The Ngami Times

29 Jun 2009 20:32

Edition 466 26 June - 3 July, 2009

Floodwaters have turned the Kunyere River at Toteng into a spectacular stretch of water on both sides of the Maun-Sehitwa road. This picture, taken last Sunday the week previously the same area was almost dry - shows the extent of the water flowing in from the Okavango River to Lake Ngami, which is almost filled to capacity as a result of a surge of water that has seen some areas of the Okavango delta flooded for the first time in 50 years. The Thamalakane River passing through Maun has also increased in volume as it pushes towards the Boteti River and Motopi.

SCANDAL OF DIRTY SCHOOLS

The lives of students in the Okavango area could be in danger due to unhygienic and other serious problems. At least three boarding schools - Ngambao, Popagano, and Etsha 6 Junior Secondary - have malfunctioning toilets, a shortage of beds and mattresses, no electricity in some cases, and litter. Students are also having to use the surrounding bush to relieve themselves.

Reacting to an enquiry from The Ngami Times, the education department's West region chief education officer, Monthe Doba, acknowledged that the three faced problems of malfunctioning toilets but described the situation as exaggerated. He denied students used the bush even though there are few toilets and some overflowed with human waste.

He denied that the schools' grounds and surrounding bush are littered with waste and sanitary pads, saying there are plastic bags available for the latter. Doba said: Our schools are behind schedule with the cyclic maintenance. Most of our schools have not been attended to for more than 15 years and this year the matter is worsened by the economic recession we are experiencing as the government.

It was correct that Ngambao JSS is having problems with malfunctioning toilets and a shortage of beds as the school is also accommodating students from Kauxwi JSS.

Doba said at Ngambao there are 16 pit latrines used by 762 students in the academic area and 8 pit latrines used by 305 girls and 8 used by 305 boys in the hostels - and that the school is not affected by litter. According to Doba, the school is undergoing expansion with the building of 9 teachers' houses, a hostel block for boys and girls, an ablution block each girls and boys and a laundry block for each boys and girls hostel.

As for Etsha JSS, the situation is worse as the pit latrines are full, there is a blockage at the ablution blocks, malfunctioning gas and electrical stoves, poor drainage in the kitchen, poor collection of litter, and no electricity in the girls' hostels.

The school is, say parents, in a terrible state and is not conducive for learning. When questioned on whether the department was aware of the situation, Doba said the school is in great need of refurbishment, especially in the hostels and the kitchen.

Popagano JSS, like all the other schools, is experiencing the same problems of faulty toilets due to non-attendance to the problem and a shortage of mattresses allegedly brought about through theft and lack of security at the hostels, according to Doba who acknowledged a litter problem and that some minor works are being done to remedy the situation.

Some parents have told The Ngami Times that the authorities turn a blind eye and that school matrons never visit the hostels and in many cases are unaware of the problems.

Doba said with regard to boarding personnel not visiting hostels, (this) is not experienced in the schools(as) the matrons are always visiting the hostels on a daily basis and are always in the girls hostels. The school management is not aware of any complaint

The matrons do supervise cleaning in the hostels and are reinforced by teachers who have been appointed to carry out boarding duties.

Asked about the fact that parents are paying school fees, and why problems are not being attended to, Doba said though the place students are living in is not excellent, the money paid by parents is not meant for maintenance of boarding facilities.

Airport man on corruption charge

A 41-year-old man working as an Airport Officer at Maun airport has appeared before Maun magistrate Clifford Foroma charged with one count of corruption by a public officer.

Details of the matter reveal that Benjamin Leselwa, working for the Department of Civil Aviation, solicited P2 000 from Susan Smart, chief executive officer of Kwando Safaris, to speed up the inspection of an airstrip.

Leselwa will appear for mention on July 2.

UN donates to hospital

Maun's Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital has received donations from the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) for equipment to be used in the maternity ward.

When handing over the equipment, UNFPA Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Judith Shongwe said that their mandate is to promote the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a healthy life and enjoy equal opportunity.

Among the donations is a suction machine, an adjustable delivery bed, angle poise, an energy saver, a patient transport trolley, a weight scale, a blood pressure machine, three tape measures, 18 linen sheets, 18 blankets and a steriliser. The Deputy Matron for the hospital, Eva Lephirimile, said as a health facility we aim at offering the best quality care that can only be possible if the burden of the service care delivery can be shared by all.

Former officer found guilty

By Boniface Keakabetse

The Gumare P3000 corruption case is almost over but the case is not yet over.

A short declaration: I find you guilty delivered by Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma when handing out judgment on the case was enough to condemn Gasebatho Bohithilwe as guilty of official corruption.

Bohithilwe will have to wait before he can hear his sentencing as when passing judgment, Foroma told him he State was confirming whether he has any previous convictions.

Bohithilwe, a former North West District Council (NWDC) bye law officer at Gumare, was on trial soliciting and receiving an amount of P 3000 from the director of Wess Security Services, Khumo Dikgang.

Bohithilwe was nailed by officials of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime at Gumare on July 15, 2007 after Dikgang had tipped off the DCEC about the deal. That day, in the privacy of his office, Bohithilwe accepted from Dikgang a sum of P 3 000 and put the cash in an inner pocket of his jacket unaware this transaction was a covert operation by Dikgang collaborating with the DCEC.

The court heard that when asked by DCEC officials whether he had any money on him before the search was made he replied that he did not have any cash. After the P3 000 was discovered in his possession he replied that the money was his as he is employed and therefore had money.

Bohithilwe later changed his statement and said he was framed by Dikgang who was bitter after he summoned him to his office to discuss Wess Security's bad performance saying the money was put on the table by the officials and it was never recovered from him.

Foroma said in finding the accused guilty that the evidence hinged on what transpired on the day. The magistrate noted that Bohithilwe never mentioned to DCEC officials of ever receiving any cash from Dikgang. He said all this proved Bohithilwe had a corrupt mind and was guilty of the offence.

Foroma said Dikgang proved he knew Bohithilwe which can be deduced from him knowing about Bohitlhilwe's wife going to school.

Moreover the P 20 000 money for the motorcycle Dikgang said was demanded by Bohithilwe showed that Dikgang's statement can be trusted since it showed that Bohithilwe knew about prices for motorcycles as he had been a traffic officer.

The state contention is that Bohithilwe solicited the money from Dikgang as payment to use his official position to influence the decision to award Wess Security the tender.

Unique dome house built in Maun

A unique cost-effective dome shaped house including an ensuite bedroom and a living area - has been built in Maun.

The house, which is made up of two 7 metres diameter domes, is built entirely of bricks covering a tarpaulin-type balloon which is inflated for the building work and then deflated.

The domes are cool and relatively maintenance free, said designer Tania Pretorius. Building a dome house is also quick and the beauty of this building method is that no timber is used.

There will be two Open Days next Tuesday and Wednesday (June 30 and July 1) from 4pm to 6pm. Pretorius will be available on cellphone number 71460461 from Tuesday for further information.

To get to the house, turn off from the new Disaneng road at Exit 3 towards the river and follow the track until it forks. Keep left.

Editorial

Schools of shame

The Ministry of Education stands guilty of allowing three Okavango schools to sink into serious disrepair and by so doing placing the lives of pupils at risk.

The West Region office of the Ministry describes some of the allegations as exaggerated and blames everyone except themselves for allowing Ngambao, Popagano, and Etsha 6 Junior Secondary schools to reach a stage where toilets are overflowing, the children are using surrounding bush for their toilet, there is no electricity in some cases, and beds and mattresses are in short supply in the boarding facilities.

The astonishing excuse is that maintenance work hasn't been carried out for 15 years.

Fifteen years of doing nothing for the youth trying to get an education in the face of such conditions!

An excuse given for the appalling conditions is the economic recession we are experiencing as a government. That is a breath-taking assertion as the economic recession is relatively new and wasn't in existence over the previous 15 years when Botswana was becoming a very wealthy nation indeed.

It is time now for Jacob Nkate, the Minister of Education and Development Skill, and MP for Ngami, to pay a personal visit to see for himself the conditions at the three schools and take along Vistor Moruti, the MP for Okavango .

Letters to the Editor

Mail: Private Bag BO30, Boseja, Maun

Tel: 6864807 Fax: 6860257 e-mail: tnt@info.bw

A radio in the library

Sir, - As I'm writing this, at 1311hrs, Tuesday afternoon, June 23, I'm having trouble trying to concentrate because the news from the radio is turned up so loud I can hardly think. It's hard to believe I'm in the library. That's right, the LIBRARY. I came here to do some work, and all of a sudden there was a boom as the radio was turned on, by the LIBRARIANS. There were shocked expressions all across the room, then a few giggles, our eyes asking each other is this really happening? After a while, as the loud newscaster went from one headline to the next, we began to feel annoyed. We felt like talking about it, but there's no talking allowed in the library. This didn't seem to bother the librarians on duty who were sitting right next to the radio attentively, the volume set so high, people on the road were listening as well. I called my brother and tried to talk to him over the sound of the radio but it was not easy. I had to say I'm in the library more than three times before he could hear me.

The librarians waited until the entire newscast was done before they switched it off.A few people had walked out in protest but they failed to catch the notice of the librarians listening to the news. I'm sure even if they tried waving at them and clapping their hands they wouldn't grab their attention from the situation in Gabon being broadcast.

I have probably been in over a dozen different libraries here at home and around the world and I have never seen this happen before. Which leads me to conclude that it's just one of those things that could only happen in Maun.

The correct Soweto riots figure

Sir, - Genuine tragedies need no exaggeration, and it is demeaning to the victims in the case of the Soweto Riots, hundreds of them to exaggerate their numbers.

The death of one child is a tragedy, especially when that child is shot by police during a legitimate protest against an injustice, so to what purpose does the Okavango International School claim, as they do in their advertisement that thousands died?

PETER SANDENBERGH

Maun

Editor's Note: The historical information as presented in the advertisement published last week was incorrect. Thousands of African school children were not killed on June 16, 1976. Te first person to be shot was Hastings Ndlovu , followed by 12-year-old Hector Pieterson . Reuters news agency reported there were more than 500 fatalities in the riots but the original government figure claimed only 23 students were killed that day. The number of wounded was estimated to be over 1 000 men, women, and children. Witnesses later said that between 15 000 and 20 000 students in school uniform marched in Soweto against the teaching of the Afrikaans language in schools.

Former Maun resident Sharon Kilbride is a gutsy gal!

The one-time manager of the Gunn's Camp headquarters is doing something a lot of others wouldn't dare do parachuting.

She sent Shuffle a laconic e-mail the other day which sums up the lady it reads like this:

Just to let you all know that I will be doing a parachute jump on the 1st Sept 2009 to raise funds for the Afghanistan Trust Fund.

This charity gives assistance to soldiers of The Parachute Regiment who were wounded in action, or the dependants of those killed in action in Afghanistan. It also sustains the memories of the loss of life and sacrifices made by the soldiers.

It achieves this through financial and welfare support. Please show your support, and think of me.

Yes, Sharon, we will be thinking of you!

** Interesting story that has come out of the Moremi Game Reserve area.

A tour group on a game viewing trip had the bad luck of their vehicle breaking down in an area where if one sees a vehicle a day, it is a lot.

Well, from what Shuffle hears, the group had no option but to hoof it to South Gate to raise the alarm only a mere 12km from where they were! There wasn't a radio on the vehicle (which one would have thought is prerequisite for any such journey.)

It must have been truly scary trudging through the bush as after all, the inhabitants of the Moremi are not particularly friendly.

The party got to safety and then proceeded to enjoy the rest of their weekend away.

We may not have seen the massive flood that had been forecast for the Boro and Thamalakane rivers. However, Lake Ngami is full and the rivers and streams feeding it are in flood.

This past weekend, Shuffle and Mrs Shuffle ventured to what must be little South Africa Ghanzi for those who don't know and saw at Toteng bridge that the river was in full spate. A wonderful sight.

While in Ghanzi, we watched the first rugby test between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions at Thakadu bush camp. It was an experience indeed as brawny farmers cheered on their team or should I say, The Team as the comments in Afrikaans obviously meant there were no true-blue Brits in the pub (apart from Chris the owner!).

An exhilarating afternoon indeed!

Just to show that we are not as dull as dishwater, here are a few stories to brighten up your day! Mrs Raymond Hackett and Miss Evelyn Fothergill gave a surprise pink and white shower for Mrs Mahlon Owens on the Eaton lawn, attended by 33 people. One feature of the programme was a Caesarian operation which proved amusing from a United States newspaper.

At a street corner in Los Angeles , the flood washed out electric light poles and live wives fell spluttering to the street New Zealand newspaper

Jack's Laundry Leave your clothes here ladies and spend the afternoon having a good time -Advertisement.

If two and two are put together the cat comes out of the bag Indian newspaper

The way to his heart may lie in the tricky art of cooking his liver She magazine

If a patient faints when standing up he collapses on to the ground First Aid manual

The Weekender

Ghanzi's Khawa Safari Lodge on the outskirts of the town is turning out to be a convenient stopping-off place for travellers from Maun to Gaborone or Namibia. The lodge, which has a spectacular thatched roof reputed to be one of the biggest in the country, is operated by the same company which owns the popular Toro Lodge at Kasane. The lodge offers various facilities, including a large bar and outside lounge area also under thatch as well as comfortable rooms, a restaurant with an extensive menu, volleyball court and a conference centre for 50 delegates. A larger state-of-the-art conference centre is under construction. Pictured (inset) is receptionist Tenego Tefo Boeng standing proudly with the lodge's logo and the main picture is of the front entrance to the building.

Litter will always exist'

By Bright Kholi

The Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources says the problem of litter and other pollutants that are deposited at the Maun educational park by water flowing from the Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital's waste water treatment plant would exist even if the treatment plant did not exist. This is the latest development surrounding the treatment plant which is blamed for polluting the environment as water from it flows along an open trench, carrying all types of litter and deposits it at its point of entry at the Maun educational park. In the initial story about the issue published in The Ngami Times, this reporter could not get any satisfactory answer from all departments concerned as no one was willing to own up to the project. In our quest to get the information, we were referred to the Department of Water Affairs in Gaborone who passed on our questionnaire to the public relations unit in the ministry.

After a week we received a response from the ministry which says the Letsholathebe II hospital water treatment plant (bio filter purification plant) is part of the Maun Water Supply and Sanitation project conceived by the department in 2003. It also says the project was broken down into 3 phases, and phase one was the construction of the treatment plant.

The bio filter purification plant was built as a temporary measure, completed in September 2007, with the capacity to treat over 200m3 of waste water a day, the ministry says.

The plant was meant to alleviate the situation at the new hospital.

At a later stage, the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute was also connected to the plant to avoid the pollution of the natural waterways due to an over-flowing conservancy tank at the institute, the ministry said.

The treatment plant is under the supervision of Water Affairs and plans are underway to hand it over to those equipped with waste water operation and maintenance training and experience at the North West District Council.

Explaining how the plant works, the ministry says the plant discharges water into an open channel storm drainage adjacent to the hospital and disposes water into the Maun Educational Park - firstly it should be stated that water coming from the plant is treated. Periodic water quality tests of the effluent from the treatment at the new hospital are taken. The water from the plant was subjected to tests of quality as per Botswana Bureau of Standards, Standard BOS 93-2004 for disposal of water into natural waters, the ministry states.

No solids such as litter, it says, emanates from the treatment plant and adds that the department is concerned about the extent of litter contained in the water as it is disposed. Littering is a widespread problem in all our communities and the department appreciates the concern from the general public that such litter, when it comes into contact with a steady stream of the outflow and is transported and deposited at the overspill chamber, it can be an eyesore.

The problem will exist even if the treatment plant did not exist but we understand that it can be misconstrued as the source of the problem. Categorically, we wish to state that no litter originates at the treatment plant and the water quality is to the required quality, the ministry contends.

It says an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project was carried out. The ministry also confirmed that the plant once had technical breakdowns, but is now operational.

A technical team has been put in place to ensure the plant operates efficiently.

As is the case with any sanitation scheme, even a fully fledged scheme as the one planned, blockages and malfunctions will always result in environmental disasters, thus it is paramount to the operation of such schemes to prudently manage such, to limit the extent of the environmental impacts, the ministry says.

Meanwhile on whether the treated water is in a state to be discharged into the natural water ways, The Ngami Times obtained a chemical analysis report from the National Environmental Laboratory in the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control.

According to the report, waste water outside Letsholathebe II Hospital is in compliance with the BOBS standards except for two parameters out of the 10 - fluoride and sodium are higher than the BOS 93:2004 waste water standard.

The sodium is at 835.03 mg/L as compared to the required 400mg/L while Fluoride is at 1.82mg/L as compared to required 1.5mg/L.

Red Cross donates to a family

By Molefi Manyepedza

Maun Red Cross has donated a tent, blankets, clothing and garden tools valued at P27 000 to a vulnerable family in Samedupi settlement, 10 km east of Maun.

All 12 members of the family are unemployed and exposed to poor housing conditions - a single hut without a door and with broken down walls.

According to family member Tirelo Motseokae, 26, their mother, and a single parent caring for the family, had left them to stay elsewhere.

Red Cross field officer Kamogelo Serefentse told The Ngami Times that elderly parent Moxhwa Mbwe struggled to support the family on her meagre old age pension. The family is not getting destitute assistance.

He said he will talk to council departments to make sure that the family's food problem is resolved.

Serefentse said the Red Cross got to know about the family after the Young Women's Christians Association (YWCA) provided counseling as the family had been unable to build a shelter asked for assistant from.

Serefentse said a tent will be used temporarily as efforts are being made to find money to build a permanent structure.

It is inhuman for us to see a family staying in an unhygienic environment and which has the potential of spreading diseases, Serefentse added.

Air Botswana manager transferred

The Air Botswana Maun branch manager Isaiah Mampane is leaving Maun on transfer to Gaborone after being promoted to the position of Passenger Services Manager.

Mochudi-born Mampane says he is leaving Maun a happy man as he has worked and interacted well with co-employees and residents during his stay, which he described as great. I really enjoyed being here, and Maun will always be my second home. I am going to miss those that I worked with, those that I befriended as well as our many customers who frequented the airport from around the world. Of course, there were ups and downs here and there but we always worked on alternatives simply because we relied solely on word of mouth, which I believe is what kept us going, he said. Questioned on the challenges while working at one of the busiest airports in the region, Mampane said they always found the right and most comfortable way of approaching customers, more especially when flights were delayed or late rather.

This, he says, they did so as to give customers a reason to always come back, looking at the good service delivery and the willingliness to assist whenever the need arose. For her part, Sally-Anne Solepp-Smith, of Okavango Wilderness Safaris, said that Mampane had always been supportive to the tourism industry and described him as a tremendous asset to Air Botswana. She says the industry will miss him, even though they are happy for him in being promoted.

Mampane is a down-to-earth person who is also very easy to approach and work with. He had a high level of communication and fully understands the service of urgency, and for this reason everyone in the industry was on first name basis with him, she added.

Operations centre established to fight crime

Maun's 911 Neighbourhood Watch organisation has set up an Operations Centre next to the Maun satellite police station.

The centre cellphone number is 71409686. The chairman of the organisation, Patrick Penstone, says that one of the activities being carried out is the collation of a data base on reckless or bad driving, and anyone who sees such incidents is asked to contact the centre. There is also an e-mail address ant;i-poaching@ngami.net.

Stubborn BMC hold league leaders

GABORONE - Log leaders Gaborone United labored to a 1-0 over a stubborn BMC outfit at the Lobatse Stadium on Saturday in a tense Be Mobile Premier League game that had all the ingredients of a humdinger.

Current form had pointed to a GU win. BMC' patchy form in their last three games had read draw, lose, draw while GU's had two wins and a draw.

With Gaborone United trying to shake off the challenges of the free-scoring Mochudi Centre Chiefs, BMC had looked like fodder for the Gaborone outfit. However, BMC seems to be slowly regaining their early season form and this should have been a warning for GU.

GU coach Mike Sithole inexplicably played the erratic Kenny Shoes' Ledikwe as rightback while Gabriel Bokhutlo crushed ice on the bench. Kabo Branco' Molokwane also started as a central defender instead of his usual left back position. You would not have guessed this but Bosarutweng Booster' Magola, a defender was also played as a midfielder. The chief architect of GU's stupendous form this season, Sageby Sandaka did not even make the bench.

Needless to say, the tinkering of the lineup did not help GU's cause and a goalless first half galvanized the GU bench to ring the changes in the second half. In came the irrepressible Tshepho Schoolboy' Molefe for Magola while the ineffective Tiroyamodimo Mohambi made way for Ronald Chikomo. Bokhutlo was then introduced for Boitumelo Bashin' Modisaotsile and assumed his rightback position while Molokwane switched to left back and Ledikwe pushed to a more offensive position and GU then started playing like real championship contenders. Mlamuli Phakathi lost the ball to Steven Maposa who fed Chikomo and the latter easily beat the BMC goalminder Chenjerai Dube with only 3 minutes remaining on the clock.

The win must have also sobered the GU faithful into looking at their league ambitions in perspective. Moyagoleele has a much tougher run-in than their closest rivals Chiefs who have an easier programme to wind up the league. There were no such problems for vintage Chiefs as it swept aside a bewildered Great North Tigers 6-0 in a game where Moemedi Jomo' Moatlhaping rejuvenated his quest to win the top goal scorer award as he netted 4 to cut down Master Masitara's lead to 3 goals. Township Rollers then got back to winning ways as they cruised past Boteti Young Fighters 3-1. Poor Fighters, the global economic crunch has surely taken its toll on the team from the mining town as they have leaked 20 goals in their last 3 games.

Tafic surged up the table when they beat Extension Gunners through goals from Alphonse Modisaotsile and Teko Molapisi. Naughty Boys surprised all and sundry when they defeated Mogoditshane Fighters 2-1.

On Sunday, two goals from Dennis Kaelo and David Makakaba ensured that the jungle kings return from the second city with the three points as Ecco City Greens replied through Mandlaenkosi Sibanda. BDF XI compounded Flamengo Santos woes as they beat the latter 2-1 with goals from Ernest Amos and Peter Ngwenya while Santos solitary goal was scored by Mogakolodi Tsotso' Ngele.

Maun Heroes ready for the challenge

Newly-promoted Maun Heroes seem to be ready for the new life in the Nhabe first division regional league.

The team was formed in 2003 after they broke away from Delta Winds.

It has been a long road to travel as they had to wait for almost 6 years to be part of the elite Nhabe league. Founder member and team manager Norman Sebele said: It was not easy to put together this team. I was team manager at Delta Winds during the time when they were playing at Matlapaneng in 2003 and certain issues made me to part ways with them. I moved on with about 11 players, and Maun Heroes was formed, he said.

Having spent most of their time playing in the BOFWA league and tournaments around Maun, they made a break through to competitive football after joining the newly formed 2 nd division. After realising the potential of players we had, we decided to join the second division league so that we could expose our players to a higher level of football. We have quality players, some of them were loaned out to the top teams in Maun but all are back with us and I believe with the experience they have, I am optimistic that we will not struggle in the top league, he added.

It has been difficult for new teams to survive in the top league - Boseja Chiefs and Zungu have come and gone but Sebele said they have a mission to accomplish. It's never easy when you are new, but I have confidence in the players I have. We have been playing against teams like Gaegolelwe and Boseja Chiefs and beating those teams shows that we can match any other team in the league. Sebele also urged business people in Maun to make a change to football.

Without support from our business community we will not succeed, and we need them to support us so that we can achieve our vision, Sebele added.

Iran Squad to meet Zebras next week

Botswana's Zebras national side is stepping up preparations for their clash with Iran in Gaborone on Sunday (July 5).

The recent friendly match against New Zealand was a first step in this direction and the

Botswana Football Association (BFA) has widened its horizons by inviting Iran to play against the Zebras.

After the match in Gaborone, the Iran squad will return to South Africa where they will play another friendly game against South Africa's Absa Premiership side Kaizer Chiefs in Bloemfontein on July 12.

Much has been said about our national team.

They have been criticised for playing games against teams which are still far from developing and this criticism has acted as a wake-up call for the BFA which is now doing all they can to bring tough football nations to the country.

Playing against Iran will expose the players to international standards. On the world rankings, Iran is currently 52nd and they have a very strong base of population which is close to 68 million. They have 449 644 registered players and 120 football clubs.

Iran is ranked among Asia's most prominent football nations. Their successes include gold medals at the Asian Games in 1998 and 2002.

They are supreme masters of the game of futsal, having won successive confederation championships between 1999 and 2002, so it was therefore no surprise to see Iran as the only Asian team keeping abreast with the world's best at the FIFA Futsal World Championship in Guatemala in 2000.

Botswana is not to be underrated. They rose to stardom during the Jelusic Vaseline era and since then have dominated in Southern African football as one of the strongest squads.

With a world ranking of position 118, there is enough room for improvement based on the current crop of players and the teams performance in their recent match against New Zealand .

National team coach Stanley Tshosane said that playing against the Asian nations gives them more competition.

This is a learning curve which I believe will help us in assessing the players that we have in camp. We need to be ready and stay focused, said Tshosane

A 22 member squad of home based players is in camp ahead of the Iran match. All the players who played in the New Zealand game have been recalled and only one more has been added. He is Joseph Phetogo.

Tshosane also added that he is happy with the team's preparations - we have played three games now without conceding defeat, and that alone tells that we are going in the right direction and obviously we are looking ahead to the Iran game

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21 Jun 2009 22:41

Edition 465 19 - 26 June, 2009

Children from different schools commemorated the Day of the African Child which was held under the theme, Africa Fit for Children, Call for Accelerated Action towards Their Survival on Tuesday . Bonatla Primary school children commemorated the day at their school as did other schools. Meanwhile the major event for the area was held at Mababe Village Kgotla where the guest speaker was their member of Parliament for Chobe, Duncan Mlazie. Children from Mababe, Sankuyo, Shorobe and Matsaudi Primary Schools attended. (SEE STORY ON PAGE 15)

Horror killing of girlfriend

KASANE A woman was the victim of a gruesome murder here this week.

It is believed she was killed with a spade and another sharp instrument in what local people are saying was a passion killing. Police however has not confirmed this.

The murder is suspected to have been committed by her boyfriend who was also found dead a few metres from his house, and is who thought to have committed suicide after killing her.

Sources have revealed to The Ngami Times that the two were lovers and that their relationship was not on a good footing. They have also revealed the man had worked at a furniture shop and his girlfriend at a Kasane supermarket.

The two were also staying together in the same house in Kgaphamadi. The station commander for Kasane police, Ntaya Tshepo, confirmed that a woman aged 22 was murdered on Tuesday night and a man aged 31 was also found hanging from a tree the next morning in what is suspected to be a suicide.Tshepo said the woman was found with multiple wounds on her body, suspected to have been caused by a sharp instrument. Tshepo said they cannot link the two deaths as investigations are continuing.

Passion killings have in the past rocked the country to an extent where authorities appealed for couples to seek advice when having misunderstandings.

It always appears that most passions killing are a result of jealousy after one partner wanted to end the relationship or was seeing another person.

Top tracker gored to death by buffalo

One of Maun's best known trackers has been gored to death by a buffalo near Toteng.

He was Tshimologo Kgomoietshwa who worked with leading guides in the Okavango delta for more than 50 years. The incident happened when he and a friend were following buffalo in the Matsobe delta area.

According to his family, it appeared that Kgomoietshwa and another man had broken the knee of one of the animals. The injured buffalo stormed the men, one of whom took cover under thick bushes while the other was gored several times. It is believed Kgomoietshwa died instantly.

The badly mutilated body was only found until the following day.

Police are investigating.

SHOCK LICENCE DEALS

By Bright Kholi and Molefhi Manyepedza

Maun is a hot spot for the sale of illegal driver's licences.

Some government driving examiners are known to demand money to help learners to pass theory tests, yard tests and road tests. This may explain the poor driving skills by taxi drivers and many others. The question though is whether these people went through legitimate driving schools and whether they completed all the tests.

Information reaching The Ngami Times is that results, allegedly tampered with by an examiner, will show that one has passed and this information is then be entered into a computer and the driver's licence issued.

Examiners involved in the scam are also said to be colluding with some driving schools which find customers for them. This is said to done in such a way that the person who gets the licence would appear as if he has passed all the tests. All the examiner does is to make sure you are booked in the normal way, then you may not even sit for the theory tests but your marks will appear. The same goes for the yard and road tests.

So everything would look legitimate on the computers. The problem is that the buyer would not have sat for the tests or failed it and had been made to pass. There is no mechanism to check balances against what is entered on the system and the original testing document, said an anonymous source who claims to have been approached.

He said the prices for the entire package range from P3 000 to P4 000 depending on whether the person knows you.

In an interview with The Ngami Times this week, the public relations officer in the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS), Amos Motshegwe, said he is not aware that licenses were being sold in Maun.

I can't deny or say that is what happens but what I can say is that there are always some corrupt officers within the department who need to be rooted out, Motshegwe said.

He said in cases of allegations like those in Maun, they need the support of the public to report any wrongdoing by officers - we rely on the assumption that officers will be responsible enough to carry on their mandate diligently but sometimes the public is to blame for enticing the staff with money, he said and urged people approached by an examiner selling a licence to immediately report the matter to the police.

Motshegwe felt that people go to the extent of obtaining licenses illegally even when they can easily read the theory manual and pass the tests, and then go to driving schools to be taught how to drive.

He said sometimes illegal licenses can be traced even after the buyer had been using it for some time, but one has to be very careful to find one which has been taken through all the steps in the system.

DRTS Maun station manager Patrick Ranko also said he is not aware that corruption exists in Maun. He would not discuss speculation because he does not know what goes through the minds of his colleagues with regard to issuing licenses.

We have 5 examiners who have been appointed by the Minister of Works and Transport on the expectation that they do what is expected. I cannot say there is an examiner who sells licenses because that depends on the individual's moral fibre, Ranko said.

He added that theory examinations answer sheets and marking keys are not safe in the office where they are kept as everyone has access to them. Ranko said when it comes to copying in the exam room, it is impossible as those being examined do not write the same exam.

Maun assistant transport officer Tshireletso Motswiri said it is impossible for a driver's license to be bought or sold to another person.

He said drivers' licenses are stored in systems to help transport officers during replacing and renewals. During the replacement of old licences, one has to bring a report from the police showing that his/her driver's license is lost in which case a copy of the first licence will be issued, Motswiri added.

He did not know of any technique used to delete and replace the image on a drivers' licence card.

Accused claim innocence over State cheques

By Keagisitswe Dioka

Tebogo Mompati Bojong and Kazera Ngaruka, charged for stealing by servant and forgery respectively, have both pleaded their innocence in the trial of a case of fraud in which a P59 000 cheque was forged.

Bojong, who is alleged to have stolen eight government cheques, testified in court before Maun Principal Magistrate, Clifford Foroma.

A witness who had earlier testified said he had seen Bojong at one Samunzala's place. It is alleged Samunzala had forged the cheque.

Bojong testified that all that Makgobe saw was his imagination as he (Bojong) was in Gaborone when Makgobe went to Samuzala's place while he was still auditing at Maun Revenue Office a day before they left.

He said after three weeks Directorate of Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) officers came to his office. He said he told an officer named Ketlhoilwe that he had heard about the missing cheques while he was still in Maun. According to him he was searched and nothing was retrieved from him. Bojong added the investigating officer told him that Samunzala was found with blank cheques and he was told that he had slept at Samunzala's place while in Maun.

When cross-examining the accused, the prosecutor for the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Pascal Mhandu, put it to him that he is the one who stole the cheques from Maun Revenue Office and gave them to Samunzala. Bojong denied this, saying he never stole any cheque and adding that cheques were locked in a safe.

Bojong labelled Makgobe a blatant liar who was lying for the sake of it.

Mhandu also asked him whether Samunzala might have been given those cheques by someone else and Bojong told him that there is a possibility that he may have stolen them or got them from someone.

Another accused, who is facing a single count offence of forging a Barclays Bank cheque for P59 000, was Kazera Ngaruka, a Health Administrator, who gave unsworn testimony.

He was represented by Tshekiso Tshekiso, of Kgalemang and Associates. He told the court that he never forged any cheque adding that he did not know about it and only came across it in court.

He further told the court that he accompanied Samunzala to Nthoo Commercial School where he said he was going to type his curriculum vitae. He said upon their arrival at Nthoo, he was playing with a computer while Samuzala was assisted by Babini Morula to type using a type writer.

Ngaruka further said as they were still typing Samuzala asked him to assist and he realised that Morula was typing a cheque for Samuzala.

Ngaruka told the court that he left the two as there was nothing he could do on someone's cheque. He told the court that he was surprised that a typewriter can write a cheque. He continued that after Samuzala was done with what he was doing, they took Morula and dropped her at her place and later Samuzala at his place. The other accused person in this case is Sunday Samuzala, while Gonnamang Setlhodi was an accomplice witness.

According to the charge sheet, on June 14, 2006, Bojong was employed by the Auditor General's Office at the revenue office in Maun and stole eight blank Barclays Bank cheques belonging to the government. The forgery count related to Samuzala and Ngaruka, who acting together forged a Barclays Bank cheque on June 16, 2006, claiming it to be a cheque drawn by the Government of Botswana in favour of Sentlhaga General Dealer to the sum of P59 000.

In June 19, 2006, Sethodi knowingly and fraudulently uttered the forged cheque in favour of Sentlhaga General Dealer. The accused persons will know their fate on June 30 when their case comes up for judgment.

Bright Kholi promoted to top position

The Senior News Reporter of The Ngami Times, Bright Kholi, has been promoted to News Editor and Editor's Assistant.

Kholi has had a distinguished career with the newspaper, and reported on many issues. He was the winner of the 2007 Population and Development Reporting Award presented by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Botswana Chapter). He has interviewed many prominent personalities, among them Morgan Tsvangarai, the prime minister of Zimbabwe, and also attended numerous conferences, courses or workshops on behalf of the newspaper.

These include reporting on labour issues, population and development reporting, SADC media conference in Zambia, HIV and AIDS reporting, child rights and the media and a Kodak photography skills course.

Editor: Norman Chandler

Editorial Comment: Bright Kholi

Dust settles on a damaging lawsuit

It is with relief that President Ian Khama has decided to withdraw his lawsuit against the Sunday Standard newspaper.

The nation was watching anxiously and wondering where this was all heading following publication of a story in that newspaper linking the President to the death of a man allegedly shot by security agents in Gaborone last month.

We would like to thank the President for listening to words of advice as the lawsuit would not have been good for the country.

As we said earlier, Ntwa Kgolo ke molomo and it would appear the two parties have indeed considered their options. They would be advised to stick to their mandates with the zeal that the nation expects and avoid such instances.

Freedom of expression should be cherished and we should also accommodate divergent opinions to enhance our democracy. It should also be noted that in our endeavours as journalists, we should be mindful of the rights of other people and above all be ethical and professional.

At the end of the day we are all partners in ensuring that Botswana is developed and protected.

Maun users of cellphones cannot understand why their text messages (SMS) are not arriving at intended destinations internationally and locally.

For much of this week, the messages have, according to cellphones from both local operators, been sent but after enquiries to the recipients, it transpires nothing had been received.

Of course no one wants to take the blame service providers or the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) which provides the equipment used for the service in the first place.

To cap that, the internet and the e-mail services were also affected. Apparently this was caused by a change-over unannounced of course from one system to another involving fibre optic cables. It would be so helpful if service providers and BTC took the trouble to advise the general public, believe it or not we are their customers, of breaks in service. Shuffle wonders whether this situation is not being brought about by the government's stated policy of intercepting SMS messages, e-mails and cellphone calls as part of its national security apparatus.

Whatever the case, someone should do something about it and not leave the public hanging, as it were.

What ever happened to transparency?

Last week's edition of this family newspaper was probably one of the most difficult to produce in the 10 year history of the publication.

There were numerous problems associated with the printing and publishing a 12-page newspaper packed with advertising, and inevitably the amount of space available for news stories was seriously affected.

Our problems started when our suppliers in Gaborone informed us they had sold off all their stock to another company incidentally, based in Maun as we later discovered.

Of course, this was a body blow as there was literally no newsprint suitable.

Frantic efforts to source newsprint were made but without success and the decision was taken to produce a 12 page newspaper and cut back on editorial content because of the large amount of advertising that had been received.

