mmegi

COVID-19’s impact on Botswana’s economy

Business during lockdown PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Business during lockdown PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

As Botswana prepares to exit the State of Emergency at the end of September 2021, Mmegi reproduces an opinion piece written by BONE PRINCE LEKGOTLE* in April 2020 regarding the possible impact of the SOE on the economy

A person’s productivity or progress is predicated on hope and aspiration. Once you take the two away, a person no longer has purpose and they have no reason to get it back. This is clearly articulated in how people spend money.

An entrepreneur invests money with the expectation that there will be a return on investment. Once that is gone, he no longer has a reason to start or continue with his business. An employee takes out a mortgage or car loan with the expectation of one day owning a house or car respectively. Take that away and the employee no longer has a reason to work or find another job or seek that promotion to earn more money to spend in the economy. An investor just like an entrepreneur wants a good pay-out at the end of the year. Take that away and the investor no longer has a reason to keep his money in the country.

Editor's Comment
Our digital safety is in our hands

That sounds like good news. But the report also warns that this may simply be because our digital economy is still young, not because we are safe. As more people shop, bank and pay online, criminals will follow.We Batswana do not need a report to tell us that danger is real. Many of us have heard of or fallen victim to KYC scams. A caller impersonates your bank or mobile money provider. They say they need to “verify” your account. They ask...

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