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12 Oct 2009 21:33
Edition 479 25 October 9 - 16, 2009
Spar Safari gets a major facelift
Spar Safari opposite Maun's New Mall has been given a face lift, changing its previous somewhat dull and dark look with old equipment into a modern supermarket. The refurbished store was re-launched this week with the prices of most commodities slashed. Bobby Rushforth, Group Marketing Executive of the owners, Tsetseng Investments, said in an interview that the store was old and it was necessary to revamp it and also to extend the premises. We revamped the store to give it a new bright customer friendly image, he said. The changes include new lighting, new signage, new refrigerators and other improvements and Rushforth added that the shop is one of the oldest in the group, had old equipment and had outdated settings. It cost P2.8 million to revamp the store. This picture shows part of the interior of the store, with (inset) branch manager Emil Bouwer (left), assistant manager Joseph Rasekopo and administration manager Oboetse Phamolano.
ZEBRAS MATCH FIXING' SCANDAL
Botswana's national football team, the Zebras, is embroiled in a major scandal over match fixing. The team lost 4-1 to China in a friendly international played in China 10 days ago. The Chinese are said to have offered P600 000 in order for their side to win the game. As a result, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive officer, Mooketsi Tosh Kgotlele, has been suspended indefinitely following allegations made against him. The scandal comes on the eve of the COSAFA tournament in Zimbabwe and is the second major soccer scandal affecting Botswana in four years. At the World Cup in 2006, a top BFA official, and a patron of the association, was caught selling his free tickets for monetary gain. BFA president David Fani said the BFA convened an emergency meeting on Sunday to receive a report concerning the Chinese match - the report indicated that, during the organisation of the match, certain incidents took place which were not in line with competition and fair play and which were not in the interests of the game of football in Botswana, the senior national team, or the Botswana Football Association, Fani said. He added that the BFA took a serious view of the allegations raised and subsequently agreed to institute an investigation to determine their accuracy - The National Executive Committee took the view that this was necessary in order to protect the reputation and image of the game of football in Botswana. The National Executive Committee decided that, pending the investigation and possible disciplinary action arising there from, the BFA chief executive officer, Mooketsi Kgotlele be suspended from duty with immediate effect. I am not in a position to divulge details regarding the allegations. We will move quickly to get to the bottom of the matter and the outcome will be communicated to the public, It is reported from Gaborone that sources close to the developments said Kgotlele was suspended after authorising the Zebras' trip to China despite opposition from some BFA officials. It is said the BFA was unanimous that the trip should be abandoned but it went ahead after Kgotlele reportedly secured funding for the Zebras. Senior national soccer team coach Stanley Tshosane told The Ngami Times the team played very well, though he also mentioned that fatigue played its part to the defeat. We had a very long trip, we spent almost two days travelling, we could not train the same day we arrived so we had only one day to prepare and it was not enough, said Tshosane. There were a few blunders from individual players, especially the goalkeeper, but I must say it was not his day. And also we had to introduce new blood of players who have been with the national team, but did not have game time. I was also looking at trying out these players because this is the only preparation game we had before we travel to Zimbabwe (for COSAFA). Reports published on the Internet also say since the Chinese were celebrating their Independence Day, they were prepared to win the match by hook or by crook. The reports said that if the match was fixed, then it cannot be Kgotlele alone who is involved, said one source quoted on the Internet this week. It was also speculated that a member of the technical team blew the whistle about the match-fixing attempt and the Internet also says there are unconfirmed reports that an unidentified Chinese handed over money to a BFA official.
Tax collectors accused of P500 000 theft
Two former Revenue Officers at Gumare and Maun revenue offices have appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma for allegedly stealing by servant in which they are accused of taking P500 000 of State money while employed as civil servants.
The two are Odumeleng Dollah Mosarwa (43), who worked at Gumare, and her superior, Christinah Matlapeng, 41, who worked at the Maun office. Mosarwa told the court this week that she had not asked witnesses, who had given testimony in court, questions during t the trial as she was scared and confused. She also testified that since the case started she had suffered psychologically. She said this during her defence when giving evidence. Mosarwa who was not represented, told the court that she went to Maun Revenue Office on March 31, 2005, where she gave Christinah Matlapeng a cheque worth P500 000 to cash for her.
She said Matlapeng then gave her part of the money and told her that she had shortages.
was not sure about the time she arrived at Gumare and did not know who was driving her vehicle. She also told the court that she lent a police officer P16 000 from the money and she was not sure when he is going to pay it back. Cross examined by Charles Tlagae, of Charles Tlagae Attorneys, Maun, who represented Matlapeng about when she discovered that the money was missing, Mosarwa's response was that she only found out that the money totalled P300 000 when she was at Gumare Revenue Office and only when an inspection was carried out.
Tlagae asked her why she didn't ask the witch doctor who testified in court that she (Mosarwa) telephoned him asking for his assistance to make the case disappear as she stole money and that he had warned her several times not to steal government money.
Asked why she didn't report or fax documents which supported she had used the money, she told the court that their office was running out of stationary, while the fax and the telephone were out of order and there was no electricity.
