DATE: 03 FEBRUARY 2021
We are very much disappointed by this year’s budget speech because we expected the BDP government to give us budgetary projections for the fight against covid and to also elaborate plan of how the money will be rolled out,we expected a clear significant account for the money used to fight covid since beginning of 2020 and clear explanation of P2b seed capital and contributions made by companies,we expected an appraisal of projects awarded before and during the state of emergency and also appraisal of the P100b which was reported stolen from the Bank of Botswana since we now need that money than before to rescue us from this fallen economy.
Now instead of the government explaining to us about the said stolen money they intend to get last penny from a poor motswana by hook or crook through increase of taxes and levies. Increasing taxes and levies have never been used to revive the economy, hence its a clear indication of poor governance.
The ministry of health according to the global situation was supposed to get the first or second largest share of budget this year for obvious reasons.
The youth of this country are waiting to hear when the rollout of the vaccine will start and the government plans of having that.
We want covid vaccine and also our health facilities needs to be maintained and equipped to fight this pandemic and also for future use,but instead due to misplaced priorities, the BDP government presented its budget as follows ;
Basic education P9.52b
Defence, justice P8.39b
Health nd wellness P7.9b.
Increasing unemployment rate is a concern in our country but it seems like BDP government does not have a plan in place to cushion this plight,to them the answer is draft policy are undergoing intense interrogation while youth of Botswana are angry and hungry and roaming around the street.
While this budget comes at a time where we are also dealing with the covid 19 pandemic, the economy reboost still remains vital.
Let it be known that we are in no way assuming Rome ought to be built in a snap but the pandemic has had an outsized effect on all genders and the only way for survival is to enforce solid measures to address both the economic and opportunities facing gender groups. What we need are fresher gender policies and councils strictly aimed at uplifting rights and opportunities especially with the economic inequalities gap that goes way back. Sadly so, this remains a dream only to those who genuinely have the nation’s best interest at heart because the truth is nobody can give recognition to a gender if and when they don’t recognise it.
Gender issues are making headlines each day. Why then are we treading them least? Need we remind the state how our peace nd security as well deteriorate each day? Private sectors seem to be rather more considerate. A much better initiative to collaborate with them nd possibly allocate a reasonable budget to boost such would have worked a great deal. Why has there not been atleast an effort to plunder campaign resources in assisting gender offices country wide? We are just but a nation doomed. Cry my beloved country.
The Ministry of Environment Natural resources and Tourism was mentioned only once in the 35 page budget speech, and the word tourism only 7 times and all these mentions centered around the P200 million disbured to the industry during the 2020/2021 financial year to try and resuscitate the ailing industry. For many years as we may remember Tourism has been a big player in the economy of our country and one would have thought it deserved to be given priority over many things as a quick fix to the ailing economy.
- Many hotels and lodges across the country have closed down due to lack of business, many people have lost their jobs due to the dismal performance of the tourism industry. The loss of some of the main tourism events including Khawa Dune Challenge and the Toyota 1000km Desert Race will take time to recover. Government needs to move swiftly to buy these concessions or put in place measures that would make it easier for Batswana to own them. These are mainly owned and run in Europe and most of the monies stays in those countries. This sense of belonging would also enable the odinary motswana to want to visit the luxurious hotels we see in the Okavango areas.
Furthermore legislation should be put in place to subsidize pricing for Batswana in order for them to flock these places.
- The only way to resuscitate the economy is to increase business activity in the country and the tourism industry is one of the simplest industries to begin with, however it is now evident that it has fallen into the stage of “other” Ministries as it is only mentioned once.
Cultural and creative sectors are important in their own right in terms of their economic footprint. Massive Digitalisation rollout coupled with emerging technologies such as Virtual and augmented realities can create new forms of cultural experience.
We Expected a quicker approach to this burning issue,but like always Issue e ntse ke “re tla retla,until when Mr Minister?After the burial of the creative industry, we expected the Minister to address gaps by simplifying schemes put in place to help the dying industry.Cultural and creative sector is undermined in official statistics thats why we are not suprised go sena ha tona a buileng sepe teng hela ka bone se se bogadi bogaufi.
This Curfew and social distancing measures have made evident the importance of Arts and culture for peoples mental well being but the government is just Quiet but this is an opportunity to capitalise on the role of arts and culture in the prevention and treatment of illness across the lifespan,contributing to solutions for health and welfare systems such as through reductions in hospitalisation or medication rate.
Cultural and creative industry sectors are structured in a unique way in comparison to other sectors.
They rely on the interconnected and interdependent network of other sectors,Strategic complimentaries can be developed in this Crisis on both the Education and creative sector,Engage artists to educate Batswana and pay them and stop dividing them with tactics of their weaker schemes tsa bo cosbots and others. We expected Minister to address the digital skills shortages within the sector so that artists can use such and advance their creative gifts in this trying times.
The approach used by Minister of finance is just to cheat the public. He is just hiding behind the quantitative approach when presenting his budget as opposed to the qualitative approach.
The approach can not be understood by layman youth . The hiding behind the approach has worked for him so far because most people don’t understand him and he got away from ordinary Batswana. This was not a budget speech but a Charge sheet for ordinary Batswana who don’t have anything in their pockets.
Nature Ketshwereng
Publicity Secretary- AP YPL
