Republic of Botswana (15/10/05)

TAUTONA TIMES no 36 of 2005
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President

"Yet, there are many on all continents who remain convinced that
democracy is a waning phenomenon. Globalisation, they argue, is
undermining popular sovereignty because democratic political systems are
inevitably rooted in the existence of territorial states. How then they
ask, can people be politically empowered in a borderless world?" -
President Mogae [D 2]

CONTENTS

A. On the Wealth of Nations
B. Press Schedule
C. The week that was
D. Statements by H.E. the President at the:

1) At the Official Opening of the African Union Health Ministers Meeting
in Gaborone (13/10/05)
2) At the Oxford Union on "the Challenge of Good Governance in an Era of
Globalisation" (14/10/05)

E. OP Press Office Forwarding:

1) Remarks by State House Private Secretary Mr. Nkoloi Nkoloi at St.
Josephs College Prize giving Ceremony (8/10/05)
2) DWNP: "34 Residents of the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve return to
New Xade (9/10/05)
3) International Day of Disaster Reduction (11/10/05)
4) Minister Skelemani returns from Geneva (12/10/05)
5) Jamaica Observer: "How Botswana Does It" (14/10/05)
6) Mobutu never awarded the Order of Honour (15/10/05)
7) Additional notes and forwarding.

A. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations

Welcome to TT 36 of 2005. Last night President Mogae his address before
the Oxford Union [D 2] made reference to the 1999 UNDP Human Development
Report, which had focused on the challenges of globalisation. A half a
decade later the same report's findings on growing global inequality
continue to startle, such as its statement that the world's then three
wealthiest individuals (Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Paul Allen)
together had more personal wealth then the combined Gross Domestic
Products of all 48 of the world's then listed Less Developed Countries,
with their combined population of over 600 million.

In terms of historical trends the UNDP study concluded that while
inequality had been growing since the early nineteenth century, the pace
has accelerated. The income gap between the fifth of the world's people
living in the richest and poorest countries was thus reported to have
been 3 to 1 in 1820, 7 to 1 in 1870 and 30 to 1 in 1960, when much of
Africa regained its political independence. But, by 1990 the figure had
doubled to 60 to 1, by 1997 it stood at 74 to 1 and by the end of the
millennium was approaching 90 to 1!

It was further reported that global imbalances in income were being
replicated in other areas. Thus while in 1999 the richest 20% of the
World accounted for 86% of global GDP, the middle 60% for only 13% and
the poorest 20% for just 1%, their respective shares of exports of good
and services stood at 82%, 17% and 1%, while internet usage was 93.3%,
6.5% and 0.2%.

The suggested relationship between globalisation and growing inequality
between nations was also reported to be replicated within nations.
According to the UNDP, and indeed other recent studies, past trends
towards greater overall equality, as commonly measured by the GINI
co-efficient, in such advanced economies as the United States, U.K. and
even Sweden are being reversed, while in most developing countries there
is now a close correlation between economic expansion and increased GINI
co-efficient inequality.

- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Press Secretary to the President (15/10/05)

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.

Saturday (15/10/05): During the day H.E. the President will depart for
Antwerp, Belgium, where he will meet with business leaders in the
diamond cutting and polishing industry.

Sunday (16/10/05): During the day H.E. the President will depart for
Rome, Italy, to attend the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the 25th Anniversary of World Food
Day.

Tuesday (18/10/05): H.E. the President is scheduled to return to
Gaborone in the evening at 21:00.

Wednesday (19/10/05): In the afternoon, at 16:00, at the Office of the
President, H.E. the President will receive a courtesy call from His
Worship the Mayor of Gaborone, who will be handing over a cheque for the
Masiela Trust Fund.

Thursday (20/10/05): In the morning, at 10:00, H.E. the President will
give an exclusive interview to the Community Health Media Trust. At
11:00 he will receive H.E. the High Commissioner of Ghana. In the
afternoon, at 15:00, he will receive a farewell call from H.E. the
Ambassador of Zimbabwe. At 16:00 he will receive a courtesy call from
the Vice President of European Investment Bank (EIB). All of the above
events will be at the Office of the President.

Monday (24/10/05): In the morning, at 11:00, H.E. the President will
depart for Cape Town to begin a State Visit to the Republic of South
Africa.

Tuesday (25/10/05): In the morning, at 11:00, H.E. the President and the
First Lady will arrive at Tuynhuys, where they will be received by H.E.
President Mbeki of South Africa and Mrs. Mbeki. The two Presidents will
then meet, later joining their officials. After the talks it is
anticipated that a number of bilateral agreements will be signed.
Thereafter, at 12:50 there will be a media briefing by the two leaders.
In the evening, at 19:00, H.E. the President and the First Lady, along
with other members of their delegation will return to Tuynhuys for a
State Banquet in their Honour hosted by H.E. President and Mrs. Mbeki.

Wednesday (26/10/05): In the morning, H.E. the President and other
members of the delegation will tour parts of the Western Cape as guests
of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. In the afternoon, at
14:00, President Mogae will address the South African Parliament. In the
evening, President Mogae is scheduled to participate in a Botswana
investment forum organised by the High Commission in cooperation with
BEDIA at Table Bay Hotel.