The prosecutor, Pascal Mhandu, also asked her why the cheque did not appear on form 252B which is used to write the amount used and taken in as well as in a cash control book.
She responded that it was an omission. Mhandu also asked her whether it was not the right procedure to send and cash cheques with supporting documents and her response was that a cheque had to go with its supporting documents, adding that she was busy and couldn't do those documents.
Both parties are to submit their written submissions by November 6 while judgment will be on November 16.
Maun businesses and residents are up in arms over widespread disruptions in the local water supply.
They blame the Department of Water Affairs for poor service, claiming that continual excuses down the years about broken boreholes and other malfunctions are no longer acceptable.
Business people this week said that they occasionally received mains water and this me instances was affecting business. Production of The Ngami Times, which partly relies on water being available, is also affected on a regular basis.
Owners of bottle water companies said that they had noticed a big upward movement towards purchasing their products when it is available.
The rivers are full, there is water wherever one looks and we still have to put up with a dreadful service that is not of our making, said one irate business person.
Many employees are often late for work as they regularly find taps empty in the mornings. Some are bathing at midnight rather than in the mornings because of the situation.
Meanwhile, unseasonal end of September rains drenched large areas of northern Botswana.
A total of 14.4mm was recorded in various parts of Maun last week while there were heavy downpours in the Ngamiland and Ghanzi districts as well.
Election fever now in top gear
There's a week to go before the country goes to the polls to elect a new government that will rule for the next five years.
Much has been written and talked about in the run-up to the parliamentary and council elections and many will be watching with interest the performance of candidates for the ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in view of criticisms levelled against the party and its leaders by not only outsiders but also by members of the party.
The sacking of its secretary-general by party president Ian Khama has sent shockwaves through rank-and-file members as they fear there could be a backlash against them too if the BDP is returned to power with a larger majority than previously achieved.
Khama, in his capacity as President of Botswana and of the BDP, has made it clear factions will not be tolerated within his own party and that unjustified criticism in general of him and his policies will also not be easily tolerated.
Sections of the media appear to be in his sights and as a former military man, he will no doubt outflank these whenever he chooses. That unambiguous warning was given in a recent speech delivered in Maun when his irritation with what he termed the tarnishing of my name came through loud and clear.
He has made it clear however that he would continue to uphold democracy as decreed in the Constitution.
Next week will be a fascinating one for Botswana and the results of Friday's polling will be eagerly awaited.
Either the Bank of Botswana has slipped up or banks in Namibia are out of tune with the rest of the international banking fraternity!
Botswana visitors to Namibia during the Independence holiday period found to their horror that Namibian banks - such as Nedbank (apparently not related to a bank of the same name in South Africa) would not accept the new Botswana pula notes as we have not been informed (that new notes were in circulation).
Shuffle was one of those luckless visitors, and was moved to ask the foreign exchange teller whether he was being difficult or whether Botswana's currency was regarded as being Mickey Mouse. The suggestion that the pula was stronger than the Namibian dollar and the South African rand was met with an icy glare.
The statements went down like the proverbial lead balloon as the teller seemed unmoved by the situation.
In the end, Standard Bank Namibia accepted the notes in exchange for Namibian dollars while an officious woman teller at First National Bank Namibia also would not accept Botswana currency from a person carrying a non-Botswana passport despite being informed the customer was a resident of Botswana.
Shuffle mentions this because there is a lesson in all this - If you travel outside the country with the new Botswana banknotes don't expect to be able to exchange them for the currency of the country you are visiting.
Dear old Air Botswana has done it again, again and again.
Passengers aboard one of the new ATR aircraft discovered their luggage was still in Maun when they arrived at Johannesburg's O R Tambo International airport the other day. There was much screeching and yelling from Japanese visitors who were enroute to Tokyo and some Americans going home after their African safari. At least local passengers knew about the situation as they had been through the mill before, as the saying goes.
Shuffle cannot understand, and this is along with everyone else, why such a situation has been allowed to develop.
Surely Air Botswana must have known at the time of purchasing that the aircraft could not take both passengers and luggage?
It shouldn't take a rocket scientist to work out that a change in the seating configuration in the passenger area would assist in making space available for luggage and that it would in the long run save Air Botswana money as there would be no necessity to pay a delivery company to travel from one end of Johannesburg to the other in order to drop off luggage which had been sent on a later plane.
Shuffle knows of one person who had to attend a wedding in Johannesburg wearing his Botswana khaki clothes because a suit, shirt and tie were in a suitcase still on the apron at Maun airport!
Did you know?
Cockroaches are some of the most ancient insects. Fossil records show their relatives have been around, virtually unchanged in appearance, for over 350 million years.
Cockroaches carry over 40 different pathogens which could potentially be transferred to humans. These include plague, pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), dysentery, cholera, leprosy, typhoid fever, polio, hepatitis, and other diseases you don't want to get.
Cockroaches' favourite food is the glue on envelopes and on the back of postage stamps.
