14 Nov 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has expressed the need for perpetrators of violent and intrusive crimes to be made to account for their heinous acts if Botswana was to achieve ‘Prosperity for All’ as enshrined in the National Vision 2036.

In his State of the Nation Address in Gaborone on November 14, the President said there had been a worrisome trend of social ills bedeviling the nation, contrary to Setswana cultural values.

He said such called for all to revive the strong family and community structures as well as values that produced and natured responsible citizens that regarded and treated others with dignity.

“Keletso ya rona ke go nna tshaba e e boitshwaro jo bontle, le go tshidisana sentle, go sa kgathalesege gore o motho wa letso lefe, bong bofe, tumelo efe kgotsa seemo sefe,” he said.

He pointed out that social ills, particularly tensions in gender relations in the society, were worrisome.

He equally talked about the eroded values and norms in the society’s treatment of girls and women in relation to boys and men, right from the family unit. 

Dr Masisi said it was disheartening that despite various interventions to combat gender based violence (GBV), there continues to be more reports of horrendous act of abuse.

“Children and women are continuously being demeaned, bullied, defiled, raped and murdered while disturbing trends of cyber bullying.

The rising incidents of missing persons compound the situation,” he said.

Nevertheless, Dr Masisi stated that government had continued to strengthen the criminal justice system including stiffening penalties and rehabilitation of offenders.

He thanked various stakeholders including the sporting world that have collaborated in various activities that promote acceptable norms and social behaviour in the society and urged stakeholders to continue such noble efforts towards eliminating all gender based barriers that limit the citizens’ enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. Ends