We hope that readers understand. This newspaper prints in Maun and has to rely very heavily on suppliers in Gaborone and Johannesburg. If the suppliers should run out of paper then we have a major situation developing.

Many people must have been mystified on Saturday when they tried to tune in to the TV coverage of the opening ceremony and first game of the Confederations Cup football tournament in Johannesburg.

Yes, it was there, but it was all in Portuguese. Now one understands that Angola and Mozambique speak Portuguese, but Botswana? The pre-tournament advertising said coverage would be in English and Portuguese.

Hopefully by the time this goes to print, MultiChoice will have sorted out the problem or didn't anyone bother to check!

While on the subject of TV, Shuffle noted that Botswana TV's slot on DSTV remained blank for the whole of Saturday afternoon.

The reason appears to be that BTV bought free to air rights for the tournament but have been compelled by the rights holder to restrict the signal to the geographic territory in other words, television that is not distributed via satellite, as is the case to Maun. Therefore it does not cover much of the country.

Anyone who watches BTV via satellite using either a DSTV decoder or any other decoder will be blacked out for the duration of the game being broadcast.

This is a waste of money for people who subscribe to MultiChoice Botswana as their programming opportunities have been wiped out. The question therefore is: Is it worth the money if BTV cannot get its house in order?

**

Did you know? Insects are, by far, the most diverse group of organisms on Earth, and must intrigue anyone with the slightest interest in the natural world. The total number of named insects species lies between 800 000 and 1-million, which is about 55% of all known species on Earth and several times the total number of plants (260 000) or vertebrates (50 000). It may be surprising that the number of insect species cannot be given with greater precision.

Rape accused escapes conviction

By Keagisitswe Dioka

A 31 year old Maun man, Benito Thabang Mazinyane, who was charged with raping a 25 year old Etsha 13, woman is a free man after Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma dismissed the complainant's evidence and discharged and acquitted him.

Foroma said some factors had to be considered, such as whether the intercourse that allegedly took place was lawful or not. Foroma said it was clear that the complainant knew the accused, and that on the day of the alleged incident she willingly opened the door for the complainant to enter her house. She left the keys in the lock and the accused started undressing himself while the complainant was sitting on the other side of the bed looking at him.

He said all this time the complainant never screamed or called for help to show that the accused was doing something she did not agree with.

The complainant's behaviour led the court to believe that there was no rape. Foroma said the complainant allowed the accused person to have carnal knowledge with her without a condom and did not resist.

Foroma said in most cases similar to this one, a man might think that a woman does not have problem in having sex with him.

He also said the complainant said she did not scream because she feared the accused, but her defence was also dismissed as Foroma said it is clear that the accused was not aggressive, adding that even the keys were left hanging in the door.

The complainant agreed to have sex and afterwards told the accused she was going to the toilet while she reported the matter to her mother. It was also revealed that the accused had waited for the complainant for a long while until he left to go home. He was arrested the following day while sleeping.

He said the accused could have run away if he knew that he committed such an offence and Foroma again told the court 'the complainant's behaviour does not show that the incident was without her consent.'' The complainant's house near her mother's and she (her mother) would have heard her screaming for help. Foroma said there was no way he could convict the accused for rape considering the circumstances surrounding the complainant's behaviour. When conducting his defence, Mazinyane, had told the court that he went for traditional healing on July 3, 2008 at Etsha 13 and had been taken there by the complainant. He later proposed to her and they made an appointment to meet.

She had also shown him her house and had later gone to the house as agreed. They had sex together and later the complainant asked for money to buy toiletries but he told her he did not have any money.

He added that the complainant had reported him to the police because he told her that he did not have money to give her.

The prosecutor was Patrick Fane, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Berserk man takes on police

MAKALAMABEDI There was blood everywhere as a man went berserk in the charge office at Makalamabedi police station at the weekend.

He had gone to the police station to search for his wife, who had left home to report having been allegedly assaulted by him.

While police were trying to assist the woman, the man burst into the charge officer and began fighting the police who retaliated at the man, described as aggressive. A woman officer and another colleague ran out the building, leaving the man and his wife inside.

The man then took his wife home.

A police officer said that he was flabbergasted by the actions of people who expect us to help them.

Investigations into the circumstances of the fighting are continuing.

Excited children at Bonatla Primary School in Maun look on as the year of the African Child is celebrated this week.Bonatla school head Dorcas Sethoko said this day is for the kids. They were killed and tortured, and that is why this day was declared the Day of the African Child in 1991., that is why we are gathered here today, she said.

No.1 Detective Agency now in Afrikaans

Botswana's best known novel has been translated into Afrikaans.

The No 1 Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith, has already been made into a film which was shot in various areas, including Ramotswa, from which the detective of the book, Precious Ramotswe, gets her name. The New York Times, one of the United States' most distinguished newspapers, has described her as the Miss Marples of Botswana. Top mystery author Agatha Christie wrote a series of novels concerning the fictional Miss Marples, a do-gooder detective character. In a wide-ranging interview with the Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Rapport the No 1 detective Agency author says that the first three books about Precious Ramotswa have all been translated in to Afrikaans.

What is it that makes McCall Smith's books so fascinating? says the report. He himself is a retired professor in something as dry as the law. Medical law at that.

It also asks why the books were translated in to Afrikaans and finds the reason is because the language is interesting and living with a fascinating history.

Okavango flood excites international interest

The annual flooding of the Okavango delta which has this year seen airstrips and low lying areas under water has created huge international interest.

The phenomenon is regarded as one of nature's miracles as the water flowing in to the Okavango River and spreading through the delta before reaching Lake Ngami and the Kalahari Desert is unparalleled in most parts of the world. This year's high flood levels are the talk of the region. After more than a decade of decreasing water levels in the Delta, channels are now overflowing and dry riverbeds are being transformed.

What is the explanation behind this seemingly sudden generosity of nature? How long can it last? Scientists at the University of Botswana's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in Maun have been studying the water regime of the Okavango intensively since the Centre was established in 1996.When asked these questions, Professor Lars Ramberg says the only constant we have in the Okavango Delta is change. Variability in the flow of water is the rule. This is because the rainfalls in Angola have large variations from year to year, and it is from that the inflowing Okavango River is getting all its water. Climate change is compounding the problem as we anticipate a general trend towards dryer conditions, but looking at historical data collected by the government we can develop models for predicting the likelihood of wet and dry periods. It appears that we are now entering a period of increased inflow and larger areas flooded in the Delta. A key tool in understanding in predicting water flows is the HOORC hydrological model developed by HOORC hydrologist Piotr Wolski.

This model was used recently to provide planning information to the National Disaster Management Office in anticipation of the flood's arrival at southern settlements along the Delta's out flowing river channels. The rapid rise of waters in the geologically constrained panhandle caused flooding in some northern settlements. However, the flood pulse was not sustained and, after spreading through the permanent swamps, it appears that water levels reaching settlements at the end will not be significantly greater than those experienced in recent years. Large wetlands like the Okavango, because their flooding have many effects on for instance fish, wildlife and people's livelihood, are ideal for studying the multitude of effects caused by the flood.

In February next year leading wetlands scientists from all over the world will be in Maun to debate the significance of the Okavango's latest floods.

An international symposium, Wetlands in a Flood Pulsing Environment: effects on Biodiversity, Ecosystem Function and Human Society, will find ecologists, water engineers, historians, public health and livelihoods specialists talking about these patterns and how they affect the people who depend on these environments.

HOORC and the BIOKAVANGO project are hosting the meeting which will also look at other large wetlands such as the Pantanal in Brazil, the Everglades in the United States and the marshes of Mesopotamia in Iraq and Iran.

Major shake up for Botswana civil aviation

Participants who attended a recent stake holder's workshop on civil aviation regulations have been told of the government's intention to empower the Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB) with millions of pula after being convinced that the industry was doing exceptionally well, and after recognizing the tremendous economic potential played by civil aviation.

This was said by CAAB chief executive secretary Meshesha Belayneh who also spoke about the government's plan to liberalise scheduled flights on domestic and regional routes that will enable many operators to join existing service providers and which will result in more passenger traffic. He added that the new development will not only be beneficial but also worthwhile to those who will be in a position to comply with international safety and security standards.

In order to keep up with international standards, we will have to review some parts of the existing regulations as well as the new ones. It is also for this reason that CAAB wishes to set in place new aviation safety and security management systems to ensure that Botswana skies are safer.

The regulations will also help us to guarantee the safety and security of passengers and aircrafts, he said. The Director of Air Transport, Bernard Labrosse, said it is also intended to provide a statutory body whose main objective will be to address the issue of scheduled services, both domestic and international, and that there will be need for the authority to be equipped with regulatory tools which will control and monitor carrier activities in a completely different environment.

He said that new carriers will be from the private sector and not from parastatals.

Botswana is Africa's most peaceful country'

Botswana has been ranked as one of the world's most peaceful countries.

The newly released 2009 Global Peace Index (GPI) says it is also the most peaceful country in Africa.

Botswana's 34 out of the 144 countries measured in the survey, up six places from last year placing it just ahead of the United Kingdom. According to the survey's authors, Botswana high position was a result of minimal militarisation, an absence of external or internal conflicts and relatively low scores for most measures of safety and security, although they further note that the homicide rate remains relatively high.

Botswana stands in sharp contrast to South Africa and Zimbabwe, which were both singled out as numbering among the world's least peaceful societies. New Zealand was ranked as the world's most peaceful nation, followed by Denmark and Norway. The world's least peaceful nations were reported to be Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia.

Botswana's standing is also consistent with recent Afrobarometer findings, which showed 72% of Batswana expressing trust in both the courts and police service and 76% agreeing that people were rarely or never treated unequally under the law.

The Global Peace Index is maintained by the Institute for Economics and Peace and developed in consultation with an international panel of experts with data collected and analysed by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Refugee practices medicines unlawfully

By Keagisitswe Dioka

A 45 year old Angolan refugee at Dukwi has appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma for unlawfully practicing medicine.

Augustine Mande is alleged to have unlawfully assisted people as a medical practitioner and practiced without a licence between January and June 2009 at Phanga ward in Shakawe. He was not a registered medical practitioner.

Mande pleaded guilty to the offence.

The prosecutor was Luanda Antonio, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, who told the court that investigations are still ongoing, adding that drugs have been taken to the forensic laboratory for further testing. He asked for the accused to be remanded in custody as he said Mande is a refugee from Angola. Mande told the court that a Pharmacy Assistant was called by the police and identified the medicines and their use. He added the pharmacy assistant said the medicines are used in all hospitals.

The court heard that some of the medicines were not identified as they do not have names. The accused was remanded in custody and will appear for mention on June 25.

Council driver in court for defilement

By Keagisitswe Dioka

A 36 year old North West District Council driver, Oiphemetse Sekao, has appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma on a count of defilement. According to the charge sheet, the accused had sometime between 2002 and 2004 at Kareng defiled a 15 year old girl. The accused person has pleaded not guilty to the offence. Ogomoditse Soonyana, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, told the court that investigations were complete, adding that the State would call four witnesses. He then asked for a trial date to be set.

Sekao was earlier charged for the offence of threat to kill which was then changed to that of defilement. He appears for mention on August 4, and the trial will be on October 5.

Expensive camera found in muddy pool

Gift Ashley Nkubu with the camera he found along with fellow worker Galejewe Chacks Keleofile.

American tourists who were bumping over Maun's uneven dirt roads during the height of the rainstorms last week discovered when they reached their lodge that an expensive camera was missing.

They searched high and low for the Canon model EOS, but could not find it.

What they didn't know was that the camera, in its casing, had fallen off their safari vehicle and into a pool of water opposite the Fridge Air company near Maun airport.

This is when the story gets really interesting.

Two of the company's employees Gift Ashley Nkubu and Galejewe Chacks Keleofile - were gingerly stepping over water and mud in a futile bid to keep their footwear clean when they spied a bag lying in the water. Inside was the camera, a very expensive model. They took the camera to Fridge Air director Kamal Pullitikurthi who checked with surrounding restaurants and the airport to see if anyone had reported a camera as missing. No one could offer any assistance so he turned to this newspaper for help.

At The Ngami Times offices on Tuesday, it was decided to feature the missing item in a news story.

By coincidence, while in conversation with an employee of a luxury lodge in Maun, a staff member casually mentioned the camera and its obvious value. The employee reacted immediately, saying clients had told the lodge management about the matter. In an attempt to find the owners, who had by then left for a luxury lodge in the Okavango delta, a decision was taken to download any images which could help in identifying the owners. One was a picture of a Maun pilot known to Pullitikurthi. He immediately telephoned the pilot who said he had met briefly with the tourists at the luxury lodge only that day - and that they would be returning to Maun on Wednesday. It is a miracle that my employees saw the bag. Their honesty is highly commended and shows that there are very honest people in Maun, said Pullitikurthi.

Local lodge under new management

By Basadi Morokotso

The Kesmo Lodge in Maun has come under new management. It has been taken over by experienced hoteliers Isaac Seredile and Kenneth and Eddie Karanga, who are also directors of a hospitality and tourism training institute in Maun.

The three have worked for well known hotel chains as well as being independent operators in African.

According to Kenneth Karanja, the running of the lodge came as a blessing in disguise for them and an ideal opportunity as they already had in place plans to utilise it for training students, especially those in the catering field so as to help improve their knowledge while at the same time empowering them.

They also intend to build on Kesmo's reputation by offering new menus as well as developing extensive leisure facilities.

Our experience and drive will also help develop the business, maximizing its potential and creating new opportunities for growth, Karanga said.

The lodge has a state of the art conference hall, a bar, a garden overlooking the popular Big Tree recreation area, 10 accommodation suites and other facilities.

Burglar sentenced to prison

By Amantle Rebaone

Thato Makhao, 21, has appeared before Maun chief magistrate Mmopa Baakile for burglary and was sentenced to 3 and half years imprisonment of which 2 years was suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. He was also sentenced to 18 months for the second count of theft, and the sentences are to run concurrently. The accused pleaded guilty to both counts. A second accused, Mojaboswa Mologasegwe, pleaded not guilty.

According to the facts, the two accused broke into the house of Violet Morris in Botshabelo on May 12, 2007 using a screwdriver to open the door. They stole goods valued at P17 656.95.

Among the stolen items were a DSTV decoder, a camera, a keyboard, and two radios. Some of the items where found at the second accused's house by the police.

When passing sentence, Baakile said one of the factors he had to consider was the accused is young and a first offender, and he had pleaded guilty. Also taken into account were the interests of society and the seriousness of the offence.

The prosecutor was Nkaelang Lekgowa, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Parents urged to take responsibility

By Basadi Morokotso

MABABE - Chobe MP Duncan Mlazie has called on parents to take ownership and be accountable for the upbringing of their children while at the same time seeing to it that their rights are not being violated in a way.

He said this in here on Tuesday during the commemorations of The Day of the African Child attended by pupils from Shorobe, Mababe, Sankuyo and Matsaudi primary schools.

The day is celebrated annually in remembarance of the 1976 Soweto protests by South African students, many of whom were shot dead after they had demanded that government improve the quality of education in their country, as well as the demand to be taught in their own ethnic languages

The United Nations was prompted to make rules and regulations that governed the welfare and rights of children, also giving priority to their health status, right to privacy, right to know their biological parents, right to national security, and right to speak openly.

Mlazie said the government of Botswana also went a step forward at the last parliament sitting by passing the Children's Act which explains the role of both parents in dealing with matters pertaining to the livelihood of their children.

He criticised parents who distance themselves from their children, adding that in such incidents, children are always made to live under harsh conditions which have changed their lives for the bad because parents have neglected them and failed to guide them while growing up.

Gofaone Gakena, a student at Mababe Primary who was also crowned Miss June 16 said children need to be placed in a position where they also enjoy life, let alone their youth, by those who are charged with such a responsibility, adding that this can only be achieved if their rights are taken heed of.

The event ended with the handing over of 75 blankets by Mlazie. He said the blankets should be distributed among children in need at Sankuyo, Khwai and Mababe primary schools. He promised to donate the same to Shorobe Primary School soon.

Big Brother is watching YOU and listening to what you say

Special Correspondent

Few people are aware of the existence of a massive, clandestine spy network (or signals intelligence collection system)shared by mostly Western nations that is capable of intercepting and inspecting the content of all telephone calls, fax transmissions, text messages (SMS transmissions), emails, and other forms of electronic communications sent across the world.

Known as the Echelon system, it is capable of intercepting satellite transmissions, transmissions on the public switched telephone network (PSTN) (which carries most Internet traffic), and transmissions carried by microwave links.

The PSTN is the network of the world's public circuit-switched telephone networks (in much the same way that the Internet is the network of the world's public IP-based packet-switched networks). The PSTN is now almost entirely digital, and includes both mobile and landline telephones.

The system shared by and operated on behalf of five signatory states to what is known as the UKUSA Security Agreement of 1948 United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. It is widely presumed that other nations, particularly in southern Africa, have links to the system.

The stated purpose of the UKUSA treaty was to create a single vast global intelligence organization sharing a common agenda and common goals.

Each of the five signatory nations has its own signals intelligence agency and Echelon allows these agencies to function as one integrated unit for the collection and analysis of signals intelligence information from all over the world. The computers located at stations all over the world are referred to as echelon dictionaries. These computers are loaded with files containing key words. Messages in the data stream (or intercept) are scanned for the occurrence of these key words, and those messages which are flagged by the system are diverted for further processing. An echelon dictionary for a given nation does not only contain key words pertaining to that nation's intelligence-gathering efforts but also contains lists of key words pertaining to the intelligence-gathering efforts of the other nations. An incoming message is therefore scanned for occurrences of any of the key words on any of the lists for the different nations.

If a message contains a key word on the list provided by a given nation's agency, the message is automatically flagged and sent directly to the headquarters of the agency in question.

When a message is selected, the Dictionary computer automatically notes technical details such as the time and place of intercept, and writes the four-digit code associated with that category of intercept at the bottom of the message's text. This is very important after the messages have been intercepted, all of the messages pertaining to a particular subject can be retrieved from the database simply by searching the database for all messages tagged with the four-digit code associated with that subject. Voice recognition software now makes it possible for key words to be recognized in a stream of conversation. Applying the methodology described above, it is possible to intercept and read hundreds of millions of telephone conversations on a daily basis, and to flag those which match key words. Improvements in computer processing speeds and storage capacity make it possible to store massive quantities of information with very low overheads.

The widespread usage of fibre optic cables such as that now being completed in countries such as Botswana - changed the face of international communications entirely. Satellites were used for almost all point-to-point applications (telephone networks, Internet networks) but there has been a marked shift away from satellites to fibre optic transmission.

A ring of international telecommunications satellites used by the telephone companies of most nations circles the world. The satellites in this ring are all geostationary (each satellite remains directly above the same point on the surface of the planet at all times, day and night), and each satellite serves as a relay station for hundreds of thousands of simultaneous telephone calls, fax transmissions, text messages, teletypes, and emails. Through intelligence sharing, it is possible for a government to spy on its own citizens and to read the private correspondence of individuals, businesses, and government entities. A report published by the European Parliament in February 2000 alleged that the system helped American companies gain a commercial advantage over European firms.

It is reasonable to assume that ECHELON intercepts and listens to every telephone call, email, fax transmission, video transmission, teletype transmission, etc. and that the power of this system will only increase (and increase dramatically) with the passage of time. We now live in a surveillance society in which a government is able to track every move made by its citizens.

Hearing to decide the remainder of the league

Nhabe regional league has almost come to an end with most of the teams having completed their games, and Maun Tigers crowned as league champions.

However, it is not yet clear or decided who will occupy second spot but for now Gunners of Khwai have finished all their games and are right behind Tigers with 33 points. BMC follows on 3 rd place with 36 points from 21 games and they are waiting for the decision on their match against North West United which was abandoned after they scored a late winner which infuriated the Elephants players when they were denied the goal. BMC will be looking forward to a fair judgment from the league committee and any decision that favours them will mean that they have to play against Gunners of Khwai for 2 nd spot and also to decide who will play in the Coca Cola Cup next year.

According to the play rules and regulations, no team can proceed or win a league or avoid relegation on forfeited points, and that obviously means that the team has to play against the disadvantaged side to decide the winner. Delta Winds are still up there with a chance to occupy second spot as they have played 20 games, and have 35 points, but they are also waiting for a decision on their two games - against Maun United, who failed to show up for the fixture, and the Sankoyo match which was called off by referee Jack Casalis after Delta Winds submitted their match sheet too late. On the other hand, Sankoyo are also in with a chance and their chances are similar to BMC and Delta Winds.

At the bottom of the log, CTO and Maun United seem destined for the second division next season. CTO's dreams were shattered over the weekend when they were sent packing to the second division after a 5-1 drubbing by Gunners of Khwai. Maun United also lost by 5-2 to Gunners of Khwai and they are grounded at the bottom of the table with 17 points from 20 games.

After failing to report for their fixtures against Makgabisanaga and Delta Winds, they are waiting for the hearing and report of why they failed to fulfill their fixture. Meanwhile the league match between Delta Winds and Sankoyo Bush Bucks was called off after Delta Winds submitted their match sheet late to the match commissioner. According to match commissioner Kebonyethebe Dikgathatso, all the teams were at the ground on time but Delta Winds handed in their match sheet late.

A decision on this matter will be called for a hearing.

Tigers step up preparations for play-offs

Nhabe regional league giants Maun Tigers are in full swing preparing for the relegation plays offs to be played in Selebi Phikwe next month.

The team has been playing friendly games all around the region trying to build a very strong squad. The dates the play-offs has still to be finalised as the organising committee is still awaiting other regions which have not yet finished their league seasons.

According to sources, Francistown is the only region which the committee is now waiting for to complete their league. Tigers are getting all the necessary support to prepare and make themselves ready and are using Maun Sports Complex for their training purposes.

On Wednesday night, the local teams formed a selection of players around the region to play against Tigers. The select was organised to give Tigers a competitive training session as well as to test the teams' strength.

Coaching for conservation and not conversation!'

Coaching for Conservation will be hosting the 6 th annual conservation and football camp at Maun Sports Complex from July 6 to 10. Over 600 children from Maun primary schools will take part. Coaching for Conservation is the primary social development program of the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust, which is a globally recognised wildlife conservation research program. In last week's edition it was erroneously stated that Coaching for Conversation would be taking place. The error is regretted.

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14 Jun 2009 19:31

Edition 463 12 - 19June, 2009

A bad drink .Livestock drink filthy water that is discharged from the Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital water treatment plant. The water, that flows down an open trench and carries litter and pollutants before being discharged into the Maun Educational Park , continues despite complaints that it is a hazard to the environment. The Ngami Times is still waiting responses from some departments in a bid to establish whose project it is and whether it is safe to discharge the water into the park. Some of the water is also known to have entered the Thamalakane River. Residents have also complained of a bad smell in the area.

Highest June rainfall in years

This week's rainfall over Maun is the highest recorded for the month of June in the 88 years since records began.

Rain began falling over the whole country on Monday night and continued into midweek with a significant drop in temperatures.

By Thursday, a total of 76.0mm had been recorded for Maun since Monday. At 6am on Tuesday, a total of 21mm had been recorded and on Wednesday there was a further 40mm recorded.

To add to the miseries of thousands of residents and tourists, half the town including much of the central business district - was also blacked out for 90 minutes due to a power failure. Further power cuts of short duration followed

Families living in reed huts were particularly affected by the sudden cold snap.

The late rain is likely to give a big boost to the annual flooding of the Boro and

Thamalakane rivers. It has also been raining heavily over the Makgadikgadi pans and at Nata and Gweta. Construction work on new airstrips in the Central Kalahari area have been suspended for the time being.

In the Okavango delta, many airstrips were temporarily out of action due to flooding and, as a result of the rain, being too slippery to use safely. Safari companies have confirmed that some clients have not been able to leave camps because of the weather and some hired helicopters to transfer clients. The unseasonal rain has impacted on traditional tourism dry season holiday activities, such as quad biking and mobile safaris, for at least two weeks.

There was some talk of a second peak in river flooding. Well, this is it, delivered right on top of the flood, said one pilot.

Research has shown that Botswana rainfall is linked to the cooling or warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean, known as La-Niña, and which is known to be largely associated with wet conditions whereas El-Nino (the warming of the Pacific Ocean) brings dry conditions.

F U E L S C A M

The police have made a breakthrough investigating a seemingly well-etablished fuel theft syndicate allegedly involving Central Transport Organisation (CTO) employees, filling stations in Maun and fuel tanker drivers.

This follows the arrest of suspects over the weekend when a fuel tanker, which was supposed to be delivering fuel to the CTO, was found by the police while it was, instead, delivering the fuel to a filling station in Maun.

It is alleged that employees of CTO and the driver of the tanker colluded to sell government fuel to the filling station, the name of which is known to The Ngami Times. The police have declined to identify the business.

It is suspected that the scam may have been going on for some time.

The Officer in Charge (CID) Maun Police, Alakanani David, confirmed the incident. According to David, the tanker came from Francistown and the scam was discovered after a tip-off. The driver was arrested and later released. The vehicle was parked next to the police station throughout the week.

David told The Ngami Times that they are awaiting a response from technicians from where the truck originates as to get meter readings, how much diesel has been off-loaded, or if there is any left because at the moment no one knows exactly the amount of fuel involved.

He said investigations will also reveal if there are in fact any CTO employees involved in the scam.

Further investigations will be held after our meeting with the technicians because right now we cannot lay any charges. At the moment there is really nothing that we can say, he said.

A spokesman for the CTO in Maun said he could not comment as the matter as it was still under investigation.

Chinese back to complete rank project

By Boniface Keakabetse

Controversy is still the order of the day as the progress of the Maun infrastructure Development Phase II - a multi million pula project that includes the construction of the new bus and taxi rank, Matshwane industrial site road, pavements in the central business district and the tarring of internal roads - still looks uncertain. North West District Council (NWDC) originally awarded contractors China Jiangsu the contract for Package 1 of Phase II which included construction of the rank, industrial roads and paving.

China Jiangsu failed to complete the work on time while it was also apparently using sub- standard and unspecified materials. Bearing testimony to the shoddy work on the project, an insignificant amount of rain at the beginning of the previous rainy season turned the bus and taxi rank into a pool of water. Jiangsu asked for an extension of time, claiming delays were caused by the rain but they still failed to complete the construction on time.

Acting under pressure, NWDC terminated the contract and demanded a performance bond of P4.5-million which was to be used to complete the remaining works.

The NWDC then approached another contractor, Tuwana Construction, but it is understood that the contractor reportedly refused any involvement on the completion the remaining works in Package 1.

NWDC public relations officer Wada Motsamai says following the NWDC proposal to Tuwana to complete Package 1 hit a snag, the Council chose to reengage the services of Jiangsu. Jiangsu will attend to the mess and the defects they created and do the remaining works on this project at no cost. Engaging China Jiangsu is neither a situation of reinstating the same contract nor revoking the termination. This is an economic way of saving time and additional funds, she told The Ngami Times in an interview.

Jiangsu apparently used unspecified kerb stones on the bus rank and pavements of the CBD. They still have to construct drains and a sewage system connecting the bus rank with the main sewage system, attend to defects on the toilet block, erect fencing and provide the electrification of the rank.

The contractor has to get leveling requirements both on the bus rank and the pavements. They still have to construct a culvert channeling water from the centre of the town to the river, cover all the drains along Tsheko Tsheko and Tsaro roads and plant trees and do landscaping.

Upon the termination of the contract, NWDC had three options - they could engage a new contractor, complete the project using its own resources or allow the terminated contractor to carry out the remaining works upon its appeal to the council secretary. Motsamai says China Jiangsu is expected to finish the outstanding works by December this year, however this remain to be seen.

Maun airport bombshell

The bombshell news that renovations and improvement to Maun airport the second busiest in terms of aircraft movements in southern Africa has been put on hold once again is astonishing.

The official government position is that upgrades to Gaborone and Francistown airports must be completed before work can start on Maun. That means well into 2010 before anything is done.

One would have thought that with Maun as the tourism capital of this country, the airport needed a shot in the arm to cater for thousands of visitors. Maun airport is far busier than Francistown, for instance, and is desperately in need of improvements.

A start to the renovation of Maun airport was due more than two years ago and was to have been completed in 2010 to meet the expected influx of visitors during the football World Cup. Then came the announcement that it would be delayed with a completion date scheduled for 2011.

The revised completion date now is anybody's guess.

The government uprooted hundreds of residents from Botshabelo and Sedie wards to make way for the development. There were protests about it, protests which looking at today's situation may well have been justified.

We urge the government to rethink its strategy towards this airport and stop delaying progress.

Cap in hand to get a loan

The global economic crisis has obviously affected Botswana in more ways than has been disclosed by the government.

The decision to borrow billions of pula from the African Development Bank speaks volumes about the nature of our finances at this critical time and begs the question of how could the Bank of Botswana and various Cabinet ministers tell the country that the recession is not affecting Botswana.

We have already seen cuts in budgets ranging from ministries to district councils, with the resultant pigeon-holing of projects.

Is it due to a lack of vision that we have now had to go cap in hand to the African Development Bank to borrow money?

Maun airport has become a victim of the global economic downturn as it seems that construction work will only get under way after the first quarter of 2010.

Shuffle casts his mind back to when the project was first announced and how it was parroted from the rooftops that Botswana was expecting a flood of tourists drawn to southern Africa for football's World Cup that facilities had to be upgraded.

A year went by, and then another as hundreds of disgruntled residents of Botshabelo and Sedie were uprooted from their homes (at a price of course) to make way for the proposed new 3.7km runway, and sent packing to Disaneng Ext and Matshwane bush country that had to be cleared, services laid on and so on.

It was an expensive exercise not appreciated by the residents.

Politicians got involved in the row, townspeople had dark thoughts about air travel in all its forms, and the pundits sat back and predicted delay after delay. Regretfully, the pundits were right! Will 2010 come and go and still no work is done on the airport? Or are we being sarcastic?

Shuffle's airport spies tell of how large executive jets landed here the other day and disgorged members of one of India's wealthiest families.

They had come to see the abundant wildlife of this land of ours and probably also to do a little photographic hunting.

Also in town has been King Juan Carlos of Spain. He and a few friends spent a couple of days at a luxury lodge on the outskirts of Maun. The king is a regular visitor to Maun.

**

Shuffle, who has had his heart shocked into a regular beat, enjoys these doctor-patient exchanges!

Q : Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A : Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out   eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q : Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A : You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat?   Hay and corn.   And what are these?   Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of   delivering vegetables to your   system.   Need grain?    Eat chicken.   Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).   And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of   vegetable products.

Q : Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A : No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit.   Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way.   Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms    up!

Q : What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular   exercise programme?

A : Can't think of a single one, sorry. My   philosophy is: No   Pain...Good!

Q :   Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A : YOU'RE NOT   LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Is   chocolate bad for me?

A : Are   you crazy? HELLO   Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good    food around! Q : Is    swimming well for your figure?

A : If swimming is good for your figure,   explain whales to me.

Well,   Shuffle hopes this has cleared up any misconceptions you may   have had about   food   and diets, and remember life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand, chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO, What a   Ride!

Child labour in the spotlight

World Day Against Child Labour being commemorated today (June 12) is to promote public awareness and action to eliminate child labour.

It is the 10 th anniversary of the adoption of an International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention which focused on the worst forms of child labour.

About 100-million girls around the world are involved in child labour, with many undertaking similar types of work as do boys but enduring additional hardships and facing extra risks, says the Botswana Centre for human rights.

In Botswana, the government is committed to ensuring that all children are protected against economic exploitation but more needs to be done to ensure that protective regulations are being adhered to.

Ditshwanelo urges the government to further address the issue which placing particular emphasis on the protection of the rights of girls, the organisation said in a statement.

New school . . . The new Disaneng Primary School started operating on June 1 after the completion of its construction. The school was built to cater for children relocated from Botshabelo to make way to the airport expansion programme which has now been postponed. North West District Council public relations officer Wada Motsamai says the school has a capacity of 280 pupils and each classroom has a maximum of 40. Children from different schools and now living in Disaneng have started enrolling at the new school.

Everyone's asking have all the elephants gone?

By Lets Open

Botswana may have the biggest concentration of elephants in southern Africa but the question being asked is Where are all the elephants? Hunting safari companies are perplexed as to the scarcity of the animals, which are hunted by American, Spanish and others annually in Botswana. The number that can be hunted is strictly controlled through a quota system.Some conservationists, hunters and researchers believe that the lack of large numbers of elephants is because of climate change and there has been a decline in areas such as the Moremi game reserve, the Savuti channels, the Mababe Depression, Sankoyo and as far as the Chobe National Park where large herds normally congregate.

It is thought that a migration across the Namibian highlands to southern Angola is one of the reasons. It is also thought that activities of poachers could be another reason as this may have triggered a herd instinct, resulting in many leaving Botswana or moving towards urban areas for protection. At least seven elephants have been seen in and on the outskirts of Maun in the past fortnight.

Operation Sweep Streets cleans up streets

By Molefi Manyepedza

There was a lot of activity on the streets of Maun last week when the Department of Road Transport and Safety in conjunction with the police traffic department held Operation Sweep streets' to deal with public transport operators. Traffic Inspector Unopa Matembe revealed to The Ngami Times that 149 motorists were arrested in connection with road offences during the operation in Maun. He said the objective was to check the buses, combi and taxi drivers' documents, adherence to permit conditions, adherence to timetables, validate permits in the area of operation and enforce road transportation regularly. People may think this was the first time we have had such an operation but it is our daily duty that Maun traffic department does, Matembe said.

The operation took place from 5am to 10am each morning and again from 4pm to 6.30pm. It was found that most taxi drivers did not carry fire extinguishers or triangles in their vehicles. Matembe said there is need to monitor the conduct of road transport operators particularly more so as the 2010 football World Cup will be hosted in Southern Africa.

In an interview with one of the taxi drivers, he appreciated the operation for removing unroad worthy vehicles from the streets.

These vehicles disturb us on the roads and contribute to road accidents, he added.

Maun schoolboy picked for Craven Week rugby

Former Matshwane primary School sports star Jacque Grobler has been chosen to play for the Free State provincial team in the junior Craven Week rugby tournament in South Africa at the end of June. The tournament brings together the most promising schoolboy talent.

Jacque's parents, Herman and Yvonne Grobler, said this week they were very proud of their son, who has shown all-round sporting abilities. He plays wing for his school side.

He is now a student at Grey College in Bloemfontein.

Maun United could end up in Second Division

Relegation haunted Maun United could see themselves playing in the regional second division league next season. This follows a string of poor results and a management that seemed to have deserted the club. Having played in the Nhabe regional league for many years, United moved to within touching distance of playing in the second division after they failed to honour two fixtures last week.

United's chances of surviving the relegation hang by a thread. They are left with one game before the league season ends, but they have not been called for hearings regarding their non-appearance at the other games.

There are also doubts of them managing in that division. Efforts to get comment from the team's officials were in vain.

Reliable sources told Times Sports that the management appears to have deserted the team, and also of poor attendance at training sessions.

United are not alone in the relegation battle.

Also in the zone are CTO, North West United and Fuji Rollers.

The teams are each left with a game to play but CTO has the most difficult task to avoid going down when they face in-form Gunners of Khwai.

CTO are currently second from the bottom with 20 points from 21 games. They need to win this game and move ahead of Fuji Rollers who are 10th with 22 points.

On their quest for survival, Fuji Rollers have a rather tricky encounter against Cubs who are well settled in 4th place.

North West United will have to wait for the decision on their match against BMC which was abandoned last week.

The second spot position is still vacant, and it seems the battle there is between BMC and Delta Winds. BMC are in second place with a game in hand which will be decided at the hearing after their match against North West was abandoned.

As for Delta Winds, they will be playing Sankoyo in their last league match while the remaining game this weekend will also be decided at the hearing after Maun United failed to show up at the stadium.

Delta Winds are currently 3rd with 35 points and BMC 2nd with 36.

Sankoyo has a chance to occupy second place if BMC and Delta Winds lose all their games and they win their two remaining matches with a wider margin of more than 18 goals.

Meanwhile, the weekend games will wrap up the 2008/9 season.

On Saturday, Delta Winds take on Sankoyo, while Gunners of Khwai face CTO at Maun Technical College ground. Cubs will be playing against Fuji Rollers in the only match at Maun Sports Complex. On Sunday, Gunners are due to face Maun United, and Makgabisanaga brings down the curtain to end the season with a match against Sankoyo.