Cockroaches have 18 knees but only 6 legs and these insects have teeth in their stomachs.
· So, next time you come across a cockroach, stamp on it or use insecticide. You will do everyone a favour by preventing disease.
Letters to the Editor
Sir, - I recently bought a .458 double rifle. The rifle was made by a Mr. A.W.J. Ritchie, a South African gun maker. I telephoned Mr. Ritchie who told me two interesting points. Firstly the rifle was made for Mr. Tommy Friedken, an American who at one time owned Safari South and, secondly, that this is one of a pair the other rifle being in .375 calibre.
If one of your readers knows where this rifle is, I really would appreciate hearing from you.
My cellphone number is 71782937 and e-mail: phil@oshaughnessys.org
PHIL O'SHAUGHNESSY
Kasane
Eye-opener weekend in the new hospital
Sir, - Spending Independence weekend in the new Maun hospital, voluntarily I may add, was an eye-opening experience.
It reaffirmed my faith in human nature.
The many cleaning staff who keep the hospital orderly are cheerful and relentless in their efforts to keep it spotless. And they manage this with a tool I haven't seen in my native Australia for about 30 years the good old fashioned no frills mop. Without even the aid of a squeezey bucket.
The washing/polishing machine that was mean to have been supplied by October 2008 has still not materialised. It seems that even the squeeze mop is beyond the budget of this hospital at the moment but the intrepid orderlies and cleaners keep the floors spotless anyway. My grandmother would have been impressed! Staff over the independence holiday was kept to an essential minimum. Hardworking doctors were the rarest of creatures around and were only called in for emergencies such as an adventurous small BDF youngster whose attempt at killing an Egyptian cobra ended in a nip on the finger. Moral of the story leave Egyptian cobras or any other snake or venomous creatures) well alone.
I have read many negative reports about the hospital but have myself personally been impressed with all aspects of the institution.
Thank you to all involved.
JANE BETTENAY
Maun
The poisoned vultures photographed by Grant Reed, of Letaka Safaris. The vulture with the slender beak is a Hooded Vulture and the other is a White-backed Vulture, both protected birds.
Protected vultures poisoned by poachers
One of the most serious wildlife poisoning incidents on record in this part of the world occurred last week in the Xudum concession when over 50 globally threatened White-backed and Hooded Vultures were found dead at two giraffe carcases that had been laced with poison. The horror scene was discovered by Grant Reed, from Letaka Safaris, while out on a foot patrol in the area which is south-east of the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve.
We were investigating a column of vultures spiralling in the sky, and were expecting to find a lion kill instead we were confronted by the depressing and nauseating sight of large numbers of dead and dying vultures and other raptors.
They had been feeding on the carcases of two giraffe, killed illegally by poachers operating in the area, and sprinkled with poison. It appears as though the poachers are deliberately aiming to eliminate every vulture in the area since the birds are quickly alerting the concessionaires to the occurrence of their poaching activities he suggested. The incident was reported to BirdLife Botswana and the Department of wildlife and national Parks Anti-Poaching Unit, and although the poachers escaped, sufficient evidence was gathered to identify them. An empty poison container was found, and the poison was identified as carbofuran by Dr Peter Apps at the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust.
Carbofuran is a highly toxic agricultural insecticide meant for use on non-food crops it is highly unlikely that it has any legitimate use in northern Botswana.
We are very concerned by the escalating indiscriminate use of poisons for killing vultures as this has decimated their numbers throughout Africa, and is the single greatest threat facing all vulture and raptor species here in Botswana said Pete Hancock, BirdLife Botswana's Conservation Officer in Maun.
We are embarking on an awareness raising programme to address this issue, and will also be working for legislation to restrict the availability and use of poisons such as temik which is highly toxic and a threat to our environment and human well-being he said.
The perpetrators, when brought to book, will face serious consequences vultures and the giraffes that were used to kill them are protected game animals in Botswana and the penalty for killing one of them is P10 000.00 and 10 years imprisonment.
Ghanzi council telephone problems
GHANZI - Problems in accessing Ghanzi District Council through the telephone switchboard number: 6596211 have been ongoing for some time and became a source of concern to the public in need of assistance from the Council. The number can be can still be accessed even though some numbers within it are malfunctioning. The council says it is working on restoring the switchboard back to normal by revamping the whole system for easy accessibility. Some Council departments which experience an influx of calls can be accessed through contacting the following direct telephone numbers: Council Secretary: 6596193, Customer Service Centre: 6596504, and Human Resources and Administration: 6596084,
Election Special 2009
In the run up to the election next Friday, October 16, we present candidates from all political parties who state what they would do for their electorates if voted to parliament or district council. This newspaper offered candidates for Maun East, Maun West, Ngami, Okavango and Chobe constituencies the opportunity to provide their pictures and manifestos but despite this, these were the only candidates who responded .Reports complied by Basadi Morokotso and Bright kholi.
