Swedish rates Botswana's example

THATO CHWAANE
Staff Writer | Wednesday July 18, 2007 00:00

 

She said that what matters is the quality of a country's institutions. She quoted former Botswana president Sir Ketumile Masire in his memoirs that: 'The luck we had in Botswana is not only because we found diamonds, but also that we discovered people'.
Jagander said this should serve as an encouraging message to many countries in Africa and elsewhere. 'It is not necessary to have huge natural resources or a wealth of other assets, as long as the human resources are there and are allowed to grow and develop,' she said.

She said that her stay in Botswana has been interesting and enriching, both professionally and personally. She said not only did she gain her first in-depth experience of Africa but also met the warm and friendly Batswana.

Jagander said that Sweden and Botswana were not just partners in development but in a wide range of areas in institutional and research cooperation for the good of southern Africa.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mompati Merafhe thanked Sweden for standing by Botswana when donor funding is diminishing. He said the Swedes are assisting in poverty eradication, HIV/AIDS and diversification of the economy among others.

He said that Jagander would be remembered for the excellent work she has done in Botswana.