Thursday (27/10/05): During the day H.E. the President will fly to East
London for an extensive tour the Eastern Cape as the guest of Premier
Balindlela [further details to follow]. From East London he is currently
expected to arrive back in Gaborone at 18:30.

Friday (28/10/05): During the evening H.E. the President will attend the
Junior Achievement Botswana Annual Gala Dinner.

Saturday (29/10/05): During the day the President is scheduled to be in
the North East district, where he will take part in the BDP's Tati West
Victory Celebration.

C. OP Press opportunities for the week ending 8/10/05:

Thursday (13/10/05): In the morning, H.E. the President opened the 2nd
Conference of African Ministers of Health [D 1]. Immediately thereafter,
he departed for the U.K.

Friday (14/10/05): In the evening H.E. the President addressed the
Oxford Union [D 2].

D. STATEMENTS:

D 1) WELCOME REMARKS BY H.E. MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE
CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS OF HEALTH OF THE AFRICAN UNION (13/10/05)

[Salutations]... Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I notice that, on this morning's agenda, I am shown as giving a
keynote address. The truth is that instead, I am here to welcome you to
my country for two reasons.

2. First is that as African Union (A.U.) Ministers of Health, you
are very important people. This is the first time that any constituent
body of the African Union is holding its conference or meeting in
Botswana. As such we feel very much honoured and are delighted by your
decision to hold your meeting in our capital of Gaborone. We wish to
express our appreciation at the highest level of our government. For
that reason I have delayed the take off of my plane to London this
morning in order to be able to say thank you for coming.

3. Secondly I am here to welcome you especially because as
Ministers of Health in our individual A.U. countries, you have one of
the most thankless tasks in any sector of our economies. The litany of
problems and challenges facing us in Africa, such as slow progress
towards the attainment of the Millennium development goals, the status
of being worst affected by Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria,
deteriorating human development indicators in the health sector, means
that you work very hard without your effort, commitment and dedication
being appreciated.

4. What hits the headlines are the mortality rates, dilapidated or
non-existent health infrastructure, complaints by patients, shortages of
drugs, staff, equipment, etc. You are often criticised because in spite
of your best efforts, health situations remain difficult, to say the
least.

5. From speeches this morning, we have heard what we already knew.
That is, as a region, the African continent is doing worse than anybody
else in the world, because of poverty, the debt burden, conflicts and
acute shortages of resources, both human and financial together with
dilapidated physical infrastructure.

6. Regarding the content of what is to be said or ought to be said
at this conference regarding health issues in Africa; my view is that
your collective knowledge, direct experience of the problems and your
training, are such that you are capable of saying all that needs to be
said at a gathering such as this. All I can do and say is to encourage
you to apply your minds to the issues affecting the health sector in
Africa assiduously and with diligence and fortitude.

7. Come up with practical and realistic recommendations. I promise
to study them carefully with a view to using my best endeavours to
implement those that will be within my government's capacity to
implement.

8. Regarding issues such as trips in the context of the Doha Rounds
of negotiations, I can only call on the International Community to make
progress so that those of our member states with capacity to do so can
begin producing drugs more cheaply for their citizens.

9. As for the role of traditional healers in our health systems,
you are more competent to advise how best to incorporate them in our
modern health systems.

10. Once again, ladies and gentleman, I welcome you and wish you
fruitful deliberations. P U L A!

D 2) ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT THE OXFORD UNION ON "GLOBALISATION AND GOOD
GOVERNANCE" (14/10/05)

Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is a pleasure to return to these hallowed halls. Every time I
come back I am again reminded of when, I first came here as a student
straight out of the then Bechuanaland Protectorate. In the four decades
since, my homeland has changed in many ways besides its name. I suspect
I may have as well. But, here at Oxford, there is an age old quality in
standards of discourse.

2. As I stand before you, I am thus acutely aware, that if one is
to speak before this Union one had better know one's subject. For this
evening I have, nonetheless, chosen a topic - "the challenge of good
governance in an era of globalisation" - that for me at least raises far
more questions than answers.

3. What is the relationship between globalisation and popular
notions of good governance? Put another way, how and to what extent can
ordinary people, especially in the developing world, be empowered in an
ever shrinking but still profoundly unequal world?

4. The extent of growing global inequality between nations was laid
bare by the 1999 UNDP Human Development Report, in which it was reported
that the fifth of the world's people living in the highest income
countries had 86% of global GDP, while the bottom fifth accounted for
just 1%. The GDP gap between the same richest and poorest populations
had previously stood at 60 to 1 in 1990 and 30 to 1 in 1960. In the
report it was further noted that:

``The 200 richest people in the world have more money than the combined
income of the lowest 40 percent of the world's population.''

5. Still another startling statistic was that the wealth of the
world's three most well-to-do individuals then exceeded the Gross
National Products of all of the world's 48 Least Developed Countries
with a combined population of 600 million.

6. Yet even within the relatively well off OECD states, it is
frequently suggested that people are feeling increasingly threatened by
a loss of local economic control to seemingly uncontrollable global
trends. It has been further suggested that such perceptions are
contributing to a widespread decline in popular confidence in political
leadership and traditional political structures.

