease quite stylish. Featuring the has added cloth masks to Control and Prevention same colourful print as their to making masks available protection they offer. These by the kind of feedback its product lines. The cloth (CDC) recommends wear- clothes, they use a lot of to the public, the designer masks are not 100% ef- I receive,” Sekate said. facemasks made by fash- ing cloth face coverings in scrap fabrics to make fash- will be donating some to ficient but the idea is that “People are educated and ion designer Thuto Sekate’s public settings where other ion statements with their the people of Sikwane some barrier is better than are well informed about company are designed to social distancing measures facemasks that are unisex and Mabalane, his father’s nothing,” said Sekate. this virus. They offer good help the public slow the are difficult to maintain, and great for everyday council ward. She completed 20 orders suggestions for improving spread of the deadly virus especially in areas of sig- wear. Made with a mix of “I also saw an opportu- in a day before advertising the product. Orders can be and can be used as an ad- nificant communal trans- African print material and nity to turn my trash into the masks online. She now made online at Seatbelt & ditional voluntary public mission. While wearing linen fabrics, the masks are treasure the best way I makes 50 pieces and aims Open Spaces on Facebook. health measure. a cool mask can pick up comfortable because they know how. There are a lot to produce more because Delivery arrangements can “Ever since the CO- someone’s mood in these are easy to breathe in and of questions about what the the demand has surpassed be made and each piece VID-19 pandemic a lot of depressing times, the masks very washable. In addition masks do and how much supply. “I am impressed sells for P50.” Page 24 feature Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette When Will Africa Get Back to ‘Normal’?

person Ramaphosa selected four individuals to lead the continen- tal coordination of Africa’s eco- nomic strategy during and after the pandemic: former Nigerian finance minister and former man- aging director of World Bank op- erations, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwea- la; former president of the African Development Bank and Rwandan finance minister following the genocide, Dr. Donald Kaberuka; former CEO of Prudential and Credit Suisse and Ivorian plan- ning and development minister in the late ‘90s, Tidjane Thiam; and chairman at Old Mutual and South African minister under four presidents, Trevor Manuel. Here at TRANSITLABS, we’ve The Honorable Minister of Transport Amadou Kone visits the newly launched Artificial Intelligence Command Center in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire been thinking about technology solutions for the coronavirus cri- Patrick McGe within Africa. the decisive post-war doctrine World Bank plans to deploy $160 sis. We started by focusing on We also have the experience implemented through the Mar- billion worldwide over the next what every African government s we face an invisible of having handled Ebola pretty shall Plan and creation of the 15 months. The IMF, which is- needs to think about as it seeks enemy that has crippled well, and our continent has a very Bretton Woods system. sued almost $200 billion in Spe- to isolate and kill the virus while Europe and the United youthful population compared to Here in Africa, we think the cial Drawing Rights after 2008, is A helping those in need get through. States, many are ringing alarm Western nations. Our companies world should have taken some likely to take similar action soon. The list includes contagion moni- bells for Africa. Sitting around are coming out with new, cheaper lessons from the Ebola crisis. Africa’s Bank, the AfDB can be toring and management, medical in our pajamas we are asking: “Is and more accurate tests. Some During his presidency, Barack expected to deploy larger sums to countermeasures development Africa ready for this?”, “Am I medical reports are even claim- Obama urged governments in help African economies recover. and tracking, healthcare and pro- ready for this?” ing to have evidence that the America and internationally to As more help arrives and larger tective equipment inventories and A week ago, a French foreign BCG tuberculosis vaccine, which implement pandemic response investments are made, there are allocations, supply chain iden- affairs memo predicted civil un- is mandatory for most Africans, readiness and warned of the con- many decisions to make about tification and acceleration, and rest and regime change through- could help fight Coronavirus. sequences of not doing so. With how best to use the finite stimulus constant, consistent, compart- out the continent. And we are And we all hold onto the hope over five billion citizens now un- to navigate through and prepare witnessing the first signs: a prison that the virus is less effective in der various lockdown measures for a world