02 Jun 2020

Containment of the COVID-19 pandemic is possible through commitment to multi-lateralism, solidarity and national cooperation.

   This was said by the Minister for Presidential Affairs Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng in an interview this week.

  Mr Morwaeng said now more than ever before, national solidarity was absolutely essential and needed to be strengthened.

  In the fierce struggle between the human race and the global pandemic, unity and cooperation were critical, he said.

At the regional level, Mr Morwaeng said Botswana  was in constant consultation with other countries on preventing the spread of the virus regionally.

 He said all countries needed to leverage and coordinate their macro policies to counteract the negative impact of the virus and keep regional industries and supply chains stable thus send a strong signal and restore confidence for global economic recovery. 

The key to dispersing the shadows of the pandemic hinged on whether the regional and international community could work in unity and render mutual assistance, he said.

As the nation was still going through easing of lockdown measures in an effort to resuscitate the economy, Mr Morwaeng reminded Batswana that a mammoth task still lay ahead.

 He however commended Batswana for exhibiting solidarity and unity in response to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

 Batswana, he said,  demonstrated a high level of patriotism and cohesion in ensuring that government’s efforts of containing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was sustainable.

Minister Morwaeng said Batswana were fully behind government in its tireless efforts to tackle the pandemic through adherence to all COVID-19 protocols and regulations.

Government’s prompt information-sharing, he said, was a manifestation of its commitment to unity and cooperation, which enabled the nation to gain a head-start in detecting, preventing and combating the pandemic.

He said the low rate of local transmission was a result of united efforts by all stakeholders who played their role in safeguarding the nation against severe causalities. 

Mr Morwaeng said government was grateful to donors, including the general public and private sector, who continued to contribute to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, adding that the donations went a long way in assisting government in the battle to curb the spread of the virus.

The nation, he said, exemplified the solidarity and unity that it was known for as various entities responded positively to the plea to relieve those in dire need during the difficult time.

He credited all donors for the positive strides Botswana had made in curbing the spread of the virus.

The minister also applauded local innovators for inventions convenient in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The outbreak, he said, should serve as a wake-up call for local inventors and business community.

It should also instill the spirit of self-reliance among Batswana, he said.

He encouraged the business community to proactively respond to the Corona-virus through intensive investment in  manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Presidential COVID-19 Task Team coordinator, Dr Kereng Masupu has said government’s COVID-19 containment efforts had thus far been effective.

Dr Masupu said Botswana’s public health response to COVID-19 pandemic had been robust and rapid as a range of social distancing and hygiene measures were put in place for  essential parts of the economy that were permitted to function during the lockdown period.

He pleaded with Batswana to continue complying with all COVID-19 protocols. Ends