On 08 November, the president of the Republic of Botswana Dr Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi delivered the state of national address (SONA). Bookbinder Business law hereby presents a summary of the key issues addressed by the president.
The key themes in the 2021 State of the Nation Address are as follows:
• Economy and Employment;
• Social Upliftment;
• Sustainable environment; and,
• Governance, Peace and Security
1. Economy And Employment
1.1.1 The International Monetary Fund world economic outlook shows robust work economic recovery for 2021/2022.
1.1.2 The global diamond market has recovered since 2020 and the growth is consistent in 2021.
1.1.3 2021 was declared a non-drought season, therefore, Batswana are encouraged to take advantage and to increase yield.
1.1.4 Government has adopted new arable agricultural programme to be implemented in June 2022, replacing the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD). The programme will include clustering system and commercializing farming.
1.1.5 The 64% market deficit in the grain market is an opportunity for investment by locals. The dairy sector presents an opportunity for development and investment.
1.1.6 Government has facilitated 3 new private abattoirs to export beef and by-products to international markets. The rams and bucks initiative has been expanded to include distribution of bulls following the warm welcome of the initiative.
1.1.7 In April 2021, Parliament approved the Revised Tourism Policy, which will enhance citizen participation in prime tourism areas such as, the Okavango Delta and National Parks around the country.
1.1.8 97% of employees in the mining sector are citizens. The figures are expected to rise as more mining companies start operating in 2022. The Morupule coal mining aims at expanding coal production. Part of BCL mine has been sold, and when operational, more jobs will be created In Selebi Phikwe and surrounding areas.
1.1.9 Fifty-two million pulas have been earmarked for the refurbishment of the Botswana media complex. Tv content has been developed and over 800 artists have been rewarded. The National Arts Council has been established and the Act was adopted by the parliament but is yet to commence operation.
1.1.10 CEDA has approved over seven thousand loans with women and youths being major benefactors.
1.1.11 Investors have been identified for the development of a 50 megawatts solar plant in Selibe Phikwe and other plants in other areas with a combined capacity of 16 megawatts.
1.2 Development Of Strategic Infrastructure
The following are some of the major projects that were undertaken since 2019:
1.2.1 Completion of the Kazungula Bridge. The Mohembo Bridge on the Okavango River is at 98 percent completion stage and will be opened to traffic by the end of the year.
1.2.2 The Masama-Mmamashia 100km Transmission Pipeline and Associated Works from Masama Wellfields to Mmamashia Water Treatment Plant, which was recently commissioned
1.2.3 Three infrastructure projects aimed at improving traffic flow in the Greater Gaborone are underway and expected to be completed by July 2022.
1.2.4 Private sector investors have been identified for the development of a 50 Megawatts grid scale solar Photovoltaic plant in Selebi Phikwe and six grid tied solar PV plants in Shakawe, Bobonong, Lobatse, Molepolole, Maun and Ghanzi, with a combined capacity of 16 Megawatts.
2. Social Upliftment
2.1.1 In line with Botswana’s policy of youth affirmative action, Government has spent over Three Hundred and Thirty-Four Million Pula since 2019, by procuring services from two thousand and fifty-three youth owned businesses.
2.1.2 Since the revision of CEDA guidelines in 2019, the agency has funded over four thousand youth owned businesses, at the value of over Two Hundred Million Pula, an investment which has created more than five thousand jobs.
2.1.3 Botswana has secured the rights and will host the first Forbes Under 30 Summit in Africa, to be held in Gaborone and Kasane in April 2022. The Summit will attract more than six hundred young people from across the world.
2.1.4 Significant improvements towards addressing Gender Based Violence have been made since 2020. The Botswana Police Service introduced a Toll-Free number for reporting gender-based violence and established a Gender and Child Protection Unit in April 2021. A Sex Offenders’ Registry Act to record and publicize names and particulars of all persons convicted of sexual offences, was adopted in December 2020.
2.1.5 The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana, Ms. Neo Jane Masisi is working in close collaboration with the public and private sector, as well as civil society to raise gender-based violence awareness, as a member of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).
2.1.6 In August 2021, Botswana acceded to the Convention on the Rights of People Living with Disabilities. The construction of a Centre to cater for learners with Severe and Multiple Disability in Maun is expected to be completed in 2022. This is the first Centre will cater for learners who require more specialist assistance for their development.
3. Health And Wellness
3.1.1 Botswana has the lowest fatality rates in the region due to a resilient health care system and compliance to COVID-19 health protocols.
3.1.2 Botswana-Baylor Partnership was expanded to cover a comprehensive Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (PHO) initiative which will improve survival rate for children with cancer and blood disorders. A vaccine manufacturing partnership in Botswana is also being planned for.
3.1.3 Part of the revenue from the Alcohol Levy is utilized for the construction of a Rehabilitation Centre in Serowe which facility will be used for the treatment of substance abuse.
4. Sustainable Development
4.1.1 Parliament adopted a climate change policy in April 2021. Botswana mobilised thirty million United States Dollars (U$30m) in 2021 from the Green Climate Fund to implement agriculture related adaptation interventions, particularly in Ngamiland, Bobirwa and Kgalagadi districts.
4.1.2 Government is working on the Biogas Technology Programme which aims to deliver small-scale digester plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million six hundred and fifty thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2023.
4.1.3 Guidelines to allow Batswana to keep game in their fields (masimo) were launched in April 2021, to empower citizens to participate in agro tourism.
5. Governance, Peace, And Security
5.1.1 Service delivery in the Judiciary is improved by amongst others, increasing the location of courts across the country to bring justice closer to the people. Three new magistrate courts were established at Kasane, Takatokwane and Mogoditshane in 2021. An additional Division of the High Court was established in Maun.
5.1.2 The Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act was amended to increase its scope, amongst other things. The Act obliges all those involved in procurement to make a declaration of their assets and liabilities.
5.1.3 The parliament passed the Ombudsman Bill Number 19 of 2021 to amend the Ombudsman Act to confer a Human Rights mandate on the office of the Ombudsman.
5.1.4 Botswana is removed from the international monetary watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), grey list following compliance with the Task Force Standards. As a result, assets worth over Two Hundred Million Pula (P200 million) have been traced and referred to Directorate of Public Prosecutions for restraint applications for possible forfeiture or release.
5.2 Public Safety And Security
5.2.1 The ongoing amendments of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2014 planned capacitation of the judiciary and other officials within the criminal justice system, and the development of a new Anti-Human Trafficking National Action Plan in 2022 will ensure protection of people from human trafficking.