redefined. To make mentalized communication of the riot in Chad, South African po- warmer climates along the equa- around the globe, we will see that happen, leaders will need the latest data within governments, lice firing tear gas into crowds, tor. So not everything is doom more deaths caused by the eco- right intelligence, gleaned from between governments, and with citizens destroying a testing cen- and gloom, but there is a question nomic slowdown than the virus the most detailed and accurate the public at large. ter in Cote d’Ivoire, plus other that keeps us all awake at night: itself – especially in Africa. data, to guide their choices. Ev- But the most important objec- incidents in Kenya, Nigeria, and When will Africa get back to To get through the virus and ery government must implement tive, the objective that must now Zimbabwe. ‘normal’? see through recovery, Africa does systems to effectively coordinate become front and center, is mak- However, it is a fact that Afri- “The coronavirus changes ev- not have the ability to add $5 tril- their response to the virus. ing sure that we build solutions to can governments have reacted to erything. We have never experi- lion to its balance sheet. “We must institute measures to facilitate the swiftest and stron- the virus much faster than most enced a situation like this before But African countries and the isolate the virus and destroy it. gest recovery for the continent. Western countries, understanding and mistakes will be made over international community are do- We must make sure our popula- In the mid-19th century, en- quickly that the economic costs the course. We will succeed, we ing what they can in a new world tions have access to food, medi- lightened rule with the goal of of inaction far exceed the cost will adapt and we will act respon- that is defining itself each and ev- cine, clean water, and energy un- combining modern advances with of measures inflicting economic sibly. - H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, ery day. til we can get back to business as traditional eastern values was the pain. African leaders quickly President of the Republic of South Africa has passed a $170 usual. Most importantly, we must foundation of the Meiji Restora- closed markets, schools, and South Africa and Chairperson of million stimulus for industrial position our economies to recov- tion. The current crisis, which has places of worship, initiated social the African Union firms, supplemented by a $170 er as fast as possible.” us all on our heels, could actually distancing measures and banned The world is changing and this million donation from the Mot- - Dag Gogue, Co-founder be the wildcard that unlocks the public gatherings, and imposed crisis will mark a tipping point sepe, Oppenheimer, and Rupert and Chief Executive Officer, ever-elusive ‘future of our conti- partial or full lockdowns. for us all as individuals, compa- families. Ghana has announced TRANSITLABS USA nent’. “We know how to bring the nies, governments, and institu- a $100 million package and is Every global crisis leads to The time has come for Afri- economy back to life. What we tions. Nobody seems to know planning a second for $219 mil- extraordinary innovations and ca’s Restoration. do not know is how to bring what the right actions to take are lion. Senegal has moved for- the great innovation of this cri- This is the moment when lead- people back to life.” - H.E. Nana to get rid of the virus. There are ward with a $1.7 billion stimulus sis will be robust, decentralized ers need to do what they have Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana two things we know: (1) the vi- amounting to seven percent of its systems at the local, national, been elected to do. They need Africa has a rapidly closing rus is here and spreading, and annual GDP, while Cote d’Ivoire regional, and continental levels to be quick, tough, and decisive. window to get the virus under (2) traditional consulting ser- is working on a package of $2.8 for governments and institutions They need to lead. control – with decisive action, vices are not the answer. billion. to make coordinated decisions in Patrick McGee, who is half- something many of our leaders So what now? The World Bank has deployed real-time. Irish and half-Zimbabwean, has understand. “If you have to get through $370 million continent-wide and This is the logical next step of been lead investment relations of- Botswana initiated a three- hell, go through it as fast as pos- is racing to reprogram billions our evolution, following the ad- ficer at the African Development week lockdown with less than 20 sible.” - Stephen Bannon, Former in current project commitments. vent of such a platform for indi- Bank (AfDB) for the last two and confirmed cases and has closed White House Chief Strategist Last week, the African Devel- viduals called social media. And a half years, where he conceptual- schools for three months. Ghana “A simple plan violently ex- opment Bank announced a $10 in the same