Confederations Cup kicks off in South Africa

One of the World's most prestigious soccer tournaments, the Confederations Cup, will kick off on Sunday in South Africa.

The tournament will run through to June 28 and brings together world champions Italy and European champions Spain, Confederations Cup holders Brazil, as well as Egypt CAF champions, Iraq, New Zealand, the United States and 2010 World Cup hosting nation, South Africa.

African pride will be seeing the continent's representatives making it through to the finals.

South African President Jacob Zuma said that his country was ready to make history by hosting the Confederations Cup, and next year the World Cup, in Africa for the first time.

Coaching for Conversation prepares for the camp

Coaching for Conversation will be hosting yet another soccer camp in Maun, this was announced last week, when they held an Information Coaching Session at Maun Lodge. A total of 21 primary schools in Maun will be taking part in this year's programme which is scheduled from July 6 to 9.During the training camp, each school will be moving around the field with a team of one soccer coach and one Conversation coach. The camp will involve daily themes including passing, dribbling, skills and shooting. Each of the skills will be linked to real life skills, such as sharing, caring, and health, and a conservation concept. There will be lots time for game, with a focus on various conversation themes.

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07 Jun 2009 14:08

Edition 463 5 - 12 June, 2009

President Ian Khama, with Botswana Democratic Party parliamentary candidate for Maun West, Kgosi Tawana Moremi, singing the BDP anthem at Gumare at the weekend. Insert: Khama pinning a BDP badge on Jacob Nkate, parliamentary candidate for Ngami, at the latter's launch in Gumare. Picture: Bright Kholi

2010 new date for airport work

The long awaited construction of Maun airport, which has seen people being relocated to Matshwane and Disaneng, will take much longer than expected.

Work there has been put on hold until at least April next year.

According to the Public Affairs Manager of the new Civil Aviation Authority Botswana (CAAB), Ban Peke, construction might only start after the first quarter of 2010 provided work at the Gaborone and Francistown airports is completed.

He told The Ngami Times this week that soon after both airports have been 100% complete, construction at Maun and Kasane airports will begin followed by Ghanzi and Selebi Phikwe. The department also intends to upgrade airstrips countrywide.

At Maun, it is expected that there will be a new terminal building and the refurbishing of the existing terminal building as well as the development of a new 3.7 km runway to accommodate Boeing 737s and equivalent classes of aircraft on medium and long range flights

KHAMA ANGER OVER MEDIA

GUMARE President Ian Khama has spoken for the first time about his problems, and a negative relationship, with the country's private media. At the weekend launch here of Jacob Nkate as the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) candidate for the Ngami constituency, he spent a considerable amount of time talking about the latest developments with the private media. He indicated that relationships began souring as the country geared towards the general elections, adding that some media houses appeared to be behind opposition parties as they have developed a tendency of formulating false reports about him and his government. They manufacture stories every week, which have no truth at all, to tarnish my name and that of my government, he said.

According to Khama, he has always had problems with the media and had decided that he wouldn't grant interviews.

However, recently editors had sought an audience to clear the bad relationship.

Khama had agreed to meet the editors after Thapelo Olopeng, a member of the disciplinary committee of the BDP, had been asked by the Editors Forum to mediate between themselves and Khama about their poor relationship.

The Forum raised four issues at a meeting with the President, Olopeng told the Gumare meeting.

The media wanted access to the Office of the President and requested that the President put in place a Press Officer to deal with the media directly. They also wanted Khama to grant interviews if and when these were needed, they wanted to be part of Khama's trips abroad, and wanted him to address issues of the new Media Act.

According to Olopeng, the President met three of the four requests - a Press Officer was put in place, he agreed to grant interviews, and also agreed to take journalists on external trips.

On the issue of the media bill, the president told them that he has no power over it because it was passed by parliament and therefore he could not do anything about it, he said.

Olopeng also noted that during the meeting, Khama told the editors that he does not say they should always praise him, but rather criticise when it's due and offer praise when he has done something good.

He said just as it was thought things were going well, some media houses started writing stories about Khama that were allegedly without foundation.

Olopeng had asked why they were publishing unconfirmed reports even though there was a press officer to talk to, and was told it was speculation . . . part of journalism.

We have since realised not all the media houses are involved, he added.

Khama then told supporters that Botswana is praised by foreign media and said he is surprised by negative reports in the local media.

This kind of reporting has the potential to scare away investors and it shows just how unpatriotic some citizens are, Khama said.

Freedom of expression is enshrined in the constitution and is democratic, but it does not give people the right to insult others.

I still ask myself what they do as the media to help develop the country because this country belongs to all of us, he said.

Times reporters threatened by witness

A witness in a corruption case, Khumoetsile Dikgang, director of Wess Security Company, this week threatened The Ngami Times reporters Keagisitswe Dioka and Molefi Manyepedza in the courtroom.

He told Dioka while the court was in session that he is going to deal with her and further said ' ke tsile go go tsamaisa'' meaning I will make you disappear.

The editor of The Ngami Times, Norman Chandler, said the threat is regarded in the same light as the offence of threat to kill and this newspaper's lawyers are being instructed to look into the matter.

Dioka told Dikgana she was not in court to report on his case but Dikgang however continued to threaten her.

She then told him she was going to report the threats but Dikgang told her to leave the court and go to the police with him - 'I do not care. We can go now to the police. I told you several times not to write about me in your paper.''

He also said in front of various people including other reporters and the accused that he was tired of The Ngami Times as it destroys my company's name, adding 'I'm tired of this nonsense. They are making money out of our names.

Dikgang then tried to assault the reporter but was stopped from doing so by an unidentified man.

Dikgang then threatened Manyepedza, who was holding a camera. He pointed a finger at him, saying 'I do not want nonsense. You still continue writing about me and even trying to take my picture. I will show you who I am. Do not try to violate my rights.''

Dioka then reported the matter to the police whereupon Dikgang was called in for questioning. The matter was handled by Inspector Kaelo Mpindi, of Maun police. Dikgang denied everything in front of other people, including reporters who attended court and those who accompanied him, and told Mpindi that he had once asked Dioka not to write about him and was therefore surprised to see her in court with her notebook and pen busy taking notes.

He stressed that he has lawyers who can easily sue the reporter as well as The Ngami Times on his behalf.

Mpindi told him that as a reporter, Dioka is entitled to have a notebook and a pen adding that it is an offence to point a finger at someone in an argument. He further told him that attempting assault in itself is an offence.

Dioka then said it was not the first time Dikgang had threatened her.

Hendry Costa, a former employee of Wess Security, told Mpindi that he did not know about the threats in court as he was giving evidence but he had heard Dikgang outside the court telling Dioka that he would slap her.

Dikgang previously came to The Ngami Times offices complaining about a report on the same case involving Gasebatho Bohithilwe, a former bye-law officer at Gumare. The case revolves around an amount P3 000 given to Bohithilwe by Dikgang allegedly in favour of Wess Security Company and the report of it was published as a court report, without comment. Dikgang also once appeared in the Maun magistrate's court for failing to pay wages.

The editor of The Ngami Times, Norman Chandler, said the newspaper would continue reporting on court cases unless instructed otherwise by judges and magistrates.

Threats of violence and intimidation towards our reporters by accused persons and witnesses will not be tolerated, he added. Dikgang should understand he is in the public domain once he attends court as an accused or a witness, and his actions and utterances are therefore of public interest. Reporters are the eyes and ears of the public.

Too many accused and witnesses, particularly in Botswana, attempt to intimidate staff of all newspapers.

Botswana borrows P15-billion

The government has borrowed P15-billion (about US$1.5-billion) to offset the country's financial woes due to the global economic crisis.

The money comes from the African Development Bank and is the largest ever loan to a member country.

Known as a budget support loan, it is designed to fill part of the gap in the government's 2009/2010 budget deficit, which is estimated at 13.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), caused by falling commodity prices and particularly that of diamonds.

This is the first time in 17 years that Botswana has had to borrow money. Previously it had contributed to the replenishment of the African Development fund.

Caption that should have appeared. . .

The inadvertent non-appearance of the caption accompanying last week's front page colour photograph has raised much comment in view of the juxtaposition of the picture and a story about a cash scandal involving an elephant.

The Ngami Times wishes to make it clear that the picture did not bear any relation to the story and that the persons depicted in the photograph were also not associated with the story. The caption which failed to appear read as follows: Gift of goats . . . The new North Gate Lodge at Nata was last weekend opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation, Phandu Skelemani, who was presented with three goats by the management. The number will rise soon to five because the two ewes are pregnant. Skelemani is pictured here with his wife, and also the owner of the lodge, Seloma Tiro, at the presentation of the animals. Skelemani unveiled a commemorative plaque. Also present was Oliphant Mfa, MP for Nata/Gweta and Botswana Tourism Board chairperson Myra Sekgororoane.

The Ngami Times wishes to place on record that everything in its power is done to ensure accuracy is reflected in all stories, advertisements and pictures which are published.

A hero's launch for Jakes'

GUMARE - The Botswana Democratic Party's parliamentary candidate for Ngami, Jacob Dickie Nkate, or Jakes' as he is known - together with the party's district council candidates - were on Saturday launched here with pomp and fanfare by President Ian Khama.

It was an event that saw many BDP big wigs in the central committee and MP descend onto Gumare.

Among those present were Isaac Seloko (member of central committee), Ramadeluka Seretse, Frank Ramsden (MP for Maun East and assistant Minister of Works and Transport), Botsalo Ntuane, Kgosi Tawana, Kavis Kario, Kentse Rammidi, Tebelelo Seretse, Duncan Mlazie, Parks Tafa and Kgosi Tawana Moremi.

One would almost give Nkate the green light in Ngami judging by the launch itself and the people who attended but the Ngami constituency is regarded to be under threat from the Opposition pact between BCP and BAM, The event started off with a motorcade ending at the launch venue where a colourful display of party colours was on parade.

A good number of people crowded in and it was all systems go when an army helicopter, carrying Khama, flew over the venue signaling his arrival.

First to take the podium was Maun West parliamentary candidate, Kgosi Tawana Moremi who praised Nkate for his abilities, adding that there is no other candidate for Ngami than Nkate.

Tawana promised that as a region they would work together in campaigning to get a higher popular vote for the BDP. hama spoke at length on a number of issues.

He told the candidates that they should always know that once elected into office, they should know that there are three firsts - people, country and the party. He elaborated further that once in office, they should also be aware that they represent everyone including Opposition members.

Khama came down heavily on the Opposition whom he accused of deliberately attacking him unnecessarily. He said while the BDP preaches its manifesto, the opposition's manifesto is to attack him and his government. They say that I am cruel. I wonder what I have done to be labelled cruel, he said. Khama also noted that he abhors tribalism, emphasising that everyone is a Motswana, regardless of the tribes they belong to.

What is important is that when you have problems or misunderstandings you should sit down and talk, he said.

He said the country is of paramount importance because there will always be one Botswana, adding that every Motswana always act and talk in the best interests of the country. He called on party members to always have the party at heart. He advised that when people want positions in the party, they should not do anything that would divide it but rather unite.

Khama said he did not want factions in the BDP - the general elections are far more important that the central committee elections. We have to come out of the July congress (as) a unity party, he said. Khama described Nkate as a hard working man who has the interests of the party at heart) and that he headed one of the biggest ministries which is also complicated and has the biggest budget. Khama called on the electorate to vote for Nkate. In his acceptance speech, Nkate urged the electorate to assist and guide party nominees.

He noted that developments are visible in the area, adding that there is still a need to do more.

Nkate agreed with Tawana that there is a greater need for them to work as a team - the two Maun constituencies, Ngami, Okavango and Chobe- so that the region remains in BDP hands.

Rape cases in Maun worry police, WAR

By Amantle Rebaone

The number of rape cases in Maun has increased over the last two years according to figures obtained by The Ngami Times from the police.

In 2008, between January-March, there were 12 cases reported but in the corresponding 2009 period, a total of 20 have been recorded.

The increasing trend has been described as unsettling by Maun Police Station commander Robson Maleka and Women against Rape coordinator Mpho Mahopolo.

The police recorded at total of 71 cases for 2008 but looking at the current trend, this figure may climb upwards in 2009 as in the first 5months of the year there have already been 45.The most disturbing factor as rape cases increase is that of HIV/AIDS, the forceful nature of it increases the risk of one getting infected as protection is never used.

Mahopolo said they had 6 cases reported to them in the first three months of 2008 whereas 2009 figures appear to indicate an increase.

I believe there are more rape cases than those reported to us because some victims go straight to the police without coming to us. The few that do come for help are badly affected psychological and emotionally and some are badly traumatised that they may resort to taking their own lives, she said.

When questioned about securing safety, Maleka said he believes the police are doing enough and their best to ensure safety and protection to society but the problem is that people don't take their advice into consideration.

We have introduced schemes like neighbourhood watch and when we call meetings people don't turn up, he added.

On safety, Mahopolo said women and girls are not safe, children are not safe and you can never trust anyone with your children, even at home.

This is a troubling matter and more and more women and girls are victimised and ripped off their innocence.

She added that when perpetrators are asked about the crime, they give invalid reasons such as being under the influence of alcohol or the way girls dress invites seduction and also gives the wrong impression.

These can never be the real reasons behind raping, looking at the rape cases of old women recently.

Mahopolo said: One of the problems we face is trying to get to the root cause. We are still having difficulties of understanding why people resort to raping. Addressing the perpetrators to get information is a problem.

Rape remains a thorny challenge as it's not only women who are raped as men, too, are raped.

When asked about such cases, the police said they never had dealt with a case in which a man was raped and the Women Against Rape says they once had one.

The man reported to us but when taken to the police, he declined, said Mahopolo. Men who are raped shy away.

There is also the issue of marital rape where husbands rape their wives.

It's there but the problem is we don't have authority to deal with this matter because the country's laws don't apply, said Maleka.

EDITORIAL

Ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo

When launching the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) parliamentary and district council candidates for the Ngami constituency, President Ian Khama talked about the need for people to sit down and talk when there are problems or misunderstandings.

However when Khama talked about the bad vibes between him and some private newspapers, one could not help but wonder whether a serious talk between himself and the few media houses as he described them - cannot help the situation.

The President made it clear that it was not all media houses allegedly tarnishing his name and that of his government.

This means the president knows who those are.

We feel it is time to stop the generalisations and deal with the particular media houses that are in his sights.

There is a Setswana saying Ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo (the biggest fight is that of words).

Maybe this kind of approach to problem solving could help solve matters?

This, we hope, is what Khama meant when he talked about the need for people to talk over their problems and solve them.

The mudslinging between the media and the country's highest office should not be allowed to end up in the courts.

That will not do the country any good, and that is why we urge the parties involved to find an amicable way to deal with the issue. We at this newspaper have not been involved in the hullabaloo regarding the shooting of a man named John Kalafatis by security agents in Gaborone.

Much has been written in other newspapers, and accusations made, as to who could have ordered the killing of Kalafatis. Regrettably, since the shooting, so many unpleasant things have happened.

We hope the two parties will find a way to consider their options and iron out their differences so that the rest of us can continue to enjoy the freedom of expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana.

Maun's taxi drivers continue to put lives at risk - theirs and ours.

Angry motorists have this week been telling Shuffle about the reckless driving of a number of taxi drivers who don't care about other road users and almost certainly have a death wish.

One, driving vehicle B168AJD, weaved in and out of traffic this week in the 40k/ph zone on the main street, forcing three other vehicles to make way for him and nearly pushing another out of the way.

The car had the word Fearless plastered across its back window indeed, the so-called licensed driver must have been fearless to do what he did!

Another road hog, vehicle number B134AME, overtook a long line of cars at 8am one day last week nothing wrong with that you may say but this fellow did so on the left side of Sir Seretse Khama Road.

Then there is the combi driver on route 10 who thinks nothing of blowing his vehicle's hooter continuously at six o'clock every morning Sundays included. Not one of these people appear to be taking any notice of statements from President Ian Khama and the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, regarding driving skills.

It is noticeable that when the new road traffic fines were introduced at the beginning of April, there were numerous road blocks set up on all major roads in Maun. The police cashed in on the new fines as motorists got used to driving more responsibly.

Now? Literally nothing.

All we have had, it seems is the routine stopping of vehicles at the entrance to the airport where drivers are asked for licences.

The same people use the intersection day after day but the police patrols are always on hand. Seems a bit unreasonable as that area is mainly populated by business visitors, tourists and pilots.

The people who should be stopped are using Tsheko Tsheko Road or Mathiba 1 Road as racetracks but that seems to be ignored by the police.

It's good, though, to see the massive clean-up operation directed at taxis and other vehicles now taking place in Maun. Rumour has it that the traffic authorities drafted in officials from places such as Gaborone to handle the operation because it is common knowledge in Maun that taxi drivers are among the biggest culprits when it comes to bribing police officers to either reduce the fine imposed or turn the other way. This week many taxis were taken off the roads, leaving thousands of pedestrians workers and school children stranded on the sidewalks.

.**

A group of enterprising Maun residents who sail on the Thamalakane River on a regular basis got fed up the other weekend with the rubbish being deposited on its banks.

They arranged for family, friends and school children to join them in a clean-up operation and a staggering 40 large bags of rubbish was collected in the area between the junction of the Thamalakane and Boro rivers and the Okavango River lodge. Also removed were stumps of trees which impede boat travel from time to time.

Their public spiritedness cannot be over-emphasised, and during a short cruise this week, Shuffle and Mrs Shuffle could see just how clean the banks were apart from two or three discarded items probably left by fishermen.

Congratulations to all concerned for a job well done.

What we need is the realisation by people walking along the banks of the river to keep it clean as after all it is a key part of Maun's environmental heritage.

The North West District Council's Green Scorpions are at large in the urban areas ensuring that businesses and private properties are cleaned up. After all, Maun wants to be the No 1 cleanest village in the country, so why not help?

Did you know? 14th Century Crusaders defending the city of Caffa, in the Crimean peninsula, were horrified when the Tartars began catapulting the dead bodies of plague victims over the city walls. The Tartars themselves died of plague, after which the Crusaders returned to Italy, bringing plague with them. Within two decades the bubonic plague had wiped out 25% of the population of Europe from Yugoslavia to Greenland.

Gecko power rules, OK!

There's an extremely lucky gecko alive and well in Maun.

A householder this week could not understand why his power supply kept tripping, more so as he was watching his favourite TV programmes. Understandably he cursed his luck and blamed the Botswana Power Corporation for the constant interruptions.

He eventually went to the DB board in his home and as he did so, he noticed a rather small tail hanging out of the board's door. It was Mr Gecko, lying very nicely thank you across the switches. The householder thought the gecko was very dead but he then saw the eyes were moving. A gentle prod with a stick removed the gecko which didn't even bother to say thank you as it scuttled off to a new hiding place.It is thought the gecko had crept into the switching area to keep warm these chilly winter nights and inadvertently caused power interruptions by lying on the switches. How it hadn't been fried to death is a puzzle. Needless to say, the householder is now able to return to his favourite TV programmes, safe in the knowledge that all that can now take place is for BPC and Eskom to load shed!

The Weekender

The opening of the new Botswana Democratic Party's North West regional headquarters in Maun on Sunday drew a large crowd of politicians and prominent local business people. The headquarters was formally opened by Jake Nkate, the party's secretary-general, MP for Ngami and current Minister of Education and Skill Development. Nkate said a regional office had been opened in Kang and another was planned for Francistown .

Shop till you drop in September!

Southern Africa's biggest city, Johannesburg, is to hold its first shopping festival in September.

September marks the beginning of spring, and so the focus of the festival is themed around seasonal product launches, end of winter sales, and also seeks to promote the fact that September is national tourism month.

The Joburg Shopping Festival will introduce both domestic and international visitors to the many tourism oriented and retail focused venues that the city has to offer.

Johannesburg and Gauteng has over 80 shopping malls and boasts the largest number of retail establishments on the African continent. Although it has long been a shopping Mecca for its African neighbours, who annually spend more than P20-billion in Johannesburg shops, this initiative represents the first concerted effort by the public and private sectors to brand the city and Gauteng province as the premier retail destination on the continent.

To date, 14 malls have committed to promoting the festival, including Westgate Shopping Centre, Northgate Mall, Fourways Mall, Montecasino, Village Walk, Southgate Mall, Maponya Mall, Trade Route Mall, the Boulders Shopping Centre, Walter Sisulu Square, Brightwater Commons, Jabulani Mall, Oriental Plaza and the Zone at Rosebank. Leading retailers that have agreed to participate and to offer various discounts, promotions and specials include clothing retailers, the Foschini Group and the Edcon Group, electronics retailer Incredible Connection, diamond jeweller African Romance, and wholesaler Metro Cash and Carry.

Overall, more than 750 retailers are expected to participate and between 500 000 and one million local and international shoppers to hit the malls.

Around the world' a great hit

By Norman Chandler

Maun never ceases to amaze!

That was evident at the weekend and on Tuesday when the Sports Bar restaurant celebrated its 14 th anniversary by presenting a musical extravaganza called Around the world in 100 minutes.

It was the latest in an annual presentation of shows that has made Maun famous as a town where the community gets together to provide wonderful and home-grown entertainment despite the long distances from other major centres.

Around the world in 100 minutes transported hundreds of people to far off, exotic places in song and dance a fitting tribute to the role that aviation plays in the daily lives of this remarkable town.

With a flight crew under the captaincy of John Riley (appearing as Ron Jiley on the programme) and including worthies of the town, all of whom had hilarious nom-de-plumes, the plane took off from Botswana, bid farewell by a troupe of traditional Batswana dancers and ballerina Hilary Crous, for the United States, the Far East, Egypt, Greece, France, Ireland and Gabon before returning to a traditional dance welcome.

Many in the audiences had great fun recognising their friends and acquaintances despite the costumes worn by the cast of 60.

It's hats off to Fano Deaconos and Yvette Nel both of whom had roles in the show on stage as well as behind the scenes - for staging the show which was produced by Anne Uren and Glen Stephen.

Meet the witch who flew across a country!

A 21-year-old woman has stunned a Zimbabwe court by claiming to have flown 120km across country in a basket with two other witches on a mission to kill her brother-in-law.

Her claims where collaborated by a witchcraft expert who told the court that witches can travel from Zimbabwe to as far as South Africa during the night and fly back as soon as their mission is accomplished.

Regina Sveto, 21, hissed like a snake and went into a trance as Sekuru Nelson Jambaya, the vice president of the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha), testified - leaving a packed court room shocked.

Court 18 at the Harare Magistrate's Court last week was jammed to the rafters as court officials, magistrates and lawyers all raced there to watch proceedings in the rather unusual case. Sveto has pleaded guilty to a charge of public indecency after she was found naked outside her brother-in-law's house in Highfield, Harare, just after 6am last Sunday. She was wearing red headgear and some black strings around the waist.

She claimed she had flown from there from Murehwa with her father-in-law and an aunt. Their basket aircraft taxied off from a graveyard in Zihute. Once at the house in Highfield, she claims she baulked when asked to kill her brother-in-law. Her father-in-law, named in court as Elias Zemba, and the aunt, Filda Zemba, then took off and abandoned her. Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe asked for expert opinion and ordered Chief Mangwende to be summoned to give his opinion at a later date.

The magistrate has also ordered that the woman be kept in custody, just in case she flies back to Murehwa.

Jambaya told the court: According to my knowledge, if the woman said she flew from Murehwa in a basket, then she is a witch. Witches do a lot of this and they are known to travel naked at night.

It is also possible for witches to travel as far as South Africa during the night for the purposes of witchcraft, flying back as soon as their mission is accomplished.

As Jambaya testified, Sveto hissed like a snake, triggering some panic at the court room.

Vitamin A supplement targets 14 500

By Amantle Rebaone

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with local councils has launched a national measles and vitamin A campaign targeting children aged from 11 to 59 months.

According to the public relations officer at Letsholathebe II memorial hospital, Keikothae Tau, the supplement is administered to children to prevent them from respiratory and d by administering this dose it will effectively reduce child mortality.

The campaign began on June 1 and ends on June 30.

As this is a national campaign, it's taking place in all health facilities, hospitals, clinics, health posts and mobile stations which will be used as distributing points, said Tau.

According to Wada Motsamai, public relations officer in the North West District Council, it is expecting to cover more than 14 500 children throughout the district.

The vitamin can be found in a rich diet consisting of green and yellow vegetables and fruit as well as eggs, liver and fish.

Due to the fact that our body can't synthesis vitamin A and the life span of stored vitamin A is between 4 to 6 months, regular replacement is required, Motsamai stated.

When asked about how they made sure their message was well received in remote areas she said all communication methods were being utilised.

In areas which the media could not reach, the use of public address systems was being adopted.

According to Motsamai, community mobilisation is conducted to make mothers, guardians and care takers aware of the importance of vitamin A supplementation.

Male, female AIDS disparity causes concern

Vice-President Mompati Merafhe says reports that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana is increasing have been misinterpreted.

He said in Gaborone this was indicated in the latest Botswana

AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS III) of 2008, conducted jointly by NACA, the Central Statistics Office and Ministry of Health.

I would like to state that these findings have been, to a large extent, misinterpreted. While it is true that HIV Prevalence increased slightly from 17.1% in 2004 to 17.6% in 2008, this cannot and should not, be taken to mean that we are losing the battle against HIV and AIDS.

HIV prevalence includes both old and new infections and in a country such as Botswana, which has nearly attained universal access to treatment of HIV and AIDS, we should recall that this will necessarily lead to a swell in the numbers of people living with HIV as their lives are saved through treatment.

Merafhe added that by extension, the number of old infections will remain high, contributing significantly to the increase in the national prevalence rate.

What is important to note is that the increase was only slight, which suggests low infection rates amid high survival rates among people living with HIV and AIDS, he added.

Nationally, 14.2% of males are HIV positive compared to 20.4% of women.

He urged for critical thought about possible solutions as to why this has occurred. What is it that puts the lives of our women population at risk

in such a highly disproportionate manner? Yes, part of the explanation is biological, but does it wholly account for this disparity?

Could this be a reflection of gender inequalities, economic

power imbalances, and so on, in our society as a whole? he added.

ARV funding to continue as normal

Government spokesman Jeff Ramsay says he has not told an international press agency that Botswana will soon end funding to extend the anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment programme for HIV/AIUDS victims.

He was commenting in Gaborone on a story from the IPS agency.

The news agency reported last week that international donors and African governments are likely to cut health budgets due to the global financial crisis.

It adds that health experts fear that increasing unemployment and poverty will lead to less food security and quality of nutrition, which will in turn put more stress on already weak health systems.

The implications, warns a newly-released World Bank report, could be grave.

We need to ensure that African lives do not become a silent casualty of the global financial downturn, said Paula Akugizibwe, regional treatment literacy and advocacy coordinator of the Windhoek-based AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA).

Our lives are not cheap or expendable. We expect health to be prioritised over weapons, sports and lavish politics, she added.

Tanzania was recently the first sub-Saharan country to announce a 25% cut of its annual HIV/AIDS budget. The situation is not much better in neighbouring countries, reports the news agency.

The South African government has indicated that large private firms, especially mining companies, are likely to cut their HIV prevention programmes affecting thousands of employees and their families.

budget cuts is seen as a contradiction to a commitment to set aside 15% of national expenditure towards health made by African heads of state during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2001.

Very few countries have met this goal. The money is there. It's all about prioritisation of resources, Akugizibwe told IPS. The situation is very frightening, because governments cut back on already insufficient HIV treatment and care programmes.

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria recently announced it is at least US$4- billion (about P34-billion) short of the money it will need to continue funding essential HIV, TB and malaria services in 2010.

To mitigate the impact of the financial crisis on HIV health service provision, a number of AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) activists from across Sub-Saharan Africa including ARASA, the South African Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and the Kenyan Collaborative Fund for HIV Treatment Preparedness have come together to lobby for continued health financing.

Broken promises and skewed priorities of governments and donors have reduced the right to health and access to treatment to unattainable rhetoric, said TAC women's health programme coordinator Nonkosi Khumalo.

According to the 2009 World Bank Averting a Human Crisis During the Global Downturn report, countries in Eastern and Southern Africa are the most vulnerable. Researchers estimate the negative impact of this crisis will affect 70% of people on ARV treatment in Africa within the next 12 months.

Merafhe to open Ghanzi show

GHANZI Vice President Mompati Merafhe is to officially open the Ghanzi show on June 27.The show, which runs for three days, is one of the most important agricultural shows in the country, attracting livestock and stallholders from many areas.

Quality goods more competitive

By Basadi Morokotso

Small businesses in the manufacturing sector have been told of the need to always make sure that their locally-manufactured goods are of good quality and a desirable standard if at all they want to gain recognition from buyers.

This was said at a one day workshop in Maun hosted by the department of Industrial Affairs in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The principal industrial officer, Agnes Setlhogile, told the gathering that although a directive by government that the central government, local authorities and parastatal organisations should purchase products from locally-based manufacturers and service providers, they should not disappoint those that need to see them progressing to another level.

She said the programme came to being after therewas an outcry from local producers that government, as well as the private sector, does not buy locally manufactured goods.

She disclosed that the department has been let down in most cases during routine checks at some businesses because they have discovered a lack of quality certification of most goods and services.

There was also a limited range of locally manufactured goods as well as very high pricing of such goods, making it very difficult for local people to purchase and or promote local markets.

She said also that local manufacturers and service providers should not just sit back, but should work extremely hard to market their products to ensure that procuring institutions are fully aware of their existence.

Manufacturers decried the fact that they are threatened by foreign competitors who bring in the same goods and services from outside the country, even though some of these are available locally. One example was bottled water.

They called on government to step in and protect local companies because otherwise they will continue to lose out as it is evident that people prefer to buy foreign produce.

The Labour department was also accused of not doing things the right way, saying after struggling to recruit and assist foreigners with permits that will enable them to work at various local businesses, more especially in tailoring, they always learn when it is already too late that such people have falsely obtained documents from the Labour office and have either started operating their own tailor shops or have been granted employment elsewhere.

In response, Setlhogile said although the department is fully aware that some Batswana feel threatened by foreign competitors, there is nothing that can be done to address the situation because Botswana is a free market economy which allows sales from all spheres.

She said this is so because should local companies collapse there is a possibility that government might encounter problems in obtaining goods which cannot be easily obtained.

On the issue of the direct issuance of work permits to foreigners, the Acting District Labour Officer, Gerald Thipe, said it is not always easy to tell if foreigners have been directed to obtain documents by their employers because they always pretend that they have been sent to collect documents.

He said however that consultants are busy working on the matter, after which they will decide on who should obtain documents from their offices.

Thipe also stressed the need for employers to create bearable relationships with their employees for the smooth running of their businesses, adding that they should always make sure that the place is conducive for both parties.

If by any chance you encounter sour relations or things do not go according to the agreements that you have both set and agreed upon, you should be at liberty to claim their permits and surrender them to the labour office, he said.

Teacher remanded on threat to kill charge

Phenyo Mokgwela (26), a teacher at Etsha 6, has appeared before Maun chief magistrate, Mmopa Baakile for arraignment and was remanded in custody for 14 days in connection with an allegation of threat to kill.

Mokgwela was remanded in custody after the prosecutor of Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Mokiya Mokiya, appealed for him to be remanded for seven days as he said the case was still fresh and under investigation.

He also said the accused followed the complainant, Othokometse Gaonyadiwe, who is the mother to his child, from Etsha to Gweta and allegedly threatened her.He allegedly told her 'I will kill you and kill myself.'' Mokiya said the offence was very serious, adding that the accused person's relatives have to be contacted about the case.

When responding to the prosecutor, Mokgwela told the court he was taking care of his family and that he was new in the teaching profession. He also asked not to be remanded in custody as he owed money to others.

Baakile however stressed that threat to kill should be taken seriously.

He said, If educated people can make such threats, I think the accused must be remanded in custody for 14 days,'' he said.

He also told Mokgwela he could have thought of his problems beforehand.

He is to appear for mention on June 11.

Mogoditshane Fighters hold Gunners in a dull game

In a drab game of missed chances at the Molepolole Sports Complex on Sunday Extension Gunners failed to secure a win against a struggling Mogoditshane Fighters in a game that ended in a 0-0 draw. The winter chill seemed to have dampened the proceedings on the pitch as gunners players contrived to miss chance after chance in an eventful first half.

As early as the 5th minute a speculative shot from Maano Ditshupo was fisted to safety by the on-form Barolong Toldo' Lemmenyane. Othusitse Sphetho' Mahube enjoying a rare start then followed that up with a harmless shot into Lemmenyane's hands in the 11th minute. Fighters were slower to get off the blocks and Kabo Seane forced a save from Ntungamile Tshoganetso in Gunners goal in the 13th minute.

In the next minute the excellent Ditshupo floated the ball to Nkosinathi Khumalo who teed it for Abednico Powell who shot harmlessly wide. As the first half drew to a close it became clear that Gunners' forwards would have to sharpen their scoring in the second half to get the three seconds.

After recess Gunners started from where they had left off and as early as the 49th minute the ineffective Christopher Ndayishimiye fed Khumalo who shot tamely at the goalkeeper. Ditshupo again floated the ball into the area and Monametsi Sunday' Kelebale, who would later collect the man of the match award, met the ball with a sweet header but could not find the target. Then in the 61st minute Charles Mositwane shot over the bar with Mandla Mgadla screaming for the ball in a good position. Daniel Chico' Nare, the Gunners coach then brought in Ofentse Mmipi for Mahube and Kgololo Cheeseboy' Leteane for Kenny Ramodisa to increase Gunners' attacking thrust. However, the goals proved elusive and even a dubious penalty that was missed by Emmanuel Nlu could not save Gunners the blushes and summed up a miserable afternoon for the team from Lobatse.

In other games Ecco City Greens breezed past a listless Notwane by a 4-0 scoreline as Mandla Sibanda and Malepa Bolelang each got a brace. Tafic put the skids on Gaborone United's quest to win the championship when a Tamocha Bedi goal secured a 1-1 draw. United's goal was scored by Kabo Branco' Molokwane. Later on Mochudi Centre Chiefs pressed home the advantage as they beat Nico United 4-0 through Moemedi Moatlhaping's brace, Pontsho Moloi and Othusitse Jabu' Pilane to narrow GU's lead to 3 points.

Police XI compounded Great North Tigers woes by walloping them 4-0. Township Rollers were held to a 2-2 draw by BMC while a Precious Mpondela hattrick and an Ernest Amos penalty ensured that BDF XI cruised past Boteti Young Fighters who replied through Simon Mbewe and Patrick Lenyeletse. Naughty Boys who will surely be relegated had no answers as Uniao Flamengo Santos Boikhutso Zikhale's brace and Farazai Nyamunamendo's goals ensured that Dinoko remain rooted to the basement.

The battle is far from over

Maun Tigers has made it but the battle still looms as to who will occupy the second place and book a spot in the Coca Cola Cup tournament. At the bottom, there are clear signs of Maun United being one of the victims of the relegation axe as they are currently rooted at the bottom with 17 points from 19 games and with three games to play. It seems their problem is not only in losing games but seem not to be having good management to lead the team. Last week they were crushed 4-1 by Cubs in a league match and on Sunday they failed to honour their game against Delta Winds.

Meanwhile in the other games played in the region, North West United league game against BMC was abandoned before time as a result of a controversial goal which was scored by BMC.The players from both sides quarreled until the referee decided to stop the game.

Sankoyo worked their way past Moeti United with a 2-1 win but Moeti United went on to beat Maun Tigers by the same margin on Sunday.

Makgabisanaga lost 3-1 to Gunners of Khwai, while Fuji Rollers cruised past CTO with a 3-1 win.

Maun Tigers reach the play offs

Delta Winds will have to battle for a second spot in the Nhabe league following an embarrassing 3-1 defeat from league leaders Maun Tigers, who are to now represent the region in the relegation play offs. The buoyant Tigers will have a chance of playing in the first division if they make it through..

Morale is high in the Tigers camp, and they seem settled and well prepared for the games which will be played in a few weeks. If they are to make it through, they will be joining Maun Terrors, who survived relegation in the National 1 st division league.

Tigers were the first side from Nhabe to ever play in the National first division and their record alone tells how the team is capable of doing so.

Judging by their performance, Tigers have a strong base of players with experience, and that is an added advantage to the crop of young players which they have in their squad.

The weekend game was the most important for Tigers as they needed just one point. They took the lead in the first half through midfielder and captain Welcome Patrick and Tshepo Simon has his name on the scoresheet as well when he scored the second.

