24 Aug 2021

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on Monday apprised Batswana living in Zambia of issues affecting the nation among them the COVID-19 pandemic.

 The President, who was in Zambia for the inauguration of Mr Hakainde Hichilema, said Botswana started the fight against coronavirus well but things took a turn for the worse during the festive season due to increased movement and lack of adherence to safety protocols. 

That resulted in a high number of cases and also saw the Delta variant becoming rampant in the country, he said.

Dr Masisi said Botswana was making efforts to secure vaccines and that some consignments, procured through COVAX and AVATT facilities, were received recently. 

He said the vaccination rollout was ongoing and stressed the importance of getting Botswana Medical Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) approved vaccines to avoid scams. 

He encouraged his audience to work hard to resuscitate the economy,  which was badly affected by COVID-19. 

President Masisi also told them to be Botswana brand ambassadors and to uphold national values. 

He also urged them to excel in their fields to be better able to impart and share skills and knowledge when they eventually returned home. 

They were informed that Botswana and Zambia had healthy bilateral relations which the leadership would continue enhancing under the new Zambian government. 

Commenting, they applauded Dr Masisi and his government for continued efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ms Kgomotso Maswabi, who is in Zambia by marriage, said they were grateful for the efforts against the pandemic. 

She said they admired the President’s humility of embracing the new Zambian government as well as the unity he instilled in Batswana. 

For his part, Mr Gaolatlhe Kgengwenyane, who has been living in Zambia for the past 10 years, requested Dr Masisi to strengthen partnerships with the country saying they would be of immense benefit to Batswana. 

Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Dr Lemogang Kwape applauded Batswana youth in Zambia for eking livelihoods with their knowledge in that country. Ends