Masisi's bittersweet independence message
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday October 4, 2022 06:00
President Mokgweetsi Masisi made the remarks when delivering the message on the 56th anniversary of Botswana Day which was held at the National Stadium.
He stated that this year during the month of prayer, September, the country paused to reflect as a nation on the journey it has taken and the challenges encountered along the way.
Masisi said citizens renewed their faith in the national response and fight, not just against HIV/AIDS but also in combating other equally ominous infirmities such as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), the newest attack in the form of COVID-19, the societal ills of gender-based violence (GBV), drug abuse, violent crime, murder and suicides, as well as ritual killings.
The President also called on Batswana to reflect deeply on the significance brought by a moment such as Independence Day as they celebrated the country’s 56th anniversary.
“This introspection will afford us the opportunity to understand and appreciate who we are as a nation. We might just remind ourselves that despite the heavy weight of the challenges that for most parts of the last two years restricted our movement, there are still some things worth celebrating,” he said.
However, Masisi admitted that the fanfare and jubilation that accompanied the marking of the national day in the past has this time around been replaced by the grim events that are still fresh in people’s memories. “Who would ever forget, especially the perilous months of July to September 2021, when we lost many of our fellow citizens due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Many of our families are hurting as a result of losing loved ones or close relatives, a friend, or neighbour due to COVID-19,” he said.
Masisi further stated that a greater number, especially women, in the hospitality sector and the youth who are dominating the service sector were hit the hardest economically by the devastating impact of the pandemic.
He stated that to sustain livelihoods, the government introduced policy and legislative reforms aimed at facilitating the overall improvement of doing business and stimulating economic activity.
“We have seen the reduction in the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 14% to 12% this year. Parliament also passed the Retirement Fund Act 2022 allowing pensioners’ access to draw pensions for settlement of mortgages and medical bills for terminal ailments,” he said.
Masisi stated that this is expected to improve their overall wellbeing and bring much-needed relief to beneficiaries in distress while also freeing up a bit of cash in their pockets for other critical uses and sustenance.
Additionally, Masisi said he had confidence in the operational strategies and capacity of law enforcement agencies, not only to collaborate with the community efforts to combat the resurgent criminal activities but also to fully deploy the tools at their disposal to defeat perpetrators.
This year’s Independence Day celebrations were held under the theme ‘Reviving Hope: COVID-19 And Beyond’.