Presidential Candidates
BNF President Otsweletse Moupo
BCP President Gilson Shaleshando
BDP President Seretse Khama Ian Khama
Parliamentary and Council Candidates
NGAMI CONSTITUENCY
JACOB DICKIE NKATE - Ngamiland Constituency - Botswana Democratic Party Parliamentary candidate
I was born in Tsau in 1961 and am a lawyer by profession.
I became a Member of Parliament in 1994 and since then I continuously represented Ngami constituency. Currently, I am happy with the services I rendered to my constituents. I wish to make mentioned specifically in the following areas:
Roads There used to be a time when you needed a 4x4 vehicle to go anywhere in the constituency. It used to take a good 8-10 hours just to travel from Nokaneng to Qangwa/Xaxa, a mere 120km because of the state of the road. As I speak, it takes only 1 hour 30 minutes to reach Qangwa and the road is accessible by any type of vehicle. Other roads such as Gumare-Tubu, Makakung-Semboyo, Phathane-Kareng, and Kareng-Makakung-Semboyo are easy to travel.
Water- Water problems in Gumare, Tubu and Etsha 6 have been resolved by pumping water from big lagoons in the Okavango. To the east of the constituency - Bodibeng, Kareng, Bothatogo, Sehitwa and Toteng - residents drink from the boreholes at Somelo. This is just to mention those, and I do so because they are very recent developments. There are of course many other smaller projects.
Health- A new big hospital is being constructed in Gumare, and it will cater for the large number of people in that area. A new model clinic is also being constructed in Kareng, whereas new health posts were also completed in Habu and Bothatogo. We now have resident medical officers in the constituency, based in Sehitwa.
Education- As Minister of Education, I have pride in the various major projects my ministry is undertaking throughout the country. These include a second university, a medical school, and primary, junior and senior secondary schools. The only determination has always been where the greatest need is, and not favoritism or corruption.
Other developments: Tribal administration offices have been built recently in Habu, Bothatogo, Xaxa, Qangwa, to mention but a few. These have come together with attendant support, which includes personnel and vehicles. The Maun abattoir is to be opened in March 2009, government having approved some P80 million for the renovation of the plant. The buffalo fence is being revamped to strengthen it. It will be a strong 2.4 metre double fence to tackle the current situation where cattle mix with buffalo, resulting in disease outbreaks
I call on Batswana from all spheres to go out in large numbers and vote me back in parliament for continued good service delivery.
LATLHANG MOLONDA
Nokaneng/Habu Ward- Botswana Democratic Party Council Candidate
My work for the past five years as councillor are visible, and so I want to travel another mile and confidently advocate for the people I represent, the people I have instilled trust in.
I want to continue liaising with my people and tackle issues such as assisting the youth in my area to understand, as well as showing them the need to enroll in youth programmes.
To see to it that developments take place in Habu/Nokaneng as quoted in the District Development Plan 7 e.g. the upgrading of Habu health post into a fully fledged clinic as well as the provision of adequate accommodation for government employees in Habu/Nokaneng.
To develop Remote Area Dwellers (RADS) hostels into a Day Care Centre.
To push for the building of two teacher classrooms in Danega
To see to it that the Habu/Konde gravel road is tarred
I would like to urge people in Nokaneng/ Habu to vote for me and take me back to council in large numbers so that we continue with developments and push pending ones because otherwise if you vote for the opposition it will be a major drawback as everything will have to start afresh. I have confidence that together we can achieve, so let us not have our projects delayed deliberately
OKAVANGO CONSTITUENCY
VISTER MOLAPO MORUTI
Botswana Democratic Party Parliamentary candidate
I want to continue where I left off and implement NDP10 and carry on with some of the projects I started during the Mid Term Review
(a) Construction of the on-going Senior Secondary School
(b) Construction of Shakawe Primary Hospital
(c) Construction of Mohembo Bridge and tarring of Mohembo/Beetsha road
(d) Construction of Shakawe Central Transport Organization (CTO)
(e) Construction and expansion of Tsodilo and Shakawe airports
(f) Construction of Shakawe Sub District Offices as planned
(g) Establishment of cluster centres i.e. Seronga, Xakao and Sepopa to have 24 hour clinic services
TOURISM: That Batswana in Okavango should benefit from the industry
(a) Tsodilo development to improve tourism in the area which we have already planned
(b) To encourage the government to engage more Batswana in the ownership of projects within the delta
Okavango has previously been under the leadership of opposition MPs, so I request Batswana in the Okavango constituency to give me another five years to bring changes. The first five years only allowed me to take off, so I need to settle in the space for development.
BAGALATIA ARONE
Botswana Congress Party Parliamentary candidate
Ke ipega mo batlhophing ba Okavango ke le ntlhopheng wa palamente wa diphathi tsa BAM le BCP mo ditlhophong tsa 2009. Ke le solofetsa tse di latelang:
Thuto: Ke tlaa rotloetsa bana ba dikolo go tlhoafalela dithuto tsa bone ka go buisa diphuthego tsa baithuti ka nako tsotlhe fa ke etela magae a bone.
1.Ke tlaa bua gape ka dikgwetlho tsa barutabana, tse di akaretsang boroko, parallel progression, transfer policy, teacher-student ratio jalo jalo.
