05 Dec 2019

Batswana have been encouraged to be patriotic and have the spirit of nation-building while appreciating the developmental strides that the country has made post independence.

Debating the State-of-the-Nation Address, Good Hope - Mabule Member of Parliament, Mr Eric Molale said Batswana need to reflect on the journey from independence to the current state of affairs and put aside their political affiliation. 

The country, he said, had become not only a beacon of peace, but had made remarkable achievements in improving its infrastructure and citizenry.

He said Botswana had since embarked on political and economic reforms, explaining that the country’s democracy, guided by the constitution, had been the engine of growth while the government had created a conducive environment for private sector participation and growth. 

The economy, he said, had been transformed into a burgeoning free market system devoid of price, exchange and interest controls.

Mr Molale said people should understand that elections were a process to facilitate democracy, as it gave citizens the chance to vote for their leaders and maintain peace and stability. 

He said the election process should not be seen as a vehicle to create political instability by uttering threats that could destabilise the peace and tranquillity that the country was known for.

“We should understand that we went to the polls to vote in that leader who we believe has what it takes to put our interests at heart at all times. Therefore, it is upon us as Batswana to ensure that we unite and give that leader all the support he desires in delivering all he promised during the campaign trail,” he said.

He criticised those who were still in the election mood and using their political status in their to hold grudges against other members of the community. 

 “The elections have come and gone and I am proud to tell you that they were declared fair and democratically conducted. 

I do not understand why some politicians are still holding election grudges at the stage when they should be focusing on stabilising peace and security in the country,” said Mr Molale.

 He added that Batswana should avoid the negative attitude as it had fuelled civil wars in many African countries and led to the downfall of many economies.

“Botswana’s investment climate today is characterised by a stable macro-economic and democratic political system which the entire citizenry must be proud of,” he said.

He said the government was a signatory to several declarations on human rights and sustainable development, adding that civil society in the country was growing both in stature and service delivery.

He said the government had also embarked on an anti-corruption drive in order to combat corruption and economic crimes.

He said the key objective of government over the past years had been to reposition the economy to take full advantage of the rebound in global economic activity and trade, resulting in improved living standards.

He added that the government had also enhanced public service delivery and provision of essential socio-economic infrastructure. 

Mr Molale noted that government was committed to delivering on all its promises leading to the general elections, particularly with the decentralisation of decision making in schools.

 He said issues of school maintenance and goods procurement should be done at the regional level. He also encouraged schools ownership partnerships between teachers and government. “It is ideal for teachers to end up being in partnership with government and own schools they teach in while relying on subventions from government on a per capita basis,” he said.

 He applauded the reintroduction of the community based natural resources management programme, saying it was the basic core of wealth creation, especially in rural areas. 

He thus urged the Ministry of Wildlife and Natural Resources to rejuvenate community trusts and reinstate hunting.

He, however, complained of the delay in the implementation of government projects citing the Good Hope-Mabule road project, saying it had gone beyond the stipulated date of completion. 

 He said the road should be completed as a matter of urgency. Ends