7. In December 2001 MIT Professor Suzanne Berger, speaking as a
visiting scholar at the Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, on the topic "French
Democracy without borders", concluded that "the future of democracy
under globalisation is the most burning debate in France today". She
further observed that:

"Widely-shared perceptions of the impact of change in the international
economic arena on domestic politics have led to a growing fear of
globalization in virtually all advanced countries...However
sophisticated or ignorant citizens' beliefs may be about the
relationships between trade, growth, and employment, they do tend to
home in on the implications of the opening of national borders for
national policies.

"There is a growing sense of the loss of control over the basic
foundations of societal well-being and the belief that globalization
means that no one can be held accountable for basic choices about
society's use of resources and allocations of reward and risk."

8. If people living in the world's wealthiest societies are
increasingly anxious about their future prospects in the face of the
global forces now reshaping their lives, how much greater should the
anxiety be among those residing in the developing world?

9. A recent survey carried out in one African state revealed that
some 80 per cent of those interviewed felt incapable of changing
policies that affect them. Such were the reported feelings of alienation
despite the fact that the very same citizens had only recently proved
fully capable of changing their Government through the ballot box.

10. Is democracy then becoming irrelevant in the ordinary lives of
people around the world? Such a presumption is at least challenged by
the obvious fact that over the last two decades an increasing number of
countries have turned to liberal models of multi-party politics.

11. Nowhere has this trend been truer than in Africa. Two decades
ago Botswana and Mauritius were alone in respecting the principle of
freedom of association. Today liberal democratic values have been
embraced by most of the continent. As a result peaceful transfers of
power are no longer the exception, but the norm.

12. Yet, there are many on all continents who remain convinced that
democracy is a waning phenomenon. Globalisation, they argue, is
undermining popular sovereignty because democratic political systems are
inevitably rooted in the existence of territorial states. How then they
ask, can people be politically empowered in a borderless world?

13. With specific reference to Africa this raises an additional paradox.
The growth of democracy on the continent has been accompanied by a
recognized need, well articulated in the principles of the New Economic
Partnership for Africa's Development or NEPAD, along with the Charter of
the African Union, to promote good governance as a critical cornerstone
of development.

14. Indeed, in recent years, "good governance" has been increasingly
cited as an antidote for the ills afflicting the world's poor. The
general, if contested, assumption is that past failures can primarily be
attributed to the bad governance of undemocratic, corrupt, and at times
brutal regimes.

15. That such regimes have existed is beyond dispute. Certainly no one
can argue in favour of corrupt, brutal or bad governance. But, is a lack
of good governance really the principal barrier to Africa's progress
today when the majority of our states remain collectively poorer than a
mere handful of individuals?

16. One might also ask, in the context of growing global inequality, how
and by whom are the parameters of good governance being defined? Is it
primarily a matter of strictly adhering to some universal blueprint? Or
is it more about realising collective local needs if not desires?

17. Lest I appear ambiguous, let me firmly state my own conviction that
good governance based on what are now commonly accepted as international
standards is an absolute prerequisite for sustainable development in
today's world.

18. I further believe that governance must in the end be about
maintaining an evolving institutional framework by which people at the
local and national levels continue to have a meaningful say about the
domestic policies that shape their lives. This means not only that they
should be able to select their political leaders, but also that their
political leaders must have the capacity to fulfil their popular
mandate.

19. Globalisation, in this context, is challenge to the sovereign
ability of societies everywhere to set, much less realise, their
development priorities. This is particularly true for Africa where the
developmental challenges are greatest, but arguably also the
disempowering effects of the emerging global marketplace.

20. There is also a danger that Africa will continue to embrace external
models rather than searching, when appropriate for home grown solutions.
Recently there was something of an outcry when the President of South
Africa, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, frankly observed that many were beginning to
question whether:

"we actually have an independent African civil society, because you have
civil society organisations funded by the Americans and the Swedes, and
the Danes, and the Japanese and so on, who set agendas...Do these
organisations reflect the ordinary people they say they represent or do
they represent other interests?"

21. To those of us familiar with the operations of the many donor funded
NGOs involved in advocacy around governance issues on the continent,
President Mbeki was merely stating the obvious. But, this does not mean
that they should not continue to make their contributions. Although, I
must admit that when I think of the efforts of some international NGO's
I am reminded of words of wisdom by that distinguished Magdalen College
Fellow and otherwise renowned author, C.S. Lewis, who (in God in the
Dock), once noted:

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may
be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons
than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may
sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those
who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do
so with the approval of their own conscience."

22. Ladies and Gentlemen, when it comes to Globalisation in all of its
manifestations we must be realistic. It is not an option. It is rather a
universal reality that has brought in its wake both opportunities and
threats for us all.

23. Even in the past no nation state has remained immune to the vagaries
of global circumstance. The 1929 collapse of the stock market on Wall
Street, for example, adversely affected the lives of ordinary people
from Chile to China.

24. In my own country the resulting 1930s Depression led the wholesale
retrenchment of labourers working in neighbouring South Africa along
with the collapse of such modest domestic commercial activities as then
existed. With the onset of drought the period thus became for many a
time of hunger.

25. Then again, it was the earlier expansion of mining in Southern
Africa that is commonly credited with pulling the then British Empire,
which already included thousands of Batswana mineworkers, out of its
imperial depression of the 1890s. Suffice to say our fates have been
intertwined for some time.

