Buy semen or leave Cabinet – Masisi threatens
Mompati Tlhankane - Sharon Mathala | Tuesday October 17, 2023 06:00
A leaked Savingram last week revealed that Masisi and his elite entourage, including ministers and senior officials, would have the exclusive opportunity to buy bull semen at the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination and Training Centre.
There were reports that Masisi and his Cabinet would get the ‘preferential’ opportunity and be the first in line to receive the bull semen from the cattle imported from Texas, USA in May this year.
Addressing concerns, Masisi clarified that this was his directive, emphasising that even ministers not involved in farming would be compelled to buy semen. The President conveyed this during a packed Molepolole Kgotla meeting on Friday.
“Gore o tswelele o nne tona mo pusong yame, o ye go reka kane le wena ka madi a gago. Matona a mo mathateng a, a reka dikane (To continue as a Cabinet minister in my administration, you would have to buy semen using your own funds. These ministers are in trouble; they must buy semen),' Masisi asserted, openly acknowledging the pressure he's exerting on his Cabinet.
In response to those who argued they were not farmers, Masisi insisted that leaders should set an example, even pressuring them to buy and donate the semen to their constituents.
“Some decried that they are not farmers but I couldn’t have any of that. As long as you are a leader you should lead by example. Kea ba patika (I am pressurising them),” Masisi admitted.
He underlined the availability of nitrogen tanks and bull catalogues at Ramatlabama for semen storage.
“We poured millions into this centre to develop it and some ministers had never been there,” Masisi said as he defended his choice of the cabinet meeting venue.
Defending the choice of the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination and Training Centre for the Cabinet meeting, Masisi highlighted the significant investment made in its development and urged ministers unfamiliar with agricultural issues to witness its achievements.
While acknowledging the leaked Savingram, Masisi stressed the need for confidentiality, asserting that it is a classified government document detailing meeting and trip specifics.
“That Savingram is a secret government document from the Cabinet office and it details everything about the meeting and trip. If this information reaches the wrong people they could put harm on our way,” he emphasised.
Contrary to speculations, Masisi clarified that his entourage wouldn't be the first to purchase semen, as farmers have been doing so regularly. In May, the government invested P25 million in acquiring elite cattle breeds from Texas, USA, aiming to enhance the national herd and genetic quality for domestic use and export markets. The controversial bull semen purchase is seen as part of the broader strategy for livestock sub-sector revival and value chain development.
When the cattle arrived in Botswana in May, the acquisition sparked debate. President Mokgweetsi Masisi then gave himself a pat on the back for a job well done and assured Batswana that these animals are elite, of superior genetics, and will adapt well to the local environment as they are from a state in the USA that has almost similar climatic conditions to that of Botswana. The government emphasised later that the cattle were a worthy investment because they would be used in the production of germplasm in the form of embryos and semen for both domestic use and export markets.