No. 1076: S Botswana's Weekly Record

Republic of Botswana (3/9/05)

TAUTONA TIMES no 31 of 2005
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President

"If we are serious about building an inclusive Information Society, we must also find ways of ensuring that our people do not become alienated, rather than liberated, by the latest technology." - H.E. President Mogae [D 1]

CONTENTS

A. Public Service and the Partisan Press
B. Press Schedule
C. The week that was.
D. Statements by:

1) H.E. the President Opening the 2005 World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) in Gaborone (31/8/05)
2) H.E. the President at a WITFOR Banquet (31/8/05)
3) The Permanent Secretary to the President at the Launch of Productivity Week

E. Press Office Forwarding:

1) Dates for Gaborone West North by-election and misleading reporting in the Guardian newspaper. (1/9/05)
2) Redeployments in the Senior Civil Service. (1/9/05)
3) Response to AP reporter on allegations by Survival International. (1/9/05)
4) Disease Outbreak among livestock in the CKGR. (2/9/05)
5) Additional notes and forwarding.

F. Botswana in the Global Media during August 2005

A. Public Service and the Partisan Press

Welcome to this week's edition. The highlight of the past week was the convening in Gaborone of the 2005 World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) [D 1-2].

The week that was, was also marked by the public announcement of redeployments in the senior establishment of the Office of the President and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation [E 2].

In above context, this division welcomes as its new head, Ambassador Oteng Jenamo Tebape, who assumed the position of Senior Private Secretary to the President and Clerk to Cabinet on the 1st of September. Mr. Tebape is a veteran civil servant and accomplished diplomat who brings to his new posting a wealth of experience from his diplomatic service in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

******
It is not uncommon for certain journalists when facing deadlines to call around fishing for copy. Thus it was last Wednesday when a correspondent from the Guardian called me, initially at quarter past four in the afternoon, wondering why the date for the Gaborone West North by-election had not as yet been announced, suggesting that it was being delayed for political reasons. In this respect, it is also common practice for many local scribes to mix their questions with political bias to the point where it can become difficult to separate enquiry from accusation and polemic.

At any rate, since this author did not as yet know the date all I could do is promise to look into the matter, while noting that on the basis of the procedures laid down in the Electoral Act and past precedent the announcement need not be seen as delayed, more so as the next sitting of Parliament was not scheduled until November.

Yours truly then proceeded to a briefing where it was confirmed to him that H.E. the President, advised as always by the Independent Election Commission's readiness, had now agreed to timetable for the election.
After the meeting, and several failed phone attempts, I was thus able to communicate to the reporter that an election date had indeed been set for mid-October. Although I had also been informed that the date was the 15th of October, I cautioned that I could not be sure of the said date as it was now after hours and I would first want to confirm the election schedule with the relevant officers in the morning [E 1].

In the above context, that is having actually gone out of my way to hand the journalist what would have been scoop had it not apparently been soon thereafter shared with a sister newspaper, one was disappointed, though frankly not surprised, to see the Guardian on its front page the next morning state among other things that: "...the Office of the President is at best evasive and at worst mum on when the election date would be held." Etc.

This Government is currently in the process of trying to increase its admittedly inadequate capacity to communicate more effectively with the public through press. But, there is really little point in public servants endeavouring to be more open to the media in the absence of reciprocal respect, much less in the face of blatant misrepresentation.

The plain truth of the matter is that much of what is consistently dishonest and deliberately misleading in our press can be traced to the fact that too many have abandoned professional news reporting in favour of promoting other agendas. While partisan journalists may thus be able to work alongside their political friends and patrons, they should recognise that the public service continues to have a responsibility to the nation as a whole, which does not necessarily include assisting journalists on deadline.

- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Press Secretary to the President (3/9/05)

Contacts: Office Telephone: (267) 3975154 & Facsimile: (267) 3902795.
Cell: (267) 71318598. E-mail: jramsay@gov.bw.

B. Press Schedule:

As always the events listed below, which represent only those parts of H.E. the President's schedule open in whole or part to press coverage, are subject to change. When possible and necessary, updates will be forwarded. Members of the Press are also encouraged to contact the sponsors of the various events listed below for further programme details and possible updates.

