Republic of Botswana (9/4/05)
TAUTONA TIMES no 12 of 2005
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President
"These projects, which have been constructed at a total cost of over P67 million are a living testimony of my Government's continuing commitment to bring services closer to the people, improve their livelihood and establish infrastructure necessary to attract private investment. They are, moreover, tangible evidence of both this Government's commitment to, and confidence in, the long term future of this community." - H.E. the President Officially Opening development projects in Selebi-Phikwe [D 3]
CONTENTS
A. BNOM & Bigger Dams
B. April Press Schedule
C. The Week That Was
D. H.E. the President's Statement's
1) On the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II (4/4/05)
2) Congratulating H.E. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on the outcome of the 31st of March elections (4/4/05)
3) At the Official Opening of Development Projects in Selebi-Phikwe (9/4/05)
E. OP Press Office Forwarding:
1) Former President Sir Ketumile Masire hosts African Presidential Roundtable 2005 (7/4/05)
2) Findings of the Botswana National Observer Mission on the recent Zimbabwe Parliamentary Election (8/4/05)
3) Additional notes and forwarding
A. BNOM & P 1 Billion for Bigger Dams
Among the items featured in this week's circular is a Press Release of the findings of the Botswana National Observer Mission [BNOM] on the recent Zimbabwe Parliamentary Election, which were presented at a Press Conference yesterday afternoon [E 2]. In the context of external controversy some may still wish to downplay the Mission's internal conclusion that: "the Zimbabwe 31st March 2005 poll was characterised by an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity" and that:
"The mission satisfied itself that the poll complied with the SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections and concluded that the elections were free and fair."
For its part, this Office can affirm that the findings of the BNOM represent the independent judgement of its members, who are all well known in this country for their integrity and professional judgement. Listed below are terms of reference that guided their work:
* "To observe the process of the elections by thoroughly studying the relevant Zimbabwean electoral laws with a view to relate what is happening on the ground with what was provided in these laws.
* "To seek a brief from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on the
preparations and processes relating to the elections.
* "To interact with all the Zimbabwe political role players/representatives, where possible, in order to get their views on the preparations and processes of the elections.
* "To observe the political campaigns in as many constituencies as possible.
* "To interact with election observers from other countries and organisations.
* "To observe the actual voting on election day (31st March 2005) by visiting as many polling stations as possible.
* "To observe the counting of ballots.
* "To compile a final report, with observations, conclusions and/or recommendations on the election and submit the same to the Office of the President."
As fair minded people will appreciate, it simply would not have been in the interest of either this Office or any other branch of Government to receive a report that failed to accurately reflect the best judgement of its authors working in accordance with the above guidelines.
The findings of BNOM are, moreover, consistent with those of Batswana who served on the SADC Election Observer Mission, who have separately reported, in the context of the observations and qualifications contained in the 2/4/05 Preliminary Statement made by the Hon. Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka on behalf of the Mission as a whole, that:
"The elections were held under a peaceful atmosphere and no cases of violence were observed. We concur with the entire SADC Mission that the results were free and fair."
************
This author is sometimes stuck by the contrast between the headlines one reads in newspapers and the actual substance of their stories. A mild example of this phenomenon was contained in this past Tuesday's (5/4/05) edition of the Daily News whose second page carried the headline: "Government has no plans to develop dam sites". The accompanying article begins:
"Government has not initiated plans to develop any of the 12 sites for small to medium dams because it has set itself the aggressive target to complete the large to medium dams of Ntimbale, Lotsana, Dikgatlong and Thuni at a cost of P 1 billion."
The article was based on the Hon. Minister of Minerals, Energy & Water Resources response to a Parliamentary question. The Minister also reported to Parliament on the completion of a water treatment plant in Selebi-Phikwe.
- Dr. Jeff Ramsay, Press Secretary to the President (9/4/05)
Contacts: Office Telephone: (267)3975154 & Facsimile: (267)3902795.
Cell: (267)71318598. E-mail: jramsay@gov.bw & jramsayop@yahoo.co.uk.