Delta Winds pulled one back through captain Tendai Nyandoro' Katiyo but then Tigers scored the final goal with a well taken volley by Bashin to make it 3-1.

Tigers coach Jabulani Ncube is optimistic that they will make it at the relegation games.

As I said at the beginning, we will win the league. We definitely did that, and now our focus is on the relegation games. It not going to be easy but we will prepare enough and get ready for the games said Ncube.

The relegation games will be held in Selebi Phikwe.

Tigers team manager Rio Tshoswane is also a happy fellow. This has been our plan for the season. I am happy for the player's dedication and co-operation which, I believe, worked towards our achievement. We are now preparing for the promotional games and I want to assure you that if we are not disturbed by injuries.

We will make the region happy by qualifying and give other teams at the bottom a chance, said Tshoswane.

Ncube also appealed to the business community to assist them in any way - This is the most crucial moment where most teams fail. Travelling has been the biggest obstacles for the teams that travel long distances. We are therefore asking for sponsorship from well wishers in our community to come forward and give a helping hand.

Zebras ready for the New Zealanders

The Botswana senior soccer team, Zebras, are stepping up their preparations with yet another scintillating match in store against New Zealand this weekend.

New Zealand will be playing in Botswana for the first time, and are preparing ahead of the Confederations Cup taking place in South Africa next week.

Having been drawn alongside South Africa, Spain and Iraq, New Zealand began their preparations in Dar es Salaam where they had a poor start as they were beaten 2-1 by Tanzania on Wednesday.

New Zealand are now preparing for Botswana over the weekend before moving on to South Africa where they have also organised a final warm-up against Italy. Their Confederations Cup opener is against Spain.

The Zebras have also done all their best to build a strong team that will give the visitors a real test.

All the foreign based players who were called for this game are available and joined the rest of the squad in camp.

Testing their strength, Zebras have played in a friendly match against the Be Mobile Premier league teams' foreign players and produced a stunning show as they beat the Foreign X1 4-1 at Molepolole on Wednesday.

National team coach Stanley Tshosane has made a final selection of 20 players and includes South African based Phenyo Mzambiya Mongala, Dipsy Selolwane and Egyptian-based and captain Modiri Carlos Marumo.

The final line up: Noah Maposa, Pontsho Moloi, Moemedi Moatlhaping (Centre Chiefs) Barolong Lemmenyane (Mogoditshane Fighters) Mompati Thuma, Mokgathi Mokgathi (BDF X1) George Ohilwe, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu (BMC) Boitumelo Mafoko, Amos Godirwang (Township Rollers) Ofentse Nato (Gaborone United) Ontse Ntesa, Malepa Bolelang, Bonolo Fraser (Ecco City Green) Mogakolodi Nkele ( Santos ) Ndiyapo Letsholathebe (Police X1) Mpoeleng Mpoeleng (Notwane).

The game will be played at the University of Botswana on Saturday at 3pm.

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31 May 2009 18:56

Edition 462 29 May - 5 June, 2009

Midnight rapists get 12 years

Former insurance company employee Shandulani Masole and co-accused Thato Mooketsi dubbed the Midnight Rapists - were this week sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each for rape.

Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma found them guilty of raping a woman near Matlola, Maun, in March, 2006, while she was on her way home after attending a kitchen party.

When delivering sentence, Foroma said he considered that the accused were a team and that the crime was organised. What was considered also was the seriousness of the offence and the need to balance the interests of society.

He considered the accused persons' mitigations in which they asked for lenient sentences as they stated that they are taking care of their families and each has two children.

Foroma said it was clear in evidence led in court that the two were with Keolebogile Garenne, an accomplice witness, when raping the victim.

Garenne testified that on their way home from a bar, they met the victim, who was with another woman.

Shandulani, who was holding an okapi knife, grabbed the victim and dragged her to a nearby deserted yard. He then told the victim to remove her jeans and he raped her and was later joined by Mooketsi. They then invited Garenne to join them in raping the victim but he refused.

Foroma said Garenne knew the two accused, adding that he was with them when they carried out the rape. He also said Garenne knew where the two accused persons stayed which shows that there is no way he (Garenne) could have framed the accused.

Foroma also said Allen Morapedi, another witness, told the court that he knew Masole from primary school. He said Morapedi revealed that he once removed Masole's dreadlocks sometime in May, 2006.

The victim said in her evidence that she identified Masole as one of the people who raped her as he had dreadlocks. Foroma said the victim might have told the police that the person who raped her was Masole.

He said issues of identification from the victim was not clear as she could have raised that point previously.

Detective Constable Magawe had indicated that he arrested Masole at the insurance company where he worked and Masole led him to Garenne and Mooketsi.

Masole also led him to the scene of the crime as well as to Allen Morapedi who removed his dreadlocks.

Foroma described he defence which was brought before court by the two accused was n after-thought and only meant to mislead the court.

Mooketsi in his defence said he was at a cattle post with two friends. He said they were riding three donkeys. One of his witnesses said they used two donkeys to go to the cattle post.

Foroma said their evidence was not corroborating each other and it was an after thought.

He also said Masole said he was not in Maun by the time of the incident yet they both failed to raise an alibi.

He said the two were with Garenne, as he had said in his evidence.

TRUST'S ELEPHANT CASH SCANDAL

It never rains but it pours at the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT).

The latest scandal to hit the Trust is a suspected theft of funds by three board members.

An amount of P60 000 has been allegedly stolen. It was payment for an elephant which, according to a Trust spokesperson, was paid to the Trust by the joint venture partner.

The events leading up to the alleged crime started with the hunting quota for the hunting season in which the Trust was given 16 elephants instead of the usual 15. The board then called in the joint venture partner to discuss the modalities around the extra elephant. Their partner said it would also buy it.

Three members of the board are alleged to have then connived to take the P60 000 for their own personal use. This was discovered by the remaining board members and the three were reported to the police and arrested.

The three have not yet appeared in court.

This is not the first time that the OKMCT has found itself dealing with such issues. In June last year, two board members and a manager were charged for the alleged fraudulent disposal of Trust money amounting to P105 000.

The money was allegedly withdrawn from the Trust's account at First National Bank, Maun branch, and allegedly converted to their personal use. The case is still before the magistrate's court.

Maun police station commander Robson Maleka confirmed that they received a report from the Trust and that police arrested three members of the OKMCT board in connection with the disappearance of P60 000 from the Trust's coffers. He said the three have been released from police custody, adding that police investigations are on-going.

Maleka added they are likely to be charged for stealing by servant should the investigations reveal that they indeed did take the money.

Anti-corruption officials sent to all districts

President Ian Khama says he intends to root out corruption at all levels in local administrations, in the food coupon system and in the public domain. He also says service delivery is of paramount importance.

Speaking to local government officials in Gaborone this week, he said Botswana is not spared the negative impact of the financial and economic crises currently facing the world. This situation presents a big challenge to us to prudently utilize our resources whilst we carry out our mandate to deliver service of high quality to the people of Botswana whom we have a duty to serve.

He added that he expected officials to come up with resolutions and strategies to improve service delivery.

Khama added there was a need for a well coordinated and thoroughly supervised project implementation as he was particularly worried when projects are not completed on time and attract cost overruns all because of lack of proper supervision and coordination.

Another area of concern is the rising level of corruption, especially at District Councils.

I have repeatedly called upon you to fight corruption by every means available to you. This requires us all to ensure that opportunities for corruption are kept at a minimum or better still completely eliminated through the implementation of anti-corruption measures like strengthening internal controls and forming anti corruption committees within your various departments.

As you all know, corruption impedes development and erodes our social and moral fiber.

One of the initiatives I introduced to fight corruption last year was to have anti- corruption officers at local authorities where corruption is rampant. I wish to reiterate my earlier plea to you all that the fight against corruption is not the preserve responsibility of the DCEC, but it is rather a duty that each and every one of you must discharge effectively and diligently if we are to win the war against corruption, he said.

Turning to the food coupon scam that has been revealed in the media recently, the President said it was extremely disturbing to note that no sooner had the system started operating than unscrupulous retailers devised ways to cheat government and corrupt the system.

It is especially worrying that some council employees successfully collude with such retailers as is the case in the Kweneng district to deprive the beneficiaries of their rations while at the same time swindling government of millions of pula.

An investigation is now being carried out in all districts.

Villagers call for police horse patrols

Residents of Tsau and surrounding villages have asked for the use of horse patrols to track down cattle rustlers.

The Minister of defence, Justice and Security, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, was told at a meeting in Tsau this week that it was difficult to hunt down rustlers using motor vehicles as they cannot penetrate thick bush which is being used as hideouts by the rustlers.

Seretse said that to effectively deal with stock theft, the government is planning to introduce mobile magistrate's courts to speed up the disposal of stock theft cases.

He said during the trials, traditional experts would be called in for advice, particularly regarding the identification of animals.

The introduction of the courts would mean that the Stock Theft Act would have to be amended.

The meeting also heard that residents wanted more information on the recently -announced clusters to fight crime.

Maun to have Administration Authority soon

North West District Council secretary Paulos Nkoni said last week at a press briefing that Maun will soon have an Administration Authority (AA) that will be housed at the old council offices.

He said the idea to establish the Authority was a decision by government through the revised national and local government policy to have such developments at some major villages, such as Maun, Serowe, Kanye and Molepolole, to relieve councils of their workload.

He said the AA will work in line with existing Sub Districts and will operate in the same way, even though they will be headed by someone with the rank of Assistant Senior Council Secretary.

He said both council and the central government were recently in discussions in Serowe to get the logistics on the operation of the offices and who is to be affected as they will not be recruiting any new personnel, adding that his office, the District Commissioner's Office and Heads of Departments will be charged with the task of submitting names from members of their staffs who will work for the AA.

He said those who come for assistance at the Rural Administration Centre will not be turned away, but will get assisted and be told where to go on the next occasion.

The RAC, he said, will only be charged with directing policy guidelines.

In the meantime, Nkoni said they are busy working on how best to address some areas of concern since this is a new arrangement.

Asked how they will ensure members of the public are given excellent service delivery as there had been numerous complaints of ill-treatment previously, Nkoni said although it is not an easy thing to change people's attitudes, their staff will be orientated on many aspects and will receive tutorials on customer care.

He said the public will also be at liberty to seek assistance from his office whenever they feel things are not done the right way.

Assistant Senior Council Secretary Lawrence Mazinyane, who is to head the Authority, said they will work hard on the improvement of staff behaviour and attitudes towards customers. Through their reform unit, he said they will facilitate people and deal with their mindset because already they have in place a component of capacity building.

He said also that their mandate will not differ with that of Local Government because both are working hard to achieve the 2016 pillar of A Caring and Compassionate nation. He said by establishing the Authority, council is trying to develop a culture that will enable them to stay in touch with communities in order that they effectively implement government policies and programmes.

He said even though he is a newcomer to the region, he has already observed that Maun is not a good place at night because almost all the streets are dark at night, thus attracting criminals, adding that one of the key objectives of the Authority will be to see to it that such issues are dealt with.

Nkoni also said the NWDC has already made a proposal to the National Development Plan that they be supplied with ten light towers which will be erected at different places, but have been promised only four. He said however that this will take a little longer because now many projects have been suspended due to the global economic recession.

Church donates 40 blankets to hospital

By Molefi Manyepedza

The Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital was recently given 40 blankets by the Synagogue Church of All Nations.

Church leader David Rendoh said the church is not only focusing in praying and healing patients, but it was also formed to help the community where it is necessary.

Rendoh said Synagogue is a branch of the TB Joshua church of Lagos, Nigeria, and was formed in 2005 when Joshua visited Botswana. He said on Joshua's visit in Gaborone, he noted that Rendoh's wife, Pastor Cynthia Rendoh, was able to pray for the sick and they become healed. She was selected to lead the Botswana branch.

These blankets will be used by patients and will help them keep warm in winter, he added.

Ngamiland assistant district officer Gaehetswe Maphakwane appreciated the donation on behalf of Ngamiland district.

The chairperson of Ngamiland Local Organizing Committee (NGALOCOCO) Olga Seretse said at the ceremony that the main duty of the committee was to link government and the community in a way that both can benefit from the other.

My committee did research locally in which we established that there is a shortage of blankets at LMH, she added.

Seretse further said the committee requested blankets from Synagogue church.

The chairperson of the LMH advisory committee, Motlhale Motsamai, asked the church to keep on helping the community.

Synagogue Church recently donated P10 000 to flood victims in the Okavango.

Blankets and food donation to orphans

Happy Home Academy , an English medium Pre School in Maun, has donated 60 blankets and food items valued at P 4 690 to orphans of the Motse wa Tsholofelo (The Village of Hope) centre.

Speaking at the handover of the donation, North West District Council deputy chairman, Tebogo Bethia said caring for the less privileged is everyone's responsibility and not only the government. Bethia said it is imperative that the business community play a part in this endeavor. As we are all working towards the attainment of Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and a caring nation it is imperative that everyone's does their part for this to become a reality, he said. The donation from Happy Home Academy is an example that all should emulate, and he added that the marriage between the two institutions is of paramount importance to the welfare of children. Explaining the objectives of the donation, Happy Home principal Edith Adjei said her school has realised the need for aiding the NWDC especially during the present difficult financial times when the councils are struggling with the burden of budget cuts.

We know this is the winter season so we decided to donate these blankets so that instead of these children sharing blankets with their elders they will have a blanket of their own, she said.

Help for the country's medical services

Botswana's medical services, already stretched to breaking point, will soon be augmented by the arrival of 166 medical personnel from Cuba.

They will be a welcome addition to existing staff levels as it is well-known there are major shortages of trained nurses and other personnel in our hospitals and clinics. Maun's new multi-million pula Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital is a case in point.

Botswana and Cuba put in place agreements years ago for the Caribbean nation to send mainly medical personnel to our country. In the main they have been a credit to their country but language difficulties have been a sticking point in numerous cases.

It is hoped that the Spanish-speaking Cubans have been given suitable orientation courses on our language, our culture and our people in general so that they can more easily integrate with what they find here, particularly in the area of medical consultations which has been a sore point in rural areas.

Local investment

It is always good to see local investors putting their money into developments.

A case in point is that of Seloma Tiro, dubbed the King of Nata, who this past weekend presided over the official opening of the new North Gate Lodge in the village.

He has come a long way from the original trading store and is apparently soon to embark on other noteworthy ventures which will help change the face of the village.

Botswana never ceases to amaze!

Shuffle found that out when after years in this country Shuffle finally travelled to the mouth of the Nata River and Sua Pan.

The river, which rises in Zimbabwe, finally flows into the Kalahari Desert's miraculous salt pans through a delta, of which Sua must be the most spectacular pan as it is home to thousands of flamingoes and pelicans. Our pans are of course the largest continuous salt pans in the world.

Sitting on the shore of what is really a lake of salt water is quite incredible and breath-taking.

No wonder it is called the Dead Sea of Botswana. I am told that it is possible to float on the salt water much like the world famous Dead Sea in Israel.

Right now it is possible to drive from the Nata-Francistown road to the pan but during the rainy season it is virtually inaccessible. Looking at the dried up mud one can understand that!

On the day Shuffle was there, the flamingoes were out in the centre of the water but apparently thousands come from all over the world to breed there. That's a sight that Shuffle is looking forward to one of these days.

With the Confederations Cup football tournament in June and the World Cup next year, South Africa and Botswana, too is expecting a good influx of tourists. But the questions these people ask in advance of their arrival, whether it is for soccer or for fun, are mind boggling!

Here are some of the more idiotic that were posted on a tourism website and were answered by the website owner:

Question: Does it ever get windy in South Africa? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? Answer: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.

Q: Will I be able to see elephants on the streets? A: Depends how much you've been drinking.

Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad? A: Sure, it's only 2 000km. Take lots of water.

Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa? A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific. A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not...oh forget it. Sure, Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.

Q: Can I bring cutlery? A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Do you have perfume asked a Frenchman? A: No, WE don't stink.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go, asked an American. A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

Did you know? Every citizen of Kentucky, USA, is required by law to take a bath once a year.

Maun couple attacked on road

Two Maun residents were attacked on the Nata road close to Francistown recently while enroute to South Africa.

Businessman Joe Myburgh said this week he and his companion had been held up by armed robbers when they had stopped on the side of the road

Two masked men suddenly came out of the bush and attacked us. We put up a fight but they smashed car windows and stole a handbag, money, travel documents and other property before running off, he said. It was very scary.

Police were very quick to reach the scene after the alarm was raised. They said there was a sign on the road warning motorists not to stop in the area as it was a favourite place for robberies. We did not see any sign but must now warn motorists not to stop on any roads a few kilometres outside Francistown, Myburgh added. The couple drove to Gaborone to obtain emergency travel documents and have windows refitted.

Recently other tourists were also attacked in the same area.

Elephant tracks on banks of river

Maun residents living on the banks of the Thamalakane River in the Riverside area were surprised last week to find that elephants had passed by their properties during the night.

The tracks of at least two were seen.

Earlier, five elephants were found on the opposite side of the river on a plot at Disaneng.

Huge ARV donation for Zimbabwe

A top lodge owner in Zimbabwe has donated US$750 000 (about P6-million) worth of antiretroviral (ARV) medication to people living near Victoria Falls. Stephen Saad, owner of &Beyond Exeter River, Dulini and Leadwood Lodges, made the donation through his company, Aspen Pharmaceuticals. A total of 23 pallets was delivered to the &Beyond warehouse in Johannesburg , South Africa , and with the help of &Beyond Foundation, the Nando's restaurant company sponsored the cost of sending the shipment to Zimbabwe . The medication was last week handed over to Victoria Falls district medical officers.

The &Beyond company and Nando's have businesses in Maun.

Cuba to send 166 more medics to Botswana

By Molefi Manyepedza

A team of 166 medical specialists from Cuba are to be deployed to Botswana says Minister of Foreign affairs and International Co-operation, Phandu Skelemani.

He told a Kgotla meeting in Maun that the specialists are expected to greatly reduce the shortage of medical personnel in this country. There will also be 5 technical experts who will assist in areas of basketball, boxing, volleyball, sports medicine and physiotherapy.

He said this will be of great help in the area of sports development in Botswana.

According to Skelemani, heart specialists are expected to be based at Scottish Livingstone Hospital and patients will no longer be sent to South Africa for heart related treatment.

This will be a welcome development as current heart specialists in Botswana are limited and most people end up going to neighbouring South Africa for treatment, he said.

On another issue, the minister said the good thing about relating with foreign countries is that one explores and learns many things.

He said during a visit to Japan, he learnt that reeds are good for petrol-making while another tree was also suitable for the manufacture of diesel.

The responsible company promised to open businesses in Botswana especially in the North West of the country where there is plenty of land, water and reeds such as Maun, he added. He promised that even though it will time for the company to start operating in Botswana, many Batswana will be employed.

The headman of Shageng ward, Koketso Rabosigo, complained about the incidence of high crime in Maun, especially on tourists. Galaletsang Mhapha requested to the Ministry of Education, through Skelemani, for the sponsorship age to be increased from 30-35 years as the president recently increased the Young Farmers Fund (YFF) from 35-40 years.

Magonamo Mmolainyana pleaded with Skelemani to assist Botswana with specialists in timber processing from other countries. He said there are timber trees such as mukwa which can be used in furniture manufacturing.

In response, Skelemani said that when trees like mukwa are cut down, they take a long time to grow when re-planted.

Khama and Tawana won't see eye to eye'

Speakers at a BNF rally to launch 17 BNF candidates for the Maun East and the Maun west constituencies at Magotho freedom square have predicted that President Ian Khama and Maun West parliamentary candidate Kgosi Tawana Moremi are two opposites who will oppose each other within the BDP.

Sedie ward district council hopeful Kaokapita Kaokapita said Tawana has already proved it when he publicly berated Khama in 1999.

The speaker's rhetoric at the launch was bent on proving to the electorates that Bogosi doesn't have much role to play in the politics of the country. Speakers pointed out that though relying on the Dikgosi to rekindle its dwindling political fortunes, the BDP is bent on instilling fear in to the minds of the electorate since Bogosi has historically been an institution that has been respected by Batswana.

The launch of Laurine Maplanka as the BNF parliamentary candidate for Maun West was historic as she is the first woman to have been nominated for that constituency.

Maplanka told voters that her main mandate will be the improvement of tourism in Maun and that the majority of people in Maun can't benefit from tourism if it only benefits foreigners.

She accused the ruling party as ignoring the district despite it having many resources that contribute to the economy.

BNF parliamentary hopeful in the Maun East constituency, David Rendoh, a retired diplomat, called on voters to tap from his abundance of experience on issues of governance by voting for him.

He brought to the attention of voters his role in advocating for the reinstatement of the 18 000 beef quota when the European Union wanted its reduction and the role he played to help the country acquire a passage to the seas through the Laws of the Seas convention. Rendoh said he will strive for the improvement of the village's education prospects saying the current state of affairs which sees qualified graduates roam the streets proves the BDP's ignorance of the interests of the youth.

He also promised to help farmers saying something ought to be done to stop elephants from destroying fields.

Debswana bund demolished after 30 years

By Bright Kholi

Residents of Kgantshang, Komana and others living along the Nhabe River as well as on the periphery of Lake Ngami have had their prayers answered after more than 30 years of no water flowing as a result of the blocking of the Nhabe River in the 1970s.

The bund, at the divergence of Nhabe and Boteti rivers near Kgantshang, is being demolished by Debswana Diamond Co in conjunction with the departments of Environmental Affairs and of Water Affairs.

The issue has been raised in the past at every meeting where water flow and the delta have been discussed.

The bund was originally constructed by the then De Beers Mining Company (now Debswana) to block water flowing into Lake Ngami and divert it to Mopipi dam to supply Orapa mine with water.

This was revealed by Ramogaupi Gaborekwe, of the department of Environmental Affairs in Maun and comes after a team of officials from DEA, DWA and Debswana visited the site and made a report which necessitated the removal of the bund.

According to Gaborekwe, the project is part of the implementation of the Okavango Delta Management Plan.

He said the bund, abandoned in the 1980s when the Boteti stopped flowing, has been a concern for the community living near Lake Ngami.

Gaborekwe said in their consultations with villagers and authorities during the consultation phase of ODMP, there were calls for the removal of the bund so that Nhabe River can flow into Lake Ngami again. The project of rehabilitating the river will involve backfilling of canals, removal of earth bunds and associated accessories to restore the river's original flow pattern.

Gaborekwe noted that DEA is involved for the purpose of ensuring that the project is done in environmental friendly manner, while the DWA is to be part of hydrology plan. Lack of suitable equipment has resulted in a delay to the completion date which should have been at the end of June. This has now been pushed back to July. Debswana is using small machinery which is overpowered by the amount of work and also the issue of tripartite supervision from Orapa, Gaborone and Maun, he said.

Gaborekwe also revealed that his department has already consulted with local authorities, village elders and the communities in general about the project.

The bund is located on the Nhabe main channel, about 2 km from where the Nhabe and Boteti rivers separate. The bund is about 150 metres long with two culverts which have two sluice gates meant to block the flow to Lake Ngami when water levels were low but opened during high discharges to feed Lake Ngami.

The two sluice gates do not appear operational and questions are being asked as to whether they ever functioned even during those years. Another bund in the area includes that along the Boro River which was constructed in the 1970s to block water from the river from inundating a one-time rice project. It has however been decided that there is no need to remove the bund as it does not have any negative effect on the river flow.' Debswana has also removed the bund at Chikwe along the Boteti from Maun to Mopipi, and an earth bund near Xau canal. The bund blocking flow to Mogotlho has also been cleared.

Air traffic in Africa down

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says there has been a 7% drop in air traffic passenger capacity on African airlines as a result of the global recession.

International traffic data for April shows a 3.1% decline in passenger demand and a 21.7% fall in cargo demand compared to April last year.

While April's passenger demand drop was a clear improvement compared to the 11.1% fall in March, this improvement should be viewed with caution, says IATA.

Freight demand appears to have found a solid floor with a 5th consecutive month at more than 20% below previous year levels.

We are not out of the woods yet, said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and chief executive officer. The demand improvements that we saw in April are welcome, but the 3.1% decline in passenger demand still outstripped the 2.5% cutback in capacity.

There is no improvement in revenues as yields continue to fall, and freight remains at shockingly low levels. The worst may be over but we, however, have not yet seen any signs that recovery is imminent, said Bisignani.

International passenger demand forecasts show a return to previous-year capacity levels by the end of the third quarter of 2009. Without a corresponding sharp improvement in demand, load factors are likely to decline rather than improve.

Community involvement in climate change

Climate change came under the spotlight at a workshop held in Maun this week.

Representatives from two communities Gudigwa and Serowe attended the consensus building workshop, sponsored by the UNDP Environmental Support Programme (UNESP), and hosted by David Lesolle, of Winter Brothers, climate change and conservation consultants.

UNESP was represented by Tiego Mpho. Serowe community delegates were OO Pitso, NR Ramolemana, OR Mojakgomo. K Gaborone and BM Batsweleng. From the Gudigwa community were D Ndando, M Motoloki, X Jackson and C Sima

Balisi Gopolang, from Botswana's Climate Change Secretariat in the department of Meteorology, urged communities to adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change.

The workshop started with an overview of the development principles governing the Earth Summit (1992) outcomes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Delegates heard that being a dry sub-Saharan country, Botswana is already experiencing variations in weather patterns as could be seen from the graph published last week in The Ngami Times showing the magnitude of the 2008/2009 flood levels at Gudigwa.

David Lesolle led the workshop with expert input from government departments. The goal of the workshop was to identify key projects which could qualify for funding under the UNDP Environmental Support Programme and then to develop the project proposals for submission.

The community representatives were given presentations on a range of possible activities.

Eunice Madisa, of the department of Agriculture, gave an excellent insight and guidance about apiculture (bee keeping) as a viable project that would result in conserving the African bee which is threatened by the effects of global warming.

She emphasised that her department was willing to work with new apiculturalists. The Forestry department, represented by Ludo Dikoko and Ishmael Marumo, told how tree planting activities which will result in carbon sequestration. Tachinya Molatole, of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), explained the roll of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and contributed to discussions on aquaculture (fish farming) and wildlife projects to restore biodiversity.

Lesolle stressed the reasons why many projects fail and that successful projects relied on community participation and buy in, accountability and transparency from the Board and Management of the project, and that projects must aim to be self sustaining as soon as possible and have a businesslike foundation

He said Winter Brothers wished to see successful projects which could then be duplicated in other communities who would benefit from the experiences of Serowe and Gudigwa.

Woman admits buying stolen property

By Molefi Manyepedza

A 27 years old Boseja woman has appeared before Maun customary court charged with obtaining property suspected to have been be stolen.

According to the facts presented before the court by constable Londani King, of Botswana Police, information was received from the Lancashire Steel company that 27 gum poles valued at P500 had been stolen from the company store.

During their investigations on April 19, they arrested Fredy Tabona and Kilos Selabe as suspects, who confessed to stealing and selling the poles to Rosah Solomon.

King further told the court that the police found gum poles at Solomon's place. He said when they asked Solomon where she got the gum poles, she said she bought them from Tabona and Selabe for P150 but failed to produce a receipt as a proof of purchase.

Solomon pleaded guilty to the offence and in her mitigation evidence asked for a lenient sentence as she is a breadwinner and caring for a new-born child.

Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo, presiding, told Solomon that it has never happened that 27 gum poles in good condition are sold at a price of P150. He said buying or receiving stolen property with intension of gain from crime is escalating, adding that the court will take robust action on culprits.

Ledimo sentenced Solomon to 5 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 7 years with no option of fine provided she did not commit the same offence. Ledimo said the gum poles will be taken back to Lancashire Steel store as they are in good condition.

Coke dream ends for Township Rollers

GABORONE - Township Rollers participation in the Coca Cola Cup fizzled out amidst a plethora of missed chances in a last 16 game against a battling Mogoditshane Fighters at the Molepolole Sports Complex.

Fighters held their nerve and ran out 3-1 after the dreaded penalty shootout.

Rollers started brightly but as has happened in the previous games their strikers could not find the route to goal. Pundits had predicted a Rollers victory against a side that is languishing in the relegation quagmire. But it was not to be.

As early as the 8th minute the crafty Edwin Moalosi lobbed Barolong Toldo' Lemmenyane but his effort sailed harmlessly over the bar before the Fighters' captain Mosalagaabo Makwatse cleared a goal-bound Terence Mandaza attempt off the line in the 16th minute. Fighters replied through Mandla Spikiri' Mgadla who escaped on the right but shot straight at Kabelo Dambe in Rollers goals. Then Onalethata OT' Tshekiso shot straight at Lemmenyane in the 21st minute. Edwin Olerile, perhaps getting impatient with his attackers, surged forward and his inch-perfect header was met by Moalosi who headed over.

Rollers came back for the second half determined to gain the lead and in the 49th minute Mandaza found himself unmarked inside the six yard box but shot over the bar. Searching for more decisive finishing Rollers brought in Monageng Thaele for Thekiso and the former was immediately in the thick of things as he laid on a defence-splitting pass to the wasteful Thebe Maiketso who forced Lemmenyane to save with his leg. Fighters then brought in Charles Mositwane for Marko Kamwimba in order to add experience so that Fighters could hold out for the penalty lottery but it was Rollers who kept blazing away as a ferocious shot by Mandaza in the 79th minute was parried by the excellent Lemmenyane and Maiketso could not follow-up to good effect.

Then during the penalty shootout Fighters scored through Bakang Onneetse, Makwatse and Mgadla while Mositwane's effort was saved by Dambe. Rollers scored through Thaele but Lesego Molemogi and Mandaza's penalties were saved while Maiketso shot over the bar.

In other Coca cola cup games Gaborone United lost to a Peter Ngwenya solitary goal and Mochudi Centre Chiefs breezed past a listless Notwane 5-2 in a one-sided game. Notwane's goals came from Keoagetse Barnes' Radipotsane and Galabgwe Moyana while Chiefs ensured a quarter-final place through goals by Michael Mogaladi, Moreetsi Mosimanyana (own goal), Sekhana Koko and a brace from Dirang Moloi. Ecco City Greens Mandlaenkosi Sibanda's and Malepa Bolelang's goals ended Jwaneng Comets hunt while Young Strikers defeated Killer Giants 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams were deadlocked 1-1 during fulltime from goals by Nkwebi Letsholo and Jabu Mosalakgoko respectively.

Naughty Boys continued their fairytale with a 3-2 win over Tasc through goals by Ringo Rankgomo (2) and Nametso Oletile. Master Masitara's lone goal could not prevent Nico United losing to Uniao Flamengo Santos who found the net through Mogakolodi Tsotso' Ngele and Vincent Phiri. Extension Gunners also cruised to a 2-0 victory over Police XI through goals from Emmanuel Nlu and Othusitse Spheto' Mahube.

Who will it be? Tigers, BMC or Delta Winds

The battle for the Nhabe regional league title is far from over.

Taking a look of the remaining games a win or a draw for Tigers over the weekend against Delta Winds will see them booking a place in the playoffs.

But if they lose, they have to wait for Sunday when they play Moeti United at Maun Sports Complex. For Delta Winds to go through to the play offs, they have to win all their remaining games and that means Tigers have to lose all their remaining games.

Delta Winds still are in with a chance as they have four games to play but they also need to collect all the points to go through. Looking at the team's performance of late, Tigers have the upper hand to represent the region in the play offs.

BMC have played the same number of games as Maun Tigers and if they win all they will finish with 44 points which won't be a threat to Tigers who on 45 points already.

What they are fighting for now is the second spot berth with Delta Winds.

The relegation axe is looming for bottom-placed Fuji Rollers, CTO, Maun United, Moeti United and North West United.

It seems all have a long way to go void the chop.

Bottom of the log Maun United will play against Cubs on Saturday before they take on Delta Winds on Sunday in a double header. Fuji Rollers will face CTO, while North West United takes on BMC, and Moeti United face Sankoyo and Maun Tigers on Saturday and Sunday.

Brilliant Terrors keep their league spot

Nhabe region National first division Maun Terrors will AGAIN be playing in the country's second best league next SEASON.

This follows a brilliant show by the Terrors in Orapa over the weekend when they held Orapa Bucs to a 2-2 draw, in the crucial game which either side wanted for the points to survive relegation.

Before the weekend games, all of the bottom five teams in the 12 team league were in the relegation zone, but its now official - FC Palapye and Letlhakane Stonebreakers have dropped to the lower division. For Terrors, this was a crucial game after losing last week to Miscellaneous, just like Orapa Bucs who lost 13-0 to Motlakase the same week.

No one gave Terrors any chance of surviving but they defied the odds and settled for a 2-2 draw a result which favoured both sides.

One could wonder why Terrors have to celebrate their survival. It is never ease for a team from Chobe, Maun and Ghanzi to stay in top flight football as there have been complaints from down-country sides of the distances involved as most of the teams participating in the National 1st Division North are based in Francistown, Orapa, Serowe and other areas.

That alone has been an obstacle that has caused problems for our local sides.

Nhabe region has produced the likes of Maun Tigers and Makgabisanaga to the National first division, but it has been alleged that their stay was limited because of the way the referees handled their games each time they are playing away from home.

For a team to survive this situation, they need to win all their home games because the treatment they get when playing away is far below the required standard - and that has played a major role to the destruction of our football.

Maun Terrors defied this punishment.

They fought it out since the beginning of the season which they started off well and finished the 1st round in the middle of the log.

In the 2nd round, they appeared to lose focus and they parted ways with their coach Davies Chibemba. That disrupted their plans as they lost crucial points.

It took them time to regroup and bring confidence in the players who had also lost hope, but it was not long before they started picking up the pieces. When they lost to Miscellaneous last week, no one gave them any chance of survival but they stood firm to stay in the league.

Maun Terrors coach Gadimaang Tiiso is a happy man.

He told Times Sports that they had it the hard way everyone in the team is happy about our performance in our last game. We went into that game with positive minds and one mission not to drop points.

I am happy we managed to survive, but that does not mean that we will sit back and relax. We our preparing for the new season and now we know what to expect, he added.

He also said Terrors are looking forward to beefing up the squad.

We need more players, mostly with height and physically fitness. Those guys out there are tall and fit, so we need to match them in everything for us to survive up there, he added.

Team captain Ronald Sebako is also over the moon about the team's survival. It was the most crucial moment in the league. It was difficult, but we knew we will make it and we did. I am proud of the players and management for their commitment and cooperation

In a special message to The Ngami Times from Maun terrors, the club says it was a hectic season for all, but we managed to survive.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us through all the hard times.

The team management of Dikgathatso Kebonyethebe, Chris Bethia, Bra Kitso Kaenda, Lassy (Delta Winds), Apollo (Apollo House), Riley's Garage and the players - all you guys were marvelous to us despite losing seven games in a row. It was no a joke.

New signings helped us to survive relegation.

Gaoje, Kenny and Sonny, keep it up and goalkeeper Maloba, you showed discipline and determination being alone in goals was not easy, but you never looked back. The rest of the team, what a great a season, we are looking forward to the coming season.

The club also thanked the management and particularly for arranging transport for the side through drivers of B999AKX, B543AMA, B728 (Chris) B950, AOM (Tshephie) Safer (B228) and Bachai.

On the technical side, we would to thank former coach Davies Chibemba for showing us the direction and not forgetting TV4 Ratanang; you gave us a winning formula.

You showed the love for football from the stand to be our caretaker coach and to the youngest coach in first division Gadimaang Tiiso. People misjudged you but you never looked back.

Guys, do not judge a book by its cover. Read it. Be firm and do what you know.

Maun Terrors are looking to more support, particularly from local businesses.

Horizon Stars, Maun Heroes moves to top league

Nhabe regional 2nd division league teams Horizon Stars and Maun Heroes have won promotion to the Nhabe league 1st division.

Horizon Stars are guaranteed in place in the Coca Cola Cup next season while two teams from the regional 1st division will also book a place in the same tournament.

On their way to victory, Horizon Stars played 12 games, won 10, drew 1 and lost 1, finishing with 31 points. Maun Heroes won 9 games, lost 1 and drew 2, for 29 points. At the bottom of the log are Boseja Chiefs. They are followed by Gaegolelwe, Mapalasitina, BOP and Zungu.

In the only game of the 2nd division played over the weekend, Gaegolelwe were humiliated 6-2 by Mapalasitina.

