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2022: Selebi-Phikwe’s new dawn?

Looking into the future: Phikwe’s economic prospects are at their brightest point since BCL’s closure PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Looking into the future: Phikwe’s economic prospects are at their brightest point since BCL’s closure PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

In October 2016, the then president of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, removed Kitso Mokaila as the Minister of Minerals, Water and Energy Resources and replaced him with Sadique Kebonang.

A few days later BCL Mine, which was the lifeblood of the town I grew up in called Selebi-Phikwe, was closed.

At least 5,000 direct jobs disappeared, many more indirect jobs suffered, companies closed down, unemployment skyrocketed, suicides were reported in large numbers and general gloom and doom covered the town.

Editor's Comment
DIS must correct costly stalemate

More than P8.1 million has already been spent, yet there appears to be no lasting solution in sight. This is not simply a dispute between the DIS and a group of officers. It is a matter of public accountability. Every pula spent by government comes from taxpayers who expect public funds to be used wisely and responsibly, especially during economic hardships faced by many.The officers exercised their constitutional right to seek justice through...

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