B. April 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.
[New] Monday (11/4/05): In the afternoon, at 15:00, H.E. the President will receive a courtesy call at the Office of the President by the Hon. Marafa Hamidou Yaya, Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Decentralisation of the Republic of Cameroon, who will be acting in the capacity of Special Envoy for H.E. the President Paul Biya.
Tuesday (12/4/05): During the morning, at 10:00 am, H.E. the President will receive a courtesy call from visiting United States General Charles Wald at the Office of the President. Gen. Wald is the Deputy Commander European Command.
[New] Thursday (14/4/05): In the early morning, from 7:30 am, H.E. the President will attend Barclay's Bank Botswana Premier Banking Launch Breakfast at the Gaborone Sun.
Thereafter, at 10:00 am, the President of the Republic of Mozambique, H.E. Mr. Armando Emilio Guebuza, is expected to arrive at SSK International Airport for a two day Official Visit. In the evening, from 19:00, H.E. President Mogae will host a State Banquet in honour of H.E. President Guebuza. Further details of the visit will be communicated.
Saturday (16/4/05): In the evening H.E. the President will attend the 6th National Sports Council Sports Awards Ceremony.
[New] Sunday (17/4/05): During the day (time to be confirmed) H.E. the President is expected to depart for Harare to attend the 25th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
[New] Monday (18/4/05): Following the celebrations marking the 25th Anniversary of Zimbabwe's Independence, H.E. the President will depart for Sharm El Sheikh, in the Arab Republic of Egypt, to attend the 13th Meeting of the Heads of State/Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) of NEPAD, which will convene on Tuesday (19/4/05)
Wednesday (20/4/05): During the day H.E. the President will depart from Sharm El Sheikh for Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, to attend the African/Asian Summit, along with the Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the 1955 Asian-African Bandung Conference, which will be held in Bandung, Indonesia.
Monday (25/4/05): H.E. the President is currently expected to return to Botswana from Indonesia in the evening (time to be confirmed).
[New] Thursday (28/4/05): In the afternoon, at 15:00, H.E. the President is scheduled to receive a courtesy call at the Office of the President by the Chairman of Microsoft for the Middle East and Africa, Mr. Emre Berkin.
Friday (29/4/05): At noon H.E. the President will take part in a Population Services International (PSI) "Know Your Facts" Promotional Draw, at the Peugeot Show Room in Gaborone.
[Note Time change] Thereafter, at 18:30, he will officially open the new Metcourt Inn at the Grand Palm Complex.
C. OP Press Coverage Highlights of the Past Week
Monday: During the day H.E. the President issued public statements on the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II [D1] and congratulating to H.E. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on the outcome of the 31st of March elections in his country [D 2].
Wednesday: In the early evening H.E. the President joined other mourners in attending the Requiem Mass for the eternal rest of His Holiness Pope John Paul II at the Christ the King Cathedral
Thursday: H.E. the President's afternoon schedule included a briefing by members of the Botswana National Observer Mission to last month's Zimbabwe Parliamentary Election, who presented him with their report. Members of the Observer Mission subsequently communicated their findings to the public at a press conference held on Friday afternoon at the Mass Media Complex [E 2].
Saturday: During the morning, H.E. the President officially opened a number of development projects in the town of Selebi-Phikwe [D 3]. Also on the same morning, H.H. the Vice President officially opened the new Nitani Lodge facility in the northern Tuli area.
D. H.E. the President's Statements: 1) On the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II; 2) Congratulating to H.E. President Robert Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the outcome of the 31st of March elections in his country; and 3) at the Official Opening of Development Projects in Selebi-Phikwe.
D 1) Message by His Excellency the President, Mr. Festus G. Mogae, on hearing of the news of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II (4/4/05)
Please find below the Message by His Excellency Festus Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana, on the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, which has been sent to the Dean of the College of Cardinals at the Holy See, H.H. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
[Start of Message]
Along with all Batswana, it was with a great sense of loss that I heard the news of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
His Holiness' importance to Batswana transcended his leadership of the Roman Catholic community. We knew him to be a rare figure who through his dedication to concerns both temporal and spiritual became a moral authority for men and women of all faiths both here and throughout the rest of the world.
