The BDP counts wins, hopes to cling to power
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 25, 2024 05:58
According to BDP spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse, the party has been successful in delivering on many of the promises made in its 2019 General Election manifesto. He emphasised the BDP’s track record of achievement and progress, and expressed confidence in the party’s ability to continue leading the country going forward.
“COVID-19 Vaccination and Relief: The BDP-led government successfully vaccinated over 64% of the target population against COVID-19. Additionally, it provided financial relief and support to sectors impacted by the pandemic. Botswana is one of the four African nations to meet the WHO's vaccination target of 40%,” Kentse said in an interview on Wednesday. Furthermore, he said the response to the pandemic which was for all intents and purposes an emergency was testament to the solid health infrastructure that the BDP government has built over the years.
Moreover, he said cushioning the business sector from the effects of COVID-19 is another success story. In addition, Kentse said disbursing P162 million to medium and large companies, P22.635 million to SMMEs, and P47.096 million as P1000 grants to the informal sector is a notable achievement. Kentse also said that the multi-pronged effort was a testament to the Party's commitment to inclusivity and shared prosperity. On issues of mining and mineral beneficiation, he said the BDP secured a historic partnership with De Beers, thereby increasing Botswana’s share of rough diamonds. He said this collaboration also focuses on skills development and value chains. With that regard, the spokesperson pointed out that the De Beers/Botswana deal will also see an investment of up to $825 million over the next 10 years in growing the economy of Botswana.
He continued; “Key to this collaboration will be the creation of an academy which will impart diamond trade skills to our people, creating a true diamond legacy. Batswana will in future be respected players in the diamond industry internationally.” On land sector reforms, he said the BDP-led government implemented land lease certificates and introduced secure land titles while expedited allocation of residential land has been accomplished significantly.
“In our 2019 Election Manifesto we promised access to land and we have duly delivered 800% plot allocation rate across the country, eight times more than any previous performance. “We have allocated more plots in one year than has been done in the previous five years”, he said. Further, Kentse explained that all land boards are working through their waiting lists and will eliminate them in the next three years pointing out that had it not been for COVID-19 they would have long dealt with waiting lists.
He revealed that in providing for registration of certificates of rights they have ensured increase in the value of property for ordinary Batswana as they have ensured security of tenure to Batswana allocated land through SHHA in state land. “We have heeded the outcry of how Batswana have been left out of meaningful participation in tourism thus, the BDP-led government has removed automatic renewal clauses in lease agreements, including the removal of first right of refusal by sitting lessees. Another plus is head leases being signed directly with community trusts. This has the effect of increasing the autonomy of communities over their resources,” he said. Kentse boasted that Batswana are well on their way to being big players in the tourism sector. Diving into the creative industry and youth empowerment, he noted that initiatives such as the High-Performance Sports Centre, the National Arts Council of Botswana, and the Youth Development Fund have been launched and P80 million disbursed through the Youth Development Fund in the 2021-2022 financial year creating 1,320 for young people.
On infrastructure development, the government reportedly invested in projects like the Samora Machel Museum, Kazungula and Mohembo bridges, Village Road Infrastructure, and Special Economic Zones. “The iconic Mohembo Bridge is already creating tourism potential for the Shakawe enclave. It is already a must visit place and will create further opportunities from wildlife-based tourism. It will also have the effect of making Shakawe a transport hub,” Kentse revealed.
Revitalising Morupule A and B, Kentse stated that the local power source Morupule A Power Station's successful refurbishment in 2019 secured 100MW of local generation capacity, bolstering the national electricity supply. He emphasised that expansion of the power grid to the Northwest region unlocked mining investments and reduced dependency on neighbouring countries for power. “Village Electrification Completion of the 116-village electrification project has taken us to 80.2% of gazetted villages. Forty-four new villages were electrified, with network extensions in 72 villages, very much in line with reaching every corner of the nation,” he said.
Moreover, Kentse said their commitment to providing water to all the villages in Botswana has been shown by the incremental project completion rate that has become the hallmark of the BDP led government. He stated that from four water related projects completed in 2018 and 2019 to eight project completed in 2020 all this achieved during COVID-19. When it comes to economic growth and citizen empowerment, he explained that import restrictions, revitalisation of the SPEDU region, granting Botswana Oil a 100% fuel import mandate, and establishing the Co-operative CEDA Fund contributed to economic growth.
He pointed that in November 2021, they launched the Co-operative CEDA Fund, aiming at enhancing financing access for co-operatives and foster their growth and sustainability. “We have implemented strategic import restrictions on select goods, nurturing local industries and stimulating sectoral growth, ensuring long-term sustainability. “Strengthening Local Industries: Import Restrictions By revitalising the SPEDU Region, we have welcomed 34 operational companies and created 2,482. The Citrus project creates a great opportunity for the revitalisation of Selibe-Phikwe, the first harvest has been celebrated and set for export yet there are still opportunities in the value chain,” Kentse shared.
On digitalisation and knowledge-based economy, Kentse revealed that completion of the Analogue Switch Off, e-Commerce Strategy, School Digitalisation Plan, and software solutions through BITRI advanced digitalisation. He said Botswana Digital and Innovation Hub is running hackathon challenges to co-create data driven services for government, leveraging on the vigour and dynamism of youth dividend. In the process he revealed that Botswana registered biggest improvement in the Global Innovation Index 2022 rankings getting position 86th globally, and making the top three in Africa while 133/144 villages were connected with live internet service, registering an average of 400,000 users weekly through the free Wi-Fi hotspots at connected facilities.
On International Relations and Bilateral Agreements, Kentse maintained that hosting major events like the Global Expo Botswana, Africa Investment Forum, and signing bilateral agreements with other countries strengthened international relations. He also noted that the U.S-Africa Business Summit showcased the country’s capacity to host global events, fostering connections amongst U.S. and African leaders, driving business growth and cross-sector collaboration.
On Constitutional Review and Democracy, he explained that they initiated a constitutional review, easing legislation and policy review for the benefit of Batswana and promoting democracy and the rule of law. “Constitutional amendments will be put before Parliament for deliberations. Notable amongst them is that Education and Health will be made inalienable rights. This has been a call from civil society since time in memorial,” Kentse said.
He also touched on the Export Promotion and Gender Empowerment, adding that market access for SMMEs, the Official PushaBW online Store, and gender strategies in agriculture were notable achievements. “New alternative markets for beef were also sought – which provides for live cattle export since October 2020. Thus far, 256, 118 (249, 300 animals exported to RSA and 6, 818 cattle exported to Namibia),” he concluded.