Inside the bittersweet “record” economic growth figures

Days of our lives: Fuel prices have increased by more than 40% on average in the last 24 months
Days of our lives: Fuel prices have increased by more than 40% on average in the last 24 months

The local economy’s robust rebound of 11.4% last year, the highest annual expansion since 1989, is not being felt in the streets where ordinary Batswana are battling to make ends meet. Economists unpack why the growth numbers are both important but little felt by the majority. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Cynics of economic growth figures frequently cite the quote made famous by US literary legend Mark Twain: “'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”.

When Statistics Botswana recently announced that the local economy had expanded by 11.4% last year, the fastest growth since 1989, many cynics felt the data agency was either fiddling with the numbers or conveniently ignoring the troubles ordinary Batswana have been experiencing in recent years.

Editor's Comment
Gov’t, Balete should bury the hatchet

The acrimony that seemingly characterised the relationship between the Malete Land Board on behalf of the Botswana government and Kgosi Mosadi Seboko and the tribe, should now be water under the bridge as the tribe has finally gotten what it has been fighting for - the land.Kgosi Mosadi has articulated an instance upon which she was allegedly summoned to the State House by the Head of State, Mokgweetsi Masisi where the former claimed she was...

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