The late John Paul II was an indefatigable champion of the innate dignity of all of God's children and a tireless and compassionate critic of social injustice in all of its forms. He was a man of peace, but never passive in the face of mendacity.
No previous Pope was more engaged in the challenges facing the developing world and for this, as well as his tremendous outreach efforts, he will always have a special place in the hearts of Africans.
We in Botswana can never forget that on the eve of the tenth anniversary of his pontificate the late John Paul embarked on a historic pastoral visit to our country, along with our neighbours Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, at a time when our entire region was still living in the shadow of apartheid. By his presence and through his words he comforted and encouraged all of us in our faith in the final triumph of good over evil in Southern Africa, as elsewhere.
On behalf of an entire nation in mourning I say "Robala sentle Johane Paulo" - Rest well John Paul - while you were born far from our shores you will continue to live among us in our hearts.
D 2) H.E. the President's message congratulating to H.E. President Robert Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the outcome of the 31st of March elections in his country (4/4/05)
Below please find the text of message from H.E. President Festus Mogae to H.E. President Robert Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe on the success of his political party's in last week's election.
[Start]
It is with the best of wishes that I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the landslide victory that was achieved by your political party, ZANU-PF, in the recent Parliamentary elections. It is our hope and belief that this renewed mandate will provide a basis for people of all political persuasions within Zimbabwe to now pull together in facing challenges of national development.
I further take this opportunity to once more reaffirm the strong commitment on the part of my Government to further develop and strengthen the historic ties of friendship and solidarity that have long existed between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Let us continue to move forward not only for our own people's mutual benefit, but also for the wider benefit of our region and the African continent as a whole.
D 3) 9/4/05: STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. FESTUS G. MOGAE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN SELIBE PHIKWE [Setswana Text also available as hardcopy]:
Director of Ceremonies
Assistant Minister of Local Government, Honourable Ambrose Basipo Masalila
Assistant Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Honourable Olifant Mfa
Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe East, Honourable Nonofo Molefhi
Motshwarelela Bogosi ja ga mma-Ngwato, Kgosi Sediegeng Kgamane le bo monnao: Kgosi Phokontsi Seeletso was Mmadinare, Kgosi Diloro Segwabe wa Sefhophe le Kgosi Caesar Motlhasedi wa Tobane
District Officer for Selibe Phikwe, Mr. Khumo Keeng
Your Worship the Mayor of Selibe Phikwe, Councillor Molosiwa Molosiwa
Deputy Chairman of the Central District Council
Chairman of Ngwato Land Board, Mr. Dipholo Dipholo
Your Worship the Mayor of Francistown, Councillor Ignitius Moswaane
Moruti Jacob Sekai wa Eloi le Baruti Ba Dikereke botlhe ba ba hano
Members of Selibe Phikwe Business Community
Badirela Puso Bagaetsho! Ke itumelela go be ke na le lona mosong ono. Ke lo dumedisa ka Pula!!
1. It is good to be in Selebi-Phikwe on this April morning to join you in marking the successful completion of several development projects in your Town. These projects, which have been constructed at a total cost of over P67 million are a living testimony of my Government's continuing commitment to bring services closer to the people, improve their livelihood and establish infrastructure necessary to attract private investment. They are, moreover, tangible evidence of both this Government's commitment to, and confidence, in the long term future of this community.
2. In the long established tradition of seeking to achieve urban and rural development, and spatially balanced local level development and growth stimulation, Government provides financial, human resources and logistical support to local institutions such as Selibe Phikwe Town Council to enable them to provide social infrastructure and service delivery to their communities.
3. I am delighted that you deemed it necessary to celebrate the completion of these projects. They are a welcome addition to the long list of development projects and achievements that have come to be associated with the Government of Botswana since independence. It is my hope that the celebration of the successful completion of these projects is an indication of your ownership of the process of development. It is a demonstration of your determined action to assume responsibility for the proper maintenance of these projects and future developments.
