21 Feb 2024

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has vowed to resolve retired Botswana  Defence Force (BDF) pension grievances in an effort to improve their welfare. 

 
“As the Commander in Chief of the BDF, I would like to commend the military veterans for serving the country with distinction, commitment and diligence during their years of service, and I commit to ensure that a cordial decision on their retirement pension is reached,” President Masisi said when contributing to the 2024/2025 budget speech debate on Tuesday.

He said government was committed to establishing systems and structures that would address challenges pertaining to the military veterans in recognition of their role towards the establishment of peace and tranquility that Botswana was renowned for.
President Masisi said the country’s socio-economic plans were disrupted in the last five years due to the advent of COVID-19. Despite the challenges, President Masisi said significant milestones were achieved and that they positively touched the lives of Batswana.

One of the key achievements, President Masisi said, was the Botswana and De  Beers diamond deal. He described it as a transformational agreement that reflected the aspirations of Batswana. He said the deal underpinned the future of the Botswana/De Beers joint venture through long-term investment which would propel both Botswana forward. “The new chapter we are embarking on will see more skills development and job creation for Batswana and more  diamond beneficiation done locally,” he said.

President Masisi said other significant highlights of the past years were the improvement of access to water, sanitation, electricity as well as improved road networks. He added that the drive was on to position Botswana as a world class hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). He also noted the successful hosting of the Forbes Under-30 Summit, the US-Africa Business Summit and other high profile events.

President Masisi also said Botswana’s improved foreign relations were yielding positive results and improving livelihoods. “I am well aware that my international travels have been questioned by many, however, it is of great importance to highlight that my travels are motivated by my desire to improve the livelihoods of Batswana,” President  Masisi  said.

He said his job as the country’s chief diplomat was to create friends for Botswana and to work towards the country’s interests, adding that Botswana’s interests were his number one priority. He added that it was through the travels that he was able to meet with pioneers and other captains of the industry in an effort to lure direct Foreign Direct Investment and to develop strong bonds that would benefit the citizenry.

He commended the Ministry of Finance for coming up with a stimulus budget that would continue to drive other national priorities as outlined in the Reset and Reclaim Agenda. “It is commendable that for the first time in the history of this country, government proposes a substantial provision amounting to over P20 billion under both the development and recurrent budget," he said, adding that the budget was destined to be a ‘game changer.’

Although he acknowledged the high youth unemployment rate, President Masisi said his government had devised several initiatives to engage the youth in various economic activities. He noted the Youth Development Fund, which has experienced a 92.3  per cent budgetary increase in 2024/2025.
To significantly transform the informal sector, President Masisi urged the Minister of Finance to call for an increment of P300 million on the Chema Chema revolving  fund. “Clearly the P200 million proposed for the Chema Chema Fund seems to be short, therefore, it is only fitting for the ministry to propose for an extra P300 million during the sectoral committee of supply session,” President  Masisi said.
He also commended the proposed Motshelo scheme and the Intellectual Property Ideas Incubation centre to support indigenous research and  innovation. ends