Monday (5/9/05): In the afternoon, at the Office of the President, H.E. the President is expected to receive the following individuals:

1) H.E. the High Commissioner of Kenya, Mr. James Binsai Chepsongol, farewell call at 15:00.
2) H.E. the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Mr. David Merry, farewell call at 15:30.
3) The Executive Secretary of SADC, Mr. Tomas Augusto Salomao, at 16:00.
4) The UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Bjorn Forde, farewell call at 17:00.

[Cancelled] Wednesday (7/9/05): The anticipated visit by a Special Envoy from the Kingdom of Thailand has been cancelled.

Friday (9/9/05): During the day H.E. the President is to preside over the Botswana Defence Force Recruit Intake 56 Pass out Parade at Pandamatenga Training Camp.

Saturday (10/9/05): During the day H.E. the President is to travel to Mababe to take part in the handover of a Youth Recreation Centre.

Sunday (11/9/05): In the afternoon, at 16:00, H.E. the President is scheduled to depart from SSKI Airport for New York, where he will take part in the United Nations High Level Plenary Meetings of the 60th General Assembly, as well as address the Assembly. He is also, among other things, expected to join the former US President Bill Clinton in the launching of the Clinton Global Initiative and take part in a Millennium Dialogue Programme among African Leaders.

Tuesday (20/9/05): H.E. the President is currently expected to return to Botswana in the morning at 10:00. He is then expected to proceed to Francistown to officially open the National HIV Prevention Conference at the Tati River Lodge.

Thursday (22/9/05): During the day, from 11:00 am, H.E. the President will visit the Teemane Manufacturing Factory in Serowe.

Monday (26/9/05): In the morning, at 9:00, H.E. the President is scheduled to give an exclusive interview to Mr. Pavel Myltsev, Regional Chief of ITAR-TASS Russian Information Agency at the Office of the President.

Tuesday (27/9/05): An event is anticipated for the afternoon, confirmation and details to follow.

Wednesday (28/9/05): In the afternoon, from 14:00, H.E. the President will attend and give the Keynote Address at the University of Botswana/Friedrich Ebert Foundation Symposium on 40 Years of Democracy in Botswana, to be held at the GICC.

Thursday (29/9/05): In the morning, at 10:00 am, H.E. the President will give an exclusive interview for a special programme on Botswana being produced for Austrian National Television. In the evening, from 19:30, H.E. the President will take part in the annual Independence Eve programme at the National Stadium.

Friday (30/9/05): Botswana Day, In the morning, from 9:00 am, H.E. the President will take part in the activities at the National Stadium, including the conferring of Presidential Honours.

C. OP Press opportunities for the week ending 3/9/05:

Monday (29/8/05): In the morning, H.E. the President received a take leave call from Mrs. Bernadette S. Rathedi who has been appointed as the Ambassador in Stockholm. In the afternoon, he formally received the annual report of the Ombudsman, which has also, as always, been submitted to Parliament and members of the public.

Wednesday (31/8/05): In the morning, H.E. the President opened the 2005 World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR), at the GICC [D 1]. In the evening, in his capacity as the Honorary WITFOR Chairperson, he will also host a Banquet at the Phakalane Golf Estate [D 2].

Thursday (1/9/05): Press highlights of the day included the announcements of the date for the Gaborone West North by-election [E 1] and redeployments in the senior civil service [E 2].

Friday (2/9/05): In the afternoon, H.E. the President received a take leave call from Mrs. Naomi Majinda who is to be the Ambassador at our Beijing Embassy. The meeting was followed by a courtesy call by Dr. Prega Ramsamy, the outgoing Executive Director of SADC.

Saturday (3/9/05): At midday, H.E. the President joined members of the Parliamentary HIV/AIDS Committee at Dibete at 14:00 to launch second phase of the Mahalapye-Gaborone Sponsored Charity Walk. During the morning the Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale, addressed the launch of National productivity Week and Vision 2016 month [D 3].

D. STATEMENTS

D 1) STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT THE OPENINING CEREMONY OF THE 2005 WORLD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FORUM (31/8/05).