26. Beyond the simple fact that linkages within the global economy have
continued to grow, what perhaps most sets apart today's global
political-economy from that of previous eras is of course the revolution
in information and communication technologies. This transformation has
paradoxically brought the world closer together while dividing it as
never before.

27. It is now possible, for example, for people around the world to
watch live 24 hour web casts of wildlife in parts of Botswana. (Here I
would pause to suggest that our 140,000 elephants are much more
impressive up close than on a computer screen!)

28. Yet, given the reality of the digital divide, few in Africa have any
access to such windows to their world. Again according to the UNDP at
the start of the new millennium over 90% of internet usage was
concentrated in a few high income countries, while the Less Developed
Countries accounted for just 0.2%.

29. This imbalance has serious implications for reversing Africa's
declining percentage of global trade and financial transactions. It also
puts us all at a disadvantage in fighting organised criminals who can
use untraceable cyber-networks for the trafficking of illegal goods,
from arms and drugs to poached wildlife products through the continent.

30. With respect to the challenge of good governance in an era of
globalisation, it is clear that there is a need to strike a balance
between preserving local democracy and new and evolving international
frameworks. Such an ideal can only be realised in a world order based on
multilateralism and mutual respect, where proactive efforts are made to
reduce the existing imbalances in technology, trade and ultimately
wellbeing.

31. I would like to believe that it is such a vision that has been
motivating growing numbers of people in all countries, including the
many thousands who recently made their voices heard here during the run
up to the G8 Summit, to call for a more equitable world.

32. Some of us in Africa, that is those of us who are online and
up-linked to the global communications network, were fascinated to watch
so many people in other parts of the world organising and marching in
our name last summer. We could not help but be encouraged by such
outpourings of care.

33. But, our gratitude was accompanied by some gnawing concern about
whether we were not once more being marginalised, while our fate was
being determined by others. On the TV and in the foreign press we saw
many non-Africans sitting in moral judgment as to whether we were worthy
or not of salvation.

34. While passing through Heathrow one Sunday I found one of the local
tabloids, I believe it was the Telegraph, full of references to unnamed
African despots who were said to be responsible for bankrupting the
continent while they splurged on, of all things, golden plated bathroom
taps.

35. Ladies and Gentlemen, while I can not vouch for all of my peers, I
can assure you that there are certainly no such fixtures in my own home.
I can also confirm that to my knowledge none of the 200 individuals who
few years ago were identified as having accrued wealth equal to the
bottom 40% of the world's entire population was an indigenous African.

36. Yes there has been and remain instances of bad governance as well as
conflict and other misfortunes. Although the 54 nations of our
continent, as a whole, have never been more at peace than is the case
now.

37. In the end we are, after all, only human. We are also mindful of the
fact that non-Africans, as well as Africans, have for better or for
worse played an important part in determining how we have come to where
we are.

38. To move forward will require a greater effort on the part of
everyone, that is Africans, Asians, Americans and Europeans alike and of
all sorts. Together we should, among other things, use the tools of the
modern information age to build greater mutual understanding and
respect, as well as a more level playing field for the global economy.

39. Such an outcome will not be achieved as long as the global media
images that are projected about Africa, in much of Europe and North
America in particular continue to be dominated by negative stereotypes
and exaggerated, often false, images. For us the positive potential of
the information age is being compromised by a steady flow of
disinformation, much of it no doubt born out of ignorance rather than
malice.

40. Since our independence four decades ago, we in Botswana have, at
least, been somewhat fortunate when compared with the experiences of our
neighbours. Our little country has enjoyed peace and democracy
accompanied by steady economic growth. Indeed during our first decades
of freedom our economy actually grew faster than was the case anywhere
else in the world. As a result we are still often held up by those who
know us as a shining example of democracy and/or economic development in
Africa.

41. I remain convinced that our relative success was in fact linked to
our good governance. We were to able progress from being one of the
world's five least developed nations in 1966 to middle income status by
ensuring that our leaders remained accountable for the well being of
their constituents, who thus benefited from the expanded provision of
health, education and other social services.

42. Our growth was accompanied by the structural transformation of our
economy from one based on agriculture and migrant labour remittances to
one based on minerals.

43. The post-independence development of various mining centres within
our country also stimulated the development of infrastructure and human
resources, while financing the expansion of Government services. In
addition to education and health the state was thus able to invest in
additional infrastructure, including:

* The construction of tarred roads, which were virtually non-existent at
independence, throughout the country,
* Public housing,
* Electric power
* Water reticulation, and
* What is now an all digital telecommunications network

44. Our national development planning process ensured that we kept total
expenditures within the bounds determined by national priorities. The
nation's resources were thus used effectively and efficiently. Through
such prudent management of public resources we were able to largely
avoid the downturns that have been suffered by some other mineral-led
economies.

45. Our mineral wealth has thus been a source of good fortune to us.
Here I wish also to emphasise that it has all along been our policy that
all the mineral wealth of Botswana is entrusted to the state,
irrespective of who owns the land on which such wealth is found. This
ensures that all of our citizens have a common stake and enjoy common
benefits from our mineral revenues, rather than just those few who by a
chance might find themselves sitting on nature's gifts.