4. Our policies and legislation on local government institutions are a matter of public record. They are rooted in the principles of participatory democracy and commitment to the broad approach to decentralization. This emphasizes decentralised decision-making and direct participation by communities in the national development effort.
5. It is my expectation that this will promote greater accountability and effectiveness in programme implementation and service delivery. Government will continue to decentralize to District, Town and City Councils not only to ensure timely and effective service delivery but also to empower communities. It is the duty and responsibility of communities to take control of developments that affect them and their environment.
6. Director of Ceremonies, Ladies and Gentlemen, before highlighting some of the projects for which we are gathered here today, let me reiterate that the time has come for local authorities and their constituents to assume greater responsibilities for not only determining their priorities but also financing such development priorities as well.
7. We must remind ourselves and one another that local authorities are government at the local level. They have the responsibility for social and economic development of their areas. This requires appropriate policies for attracting investments to their districts. Local authorities must pay greater attention to stimulating the economic growth of their jurisdiction. This is a challenge to you as Selibe Phikwe Town Council and indeed all District, City and Town Councils in Botswana. You have responsibilities in your own right and must be accountable to the people for developments in your locality.
8. I am saying to the people of Botswana and the people of Selibe Phikwe in particular, that here at Selibe Phikwe Town Council you have elected representatives. You must demand that they account to you on matters concerning developments in this Town. If there is a need for taxes or levies to be paid to bring about such developments, you should be prepared to do so because it is for the benefit of your village, town, city and country.
9. We must collectively shoulder the responsibility for bringing about development in our country as nobody will come from some other place to do it for us. It is important that we impart, on present and future generations, values that will enable our society to appreciate that if Botswana is to move forward, we must all be prepared to plant trees under whose shades we may never sit. That is what a positive long term vision for the future is all about.
10. Having said that, let me state that the official opening of the street lighting, roads, sewerage works at Botshabelo South, Bontleng, Industrial Area and Area U, aerobic pond, access culverts, storm water drains, re-sealed and re-surfaced roads, prisons camp, 148 teachers quarters, 132 serviced plots at Botshabelo North and South and a professionally engineered landfill are all important elements in our overall objective of promoting prosperity, comfort and happiness for our people.
11. This ceremony should serve as a reminder to the residents of Selibe Phikwe of the effort, hard work and resources that went into changing life for the better in their own Town as more people get residential plots, safer roads, teachers given good accommodation and there is proper disposal and management of waste.
12. On occasions such as this, it is necessary to recall that as a developing country, we achieved a measure of success in our national development effort by pulling ourselves by our bootstraps. Our prosperity as a nation depends on the continued effective implementation of policies that are friendly to sustainable development.
13. My Government continues to be committed to sound macro-economic management, an open economy, increased citizen participation in the economy, prudent financial management, sustainable environmental management and respect for the rule of law.
14. It is a combination of these policies and practices that create an environment conducive to private investment. We need private investment, especially foreign direct investment to diversity the economy, create more jobs and eradicate poverty. It is important that we see the link between the continuity of our institutions, policies, construction of infrastructure and an efficient administrative machinery because a combination of these are vital to our ability to propel our nation forward.
15. Batswana betsho, development is a matter of mutual social responsibility. It cannot be the responsibility of Government alone. Neither can it be the responsibility of any single institution nor a small group of individuals. Development demands partnership and collaboration between the institutions that operate at the local government level on the one hand and the people that they serve on the other.
16. Our institutions such as Councils, District Administration, Tribal Administration, District Development Committees and Village Development Committees must work together, be more responsive and sensitive to the needs of the people and above all, have a greater sense of urgency in the implementation of development programmes and projects if we are to achieve the objectives of Vision 2016.
17. In the pursuit of our development agenda, we as leaders in Town Councils, District Administration, Tribal Administration and Central Government must be honest in engaging our people on the challenges we face as a nation as well as on the priorities, policy choices, options and resources available to us. We must never shy away from stating the honest truth that programmes, projects and services that the people enjoy are only possible with the availability of financial resources.