Madame Chairperson, The Right Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Mr. Nahas Angula, Your Lordship the Chief Justice, Mr. Julian Nganunu, The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Patrick Balopi, Honourable Ministers from near and far, Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Community, President of the International Federation for Information Processing, Prof. Klaus Brunnstein, WITFOR Chairperson, Prof. Dipak Khakhar,
Chairman of Microsoft Inc. Middle East & Africa, Mr. Emre Berkin, Your Worship the Mayor of Gaborone, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good morning! It is an honour for me to be able to welcome the World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR) not only to our country, but also to the mother continent where human innovation first began. The presence here of so many experts, entrepreneurs and activists in the field of Information and Communications Technology is testament to the fact that Africa is a part of this global process.

2. WITFOR 2005 offers all of us an opportunity to build better bridges across the digital divide. I am, therefore, especially pleased to be able to welcome those of you who have come from beyond our borders in order to share your perspectives on where technology can and should take us.

3. I am particularly pleased to acknowledge the presence here of the Right Honourable Nahas Angula who has graciously agreed to come and share his country's experience. The overall participation at this Forum of more than 900 registered delegates, from over 70 countries, should allow us to move beyond the rhetoric of divergence to a greater understanding of our common capacity for technological convergence.

4. Distinguished delegates, it is arguable that in no other corner of the world are the opportunities, as well as the threats, of ICT driven transformation greater than in Africa.

5. We are already seeing evidence of this in our daily lives. Here in Botswana, for example, in just a few short years our telecommunications has shifted from a restricted, fixed line, system that only reached a portion of our population to a mobile wireless network in which there is now very nearly one cell phone for every two persons. This is a profound change, albeit one whose full economic and social implications are still emerging.

6. If we are not entirely certain about where technology may be driving us we can at least take comfort in the fact that we are not alone. The rapid emergence of the digital world has been unsettling for many. As the writer and business strategy guru Peter Drucker observed:

"In a few hundred years time, when the history of our time will be written from a long-term perspective, it is likely that the most important event historians will see is not technology, not the Internet, not e-commerce. It is an unprecedented change in the human condition. For the first time -literally- substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time, they will have to manage themselves. And society is totally unprepared for it."

7. Prepared or not what is obvious with respect to this continent, as elsewhere, is that ICT continues to rapidly transform the way people live and work. This is the case notwithstanding the fact that most of humanity is not as yet directly connected to the world of computers and cyberspace.

8. Thanks to advances in software, diamonds, which have been this country's leading export earner, can now be cut, polished and even turned into jewellery and globally marketed all under one roof. This has major implications for all players in the industry.

9. Digitalisation is already also adding value to the other economic sectors across our world from financial services to textiles to tourism. Where once we thought that advances in technology merely provided us with new vocational tools, we now recognize that the advances in ICT are fast creating a whole new economy.

10. Ladies and Gentlemen, it has now been almost two years since the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was convened in Geneva. There the global community came together to highlight the implications of ICT as a catalyst and enabler for social and economic development. The resulting Plan of Action recognized the need to build an inclusive and equitable Information Society.

11. To achieve this noble objective the Plan further called for intensified international cooperation so as to ensure that the potential of the knowledge based economy would serve development needs of the many. In this respect it specifically committed not only Governments but other stakeholders in the private sector and civil society to the goal of promoting the use of information and knowledge for the implementation of such internationally agreed commitments as the Millennium Declaration. At the time of the Geneva Summit it was, moreover, understood that the Plan of Action could only be achieved through innovative and well thought out implementation strategies that made best use of scarce resources.

12. Consistent with its theme of "ICT for accelerated development", this Forum provides an opportunity for us all to take the WSIS process forward. This may be done by identifying how key components of the Geneva Plan of Action can be achieved in a practical manner through specific projects and interventions.

13. Given the need for practical partnership to overcome the digital divide, I am pleased to learn that this Forum will be divided into eight different Commissions. My understanding is that each Commission will be tasked with showcasing international best practice within a specific ICT with reference to the challenges facing developing countries. The projects that will be highlighted should serve as examples of how South-South, as well as North-South cooperation can be harnessed to further implement the WSIS process.

14. I am also informed that the conference is expected to further produce a "Gaborone Declaration", which the organisers intend to share with the rest of the world at the upcoming UNESCO General Assembly. I look forward to reading its text.

