A budget for the ages: Time for Botswana business plan change
Friday, January 28, 2022 | 3840 Views |
Overhaul needed: The country’s economic model needs a revamp PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
This statistic has been steadily worsening with Botswana ranked one of the most unequal countries in the world. Unemployment has steadily been climbing over the past 15 years to reach 24% officially (unofficially I suspect if you remove Ipelegeng and other 'internship' programmes you probably get close to 35% and maybe even 45%-50% when only looking at youth).
The COVID-19 pandemic has also shot inflation through the roof, with no respite expected as oil prices continue to soar, Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) continues to lobby for tariff increases, parastatals like the Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) push up rentals and food prices continue to rise whilst incomes remain stagnant and retrenchments loom.
Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...