Recently His Excellency the President Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi has launched a government Reset Agenda. Though it has, and still is receiving critics, the President says his Reset Agenda is starting to bear fruits.
“I am happy to inform you that Government has completed the rollout of the Reset Agenda to Accounting Officers, Chief Executives of State Owned Entities, Heads of Local Authorities and Heads of Botswana Diplomatic Missions abroad. In this regard, there are ongoing structural reforms to the Public Sector to improve the implementation of Government programmes. This entails, among others, the rationalisation of the Office of the President (OP) to make it more strategic than operational .Reviews for the rationalisation of the Office of the President have been completed. The capacity of the Presidential Private Office will be enhanced to be more responsive to the public. A Chief of Staff will assume duty on 1st August 2021.” President Masisi revealed. According to President Masisi, Change Management Framework (CMF), which will “enable public sector organizations to effectively manage change” is being rolled out.
One of the subjects which the president has always talked about- digitalization, is also reported to be on motion. So far, it is reported that applications for; bursaries for tertiary education, Youth Development Fund, Land Boards and company registration, are already online. Furthermore, the Implementation of e-learning and e-health services are also reportedly progressing well.
Even though the arts and culture, and creative industry are on deathbed due to Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) restrictions, the President holds that his government is committed to development of the industry. The President is confident that in the near future the artists will reap the fruits which his party promised ahead of 2019 general elections.
“Through a creative art strategy we will strive to commercialise the creative industry and include more Batswana in the lucrative wildlife and tourism filming and photography industry. Funds amounting to, fifty-two million six-hundred thousand Pula (52,600,000.00), under the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERTP) were approved for the refurbishment of the Mass Media Complex during the 2021/22 financial year. The Mass Media Complex will be the hub for the production of local film and television production. A feasibility study on the utilization of the Media Complex by the locals is ongoing and is being conducted by a citizen owned company, at a cost of approximately eight hundred and seventy eight thousand Pula (878 000). Completion of the study is expected on 23rd October, 2021.” President Masisi assured.
