22 Jul 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has appealed to Batswana to exercise patience and adhere to COVID-19 health protocols as they wait for vaccines.

Speaking during his visit to Bokaa and Boswelakoko clinics in Molepolole July 22, Dr Masisi said the country was waiting for the vaccines it had already paid for. Encouraging Batswana to take the vaccine, he warned them against having  preferences. 

The President informed his audience that the country was currently battling a highly contagious coronavirus strain, the Delta variant.

Botswana, he said,  was experiencing a spike in infection rates and death toll all of which put a strain on the health sector.

Dr Masisi applauded health care providers and urged them to keep soldiering on.

 He appealed to Batswana to pray for health workers who risked their lives to save the nation. The clinics reported a high vaccination turnout as it was the first day for people aged 45 to 54.

On other issues, President Masisi said although the pandemic had affected Botswana’s development endeavours, funds for Gamononyane-Molepolole water reticulation project had been set aside. 

He said following completion of the P1 billion Masama-Mmamashia water pipeline, the next phase would be connecting Molepolole to the North-South Water Courier pipeline.

President Masisi appealed to Batswana to pray for South Africa which recently experienced perhaps the biggest unrest ever in its history sparked off by the jailing of former president Mr Jacob Zuma.ends