15. Ladies and Gentlemen, the challenges facing nations in attempting to utilise ICT to meet development goals are varied. Achieving an inclusive and equitable Information Society will require significant investment in ICT infrastructure, information systems and human capacity.

16. Faced as they are with other immediate needs, most developing countries do not have the financial capacity to embark on this task. Whilst we acknowledge that the issue of financing a digital society has to be considered as an integral part of the global development agenda, it is also becoming clear that, unless additional funding becomes available, many poor countries will end up being further marginalized by the forces of Globalisation.

17. Another important issue that confronts all of us is the absence of an effective legal, regulatory and security framework for the Information Society. Whilst ICT offers opportunities for disseminating knowledge across borders, it has also become a tool for international criminals and other nefarious elements. Developing countries are particularly vulnerable in this respect.

18. In addition, the Internet and other forms of communication are exposing communities to undesirable content. At the moment there is virtually nothing to regulate what appears online.

19. There are those, of course, who welcome the absence of gate-keeping. To some the Internet has even been envisaged as a highway to new utopia. A certain John Perry Barlow, for example, once promised that:

"We will create a civilization of the Mind in Cyberspace. May it be more humane and fair than the world your governments have made before."

20. By way of contrast we have wits such as Mike Royko, who once observed:

"Its been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies"

Or George Lundberg who noted that:

"Information on the Internet is subject to the same rules and regulations as a conversation in a bar."

21. In truth even bar room conversation, by virtue of it being public discourse, tends to be governed by social norms. The internet, however, is an anonymous medium in which individuals are free to operate in unaccountable ways.

22. Thus, for now at least, there is much in our brave new world that is not only inhuman and unfair, but also potentially quite dangerous as well as deeply disturbing. No wonder the medium has often been described as the largest experiment in anarchy ever undertaken.

23. Whether it is ultimately either possible or desirable to internationally regulate the digital network remains an open question. For now it is at least important that complex issues of governance and security within the Information Society be seriously considered.

24. Beyond the dangers of cyber-crime, the digital revolution also poses a fundamental challenge to the natural desire of individuals and communities alike to protect both their public and private identities in an era of spy-ware.

25. If we are serious about building an inclusive Information Society, we must also find ways of ensuring that our people do not become alienated, rather than liberated, by the latest technology. The late Carl Sagan warned us that:

"We've arranged a civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology. We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner or later this combustible mix of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces."

26. In response to the above I take comfort in the fact that this Forum has brought together men and women who do understand both the potential and pitfalls of science and technology. Here gathered are minds capable of helping the rest of us to move beyond ignorance in the exercise of authority.

27. For this if no other reason, distinguished delegate, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a most fruitful and productive Forum, as well as a pleasurable stay in the city of Gaborone. It is now my pleasure to declare the WITFOR 2005 officially open. I thank you.

D 2) STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT A BANQUET HOSTED IN HONOUR OF THE 2005 WITFOR PARTICIPANTS (31/8/05)

Director of Ceremonies, Your Honour the Vice President of Botswana, The Right Honourable Nahas Angula, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Your Lordship the Chief Justice and Mrs. Nganunu, The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of Botswana and Mrs. Balopi, Former President Sir Ketumile Masire and Lady Olebile Masire, Honourable Cabinet Ministers from near and far Your Excellencies Heads of Diplomatic Mission and International Organisations, Honourable Members of Parliament, Professor Klaus Brunnstein, President of the International Federation for Information Processing (I.F.I.P) Professor, Dipak Khakhar, Chairperson of the World Information Technology Forum (WITFOR), Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Many speeches were delivered in the morning when I had the opportunity to welcome all of you to Botswana. I therefore do not wish to seek your indulgence to lend me your ears again for much longer.

2. I am told that IT people would rather enjoy sitting in front of their computers or lap-tops, doing some serious work or simply surfing the information super high way (the World Wide Web) than listening to a speech by a politician! I have no problem with that as long as there is no hacking going on! Besides, I myself do not like people who make listening to them, a condition of access to my plate of food and any accompanying liquids assets on the table.

