08 Nov 2020

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi will today deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) with many anticipating that focus will be on government’s response to the dire socio-economic situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The address,  marking the first meeting of the second session of the 12th Parliament, is also expected to touch on progress in the President’s development roadmap.In the previous SONA, President Masisi focused on identified priority areas including job creation, improved service delivery and strengthened governance structures. all aimed at improving the welfare of Batswana and propelling the country to greater heights development-wise.

With the COVID-19 pandemic having caused immense strain to the global economy, the nation can only hope that the President would outline government’s economic recovery plan.

In an interview, Business Botswana president Mr Gobuamang Keebine expressed the hope that President Masisi would open up the economy. 

He said there had been minimal  to non-existent participation of the private sector in the economy due to COVID-19.

Mr Keebine said President Masisi was expected to reiterate government’s stance on business and trade facilitation. 

Noting that economic analysts had indicated the private sector was on a downward spiral, he said it was therefore critical for SONA to address issues such as financial assistance. Mr Keebine said while the small stock initiative was a commendable gesture, the private sector should be allowed to play a role. 

The presidential initiative is meant to empower promising small stock farmers to produce for the international market.

For his part, Duma FM political commentator, Mr Solly Rakgomo said he expected President Masisi to highlight milestones and challenges in the fight against COVID-19 under the state of emergency. 

He said the President should also outline strategies government had in place to stimulate the economy amid the pandemic. 

Dr Masisi should also shed light on how far he was with his pledge of fighting corruption, he said.Quizzed on his expectations, Sunday Standard business editor Mr Victor Baatweng said he expected President Masisi to speak about economic recovery initiatives in the wake of the havoc wreaked by COVID-19.

“The particular interest is on how the government intends to help the small man on the street, rural folks and all other marginalized members of our society,” he said.

Mr Baatweng said President Masisi should set new targets on job creation, land allocation and funding of indigenous Batswana. 

“He must set the tone for the upcoming citizen economic empowerment law,” he added.

Another interviewee, Botswana Media and Allied Workers Union (BOMAWU) president, Mr Phillimon Mmeso said he expected President Masisi to address poor working conditions in the private sector especially the media. 

He also expects the President to address issues of sexual exploitation in workplaces which had been worsened by recent lockdowns. This included government’s plan on  implementation of the national strategy towards ending gender-based violence, he said.

Mr Mmeso said pre-COVID-19, Botswana was charting a new path with Vision 2036, which foresees the country moving from middle to high-income status.

Government was also advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at alleviating poverty, inequality and address climate change challenges as well as environmental degradation, all of which called for a progress report, he said.ends