12 Nov 2020

Leader of Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, has accused government of failing to implement promises made in the previous State-of-the-Nation addresses.

Responding to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s address on November 11, Mr Saleshando admitted to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, he said it was disappointing for government not to remain steadfast on its earlier promises, among them, job creation.

He said the private sector had almost closed shop with the tourism sector being the most hard-hit.

He said it was disappointing to note that the turnaround and revival strategy for the sector was still to be implemented.

He advised government to support the aviation industry, which was an important factor to the tourism industry.

Mr Saleshando called on government to establish concessions and offer communities head lists to control the sector.

He said Okavango, for instance, had the potential of having 10 concessions.

Mr Saleshando said the recent global competitiveness index report had indicated that Botswana had dropped significantly from its earlier performance.

He said the rankings showed that Botswana against its wish, was nowhere near the fourth industrial revolution ambitions of becoming a knowledge-based economy.

He said President Masisi had brought hope to youth by bringing reputable business people from across the globe such as television personality Steve Harvey and Zimbabwean businessman Strive Masiyiwa adding that the promises made had not yet been fulfilled.

Mr Saleshando said Batswana were faced with land challenges and appealed to government to consider tenant purchase arrangement.

He also pleaded with the government to invest in the construction business as it had the potential to create employment and wealth.

Mr Saleshando said the absorption rate of youth in the public service was low and disturbing.

He thus advised government to consider reduction of the retirement age from 60 to 50 to allow early retirement from the civil service.

He said those who volunteered to retire early must be given incentives similar to what was offered the youth.

He called on the government to establish a national constitutional review conference where all relevant stakeholders would meet and map out terms of reference.

He said electoral reforms needed to be reviewed in the best interest of the nation.

He stated that poor women representation in Parliament was partly a result of the current voting system adopted in Botswana.

Mr Saleshando said Botswana was yet to ratify a lot of provisions as espoused by the signed SADC Gender Protocol.

He said the Children’s Act also needed to be reviewed with the opposition looking to bringing the motion to Parliament soon. ENDS