Masisi should walk the talk – Keorapetse
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday October 9, 2023 06:00
He said recently this when addressing multitudes during the Tsholofelo Carnival independence celebrations at Sam Sono Stadium here. As part of the government's transformational reset agenda programme, President Mokgweetsi Masisi launched the nationwide Mindset change campaign in July under the tagline "A re Chencheng".
The reset agenda is envisaged to push for economic revival and transformation through five priorities being, To Save Botswana's Population from Covid-19, Align Botswana Government Machinery to the Presidential Agenda, Digitisation, Value-chain Development and Mindset Change.
In his address, Keorapetse stressed that everyone should reflect on their experience as the nation marks its 57th anniversary of independence. He applauded the government's strategy for Mindset change under the reset agenda, but he added that the message should apply to both the government and the populace.
He urged the government to implement mindset transformation as well in order to advance national development and create jobs and other opportunities for Batswana. The Selebi-Phikwe West legislator emphasised that many people presently lack hope as a result of the unemployment crisis or other problems. According to data provided by Statistics Botswana, there are more than 300,000 unemployed persons in the country. “Over 35.4% of people are unemployed in Botswana, something which calls for concern. Majority of those employed are paid bare minimum wages beyond their means of survival,” he added.
Therefore, he stated that whilst celebrating their independence, it is critical that they change their mindset as a whole and come up with possible solutions to address such challenges. Keorapetse pointed out that there is a huge income inequality despite Botswana’s relatively high income level. He further revealed that Botswana is currently ranked 10th on the level of inequality, which is amongst the highest in the world. "It frequently occurs that one individual cannot access land while the other has more than 1,000 plots in the capital city. Additionally, it is typical for one to have a free-range plot that is much larger than another, who is only able to have a 30 by 40-metre plot," he stated.
The LoO highlighted further that if they are to speak of prosperity for all by 2036, a change in mindset is required in order to overcome these difficulties. He added that since naturalised citizens controlled the country’s economy, the government should use Mind Set modification to restore citizen control.
Meanwhile, Keorapetse said that gender-based violence (GBV), which President Masisi alluded to, is still a big concern. He asserted that it has become evident that Batswana are depressed and unhappy people. The statistics provided by the Botswana Police Service indicate that 391 persons committed suicide in 2022. "Across the nation, 78 people committed suicide from January to March," he explained.
Keorapetse indicated that in order to handle the growing GBV-related cases, Batswana must change their ways of thinking. He also discussed some of the commitments the government made following the BCL Mine's closure in 2016. According to Keorapetse, the previous vice-president and current president told the former BCL employees that they would develop a plan to enable them to affordably and sensibly purchase the homes they resided in. "It would be helpful if the President and the Minister of Minerals came to Phikwe to meet with the locals and talk to them about their promises and the money they intend to receive, especially with former BCL employees."