3. However, we should not sit down and start eating as if we are angry or were quarrelling during the day. The world renowned African novelist Chinua Achebe once wrote of an African wedding ceremony, at which, there was so much food that as people set down to eat, and as the mountain of food in front of them was reduced, that's when they noticed each other across the table and started exchanging greetings!

4. I am pleased that there are so many of you here this evening. I am wondering whether it has anything to do with the advice we got from Achebe that in the invitation card we must write RSVP (Repondez S'il Vous Plait/Please Reply) or simply Rice and Stew Very Plenty! And I do hope that even if there is no rice there will be good food.

5. Having said that distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I wish to once again welcome you to Botswana and to the 2005 World Information Technology Forum. This is a very special event for Botswana. We are delighted and honoured to host over nine hundred (900) participants representing over seventy (70) countries across all continents. I am repeating this because I want you to know that you are important to us.

6. I have noticed that some of you have travelled very long distances and may be in Botswana for the very first time. I am delighted that you decided to come all the long way. You are most welcome and please feel at home!

7. I wish to extend a special word of welcome to the Right Honourable Nahas Angula, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, for agreeing to attend and address the Forum. We are particularly grateful to you, Prime Minister, for the keynote address and for sharing your country's experience in the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and its wide application to national development.

8. The value of this conference is in sharing experiences, learning from each other and hopefully working together on projects that can make a meaningful contribution to the lives of our people. It is my hope, that the message that will come out of Gaborone would not be, "Oh what a wonderful and successful WITFOR", but rather that concrete measures were put in place to use ICT as a tool for accelerating our national development by enhancing private sector growth and development, diversifying the economy, eradicating poverty through employment creation and above all, realizing the Millennium Development Goals.

9. In other words, the outcome of WITFOR should be a challenge to Botswana, a challenge to the public and private sectors to make concerted efforts, aimed at ensuring that we accelerate the use of ICT. We should move expeditiously to put in place the infrastructure and development skills necessary for the effective and efficient use of ICT. In doing so, we need the support and co-operation of our friends who are here this evening.

10. Ladies and gentlemen, my remarks would be too long if I were to thank by name, each and everyone who was involved in the preparations for the 2005 WITFOR. However, I must thank Professor Klaus Brunnstein, President of the International Federation for Information Processing for agreeing to bring WITFOR 2005 to Botswana. I also thank Professor Dipak Khakhar, Chairperson of WITFOR for steering the preparations with a firm and experienced hand.

11. The preparations were carried out over a period of some sixteen months and about twenty-four experts around the globe came together in a spirit of partnership, to ensure that the Forum is the success we all witness and celebrate this evening. There were eight Commissions and eight led by co-chairs. I therefore wish to say to the co-chairs - ladies and gentlemen thank you, thank you very much for the substantial and voluntary contribution you made to the success of WITFOR 2005.

12. I am pleased to learn that right from the beginning of the preparations, the IT Society in Botswana and the private sector, assumed ownership of and provided leadership for the preparations. And above all they made financial contributions. To you too, ladies and gentlemen, I extend our deep appreciation.

13. I should also extend my gratitude to the major sponsors of WITFOR namely the European Union, the Botswana Telecommunications Authority, Microsoft, Botswana Insurance Fund Managers (BIFM), Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, CISCO, Ericsson, Telecommunications Consultants India, DEBSWANA, and Huawei of China.

14. Ladies and gentlemen, I do not wish to prevent you from enjoying you r dinner. Let me conclude by informing you that the dinner of which you are about to partake is proudly sponsored by Ericsson. We are most grateful to Ericsson for their generosity. Blessed is the hand that giveth! Ericsson was one of the first companies to respond to our appeal for sponsorship after Botswana announced the hosting of WITFOR 2005.

15. On that note Ladies and gentlemen enjoy the evening. I hope the food is good, I love good food. People like me are called mabina-go-tsholwa, in Setswana, that is, people who dance only when dinner is served. Bon appetite!

D 3) Talking Points delivered by the Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale, at the launch of Productivity Week (3/9/05):

[Salutations] Ladies & Gentlemen,

1. Our National Vision articulates where we desire to be in terms of development in the long run as a nation and therefore sets the development agenda for each sector of our economy.