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24 May 2009 18:32

Edition 460 22 - 29 May, 2009

Testing the brave . . . the Maun 4x4 Challenge last Saturday was a real test of machine and drivers. The annual event, at Sitatunga quarries, was characterised by thrills and spills, as these two pictures show. Competitors from Francistown joined those from Maun in showing off their driving skills.

High food costs

The government wants to know why food prices have not come down even though oil and fuel prices have done so.

President Ian Khama told the High Level Consultancy Council in Gaborone last week that it was an area of specific concern.

He said: One of the positives that we have witnessed during the global recession is the reduction in oil and fuel prices. When fuel prices increase food and other prices increase on the basis of increased transportation costs.

I would expect that the reduction of fuel prices should help to facilitate reduction in food and retail prices of consumer items.

He asked BOCCIM, in conjunction with the Consumer Protection Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to examine and investigate why there are continuing price increases.

The president of BOCCIM, Modiri Mbaakanyi, echoed Khama's concern about the rise in consumer prices.

In Maun this week, there were noticeable price increases for foodstuffs such as milk and other products.

Some businessmen claimed they were paying high prices for transportation to Maun and placed the blame for cost increases at the door of transport companies.

KHAMA INSULT EVIDENCE

A shop manager denied to a packed courtroom this week that he had insulted President Ian Khama by uttering words which ridiculed the Head of State.

Maun Choppies manager Unni Bhaskaran has denied the allegation he used words to an employee that in terms of the law ridiculed the Standard of the President.

Bhaskaran is said to have told Elizabeth Anderson, who was an employee of Choppies Supermarket at the time, that she had to ask for permission to go to the toilet from 'Ian. Bhaskaran was represented by Charles Tlagae. of Tlagae Attorneys, Maun, and Plato Gaoboi, of Gaoboi Attorneys, Gaborone . The State was represented by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions principal prosecutor, Pascal Mhandu.

Bhaskaran told the court that he had been framed and reported by his former employees just because they were bitter after losing their jobs. He said he did not know the president of Botswana, adding that he cannot insult someone he does not know.

He said on July 18, 2008, he found his store's employees holding big sticks and telling him that he was not going to open the shop. He said they were complaining about low wages and further said Choppies was making a big profit.

He said after a while police came and asked employees to open the shop. The MP for Maun West, Ronald Ridge, and Maun police station commander Robson Maleka addressed employees.

Bhaskaran said he told those who were on strike that he was not dealing with salaries as he was not a Human Resources Manager.

He said on July 31, 2008, the Human Resources Manager came from Gaborone and gave about eight employees letters of transfer to other branches shops around the country, adding that the employees turned down the transfers and then agreed to leave the employ of Choppies.

Bhaskaran also said he was told by some employees that state witnesses Tlhalefang Makgetho and Elizabeth Anderson said they wanted to kick out a bull out of this country.

When cross examining, Mhandu asked Bhaskaran whether it was the first time Ridge had addressed Choppies employees' problems and was told that sometime in June Ridge had been at the store addressing issues with employees.

Mhandu also asked the accused whether he knew that the conversation in which the insult was allegedly levelled at the President was on July 18, 2008, before the termination letters and Bhaskaran replied he only knew about the alleged insult at the beginning of August when he was approached by police officers.

Bhaskaran called two witnesses who are currently employees of Choppies

Gakepina Tembwe testified that former Choppies employees framed the accused as she said they said they wanted him to be deported. She had not heard the offensive words and also there was no regulation that prevented employees from seeking an advance from the store manager.

The other witness was Atsile Makgetho. She testified that she had also never heard the accused uttering the words to Anderson and only found out about the alleged insults from The Ngami Times and BTV.

When she was asked by Mhandu when she first heard about the insult, Makgetho changed her statement and said it was the first time she had done so when in court. The state also called four witnesses, one of which was Elizabeth Anderson. She said she once asked for an advance from Bhaskaran sometime in April, 2008, and he told her to go and ask advance from Ian.

She said she then asked him why he said that and he replied by saying he knew that they went to the Maun Kgotla to report him to the President.

Anderson further said the accused told her he was told this by his friends at the shop. In April, 2008, she had asked for permission from the accused to go to the toilet and he told her to go and ask permission to do so from Ian. She said she was with Makgetho when this was said.

She also said sometimes when employees asked permission from their supervisors, they (the supervisors) turned round and denied ever having given permission, adding that that is why she preferred to ask permission from the manager.

Anderson also said she never reported the matter to the police but rather asked Ridge to address the issue. Anderson claimed the accused did not treat his employees equally and used abusive words when talking to some of them.

She also said reports were made to the Labour department but had heard nothing about the reports.

Anderson said employees embarked on industrial action on July 18, 2008, and that they invited Ridge, the police, Labour department and the media.

She then again told the court that she once asked for an advance and to go to the toilet and the accused person allegedly told her to go and ask from Ian'. According to Anderson, she was not bitter that she had parted with Choppies as she talked about the insult before she was dismissed from work. She said she was served with a letter of transfer, which according to her was not done correctly. She said the Human Resource Manager, Ishmael Farouk, told them that they wanted to cause trouble for the accused and they were given six months salary.

Cross examining, Gaoboi asked Anderson whether she is aware that they framed the accused as they once said they wanted him to leave the country?

Anderson said the accused cannot admit to having insulted the president as he is in trouble and was then told by Gaoboi that she involved politicians. Her response was that she told Ridge, as he was representing them and the President as they had told the Labour office about their issues but nothing was done.

Evidence which was led in court about asking permission from Ian to go to the toilet and for an advance was not challenged by the defence.

Another witness, who corroborated Anderson's evidence, was Tlhalefang Makgetho, a former employee of Choppies.

She said she heard the accused uttering the words to Anderson, whom she said was her friend. She denied framing Bhaskaran.

Maun police station commander Robson Maleka testified he was at Choppies on July 18, 2008, during the strike and revealed that Anderson had said that sometime in April of that year the accused person uttered words to her that she had to go and ask permission from Ian. Maleka said as there were other police officers there, he assigned Golebaone Magawe to conduct investigations.

Magawe said he was at Choppies during the strike and he heard Anderson saying that Bhaskaran had uttered words that ridiculed the Standard of the President. He was then assigned to conduct an investigation and he later warned and cautioned the accused about the alleged offence.

When asked by Gaoboi what he found during his investigations, Magawe replied that he discovered that there was an insult made and that's why he warned and cautioned the accused.

Bhaskaran will appear for judgment on June 22.

Two great successes for safari industry

Jack's Camp in the Makgadikgadi pans has been named as Africa's best safari camp in the Good Safari Guide Awards.

Not to be outdone, safari company &Beyond has also been honoured internationally. Jack's won four accolades at the Tourism Indaba which took place in Durban, South Africa, recently. The other three awards are Best Safari Camp in Southern Africa, Best Ecological Safari Camp and Best Safari Guiding Team. The purpose of the Good Safari Guide Awards is for experienced tour operators, journalists and other travel professionals who have visited many safari camps and lodges to nominate them for an award in the relevant category. Categories cover many disciplines. The awards are more about excellence then just being very good or better than most. In celebration of Earth month, Treehugger.com, a website dedicated to sustainability, has named the &Beyond Savuti Under Canvas camp as the best resort in the travel and nature category of its first annual Best of Green Awards. In addition, the May 2009 issue of the top-ranked Condé Nast Traveler (United States) magazine honours the company's Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp in their Hot List of the world's top new 140 hotels.

In a list that spans 53 countries, Xaranna Okavango Delta camp is mentioned under Botswana.

The lodge, hailed for its exciting décor, received a double-flame (hotter) rating.

Chief worried about slow developments

By Basadi Morokotso

SEHITWA - The Senior Chief's Representative in Sehitwa, Boitiro Dithapo, has expressed worry with the slow pace of developments in his village

He cannot stop wondering when people there should expect to have a Sub-District now that they have a state of the art police station and a Sub Land board.

He said the road leading to the police station is also an eyesore because of the many pot-holes which the Department of Roads has failed to attend to.

Last week, while preparations for the official opening of the police station were at an advanced stage, Dithapo said villagers used buckets and wheelbarrows of sand in an attempt to fill potholes.

Not long ago, he said, villagers had requested the construction of roads within the village - one leading to the village clinic, another to the community junior school and another to the police station.

The village was however never formally informed as to whether their proposal has been disqualified or not.

He said now that the Local Police is to merge with The Botswana Police Service, villagers are expecting good service delivery, but decried the fact that this might mean there is going to be accommodation problems because the Local Police always fend for themselves in terms of accommodation. The chief said also that although the police are doing a remarkable job, they still have to work hard on their response time because many times people have given up making reports as they are in most cases told to wait for the next available vehicle that could go to a crime scene.

He said the scarcity of police vehicles should thoroughly be looked into because there are a lot of things to be attended to, including the arrests of wayward youth who roam the streets at night from night clubs.

He said however that after approaching the station commander on the issue, there has been a drastic change.

Khama admits his aversions

President Ian Khama appears to have for the first time given a concrete and illuminating reason as to why the country's liquor laws have been changed. And he has added smoking to it as well.

He said in a recent interview with the newspaper The Voice that there was no personal family tragedy which affected him in terms of alcohol consumption.

Replying to a question on a perceived family tragedy, the President said: What family tragedy? Listen, I have, for as long as I can remember, detested alcohol. Of all the social ills I can think of, alcohol is the root cause.

Rapes, the spread of HIV, road accidents... You can be sober and driving to a wedding and some drunkard would come and end your life. I hate alcohol.

Even people who smoke, I detest. Drinking and smoking don't bring any value into people's lives. This has nothing to do with family tragedy.

The straight-from-the-shoulder answer sums up the man. His view has not before been publicly explained and now that we know, the country should realise drinking and smoking will certainly be targets of the new government after this year's elections.

Pete Smith

It is fitting that 10 years after his death, the University of Botswana's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in Maun is celebrating the life of one of our greatest hydrologists and explorers, Pete Smith, who pioneered biodiversity conservation in the Okavango Delta.

He did much to open up the wonderful world of the Delta to not only scientists and researchers but also to the ordinary man in the street.

However it was not only one world that he explored but a myriad of worlds that make up that pristine wetland, now a Ramsar conservation site. A quiet, shy and retiring man, Pete Smith unraveled many of the mysteries of the delta.

He brought a new understanding of conservation to the people who populate the region and in turn inspired many to take a greater interest in their habitat.

We salute Pete Smith, and congratulate HOORC on presenting this week the story of his life for public consumption.

Ever since we published our exclusive story about an earthquake in northern Botswana on May 1 there has been a marked interest in such seismic occurrences.

According to a website we peruse from time to time, there has been no aftershock as a result of the quake, which took place 10km below ground about 140km north-east of Maun.

Shuffle has also received confirmation that the quake was felt in Maun. A resident says she turned to her family and said that was an earth tremor. They all looked at her blankly and told her she was wrong.

The Ngami Times came out the next week with a diagram of where the quake took place and that was that! The interest in the website has shown that many parts of the world are regularly rattled by earthquakes many of them of about a 4 magnitude. Iran, the Pacific islands (particularly New Guinea and nearby New Britain), China, South America and the United States are regularly rocked in one way or the other.

For instance, as Shuffle writes this piece there was a quake off Honshu, Japan, measuring 4.8. and that was only seven minutes ago which tells you how earthquake watchers are on the ball, so to speak!

In one 24 hour period recently there were two earthquakes in eastern Iran, three in New Britain, two in Guam (in the Pacific), two in Fiji and one each affecting Argentine, Chile, Bolivia, Rumania and the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia.

Not bad for a world that seems to be decidedly wobbly these days!

Every now and again a newspaper headline catches the eye because it is so far off the truth.

Take the one in a local newspaper last week which proclaimed across its front page Economy not yet in recession. A bold statement indeed even if it did sum up the annual report of the Bank of Botswana.

The bold truth surely is that the recession is well and truly here. There can be no doubt about it if one considers our diamond sales are way down and copper mines have closed, and business is limping along (ask any businessman).

This makes one wonder.

Every Chinese year is known as the Year of something or other.

In 2007 we had the Chinese Year of the Chicken and what happened? The bird (avian) flu pandemic devastated parts of Asia. The next year it was the Year of the Horse and equine influenza decimated Australian racing.

And now in 2009 we have the Chinese Year of the Pig, so what happens? Swine flu pandemic kills hundreds of pigs and many humans around the globe.

What on earth are we going to do next year as 2010 marks the Chinese Year of the Cock. Confucius says what could possibly go wrong?

* Did you know? About two hundred babies are born worldwide every minute; ie. 3.3 every second.

**

* Quote of the day: Have you ever noticed? Anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone driving faster than you is a maniac.

That's a good quote for Maun!

Pete Smith commemoration gets underway

Maun conservationists and townspeople have this week had the opportunity to salute pioneering Okavango delta conservationist Pete Smith who died 10 years ago.

Smith's maps, papers and other material he gathered during a 40-year journey through the Okavango delta is being commemorated at various events.

On Monday night the official opening of an exhibition of Smith's annotated maps at the African Arts and Images gallery at Maun airport was attended by about 150 people, and tomorrow (Saturday) there will the unveiling of a memorial at his former home on the Catholic Mission property next to the Sedia Riverside Hotel and the official opening of the University of Botswana's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre at the UB campus in Maun of the Pete Smith Herbarium.

Smith joined the government service in various environmental capacities in 1953, first at Pandamatenga and then at Maun.

He was employed as a tsetse fly control officer in 21959 transferring as an ecologist to the Agriculture department and 14 years later to Water Affairs as a hydrologist.

He retired in 1991 but remained an active consultant. He received the MBE from Queen Elizabeth II and Botswana's Presidential Certificate of Honour.

Smith died on May 20, 1999.

Pictured here is Christoph Holzapfel, the company's Operations Manager, with some of the employees at Eagle Island Camp during the share certificate ceremony

Employees get share in top tourism company

Employees of the prestigious Orient Express Safaris company have each received shares in the company.

This move places each permanent employee in a position of owning shares on the New York Stock Exchange listing of Orient Express hotels. This incorporates all 51 units the company owns worldwide.

This share programme enables each employee to actively take ownership of the unit in which they work. With the possibility of increased dividend payouts and follow-on share allocation, it encourages each individual to look after the company as if it is their own says Christoph Holzapfel, Operations Manager for the group.

In line with our social responsibility programme, this share programme will enhance loyalty and commitment from employees, and in turn reward them with long term financial benefits as well as nurturing the basics of financial responsibility.

Botswana's first annual book fair

South African company 30° South Publishers, is to host Botswana's first annual book fair. It says that in these times of economic hardship it is even more important that the publishing and reading of books does not lose the impetus it has gained over the last few decades.Books are the vehicle through which our collective history and ideas are made available to us and especially to our youth, so that they may learn and lead with the knowledge that they are supported by a vast and fundamental knowledge base.

Three four-year-old company says its objective is servicing niche markets in the fields of southern African non-fiction, focusing primarily on history and memoirs. In 2006 the company released a series of pocket guides to South Africa's World Heritage Sites and officially launched the Southbound imprint at the 2007 Cape Town International Book Fair.The Botswana fair is to be known as Book Expo 2009 Gaborone and will be staged from May 29 to 31 at the Fairgrounds in Gaborone. After the success of Lee Gutteridge's The South African Bushveld - a field guide from the Waterberg, Gutteridge has teamed up with Maun-based field guide Tony Reumerman to co-author a photo-identification field guide that includes everything from the Big Five to reptiles and scorpions, flowers, trees, entitled Okavango - a field guide from the Jao and Vumbura concessions.

Khama administration failing Batswana' Moupo

By Boniface Keakabetse

The leader of the Opposition and Botswana National front (BNF) president Otsweletse Moupo says President Ian Khama's leadership of the ruling Botswana Democratic party (BDP) is slowly but surely failing the people.

Speaking at the launch of his party's candidates for the Maun East and the Maun West constituencies at the weekend, Moupo described Khama as a political loner who has turned the governance of this country in to a one man show.

He said prospects of the country's advancement under the current leadership are dim unless the electorate switches political leadership to BNF in the upcoming polls.

Since the 1984 elections, the BDP's appeal has significantly taken a nose dive. When Khama was brought into the BDP it was hoped he will bring back his party's past glories and end internal wrangles and factions but he has failed in all these, said Moupo.

Moupo said the system of Bulela Ditswe has become a Pandora's Box following incidents of cheating and some members becoming disgruntled from the BDP. Right now the BDP want to bring 4 more specially elected women to parliament, a political technique that is meant to soak down the influence of Khama's opponents in the BDP.

He said BDP scored 54 percent popular vote in the 2004 polls a figure he said presented a 5 percent drop from the 57% managed in the 1999 elections.

He said while many political analysts and the media have been creating an illusion that BNF has crumbled and was out the race, he expected it to triumph.

Moupo said current political trends point out that the BDP will score a popular vote of less than 52% 2% down from what it had in 2004. He called on the voters to make use of this and vote for BNF.

History has proved beyond doubt that the BNF is a movement that stands to represent the concerns of the people. In the 1970s, the BNF campaigned for compulsory and free education and for the government to come up with a social programme to help the destitutes.

Moupo said the BNF stands for the interests of the masses and that the BDP had proved itself to be an exclusive club of the rich.

British values against the wall over crooked MPs

A correspondent in Britain reflects on one of the greatest scandals involving the British government for many years.

British fair play, decency, integrity and the instinctive awareness of right and wrong, is being prominently exhibited here by the Honourable and Right Honourable incumbents of the hallowed chambers of Westminster, seat of the Mother of all Parliaments, Cradle of Democracy, oratorical home of Oliver Cromwell, Pitt the Elder and Winston Churchill.

Their actions and deeds are faithfully being recorded by the news sheets, both broad and tabloid, for the information of the voters and taxpayers, on a daily basis.

These revelations are raising the ire of proletariat, who are coining new and colourful names and descriptions for the unelected country's leader and all 650 lesser luminaries. In these hard times of recession, redundancy and weekly visits to the Job Centre for the ritual known here as signing on, those who can no longer afford daily fish and chips and seven pints between visits to Ladbrokes betting shops, as well as those who speak a different kind of English and take the 7.08 from Bognor Regis to Waterloo, are voicing their agitation about £2000 (about P21 000) to clear the moat around a conservative Party member's country manor, and the accepting of £48000 (about P4.9-million) by the custodian of the nation's Constabulary, Revenue and Customs, Immigration while she pays her house-husband £40 000 (about p400 000) a year on the national payroll to be her researcher and charges his pornographic movie videos to the bottomless pit of the MPs allowances scam and feasts off her £400 (about P4 000) a month free food allowance when she isn't at the subsidised Honourable Members' Dining Room overlooking the Thames.

The voters are also perturbed about the few thousands of pounds here, and the many thousands of pounds there, spent in their name for essentials like two plasma-screen TVs and two DVD machines for a one bedroom second home flat in London by a trade unionist from Blackburn whose salary of £64 000 (about P640 000) is enhanced to a total of around £150000 (about P1.5-million) by skilful manipulation of the system, all the while supported and sheltered by the revered Speaker of the House of Commons, whose job it is to police the system, Michael Martin, aka Gorbals Mick, son of a sheet metal worker from Glasgow (renowned, inter alia, for the famous Glasgow Kiss technique of combative aggression or retaliation, depending on who won or lost in the Rangers game).

And so it goes. Everyone of these august people seems to be on the make and on the take. Pool cleaning, tennis court repairs, horse manure for the pastures, bookcases, mortgage subsidies of £800 (about P8 000) a month for years for non-existent mortgages, taxi fares around London for the Speaker's wife to go shopping, married couples who are both MPs both claiming for second home allowances for the same home they share (only £24 000 each, total £48 000 P480 000) - so what's all the fuss about, we are both entitled to it. By the way, one is Education Minister, the other is Treasury Minister each is paid £146 000 (about P1.4-million) a year, plus transport, out-of-pocket allowance, private staff allowance, free food allowance, and who knows what else.)

These are the same true blue Brits who say you can't trust foreigner as those fellers simply don't have an Englishman's sense of honour. They lie, cheat, steal, embezzle, defraud, falsify, you name it!

Floods slow down, no sign of second peak

By Bright Kholi

The wait for the flood waters to reach Maun may be a long one as there are indications that the water is now moving very slowly past Xaxaba village with the levels and discharge at Mohembo decreasing dramatically.

The initial projections were that the water could have reached Maun two weeks ago, but now it looks likely that the flood will take a longer time.

According to Ngurungudla Naidoo, from the Department of Water Affairs, this uncertainty has been a result of the non-occurrence of the expected second flood from the Angolan highlands.

It had not yet arrived at Mohembo and Naidoo says that without the second surge, the first flood which caused a lot of damage to property upstream, is now flowing slowly down stream and taking time to fill flood plains along the way.

He said this means Maun may not get a lot of water as initially thought, but people who have built in the flood plains should continue to be on the look out. Currently, the water is about 40km from Toteng along the Kunyere River and in the Xaxaba upstream on the Boro.

According to records at Mohembo, the level and water discharge have both dropped from 2.940m and 584.056 cusecs to 2.700m and 512.918 cusecs respectively over the past 10 days.

Meanwhile the flood water reached Gudigwa last week and has affected the school and the village clinic.

North West District Council public relations officer Wada Motsamai told The Ngami Times that the flood has led to some problems in accessing the clinic and the school. She also said some staff houses were affected. The school remains operational even though access was blocked and the authorities managed to make a temporary access for children to be able to reach school. With regard to the clinic, she said a temporary gate had been opened to allow people into the clinic and an ambulance had been mobilised to ferry those patients who cannot make it to the clinic. It is not yet clear whether the water level in Gudigwa is rising or receding. ( see graph: The 2008/09 hydrograph shows a sharp increase in the amount of water which then decreases sharply. the graph does show that there was no second flood. )

Sehitwa police station is finally opened

By Basadi Morokotso

SEHITWA - The long delayed opening of Sehitwa police station - which cost P50 million has finally taken place.

The Minister for Defence, Justice and Security, Ramadeluka Seretse, used the opportunity to rap local contractors over the knuckles for delaying projects.

The tender for the police station had been awarded to local contractor Ketlogetswe and Sons, as the main contractor.

Seretse called on contractors to learn to do things properly because their failure to do so might mean they are caught up with ever-increasing prices of building materials. Had the contractor abided by the rules of the agreement that the station be completed in May 2007, after building started in May 2005, Seretse said the construction would not have cost more money.

I am saying this because delays often bring about consequences like delaying services, and increasing costs which affect other planned government projects. It is my hope that all those involved in the delivery of projects of this nature will in future ensure that they are completed on time and on budget, he said.

Police Commissioner Thebeyame Tsimako said he was equally concerned about the slow progress of the construction of the station because some components such as the access road and the renovation of existing facilities are still not complete to date.

I am however told that this was due to challenges faced by the main contractor. I can only urge those responsible to give the remaining components their full attention and ensure that they are completed soon, Tsimako said.

The office block consists of 33 offices, a lecture room, storage facilities and custody areas. There is a parade ground, an impounded vehicle yard, parking facilities for staff and the public and a stable.

The offices are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that include sophisticated network and telecommunications systems, controlled access to high security areas, computers, air conditioning and many others which will promote a conducive working environment.

To address the issue of accommodation, a high-cost house has been built for the station commander, two medium cost and an additional 22 low cost houses have been built, while an extra seven old houses are currently being renovated to bring them up to standard.

The existing office block will probably be turned into a gymnasium to promote physical fitness.

Seretse said the government had been left with no option but to put in place a fully fledged stock theft branch within the Botswana Police Service as well as the setting up of stock theft courts.

The setting up of the courts, he said, has already been agreed after discussions with the Chief Justice who is currently working on the modalities of operation.

Although it is government's duty to ensure that police officers are given the necessary tools and amenities, the minister said they should also be committed to their work, to fight crime and maintain the desired level of security.

Tsimako called on his juniors to hold themselves accountable and serve the communities around them with the love and dignity that they deserve.

The policing area covers a number of villages and settlements such as Tsau, Semboyo, Bodibeng, Botlhatlogo, Kareng, Makakung, Legotlhwane as well as patrolling the Botswana/Namibia border.

Poor monitoring affects protection programmes

By Boniface Keakabetse

Participants from the department of Social Services have told a workshop organised by UNICEF in Maun that poor monitoring, evaluations and cost benefits analysis of social programmes is responsible for the inefficiency and malfunctioning of many of the programmes.

The workshop studied the effectiveness and efficiency of social protection programmes.

It heard many programmes are designed but their benefits are imagined and lack mechanisms that will ensure whether these attain their objectives and whether they go in the direction which have been envisioned.

Giving an overview of the social protection in Botswana, the social policy advisor at UNICEF, James Warner, pinpointed the Vision 2016 goals of a compassionate, just and caring nation, reduction of income inequality and poverty rates, improvement of social safety nets and the aim for the country to help people to escape from the poverty trap.

Warner said currently the department is providing about 49 000 food baskets nationwide and that the number of recipients has risen. He said the orphan food basket programme has a problem since the beneficiaries do not have access to choose the kind of food items they wish to consume while there is also a stigma recipients encounter with regard to collecting the food items.

He said often there are instances where some recipients have been given expired or low quality foodstuffs. It is also difficult for recipients in the remote areas to benefit more easily, something he said led to a policy analysis recommending the introduction of the coupon system.

He said however the slow implementation by hired private companies, the skyrocketing cost of the programme now standing at P110 million and the cost of smart card machines were projected to cost P10 700 each led to delays.

He said when the programme was rolled out in April this year, it could only be introduced in urban areas and it was questionable whether this could be regarded as an improvement.

Concerning the revision of the destitutes programme, Warner said consultants have recommended that the name destitute be replaced with an alternative name following international trends to get rid of the stigma attached to one being named as a destitutes.

Log leaders Tigers slip past Gunners

Nhabe region log leaders Maun Tigers are focused and raring to go.

They proved this over the weekend when they edged past Khwai based Gunners with a 2-1 win, in a league match played on Sunday.

Tigers had to wait until the 90th minute to secure a win through a goal by Tera Ben' Isaacs. Despite taking the lead from a goal by Business Boenyana, Gunners came back fighting and equalised through Mponang Jackson.

The game seemed destined for a draw until Gunners surrendered the win to Tigers in the last minutes of the final half.

In other games played in the region over the weekend, Delta Winds kept their winning consistency as they walloped Moeti United 2-0.

Delta Winds scored in each half through Menson Firo' Mompati in the first and young and talented wing player Olerato Sandaka' Segosebe who banged in the winner in the second half from a corner kick by Tshebetso Tshex Lekgoa. At Maun Sports Complex on Saturday, Fuji Rollers demolished Sankoyo Bush Bucks 5-3 in a mouthwatering encounter while North West United beat Maun United 6-2. Makgabisanaga marched past Cubs with a 3-1 win with cubs' only goal through reliable striker Ogaufi Maungo. Makgabisanaga got their winning goals from a brace by Boniface Botumile and Zobba Moenga.

In another gamer, BMC played a 2-2 draw with CTO.

Meanwhile this weekend will be exciting. Fans will be treated to another feast of football as an interesting derby is lined up.

On Saturday, Delta Winds will lock horns with BMC at Maun Sports Complex and that will be followed with a crunch encounter between Makgabisanaga and Maun Tigers at the same venue (4pm).

On Sunday, the battle will be between Sankoyo Bush Bucks who will face up to their counterparts, Gunners of Khwai.

Maun Terrors gave Miscellaneous a play-off spot

Nhabe regional league first division North representatives Maun Terrors have now to put their hopes of survival on their remaining league game against Orapa Bucs over the weekend in Orapa.

Had they won or drawn their weekend game against Miscellaneous, Terrors would have been out of the relegation zone, but they are left with yet another mountain to climb when they visit Bucs in their final game that will decide their fate.

The Bucs match should have been played last Sunday in Orapa but was postponed until this weekend. The win for Miscellaneous has secured them a berth in the play-offs. They went into the game needing just a point to clinch a place in the play-offs.

Miscellaneous will now face the Premier League team that finishes 14th in that league and the 1st Division South runners-up for the remaining slot in the top league.

Miscellaneous currently have 43 points from a total of 21 games which they have played so far, while the third place spot is yet to be decided. Currently 3rd are Orapa Wanderers while BR Highlanders lie 4th.

Maun Terrors failure to secure a point will now see them in the relegation battle. The struggle however is still on with the bottom five teams in desperate need of points to avoid the chop.

It is with no hesitation that bottom-placed FC Palapye has been relegated. They are destined to play in the 2nd division next season after their 2-0 defeat to another relegation haunted side, Mahalapye Hotspurs.

Despite the weekend defeat, Terrors still maintain their 8th place, ahead of Hotspurs, who were in 11th place but have now moved to 9th with 22 points. Terrors are ahead of Hotspurs with superior goal difference.

Orapa Bucs are among the relegation threatened teams. They have two remaining games to play before the end of the season but the 13-0 demolition by Motlakase has sunk them deeper into the relegation zone.

It is with much doubt that they will be capable of avoiding defeat in their two games against FC Satmos and Maun Terrors to survive the axe.

The defeat left them in 10th spot with 21 points while their counterparts Stone Breakers have dropped to 11th after their 1-0 defeat to Orapa Wanderers.

In other weekend results, Sua Flamingoes are comfortably out of danger, when they managed to defeat TASC 2-1 away in Francistown.

Revenge is what Notwane wants!

Sports Correspondent

- As Notwane troops onto the field at the Molepolole Sports Complex on Saturday to square up against a buoyant Mochudi Centre Chiefs in a grudge last 16 Coca Cola tie, revenge will be uppermost in their minds.

Twice Notwane has failed to prise away points from Chiefs in the league. In the previous encounter a determined Notwane outfit harried and pushed Chiefs all the way but this proved to be mere window dressing as Chiefs took control of the midfield in the second half and won the three points.

Notwane gets a chance to redeem itself but will have a mountain to climb.

The 12-2 demolition of a bewildered Boteti Young Fighters in the previous week delivered due warning and must have put into perspective the task at hand for the Toronto boys.

Newly-signed Dirang Moloi is untouchable as an attacking fulcrum but the feeling is that when played alongside Oteng Limkokwing' Moalosi the Chiefs midfield lacks honest, diligent stokers in the engine room like Elijah Phiriepa. Should Chiefs decide not to field the latter they would have their hands full trying to contain rising star young Galabgwe Moyana who is at centre of most of Notwane's best moves.

Unless the injury-jinxed Molwantwa recovers his form of three years ago, Sichola will continue to plough a lonely furrow upfront. Moshe Shakes' Moseki might start the game if only to bring an element of surprise and variation to the Notwane attack but will find the going tough against the twin centrebacks Michael Mogaladi and Given Mpundu.

Young Thabo Mbole returns to bolster a rickety defence that has cracked at the slightest hint of pressure but will have his hands full trying to contain the speedy Othusitse Jabu' Pilane and Pontsho Moloi.

Paul Moyo, the Notwane coach, is in danger of leaving a nasty stain on a previously largely successful career since his side has continued with a miserable run. The veteran coach seems to believe that when the tide is against you, you must keep rowing. What better way to redeem oneself through a win against Chiefs.

In other Coke fixtures, Ecco City Greens, fresh from a 1-0 win over BMC, will have a relatively easy passage against minnows Jwaneng Comets in Francistown on Saturday. Comets will have their hands full trying to contain the marauding Ecco City attacking trinity of Mandlaenkosi Sibanda, Malepa Bolelang and Bonolo Fraser.

Nico United travel to Lobatse to take on last year's finalists Uniao Flamengo Santos in a tie that could go either way or Naughty Boys welcome Tasc at the Tlokweng VDC grounds. The rest of the day's programme is completed by a clash between first division sides Young Strikers and Killer Giants at Ramotswa.

On Sunday Township Rollers will attempt to atone for their poor league form against a Mogoditshane Fighters and Extension Gunners will welcome Police XI at the Lobatse Stadium to complete the last 16 fixtures.

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19 May 2009 23:51

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Edition 460 15 - 22 May, 2009

Spectacular from the air . . . Bright Kholi flew over Maun with Mack Air recently and photographed some of the town's landmarks. This picture is of the Okavango International School clearly showing the developments at the site, situated on the outskirts of the town.

POLICE ASSAULTS A HABIT'

Maun police came under scrutiny at the magistrate's court this week when principal magistrate Clifford Foroma told them that assaulting suspects is illegal - and told them to drop the habit.

He said this during a mention hearing in which a 27-year-old Boseja man, Keamogetse Songa, appeared in court wearing a blood stained t-shirt and saying that he was assaulted by a team of Maun CID officers.

The police denied the accusation.

Foroma said investigations on issues of police assaults must be carried out, adding that there should be no favours with such investigations.

He said even though the accused person might not be telling the truth, in most cases police assaulted suspects. He said sometimes accused persons are brought into court for mention seriously assaulted and been forced into making confessions. Foroma warned police that assaulting suspects is illegal. He told them that their habit must come to an end, adding that any police officer caught assaulting suspects will be prosecuted. He also urged police officers to investigate matters in a professional way.

Songa testified in court that it was at about 1am while waiting for a lift that police officers came and assaulted him using their fists and kicking him.

He said there were about four officers and said he can only identify one whom he named as Gumede.

Songa also revealed in court that he was later taken to hospital and that he was supposed to be treated by a doctor but this was refused by police officers. He was also not given medication. Songa said he spent almost a week in police cells, which he described as dirty, and sometimes he was vomiting blood. Police never took any action to help him.

Sub Inspector Steven Khethiwe, of Maun CID, told the court that the accused was assaulted by the owner of a house after he (the accused) had allegedly broken into the house. Khethiwe said that the accused claimed to be assaulted by police yet he knew the truth.

The accused is remanded in custody while the police were given a month to investigate the matter professionally.

Coaching for Conservation in world finals

The annual Coaching for Conservation (C4C) programme in Maun is one of three finalists in the prestigious worldwide project Beyond Sport.

If it is successful, C4C - sponsored by the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust (BPCT) will bring instant fame to Maun where more than 1 500 primary school children have over the past five years been participants. The project using sport as a catalyst aims to develop a generation of kids who care for respect to others and to conservation.

To qualify as a finalist, projects had to use sport as a platform for social change, impact positively on the community, be able to be duplicated in other areas or countries, and be sustainable.

There were 265 entries from more than 80 countries, said Lesley Boggs-McNutt, the programme director. The BPCT project, which links conservation to sport, is one of three finalists in its category.The other two are the Polar Defence Project from Britain and Norway, and the SOC IRB Kit Aid programme. The polar project is aimed at global warming while the kit aid programme entails the recycling of old rugby jerseys. The local project focuses on children and stems from the realisation that; without the attention and interest of the local young people, Botswana's conservation aims and the future of the country's spectacular natural resources will remain uncertain.

The annual flagship football coaching camp in Maun is open to all primary schools Now in its 6th year, a powerful impact has been created through the collaboration of international coaches, government sports bodies, and specialist conservation educators, said Boggs-McNutt..

A curriculum that marries football skills to conservation messages has been developed. In addition to football training, C4C focuses on the conservation education of Maun's primary school children and aims to increase awareness and knowledge of Botswana's natural resources and wildlife.

Endorsed by the Botswana Football Association and the National Sports Council, this year it is set to broaden C4C's reach by including students from all of Maun's 23 primary schools.

Maun airport gears up for swine flu

By Molefi Manyepedza

Every visitor into Maun arriving by air will be screened for swine flu (H1N1), a strain of influenza which has caused at least 61 deaths and by mid-week had hospitalised 5 251 throughout the world.

Addressing a meeting of tour operators this week, Radiance Ogundile, of the District Health Team, said the government is still discussing with the Maun health team and safari operators about the placing of a high-tech scanner at the airport to monitor the temperature of visitors arriving there. People passing the scanner will indicate the temperature of a person. If a person's temperature is above normal, he or she will be taken for a further check-up to determine if they had the symptoms.

Suspected victims will be taken to the Infectious Diseases Control Centre (IDCC) at the old Maun General Hospital. The chief health officer in the Ministry of Local Government, Thabo Phologolo, said if there is a suspected case of swine flu, all the passengers who arrived on the same plane as the person will have to undergo treatment, especially those who were seated next to the suspect even though they do not show symptoms.

Swine flu is an airborne disease and Phologolo added that the symptoms cannot manifest in a day.

