22 Nov 2018

Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane says Botswana and Germany remain important partners in the development of a highly skilled workforce.

Speaking at the state luncheon in honour of German President Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier on November 21, he said Botswana attached a lot of importance to her relations with Germany, a country occupying a prominent place in global affairs.

Mr Tsogwane said the wide-ranging support and assistance that Germany continued to extend to Botswana in the areas of education, human resource development, tourism, energy, conservation and technology had contributed immensely to Botswana’s development.

The vice president said another key pillar in the two countries’ development trajectory entailed developing their human capital.

He said Botswana admired how Germany had managed to develop a dual system in vocational training by combining the benefits of classroom-based and on-the-job training in order to meet her economy’s demand for highly qualified personnel.

This approach, he said, explained why Germany had become one of the most developed countries in Europe, with the lowest youth unemployment rate.

Mr Tsogwane said he was convinced that the development of a productive human capital through effective vocational training was the right remedy for the alleviation of unemployment and economic prosperity.

He said high level visits such as Dr Steinmeier were not only a testament of  excellent relations, but also reinforced the two countries common resolve to work together to further strengthen their partnership for the mutual benefit of people.

“Equally pleasing is that our bilateral relations are premised on our shared values of democracy, good governance, respect for the rule of law, mutual respect and understanding, as well as, continuous pursuit of sustainable development,” he said.

Mr Tsogwane said it was pleasing that the two countries were working together on the international front, to find solutions to the many and complex challenges afflicting humanity such as poverty, inequality, communicable and non-communicable diseases, peace and security and climate change.

He said it was imperative that both countries worked together if they were to deliver on the noble aspirations of mankind, as espoused in the 2030 global agenda.

Dr Steinmeier expressed gratitude towards the invitation extended to him by the government of Botswana.

He said Botswana and Germany were important partners who shared the same values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rules governing multi-racial cooperation.

Dr Steinmeier said Botswana had since independence succeeded in the fight against poverty and setting up a stable democracy. 

He said the two countries needed each other to address issues surrounding global challenges such as climate change as well as economic and trade relations.

Dr Steinmeier said it was important for both countries to work together in shaping globalisation rather than lamenting its consequences. ENDS