18. I have consistently sought to ensure that our people are told the truth about what is possible, what are our limitations and why. At the National Business Conference held in Francistown in August 2004, I reminded the participants of the timeless words of Shakespeare's Polonius that, "This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." I encourage you to do the same in your interactions with your constituents.
19. Director of Ceremonies, ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by reiterating what may appear to be obvious, that these development projects are for the comfort, convenience and enjoyment by the people of Botswana especially those in Selibe Phikwe. Let us never forget, therefore, that HIV/AIDS continues to pose a serious threat to the very people, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of these developments. Your own town, Selibe Phikwe is one of the areas worst affected by HIV/AIDS.
20. I urge you to redouble your efforts in combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS, through behavioural change and taking advantage of the various programmes such as the Voluntary Testing and Counselling, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission and the Anti-Retroviral Therapy. We must choose life and live to continue building a better future for ourselves and future generations of Batswana.
21. On that note Director of Ceremonies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it now gives me great pleasure to declare Selibe Phikwe Town Council and other Central Government projects officially open. Pula!!!
E. OP Press Office Forwarding:
E 1) 7/4/05: Former President Sir Ketumile Masire hosts African Presidential Roundtable 2005
With reference to the above, please find below a PRESS RELEASE from Boston University African Presidential Archives and Research Centre (APARC):
"Boston University Opens Trans-Atlantic African Presidential Roundtable"
PRESS RELEASE
Thirteen African former heads of state gather today in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the African Presidential Roundtable 2005, sponsored by Boston University's African Presidential Archives and Research Centre (APARC).
They are being joined by African and U.S. business, academic and government leaders for three days of discussions on issues impacting United States-African relations. Participants fly to the U.S. next week to conclude the conference at Boston University.
The Roundtable is hosted by Botswana's former President Ketumile Masire, who is the current Balfour African President-in-Residence at Boston University, and APARC Director Charles Stith, a former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania.
Talks will range from evaluating the recent report by the Commission for Africa, established by U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, on enhancing African economic development, to how negative perceptions of Africa in the media may be counteracted.
The former heads of state participating include: Nicéphore D. Soglo of Benin; Sir Q. Ketumile J. Masire of Botswana; Pierre Buyoya of Burundi; António Mascarenhas Monteiro of Cape Verde; Aristides Maria Pereira of Cape Verde; Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings of Ghana; Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya; Sam Nujoma of Namibia; Karl Auguste Offmann of Mauritius; Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius; Joaquim Alberto Chissano of Mozambique; Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania; and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.
"This is an opportunity for these former heads of state, each with tremendous stature in their respective country, to engage key private- and public-sector leaders on subjects of importance to Africa," said Stith. "They are creatively and constructively engaged outside of office, in much the same way Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and other U.S. presidents have used their stature to continue to affect policies around the world."
For more on the Boston University's APARC, see www.bu.edu/aparc
E 2) 8/4/05: Report by the Botswana National Observer Mission on the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Election of the 31st of March 2005.
This afternoon two members of the Botswana National Observer Mission (BNOM) to the recent, 31st March 2005, Zimbabwe Parliamentary Election briefed members of the domestic and international media and other interested parties on their findings.
Those participating in the briefing were Mr. Botsweletse Sebele, who is well known inside Botswana as a retired senior civil servant and distinguished public servant, and Prof. Mpho Molomo of the University of Botswana. A third member of the Observer Mission, Mrs. Hermetina Mogami, was unable to attend the briefing due to other commitments.
The task of BNOM was to observe the elections without fear or favour. In this context all three members of BNOM were unanimous in their collective findings.
Reproduced below is the Press Release issued by the BNOM members at today's briefing, which outlines their findings.
In addition to the BNOM, Botswana was also separately represented in the SADC Election Observer Mission to Zimbabwe. The Batswana participating in the SADC Mission have also presented a report to this Office, which concurred fully with the preliminary findings of the SADC Mission as a whole, which were communicated to the media on the 2nd of April 2005.
*******
Press Release of the Botswana National Observer Mission on the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Elections of the 31st March 2005" issued 8/4/05.
