05 Aug 2013

Member of Parliament for Francistown East, Mr Phandu Skelemani has informed residents of Itekeng ward that Botswana is looking at possible areas of cooperation in the fields of medicine and sport with Jamaica.

Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Area W on Saturday, Mr Skelemani said in his recent visit to the Caribbean island country, he met some Batswana students studying medicine at low fees compared to other countries such as the United Kingdom (UK).

Mr Skelemani, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said he wanted the 33 students he met to return to Botswana to help address issue of shortage of doctors at local hospitals such as Nyangabgwe Referral hospital.

He also said government was also looking at the area of sport, with possibilities of the country hosting some of Jamaican track and field athletes such as Olympic champion, 100 and 200 metres World record holder, Usain Bolt to inspire the youth.

Furthermore, Mr Skelemani said the Jamaicans could come to the country and help train some of the local athletes who had potential. On other issues, he said Batswana should not be alarmed by recent media reports that the migration from analogue to digital using Japanese technology would render their television sets and cell phones useless.

He said the decision to adopt the Japanese Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard was arrived at after expert advice and extensive research. Mr Skelemani also briefed the residents about the Legal Aid and the Cooperatives Bill which were debated at the winter sitting of Parliament.

Meanwhile, a resident of Itekeng ward in Francistown, Mr Mompati Simon has decried what he termed slave wages set by the department of Labour for certain jobs.

He called on the MP to look at the issue as no one can live out such an meager amount, citing jobs such as those of security guards as paying very little amount per hour.

Mr Skelemani however said the amount should be viewed as a minimum wage and not the exact amount to be paid to such employees.

He advised employees to need unionise in order to have bargaining power when negotiating wages.

Another resident, Mr Ketlareng Mogale encouraged youth to follow performing arts as they could help them earn a living.

Meanwhile, Tatitown Customary Court President Kgosi Ludo Mosojane urged residents to attend meetings in large numbers as that will help them present their issues to their representatives.

She also said youth should start reading the Bible to see social transformation and should start taking themselves seriously as future leaders.

The area councillor, Professor Tlou told residents that issues of filthiness in the ward need them to work together with the council.

He said they should take good care of their environment and noted that the Francistown development master plan will help address sewerage problem in the second city. ENDS