Power and water shortages threaten Youth Games

Gothataone Moeng | Saturday March 1, 2014 19:06

 

“As per the last statement from the minister, things are in control (sic). I have confidence in what he said. I will have to rely on his last statement,” Kgathi told Parliament yesterday. He was responding to MPs’ questions on what preparations he has made to ensure the current power cuts or water shortages do not affect the games.

Francistown South MP Wynter Mmolotsi reminded Kgathi that despite assurances from Mokaila that things are under control, the nation has consistently been hit by power shortages.  Mmolotsi said without due preparations Kgathi, and by extension the country, would be embarrassed if power outages continue during the games. 

The minister assured Parliament that there would be tight security for the 2,500 athletes and 1,500 officials expected to come to Botswana for the games. He said there will be media practitioners from countries such as Canada, China, Norway and the United States of America.

“There will be plenty of stories and images coming out of our country, and being read, heard and seen throughout the length and breadth of the African continent and beyond through print, radio, television and social media,” he said.

Kgathi hopes Botswana will take advantage of the unique opportunity offered by hosting the games to “profile ourselves as a destination for investment, tourism, education and sport” as this would result in employment creation for Batswana.

There will be a three-hour opening ceremony on the first night of the games that will give viewers a taste of Botswana’s history, culture and music, he said. The games will be held under the theme “Uniting African Youth: Catalysing Botswana’s Economic Diversification”.

 The government has contributed P28 million for the games, with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa donating P17 million.  Other sponsors include Choppies (P8.5 million), Bomaid (P1 million) and Ministry of Health (P6,868,000 for campaigns against alcohol and drug abuse).