07 Aug 2013

The media have been commended for a job well done for the past two years of the existence of the Competition Authority. 

Speaking at a media workshop on Tuesday, organised by the Competition Authority, the competition commissioner, Mr Tendekani Malebeswa thanked the media for the excellent informing role they played.

He said he had no doubt that many businesses and Batswana were aware of the existence of the Competition Commission and the Competition Authority through the good work of the media. Mr Malebeswa thanked the media for their support, saying none of the two institutions was under any illusion that they could discharge their mandate efficiently without the media. 

He said they did not only expect the media to merely disseminate news about the competition, but to review and critically analyse some of the interventions that the competition agencies make for the benefit of the business and the economy.

Mr Malebeswa said the critical role that had been entrusted upon the media cannot be fulfilled unless there is an understanding of what the mandates of the Competition Commission and Competition Authority are.

The purpose of the workshop was to address gaps and give the media opportunity to appreciate the Competition Act and Policy.

Mr Malebeswa said in order to inform the public and hold the competition agencies accountable, there should be accurate reporting on the Act and Policy.

For his part, the chief executive officer of the two agencies, Mr Thula Kaira said the media can build them to become an institution that is valuable to the development process of Botswana as well as assist them to deliver expected outcomes for Batswana.

Mr Kaira said the media can assist by communicating effectively how competition is good for society and that any monopoly, whether or not it has good intentions at the point of establishment, will always reach a point where it bursts and nothing but high socio-economic costs remain for society. ENDS