Employment creation, sound and good industrial democracy
Friday, August 30, 2019
Ketlhalefile Motshegwa
We must not shy away from dealing with the question of centrality of the State in the arena of development.
One of the most formidable challenges that have not been fully addressed is the structural inadequacy of the inherited economy at independence. At independence, Botswana like most African governments inherited an economy that had been created to export raw materials abroad at the expense of domestic requirements.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...