46. The public control of resources in Botswana for the collective good
was not something that came from outside. Certainly none of the
international mining companies that have come into our country were ever
motivated by a social agenda. Their goal quite naturally has been to
make a profit.

47. It was the democratic nation state that has ensured that most of the
value of what is taken from the ground has been, and continues to be,
earmarked for the common good. It has also been the collective exercise
of popular sovereignty by the citizens of Botswana that has annually
ensured that education, followed by health, have remained the largest
recipients of public expenditure, consistently accounting for over half
of the total budget.

48. Within our limited means, we have evolved, and I believe must
continue to evolve, our own social model, in order to not merely survive
but progress in this age of globalization and unprecedented global
inequality. Such a future will only be assured if our people, along with
our brothers and sisters across the continent are respected as
neighbours within the global village.

49. Let me conclude, therefore by noting that where ever our domicile we
all live in an age of unique challenge. At the moment the economics and
technology of globalisation continue to progress at an ever accelerated
pace.

50. The same can not be said for our efforts to find a framework for
achieving some semblance of common ownership, if not control over this
brave new world. The recently concluded 60th Summit of the United
Nations was but the latest example of how difficult it remains for
governments around the world to achieve a new multilateral equilibrium.

51. In the current uncertainty there remains risk as well as
opportunity. Certainly a world that continues to become both smaller and
more unequal is not sustainable.

52. But, neither can the clock be turned back. We in Africa are destined
to be with you and you with us. In this respect we have little choice
but to find new ways of living with one another. I thank you.

E. OP PRESS OFFICE FORWARDING:

E 1) 7/10/05: Statement that was delivered by the Private Secretary for
State House, Mr. Nkoloi Nkoloi, at the St. Joseph's College Prize
Giving.

1. The P.T.A, School Head, Educators and Learners -
I am humbled to be part of this prize-giving ceremony, an event whose
aim is to recognize and reward those students who have performed
exceptionally well. I congratulate every one of you. You have done
your parents and your school very proud. I challenge all of you to
always aim higher because with education you can fly higher than an
eagle.

2. It is an inspiration for me to be associated with young
achievers. And I urge the school to continue with prize-giving
ceremonies as they motivate students to compete with each other and to
produce better results.

3. The high standards of academic excellence you have set
yourselves, is not just an encouragement to others, but also a sign that
someone has played a part in your lives. I therefore wish to recognize
the critical role played by your teachers and your parents. I am aware
that pushing back the frontiers of ignorance is never an easy task. But
I urge you to continue to bring out the best in your children.

4. The theme for this event is perseverance, and perseverance means
staying strong and hanging on to achieve an objective. You know
perseverance is like bravery, bravery does not mean the absence of fear,
but the ability to take action even in the face of fear. So I encourage
you to be resilient, to be driven and to yearn for a brighter future.

5. Let me extend a word of gratitude and encouragement to the
parents for the support they render to the teachers to transform the
lives of these children. We must thank you for instilling family values
of botho, discipline, and respect for others. By inculcating a sense of
responsibility and accountability in these kids, you have enabled the
teachers to polish these young gems and prepare them for a brighter
tomorrow. I wish to encourage this tripartite relationship between the
teachers, the parents and the children. Thank you for your care.

6. As we celebrate here today I wish to challenge young people to
develop and embrace a culture of learning. Remember today's world needs
a global student and a global student must be competitive, adventurous
and informed. He must be versatile and must learn the ways of the
world. This is in line with our national vision of producing an
educated and informed nation.

7. I also take this occasion to advice every young person to take
part in sports and recreation. As a famous film star Robert De Niro
once said, "the saddest thing in life is wasted talent". Those of you
who are talented in football for example, in music, in art, dance or
basketball must know that they can earn a living out of these sports.
Do not waste your talent. You could make a name for your family and
for your country. Or take part in recreational activities such as art,
music and dance. Look at what other young people are doing elsewhere
and try to emulate them. Remember if you don't start learning to take
leadership positions, other young people from elsewhere will continue to
dominate you. Also learn to exchange ideas with others on how you can
transform your lives.

8. It is both reassuring and uplifting to know that despite all the
difficulties faced by educators and parents in socializing children, St
Joseph's has managed to attain an impeccable track record over the past
4 years - Having moved from position 24 in 2000 to position 7 in 2001,
position 2 in 2002, position 1 (2003) and position 2 (2004).

9. I have every reason to believe that attaining these impressive
records within a short space of time is a result of the courage and
determination of the educators as well as the support and partnership of
the parents. I want to thank you for bringing hope and opportunity to
these kids.

10. To the students, I'm not sure if you appreciate the amount of
effort made by your teachers and your parents to invest in you. If I
were you, I would sing for them, the famous R Kelly Song; You saved me!
Keep up the good work and remember that the road to enlightenment is
always under construction.

11. Imagine what life would be like if your parents had not sent you
to school. Or Imagine the consequences if you had never had an
opportunity to empower yourself. You could be languishing in the
streets. `Gole that motseto o fapogile marago'.

12. You could be heading goats in the village. You could be
homeless and scavenging for food in rubbish heaps. You could be a
thief, a serial killer or an armed robber.

13. You could be trafficking in illegal substances and heading for
prison. But these people here have given you direction and hope. They
have kept you out of the streets and you must be thankful for that.