2. The capacity of the country to achieve the Vision's goals depends on our national productivity level, which is a summation of the productivity achieved by various sectors. Each sector of the economy must, therefore, aim to operate at the maximum level of productivity. This calls for the tripartite members of the Productivity Movement to work together in vigorously promoting national productivity; which is a thing that, if we were to go by the preparations of this event, seems to elude us.

3. It is most appropriate, therefore, that as we launch this year's Vision 2016 Awareness month on the same date as Productivity Week, we should emphasize the critical role of Productivity in transforming Botswana into a prosperous and innovative, as well as productive nation.

4. The Public Service, as a prime facilitator of the productivity initiative, is already playing is role by ensuring effective macro-economic management and its own efficiency and effectiveness. The private sector and labour are also expected to come out with deliberate plans to promote productivity.

5. There are many challenges to achieving greater productivity, which include work ethics - labour productivity, the shortage of certain skills, the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

6. The remedies to such challenges require all of us to adopt systematic intervention strategies, which would include:

* An innovative approach to problem solving;

* Engaging in strategic, future focused, thinking; and

* Reviewing and formulating, through consultations, of an enabling policies and legislation to guide relations between employers and employees and to respect and obey the sanctity of contracts emanating from these laws.

This would further include:

* Creating purpose in work and a passion for results, rather than relying on methods of rewarding loyalty and punishing dissent.

* Empowering others to be decisive problem solvers rather than relying on control based authority. This, in particular, should help us to get rid of the 'culture of blame', which seems to have taken root in our society.

* A paradigm shift to create a new mentality of leadership who sincerely desire to develop people as the main agents and beneficiaries of development.

* (and finally) Visionary leadership that creates organizational environments that continue to encourage and challenge the workforce to consistently strive to find better ways of doing things.

7. This month marks yet another milestone in our journey to greater productivity. As we move on, we should be reflecting on our achievements. The nation must begin to see results and should not be asking where the results are, be it in the private or public sector.

E. OP Press Office Forwarding:

E 1) Dates for Gaborone West North by-election and misleading reporting in the Guardian newspaper (1/9/05).

Members of the public are hereby informed that:

Whereas by section 34 (1) of the Electoral Act (Cap. 02:09), it is provided that for the purpose of a by-election to the National Assembly H.E. the President shall issue a writ under the Public Seal of Botswana; and whereas it is desirable that writs should be issued in a by election;

H.E. the President in consultation with the Independent Electoral Commission has approved the date of 15th October 2005 for the Gaborone West North by-election.

The Writ of Election is now scheduled to be issued on the 8th of September 2005, while the date of nomination for candidates for the by-election is scheduled for the 23rd of September 2005.

Further to the above the public is informed that this Office, responding yesterday to a late afternoon message from a reporter of the Guardian newspaper was able to confirm, at 18:48, that the date of the election had been set for October but that we would not be in a position to confirm the exact date until the morning as it was after hours. The same message was communicated the Mmegi newspaper, which initially contacted us at 18:54.

In the above context, we regard the statement published in this morning's edition of the Guardian newspaper that: "the Office of the President is at best evasive and at worst mum on when the election will be held" along with similar misleading statements in the said same article to be deliberately dishonest and thus in gross breach of the Botswana Media Code of Ethics.

E 2) Redeployments in the Senior Civil Service (1/9/05):

This is to inform the public that the Permanent Secretary to the President, Mr. Eric Molale, has announced the following redeployments within the senior Civil Service:

1. Mr. Oteng Jenamo Tebape has been appointed as the Senior Private Secretary to H.E. the President. Mr. Tebape was previously posted in Tokyo, Japan, where he served as the Ambassador and was also the Dean of the Botswana Diplomatic Corps.

2. Mr. Samuel Otsile Outlule has been appointed as Ambassador/Head of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations in New York. Mr. Outlule had previously served as the Senior Private Secretary to H.E. the President.

3. Mr. Charles Ntwaagae has been appointed as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Mr. Ntwaagae was previously serving as the Ambassador/Head of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Botswana to the United Nations in Geneva.

4. Mr. Ernest Mpofu has been appointed as Permanent Secretary of Political Affairs within the Office of the President. Mr. Mpofu was previously serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

5. Mrs. Tuelonyana Oliphant has been appointed as High Commissioner of the Botswana Mission in Lusaka. Mrs. Oliphant had previously served as the Permanent Secretary of Political Affairs within the Office of the President.