way that Facebook, ized and designed the Africa In- has extended its three- week ecuted today beats a more com- billion facility for the continent. Twitter and Instagram enable vestment Forum platform. Before lockdown, which Ghanaians had plicated plan that takes months And the World Bank Group and people to communicate with each that, he spent 10 years managing eagerly hoping to end this week- and months to execute.” - Gen- the International Monetary Fund other, there will be multiple sys- government and private sector re- end. South Africa extended their eral George S. Patton, US Army just announced a freeze on $20 tems (decentralized Artificial In- lationships at the World Econom- lockdown to five weeks - and General during WWII billion in sovereign debt pay- telligence) around the globe that ic Forum. In March 2020, he left has gone so far as to ban alcohol As we look back at World War ments through the end of the year, enable governments and institu- the AfDB to become a director at and cigarette sales. The whole II, we note the speed of Amer- with an additional $12 billion in tions to communicate with one TRANSITLABS USA, a data an- continent reacted quickly and ica’s mobilization for the war freezes under consideration. another. alytics company based in Wash- with decisive action weeks ago, effort, the precision with which As assistance becomes avail- This type of coordination ap- ington DC that works with local, with many countries instituting the Manhattan Project was spun- able, leaders must decide how to pears to be something our lead- state, and federal governments in a 14-day quarantine for anyone up to deliver the most powerful prepare for a redefined future. ers are thinking about as well. the United States and Africa. Pat- who entered by land, air, or sea - weapon in history, and, finally, More help is coming. The Last week, African Union Chair- rick.McGeeATtransitlabs.com and anyone who crossed borders The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 news Page 25 and the community across the na- tion, estimated to well over BWP Winners’ Chapel International Botswana 40,000,00. Finally, we also want to convey our thanks to the people of the na- tion of Botswana, for adhering to Collaborates with Government to Fight Covid-19 the regulations and measures put in place by the Government in a bid to contain and combat this virus. We wish our Government, members of the Covid-19 task team, and the entire health care workers well. INTERNATIONAL PART- NERSHIP As an International faith- based organization, under the leadership of Dr David Oyedepo, we are committed to the uplift- ment of mankind from all that constitutes oppression to their well-being, spiritually, physical- ly, socio-economically and oth- erwise, with the aim of releasing mankind, (especially, the African child), to unleash their potentials for the benefits of their world. For nearly four decades of its operations, we have been com- mitted to this bid of (holistic emancipation of man), through seminars, Bible teachings, leader- ship training, schooling men and women to exploits in life, welfare relief operations, educational de- velopment and Church ministry all over the African continent and beyond. Over the years, for instance, our relief and welfare operations have been recognized by the In- ternational Red Cross in nations, including Rwanda, Liberia and O n behalf of Winners Chapel Covid-19 Relief Fund. We be- more, we are all aware of the tire- Government a few weeks ago, other parts of Africa at various International, Botswana I, Pastor lieve that this will go a long way less efforts and the commitment calling on people, businesses and degrees to mention but a few. Stanley Nkwoji wish to appreci- as part of our collective effort in by the Government in fighting institutions to support in fight- This and many more validate our ate the Almighty God for His be- keeping our nation safe and Co- the pandemic, which has claimed ing this scourge of the virus, to commitment in joining hands and nevolence and goodwill towards vid-19 virus-free, and towards tens of thousands of lives across play our part as an organization partnering with Governments of us as a nation during this trying lessening the negative impact the the globe. We have no doubt, that in response to that call, just as Nations in ameliorating and pos- time. virus may cause in our economy. together as a Nation, this will be we have partnered with Govern- sibly eradicating human suffer- In the true sense of patriotism We also appreciate the Presi- a history in a short period of time. ments of other nations in fighting ing through robust spiritual and and our continued support, the dent of the Republic of Botswana, As a faith-based organization, this pandemic. socio-economic empowerment leadership and management of His Excellency, Dr Mokgweetsi with a global outreach mandate, Also, as a way of alleviating and support. Winners Chapel International Bo- Eric Keabetswe Masisi, members we believe that the current situ- the negative impact of Covid-19, Together, we will overcome! tswana wish to use this medium to of the Executive, the Judiciary ation calls for partnership. It is we are in the process of distrib- Stanley Nkwoji- National Pastor announce our BWP 100,000,00 and the Entire Team, constituted therefore on this note, and fol- uting various food packages to Remain ever blessed in Jesus financial contribution towards in fighting Corona Virus. Further- lowing the call made by the identified members of the Church Name. PUBLIC NOTICE The 4th Industrial Revolution: How Do We Begin? CHANGES OF LAND USE

