Wither Botswana

Alcohol levy: The government slush funds
Shortly before the recent, crucial away football match between Botswana and Chad, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture announced that it would fly supporters of the national team, the Zebras, to Chad for the game.

The match was crucial for Botswana because if the Zebras won it, they would thereby qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. So the ministry's gesture (the very first of its kind for any sport in the country's history) was not a total surprise. What was surprising to some people was the level of the government's generosity, given its constant plea that owing to the recent worldwide recession, it is short of funds for almost everything it has to do.

This element of surprise on the part of many residents of Botswana became more pronounced when, after Botswana indeed won the match, the sports ministry also announced that each of the team members would be paid P20 000, while the team officials would receive P10 000 each. However, the increased level of surprise was insignificant compared to the level of elation that overwhelmed the entire nation following the significant victory of the Zebras over Chad.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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