18 Sep 2022

Batswana living in New York have been informed of government’s determination  to attain self-sustenance.

Speaking during a meet and greet session with them on Saturday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said government planned to grow the economy by at least 10 per cent annually.

He assured his audience of government’s commitment to citizen economic empowerment. 

President Masisi said  government continued to come up with legislations aimed at fast-tracking the citizen economic empowerment drive.

They were also told of government’s commitment to create a conducive and enabling environment for the prosperity of young Batswana entrepreneurs.

Beseeching Batswana to use the power of the media to foster national development and not for fragmentation or dislodging, the President urged them to be heavily involved in content creation which had proved to be lucrative.

“The media industry has proven to be a money spinning business. It is therefore important for Batswana to position themselves and benefit from the media industry value chain,” he said.

Dr Masisi said with the transition to a knowledge based economy, there was a greater need for a shift in mindset. 

  “If we don’t change the way we do things and the way we think, it will take us longer to achieve this,” he said. 

  On another issue, President Masisi urged his audience to ready themselves for the upcoming general elections. 

 “Our country’s democracy only thrives through citizen participation in the voting process. Therefore if you are a citizen of this country and you are 18 years or above with a valid national identity card, please be ready to register to vote, whether you have a political party affiliation or nonpartisan is immaterial,” he said.

Opting not to vote was a clear contribution to the decline of the country’s economic performance and the nation’s political standing, the President warned. 

President Masisi said it was the right and constitutional duty of every eligible Motswana to actively participate in the voting process in order for the country to be viable.

 He challenged Batswana living abroad to remain steadfast in promoting Botswana’s foreign policy, advancing its interests as well as upholding the country’s good name. BOPA