The Botswana Defence Force has agreed that it will provide aircraft where it is needed and especially during emergencies, he added.

He said the tourism industry could suffer if even one case was reported from Maun. There are no laboratories for testing swine flu in Botswana and all testing will be done at Johannesburg, South Africa.

Symptoms of swine flu in children include fast breathing, a bluish skin colour and being so irritable that the child does not want to be held whereas, in adults, symptoms are difficulty in breathing, sudden dizziness and severe or persistent vomiting.

The Ministry of Health advises people wash hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, cover the mouth when coughing, and staying away from crowded living and sleeping spaces if possible. Meanwhile, there are international reports that high-tech scanners may not be an effective deterrent. The scanners work by reading facial temperatures, which might indicate fever. Border controls don't work. Screening doesn't work, says Gregory Hartl, of the World Health Organisation. Fever monitoring doesn't work because you will not pick up the cases which are still in incubation.

Court rejects bail pleas from three accused

By Molefi Manyepedza

Four persons accused of shop breaking have appeared before Maun chief magistrate Mmopa Baakile for a trial date to be set.

Three of the accused persons were denied bail as they have pending cases.

Boipheto Keinee asked for bail as he said at the time of arrest, he was at work in Disaneng and had lost his job and had no idea where his property was now. He also asked to brief a lawyer.

Moagi Gabantheetse, of Thebekgwana ward, Gweta, pleaded with the court to give him bail as he is a Motswana.

With love and remorse, your worship, may I please be given a bail he said. adding that one of his children is disabled and needs care and love from both parents. He also wanted to seek a lawyer as he cannot do that while in custody. Keleemetse Gasemotho, of Tawana ward, Letlhakane, told the court he also wanted to engage a lawyer and that there is no way he can escape if given bail as he does not have a passport and friends outside Botswana. Gasemotho said he is a Motswana who can easily be found when wanted by the police.

Olopeng Monnaatsie, a taxi driver who is on bail had nothing to say in court.

Baakile said it is normal that when an accused is in custody, he or she does not know the condition of his or her property. He added that accused persons are given bail according to their behavior, especially not having serious pending cases like armed robbery.

State prosecutor Universe Kabecha, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, said the accused are not right candidates for bail as they have pending cases. Keinee, Gabantheetse and Gasemotho have pending cases of armed robbery while Monnaatsie has a pending case of threat to kill.

In this case the accused are charged with a single offence of shop breaking and theft. According to the facts of the case, on March 4 Keinee, Gabantheetse, Gasemotho and Monnaatsie broke into and entered Welcome Enterprises, stealing cash amounting to P165 000, 28 cellphones, cigarettes, and Mascom, Orange and BTC scratch cards.

All the goods were valued at P280 546.

The trial date is scheduled November 11-12.

Monnaatsie will appear again for mention on June 8 and re-appear again on June 28 with the other three accused persons

Financial crisis sees cuts in government budgets

The government has cut ministry budgets as a result of the international financial crisis in an effect to introduce cost saving measures across the board.

There is a 7% reduction of recurrent budgets and 5% development budgets for 2009/2010.

The figures were given in Gaborone recently by Vice President Mompati Merafhe when he addressed a press conference on various issues affecting government.

Mompati said also that air travel for ministers and other political dignitaries. as well as all senior government officials at deputy permanent secretary level and above, has been restricted to business class with all others travelling economy class. The restrictions also apply to parastatals, local authorities and other government aided organisations which have also been told to cut the sizes of delegations going on external and internal business.

One of the main reasons for the austerity programme is because of the state of the diamond market. Botswana depends largely on mineral revenues, particularly diamonds, and this is a sector that has been the hardest hit by the recession

Debswana Diamond Company and the government agreed to suspend operations at its mines after no sales of diamonds was registered in November.

This has led to a significant reduction when set against the government's expenditure plans - which were formulated before the crisis is expected to result in a substantial budget deficit.

Previously, the country was able to sell P2.4 billion (US$300m) worth of diamonds per month.

Corruption charges concocted by rival company'

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has found that no corruption or malpractice was involved in the awarding of a tender to the China National Electric Equipment Corporation (CNEEC) for carrying out the Morupule B. Power Station Project. In a report to the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, the DCEC instead found that allegations had been concocted by a rival company after it had lost the tender for the project.

It named the company as DEC-Zelan which had sought a joint venture with Batswana companies for the project.

After they lost the tender they came up with some accusations which could not be substantiated in an attempt to cause confusion under the pretext of corruption. We have totally not found any element of corrupt practices in the process, DCEC said. The allegations against the awarding of the tender to CNEEC surfaced in a November 2008 newspaper article that quoted from a leaked document in which it was falsely reported that CNEEC was not registered in its home country, China, as a category A company, a company with sufficient capacity to undertake a project of the magnitude of Morupule B power station. The DCEC report on the contrary confirms that there is no doubt that CNEEC was registered under category A with [the] Chinese government in 2004

DCEC dismissed further allegation that the Botswana Power Corporation technical committee was intimidated into awarding the contract to CNEEC despite the minister responsible having supposedly passed on to the committee the allegations that the company was not qualified.

Plans to ready merge police forces

GABORONE - Two ministers responsible for the Botswana Police Service and Local Police Force, Dikgakgamatso Seretse and Ambrose Masalila respectively have met to bring clarity to issues surrounding the amalgamation of the two forces.

Preparations for the merger began in April 2009 and will be completed at the end of August.

The Local Police Act is to be repealed, and all members of the Local Police will undergo a criminal history check including fingerprinting. They will also undergo medical

examination to ascertain suitability for service in the Botswana Police Service.

It is important that the merger should ensure that fit and proper persons are enlisted into the Botswana Police Service, said a press release.

The Botswana Police Service will also assess competencies of Botswana Local Police at every level and design courses to complement any disparities if there should be any. Local Police who have reached retirement age will be retired by the Ministry of Local Government.

All members of the Local Police who do not satisfy entry or retention standards of the Botswana Police Service are to be re-deployed by the Ministry of Local Government

Desmond Green (left) The Maun Festival organiser, shakes Air Botswana's Maun Manager, Isaiah Mampane's hand at the draw for the festival raffle. Looking on are Laetitia Milne, of Meyer and Associates, Chartered accounts, and Max Green who drew out the winning tickets.

Editorial

Investment problems

The message is loud and clear from the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC). This country has not been spared the global economic crisis, as has been the idea of some of our elected leaders.

The Corporation's managing director, Maria Nthebolan, pulled no punches when she told stakeholders at a function in Gaborone recently that Botswana is also experiencing a marked decline in mineral revenue, a decrease in foreign reserves, a decreased demand for exports, a decline in tourism revenue and reduced economic growth projections.

She also made the significant comment that Botswana has not been successful in attracting foreign investment and as the country has been advertising worldwide that it is open for business, the call has unhappily fallen on deaf ears.

Vice President Mompati Merafhe has made the same observations about the financial crisis.

Botswana has for years relied on its diamond export market, but as has been clearly demonstrated by the closing of mines, the withdrawal of drilling exploration teams and closure of embryonic copper mines that this source of funding has to all intents and purposes temporarily dried up.

The decline in tourism revenue already detected even though the official tourism season is only a few weeks old makes for ominous reading. Tourism is our second most important foreign cash provider so stringent efforts will now have to be made to overcome the problem.

Attendance at the tourism Indaba in South Africa was one way of obtaining business, but that is more long term. This year is the one that has to be salvaged.

It would appear that Botswana needs a more vigorous approach to investment and without the bureaucratic jungle getting in the way. It is common cause that non-citizen residence and employment permits are months behind schedule, establishing companies is not easy due to a myriad of reasons and land usage remains a delicate subject.

All this has to be addressed, and very soon.

Letter to the Editor

Sir, - Please allow me to respond to a recent letter published in your newspaper dated May 1-8, 2009 titled Teachers do play a big role.

It was a response to my initial letter where I raised some concerns regarding a certain group of some primary school teachers in Maun who are (or most of them) involved in almost all the committees/ activities - For example R e ba bona ha, Chappies little league, BOPSA, School of Excellence, Environmental Education, Cricket, Tennis, Athletics, Botswana Teachers Union, Botswana Games, Sports Volunteer Movement, etc. And that the list is endless.

I still proudly maintain that statement.

Firstly, I knew well before, that my initial letter will make people call me all sorts of names or classified as anti bo-sebanebane and what what or these and that, but you know what? I don't mind when people's lives are taken for a ride more especially that of innocent lives the children. Well, I personally believe that If a job is worth doing it is worth doing well.

And, also, I have to make this crystal clear that I'm going to concentrate on the public service (not personality and/or bomatla/botlhale jwa batho That is not my style.

Anyone who holds public office must be ready to endure public scrutiny and that does not suggest that one is jealous, power hungry and desperately looking for fame, as my friend put it. This is a well accepted worldwide phenomenon. Secondly and more surprisingly, the writer whole-heartedly divorced himself and those he represents (as he said we in that letter) from real issues and instead intentionally chose to huff and puff all over the place.

The issue here is whether multitask or multiple roles is effective, efficient and productive or not?

Take this scenario: A teacher from a local school is both an executive member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and a football coach for the Botswana Games. He is to coordinate, facilitate, supervise, evaluate, recommend and give feedback to himself. This is like my fellow teacher will be a referee, player, coach and official at the same time.

In such a situation I observe my friend (and colleague) spending more time juggling between tasks and deciding what to do, than actually performing productive work. To do two things at once, is to do neither, concurs the Roman sage Publicist Syrups. This is clearly counter-productive, ineffective and absolutely inefficient.

This is completely against the most sort after: performance review principles that the government is calling for.

Similarly the Minister of Education has decentralised (delegated) its day-to-day operations to regions and the phasing in of subject specialisation as well as subject panels, to name but a few. Shared responsibilities, division of labour, distribution of authority, job specialisation are the in thing in the 21st century ma-gents - Are you guys against all these initiative?

Furthermore, handling multiple roles is extremely taxing, and can take significant time. In some situations, this excessive time commitment may lead to decreases in the practitioner's quality of work in one or both of the roles. Time commitments have the ability to increase stress levels and decrease job satisfaction, leading to decreased performance in both roles and possible role ambiguity.

Moreover, the time restrictions associated with fulfilling both a coach and practitioner role may limit an individual from being able to adequately perform his/her role as a coach-practitioner. Consequently, this can result in the individual neglecting duties associated with one or both roles.

If the individual is somehow able to function effectively in both areas, questions may be cast with regard to the quality of the work being provided. Last but not least, you mentioned that my poor brother, you forget to mention that the people you are talking about are serious in producing good academic results Unfortunately, West region hardly go beyond 50% pass mark in PSLE results. In your own world, these are a good academic results? O worse monna wa gaetsho.

In conclusion, I thought that this is a straight forward issue. You can even witnesses that this is being said at your respective schools. People have long told you at some sporting activities and meetings. One who entertains it must look at its long term impact to the nation at large with regard to the level of athleticism children from the region possess. And that if well nurtured, how significant the role they can play to the country. Are tlogeleng go bereka ka digongwana- gongwana, ka makgamo, le go nna matlho-matlho kgotsa mabogodika.

CONCERNED TEACHER-

Maun

(Name and address supplied)

(Letter shortened)

The Weekender

Red sails in the sunset . . . This dramatic picture of a spectacular cloud formation, virtually lit up by the rays of the setting sun, was taken at the weekend over Maun.

Botswana is best African country of the year'

GABORONE - Vice President Mompati Merafhe is in the United States this week to receive the best African country of the year award.

Described as the biggest celebration of Africa outside of the continent, the high level event annually brings together leading Africans and friends of Africa in an effort to promote a positive global image of the continent and its people.

In keeping with this mission, the awards are dedicated to celebrating Africa's achievements and highlighting best practices in good governance, sound management of public resources, respect for human rights and the rule of law; as well as advancing progressive socioeconomic and private sector development throughout the continent.

The special theme of the awards this week is celebrating the Republic of Botswana as the best African country of the year. Botswana is the second country in the history of the awards to be so honoured.

According to a spokesperson for the Celebrate Africa Foundation, its board took into consideration the country's adherence to democratic ideals, practice of good governance, record of religious tolerance, promotion of civil rights, contribution to international peace, including collective efforts to curb terrorism, and reputation for transparency in resource management.

A press release from the organisers says because of the prudent management of its resources, Botswana now boasts one of the highest per capital incomes in the whole of Africa.

Leading NGO retrenches most of its staff

Thirteen out of 20 staff members of the influential TOCaDI Trust at Shakawe have been retrenched due to lack of financing resulting from the international economic crisis. In a statement, the co-ordinator, Sehenyi Tlotlego, said funding sources and projects have been affected and it became apparent towards the end of 2008 that TOCaDI cannot continue operating with its present scope. After reviewing its operations, the Trust part of the Kuru Family of Organisations - took a decision to downsize and limit the geographic area in which it is working, focus on a limited number of projects to increase impact in communities, and decentralise by transferring available resources to community projects.

Limited resources coupled with decentralisation of development efforts has called for a restructuring. Unfortunately this has meant that a number of positions have been declared redundant, the statement added.

The Maun Hindu Society (MHS) has donated food amounting to P 10 000 to the victims of the flooded Okavango delta and also called on other organisations to do the same. MHS donated bags of maize meal, sugar, samp, rice and bottles of cooking oil to the District Disaster Committee represented Ngamiland District Commissioner Bernadette Malala who was accompanied by North West District Council chairman John Benn and NWDC secretary Paulos Nkoni. Society president Vishnu Bhanot said a bigger response was necessary and Malala described the situation is critical. A donation from the Old Apostolic Church in Francistown was handed over at the Office of the President on Thursday.

Pete Smith's contribution to be recognized

The life and work of an early champion of biodiversity conservation in the Okavango Delta, Pete Smith, will be recognised through a week-long exhibition in Maun this month.

Smith worked with the Botswana government from the early 1970s until shortly before his death in May 1999 30 years spent observing and recording the natural resources of the region and the knowledge of its peoples.

The University of Botswana's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre (HOORC) in Maun inherited Smith's collection of plant specimens, his library and archives.

For the past few years, HOORC's Library and Natural Collections unit have been checking the contents of these collections to help reveal the knowledge. Now some of that knowledge will be shared more widely with the world outside of Maun through a unique project that showcases a series of maps annotated by Smith on his expeditions to the Delta.

The maps contain densely packed notes written in pencil that describe observations made on the trips. On foot, and by boat and vehicle, Smith travelled for the Tsetse Control Unit and Department of Water Affairs and recorded what he found significant to the conservation of the delta - changing water levels, locations of old villages, names in local languages, elephant and buffalo trails and most of all the names of plants he found.

A joint project carried out by HOORC's Library, the University of Botswana's Archives Unit and HOORC's GIS Laboratory and supported by BIOKAVANGO, has captured these maps in electronic form and created an online searchable index to their contents.

BIOKAVANGO National Project Coordinator Dr Nkobi Moleele has highlighted the usefulness of Smith's work, both for its contribution of baseline data about the Delta and for the example Smith set for today's young researchers.

As well as being a sensitive and disciplined observer of nature, Smith had a passion for the Okavango's environment. It is this passion that fuelled the collection of knowledge we use today. We want to encourage young people to follow their interest in understanding their environments, to build on this and to discover new knowledge to support our conservation and management of natural resources, he said.

BIOKAVANGO's aim is to build capacity in biodiversity conservation in the Okavango Delta.

The exhibition is being held at African Art and Images, opposite Maun Airport, from May 18 to 23 from 8am to 6pm.

Publishers take government to court

GABORONE - Botswana publishers have registered a statutory notice to the Attorney General and the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology challenging the Media Practitioners Act.

Publishers took a resolution in March in which they resolved to take a legal route in their quest to have the law repealed.

Among other issues, the notice challenges clauses of registration and accreditation of journalists, enforced right to reply, as well as its implications on the constitution of the country and its international commitments.

The notice calls on the courts to declare the Act as invalid.

MISA Botswana has committed itself to supporting the publishers' case.

The government enacted the Media Practitioners Act to regulate the media in December 2008. There was an outcry against the act as it is seen to be contrary to the country's democratic credentials.

Mokaila at world travel summit

Environment, Wildlife and Tourism minister Kitso Mokaila has left for Brazil to attend a summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council at Florianopolis.

He is accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Tourism Board, Myra Sekgororoane.

Under the theme Real Partnerships, Energising Economies; the summit focuses on the current global economic downturn and aims to facilitate dialogue among governments and the travel and tourism industry to align efforts toward unlocking the industry's potential to create jobs and prosperity.

High level panel discussions and presentations will cover topics such as preparing for the inevitable pandemics; transforming economies; changing values; removing barriers towards globalisation; real partnerships and energising economies.

Rare malaria outbreak in Kalahari desert

A rare outbreak of malaria in the Kalahari Desert has been reported.

Two cases occurred at Kang and Mabutsane, government health officials said this week. In both instances the sufferers were hospitalised but their conditions are said to be not serious..

A medical doctor said it was thought that persons travelling through the desert from the Okavango delta may have inadvertently had mosquitoes in their vehicles and that these were probably responsible for the outbreak.

The doctor said that there could be no other solution as there are no stagnant pools of water in the desert and in any event malaria is extremely rare in the area.

We are urging communities to report anyone who may have malaria symptoms such as vomiting, sneezing, unusually cold or with a headache, malaise or dizziness.

The Maun Shuffle

Maun's lunatic taxi drivers have at long last come to the attention of a Cabinet minister.

Environment, Wildlife and Tourism minister Kitso Mokaila doesn't say it outright, but this town's taxi drivers need to be disciplined if future Maun Festivals are to take place.

Readers will have noticed from his remarks in our last edition that transportation is a key factor in the success of any event local or international.

He said, inter alia, that there is a lot of room for improvement at the festival.

One of the problems that could affect progress is the shortage of accommodation in Maun.

When organising shows of this magnitude we need to ensure that all the necessities like accommodation are in place. The disorganised transport industry, in particular taxis, as one of the problems that can affect the progress.

International tourists will need very good and reliable transport but the taxi industry here is very poor, Mokaila said.

It is no secret that local taxis have a very poor reputation reckless driving and over-charging are two of the problems that no one appears capable of sorting out.

Maun has a number of hotels and lodges but the number of beds is extremely limited. There is another under construction near the proposed new entrance to the Maun airport while rumours of yet another are also doing the rounds. What Maun needs is a truly international chain to open an hotel here in the past, companies have tried to enter the local market but been rebuffed due to difficulties over land and the establishment of casinos.

**

Giving a person who has Botswana Immigration and Labour stamps in his possession a mere eight months prison sentence is quite astonishing.

This happened at the Maun magistrate's court recently.

Here we have a chap who charged P40 a stamp to fraudulently allow people to remain on in the country and extend their work permits an offence which surely should carry a much stiffer sentence, or does Justice regard a light sentence as being sufficient for the offence?

We appear to have so many people stand in a court's witness box and say, hand on heart, that they are first offenders/have young children/are the only breadwinner/look after disabled people/are orphans and suchlike and the court swallows it hook, line and sinker.

This latest case makes a mockery of every effort that the departments of Labour and Immigration do to try and root out illegals. It makes a mockery of their work and of justice.

**

Hard on the heels of many fringe organisations comes another so-called New Age cult called Orgonise Africa.

Mozambican police took four members of the cult into custody recently for trying to sabotage Cahorra Bassa dam, one of the sources of our electricity.

The Mozambique police got very excited because the quartet was reported to have dumped a highly corrosive product in the dam, allegedly in a b id to damage the giant turbines.

Reginaldo Domingos, spokesperson for the police in Songo, the town above the dam, says they dumped into its waters chemical products which could endanger the lives of people and wild animals. There was not a word about sabotage.

It transpires that what they dumped was a substance they called orgone - which is claimed by the cult to give positive energy to the water, and therefore to the dam!

Orgonise Africa is inspired by the theories of an Austrian psychiatrist, Wilhelm Reich who claimed that he had discovered a universal form of energy that he called orgone and which could cure disease and overcome all other ills in the world. Not a bad claim!

Reich claimed that orgone energy is omnipresent and accounts for such things as the colour of the sky, gravity, galaxies, the failure of most political revolutions, and a good orgasm. In living beings, orgone is called bio-energy or life energy. Reich believed that orgone energy is demonstrable visually, thermically, electroscopically and by means of Geiger-Mueller counters.

According to Orgonise Africa, our continent's problems are caused by a lack of orgone and their miraculous cure is a mixture of fibreglass resin, metal shavings (iron, steel, copper or any other metal), and quartz crystals. This stuff is mixed into cone shaped moulds which are then placed at the sites where negative energy is to be defeated.

The terms may sound scientific but is the opposite - there is no such thing as orgone and energy does not come in positive and negative forms. What the group is doing is a modern version of casting out demons, and has nothing in common with any scientific endeavour.

(In fairness, if you want to know more about orgone, consult the internet).

**

Did you know? The song with the longest title is I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with my Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-o, Beat-o Flat-On-My-Seat-o, Hirohito Blues written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1943.

African Copper accepts ZCI's offer of finance

The African Copper company has accepted an offer from ZCI for the acquisition of the mining company.

It is developing the Mowana mine and adjacent Matsitama project near Dukwi, about 450km from Maun.

Earlier, African Copper shareholders had rejected a similar offer from Natasa Mining Ltd. An agreement has also been entered into with Moolman Mining Botswana to acquire debt Moolman assigned its P60-m plus VAT (approximately US$8 million) outstanding debt to ZCI at a price equal to 50% of the face value of the debt. A statement from Bridge Capital Advisors (Pty) Ltd says that order to help secure African Copper's future bringing an important mine back into production, ZCI has agreed that it will not seek repayment of the Debt until at least the completion of the entire financing package.

ZCI, incorporated in Bermuda, is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE') and Euronext (Paris) and previously owned 65% the Konkola copper mine in Zambia but sold its residual stake in 2008 and is looking to invest in Africa-based mining companies. African Copper is an international exploration and development company incorporated in England and listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Botswana Stock Exchange.

It is involved in the exploration and development of copper deposits in Botswana.

It's three in a row for gun wielding rapist

By Keagisitswe Dioka

In a record breaking marathon case, Oduetse Kadisa - a gun wielding rapist serving a sentence of 10 years and a stock theft sentence of 5 years - has been sentence for a third offence of stealing a gun and ammunition.

Kadisa was sentenced to two years imprisonment wholly suspended for two years for stealing a gun and ammunition by Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma.

Kadisa was charged with stealing a gun and ammunitions, which he used to threaten a woman before raping her at Botshabelo ward, Maun, on August 4, 2008.

Foroma said it was clear in evidence that he took the gun which was hidden under a mattress. When the gun's owner returned, Kadisa was nowhere to be found and the gun's owner followed his shoe prints.

The following day he continued to hunt for the person, and then heard over the radio that a man was arrested for possessing a shotgun which he had allegedly used to threaten a woman and later raped her. The complainant discovered his gun at Maun police.

In his defence, Kadisa told the court that he was asked by the gun owner to take it and look for his donkeys, claiming the court was not being told the truth.

Notwithstanding that, Kadisa was found guilty.

In his plea of mitigation, Kadisa asked for a lenient sentence saying that he is already on a long custodial sentence and asked for a concurrent sentence adding that he might die in prison - ' I do not think that I will ever see my parents again,'' he added.

Managing disasters high on the agenda

GABORONE a three-day workshop is to be held by the National Disaster Management Office starting on May 18 to discuss and finalise the National Disaster Management plan that will be the guiding document for effective and organised response against all the disasters affecting the country.

The first two days will be spent discussing all aspects of disaster management including the draft national disaster management and contingency plans which will be reviewed and finalised by all government and non-government stakeholders participating in the event. The third day is to discuss how to reduce veld fires taking into account the severity of the hazard.

Methodology of the workshop will be interactive and recommendations made by participants would be incorporated in the plan in order to make it a final version of national Disaster Management Plan.

Each district's disaster management committee will be represented by five participants including District Commissioners and Council secretaries. Participants from government departments, districts disaster management committees and non-governmental actors are expected to file their own disaster management plans.

It's Do or Die for Maun Terrors!

Nhabe region National first division team Maun Terrors are faced with an uphill task this weekend as they need 3 points from their two remaining fixtures for them to survive the relegation axe.

This is the most crucial moment for Terrors - the team is traveling to Serowe and Orapa for a double-header to end their season.

They have a date against Miscellaneous on Saturday and then carry on to Orapa to meet Bucs.

Many have doubts about the team's chances of survival in the first division due to their up-and-down performances. They have won 7 games, lost 12 and drew 1 out of 20 matches which they played and have failed to keep a consistent record.

This situation gives them a slim chance of surviving the chop. All hope lies on the players to produce their best performance ever. The team has got good players who bring results, but a string of injuries has disturbed their consistency. Playing away from home has never been easy, but Terrors management is optimistic that they will pull through.

Asked about their approach to the games, Terrors team coach Gadimang Tiiso spoke to The Ngami Times and promised that they will survive.

The time is now. We are looking forward to these two games but we will take one game at a time and I want to promise you all that we are ready, he said.

He also urged supporters to be their 12th man on the pitch - We need your support. We are not representing Terrors alone, we are there for the region he added.

Team captain Ronald Sebako confirmed they will fight until the last minute.

We have had a bad record in away games, but I think we are prepared for these two. We need to win the first match but if we lose, it will be difficult for us on Sunday. We need to stay focused and collect points and survive relegation, said Sebako.

In the other games to be played over the weekend, the attraction is the bottom placed battle when Mahalapye Hotspurs will fight it out with bottom-placed FC Palapye in Mahalapye. Orapa Wanderers take on Stonebreakers while Premier League-bound Motlakase hosts Orapa Bucs on Saturday. Sua Flamingos travel to Francistown to face Tasc and FC Satmos host BR Highlanders in Selebi Phikwe. On Sunday, Motlakase will be at home again when they play Mahalapye Hotspurs, Orapa Wanderers will be playing at home against FC Satmos. BR Highlanders welcome Sua Flamingos, Miscellaneous take on Stonebreakers and FC Palapye host Tasc.

Zebras to play New Zealand

The senior national soccer team, The Zebras will be in action next month against New Zealand.

A list of 30 players is going into camp in preparation for the international friendly on June 6 at the University of Botswana stadium in Gaborone.

This will be for the first time the national team plays New Zealand.

Both sides are taking this match seriously with Zebras considering testing new players and preparing a squad for upcoming fixtures.

The All Whites, as New Zealand are known the country's rugby team is the All Blacks - are playing in the Confederations Cup in South Africa and will be preparing for their opening game of the tournament against Spain, the European champions.

A total number of 25 local players and 5 foreign-based players have been called into camp by zebras.

The foreign legion, led by captain and goalkeeper Modiri Carlos Marumo - currently based in the Egyptian league - are all expected to be part of the national team.

There is a surprise inclusion as the South African based quartet has also been called to join the rest of the squad. Pretoria University star midfielder Phenyo Mongala, who made headlines in the South African tournament, the Nedbank Cup, has been drafted into the side.

Bidvest Wits Samuel Ramosweu has also been called up along with Cape Town-based stars Diphetogo Selolwane, of Ajax Cape Town, and hardworking Mogogi Gabonamong who is plying his trade with Santos.

New Zealand is likely to field all their star players. They are having a series of friendlies before the confederation Cup by playing against Jordan, Tanzania, Botswana and world champions Italy before they proceed to South Africa.

The Oceania confederation champions need not to be underrated. They are currently ranked 79 in the FIFA world rankings and are under the guidance of a local based coach Ricki Herbert.

The All Whites squad has a handful of battle hardened professional players who are playing in the English and Scottish Premier Leagues.

Nhabe regional league side Moeti United came from behind and collect maximum points as they went on to beat Fuji Rollers 3-2 in a league match played at Maun Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Rollers started off perfectly. They dominated and seem destined for glory.

It was not long before they were rewarded for their brilliance when midfielder Jabu Segwai scored the opening goal by dribbling past a cluster of defenders before beating the goalkeeper with a hard and low ball to make it 1-0.

At halftime, Fuji Rollers were in full control and added icing to the cake when they scored a second goal, but their celebration was soon cut short by Moeti who never lost hope.

Moeti soldiered on and managed a goal through Kagiso Dr Molathegi.

This inspired Moeti who kept on piling the pressure on Fuji, who in turn allowed them more room to maneuver in midfield. Moeti got the equaliser through an own goal by a Rollers defender.

It was Moeti who had the last laugh when they broke loose from the right and in a goalmouth scramble snatched the winning goal

This is our first win in the second leg of the league programme and will help us to improve in our next game said Madzonga.

Moeti United is one of the few teams which are helping in junior development. The squad is made up of mostly school-going boys.

Madzonga added that he wants to built a very strong side around those boys who most of them are doing Form 1 at Moeti Junior Secondary School.

I have a full strength Under 17 team from Moeti. All the boys are from the school and they are in Form One. I want to keep them together and build a solid team for the school and also the club he added.

In their next game, Moeti take on Delta Winds at Maun Technical College ground and the coach said they are focused and ready -. Delta Winds had always have a good record over us, but this is football we might turn the tables and break the jinx

INVEST IN BOTSWANA'S FUTURE HELP US INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Visit our website: http://matshwane.tripod.com

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08 May 2009 17:29

Edition 459 8 - 15May, 2009

Note: Next week's online edition of the Ngami Times will be late as I will be going away for 8 days.
Apologies _ Web Operator

Puff the Magic Dragon

The Chinese dragon dance seldom performed in Africa - proved to be one of the highlights of the Maun Festival street procession last Saturday. Members of the Chinese community built the dragon even though they had never before been on parade with one. Along with a stilts walker and gaily decorated floats, the procession wound its way through Saturday morning traffic to get the Festival fun day off to a flying start. The best float was adjudged to be that of the Wildlife department.

Now it's war on troublesome' queleas

A major row is brewing over a government decision to use a pesticide to kill off thousands of birds which are attacking crops.

The birds include the quelea and the Kori Bustard, the world's heaviest flying bird.

Conservationists say the government is targeting breeding places of the quelea with aerial sprays, particularly in Pandamatenga, where it was reported that the birds are destroying 20 tonnes of crops a day.

The government is also using explosives to blast the nesting grounds of the quelea.

Birdlife Botswana project manager Keddy Mooketsa said in Gaborone the quelea, which gathers in huge flocks, was troublesome as it bred quickly but that environmentally safer controls like bush burning should be used.

That area is a breeding site for the white-backed vultures which can feed on the dead birds. The Kori Bustard also is found there and it feeds on recommended spray dosages of the pesticide, cyanophos, were being used.

According to information listed on the Internet, the pesticide is a member of the phenyl organothiophosphate family. Investigations and tests are being carried out on a continual basis in various countries to determine the toxicity of the product.

An environmental study was under way with Britain's Greenwich University and the Plant Protection Institute.

We are not in a position to talk about the side effects yet because we are in the middle of the study, he said.

MUTI MEN SHOOT AT FARMER

By Lets Open

Two suspected muti killers fired at least two shots at a Toteng farmer last weekend in an apparent attempt to capture him for witchcraft purposes.

The man, whose name is being withheld, was near his cattle post about 65km from Maun when the shooting took place.

He escaped his potential killers by running through the bush back to his cattle post. The farmer, who was searching for stray cattle between 5.30pm and 6pm on Saturday, was taken to hospital with severe leg and foot injuries and suffering from shock.

Villagers and trackers who twice searched the area found two spent shotgun cartridges.

The trackers managed to get to within a short distance of where the alleged killers were said to be but the men being tracked they ran off, escaping in a grey-coloured Toyota Hilux vehicle.

Muti killings are frequent in Ngamiland, and particularly in the Makgalong, Toteng, Sehitwa, Tsau and Gumare areas. There have been several incidents reported over the past few months. Some people believe that witchcraft, through ritual sacrifices and muti killings, improve their lives in one way or another by bringing good luck such as winning elections, running productive businesses and good farming prospects.

No hotel plans for controversial plot

Contrary to allegations made by councillors at the recent North West District Council (NWDC) meeting, the owner of a ploughing field plot opposite Maun Educational Park says he has no intention of building a big hotel there.

The owner, Seung Ki Cho, told The Ngami Times this week that he is planning to plough on the plot. Councilors had raised complaints that the plot allocation was not fairly carried out because they claimed the Tawana Land Board had turned away numerous applications from various organisations and individuals who had shown interest on the plot.

As a result, they convinced the Land Board to look into the matter and take immediate action against the owner, a prominent businessman who has lived in the country for more than 20 years.

When contacted for comment this week, the acting Land Board secretary, Joseph Barati, said the Board has carried out investigations which revealed that the Maun Development Plan has approved the land as a restricted arable zone and that when allocating the plot, the board had carefully looked at the provisions in the plan.

He said there is no way that Seung Ki Cho could have made a change of land use without them knowing, adding that the plan does not even allow lodge or hotel related issues.

As we speak now, the board has gone the extra mile to observe the plot provision and indeed it is under utilisation for arable use, not a lodge or a hotel, he said.

Ki Cho told The Ngami Times that the allegations made by councilors were untrue.

He had never had intentions of making any changes to land use, and was surprised by the allegations which, he said, were never thoroughly investigated.

He invited this reporter to the plot where she saw land cultivation already in place. Irrigation pipes as well as a reservoir tank have also been put up and planting is expected to start soon.

I know and understand the law and I am very aware of what is expected from me. So there is no way that I could choose to do things my way without consulting the relevant authorities, he said.

I also think it is high time for people to wait and see things happen before rushing to make false conclusions that they are not even sure of, he said.

Cho said again that he has intentions to create more and more jobs for Batswana in view of the high unemployment rate.

He said as investors, they need people who encourage them to do better, not those who want to see them going down.

Court orders Swamp Stop to keep operating

The High Court in Lobatse has ruled that the popular Sepopa Swamp Stop, owned by the All Star Investment company, can continue operating despite a government order for it to close.

The court ruled that the complex can operate pending the renewal of its trading licence which expired on January.

This follows an application made to the High Court by Sepopa Swamp Stop after the Department of Tourism had ordered it on April 16 to cease operations immediately.

The respondent in the application was the Attorney General as a representative of the ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism and the Department of Tourism.

The respondent said that as the applicant had failed to renew the licence for a period exceeding one year, this meant they had to apply for a new licence. It was also submitted that one of the reasons that led to the failure to renew the licence was because the previous owners had failed to remit taxes. Ryk Liebenberg, in his capacity as Operations Manager for the applicants, said in a founding affidavit to the High Court said it was devastated after having received the letter and was totally confused as the contents of the letter did not apply at all to its situation.

All Star Investments argued that while the respondent mentions that Swamp Stop failed to renew its licence for a period over a year, it was confused because the licence only expired on January 20, 2009, adding that the issue of taxes had been dealt with after the shareholding at the company changed.

On the issue that the initial licence for the lodge was issued to Island Safari Lodge and that this was transferred to All Star Investments without being referred to the Tourism Industry Licensing Board, and therefore was to be dealt with as an original application, the government said an application was made by the applicant through previous directors to the respondent and the licence was granted. The company said the issue of transferability is only coming up now, six years later.

It is submitted that surely through the respondent's past actions over the years, same amounted to an implied acceptance that everything is in order in relation to the applicant's licence that the respondent is stopped in bringing up this issue or at least to the extent of evoking the provision in the manner that has been done. It is highly prejudicial to the applicant's business, it was argued.

The applicant submitted that since January 23, 2009, the licensing officer had recommended the licence be renewed and that the decision by the respondent to cease trading immediately was unlawful and highly prejudicial because the applicant had fully complied with all the requirements of the Tourism Act of 1992 for the renewal of its licence which it has been doing since 2003.

From the correspondence received from the respondent, the court heard the applicant did not fall within the category of enterprises that have failed to renew their licenses for more than one year and that the company's tax issue has been resolved.

The only other issue is that in relation to the transfer of the licence from Island Safaris (Pty) Limited to All Star Investments.

The application was heard by Justice Lesetedi on April 27 who ordered that the application be heard as urgent. Lesetedi issued a rule nisi returnable on June 1 calling on the respondent to show cause why a final order should not be made in the terms that the applicant be allowed to continue business and/or trade under the terms and conditions of its previous license until legal proceedings are instituted by All Star Investments and the respondent.

The respondent was ordered to pay the cost of the application on the attorney/client scale.

Akheel Jinabhai and Associates, of Gaborone, appeared for the applicants.