2.Ke tlaa bo gape ke itebagantse le letlhoko la didirisiwa mo dikoleng, go ema nokeng bana ba ba dirang bontle mo dikoleng le go tlhomamisa gore go tsewa ke puso ga Shakawe Brigade go digagale ka bonako go tokafatsa seemo.
3.Ke tlaa kopa gore project ya CITF e nnele ruri mo Shakawe
Botsogo: Ke tlaa netefatsa gore sepatela sa Shakawe se agiwa ka bonako, ga mmogo le go kgaretlhela gore dikokelwana tsotlhe di nna le bongaka le didirisiwa tse di lebaneng.
Ke tlaa dira gape gore makgotla a botsogo a tokafatsa dithuto ka HIV/AIDS.
Ditiro: 1. Ke tlaa ruta le go rotloetsa batlhophi go dirisa mananeo a puso go tlhama ditiro, ke bo ke kopa puso go simolodisa masimo a nosetso mo Okavango.
2.Ke tlaa kopa lephata la fisheries go bula a fish industry mo Okavango, ke bo ke kopa puso go kopa mineral prospecting companies go lebaleba gore a go ka se bonale diteemane le ole kwa makgobokgobong ka go na le kgonagalo eo.
Metshameko: 1. Ke tlaa ema nokeng maiteko otlhe a go tlhabolola metshameko mo kgaolong ka go bereka komiti ya kgaolo ya metshameko.
2.Ke tlaa rotloetsa metshameko ka di seasonal tournaments.
Banana: 1. Ke tlaa ema nokeng maiteko otlhe a go tlhabolola banana, ke bo ke leka go thusa banana go itse le go dirisa mananeo a puso go ba tlhabolola.
Ko palamenteng:
1.Ke tlaa bua ka melao ee itebagantseng le go tlhabolola matshelo le go sireletsa ditshwanelo tsa batho.
2.Ke tlaa bua gape ka ditshwanelo tsa badiri jaaka seemo sa dituelo.
Kemedi/political leadership: 1. Ke tlaa bula ofisi ya bopalamente kwa Seronga go atolosa ditirelo.
Makhanselara otlhe a tlaa nna le diofisi.
2.Ke tlaa bopa komiti ya bogakolodi jwa mopalamente go tokafatsa seemo.
3.Ke tlaa tlhoma baemedi (contact persons) go ntekodisa ka seemo mo metseng yotlhe le go tlhomamisa gore ba na le megala ya letheka.
4.Ke tlaa bopa konmiti ya therisanyo ya baemedi ba maphata le bagolwane ba dikomiti ba rerisana ka dikgwetlho tsa kgaolo (connsultative council)
Twantso borukutlhi:
Ke tlaa dirisana le makgotla otlhe a itshireletso go tlhomamisa gore kgaolo e sireletsegile.
MAUN WEST
MOAPARANKWE MPHO
Botswana Alliance Movement Parliamentary candidate
I do hereby offer my services to you as the parliamentary candidate for Maun West constituency for the 2009 elections.
I hereby request you all to consider casting your vote in my favour on the day of elections.
If elected I shall tirelessly strive for
(a) Free and compulsory education for all
(b) Elimination of under tree classes in primary schools (as they cannot be effectively conducted during the rainy season and in winter time)
(c) Special education teachers and special education for the disabled to equip them with skills that will enable them to live better lives like others, and even compete for better jobs with other citizens.
(d) Construction and equitable distribution of junior secondary schools to cater for the constituency's different catchment areas
(e) Construction of the first ever government senior secondary school in the district
(f) To advice communities in matters pertaining to the fields of hydrology, land survey, environmental impact assessments etc
(g) Creation of youth and other related group/clubs with a view to source funds and create employment for themselves.
(h) To encourage and fight for the spreading of the word of God through different churches in the district as well as countrywide
(i) The provision of a well defined land use looking at most of the constituency's areas which are non-proximity to social amenities
Please examine just the few points that I have mentioned, and see if they can add value to your life and that of the entire nation, then think of making a historic political change after 43 years of our independence and vote me. Remember together we can make this BIG historic political change!
SELOILWE KEOTSHEPILE SELOILWE
Kgosing ward Independent council candidate
I pledge to be the best independent candidate and the best councillor Kgosing ward will ever have had since Independence.
I am one person who believes in peace, transformation and advancement in politics and economic diversification as well as massive reforms over political matters in general.
We are a political organisation which aims to bring good education for all, advanced control measures over public revenues as it remains impossible to develop any country in a democratic state without first educating its people.
We believe it is an absolute failure for a government with massive steel structures and industrial buildings and is not willing to have their people empowered. Proper consultation with people before going to council or parliament is an important factor for each ruling government.
I personally believe and wish to abide by the above factors, and deliver to my people. I also aim to work harmoniously and round the clock with the people I represent so that their desires are met and their problems and concerns solved amicably and well in time.
So I would like Maun people, particularly those from Kgosing ward and the youth to vote me to council for change!