6. Mr. Ahmed Mustaq Moorad has been appointed as the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Mr. Moorad previously served as the Ambassador at the Botswana Mission in Addis Ababa.

4. Mr. Zibani J. Ntakhwana has been appointed Ambassador at the Botswana Mission in Addis Ababa. He had previously served as the High Commissioner in Lusaka.

5. Miss Mmamosadinyana Josephine Punkie Molefe has been appointed as the new Chief of Protocol within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Miss Molefe was previously the Deputy Chief of Protocol. She succeeds Mrs. Bernadette S. Rathedi who has been appointed as the Ambassador in Stockholm.

6. The Senior Private Secretary to H.H. the Vice President, Seabelo Isaac Kgosi, will soon be going on a study leave. During his absence Mr. Lewis Ntabeni Malikongwa will be acting in the post.

E 3) CKGR I: Preliminary response to AP reporter Sello Motseta on allegations by Survival International in their release entitled "Botswana: Court in Chaos - Government Lawyer 'Arrested' - Bushman Reserve Sealed Off." (1/9/05)

I was going to leave this to Cliff* but I have learned that he had to go to Pretoria. In this context I can say the following (which I shall also copy to a few of your local colleagues):

1. With respect today's events at the High Court I have no comment as it is a matter before the Court. The State of course fully respects the authority of Court.

2. The Department of Wildlife and National Parks did issue the following Press Release today:

"Closure of Part of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve."

Gaborone - The Department of Wildlife and National Parks wishes to inform the public that the central and southern parts of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) will be closed for administrative reasons as from 1st of September 2005 until further notice as provided for in subregulation 4 (9) of the National Parks and Game Reserves regulations.

In practice this means that the entrance gate at Old Xade will be closed for public access. Moreover, no public access will be permitted south of Piper Pan in the northern part of the CKGR and north of Khanke Pan in the southern CKGR. Any members of the public that intended to travel into or through the closed area in the central/southern part of the CKGR are advised to make alternative travel arrangements.

Further information may be obtained from the Parks and Reserves Reservations Office which can be reached on 3180774 (telephone) or 3180775 (fax).

3. Further to the above I can confirm that a section of the CKGR has been closed due to a reported outbreak of animal disease in the Reserve among livestock who have been illegally introduced into the Park. The need to take measures with respect to animal disease would appear to be the sole basis for S.I.'s spurious claims of a "Crack Down".

4. The fact that livestock have been illegally introduced into the Game Reserve is further confirmed in the very BBC programme that S.I. cite in their latest statement. As a Motswana you should know that animal disease control is not an uncommon circumstance in our country.

5. The individual who Survival International claims was tortured and now has died was not to my knowledge abused in any way. I am informed that he was once some time ago questioned for alleged poaching, but that he was not part of the June incident in which S.I. weeks later alleged abuse had taken place. While it has been alleged to me that he suffered from a TB, I must here stress that I am not in a position to confirm his health condition or cause of death at this point time. I shall try to follow this up.

6. In their racist contempt for our country, its people and future, as well as the truth, S.I. have been calling for the boycott of our tourism and diamonds for quite some time. So nothing new on this one.

*Note: Mr. Clifford Maribe is the Director of the Public Relations, Research and Information Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Journalists seeking official information and comment on the circumstances surrounding the voluntary resettlement of Botswana citizen outside of the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve are once more advised to contact him in the first instance at Tel: (267) 3600763 or e-mail: csmaribe@gov.bw

E 4) Disease Outbreak among livestock in the CKGR (2/9/05):

Forwarded below is a Press Release from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). The release follows that issued by the DWNP yesterday notifying the public that sections of the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve were being temporarily closed.

