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On water shortage, he said failure of Gaborone Dam due to poor rains had in particular, forced government to accelerate efforts in bringing water to the South-East of the country from alternative sources. 

These include the expanded Masama well fields as well as dams in the north. 

President Khama however said government was also committed to meeting other water demands in the rest of the country through exploiting other well fields, which he said would come at a cost. 

In addition, he added government was maintaining and where necessary replacing old infrastructure, while also building new pipelines and associated facilities, which he said would come at a cost.

 With respect to the need to create more jobs as per the election pledge, President Khama said Cabinet had last month adopted an accelerated programme for job creation targeting agriculture, tourism, construction, including roads and land servicing, special economic zones and Economic Diversification Drive. 

“We intend to kick start this new accelerated programme this financial year,” he said.

President Khama further called on the private sector to play their part in local outsourcing, adding that in the end for internal prosperity to spread, there should be shared commitment.

On other issues, he said focus on poverty eradication in the recent months had been to clear backlog in an effort to assist the under-privileged among the nation to find economic opportunities for themselves. 

“The backlog should be cleared by end of November,” he said. 

He however thanked those who continued to assist those in need of housing, adding he was pleased that the Presidential Housing Appeal had delivered over 500 houses so far.

Further, President Khama reminded the nation not to be forgetful of their legacy, noting that their patriotism should continue to rest on a foundation of common rights and collective responsibilities.

 “On this day it is, therefore, befitting for us to pay tribute to the generation of visionaries who launched our republic by upholding the ideals that have since served us well. In appreciating their legacy we should recommit ourselves to following in their footsteps in building a better Botswana for generations to come,” he said.

On other issues, President Khama paid tribute to the youth in different sporting codes, noting that the country had done well in international competitions such as Africa Games and Commonwealth Youth Games recently.  

He further said countdown to 2016 was opportunity to use increasing inter connectivity through traditional and emerging forms of communication to harness creativity and experience of all Batswana in defining a post 2016 Vision for the country. Ends