OAGETSWENG MALAKIA
Botswana Alliance Movement council candidate Boyei ward
If elected to council, I will strive to work tirelessly for Boyei ward residents and Batswana as a whole. My top priority will be to:
1. Provide adequate water for Boyei.
2. To fight the eradication of the Foot and Mouth Disease in Maun
3. Promote a people centered social agenda
4. To fight for free and compulsory education (Convention of the Right of a Child (UNICEF) aged from 1-18 years to be provided with free education)
5. To develop the full potential of youth by way of developing a sound youth policy
6. To spearhead the response of HIV/AIDS in my ward.
MAINA MAVIS MORUIMANG
Botswana Alliance Movement council candidate - Thitoyamokodi ward
I pledge to take the position of councillor with commitment and to work diligently because I know the problems you face as well as your challenges. If elected to council I also pledge to achieve the following:
(a) Fight poverty and hunger that people are faced with y striving to create more jobs
(b) Improve the quality and increase the quantity of water
(c) To empower women and youth in major responsibilities
(d) To effectively and efficiently fight the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease
(e) To encourage farming by irrigation, with the intention to bring about a mass production of vegetables, grains and fruits at a level that will achieve major job creation
(f) To improve the standards of roads and communication in Thitoyamokodi ward and improve labour work relations.
(g) To establish a cultural recreational and sporting centres in order to reduce undesirable habits such as substance abuse.
CHOBE CONSTITUENCY
DUNCAN MLAZI
Botswana Democratic Party parliament candidate, Chobe
Ke a tshepega e bile ke a romega'
The value of my stay in Parliament has been the successful recognition of Chobe as a stand-alone district; accordingly it has the right to its ownbudget.
There has been the taking off of significant projects like the Nata/Kazungula road, the Ngoma/Kachikau road, the almost complete Kasane Bus and Taxi Rank, Kasane Landfill, completion of the Kachikau Police Station, Magistrate court, the ongoing construction of the Fire Brigade, Shorobe/Mababe road, Mababe Bridge, Mababe Customary court, Khwai Village gazzetted, Water pipe network in Khwai, Khwai Tribal Office and wildlife camp, Kasane Urban Land Servicing. On this note, I could also mention the upcoming multimillion pula Zambezi Integrated Agriculture Project at Pandamatenga which will totally change the face of Chobe as it includes the establishment of an agricultural town modeled after the mining towns of Selebi Phikwe and Jwaneng respectively.
The construction of the Kazungula Bridge that comes complete with a railway line running from Mosetse to Chobe district is an important SADC region economic network linking the whole regional trade block.
This is what he had to say about culture:
During my stay in Parliament I have been a major promoter and sponsor of cultural activities. In these terms I have managed to purchase uniforms for all five Seperu groups in Chobe.
When I took the oath of office in 2004 there was, unfortunately, one operating Village Development Trust, (Mababe Village Development Trust) whereas the rest of the trusts had their quotas' suspended due to gross financial mismanagement.
It was during my tenure that I worked tirelessly with the Village Trust Committees and the Technical Advisory Committee to arrest this state of affairs.
The introduction of communication centres inthe Chobe enclave was also part of my efforts.
My efforts to bring a Senior Secondary School in Chobe has resulted in the construction of a Senior Secondary School in Nata (reducing our costs on transportation to senior secondary schools in Maun and Francistown.) I and my councilors have been lobbying for a primary school to be built in Kgaphamadi, Kasane to ease congestion at Kasane Primary School, another primary school in Pandamatenga and a third Junior Secondary School in the district.
Chobe has the potential to be the bread basket of Botswana and Southern Africa.
Together, by giving me another mandate to represent you in parliament we can make Chobe a home you will always be happy to belong and identify yourself with. United and overlooking all tribal and skin differences, we can bring change to our district which we have been experiencing since 2004.
Reviving our cultural heritage, such as in all forms of traditional dances, and places of historical significance, increased support of religious institutes and promoting freedom of religion, lobbying for support for various sports code from the business community like I have demonstrated by sponsoring the football's Independence cup (Mlazie Independence Cup) for the five years beginning 2008. This sponsorship has been extended to places like Khwai, Savuti, Sankuyu and Mababe starting in 2009. Introducing a local or district news paper modeled after the likes of The Ngami Times and the tabloid, The Voice .
The establishment of the constituency website that is www.chobecon.info . Itgives information on thepeople of Chobe, their culture, tradition,Bojanala/Tourism, and inside, encouraging citizen empowerment on tourism related projects considering that they are few Batswana involved on high yielding tourism ventures, opening up of restricted designated fishing spots in the national park.
looking forward to the establishment of community radio stationsmodeled along the Lozi radio station - the aim is to have programmes including news broadcasted in our local languages.