Maun Festival important for domestic tourism

The minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, says the Maun Festival is a right prescription towards improving domestic tourism and bringing about racial integration in the country.

Speaking in an interview with The Ngami Times at the Maun Festival on Saturday, the minister said one of the challenges facing the country is the diversification of the tourism sector from too much reliance on wildlife.

He said his ministry is currently devising ways to transform Maun from being only a getaway to Moremi Game Reserve, the Tsodilo Hills World Heritage Site, and the Okavango delta saying through ideas like the Maun Festival, international and domestic tourists will come to Maun not on transit but to enjoy music and other arts showcased at this festival.

Mokaila said given the cultural and artistic diversity the country has, it is highly appreciative that the event provides a platform for all the races in the country to unite in appreciation off live music, plays fashion and other foams of artistic expression. Mokaila said the Botswana Tourism Board came to the event to consider whether it can be included in the Botswana Tourism Board calendar which means it will be held every year. The minister however said there is still a lot of room for improvement at the festival.

He said the organisers should perhaps not have scheduled the shows at different venues to bring about well attendance of the shows. One of the problems that could affect the progress of the show is the shortage of accommodation in Maun.

When organising shows of this magnitude we need to ensure that all the necessities like accommodation are in place. The disorganised transport industry, in particular taxis, as one of the problems that can affect the progress.

International tourists will need very good and reliable transport but the taxi industry here is very poor, Mokaila said.

Maun Festival organiser Desmond Green said this year's show was an improvement on an event which used to be known as Maun Carnival. He said carnivals are mostly related to street performances and parades while a festival has a more community appeal.

My dream is to involve the whole society in this festival. Green said, adding this year's show attracted very little sponsorship but hopes for an improvement for the next year's event.

He is also worried about poor attendance at day time music shows saying we are even considering whether we should continue hosting those. He also reiterated the importance of the show in the improvement of tourism industry.

In South Africa there are have many shows of this kind which play a part in tourism, he added.

One of the participating bands at the show, Them Particles', from Johannesburg, said in an interview to with The Ngami Times that they are happy to perform at the event and can't wait to come back to Maun next year. Meanwhile, the marketing manager for Botswana Tourism Board (BTB), Joe Motse, says they are pleased by the existence of the Maun Festival which is held to raise funds for charity.

Motse said tourism was traditionally based on wildlife and now has transformed with including music, arts, culture and craft as important aspects. He however said using artists from other countries is a disadvantage for local ones as it gives them a platform to explore talent.

As residents of Maun, you should encourage this kind of events to grow bigger and bigger Motse said.

He was a very Good Samaritan!

Maun businesswoman Arlene Krause was frantic last week when she discovered to her horror that her wallet containing credit and debit cards, identity book, driver's licences and a substantial amount of cash was missing after shopping at the Shoprite supermarket. Her loss meant that a planned trip to the tourism Indaba in Durban, South Africa, and to her family in Brisbane, Australia, was in the balance.

However, all was not lost.

I got back into the car to go back to Shoprite to see if anyone had found my wallet. While still on the way the store manager, whom I know only as Simon, telephoned me on my cellphone to tell me that one of the employees, Godiramang Modise, had handed in my wallet, she said.

Krause went to the store to collect the missing item and gave Modise a reward for his honesty - I would like to tell the world about this Good Samaritan as I would have been totally lost without my wallet. It's marvelous for all to know that there are good people like Godiramang still around!

Green scorpions are here to beat waste

The indiscriminate disposal of solid waste and improper waste management practices in the North West District has forced government to consider employing waste law enforcement officers known as Green Scorpions who will assist in the enforcement of the Waste Management Act of 1998.

This was after the North West District Council had observed that there are some residents who do not care at all about taking care of their surroundings, such that they have been seen on numerous occasions dumping refuse at prohibited places, thus posing a health hazard to people and animals.

So far three people in the Ngamiland and another three in Okavango districts have already been appointed so as to tackle issues such as indiscriminate burning of waste, littering, illegal dumping as well as being on the manhunt for people who despite not having waste carrier licenses continue to transport waste, and to take action against those that are caught urinating in the open.

Council chairman John Benn said recently that the officers will be on short term employment of 12 to 24 months, but could have their terms extended or be granted permanent jobs if funds permit.

He said community leaders should therefore take it upon themselves to spread the message to the communities which they serve and inform them about the severe penalties that await them, should they be caught acting against the law.

He emphasised that it is not the mandate of council to provide dust bins to households, even though council is tasked with the collection of refuse at a shared cost of P7.00 per month.

He said council has also taken a deliberate decision to the effect that any individual at household level who produce home based care waste should submit their waste to the nearest council health facility for purposes of reducing distances to be travelled as well as the stigma associated with it.

This decision was taken after realisation that some households were mixing general waste with clinical waste in an attempt to avoid paying for the service. These people need to be advised to make use of the relevant color coding plastic bags so that those handling the waste will be able to know the type of waste they are dealing with, hence applying the necessary precautions, he said.

EDITORIAL

Ensuring there is assistance for flood victims

Hours after victims of the Okavango River flood had complained to President Ian Khama about the poor quality of food provided to them, the government and the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) stepped in with additional items for their menus.

The President has made it clear from the outset that the government would assist at all times and he has lived up to his word in a most admirable manner.

The people who had to vacate their homes to make way for the river overflowing its banks were obviously fed up with their diet. Who could blame them when all they were getting was soup powder and vegetables? Tinned meat was then donated by the BMC.

Crisis management is so very important at times like this and one hopes that in the event of another flood, the authorities are ready to step in with whatever assistance they can give it is predicted that there will soon be a second surge of water from the eastern highlands of Angola and from Namibia, and judging from unseasonable rain over those areas, it could be quite dramatic.

The Maun Festival

The Maun Festival has come and gone viewed by some as being very successful, by others as not being up to the standard of last year's similar event, the Maun Carnival.

Months of hard work went into making sure Maun had an event of which to be proud and we salute Desmond Green and his band of dedicated volunteers who spent months organising the Festival.

It was a learning curve for all concerned, and any mistakes of the past weekend will almost certainly be remedied in time for next year's event.

It was good to hear the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila, sing the praises of the Festival and throw his weight behind the organisation.

His view is that Maun is the tourism capital of this country and as such needs to offer varied entertainment for visitors and not only focus on our wilderness and wild animals.

Who would have laid bets that we would have heavy rain in the first week of May?

Not too many, Shuffle thinks, considering that our rainy season is normally over well before May 1 dawns.

However, let me hasten to inform you that rain in May is not that unusual.

Since records began in 1922, many rainfalls have been recorded in May, with the highest that Shuffle can find having occurred in 1967 when 33.8mm fell.

Most rainfalls have been quite small but there have been some that indicated good falls such as in 1935 (33.6mm), 1949 (22.8mm), 1950 (22.6mm), 1960 (24.4mm), and 1967 (33.8mm).

This week the town's private weather station, run by Lee Ouzman in Disaneng, recorded 0.2mm for the 24 hours ending on Saturday morning, 19.4mm on Sunday morning and another 0.2mm on Monday morning a total of 19.8mm. There were unconfirmed reports that up to 60mm was recorded in some outlying areas.

Obviously, if more rain falls during the rest of the month, we could well beat the record set back in 1967.

There was an early warning that rain was in the air at the weekend when businessman Joe Myburgh called Shuffle, who was at the Maun Festival's fun day on Saturday morning, to report that he had gone through rain on the Sehitwa road.

It did not seem at that moment that the rain cloud would be overhead but it didn't take long for that to take place! A quick drenching sent people scurrying for cover, but fortunately the sun came out again and the fun day continued unabated.

Saturday night's storm was quite an event. It held off just long enough for the Festival's music programme to end and then came down in buckets, as the saying goes.

High winds, lightning and thunder accompanied the downpour which knocked out electricity supplies to Disaneng and other parts of the town. Some homes were without power for up to 11 hours. Tree branches were also ripped off.

It was inevitable that journalists down in Gaborone would query why President Ian Khama has to travel about in a motor home costing P1.8-million while thousands of his subjects live in abject poverty and some without a roof over their heads.

Vice-President Mompati Merafhe tried to cool things down at a press conference last week when he told scribes that the vehicle was necessary to save on hotel and travel expenses

Merafhe, who advised journalists not to sensationalise news, was also at pains to explain that expensive air travel was no longer a perk for senior public servants including Cabinet ministers used to going first class on foreign trips. Top politicians will now have to slum it by going business class while the rest can sit in economy class.

If they travel on Air Botswana that's all they'll get economy class.

**

The change in liquor hours has certainly ruined the social world of Maun, in particular.

For years tourists arriving at Maun airport could nip over the road and quench their thirst at the old Duck Inn and lately the Bon Arrivee restaurant or Buck n Hunter pub.

Now, of course, they cannot do so and there is, regretfully, a distinct negativity about Botswana and its regulations beginning to creep in among tourists and travel agents.

Shuffle hears that so-called liquor restaurants in other parts of the country are hardly affected by the new rule that says liquor cannot be sold between 2.30pmn and 6.30pm while those in Maun are regularly raided by the booze cops, as they are fast becoming known the council bye-laws officials and over-zealous police officers.

The Bon Arrivee, for instance, has been twice fined P2 000 for selling liquor to tourists once on a Sunday afternoon when hordes of foreigners called in while Air Botswana was unable to take off.. Certainly not a good advertisement for the tourist capital of Botswana .

Shuffle notes that Klaas Boll, director of the Bon Arrivee, has written to the North West District Council complaining about the treatment handed out by bye-laws officials, accusing these people of being arrogant and rude in front of his clientele.

We work hard in our little corner of Maun to keep up with our country's image . . .and provide friendliness towards tourists who visit this corner of Maun more than any other corner in the whole of Botswana, says the letter.

**

Did you know?

India has 50 million monkeys.

India has a bill of rights for cows.

India has the most post offices of any country with 280,181.

India is the largest English-speaking nation on earth.

India is the world's largest consumer of gold.

India is the world's largest democracy with 620 million voters.

India used to be the richest country in the world until the British invasion in the early 17th Century.

**

Laughter is the best medicine! These are al newspaper headlines from newspapers around the world . . .

* Year Friendship Ends At Altar.

* Abattoir Staff Will Be Halved.

* A Bean Supper Will Be Held On Tuesday Evening In The Church Hall. Music Will follow.

* Antique Stripper To Display Wares At Store.

* A Purple Lady's Bicycle Was Missing From Serendipity Lane Recently.

* Air Head Fired.

* Asbestos Suit Pressed.

* Astronaut Takes Blame For Gas In Spacecraft.

* Astronomers See A Ring Of Debris Around Uranus.

Gender equality not on horizon for Botswana women

In a move which is likely to cause tension between women's organisations and the government, Botswana says it is not ready to sign a gender protocol as discussed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This was disclosed at Tsabong over the weekend by President Ian Khama when addressing the Botswana Democratic Party's Women's wing congress.

He said the decision was based on the mandatory language used in crafting most of the clauses that Botswana considers critical, according to the government newspaper, daily Nation.

Khama said Botswana was not a signatory to a number of regional and international instruments, including gender equality. It would only do so when there is absolute certainty that legislative instruments, local policies and national priorities will not be adversely affected.

He said that if legislation was to be introduced, he had to consult parliament before I bind my nation.

The objectives; of the gender protocol is to provide for the empowerment of women, eliminate discrimination and achieve gender equality through development and implementation of gender responsive legislation, policies, programmes and projects, to address gender issues and concerns, set realistic measurable targets, time frames and indicators for achieving equality and equity. Khama said however that the country was committed to the objectives of the SADC protocol Botswana agrees with the spirit of the protocol and intends to continue studying its provisions.

Government, Irish in negotiations over Air Botswana

The government of Botswana has entered into negotiations with an Irish company, IDI, over a management contract of Air Botswana.

This follows failed pursuits by government in the past to privatise Air Botswana.

The minister of Works and Transport, Johnny Swartz, told the recent HATAB conference in Kasane that the negotiations were at advanced stage, adding that something may come out of it soon.

Air Botswana, which came out badly at the conference, was accused of being unreliable and of being too expensive. It was said that Air Botswana's air fares were the highest in the region and that this alone has prevented potential domestic travellers to fly to their destinations.

Air Botswana contends that there is a need to get rid of the myth that Air Botswana is expensive, Swartz describing the airline's fares as reasonable and that they have not been increased for some years.

Maemo Bantsi, of Air Botswana, also said the airline had special packages available to tour operators - We also regularly have special rates for the general public which a quite affordable, he said.

Meanwhile Air Botswana formally announced its decision to acquire two new ATR72's to replace the BA146 jet which is said to have been expensive to operate. Phillip Nkokou, of Air Botswana, revealed that in purchasing the aircraft, they looked for something better and efficient.

Complaints were raised by delegates that the limitations of the ATR72 may outweigh its efficiency. One major limitation highlighted was its inability to carry the entire luggage for 68 passengers.

Some operators said the issue of luggage was important as passengers should always carry their luggage with them, adding that delaying luggage has serious implications on tourists.

Meanwhile, air charter companies in Botswana are readying themselves for increased business as they wait to start operating domestic scheduled flights.Swartz said it was expected to start domestic flights by August this year. He noted that this should give reliable air travel to certain destinations within Botswana.

Government backs down on students' points

The government has backed down on its decision to sponsor only students with 40 points and above at tertiary level.

The government will now sponsor students with 36 points and above after a wide outcry surrounding the decision. This was revealed at a press conference held in Gaborone by the Vice President Mompati Merafhe, Minister of Finance Baledzi Gaolathe and Education minister Jacob Nkate.

The decision was taken as a cost cutting measure in a bid align the country's economics with the current global financial melt down.

Merafhe told the media that other cost cutting initiatives taken by government include, 7% reduction of ministries recurrent budgets for the financial year 2009/2010, 5% reduction of ministries development budgets for 2009/2010 and class of air travel for ministers and other political dignitaries as well as all senior government officials at deputy permanent secretary level and above, is restricted to business class.

All other officers are to travel at economy class. The restrictions also apply to parastatals, local authorities and other government aided organizations. Sizes of delegations going on external and internal travels should be restricted to the bare minimum needed to achieve the objectives of the mission. Payment for travel expenses for spouses accompanying Ministers and Members of Parliament on official external trips is suspended, he said.

Prior to this cost saving measure Ministers, Speaker, Assistant Ministers, Deputy Speaker and the Leader of Opposition were allowed 3 trips outside Botswana accompanied by their spouses while MPs were allowed 1 trip during the life of Parliament.

Earthquake hits northern Botswana

The United States Geological Service last Friday morning (May 1) recorded a 4.0 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre 140km north-east of Maun. According to the USGS, the quake took place at 8.23am at a depth of 10km and was pinpointed at 18.776 latitude 23.860 longitude. As far as is known, no damage was caused as the area is deep in virtually uninhabited northern Botswana bush. The closest large village is Masida, in Namibia, which lies 105km north of the area. The location of the earthquake is shown on this relief map provided by the USGS. The International Institute of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering says that most information on earthquake activity in Botswana is focused on the Okavango delta. The delta forms part of the south-western end of the Great Rift Valley (the East African Rift System) with the Thamalakane and Kunyere faults marking the south-westerly link of the main Rift Valley. Tectonic plate activity of the faults leads to high seismic activity although most of it is regarded as weak.It is hoped that the Botswana Seismological Network (BSN) will eventually have a minimum of 10 stations to monitor local and regional earthquake activity.

Former council employee sentenced for forgery

A former employee of the North West District Council, Sunday Samunzala, was this week sentenced to three years in prison, wholly suspended for three years, by Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma for forgery and stealing by servant.

Samunzala was charged with forging a cheque amounting to P59 000.

The charge sheet said that on June 16, 2006, Samunzala with Kazera Ngaruka, his co-accused, acting together and with common purpose, had forged a Barclays Bank cheque number 17240 claiming it to be a cheque drawn by the government from the Maun Treasury Cashier's in favour of Sentlhaga General Dealer.

Samunzala admitted forging the cheque in favour of Sentlhaga General Dealer and that the cheque was printed at Nthoo Commercial College.

He also admitted to have forged the signatures of Romio Sheleng and Nonofo Molefi, employees of Maun Revenue Office.

The prosecutor was Pascal Mhandu of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, who told the court the accused was a first offender. Samunzala was represented by Charles Tlagae, of Tlagae Attorneys, and in mitigation he begged for a lenient sentence saying that the accused pleaded guilty, which showed remorse.

He said the accused was acting together with other people, adding that those people are the ones who influenced him to commit the offence. Tlagae also said the accused did not benefit from the offence.

He said Samunzala is a degree holder and the government had spent money on his education.

Tlagae also said Samunzala would mingle with hardened criminals in prison and would end up learning to be a criminal. He said the accused received an interdiction letter from his employers and this, in itself, is a punishment.

He also asked for a lenient sentence saying the accused person is taking care of his two kids as well as his mother and brothers.

When passing sentence, Foroma said he considered that the accused person is a first offender and also factors said in mitigations. He also considered that the accused forged signatures as well as the cheque.

He said the matter took almost three years hanging over Samunzala's head. What was considered more was that the accused did not benefit at all from the offence and that the accused was interdicted.

A suspended sentence would help him to rehabilitate. Other accused persons in this case pleaded not guilty to the offence. They are Tebogo Mompati Bojong, who was said to have stolen eight blank cheques from the Maun Revenue Office while he was auditing and Kazera Ngaruka, who is facing a charge of forgery.

Businesswoman Gonnamang Setlhodi is now waiting to give her testimony as an accomplice witness.

The case continues.

A remarkable man is honoured by Botswana

A salute to Harry Selby, Professional Hunter extraordinaire

Harry Selby, one of the most revered names in big game hunting, has been awarded the Presidential Certificate of Honour in recognition of long and faithful service to Botswana.

Selby lives in Maun and is credited with having been one of the first to recognise the potential for hunting and tourism in this country.

This article is adapted from that written by long-time associate Joe Coogan who lived and worked for many years in Kenya, Botswana and Tanzania. He is an avid hunter, shooter and outdoorsman. Due to his African safari work and writing background, he is known and respected in both the United States and international hunting communities.

A half-century mark in the safari business is a significant one because up to now there has only been one Professional Hunter who can rightfully claim to have guided enough continuous seasons with clients to celebrate a golden anniversary in the safari business. That unprecedented accomplishment was achieved by the remarkable Harry Selby in 1994.

He is retired and lives in Maun and is a familiar figure as he meets up with old friends over coffee most mornings.

A sharp hunter's instinct, honed by years of experience enabled Harry Selby to guide his clients up to Africa's largest game on a daily basis for more than 50 years.

In 1997, after completing his 53rd safari season, he throttled back from the demands of full-season hunting and, plagued with knee problems, finally retired from professional hunting in 2000.

Although he grew up on the plains of Africa and shot his first game animal - a Thomson's gazelle - at the age of eight, Harry's start in the safari business happened almost by accident.

As soon as World War II ended, East Africa was gearing up to again begin safari hunting, which had been interrupted by the war. Philip Percival, the white hunter of Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa and considered the dean of East African Professional Hunters, needed some help to keep his vehicles and equipment in working order while on safari. Harry, good with his hands from working on his family's Kenya farm throughout his younger years, was recommended for the job by an older brother-in-law.

Percival initially signed Harry on as his field mechanic, but the veteran white hunter quickly recognized that his talents extended well beyond his mechanical abilities.

His personable nature, combined with a considerable amount of big-game experience and skilled gun-handling made Harry's transition to the hunting side of safaris imminent. Percival arranged for Harry to be issued a Professional Hunter's license through the Kenya Game Department and promoted him to second-hunter status for the next few safaris.

Harry's fate to become one of Africa's most recognised and respected Professional Hunters was sealed before his 22nd birthday.

Born in 1925 in South Africa, Harry was only three years old when his family moved to Nanyuki, Kenya, crossing the famous bridge over the Tsavo River where man-eating lions held up work on the railway in the early 1900s.

The last leg of their journey was from Nairobi to Nanyuki, which took the family several days traveling in an uncle's open truck. Harry's family eventually acquired 40 000 acres of ranch land within sight of Mount Kenya, in a district about 30 miles from Nanyuki. Here the Selby family farmed land suited well for cattle but it was also wild country - mostly open plains punctuated with scattered acacia thorn trees and the wispy whistling thorn bush.

Harry's earliest recollections of Kenyan farm life are of the cattle and the people that worked there. He remembers playing with the children of the African farm laborers, like most youngsters do, with slingshots and marbles. He also remembers trekking to school each day with his sisters in an ox cart and the excitement one morning of spotting Martin and Osa Johnson's zebra-striped and giraffe patterned amphibious planes flying overhead. Harry first became aware of big game on his family's farm, which was also home to herds of Thomson's gazelles, zebra, eland and magnificent large-horned impala. Seasonally small groups of buffalo and even elephant passed through the property, and from time to time lions or leopard might appear.

In protection of livestock, the presence of a lion or leopard often initiated a hunt, involving all of the farm's available men, and including those of neighbouring farms who jumped at the chance to join in the excitement of the hunt.

On one occasion the tracks of three elephants were found. A young Harry followed along with his father, brothers and uncles as they tracked the elephants just to have a look, but not to shoot. The tracking party eventually caught up to an old bull accompanied by two younger bulls standing in the shade of an acacia tree. One of the younger bulls got wind of us and came in our direction and everyone ran - I ran as well. Harry recollects with a smile. When we regrouped, someone said to me laughingly, Why did you run?' and I said, Heck, I was only following you,' which gave everyone a good chuckle. Of course, we had to run to avoid having to shoot the elephant, he says.

At the age of eight, Harry Selby was considered old enough to handle the responsibility of hunting with a single-shot .22 rifle.

His lifelong hunting exploits began with this modest sporting piece. Young Selby's early pursuits with that single-shot rifle kept the family's larder well-stocked with guinea fowl, francolin, and gazelle chops. The farm was not fenced and game that competed with the cattle for grazing often needed culling.

Zebras were the most destructive and when big herds moved into the area, extensive shooting was the only effective deterrent. It was during these times that Harry perfected his gun handling and sharpened his shooting eye, then using an old blue-worn, silver-looking .303 British military rifle with iron sights. Harry became familiar with dangerous game early on by learning to avoid them while hunting smaller game on the slopes of Mount Kenya. The heavily-forested slopes were full of elephant, buffalo and rhino and when Harry and the young Africans he was with came upon any of these animals in thick bush their survival often depended on outwitting or dodging the animals. Then Harry began hunting dangerous game, he did so with experienced trackers who taught him the bush craft, so essential to survival on the plains and forests of Africa. These trackers were ace hunters in their own right, hunting even the largest game with bow and arrow. Their intimate knowledge of the bush and experience with dangerous game was imparted freely to the eager Selby, who soaked up the benefit of their wisdom like a sponge. They in turn, came to respect Harry's expert rifle handling and cool-headedness.

In his late teens Harry went on his first elephant hunt with a cousin who, like himself was a keen hunter, but with only slightly more experience than Harry. They each bought an elephant license and travelled in an old three-ton truck to Kenya's Northern Frontier District (NFD). It was, and still is, considered the wildest and remotest country in East Africa.

For his first elephant hunt Harry bought a Westley Richards rifle in .425 calibre, which pushed a 400-grain bullet at about 2 300 fps. That particular rifle had a 28-inch barrel, which was unusually long for a heavy-calibre rifle, but proved to be very accurate. Harry's cousin carried a .450-calibre double rifle. We stopped at a place where elephants had dug in a dry riverbed to find water and put our camp there. We parked the big truck in camp and our hunting was all done on foot. Harry recalled. I'll never forget that safari. One day we tracked eight bulls for quite a distance into the back country. When we climbed up on a rocky outcrop for a look around, we found all eight bulls spread out in front of us. Three carried tusks that weighed well over a hundred pounds apiece. My cousin, who did have the experience of some previous elephant hunting, told me that we should both shoot at the same elephant. We whacked the big one and watched the others run away. The one we knocked down was a superb elephant with tusks of 135 pounds aside. Two of the others were also hundred-pounders. In fact, one had shorter but thicker tusks.

If we'd had more elephant experience and knew what we were doing, we certainly could have taken the two biggest out of the group.

When he began conducting hunting safaris, and up until the early 1960s, Harry returned to that same area with clients and guided them to several hundred-pound elephants - considered by many to be the holy grail of African hunting. Many clients over the years planned their safaris around opportunities to hunt for big elephants in the NFD with Harry.

Harry remained with Percival's company, African Guides, until he joined Ker & Downey Safaris in 1949. His first safari with the new company was done with Tony Henley, a boyhood chum who would also spend most of his career hunting professionally.

Many years later, Tony and Harry teamed up again with Ker, Downey & Selby Safaris in Botswana and by then both were seasoned Professional Hunters with many years of experience between them. They served as directors for Ker, Downey & Selby Safaris and later for the Friedkin-owned Safari South.

In 1951, Harry took out a newspaper columnist from North Carolina, who came to Africa with his wife, Virginia, for a month-long hunt in Tanganyika (now Tanzania).

The man was Robert Ruark and his first trip to Africa resulted in a book called Horn of the Hunter - one of the most widely-read books ever written about safari life. It also put Harry's name in the history books.

In terms of business, it created a demand to hunt with Harry so great that clients were booking their hunts with him three to four years in advance.

With subsequent trips to Africa, a second book followed, called Something of Value - a fictional novel largely influenced by Harry's experiences growing up on a farm in British colonial Africa and his later exploits as a top-rated East African Professional Hunter. Ruark modeled his main character, Peter McKenzie, directly on Harry's life and personality, but this kind of attention also put greater pressures on Harry, demanding an unfailing performance for some clients who expected guaranteed success from the now famous young hunter.

In an article written for the Reader's Digest magazine called, The Most Unforgettable Character I've Met, Ruark described his friend in this way: Harry Selby, a Professional Hunter of Kenya, British East Africa, is the most man I ever met. It is a rare thing to find a man who can combine gentleness with toughness, bravery with timidity, recklessness with caution, sophistication with naïveté, kindness with harshness, mechanics with poetry, and adult judgment with juvenile foolishness.

And, all the while, making every woman he meets want to mother him or marry him, and every man he meets respect him.

I forgot honest. He invented it. I have seen Selby slap a lion in the face with his hat. I have seen him hide from a woman. I have seen him equally at home with Bernard Baruch and with a witch doctor in Tanganyika. His business is killing, yet he is gentler with animals than anybody I ever saw.

Ruark continued to hunt with Harry through the 1950s, visiting different countries where Ruark, on magazine assignments, monitored the politics of newly independent nations. Ruark often referred to the chaotic beginnings of independence as the winds of change sweeping across Africa.

In 1962, with Kenya's own independence looming imminent and the future of hunting there uncertain, Harry looked for new hunting fields. At the same time, he was offered a directorship in Ker & Downey Safaris, which became Ker, Downey & Selby Safaris (KDS Safaris).

It was also agreed that he would manage the company's new venture in a then little-known country called Bechuanaland (Botswana). His wife, Miki, hails from South Africa so it was a natural choice for the Selby family to move southward to begin a new chapter in their lives.

When Harry first went to Botswana it was still a British Protectorate, obtaining independence in 1966. Most of the southern part of the country is made up of Kalahari Desert and the northern third is dominated by mopane scrubland, seasonal waterholes and (in those days) tsetse flies. Between these two distinctive areas spreads a 6 000 square mile Okavango delta system.

Here gin-clear water flows along palm-fringed islands and over grassy flood plains to support an amazing variety of big game. In early 1963 Harry spent a total of 20 hours surveying the delta and Botswana's northern areas from a Piper Super Cub.

In spite of recent rains, long grass and scattered game, Harry recognised tremendous potential for the area. He was also struck by how peaceful the country was, especially after coming away from the hustle and bustle of Kenya, which had just begun to experience a boom in tourism.

Harry's initial reconnaissance of Botswana confirmed its suitability for safaris and began the move southward of hunting clients, securing Botswana's place among Africa's greatest safari destinations.

After initial meetings between KDS, whom Harry represented, other safari companies and Botswana government officials Harry obtained a one-year lease agreement for concession areas totaling nearly 10 000 square miles along the northern edge of the Okavango delta.

At the end of the first season, the original agreement was re-negotiated to give KDS Safaris control of the Khwai and Mababe hunting concessions for a period of four years with a renewable option for four more years.

Harry helped the government structure a package license for overseas hunting clients that included one elephant, one lion, one leopard, several buffalo, plus kudu, sable, zebra, warthog and most of the desert antelope species found in the Kalahari - this Package A' license cost all of US$150.00 in 1964 (these days P1 200)!

Excited about the prospects for this new safari destination, Harry moved his family to Botswana and for the next 15 years he and Miki managed KDS Safaris.

The Botswana safari operation was in Maun and during this time Harry continued taking out safaris himself with more and more of his clients joining an exclusive, but ever-increasing list.

The interest in photo safaris in East Africa influenced Harry's decision to build a 30-bed lodge and two 10-bed tented camps dedicated to photographic safaris.

The Khwai River Lodge, completed in 1970, was the first photographic lodge to be built in Botswana catering to photo safari tourism aimed at overseas clients. Limited plains game hunting and bird shooting were also offered from the lodge.

Harry's children, Mark and Gail, grew up in the shadow of acacia trees and within the sound of roaring lions.

At the age of 14, Gail hunted an elephant with her father taking a bull with 50-pound tusks. On that hunt she used a Rigby .275 originally belonging to the legendary elephant hunter Karamoja Bell, and which had been given to her brother by his godfather, Robert Ruark.

Mark, having gained dangerous game experience early with his first buffalo taken at age 11, was issued with his first Professional Hunter's license by the age of 18.

In 1978, KDS Safaris amalgamated with Safari South and combining the two companies made the operation the largest and longest-running safari hunting company in Africa

The concession areas then totaled more than 90 000 sq miles with a roster of Professional Hunters, which besides Harry included Tony Henley, Lionel Palmer, Wally and Walter Johnson, Doug Wright, Willie Engelbrecht, John Dugmore, Mark Selby, Daryl Dandridge, Colin Dandridge, Soren Lindstrom, Simon Paul, Tom Friedkin, Charles Williams, Don Lindsay, Hugh McNeil, Steve Liversedge, Javier Alonso, Ronnie Kays, Brian Marsh, Chris Collins and myself.

(Wright, Dugmore, Colin Dandridge, Kays and Collins still live in Maun while Daryl Dandridge is in Kasane).

The 1980s saw the gradual but eventual break up of the large safari companies in Botswana and today the huge concessions have been divided between a variety of photo and safari hunting interests.

I was fortunate enough to have served an apprenticeship for my Botswana Professional Hunter's license under Harry's guidance back in 1972.

Once on safari with him in 1999, we stood at Fort Ikoma, an old First World War German fort high on a hill overlooking the edge of the Serengeti plains. We looked out across a landscape of story-book Africa, when Harry pointed to some large trees at the edge of a green meadow below us, saying see those big acacia trees? That's where I put up Bob Ruark's first camp on his first safari, the one he wrote about In Horn of the Hunter'.

Standing beside Harry at Fort Ikoma and listening to him recall Ruark's first safari back in 1951, when it took two days driving across country from Nairobi to reach this spot, is a special moment that I will never forget.

Later that evening, sitting around the campfire and listening to Harry reflect back on his incredible career, I asked him which of the Big Five he likes hunting most - it seemed to me, after hearing his stories about big ivory that it might be elephant. The light of the campfire danced in his eyes and he smiled, savoring the memories of past hunts. Hunting elephants for big ivory still has that special attraction like it did when I first hunted the NFD. But at a young age I rapidly found that I was excited by all kinds of hunting. And even today, I think one of the most exciting hunts, and most challenging, is leopard.

Although you bait them, it's always a case of matching wits - yours against his. You do something and the leopard will respond to it and then you have to counter that with something else. It's as if he is trying to outsmart you

I think that if I had to choose something for real fun, it's to creep up into a herd of buffalo and have them all around you - your senses are completely alive. That's probably one of the greatest feelings that big game provides. Now if you want real chilling stuff, it's tracking lion in thick bush - nothing can compare.

His answer was thoughtful and clear with no words wasted. It bespoke a respect, even compassion, for the animals that he's spent his life hunting.

Harry Selby has experienced the situations he describes many times, but he still enjoys the bush, walking among big game, sleeping in a tented camp, and embracing the events of each day he spends afield, which constantly adds to his wealth of knowledge, experience and memories - these are the safari trophies that Harry savours the most.

Goose stepping out of the way, but . . .

Reporter Lets Open of this newspaper found out the hard way recently that you cannot outrun a goose.

An enraged bird chased after Open and two other people at a cattle post in the Dikgathong area of Maun when they went bird shooting (licensed and all above board).

A goose protecting its young turned nasty when the humans came within range and with a large squawk launched an attack that would have made George W Bush's war on terror look tame by comparison. The goose was soon joined by its duck pals and they proceeded to give the humans a real run for their money.

Lets ran and fell so often he ended up with scratches and a few pecks from the snapping beaks! His two companions suffered the same fate.

We had no choice but to run through thorn bushes, he said.

Two weeks ago several young men on the hunt for duck eggs also came under attack from wild ducks.

Lions Club donates to flood victims

Lions Club responds to flood victims . . . the leading non profitable organisation, the Lions Club, has responded to the plight of Shakawe flood victims by donating clothing and food worth US$10 000.00 (about P80 000). The goods were handed over to the victims in the presence of North West District Commissioner Bernadette Malala and North West District Council chairman John Benn. When handing over the goods, Lions Club District Governor-Elect, District 412, Retired Colonel T Ramkumar said that they received the news of the flood victims with great sadness. Lions are there for you in times like this. The organisation is non-profitable and is found in 206 countries, much bigger that the United Nations. Therefore I am proud to present these goods to you and ask you use them wisely Ramkumar said. Maun Lions Club president Lion Hannah Lecha also encouraged people to get involved with the club.

Botswana may buy more power from Mozambique

Botswana is looking at the possibility of buying power from Mozambique where major hydro-electric projects are in the pipeline.

The Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, PHK Kedikilwe, has returned from an official visit to Mozambique and which coincided with the SADC Energy Ministers' Meeting.

While there, he explored the possibilities of increasing imported power from Mozambique from the current 70MW to 120MW between 2009 and 2013 when the Morupule B Power Station is expected to be commissioned.

Mozambique's hydropower development programme will see developments of Cahora Bassa North (1250MW), Mphanda Nkuwa (2400MW) and other projects which together will generate up to 6030MW. All power from these projects will be exported.

Kedikilwe spent a working weekend at Cahora Bassa dam in Songo (near Tete) and held discussions with members of the board of directors of the Hydro Cahora Bassa dam.

He also held talks with his counterpart in Mozambique, Salvador Namburete, it was agreed that Mozambique, through its power utilities, will assist Botswana with firm power supply up to a level to be announced later.

The Mozambique government is also to facilitate the conclusion of a power purchase agreement from a 50MW natural gas fired power p0lant in Mozambique and that once feasibility studies are concluded for Cahora Bassa North and Mphanda Nkuwa, Mozambique ill provide Botswana with documents aimed at possible investment in the projects.

At the Energy Ministers meeting, discussions included the facilitation of the efficient use of biomass which is a major energy source for the majority of SADC people and the establishment of a Regional Petroleum and Gas Association (REPGA).

The ministers also reviewed the regional electricity supply situation and noted with concern that although the Southern African Power Pool has registered a surplus of 968 MW, this was only temporary as there was suppressed demand due to the present economic slow down in the region and worldwide. They were already aware that load shedding was experienced in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Kedikilwe met with his counterpart from Zimbabwe to discuss electricity wheeling across Zimbabwe and possible co-operation to rehabilitate existing infrastructure in Zimbabwe .

The two agreed to proceed that technical teams from Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) evaluate the technical transmission capacity limits on some key high voltage transmission lines in Zimbabwe and evaluate the Bulawayo coal fired power station with a view to bringing it back into full operation.

Zambezi bridge project moves a step closer

The Kazungula Bridge linking Botswana and Zambia across the Zambezi River is a step closer.

This week, the minister of Works and Transport, Johnnie Swartz, and his counterpart in Zambia were given a project scope briefing in Lusaka, Zambia.

The ferry crossing of the river at Kazungula constitutes one of the last remaining physical constraints on a vital part of the north-south corridor linking South Africa through Botswana with Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the rest of central Africa.