14. Every one of you here was born with a Good given talent. And
everyone of you here has a dream, a dream to become a better person. You
could be a soccer star, a public speaker, a business person or a
scholar. But all these can happen only if you work hard and persevere.
Remember there is no substitute for hard work. I want you to stop
thinking that because you were born in the village, then you have no
place in history. I want you to stop this self-sabotage and to start
doing something to improve your lives. Just because you are a ghetto
child doesn't mean that you can not escape you're your circumstances.

15. Do not idolize thugs and thieves, you will end up in jail.
Surround yourselves with people who add value to your lives.

16. I also want you to stop taking other people for granted because
you never know what they will be in the years to come. Do not be
xenophobic, and do not despise other people's ethnicity. It's simply
not on.

17. News that the school has a plan to build a Computer Lab for
staff and students is encouraging. This is great news because bridging
the digital divide is a process whose time has come. With the world
growing smaller and smaller, the computer has become a tool not only for
entertainment but also for data storage, for information, research and
learning. We urge other schools to follow this trend.

18. Having grown up in a village I know what it is like to be rural
and ignorant, to be poor and disadvantaged. And I do not want anyone of
you here to go that route. It is certainly not elegant.

19. I was born and raised in Serowe from humble beginnings. But I
thrived against all odds. At home we had no electricity, no TV and no
car. But every morning and evening I would walk 14 km to and from
school, all in pursuit of a transformed life. I now know that education
changes.

20. But although I was socialized in a rustic setting, through
perseverance and hard work I became streetwise. I must confess, I was
influenced by three forms of education; a) education from home, b)
education from school, c) education from the street. In that way, I
became thrice as smart as the average guy.

21. I remember reading a lot every school holidays. And I remember
taking part in music, dance, poetry and drama at school. All these
motivated me and raised my level of confidence. I remember my favourite
book Shane by Jack Schaefer or Cry the Beloved Country by Allan Paton or
Shaka Zulu. But I also remember dishing out a poem from legendary
Ponatshego Mokane;

"Ke letsitsiropi; Ke legwatagwata; Ke lehututu le le tlhogo khubidu; Ke
mmantswitswidi; Ke kgalapotsane; Ke noga ya maje; Ke loma bosigo; Nna ke
setse nkile ka bolela; Ka re ntwa ga e lowe ka bokima fela; Le ba ba
sesanyane baa e leka; Le bonye ke roba motho mokwata; Ga botsana difofu
le ka digole"

22. Now this is Mokane doing it the R Kelly. This man never ceased
to amaze me Imagine this poem was composed in the 80s. And it's still
relevant. Even R Kelly says that: "I am a hero; I am a mountain; I am a
swift wind; Sweeping the country."

23. You too can be heroes if you keep unleashing you creativity and
talent. Those of you, who were thinking of quitting, please imagine the
alternatives. Keep your head, excel in everything you do. If going to
school hurts, seek solace from the Lord, for he is the only one who can
stop the hurt. Your country needs you. Also be thankful to the
Almighty for giving you strength and courage to carry on.

24. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a day for joy and celebration.
But I just wish to remind our young people gathered here today that
there is a killer on the loose and there is no prospect to find its
cure. HIV and Aids has been visiting our young, talented people with
devastating regularity. And it has been making a harvest. We all know
that it is mostly transmitted through sexual contact. I want to advise
students to be courteous to themselves, stay out of trouble; you have
many happier days in store for you. Abstain from sexual activity. It
is not worth your life.

E 2) 9/10/05: "34 Residents of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve Return
to New Xade"

Forwarded as plain text below, and attached in its original format is a
Press Release received today from the Department of Wild Life and
National Parks. I have since been informed that a total of 38 people
left during the week as of yesterday - 36 on Friday-Saturday and two
earlier in the week. The removal was filmed.

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

"34 Residents of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve Return to New Xade"

After a visit from the District Commissioner in Ghanzi, who left the
Reserve on the 6th of October, and under the guidance of their headman,
the residents of Molapo in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve requested
that they be transported back to the village where the came from, New
Xade. Government facilitated their transport, 34 people in total, to the
village on the 7th and 8th October 2005.

On those same days, 12 people from Metsiamanong settlement also
requested for transport to New Xade and Government again facilitated
their return to that village and the houses they have there. Several of
the residents said they were returning so that they could claim their
old-age pension from Government. Contrary to some reports, at no time
was anyone removed forcibly or at gunpoint.

As announced earlier, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and
the Ghanzi District Authorities, have proceeded to remove all livestock
from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve that had not been removed by the
resident in the Reserve themselves. The removal commenced on Monday 3rd
October 2005 and was completed on Wednesday 5th October 2005. Most of
the livestock from Metsiamanong and Molapo was transported to New Xade,
while the livestock from Mothomelo and Gugamma was transported to
Kaudwane.

New Xade and Kaudwane are settlements built by Government for those that
have left the Central Kalahari Game Reserve and are situated in Wildlife
Management Areas adjacent to the Reserve. Wildlife Management Areas are
protected areas where consumptive utilization of plants and animals is
permitted.

