20 Nov 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s external trips have been described as a positive step in the right direction to ‘sell the country internationally.

Member of Parliament for Kanye South and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lemogang Kwape said in his contribution to the State-of-the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday.

He said President Masisi’s external visits had made a visible mark internationally, citing among others, the recent Dubai Expo, which was used to lure investors and facilitate business interactions.

Botswana was among the countries that participated at the March to October six-month long exposition hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which commenced in October last year and ended in March this year.

Dr Kwape said President Masisi attended the expo and held several strategic engagements among them meeting with prospective investors in the mining sector.

He said through such interactions the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), a wholly government-owned rough diamond trader completed successful deals as it managed to rake in over a P1 billion deal from diamond sales.

He said President Masisi’s travel to the UAE also put the nation’s performing arts on the world pedestal.

He said following President Masisi’s visits to the United States and rigorous campaigns in Botswana, and the laudable performance at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) the country was re-elected as a member of the organisation for another three-year term.

Dr Kwape said the extension provided Botswana with an additional opportunity to continue with the progress made and elevated the country’s foreign policy.

Dr Kwape said in his sojourn to the US, President Masisi opened opportunities for locals to thrive on the international scene.

He said among other opportunities five Batswana travelled to New York to tap the expertise which that be of benefit to the country.

He said at least 100 Batswana also travelled to India under  the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship.

Dr Kwape said President Masisi played a massive role in lobbying for Batswana to take up strategic roles in multilateral organisations.

He said one of the reasons he traversed the globe was to lend support to Batswana to take up jobs at these established organisations.

He said recently President Masisi bid farewell to former permanent secretary, Mr Gaeimelwe Goitsemang, who has been appointed at the UN General Assembly as a member of the UN Joint Inspection Unit for a five-year term.

Dr Kwape said Botswana’s hosting of the Kimberly Process Secretariat was also a huge responsibility for the country following President Masisi’s rigorous campaign.

He said President Masisi even travelled to Austria, which had proven to be a tough opponent in the race to lure it to turn the favour to Botswana.

Dr Kwape said Botswana played a massive role in executive boards of reputable organisations such as UNESCO and WHO.

He said in the SONA, President Masisi clearly laid out his roadmap, which he said was work in progress.

He said job creation was top on government’s priority list, which would be achieved by, among others, sustainable economic development strategy, which was part of government’s efforts to restructure the economy.

He said President Masisi had made meetings with world pharmaceutical giants possible as a way of bridging the gap in the health sector.

He thanked him for a positive response and outlook on land and water matters.

Dr Kwape however decried poor water distribution networks, which he said were reversing gains to bring water to the people.

He said despite routine outages, electricity distribution and connections were also impressive.

For his part, Kgalagadi South MP, Mr Sam Brooks said for the economy to thrive, partnership between government and the citizens was very crucial.

He said government was to support efforts made by establishments such as the BORAVAST (Bokspits, Rappelspan, Vaalhoek and Struizendam) Trust.

Mr Brooks said the trust was strategically located and with support it could prove to be a potential business venture, which could better the Kgalagadi south community’s livelihoods.

He appealed to government to improve road networks linking the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to other potential tourism spots.

He also decried shortage of medication in government health facilities in his constituency. ENDS