The executive is seriously hampered if one member is away from work for a considerable period. The absence is felt even more if it involves a Vice President and one of the most experienced members of cabinet. President Ian Khama must have felt his deputy's absence more than anyone else for he is his closest official advisor. Merafhe has served this country very well in various capacities. We have no doubt that this country is yet to see his best at the level of the vice presidency and that is why we are so excited to see him back. His voice was missed in Parliament even though he has a penchant for chastising members of the opposition or the odd ruling party backbencher brave enough to criticise the Khama administration. We missed his ready to shoot demeanour in Parliament. Above all, as the head of project implementation and government initiatives on poverty eradication, we think the country needed Merafhe back in office to continue in these critical roles to ensure that the rural folk and the poor who rely on state initiatives are not left behind. While still recuperating, we hope he will take it easy and not exhaust himself too soon. In his absence cabinet minister, Ponatshego Kedikilwe did an excellent job in handling the vice presidency in an acting capacity besides his portfolio. President Khama could not have chosen a better person to hold the fort in this critical position when Merafhe was indisposed. Now that cabinet is at full strength, we expect a lot from it, including finding a solution to the on-going civil service strike. We expect our leaders to deal with the strike head-on instead of the lackadaisical attitude they have shown so far. There is no choice but to confront the problem.
Population census
This year the government will embark on the important task of the national population census. After every 10 years, government embarks on a national census and the time for another counting has arrived. The census gives us the number of people in the country by district, locality, gender and age group. The census will also supply such critical information on other variables like the household. We will be able to know the number of foreigners in our country. All these statistics are important in development planning and addressing imbalances. We appeal to Batswana to prepare for the census scheduled for August. Unless we cooperate with the census enumerators, the purpose of this all-important exercise will be defeated. Let us be ready to be counted.
