Botswana's economic independence agony

Motorists queuing for fuel PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Motorists queuing for fuel PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Since Botswana attained her independence some 54 years ago, the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has actually exposed our weaknesses as a country that is struggling to diversify its mineral-dependent economy, feed itself and provide certain important services without a hitch. Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE follows a developing story at a time when the length and breath of the country is experiencing acute fuel shortages

FRANCISTOWN: A question on everybody’s lips today is where have we gone wrong as a country? Our dependence on the neighbouring Republic of South Africa for everything is apparently widening instead of narrowing.

Botswana attained her independence from being a British protectorate some 54 years ago and for a country classified as a middle-income economy, with a population of over 2.4 million people, it’s worrying that Botswana’s political independence didn’t come with economic independence.

Editor's Comment
Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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