GIBSON NSHIMWE Chobe Constituency-Botswana Congress Party Parliamentary candidate
2009 CHIRIMO CHE CHINCHENHO
Ke nna lentswe la gago la popota ko palamenteng go ka lere diphetogo mo kgaolong ya Chobe. Tlhopha ka keletlhoko ka October 16
2009 BCP COUNCIL CANDIDATE FOR PLATEAU WARD-CHOBE CONSTITUENCY.
CANDIDATE NAMES: KAMWI ELSON SAMUNZALA
Hands On
As your BCP council candidate I pledge to represent you people of Plateau Ward well on issues affecting your lives.
RECOGNITION OF PLATEAU KGOTLA
SHORTAGE OF LAND
PROBLEM ANIMALS
HEALTH, AMBULANCE AT PLATEAU CLINIC
Improve ROADS situation
STORM WATER DRAINAGE : PUBLIC TRANSPORT: SEWERAGE CONNECTION :.
In conclusion, I commit myself to serving you the people of Plateau Ward very well. I wish to bring to your attention that we as the BCP are a party that truly cares for you and I urge you to vote wisely by voting for us in the entire Chobe Constituency and me for Plateau Ward to serve you diligently. I believe unlike my competitor, Mr Benson Rogers, I am mature and principled than him. As an opposition Councilor I would speak fearlessly about your issues as you know BDP representatives are muzzled by the party leadership. They can not speak about your concerns for fear of being victimized by their hawkish party President. As we move closer to the national polls, you should reflect on how good the BDP leadership has been in our district on issues that affect you and your children's. As the Chinese say, teach a person how to catch fish and not give them fish, should be the way a government empowers its people and not giving hand outs as the BDP government is doing.
JONATHAN TRIO MOYO
BOTSWANA CONGRESS PARTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
PANDA-MATENGA
Why i opted to stand for elections
Having been born, lived and grown up in panda matenga, i have seen 4 councilors being voted but all of them have not made any changes in peoples lives. In a place with rich soils and natural resourses like panda with a population of less than 2000 we still have the highest rate of unemployment, less developments, poorest housing,no toilets, dangerous roads, and so forth so as a young person i thought i should stand for elections and fight for the rights, and improvements of social lives for the people of panda. 80% of the food in botswana comes from panda but 85% of the people there live under extreme poverty.
What are my key issues after being voted in:
· Youth development
· Unemployment
· Improvements of workers rights especially at pandamatenga farms
· Peoples developments
· Improvements of internal muddy roads
· Promotion of rich cultures
· Envolvement of youth in developments
· Creation of trade union for farm workers
· Power to empower my people
MAUN EAST
ONTLEMETSE ISHY GOMOSIE
Independent Parliamentary Candidate
He is the voice, face, icon and a representative of all.
Someone who better understands our lifestyle and has our interests at heart and someone who will change our lives to better them through creation of employment, housing, health and education. Diversification of economy from mineral dependant to Eco-tourism, Human resource and Agriculture. We also want to turn Maun into a tourist hub and the city of the North West region.
Eco-tourism: We need to diversify, venture and invest in eco-tourism and to market Maun as the gateway to Botswana's tourism and ideal holiday destination for locals, the entire region and the world at large. We will use revenue to improve the lives of Batswana and eradicate poverty. All these will require expertise, hence job creation for locals.
Education/Human Resources: We need to bring the highest and quality education to the region, from pre-school till tertiary, as a way of investing in Human resource, empowering people with knowledge and practical skills in all sectors such as mining, health, security, finance and banking, tourism and leisure, arts and sports technology because we believe everyone is entitled to education and knowledge.
Health: We will bring world class health facilities, hospitals and clinics for both government and private institutions.
Youth: They will be empowered with necessary information, skills and assistance as they are th future generation of the country. We will also create recreational facilities in sport and entertainment as a way of keeping them away from crime and social ills.
MOARABI SEPEGO GAREBAGAE
Botswana Alliance Movement council candidate - Thamalakane South
Government should establish a framework within which development can take place and to provide assistance for the communities in their efforts.
My strategy is an open door policy in which everyone will be allowed to submit oral or written submissions on how we can best develop our areas. In my activities, I shall be guided by Consultation, Consensus and Compromise, hence my policy shall be known as (Triple C).
If elected, I will work to do the following:
1. To encourage the establishment of small holding schools for small children in rural areas
2. To encourage the construction of houses for destitute and disabled persons
3. To encourage the standardized medical services at all health facilities
4. To encourage the upgrading of roads by gravelling and tarring, not at election time only
5. To encourage the supply of clean drinking water in every household as well as the supply of electricity at subsidised prices to every household.
6. To encourage the construction of drainage systems, sanitary facilities and eradication of mosquitoes
7. To encourage the culling of elephants and other species of wild animals and sell their carcasses and skins to foreign countries.
I believe my policies shall depend on crystal sincerity.
Thomas Perschil
Independent Council Candidate - Matlapana Ward
Are you tired of?
Bla,bla politicians
Councillors that disappear after elections
No development in your village
No water for days
Do you want?
More Clinics
A school bus service for
your children
Reasonable water
supply
A vibrant village
community, which
creates employment on
your doorstep
Do you want a
councillor who is all the
time there for YOU
Then vote for ME
Tigers crowned as A to Z Independence champions
Nhabe regional giants Maun Tigers retained the A to Z Independence Cup played in Maun.
