05 Dec 2021

Batswana have  been called upon to unite, respect each other and protect the country’s image during the envisaged constitutional review excercise.

 “I do not want anything to break the country apart,” President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi told Maun residents during a kgotla meeting on Friday.

 The transparent and people-centred exercise would accommodate all tribes and diverse languages, he said.

Emphasising that the aim of the review was to strengthen the Constitution, President Masisi urged the Ngamiland community to prepare for participation in the exercise.

On other issues, he told the gathering that government had procured enough COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate the entire population, including children.

He urged members of the public to exercise patience, to continue adhering to health protocols and to take vaccines when they became available.

Dr Masisi announced the country’s intention to manufacture its own vaccines adding that he had indetified an expert who would assist in the venture.

Apprising the gathering on the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, President Masisi stated that government was taking all necessary public health measures to stem its spread. 

The President  condemned countries that imposed travel restrictions on Southern African states following Omicron’s discovery.

Calling it a case of big nations violating small ones, he pleaded with the  concerned governments to lift the ban as it was negatively affecting Botswana’s tourism industry.

If the travel restrictions continued for six months, it would bring about the industry’s collapse, he said.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti noted that WHO had criticised the travel ban imposed on Southern African countries.

Turning to COVID-19 response in the district, he said Ngami was doing well in the fight against coronavirus with vaccination coverage standing at 70 per cent.

He informed his audience that the ministry continued to receive vaccines some of which were distributed last week. 

Another plus for the region was the fact that it had a testing centre, said Dr Dikoloti.

For his part, Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando called on government to speed up the constitutional review exercise.

 Mr Saleshando requested that consultations with key stakeholders be conducted before the exercise to ensure smooth implementation of the process. He praised the country’s quick response with regard to the discovery of Omicron.

Mr Saleshando thanked President Masisi for the two rams he donated to promote small stock production.

The President also donated 500 food hampers to the needy.BOPA