His Excellency the President, Mr. Festus G. Mogae, President of the Republic of Botswana, on the 17th March 2005, appointed the Botswana National Observer Mission to observe the Zimbabwean parliamentary elections on 31st March 2005. It comprised Botsweletse K. Sebele, Hermetina Mogami and Mpho G. Molomo. The Mission arrived in Zimbabwe on the 23rd March and immediately thereafter we were deployed in Bulawayo, Harare and Masvingo provinces. We concluded our work on 4th April 2005. Yesterday [Thursday 7/4/05] we had the opportunity to brief His Excellency the President and present him with our report.
The 2005 Parliamentary elections were conducted against the backdrop of increasing debates as to whether Zimbabwe's democracy was consolidating or regressing. These elections were significant for Zimbabwe to restore the credibility that the country has lost as a result of the perception that it faces a drought of democratic governance characterised by widespread political patronage and human rights abuses.
To appraise itself of the context and political situation in Zimbabwe, the mission reviewed various documents (including the Electoral Law), news items, had face-to-face interviews with some political leaders and activists, professionals, civil society activists, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Electoral Supervisory Commission. The observer mission also observed a bit of the pre-election campaign, the poll, the counting and the announcement of the results.
While we concede that the designation of the elections as free and fair is not only contingent upon what happens on the poll day but also upon the existence of a conducive political environment in the country: political and civil societies being accorded the democratic space to organise freely without fear and intimidation, all actors having equal access to the news media, the political playing field being level and all political parties being able to maintain political visibility and being able to embark on effective voter education and mobilization, our mandate was limited to observing the poll. Nonetheless, we had the opportunity to attend various political rallies to assess the prevailing atmosphere.
Based on our overall assessment of the poll and the few rallies that we attended as well as our discussions with political activists, we observed the elections as follows:
* Political and independent candidates were free to canvas for political support without fear and intimidation.
* Voters interviewed were happy with the voting process and the open and transparent manner in which the polls were conducted.
* The Zimbabwe Republic Police were present to ensure that there was law and order, and executed their duties in a non-intimidating manner.
* The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was well prepared for the conduct of the elections. Although there were long queues at some polling stations, these were cleared by the late afternoon.
* Where the mission observed, all polling stations were opened at 7:00 am with the observance of election procedures and were closed at 7:00 pm after ensuring that there were no people who intended to vote, consistent with the Electoral Act.
* There were polling agents, local observers, election monitors at every polling station, and foreign observers randomly visited various polling stations.
* Secrecy and confidentiality of the vote was observed.
* Counting was also conducted in an orderly manner with the full consent of the polling agents and observers.
* Although for a variety of reasons some voters were turned away at some polling stations, we nevertheless feel that it did not influence the outcome of the elections.
Based on our observation, the Zimbabwe 31st March 2005 poll was characterised by an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. The mission satisfied itself that the poll complied with the SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections, and concluded that the elections were free and fair.
As was required by the accreditation rules for observers, we submitted a preliminary report containing these conclusions to the Supervisory Electoral commission on the 2nd April 2005 [copies of the said preliminary report were also distributed at the briefing].
E 3) Additional notices and forwarding for the week ending on 9/4/05:
* 2/4/05: Of Condolence to the family of the late Mr. Fish Keitseng
* 4/4/05: H.E. President Mogae to attend Gaborone memorial service for the late Pope John Paul II
* 6/4/05: "Fighting the 'silent epidemic'" - interview with the former Minster of Health Joy Phumaphi released and published online by the World Health Organisation
* 7/4/05: New24/Xinuanet - "South Africa and Botswana hold joint anti-skyjacking exercise"
* 7/4/05: Press Conference National Election Observer Team on Zimbabwe Parliamentary Election scheduled for Friday 16:00
* 7/4/05: "Mupane Production above budget"
* 8/4/05: "Dr. Arnot discusses AIDS treatment in Africa"
* 8/4/05: "Gallery Gold set to triple production"
* 8/4/05: Further article on ongoing SANDF-BDF anti-terrorist exercise
* 9/4/05: "US media coverage hurts Africa, ex-leaders say"
--