2. Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure this afternoon to address this opening of the fifth and therefore last session of the tenth Parliament. By this time next year Batswana from across our country will have once more gone to the polls to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.
3. For nearly five full decades now it has been the power of this simple fact, the ability of citizens to freely exercise the wisdom of their democratic will, which has assured our nation’s steady progress. We are all deeply indebted to the founders of our great Republic, who ignored the example of many by remaining true to their own conviction that Government governs best when it governs by and with, as well as for, the people.
4. It is this legacy that I proudly pledged to uphold during my own inauguration. Today I am pleased to affirm that, as we prepare to once more seek the peoples’ mandate, our democracy has never been stronger or more vibrant.
5. Our democracy has all along been about more than the regular holding of free and fair elections; being rooted in a shared commitment to people-driven governance for people centred development. It is for this reason that my administration is continuously engaged with citizens from all walks of life, in every part of the country, about their concerns. Given the diverse and increasingly complex nature of our society, rooted as it is in both timeless traditions and ever changing technologies, we have found it necessary to consult through various mediums:-
➢ From the convening of dikgotla and dipitso; to our outreach through electronic and social media, as well as the provision of toll free numbers;
➢ From private sector partnership within the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) process; to simply meeting one on one with people;
We seek to connect with every citizen, every day, in every way and everywhere; thus ensuring that consultation remains at the very core of our good governance practice.
6. It is through our steadfast attention to the feedback we receive through such consultation that we shall meet this nation’s challenges. At the same time we remain mindful of our ultimate goal of achieving a dignified life for all Batswana through the delivery of sustainable economic development, rooted in a renewed sense of social discipline, as well as driven by a culture of democratic accountability.
7. Madam Speaker, our delivery of good governance is further attested to by respected international surveys, as well as local perception polls.
8. Since 2008 our country’s overall score in the Global Democracy Index has increased. In the latest survey of 2012 our nation was thus ranked 30 out of 148 nations in the world. In terms of the sub-category Electoral Process and Pluralism we were ranked 23rd in the world, alongside Japan and the U.S.A., while in terms of Civil Liberties we were ranked 15th besides such nations as The Netherlands and Switzerland. This latter ranking dovetails with our rating in the Legatum Personal Freedom Index, where we number among the 30 “high ranking” countries whose citizens are said to enjoy:
“High levels of personal freedom of expression, belief and organisation, as well as personal autonomy in a society welcoming of diversity.”
9. It is perhaps worth noting that our weakest score in the Democracy Index was in the category of political participation, where we can and should do better next year. This is a special challenge not only for the Independent Electoral Commission (I.E.C.), but the rest of us. I therefore take this opportunity to urge everyone who is eligible to register and vote.
10. Madam Speaker, this administration’s implementation efforts shall continue to be guided by steadfast adherence to the “5Ds”, as our signposts on the path towards a better Botswana. Sustainable development cannot be simply measured in the delivery of physical infrastructure. It must rather be about the holistic transformation of society to meet competitive demands and changing needs. The 5Ds are thus about ensuring that all Batswana gain the skills and opportunities they need to achieve a dignified life. Poverty eradication and youth development are, therefore, leading priorities; in the context of our overall goal of achieving an equitable high income status for our country free from absolute poverty.
11. In addition to and consistent with the 5Ds, Government’s strategic framework for a better Botswana is contained in the Long-term Vision and 10th National Development Plan, which are supported by flagship programmes for sustainable economic diversification. We cannot meet these aspirations through Government efforts alone. They rather require all of us, in the public and private sector alike, to become more innovative and productive in turning opportunities into achievements.
Economy
12. Madam Speaker, we continue to be faced with economically challenging times. Yet, despite such challenges, our ongoing progress should instil confidence within us as we forge ahead with strategic projects to drive the diversification of our economy to become among others a transport, energy and communications’ hub, as well as global centre for mineral beneficiation, finance, tourism and innovation.
13. Notwithstanding the uncertainties that have afflicted international markets since 2008/09, our country has been recovering; having enjoyed positive growth rates since the 2010/11 financial year. This upturn is driven by expansion in non-mining sectors such as manufacturing, finance, transport, construction, and tourism as well as other services. Taken together this is encouraging evidence of diversification.
14. However, the energy, agriculture and mining sectors continue to experience constraints and subdued growth. While the recent positive outlook in the global economy is expected to strengthen the mining sector, recurring droughts and animal disease remain a constraint to agriculture.
15. Our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded by 3.6% during the twelve months through March 2013, reflecting a 5.2% increase in non-mining GDP but a contraction of 6.1% in the mining sector.
16. As global prospects improve, our own economy is expected to benefit from increased export demand. The world economy is currently projected by the IMF to grow by 2.9% and 3.6% in 2013 and 2014 respectively, with modest expansion in both advanced and developing economies. Turning to the domestic situation, our own economy is currently projected to grow by just over 4% in 2013 and 2014. However, continued Euro zone uncertainties, drought and animal disease outbreaks, as well as water shortage, pose significant threats.
17. I am also pleased to report that the average national inflation rate has been decreasing from 8.5% in 2011 to 7.5% in 2012. This year further steady progress has been recorded, with inflation dropping to 5.0% as of September 2013, which is within the Bank of Botswana’s medium-term objective range of 3-6%.
18. Economic growth has been accompanied by a net expansion in job numbers; albeit not enough to absorb all those seeking employment. As of 2012 unemployment (18 and over) stood at 17.5%, down from 23.5% at the beginning of 2007. To further augment efforts to reduce unemployment, Government in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) is currently formulating a National Employment Policy, to provide for better coordination of existing employment-intensive investments.
Budget & Planning