[START]

Department of Wildlife and National Parks
PO Box 131 * Gaborone * BOTSWANA * E-mail: dwnp@gov.bw *
Tel: 3971405 * Fax: 3912354

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 2, 2005

Disease Outbreak in Domestic Animals threatens Wildlife in Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Gaborone - A highly contagious disease outbreak has been identified among multiple herds of domestic goats and sheep brought into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) after people had relocated from the Reserve in 2002. Since then, several people and their domestic animals have moved back into the CKGR in contravention of their relocation to adjacent wildlife management areas and acceptance of compensation. Introduction of domestic animal disease into the Reserve was identified by officials from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) and Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) when carcasses of goats were seen around the settlement of Molapo. Diagnostic evaluations identified the outbreak to be associated with a highly contagious disease known as sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is quickly spread through populations of animals and causes high levels of death. Susceptible wildlife in the Reserve is at risk of contracting this highly fatal disease and there is concern that spread of the disease into wildlife population may have devastating effects. This is a matter of grave concern to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, especially since there has already been a drastic decline of the springbok population in the Reserve over the last 10 years. A full disease control program is currently being conducted by both DWNP and DAHP.

It is important that all movement in and out of the reserve in the outbreak area be restricted in order to minimize spread of the disease to other populations of animals until authorities can confirm that the infection has been fully contained. Consequently, the southern and central parts of the Central Kalahari Reserve have been closed temporarily.

E 5) Additional notices and forwarding from 28/8 - 3/9/05:

* 29/8/05: Botswana U18 Rugby in world Cup Qualifying Tournament at Jwaneng.
* 1/9/05: Late additions to H.E. the President's Public Press Schedule.
* 2/9/05: H.E. the President to launch HIV/AIDS walk at Dibete tomorrow.
* 3/9/05: Southern-Eastern Africa to build submarine cable system.

F. Botswana in the Global Media in August 2005

F 1) Global on line news reports about Botswana during the month of August, along with July and June, 2005.

Note: The numbers below are approximations and do not include all on line news reports, but rather those recent, up to 30 day old, stories that are being listed by major search engines with news categories, which were consulted for this survey. All categories are for text appearing online in the English language unless otherwise indicated.

Keywords (8/05) (7/05) (6/05)
"Botswana" 2420 2030 2860
1) & "AIDS" and/or "HIV" 305 813 429
2) & "AIDS" & "Pope Benedict" 0 1 145
3) & "Zimbabwe" 499 340 452
4) & "Trade" 292 295 546
5) & "President Mogae" 165 123 409
6) & "Aswat" 282 179 -
7) & "Democracy/Good Gov." 162 153 423
8) & "travel/tourism" 167 161 214
9) & "football/soccer" 152 78 230
10) & "Diamonds" 100 165 154
11) & "Human Development" 155 99 149
12) & "SADC" 351 80 106
13) & "Diamonds" & "Dev." 32 46 58
14) & "elephants" 62 66 24
15) & "Bushmen" 55 71 67
16) & "Masire" (former President) 13 12 17
17) "McCall Smith" (author) 17 13 37
18) & "Survival International" 29 41 29

F 2) Principal sources of online news reports about Botswana appearing on select major search engines for the month of July 2005:
BOPA 502
Mmegi 267
allAfrica.com 148
SAPA (RSA) 29
SABC (RSA) 15
News24 (RSA) 10
Sunday Times (RSA) 6
Independent (RSA) 19
Zim Papers (Zimbabwe) 0
Reuters 4
AFP (Agence France Presse) 14
BBC 1
IRIN (UN Info Network) 46
Inter Press Service (IPS) 8
Associated Press (AP) 42
Voice of America 14
Xinhua News (China) 18
Bloomberg International 9
CNN 1
United Press Inter. 0

Notes: Approximately 32% of the surveyed on-line reports mentioning Botswana were sourced directly from either the Botswana Press Agency (BOPA) or Mmegi. All Mmegi reports, along with another 148 additional reports, were also distributed by allAfrica.com. A mere 3% of the stories were from other identified regional, SADC, media sources. The online editions of the local Botswana Gazette, Midweek Sun and The Voice newspapers continue to not appear on the news search engines consulted for purposes of this survey.
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---------------------------
Toyin Falola
Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712-0220
USA
512 475 7224
512 475 7222 (fax)
www.utexas.edu/conferences/africa

From: toyin.falola@mail.utexas.edu
Subject: USA/Africa Dialogue, No. 1076: S Botswana's Weekly Record
Date: September 5, 2005 3:47:25 AM CDT
To: Recipient List Suppressed:;