1. BOTSWANA HOUSING CORPORATION, owner of Plot 2414 Gaborone From page 14 situated in the Central Gaborone Area – Extension 9, would like to change land use of the aforesaid plot from single-family to multi-family residential. the wheel is not necessary We can start with literacy. data is the primary input that at all. For software there is Batswana have reached a rea- boosts production in 4IR en- 2. BOTSWANA HOUSING CORPORATION, owner of Plot 2494 Gaborone overabundance supply of sonable literacy level. This vironment! situated at Gaborone Extension 9, would like to change land use of the open source software – for ticks the box. The youthful Right now, as the players aforesaid plot from single-family to multi-family residential. your research you can visit have an average understand- in the 4IR up their ante, one https://opensource.org/ just ing of using, an application, of the most interesting one 3. BOTSWANA HOUSING CORPORATION, owner of Plot 2641 Gaborone to get the sense. That is just a mobile phone and a com- unfolding in the developing situated in the Central Gaborone Area – Extension 9, would like to change elementary in this world of puter. This ticks the box of countries is around using land use of the aforesaid plot from single-family to multi-family residential. open source software, go being somewhat IT literate. Artificial Intelligence (AI) to eliminate redundancy in 4. BOTSWANA HOUSING CORPORATION, owner of Plot 2645 Gaborone out there and look for more. Let us take a Zoom call as The focus one must obsess an example. A host sends areas such as law. One of the situated in the Central Gaborone Area – Extension 9, would like to change Achilles heel acknowledged land use of the aforesaid plot from single-family to multi-family residential. with is around idea genera- a URL, and, in most cases, tion; imagine it as much as they send this URL through by Governments across the globe is the delay in justice. 5. BOTSWANA HOUSING CORPORATION, owner of Plot 1898 Lobatse situ- possible. Dream! Once you a meeting invite with a Pass- “Justice delayed is justice ated in the Boswelatlou Area – Extension 1, would like to change land use have identified the true gaps word. How many people can denied”. So, this surely is not of the aforesaid plot from single-family to multi-family residential. that your solution aims to fail to connect to this meet- necessarily for the elite in a address, trust me you have ing? In my view, less than sense that the gap exists, and entered the realm of 4IR. 4IR 5% of the IT literate. This it will take a brave Business- CLASSIFIED is more about problem solv- ticks a box of being IT liter- man to imagine it and dream ing that it is to delve on being ate. We can confidently -re it. But what is stopping us to Medical Laboratory Technician with 15 years experience, of elite or for select few. mark that almost everyone tap into such exciting oppor- We can now quickly do a that has access to a computer which at least 5 years holding a laboratory manager position. tunity? self-check of whether indeed or to a smart phone can have Looking forward our P O Box 40189, Francistown, Tel: 2410735 the 4IR is not for the elite. access to data. Remember next continuum… Page 26 sport Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette Anxiety Grips Batswana Football Exports as PSL Can not Stop Pay Cuts

BONGANI MALUNGA ment,” Madlala was quoted as saying. otswana football ex- Numerous clubs in the ports to South Af- ABSA Premiership, includ- Brica are contending ing Highlands Park, have with the prospect of a finan- been mentioned among cial squeeze after reports those considering cost cut- emerged that some Premier ting measures to steady Soccer League (PSL) clubs their ship. Zebras defender were considering pay cuts Lesenya Ramoraka plays for for playing and non-playing Highlands Park and could be staff members in the wake affected by the wage cuts as of COVID-19. A new report reported by this publication has since surfaced stating last week. that the league’s governing Clubs that can sustain body, PSL, cannot stop any themselves include Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sun- club from implementing downs, Kaizer Chiefs, Bid- wage cuts in order to stay vest Wits, Supersport United afloat. and a handful of others. The The PSL’s position is rest depend on the R2 mil- that the wage cuts will be lion monthly grant that they allowed as long as proper