E 3) 11/10/05: Commemoration of International Day for Disaster
Reduction:

Members of the press and public are hereby informed that tomorrow
October 12, 2005 is the commemoration of the International Day for
Disaster Reduction. This Day is commemorated annually every second
Wednesday of October.

The main aim of the Day is to urge nations to embrace proactive disaster
risk reduction in order to reduce adverse impacts of disasters.
Activities organised by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO)
include a message by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public
Administration at 0545 hours tomorrow Wednesday, October 12, 2005 on
Radio Botswana and a tent in the mall to be manned by members of the
National Disaster Management Technical Committee. Interested parties are
urged to listen to the message and visit our tent.

E 4) 12/10/05: Minister Skelemani returns from Geneva:

Members of the Press/Public are hereby informed that the Minister for
Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Honourable Phandu T. C.
Skelemani, has returned from Geneva, Switzerland where last week where
he attended the 56th Session of the Executive Committee of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The meeting deliberated on the plight of refugees, asylum seekers and
internally displaced persons. At the gathering it was recognised that
the largest number of such persons in the world are currently living on
the African continent.

It was also acknowledged at the meeting that various peace initiative
throughout the world have been bearing fruit and that a large number of
refugees and asylum seekers are thus now being repatriated to their
countries of origin as peace has been restored in those countries.

Minister Skelemani delivered a statement to the Plenary Session of the
Committee on behalf of the SADC members States.

In his statement, Minister Skelemani underscored the point that
voluntary repatriation remains the most viable solution to the problem
of refugees and asylum seekers. He therefore urged the international
community to spare no effort to finding long lasting and durable
solutions to the problems of refugees and asylum seekers.

One of the highlights of this Session of the Executive Committee was the
address by the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan. In his address,
Secretary General Kofi Annan underlined the need for the world community
to do everything possible to advance the International Agenda for the
Protection of Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons.

While in Geneva, Honourable Minister paid a courtesy call on the newly
appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Former Prime Minister of
Portugal, Mr Antonio Guterres, during which they exchanged views on,
among others, the repatriation of Angolan, Namibian and Somali refugees
in Botswana. Minister Skelemani requested for UNCHR's assistance in
expediting the repatriation process for these refugees.

Minister Skelemani also met with the Secretary General of the
International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Mr Markku
Niskala. He thanked the International Federation of the Red Cross for
the technical support and assistance provided to the Botswana Red Cross
Society and for humanitarian relief assistance extended to Botswana in
times of disaster such as during the 2000 floods.

He further noted that the Botswana Red Cross Society is currently doing
excellent work in the fight against HIV/AIDS and further noted that
HIV/AIDS posed a real challenge in so far as blood donations are
concerned. The Secretary General pledged continued support and
assistance to the Botswana Red Cross Society, with particular emphasis
on areas such as capacity building, poverty alleviation, food security
and early warning systems.

The Minister also had a bilateral meeting with the Secretary General of
the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mr. Anders Johnson. Their discussions
focussed on possible areas in which the Inter-Parliamentary Union can
support the Botswana Parliament. The Secretary General of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union pledged to offer technical support and
assistance to the Botswana Parliament in the areas of Information
Technology (IT) and research.

Finally, the Minister met with the Director General of the International
Organisation on Migration (IOM), Mr Brunson McKinley, who briefed the
Minister on the functions and operations of the organisation. He noted
that the organisation has State and non-State members and that it
provides advice and assistance globally on migration issues. The
Director General urged Botswana to become a member of the organisation
so that it can benefit from its programmes. He pointed out that such
programmes could help Botswana in the effort to address the migration
challenges it currently faces, especially with respect to illegal
immigrants and migration of health professionals, specifically nurses,
to developed countries.

Minister Skelemani thanked the Director General for the briefing and
said that the issue regarding Botswana's Membership of the Organisation
will be considered in the fullness of time.

E 5) 14/10/05: reproduced from today's Jamaica Observer newspaper: "How
does Botswana do it?" by Geof Brown:

At the beginning of this week, Botswana came into focus locally and
internationally. Here in Jamaica, the country was represented at the
International Trade Fair put on by the Consular Corps of Jamaica, as one
of the 40 countries participating. Its profile as one of the world's
leading economies was featured on two prominent morning radio talk
shows, KLAS radio and the Breakfast Club of HOT 102 radio.

For half an hour on each of the two radio programmes, Mrs Masire Mwamba,
chief executive officer of the Botswana Export Development and
Investment Authority (BEDIA), was joined by myself as honorary consul,
to explain to the interviewers the basis for the remarkable success
story of Botswana's economy and governance. At the same time, the
Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) released its biannual report
ranking Botswana once again as a global leader in good governance. The
BTI report out of Federal Germany "provides a comprehensive view of the
status of democracy and socially responsible market economics, as well
as the overall quality of political management in non-OECD countries".

The latest study ranked 119 countries on all continents. The report
confirms what the World Bank and other international rating agencies
have been telling us about Botswana for some time.

How does this African model country do it? Because Botswana is
prosperous, peaceful and internally secure, and has no noisy problems to
proclaim to the world, here in Jamaica and elsewhere there is
considerable ignorance about this African country which rivals China as
the world's fastest-growing economy.

