20 Oct 2015

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has appointed a 34-member Presidential Task Team on Development of the New Long Term Vision for Botswana.

Appointment of this team was part of the process for developing the next national vision, Vision 2036, that will serve as the platform for national development post 2016.

When launching the team in Gaborone on Monday (October 19), President Khama said he chose them based on their knowledge, experience, expertise and desire to contribute to the development of the country.

President Khama gave the team a mandate to mobilise Batswana to define their long term social, environmental and economic development aspiration.

The team that will operate under the chairmanship of Mr Neo Moroka, would also review relevant background material on the subject including the results of the on-going evaluation of Vision 2016, and the framework for development of Vision 2036 which has been facilitated by the National Strategy Office.

President Khama also advised the team to consult the public through press, meetings, seminars and invite submissions by individuals or organisations and any other platform including electronic media.

The team is expected to provide a long term vision document reflecting consensus that would have emerged from the consultations.

He encouraged the team to carry the assignment being mindful of the fact that their work was built on inheritance of a solid, stable and sure foundation of nationhood laid by the forefathers.

“Be reminded of our people centered strategy developed around the principles of democracy, development, self-reliance and unity,” he said.

The team, which is expected to conclude the draft vision document by May 2016, comprises the youth, women, people living with disability, faith based organisations, trade unions, civil society, political parties, private sector and the media.

After the draft on the document on May next year, the document will be endorsed by the national assembly during its sitting on July/August 2016 and will be launched on September 2016 when the current vision comes to an end.

Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale, said 2016 would be a year of transition, as it represented a major milestone in the history of post-independence Botswana.

He said the year will also be witnessing the final leg of Vision 2016, which has been the guiding framework for national development and progress as well as final year of National Development Plan 10, which was extended to allow the transition between the current and the new national vision, as well as witnessing the launch of the new vision at the time.

He said as the country move beyond 2016, the task team should not lose sight of the lessons learnt from successes and challenges encountered during the implementation of the current vision.

He said the Vision 2016 council would play a critical role in the process to develop the new vision and that lessons learnt should be taken on board.

“I implore the council to expedite the ongoing comprehensive evaluation report of the current vision as it provides the necessary input into the new one and make available all the reports on evaluations carried out during the interim,” he said.

The chairperson of the committee, Mr Moroka said they accepted the appointment with audacious faith in the future of Batswana.

He said they accepted the appointment on behalf of all Batswana who are to witness a Botswana that is moving with a determination to establish a reign of continued good governance and prosperity for all on a foundation laid by the forefathers based on democratic values and principles. Ends