receive from the PSL. Such labour laws are followed. clubs also usually depend on South African authoritative their owners for other expen- football publication, Soccer ditures. Laduma, quoted PSL interim It is estimated that club CEO, Mato Madlala, as say- owners of such clubs spend ing they do not have a policy between R20 million and to use to prevent clubs from R40 million per season to effecting the wage cuts. “If cover travelling costs, wag- there is a policy or guide- es, accommodation and other line for their actions, then expenses. With COVID-19 they are obliged to write to compelling many businesses the league, and where there to adopt survival strategies, isn’t, then it’s open to them. the owners are themselves With restructuring, it really increasingly squeezed for depends on your business. cash and they have explored the option of wage cuts to

You do so based on your fi- Photo Credit:www.kickoff.co.za nancial situation or predica- ease their problems. Women’s National Football Team Captain Shares Her Isolation Blues

GAONE KERILENG left with her father. I cooked and ate alone in accordance with the restrictions. Our he senior women’s national football Secretary General, Masaseng, called me team captain, Bonang Bebeto Otl- every day to encourage and pep me up. At Thagile, recently completed a 14-day first he was quite shaken but soon realised self-isolation schedule for prevention and that he had to be strong for me. My fam- control of COVID-19. This followed her trip ily was very supportive and called me con- abroad for Footballers Union of Botswana stantly and even reminded me of the hand (FUB) whence she met with the tough re- washing routine. I have now joined the rest gime upon her return. She has now joined of the country in the State of Emergency. I the rest of the nation in the State of Emer- am much better than I was the first time I gency for 28 days. was advised to go into self-isolation. After She says life in isolation minus football all, it was not long before I got used to such was more painful than missing a penalty or tough measures. I followed everything on scoring a last-minute own goal in a cup final. social media and even thought of discon- Otlhagile described how she left for Kenya necting because some of the stuff was re- for an administrative workshop with col- ally disturbing. It was as if they were refer- leagues from FUB without thinking of the ring to me. At some point I found myself consequences. They left Botswana on 13 scratching my whole body. It is not easy to March and returned on the 16th instant. be taking medication that you are not sup- “I was not aware that a formal and harm- posed to,” the captain continued. less football matter could land me in such a “There were times that I cried but after situation,” she told Gazette Sport days after getting the green light I was really relieved soaking up her relative freedom. “I travelled and started to have hope again. The truth of with FUN’s Secretary General Kgosana Ma- the matter is people who are in quarantine saseng to Nairobi. A day after our return, we need counselling. The media should teach were called by a government official and told more about COVID-19 because some peo- to go to Block 8 Clinic (in Gaborone) where ple don’t take this deadly disease seriously we filled out forms and underwent testing. enough. If you’re not strong enough, you We were advised to go into self-isolation for can take your own life when told to go into the good of everyone, not least ourselves, self-isolation. My advice to footballers and because we could have been infected in Ke- the nation at large is to keep washing their nya or somewhere along the journey. It was hands with clean water and soap all the nothing pleasant to hear but I knew it was time. If you do not have a sanitiser, wash necessary,” she stated. your hands and avoid touching your mouth, “At any rate, as in football game, isolation eyes and nose. Practise social distancing demands and imposes discipline. I woke up of around one metre from each other dur- alone in a separate room every day. I was ing this period and wear a mask and gloves separated even from my child whom I had when in public,” Otlhagile concluded. The Botswana Gazette Wednesday 29 April 2020 sport Page 27 Mascom Top 8 To Remain Caf Confederation Cup Qualifier

BONGANI MALUNGA petition. “The National Executive Cup (previously the Coca What this means is that Committee is yet to make a Cola Cup) was used as a he Mascom Top Orapa United, who won final decision about that but CAF Confederation Cup 8 will remain the this season’s Mascom Top 8 for now there is no immedi- qualifier. The competition standard measure competition, will represent ate need to change,” Mfolo then went into a hiatus that T stretched for six years due for Botswana’s CAF Con- Botswana at the 2020/21 told Gazette Sport. “We will federation Cup participants. CAF Confederation Cup. be keeping things as they to the absence of a spon- This puts paid to specula- This season’s participants are with the Mascom Top sor. During the FA Cup’s tion that the return of the FA were Jwaneng Galaxy. The 8 competition as the CAF absence, Mascom Top 8 Cup (now named Orange FA Secretary General of the Confederation Cup qualifier became the country’s only major football competition Cup) might see the country BFA, Mfolo Mfolo, has for Botswana clubs. If any and was eventually given revert to it as the decider of confirmed that so far there changes are effected, we the thumbs up as a qualify- who enters the coveted Af- are no immediate plans to will communicate.” ing tournament for the CAF rican continent’s club com- change the setup. For many years, the FA Confederation Cup.

