25 Nov 2018

Mochudi West Member of Parliament, MP Gilbert Mangole has appreciated the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA), which was recently presented by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

In his response to the speech on Wednesday, MP Mangole said SONA addressed some of the most important issues such as NACA taking over non communicable diseases (NCDs).

He stated that there had been a gap with regard to NCD, saying such diseases should be seriously taken into consideration just as it was done with HIV/AIDS.

MP Mangole was also happy that the electronic voting machine would not be used in the next elections, saying the reversal of the decision was the most sensible thing to do.

He hailed President Masisi for listening and responding to the concerns of Batswana.

Furthermore, MP Mangole said the engagement of a company to review the public service remuneration and performance systems was a good move since the salary increment was a long overdue issue.

He pointed out that there was never a salary increment during former President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama reign.

He argued that the concerned parties should not be left out, including the public servants themselves.

“The current salaries are below relative to market rates,” he said, adding that he believed that by next April there would be a salary increase with review of conditions of service.

MP Mangole was also grateful for the review of Bogosi Act, arguing that there had been limitations with the current act. He expressed hope that the revised act would help to address social ills.

He was also of the view that the Alcohol Levy was misplaced as it did not help the economy.

He said it only served to increase revenue for neighbouring countries, as most Batswana opted to go elsewhere for entertainment.

“Alcohol policy has played a negative role in regards to the economy of Botswana since it was introduced. It is only good that you have decided to review it. Review it with an intention of doing away with it, ga e re berekele,” stated MP Mangole

He said in 2008 when the former president was sworn in, Batswana were promised many things including discipline, zero tolerance for corruption, saying after his departure corruption had shot up.

He called on Dr Masisi to implement the promises he made when he was sworn in.

Meanwhile, regarding waste management in the country, MP Mangole pointed out that he had expected Dr Masisi to deliberate on ways to tackle waste and to state plans that would benefit Batswana.

He mentioned that the waste should be productively recycled such as to generate electricity, saying that if Botswana reduced the amount of waste it would benefit both the people and the environment.

Regarding education in his constituency, MP Mangole said “there was also a lot that the ministry was not doing,” adding that schools in his constituency did not have the right equipment.

He raised concern about the state of facilities where People Living With Disabilities, especially the blind and the deaf, were educated in.

He requested the minister to look into the situation, and urged that the schools should be equipped.

He pointed out that Ithuteng Secondary School does not have a kitchen and a multi-purpose hall which he said was important as it would assist during examinations, and for assembly when the weather did not permit outside gatherings.

Furthermore, he lamented that the science lab that was burnt eight years was still yet to be built, and the expectation was that children should do well. ENDS