The envisaged bridge will replace the ferry that currently accommodates a substantial number of cars and trucks from throughout the region. The present capacity is about 30 trucks in each direction per day.

The bridge is of strategic importance to the economic integration of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and is considered a priority by Botswana and Zambia and is supported by the SADC Secretariat.

A feasibility study was carried out in 2001 on replacing the ferry with a bridge and improving border facilities.

Based on the findings and recommendations of the feasibility, Egis Bceom International (Consultants) was appointed in 2008 by the two governments to complete the detail design and documentation necessary for the construction.

Later, the scope of the project was changed to include realignment of the bridge and to investigate the inclusion of the railway line in the project.

When completed, the bridge is expected to bring huge economic returns for the two countries as well as the rest of the region.

The bridge is one of several that the Botswana government is involved in. The proposed new bridge over the Okavango River at Mohembo is in the design stage while other bridge projects are being investigated.

Terrors spills the Coke

Nhabe region will have to wait until next year to play again in football's Coca Cola Cup after its the only representatives, National 1st Division North side, Maun Terrors, were knocked out by Motlakase over the weekend.

Maun Terrors kissed good bye to the Coke Cup when they lost 3-1 to the Premier League-bound side.

Terrors' exit from the prestigious tournament means the team is now focusing on their remaining two league games.

Motlakase now meet Francistown-based Ecco City Greens in Palapye over the weekend. It was a tough game at Maun sports complex. At halftime the teams were still deadlocked, but after pep talks both sides changed their style of play in the last 45 minutes.

The visitors took away the game from the home team, and were allowed to play more in the midfield were they had Zimbabwean international Sizabantu Khoza controlling freely.

Motlakase assistant coach Garion Nyathi admitted that the game was not easy.

It was tough. We managed to win but it was not as easy as we expected but this is a convincing result and we are looking forward for the next game which I believe will be a stern test for what to expect in the Be Mobile Premier League next season, he said.

After a goalless first half, Motlakase scored three through their left wing, while the second came from a brilliant volley by Phuthego. The 3rd was scored by former Highlanders and Caps United midfielder Siza Khoza.

Terrors scored their only goal through a penalty by defender Collen Sebako.

I believe this game came at the right time, we looking at building a very strong squad for the Premier League, we haven't tested the strength of the players we have, so with this match, we will have a clear picture of the areas we need to work on and the kind of players we need to bring to the team, added Nyathi.

Meanwhile, the Be Mobile Premier League games have paved the way for the Coca Cola Cup fixtures.

All the Premier league teams will be in action at the weekend. League leaders Gaborone United travel to Serowe to face up to Miscellaneous while Mochudi Centre Chiefs will play Great North Tigers in Francistown.

Premier League shown the way forward

One of the leading Premier Leagues in Southern Africa, the ABSA Premiership of South Africa, has welcomed the Botswana Premier League delegation.

Premier Soccer League CEO Kjetil Siem met with a Botswana Premier League delegation at the PSL offices in Johannesburg.

The Botswana Premier League attended a workshop hosted by the PSL on a wide array of issues. The delegation was led by Chairman Michael Molefe.

The PSL is a real inspiration to us, Molefe said. With the PSL ranked amongst the top 10 leagues in the world, we can learn a tremendous amount from our South African counterparts on how to run an efficient and professional league.

The BPL were exposed to the day to day running of the PSL and were also briefed on issues surrounding finance, marketing, security, media and communication, match day organisations and corporate governance.

It's really important that we find out more on these issues and how to equip ourselves especially since we are starting to get more funding in Botswana for our league, Molefe explained.

Siem said: We are here to help our counterparts on the African continent. It's always good to meet up and make new friends in the football family and I trust that the BPL delegation will leave South Africa full of knowledge and can implement what they've learnt.

Last Wednesday, the BPL attended the PSL match between Wits and SuperSport United and were party to all aspects of the match organisation and pre-match meeting. On Friday, the BPL visited Mamelodi Sundowns, Wits and Kaizer Chiefs to get ideas of how clubs do their business.

PSL chairman Irvin Khoza took time out to address the BPL during the workshop.

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03 May 2009 16:52

Edition 458 1 - 8 May, 2009

A smiling President Ian Khama went on a royalty-style walkabout to greet citizens when he attended the opening of Maun's new multi-million Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital in Disaneng last Friday. He is also pictured (inset) with Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete during the ceremony which has seen Maun provided with one of the most modern hospitals in Africa .

COUNCILLORS ACCUSE LAND BOARD

The Tawana Land Board has been accused by North West District councillors of being corrupt in the allocation of land particularly to foreign investors.

Now it appears some plots may be repossessed if irregularities are found and we may as well do this, says acting Land Board secretary Joseph Barati. Compensation would be paid to occupants of these plots.

Board officials were also accused for having failed to assess thoroughly before allocating plots to people who then fell victim to floods.

A full North West District Council (NWDC) meeting heard this week the Land Board has a tendency of allocating land without even consulting residents of that particular area for information they can use.

This came to light after people in the Mohembo area were seen fleeing their homes because of the flooding of the Okavango River and which left many homeless, causing disruptions in water supply in the villages of Samochima, Gowa, Etsha 1-13, Tubu, and Xakao.

Councillors pointed out that it has become evident that there are some corrupt practices within Tawana Land Board, which they blamed on unfair favouritism and continuous allocation of plots to foreign investors while locals are denied such opportunities. They gave as an example a huge plot adjacent to the new bridge in Maun opposite the Maun Educational Park - and which was allocated to an investor who had requested to use it as a ploughing field but is now being planned as a hotel.

Council chairman John Benn said what surprises is that so many people and organisations such as the Riverside Village Development Committee had applied for the same plot. The VDC had wanted to use it as a garden and he wondered why the Land Board decided to allocate a ploughing field in the middle of the village while a proposal for a garden could not be considered.

Councilor Mbathera Ngundura said the reason why the Land Board is always making blunders is because members never attend council meetings, and as a result they are never represented when decisions are made.

Barati, however, said the Board has always been very careful whenever it came to the allocation of both residential and commercial plots. Land Boards countrywide have always worked closely with councils and both have collective responsibilities whenever they implement plans, while physical planners are charged with layouts.

He said they have always made sure that they allocated plots 200 metres away from the river bank as a way of trying to avoid the setbacks that go along with natural disasters such as floods, while at the same time they have never issued certificates for plots in the delta. He said if there are any people whose homes are right by the riverbank then that alone is a mistake on the part of the Board that needs to be looked into.

Barati admitted that the Board had allocated the controversial field to the investor involved because they were convinced that he was going to use it as ploughing field but not a hotel as the story turns out to be.

However we have every right to reconsider and we might as well claim the piece of land back and compensate the current owner because the law allows that, but we will need your help here because you have always had inputs in our decision making, he said.

Botswana checks on swine flu

Botswana is keeping a close eye on swine flu which has spread to many countries after being first detected in Mexico .

The Ministry of Health says that there have been no cases reported here but nevertheless is on the alert.

Two cases of suspected swine flu have been reported in South Africa, said the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. A Western Cape province woman who had travelled to Mexico earlier this month showed flu-like symptoms and was treated with an anti-viral vaccine while in

the second case, details are sketchy.

More than 160 people, many of them young adults, have already died worldwide and thousands of others are infected.

The virus responsible for the infection was confirmed to be Swine Influenza type A/H1N1. The virus is contagious and spreads from infected pigs to humans and from human to human through respiratory droplets. It may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or on an object and then touches their own mouth, eye or nose, before washing their hands.

Signs and symptoms are fever (greater than 37.8°C), a sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache and body aches, fatigue, chest pain, and difficulty in breathing. Some people may have diarrhea and vomiting. Even though we have had no cases in Botswana, the Ministry of Health advises the public that if any person that has travelled to any of the affected countries or has had contact with any person affected by swine influenza and who develops a combination of the symptoms should report to the nearest health facility for assistance, the ministry said in a statement.

For further information contact the ministry's toll free number: 0800 600 740

Councillors on male circumcision

The benefits or otherwise of male circumcision came under the spotlight this week at the North West District Council meeting.

Some councillors gave testimony about their encounters with male circumcision that they have undergone.

Although safe male circumcision might be a wise idea, it does not favour all as some people never knew about it or the advantages that go along with it. There is also a fear that the wound may not heal.

Nominated councilor Gopolang Mokotedi stressed the need for councilors to consider having the operation if at all they want to secure their lives because, Mokotedi said, male circumcision does not only boost one's sexual morale but also comes with the wonders of guaranteeing sexual ability at the same time reducing HIV/AIDS infection rate.

I am living testimony because I have personally undergone the operation and therefore have proof that whoever decides to do it can never go wrong and will never regret, so the sooner the better, he said.

On the other hand, Pelokgale Monyame, of Kubung ward, wanted to know how men will control their libido.

That alone can bring about panic because it might then mean someone is left with a permanent erection that they will not be able to control, thus encouraging one to have multiple partners. I think this alone should be looked into because it has its ups and downs.

This followed a briefing by officials from the Health ministry who said safe male circumcision reduces the chances of HIV negative men getting infected during unprotected sex with an HIV positive woman.

Principal health officer Hilda Matumo said a systematic review proved that circumcised men are at a lesser risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases including penile cancer, and that a circumcised penis is easier to keep clean, thereby reducing the risk of inflammation under the skin even though it does not provide 100% protection because HIV can still get through the skin opening.

Two village headmen die

The deaths of two headmen of villages close to Maun have taken place recently.

They are those of the headman for Sexaxa, Xakao Moalosi, and Oagile Mafia, of Matlapana. Moalosi, who died on April 19 and was buried last Saturday. Mafia died at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone at the age of 74.

According to information from Maun Tribal Administration office, Moalosi died after a short illness. He was 76.

Tanzania President in high praise of hospital

Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has hailed Maun and Batswana as a whole for the great achievement of having a big hospital like Letsholathebe II Memorial in the region.

He said this when officially opening the hospital last Friday. Also attending the event was President Ian Khama.

Kikwete said he has noted that Letsholathebe - which he rated as world class - is fitted with the best equipment which will last for generations to come if employees could take it upon themselves to ensure its good maintenance and handle it with utmost care.

He said Botswana is known internationally as a peaceful country that is also an example of good things, adding that Batswana should be grateful for having a president like President Khama because the construction of the hospital is enough proof that he has their interests at heart and is committed to care for his people and their health which is every citizen's basic right.

I have always wondered why people flock to your country. Now I have realised that they are driven by your humble spirit and your love for other people, regardless of their nationality. I applaud you for all this and for your remarkable achievement in fighting HIV/AIDS, he said.

Health minister Lesego Motsumi said the hospital is a blessing to both citizens and non- citizens because the long distances endured by people coming from far away places will now be a story of the past.

The ministry, she said, is working tirelessly in ensuring that all hospitals are staffed with skilled personnel who can provide specialised health services, stressing the point however that local clinics will continue with the usual consultations that have been going on, and that only complex cases will be referred to Letsholathebe.

When giving a vote of thanks, assistant minister of Works and Transport Frank Ramsden said in view of direct flights bringing in international travellers, medical facilities are now a must for all airports, which he called on the private sector to help build and operate.

He said now that the hospital is fully operational, his ministry will in the near future provide a shorter road in a form of a bridge across the Thamalakane River direct to the hospital.

Currently the two roads feeding the hospital are on the longer side. The southern road is 5.7 kilometres from the airport, whereas the northern road is also 5.7 kilometres.

Americans help light up Kaziikini

Just a few weeks before international tourists begin their annual pilgrimage in to the Okavango Delta, the Kaziikini campsite of the Sankoyo Community Trust 50km from Maun has become the first tourism area in the country to be serviced with solar electricity.

It has been installed by United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

This project, part of USAID's US$90 000 (about P7.2-million) funding programme for the region and known as the Southern African Clean Energy Initiative, included the installation of four solar panels at Kaziikini installed by SolaHart, a Gaborone based company, at a cost of P 173 000.

The solar system replaces paraffin lamps and candle lanterns which were in use at the campsite.

According to the installers, the solar system has a life span of 20 years and is maintainable over a 5-year period. The system harnesses solar power to charge batteries to provide lighting for the offices, ablution block, restaurant and the camping sites. Officially launching the solar system, the United States ambassador to Botswana, Stephen Nolan, said the initiative echoes the American government's efforts to help communities make a living from their environment.

He said the delta, being valuable to the country and the world, must be well utilised and said the greatest asset this country has is the people.

He said it is imperative that the United States through its development agencies helps the Okavango community with better technologies to reap better benefits from their environment.

Nolan said helping Sankoyo with the solar electrification project will go a long way in ensuring that the community reaps the benefits of their environment while the preservation and the conservation of delta will be ensured. He added that similar projects are being carried out in Angola and Namibia.

Sankoyo headman Gokgathang Timex Moalosi said the United States has done much for the village as the birth of Sankoyo Community Trust in 1994 was founded with the support of USAID.

He said before the trust was formed the only employment available in the village was for the headman and the nurse at the clinic.

Now there are more than 100 people are employed by the trust, he said.

Moalosi told the gathering another donor agency, African Development Foundation (IDF), has helped the Sankoyo Trust with the finance for the re-construction of Santawani lodge.

We are in the process of building a more luxurious lodge near the existing one he said. Moalosi, however, said the greatest challenge facing the Trust is recruiting qualified professionals to run these establishments.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of Minerals, Energy, and Water Resources, Gabaake Gabaake, said the Okavango Delta must be preserved and utilised wisely.

This delta is more valuable than diamonds because it is sustainable. We must therefore play a part in its conservation, he cautioned.

Gabaake sensitised the audience about the flooding delta saying this area is likely to receive water since the flood of 1974.

He also praised the Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) for its efforts in integrated management of the Okavango River.

The assistant Works and Transport minister, Frank Ramsden, used the opportunity to express the government's position on hunting. He said photographic tourism conserves animals when compared to hunting.

We are saying let's not hunt but photograph, he said.

Ramsden said many elephants annually come into the country from other countries where hunting is carried out, saying this proves the devastating effects of hunting.

Councillors have right to ask questions

Councillors are quite correct in asking questions about the lamentable lack of progress on projects undertaken in the North West District.

They pointed out at the recently-concluded meeting of the North West District Council how the main part of the Maun airport project hasn't even got off the ground after seven weeks, projects appear to be generally left half-completed, and there is no supervision of work handed out by tender.

The question really is: Who is to blame?

Is it the council? Is it the tender board? Is it the fault of contractors who are out of their depth when it comes to costing the work?

The NWDC has already had much experience of foreign companies winning tenders for work in this region. It has been proved that these contractors are ill-prepared for the job at hand. One only needs to look at the delays to the Disaneng road, the overgrown new bus rank, to the street lights project and, now, the airport.

It's not good enough.

Development priorities

Maun's spanking new hospital has now been opened by the President of Tanzania, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, and witnessed by President Ian Khama.

It was an auspicious occasion and one that indicated very clearly the government's commitment to development in the North West District and, indeed, the whole of northern Botswana.

Development is sorely needed and along with the renovations to Maun Airport as well as millions of pula being poured into new infrastructure in many areas of the district, it is clear that this part of the country has become a priority for the Khama government.

Teachers do play a big role

Sir, - I wish to respond to a recent letter published in your newspaper entitled: Is West Region being given a wrong or good deal?

To my surprise all the information the teacher needed could be easily accessed by him rather that running to the media where I think he cannot get any assistance.

It is with deep regret that all the questions he asked have long been clarified to the masses during sports meetings.

The poor teacher made a lot of contradictions because he also confirmed that West Region is still dominating in sports yet towards the end of the letter he asks about the results (a mme go supa botlhale?) (Does this make a sense?).

After reading the letter, the interpretation I got was that the teacher could be jealous; power hungry and desperately looking for fame.

Let me outline that all the activities he listed can possibly be taken care of by a teacher specifically at primary school because we depend on other associations which are coming to us with the aim of grassroots development. Possibly a dedicated committed and passionate teacher will manage this.

In all these activities, all teachers are involved except that one must be a coordinator whom I think the concerned teacher is not happy with. I am feeling sorry for him because we will continue running the activities with people leading others.

Mr Editor, allow me to tell the concerned teacher that in some of the activities he outlined, teachers get to lead through elections, e g BOPSSA and BTU, others through nominations like Chappies while most of them are through volunteering.

The question is if he cannot be elected, nominated or volunteer how does he expect to be part of the structure?

It is so embarrassing because in the very same newspaper where this letter was published, there was yet another article, on the sports pages, entitled West Region excels at the nationals. This is a clear indication the coordinator together with the teachers are doing a great job.

The teacher is unfortunate because he seems not to follow sport otherwise he would not ask to know where our athletes are. Our region currently has a high number of athletes who are doing duty for the national, junior and senior teams.

On a final note, my poor brother, you forget to mention that the people you are talking about are serious in producing good academic results which is what the government has employed them.

We will continue supporting people who are leading us and change them when the need arises. They are normal beings who are bound to make mistakes but we are happy because they are always ready to get advice. If you are still new in the field, continue working hard.

There's a saying in English If you can beat them, then join them We will be waiting for you to assist in anything that you may need.

THANK YOU

Maun

(Name and address supplied)

Huge boost for flood victims' food

By Boniface Keakabetse

The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) has donated 45 000 cans of stewed steak meat -calculated to be an equivalent of meat from about 15 cattle valued at P 500 000 - to the displaced victims of floods in the Okavango.

The devastating floods have seen displaced families being housed in 10 temporary camps and some others evacuated to higher ground.

The flood is still expected to hit the Thamalakane River while families in Maun and the neighbouring villages living along floodplains are warned to exercise caution. Handing over the donation at the rural administration complex in Maun, minister of Agriculture, Christiaan De Graaff, said the crisis threatens the lives of people in the affected area, particularly children and the elderly.

He said the donation from the BMC is an act of solidarity in support of all the victims and added these regions have in the past been affected by disasters such as the cattle lung disease and foot and mouth disease. Ngamiland district commissioner, Bernadette Malala, said while briefing the minister on the floods that although there has been a reduction in the intensity of the flood, the situation is still critical and should be treated as an entire emergency.

She said most food baskets given to flood victims have been found to be in inadequate while a lot complain the food baskets contain only vegetables but no relish. The canned meat from BMC could not have come at the right time.

Malala said that about 46 families in the Okavango and the Mohembo Central transport Organisation (CTO) plant are under surveillance as it is expected that there will be a further surge of water. Generators, tents and food are needed to help. Malala also said certain politicians are spreading false rumours and discouraging affected families from relocating from flood zones, claiming the government is in a secret plot to take their land.

She noted that such baseless rumours make it difficult for the teams engaged in the evacuation exercise. Malala called on the community to give a hand in helping victims.

She said the flood has already led to a shortage of water at villages like Ikoga and Etsha as a result of water submerging Sepopa water treatment plant.

She said the flood is likely to hit the Thamalakane River, saying families living in the flood plains are at risk.

De Graaff said flood crises come at a time when the ministry of Agriculture is still engaged in a battle with another tragedy - trying to eradicate FMD in Ngamiland and the Okavango.

He said there are consultations between the ministry and the Botswana Vaccine Institute for an FMD vaccine while the ministry continues vaccinating the entire cattle stock in the two districts.

He also called on farmers to exercise patience and cooperate with the ministry during this time when cattle marketing to BMC has been stopped, saying marketing will start again when the FMD situation stabilizes.

He told the gathering that the Botswana Meat Commission board has visited the Maun abattoir to determine where renovations are necessary at the facility.

De Graaff said the ministry has put in place robust measures like redoubling the buffalo fence and vaccination of cattle.

Teachers' given suspended sentences over cash loans

Two people who claimed to be teachers when asking for money from the Fast Cash Loans and Open Door Cash Loan businesses in 2007 this week appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma for sentence.

The two - former employees of Syleago Insurance Company, Tiroyamodimo Seankwe, 33, and Dikatso Donald Sebolaakhudu, 34 - were charged for obtaining by false pretences.

Seankwe was sentenced to three years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.

One year was suspended for a period of a year in which he was not to commit a similar offence of obtaining by false pretences, two years was also suspended for him to pay Fast Cash Loan the amount of P2 900 and the sum of P5 200 to Open Door Cash Loan, amounts he borrowed while claiming to be a teacher. He was ordered to pay the money on or before July 31.

Sebolaakhudu was sentenced to two years imprisonment in which a year was suspended for a year without committing a similar offence. Another year was suspended in order for him to pay Fast Cash Loan the amount of P3 800, the amount he borrowed while claiming to be a teacher.

When delivering the sentence, Foroma said he considered that the case took almost a year since the accused persons were arraigned. What he also took into consideration was the accused person's mitigations as they said they had families and that they pleaded guilty, which showed remorse. He said for balancing the interests of justice, it would not be good for the accused to be given a jail term as their families would suffer, adding that the cash loans would then lose their money. The accused spent a year while waiting for the case to continue and never committed any offence.

Foroma said they can be given another chance to reform. He took into consideration that the accused persons planned the offence as they forged the bank statements and pay slips.

'You had criminal minds when committing this offence,'' he said.

Seankwe came to Fast Cash Loan in November 2007 with forged documents including a government pay slip, a bank statement and a letter which indicated that he was employed by the government as a teacher. He then took P2 900. It has been revealed that he later came with his co-accused who demanded P3 800. Later on, it was said the two accused persons came with another client who that time was introduced as a nurse at Gumare Primary Hospital.

He was not assisted as the amount on his payslip was more than what a nurse got per month and Fast Cash Loan employees reported the matter to the police.

At Open Door Cash Loan, Seankwe was identified by another client as an employee of one of the insurance companies in Maun. The management then reported the matter to the police and the two were warned and cautioned.

They had pleaded guilty to the offence and admitted to have forged the payslips and bank statements.

The prosecutor in this case was Pascal Mhandu, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

Ghanzi now twinned with Namibian area

Councillors from Ghanzi District have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Ghanzi District Council and Omaheke Regional Council at Gobabis in Namibia.

The signing marked the twinning agreement between the two councils which will run for five years

The intention of the agreement is to foster and promote friendly relations to render mutual cooperation and assistance to each other in order to achieve the objectives covered in the Memorandum of Understanding. Areas of forms of cooperation include health, economic and social empowerment, utilisation of natural resources, management of informal settlement, waste management, and support for vulnerable and disadvantaged groupings, management of development planning, and implementation of strategic planning.

The chairperson of the Council, D.D. Tlharese, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Ghanzi while his counterpart, Governor Mcleod-Katjirua, signed on behalf of Omaheke.

Many help flood victims

Maun companies are among those who have made donations to flood relief work in the Okavango and Chobe areas. The National Disaster Management Office says it appreciates the various relief items in the form of non-food items, cash and other forms of assistance.

Organisations that have assisted are the Botswana Red Cross, Maun company Archein (Pty) Ltd, Maun company A to Z Hardware, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Trinity Congregational Church (Gaborone, Botswana Council of Chu8rches, Synagogue Church of All Nations, Kia Motors, and Grace Baptist Church (Lobatse).

The Weekender

Tourism sector urged to be more optimistic

KASANE The chairman of the Botswana Tourism Board, Victor Senye, has urged the tourism industry players to be optimistic so as to cope better with the current economic challenges facing their businesses.

Giving the keynote address at the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) open season conference in Kasane over the weekend, Senye said the success of the tourism strategy required a two way partnership between government and the Botswana Tourism Board on one hand, and industry players on the other. If necessity be the mother of invention, we should come to expect economic turmoil to be a catalyst for visionary leadership, discipline and creativity. The fundamental issue is, what is it that you can respectively do for your economy at its time of need and during its struggle for diversification, Senye told the conference.

He also said that true entrepreneurship is borne out of perseverance, risk taking confidence and positive attitude. What I can confirm is that Botswana Tourism Board will stand along side as a committed partner in this journey as we seek to deliver on our mandate, he assured. Senye noted that global leaders have made formidable responses to the impact of the turmoil, adding that one thing remained in focus, that such economic stimulus should not be done at the expense of the tax payer and for the sole benefit of the select few.

It could therefore be expected that our government would adopt the same approach, he said.

Senye said the drive to position Botswana as a key player in the tourism arena means that it is essential to take stock of the operating environment.

He singled out air transport as a first in the agenda, adding that there have been welcome developments in this regard by some local and regional carriers.

The acquisition of new aircrafts by Air Botswana and the re introduction of some old routes, coupled with the commencement of service by South African Airways between Johannesburg and Gaborone, the anticipated commencement of service by South African Express between Johannesburg and Maun in June as well as the opening of Kenya Airways sales office in Botswana, are all notable developments, he said. He further said such developments should be accompanied by improved efficiency in servicing clients. He urged the industry captains to ensure that they focus on key business drivers. He warned against the tendency to take the easy option of cutting costs during difficult times, especially retrenchments. Experience has shown that such approach is not sustainable. There is a limit to which you can cut back your staff before you negatively impact on service delivery, he said.

Opening up the skies a key answer

The tourism industry is poised to benefit from the ongoing process by the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) to start implementing the Open Skies policy in a bid to attract more players the air transportation industry in Botswana.

This emerged at the HATAB open season conference held in Kasane over the weekend where it was said that government was liberalizing Air transport as it works on the Open Skies Policy to attract larger long overhaul carriers.

This will benefit the tourism industry in that these aircrafts will bring tourists straight to Botswana.

The Deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of Works and Transport told the conference that the idea was to get rid of the monopoly by Air Botswana and create a vibrant and competitive aviation industry. Phillip Nkokou, of Air Botswana, warned that caution should be taken when dealing with the Open Skies policy to avoid a situation whereby the national airline will be swallowed by new entrants.

He said under such an arrangement the national airline will need some kind of protection from the authority.

Issues of pricing and routes were likely to drive Air Botswana out of business.

It was however revealed that demand drives the decisions on which destinations to fly to and that tourism industry feels that air liberalization in Botswana will make Botswana more accessible.

The new civil aviation body, CAAB, which started its operations on April 1, will be the pioneering authority in the implementation of the policies and regulations.

Meanwhile the condition of the roads, especially between Nata and Kasane, were also said to be another setback to the tourism industry. The minister of Transport and Works, Johnny Swartz, told HATAB members that his ministry is working around the clock to work on the condition of the roads, adding that it is also to speed up the construction and upgrading of airports in the country.

In some cases, he said the delays were due to the fact that companies that have been awarded tenders were also hit by the global economic melt-down.

Land Board fraud case postponed

By Keagisitswe Dioka

A fraud case in which two employees of Tawana Land Board were charged for obtaining money by false pretences has been postponed.

The two accused - Boitumelo Dibeela (42), an administrative officer and Lucky Kealeboga (33), a technical officer - were represented by Banyatsi Mmekwa, of Langwane Mmekwa Attorneys.

He asked for a postponement saying his clients would like to engage another attorney to assist him during trial.

The prosecutor, Nkaelang Lekgowa, did not oppose to plea.

The two were charged with a single count of obtaining money by false pretences in which it has been revealed that the two accused persons, while employed by the government, between September and December 2005 acted together with intention to defraud, conspired and fraudulently obtained P33 000 from Spyros Nicolaou.

The money was said to have been given as the two accused persons were selling plot No 227 to Nicolaou, a plot which belonged to Clement Mokgosi. The plot was sold to Nicolaou with information that Mokgosi instructed the two to sell the plot on their behalf.

Baakile advised the accused persons to appear on May 5 with their attorneys.

The Maun Shuffle

Last week, this newspaper carried a story about credit card fraud which has aroused huge interest among the business community.

It was the subject of a meeting held by the Tourism and First National Bank (FNB) in order to let people know about how credit card fraud is being carried out in these parts and indeed throughout Botswana .

Shuffle is happy to pass on information about the scam from Charlie Stevenson, a former Maun resident now living in Britain.

It makes terrifying reading for anyone with a credit card and ensures you keep your eye on your card at all times.

SCENE 1:

This is a new one. People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they? A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, Funny, I thought I locked the locker.' He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000!

He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions. Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the

system and asked if his card had been stolen.

No, he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep you guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. The thief had broken into his locker and switched cards. Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?

$9,000!(About P72 000)

Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped? It turns out that small amounts rarely trigger a warning bell with credit card companies.

SCENE 2:

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed back the credit card.

Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.

He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologised, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card.

No exchange of words nothing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours. Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it,

assuming that it has to be theirs.

For your own sake, develop the habit of checking the credit card each time it is returned after a transaction.

SCENE 3:

Yesterday I went to a restaurant to pick up an order that I had phoned in. I paid by using my Visa Card which, of course, is linked directly to my cheque account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure.

While he waited, he picked up his cellphone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing. He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved.

Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.

Needless to say, I immediately cancelled that card as I was walking out.

All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card.

Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days. fgfdgfdddddd This is good advice, so please, readers, keep on eye out for the fraudsters.

**

Further to Shuffle's recent story about lost luggage on the new air Botswana ATR 72s comes the news that it appears that the new aircraft are no longer to be used exclusively on the Maun-Johannesburg route because of a lack of luggage space.

A little birdie tells shuffle these aircraft are by and large exclusively for the commuter run between Johannesburg and Gaborone.

President praises Tanzania for its helping hand to Botswana and other countries

President Ian Khama has praised Tanzania for its assistance to Botswana and for the lead role it took in the struggle for liberation in southern Africa.

Speaking at a State luncheon here to welcome Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Khama said Tanzania had introduced the term of limitations for Heads of State and government (and) Tanzania stands as one of Africa's good examples of plural democracy and good governance. He added that Botswana is certainly proud to be associated with your country, as we uphold the same principles of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

Many countries on the continent have a lot to learn from the example of Tanzania.

Khama commended Tanzania or her tireless efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to Africa's conflict situations. Tanzania has and continues to play a constructive role in this regard.

I will be remiss if I fail to recognise and pay homage to you, for your own personal commitment and dedication in this endeavour. To this end, we are reminded of your inspiring and exemplary stewardship during your tenure as the chairperson of the African Union from 2008 to 2009. Your contribution did Africa a lot of good, and for that we are grateful.

The Botswana president said he noted with regret that Africa is lapsing into the dark days of coups and unconstitutional changes as was the case in Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.

Africa must remain resolute in rejecting extra-parliamentary transfer of power by isolating the illegal regimes until the constitutional order is restored. In the same regard, we should equally condemn Africa's leaders who continually show a disregard for human rights and the rule of law as is presently the case with Sudan.

And by not condoning impunity, we should also have the courage to render such leaders to international justice including the International Criminal Court so that they can answer to the charges against them.

He said that Botswana has benefited from services provided by Tanzanians, especially in the field of health. Currently, there are 32 Tanzanians employed by the Ministry of Health - medical doctors, nurses, and radiographers among them. Tanzania also offered training opportunities to Botswana nationals and a large number have graduated Tanzanian institutions of higher learning.

Big jump in break-ins

There has been an upsurge in the number of house break-in recorded nationwide.

The police crime weekly report says that 273 cases were reported during the week ending April 19, compared to 230 a week before.

This brings to 4 663 cases registered during the year an increase of 464 over the corresponding period last year.

The police also say criminals have resorted to new ways of committing break-ins. This involves luring or distracting housemaids and others in houses from being security conscious. The police are encouraging the public to actively participate in crime prevention initiatives, and also urge people not to have their homes unattended or without adequate security.

A total of 29 rapes were recorded during the week as well as 27 armed robberies.

The number of murders so far this year stands at 73, compared to 59 a year ago.

Boxer Sekotswe shines in SA

Maun's top boxing star Lesley Sekotswe has defended his African Boxing Union (ABU) super flyweight title.

He did this when he knocked out South African challenger Nkosana Sobethu in the 6th round of a scheduled 12-rounder in Mafikeng on Saturday. Sekotswe is on song and has gone for nine fights without a loss. This was his first defence of the title he won last year.

Sekotswe is being trained by Nick Durandt, who is rated as one of the most respected managers in South Africa.

Tennis stars for Davis Cup

The Botswana Tennis Association has sent players from the National Under-23 tennis team to Turkey where they will represent the country in the Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group 3 competition. The four are the John Pickles, Matshidiso Malope, Lefa Sibanda, Thabiso Mabaka and Shingirai Muzondwa, and they will face other competitors from Madagascar, Rwanda, Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Turkey.

The two winning nations from this group will book themselves a place and get promoted for another tournament in 2010.

Maun Terrors to clash with Motlakase

Nhabe region's National first division side, Maun Terrors, clash with Premier League- bound Motlakase in the Coca Cola Cup mini-tournament match at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Despite their away win in the first round last week in Ghanzi, Terrors are faced with a stiff challenge against opponents who they failed to beat on two occasions in league games.

A win for Terrors will be a great achievement and they will be looking for revenge. However the pressure will mount on the home team. Their display in recent matches has not been impressive. They need to impress their victory hungry fans convincingly with a win that will also boost their morale for league games next week.

Motlakase are oozing with confidence after winning automatic qualification to the National Premier League. This alone will boost their confidence of overcoming their opponents in their own back yard, but it's not going to be easy.

Maun Terrors team manager DK Kebonyethebe revealed to The Ngami Times that they are looking forward to this game.

What I can tell you now is that we are working towards this game, and playing Motlakase will motivate us and encourage us to work extra hard. We have played Motlakase on two occasions, they defeated us twice in this tournament and in the league we also lost twice, but I believe this is our time to turn the tables.

We have realised their weakness and we are going to capitalise on their errors. It's not going to be easy, but I promise a crunch encounter DK also added that the teams' preparations have been boosted by the return from injury of hard tackling midfielder Fredrick Motukwa who missed more than two games for his side through an injury. The player is said to have started light training and will be fit by the end of week for selection.

The game will be played at Maun Sports Complex on Saturday at 3pm.

Meanwhile, 15 more Coca Cola Cup matches have been lined up for the weekend.

Two Premier league teams will be in action - Great North Tigers travelling to Kasane to face up Ferry Wanderers while Tlokweng United will be playing at Galaxy Stadium with Debswana Young Stars.

Elephants stomped by Cubs

In a Nhabe regional league games played over the weekend at Maun Sports Complex, Cubs outplayed North West United, winning 4-1.

The fast improving outfit showed no mercy from the onset, playing with composure and determination in a game which was marred by rough tackles.

The Elephants were awarded two penalties, but only managed to score from one while Cubs opened their scoreline through Ogaufi Maungo, Vekamrura Hitjt and a brace by Orapeleng Monaga.

Cubs captain Simsane Bathusi applauded his colleagues for the robust display - We had our plans for the game, though the tension of the match was very high with rough tackles, we kept focused and managed to over come our opponents and collect maximum points, he said.

In other games played across the region, CTO beat Makgabisanaga 2-1 while log leaders Maun Tigers kept their title hopes high when they put a dozen goals past Fuji Rollers to win 12-2.

According to Fuji team coach, Teenage Seelelo Motshidisi, they started the game with 3 men down.

We are facing a serious problem, we did not have the whole team for the game, the players have not been training properly, and we just wanted to honor the fixture to avoid to be fined, he said.

He also added that they are looking forward for the upcoming games.

I believe this is a wake up call for the team, we need to prepare together and play as a team, we were forced to use players who were not fit and most of our regular players were not there, he added.

On Sunday, BMC played to a goalless draw against Maun United, while Gunners of Khwai were also held to a 2-2 draw by Moeti United. The match between Delta Winds and Sankoyo Bush Bucks was not played as bad light prevented the match.

Down to the wire in First Division

The National first division league games have been put on hold in view of Coca Cola Cup games.

With just 2 matches left for most teams, the race is on to get players as focused as possible for these crucial games that will determine which of the clubs from regions qualify for the all important PSL play-offs.

Although Motlakase have been automatically promoted to the Premier League, Maun side Terrors are left with two crucial away games. In their quest to survive relegation, they need not to lose any points while a win in the remaining games will see them in the League next season. For their remaining fixtures, Terrors will be travelling a rough journey to Serowe before they complete their mission in Orapa.

These games will be played over the weekend of May 16 and 17 - against Miscellaneous on the Saturday, before they travel to Orapa, were they will face Orapa Bucs on Sunday (May 17).

Meanwhile, the league games have been suspended for two weeks as the teams will be battling it out in one of the most prestigious tournament, the Coca Cola Cup.

Maun Terrors were in action over the weekend, they were supposed to be travelling to Serowe for a league game but by the time of going for press, they were changes and instead travelled to Ghanzi, were they played against Blue Stars,. Terror won 4-2 on penalties.

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