New League Schedule For 2020/21 Season Could Be Considered ... but COVID-19 is playing havoc with planners

BONGANI MALUNGA normal scheduling could be affected by a possible he COVID-19 late start of the next sea- pandemic- could son. Tpresent Botswa- na’s football leagues League seasons (main league and lower normally run from divisions) with a fixture congestion problem if August to May, the season resumes in the next month or so. If this but the COVID-19 happened, clubs would pandemic has find themselves having to play every three days affected football in order to complete the in such a way that Ebudilwe Turns To The league season and the Or- ange FA Cup. the start of the However, fixture con- gestion is the least of their next season will problems because the be pushed further Internet To Keep Fit scheduling of the 2020/21 season could present a because the ending completely new dilemma of the 2019/20 Training alongside friends from a cycling meet in Italy, Tokyo is for the decision makers for the reason that its start season is likely to her all-consuming goal would find the State of Emergency still in force. stretch for a longer With large gather- TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO However, Ebudilwe’s training came a household name of local time. ings proscribed under routine is not affected that much, cycling due to her stellar perfor- the SoE, football games ycling sensation is not thanks to the Internet. mances which earned her an elite League seasons nor- would likely be played letting the COVID-19 “I am using a smart trainer scholarship from the Botswana mally run from August to behind closed doors for pandemic disturb her called Wahoo Kicker to help me National Olympic Committee. May, but the COVID-19 C the foreseeable future. A pandemic has affected dream of qualifying for the To- keep fit during this lock down,” The programme is designed highly placed source has kyo Olympics. To keep Tokyo she told Gazette Sport. “It is for local sport stars who excel in football in such a way informed Gazette Sport ever in sight, she has turned to more like an indoor bike which their codes. that the start of the next that the decision makers technology for training. I connect to my laptop. The good Notably, this year the 23-year season will be pushed fur- old cyclist emerged victorious are considering numerous This is an atmosphere in which thing about it is that it enables me ther because the ending in all local competitions that she scheduling options for the several countries, including Bo- to connect with people abroad to of the 2019/20 season is took part in, such as the Jwaneng 2020/2021 season with a tswana, are restricting people’s train with. I usually train with likely to stretch for a lon- Mine GM’s Charity Cycle Race January to December for- movements under lockdown re- friends in Italy once daily. I was ger time. and the Kgosi Malope Cycle mat being discussed as a gimes that have so far always with them at the World Cycling Reached for comment, Challenge. Ebudilwe had also possible option. been extended in order to curb Centre in Switzerland.” the Secretary General of made the selection for the Afri- Such a format would the spread of the deadly virus. Qualifying for the Olympics, the Botswana Football can Continental Road Champi- accommodate the Mas- The restrictions have made it which have since been post- Association, Mfolo Mfo- onships which were billed for com Top 8, the BTC Pre- difficult for athletes, especially poned to next year due to the lo, said they will have to Mauritius from March 23 to 29 miership and the Orange in developing countries like Bo- COVID-19 pandemic, is her all- take the government’s but were jinxed by COVID-19 FA Cup within the same tswana, to keep fit. consuming dream. Ebudilwe be- and rescheduled. Coronavirus measures calendar year. But be- into consideration when cause the Top 8 usually they plan for resumption starts in November, its of football activities. Page 28 Wednesday 29 April 2020 The Botswana Gazette

Ebudilwe Turns To The IPagenternet 27 To Keep Fit

Wednesday 22 April 2020 P9.50 (Incl) VAT Page 27 No Retirement Plans For Makwala The damnable pandemic may have disrupted his plans to run his last 400m race this year but ‘Badman’ Makwala believes he still has a lot to off er on the track, writes TLOTLO KEBINAKGABO.

