mmegi

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
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up