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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
WUC must fix its pipes, not just say sorry

“Clean water, the essence of life and a birthright for everyone, must become available to all people now.”– Michel CousteauWe see notices for Block 6, Extension 11, Gaborone, Francistown; the list grows every week. It is good that WUC warns consumers, but so many warnings point to a deep problem. Water pipes are old and falling apart. And the people who pay the bills are the ones suffering.When a main pipe bursts, taps run dry. Families in...

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