News briefs
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday June 17, 2014 06:59
Voter transfers openThe Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says voters who registered during the initial registration exercise and the first supplementary, may now come forward to apply for transfers.
For one to transfer, they have to present themselves to the IEC office in charge of the constituency they wish to transfer to.
Once the Principal Elections Officer (PEO) approves the reasons for transfer, the voter will have to surrender their registration card and the PEO will issue a new one indicating the new polling station the voter has been transferred to.
The IEC stressed that members of the public should remember that once Parliament is dissolved transfers will not be accepted.
Cllrs address Khama petition?The Kgatleng District Council meets in its full council from next Monday to Friday, with expectations that discussions could be heard on the recent petition by Bakgatla to President Ian Khama on exiled paramount chief, Kgafela Kgafela II.
Recently, Bakgatla – Baa – Kgafela requested that Khama drop the various cases Kgafela is facing and begin to “respect bogosi”.
The petitioning Bakgatla said they were willing to “trade our heads in defending our bogosi against any force of destruction”.
Eskom re-issues warningSouth African electricity utility, Eskom, says its supply system remains “extremely tight” due to higher winter demand, as the Botswana Power Corporation battles to avoid local loadshedding.
Eskom is Botswana’s single biggest supplier of export power, accounting for up to 60 percent of demand.Yesterday, Eskom called on all consumers to trim at least 10 percent of their usage, especially during the evening peak hours of 1700hrs to 2100hrs, by switching off geysers, air-conditioners and pool pumps.
This week, the South African utility projects that demand in that country will peak on Wednesday and Thursday. Eskom says any load shedding in South Africa will result in zero supplies to Botswana.
Drivers competition returnsThe Botswana chapter of the Scania Driver of the Year Competition 2014 will be held on July 4 and 5, in what is expected to evolve into an annual event.
The Scania Driver of the Year competition intends to stimulate a professional driving culture within the transport industry as drivers compete for the prestigious status of being crowned the best driver in the country.
Between March and October, contestants in South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania and Botswana all try out their skills, with the regional finalists competing for the Driver of the Year title in October.
Big Brother Africa is backAfrica’s biggest reality show, Big Brother Africa, is back again this year and is set to kick off in September for its ninth season.
In Botswana, auditions are due to be held at the Cresta President Hotel on July 4 and 5. All Botswana citizens over the age of 21 with a valid passport, are eligible to participate.
Last year, the winner of the show, Namibia’s Dilish walked away US$300,000 richer.
The show, which will run for 91 days, will be screened live around the clock on DSTV channels 197 and 198.