ormer African 400m record to run my last 400m at this year’s can record in 44.01 and winning holder, Isaac Makwala, has Olympics and then focus only the 200m in 19.96 one and-a-half Fno intention of announcing on 200m from next year,” he ex- hours later. He performed this feat his retirement from athletics any plained. “Now I have to delay that at the La Chaux-de-Fonds meet in time soon, Gazette Sport has firm- plan until next year because I do Switzerland. ly established. aim to be in the Olympics.” But Makwala would achieve Born in Tutume in 1985, greater fame at the 2017 World Makwala is the oldest member “Because 2024 is far Championships when he ran a of Botswana’s national athletics solo time 200m trial in 20.20s to team. and I do not think qualify for the semi-finals. Two He has been a feature on run- hours later, he qualified for the ning tracks around the world for I will still have my final after going 0.06 sec quicker. more than a decade, winning ac- speed then, I cannot He had to run the solo time trial colades that include the IAAF Di- because he was barred from tak- amond League 400m trophy. But ing part in 200m heats after he this record breaking runner has no say for sure I can was suspected to have the Noro- intention of slowing down in his virus. But he also did not run the latter years because he holds that hold out that far,” he 400m final where he was the most he still has a lot of fuel in his tank. significant threat to the eventual “I cannot say exactly when I said. “But God plans champion, South Africa’s Wayde will retire but I know I still have van Niekerk. a long way to go,” said the inde- everything and I fatigable athlete who has been leave it all to Him.” Proving himself hard to put running for Botswana since 2006. down, Makwala tasted his maiden “My performance on the track will Makwala is undoubtedly one title (with the national team) in influence that decision.” Speaking of the best athletes that Botswana 2018 when he claimed the Com- with Gazette Sport on the phone, has ever had, considering his re- monwealth Games 400m gold Makwala added that the Tokyo cord that speaks for the man. He medal in 44.35. A dull season Olympics, now postponed to win- is the national record holder in followed last year due mainly to ter next year, could be his last. all sprint races, namely the 100m injuries. “Because 2024 is far and I do (10.20), the 200m (19.77) and the And just when he was on the not think I will still have my speed 400m (43.72). cusp of a comeback this season, a then, I cannot say for sure I can Under the tutelage of Justice murderous virus struck the world hold out that far,” he said. “But Dipeba, Makwala established and forced people inside their God plans everything and I leave himself as a brand in international homes everywhere. It is Isaac it all to Him.” The Coronavirus athletics in 2014. Makwala’s most earnest hope is consequential for the 35-year That is when he accomplished that COVID-19 will pass so that old athlete because this year was the fastest double ever in a single he may stamp his authority on the a marker for him at the Olympics day in the 200m and the 400m tracks in Tokyo next year. At least “That is because I was planning races, breaking the 400m Afri- one more time.