01 Sep 2013

Batswana are aware of the aspirations and ideals of the national vision, says Vice President, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe.

Officially launching the Vision 2016 month in Tshane on August 31, Dr Kedikilwe said the 2010 household opinion survey showed that 90 per cent of the population knew about Vision 2016 while 39 per cent knew what to do to contribute towards its achievement.

He said another survey in 2011 gauged the level of participation by various key stakeholders like political, traditional, corporate and civil society leaders, and showed that community leaders were aware and in support of the vision. Dr Kedikilwe said although community leaders were aware of the vision, there was a need to capacitate them more in order to lead their communities in contributing towards Vision 2016 goals.

He said for the next three years to 2016, the vision month of September would be staged under the theme: Living the vision: Yame le Wena.

Dr Kedikilwe said the theme remained relevant as it provided opportunities for Batswana.  He noted that many Batswana were making a contribution towards the vision without being aware. “Your commitment to making a positive contribution to the upliftment of your child or family’s welfare and to your community and organisation is by extension living the Vision 2016,” he said.

Dr Kedikilwe added that some projects in some communities were an example of living the vision. He cited the Qhaa Qhing Conservation Trust of Zutshwa which oversees the salt project. “It will employ nine people and in addition the community is in the process of building a campsite for tourists who pass through their village on the way to the Transfrontier Park,” he explained.

He further said the salt project would create employment for the community of Zutshwa as well as generate income. Vice President Kedikilwe said the salt project was an example of a community living the vision. He urged communities to utilise technology in driving the national vision and to transform their societies.

Dr Kedikilwe also urged small businesses to utilse technology availed to them, saying if harnessed well, it could transform communities as well as improve businesses. He urged families to change their mindset and encourage their children to study science and technology based subjects. He also said parents should allow their children to experiment. Despite progress in attaining the goals of the vision, the Vice President said there were some challenges which could derail the country from achieving the goals if not addressed.

He cited unemployment which, he said, stood at 17.8 per cent as at 2010.   He added that a higher percentage of the unemployed were youth aged 15-29 years. Dr Kedikilwe said HIV/AIDS and slow economic diversification were another challenge facing the country. He added that violence against women and road accidents were also challenges facing the country.

However, he said there was some progress in the Vision 2016 pillars as compiled by the 2012 Botswana performance report. The report, he said, showed that there had been an improved enrollment in primary and secondary education as well as access to tertiary education. He said 90 per cent of children aged 6-12 years old were at primary school.

He said junior secondary school enrollment had increased by 50 per cent up to 2007 and senior secondary school from 15.4 per cent in 1999 to 23.8 per cent in 2007. He added that  access to tertiary education increased from 11.4 per cent in 2008 to 16.4 per cent in 2011/2012.

Other achievements, the Vice President said, included improved gender sensitivity and equal opportunities for women and greater recognition and tolerance towards religions, languages and traditions across Botswana. Dr Kedikilwe noted that Botswana had been ranked third in good governance in Africa. He said its political stability and absence of violence were improving as well as participation in elections.

Dr Kedikilwe said national development plans should be key instruments towards the advancement of the ideals of Vision 2016. He urged Batswana to be result oriented. He said they should develop implementation frameworks with proper key results areas at all levels as well as ministerial key performance indicators for monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes. ENDS