Perhaps the BTI Management Index helps to explain what areas of
objective assessment have led to Botswana's ranking as number 3 with a
score of 7.44 among the countries studied (Mauritius scoring 7.57 and
Chile scoring 7.51 were the only two countries exceeding Botswana's
rating). Focus areas falling under the index include: steering
capability, effective use of resources, the reliable pursuit of goals,
consensus building, reform management and international cooperation.

In the radio interviews, Mrs Mwamba, the BEDIA head, gave her own
subjective assessment of the country's success, reflecting several of
the objective criteria from the BTI Index. For instance, in the area of
"effective use of resources" she noted how the discovery of diamonds
which forms 45 per cent of the country's wealth, has been carefully and
prudently used to develop physical infrastructure in order to enhance
internal transport and communication in a country the size of France.

In terms of "consensus building", the BEDIA head advised that the social
and political culture of Botswana relies strongly on decision by
consensus of government, private sector and NGO bodies. The approach,
she observed, allows for dialogue and disagreement, and free expression
of views and opinions is the hallmark of decision making. Although one
political party has dominated the elections since independence from
Britain 40 years ago, there are some four active and viable others. The
"reliable pursuit of goals" is an assessment area which has seen the
economic projections of growth consistently met and exceeded with an
eight per cent growth rate.

Here again, the careful use of resources has meant focusing on
development goals in an orderly meeting of priorities. Education and job
creation are priorities. It is interesting to note that education is
free through the entire range of the system, except for a recent move to
minimal cost recovery at the primary level. But no one is precluded from
schooling for lack of fee contribution.

"International cooperation" is a major goal, explained Mrs Mwamba,
especially as that relates to the encouragement of foreign investors.
Her BEDIA is a "one-stop" enabler for investors. Although similar to our
own JAMPRO, it has the status of an Authority, not simply an agency of
government. The effect of its reach is to cut bureaucracy and red tape
for investors seeking to set up business in the country. The CEO also
explained that although Botswana has a population of less than two
million, it is geographically the strategic centre for a market target
of several countries bordering it with a population of 200 million,
including South Africa with about 45 million.

The history of the country which has had no military or political coups,
no wars from which to recover, makes it a haven of peace for investors
to locate their businesses while serving the wider market in the
surrounding African countries.

"Steering capability", another measure of the BTI Index, is exemplified
in the manner of Botswana's approach to its biggest challenge - the
prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Mrs Mwamba explained that instead of hiding from
the problem, the government has met it head-on. A very strong public
education programme has been achieving reduction of the stigma
associated with the disease. Free treatment with retro-virals is
provided for all who have symptoms in clinics all over the country and
is widely accessible. In fact, the World Health Organisation now cites
Botswana as a model for its prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

In a different area of careful steering, the country has established a
reputation for tackling corruption in government and elsewhere by
establishing an independent commission with prosecutorial teeth. To show
its seriousness, prominent signs at the international airports declare
"Zero tolerance for corruption".

A government minister has been known to turn over to the commission an
investor who attempted to bribe him.

It should be clear from both the objective assessment and the in-country
related approaches to governance, that Botswana's remarkable success is
no happy accident. With conscious racial harmony (its constitution
specifies a non-racial country), a very low crime rate, good governance
and political and social stability, this country has earned its BTI
"status index" as number one on the African continent.
Readers are invited to check the full BTI status report at:
http://www.bertesmann-transformation-index.de

E 6) 15/10/05: To the Monitor "Matter of Fact" - Mobutu did not receive
the Presidential Order of Honour

With reference to Sandy Grant's Etcetera II column of 10/10/05, this is
to clarify for the record that the late former leader of Zaire/Congo,
Mobutu Sese Seko, did not receive the Presidential Order of Honour at
the time of Botswana's 10th Anniversary celebrations in 1976. He along
with the other visiting four Heads of State who were present for the
occasion - Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Mwalimu Julias Nyerere, Samora Machel and
Sir David Jawara- were all rather given a special award, the "Order of
Botswana". Since September 30th 1976 the only other person who has
received the Order of Botswana was Nelson Mandela, during his April 1996
visit.

The Presidential Order of Honour (PH) is specifically awarded to
individuals for their "efficient and devoted service to the Republic of
Botswana." Its first two recipients were Amos Kgamanyane Pilane and
Kgalemang Tuumdediso Motsete. Since 1967 a total of 97 individuals have
received the Honour, which is listed in Burkes Peerage "World Order of
Knighthood and Merit".

E 7) Additional notices and forwarding from 9 -15/10/05:

* 11/10/05: Botswana Hosts Africa's Ministers of Health.
* 12/10/05: Botswana Posts 2004/05 Budget Surplus.
* 13/10/05: Masire on U.S. west coast speaking tour.
* 13/10/05: Balopi in Moscow.
* 15/10/05: Mogae at Oxford, departs for Antwerp.
* 15/10/05: About the Oxford Union

NB: Journalists and other interested members of the public seeking
official information and comment on the circumstances surrounding the
voluntary resettlement of Botswana citizen outside of the Central
Kgalagadi Game Reserve (CKGR) are advised in the first instance to
contact the Director of the Public Relations, Research and Information
Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, Mr. Cliff Maribe, at Tel: (267) 3600763 or e-mail:
csmaribe@gov.bw. For further background information online you may also
wish to browse http://www.gov.bw/basarwa/index.html .