Tigers never put their foot wrong from the beginning of the tournament despite parting ways with their coach Jabulani Ncube. The team remained determined and won the trophy and first prize money of P4 500 when they beat Maun Terrors 2-1.
Hundreds of people, among them Ngamiland District Commissioner Bernadette Malala and Kgosi Tawana Moremi, flocked to Maun Sports Complex to see the final.
Much was expected from Terrors who have experienced tough competition in the National first division league, but that was not the case as Tigers proved to be better than them. Terrors coach Jabulani Ncube would have wanted to prove a point against his former club, but he failed to beat his tutor and former player George Jacob who is most likely to take over as Tigers' coach. Terrors took the lead through hardworking and reliable striker Pelontle Shakes Dimbo, but their celebrations were cut short as Tigers equalised through former Delta Winds striker GC Lemphorwana. The tournament's top goal scorer Tshepo Simon sealed the victory for Tigers towards the end of the second half. Tigers walked away with a floating trophy and P4 500, while Terrors received P2 850.
The 3 rd and 4 th prize money of P600 went to Delta Winds and Maun Heroes, while the teams knocked out in the 2 nd round received P500 and P400 for the 1 st round exit.
Terrors host Miscellaneous in 1 st division game
Maun Terrors have an uphill task over the weekend when they take on visiting Serowe side Miscellaneous in the National 1 st division league match at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
Despite winning their first game convincingly with a 6-0 drubbing of Orapa Bucs last week, Terrors will need not to be carried away by the result as they need to be determined and stay focused.
Miscellaneous is one of the teams which gave Terrors a hard time last season, but with the home team's performance in the opening game of the new season, an interesting match is on the cards. The visitors have vast experience and they missed a Premier League spot berth by a whisker so they will be looking forward to revive their hopes and start their campaign on high note. Nevertheless, it is not going to be easy. Maun Terrors has beaten the transfer window to bolster their squad. They have brought on board one of the best midfielders in the region; Zola Dinonyane formerly with Maun Tigers, while BMC defender Lemogang Motlhanke has also joined and another midfielder Kaizer Muzi is from Premier League side Ecco City Green.
Terrors coach Jabulani Ncube revealed to Times Sports that they are ready and well prepared for the game - What happened last season is now history, we are looking forward to the weekend game and our hope is to collect maximum points and I have players who can deliver said Ncube. We need a Premier League team. It's high time we work together and strive for a spot in the elite league. We have players who are capable of playing in the premier league and what we need is support and positive advice he added. Meanwhile Maun Terrors has lost the services of two of its most influential players - striker Gaogalelwe Dipateletso has joined Orapa Bucs, while defender Collen Sebako has joined Selebi Phikwe's Premier League team Nico United.
Rollers' bright start switched off!
Sports Correspondent
- Township Rollers' bright start to the Be Mobile Premier League was brought to a grinding halt by a youthful Uniao Flamengo Santos in Molepolole on Saturday. In the process the Gabane outfit leapfrogged Rollers into second place behind surprise leaders Nico United.
Many had predicted a Rollers' win on the strength of a two-match unbeaten run and the absence of Mogakolodi Tsotso' Ngele who was in China with the national team.
Rollers started brightly and had the Santos rearguard under siege but could not convert giltedged opportunities into goal in an eventful first half. Their two-pronged attack of Terence Scarce Skills' Mandaza and young Aubrey Kebonnetse failed to capitalize on Santos goalkeeper Ola Tsae's Achilles heel of not leaving his goalline in time-and fired blanks the whole afternoon.
It was the Santos backline that should get the plaudits for shutting out a rampant Rollers with timely tackles and excellent covering. Letsweletse Ace' Seane and Kaizer Seforo at the centre of the defence stood out in a workmanlike performance.
Rollers had two glorious chances to grab the ascendancy when first Mandaza robbed Seane of the ball, strode into the eighteen yard box and centred for a seemingly bemused posse of teammates who reacted slowly and allowed the Santos defence to clear. Then Kebonnetse failed to put away his chance when presented with a one-on-one opportunity and allowed Tsae to gather the ball.
Whenever, the Santos forwards broke through the Rollers fortress seemed to crack and when Farazai Nyamunamendo arrowed a delightful pass to Boitshoko Zikhale there was only one result at the end of the latter's sprinting. Rollers were 1-0 down.
Again Bakang Dolezar' Moeng threaded a through pass to Godfrey Veron' Ngele but the alert Kabelo Dambe swallowed Ngele's effort as Santos delivered due warning. Rollers second half attempts to get the game on level pegging could not bear fruit with their best chance coming from Amos Shoes' Godirwang whose screamer was fisted to safety by Tsae.
In other games, BMC overcame Francistown giants Tafic courtesy of a goal by Kenanao Flo' Kgetholetsile in Lobatse while Motlakase shared the spoils with Extension Gunners in Francistown. Nico United continued their fairytale run in the league when they notched their third victory on the trot. This time Police XI were the victims.
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