25th April 2021
When he stepped out of a car and sauntered into the venue hosting the final independence talks, the dandy-looking Prime Minister Seretse Khama (sharp suit, slicked-down hair and trimmed moustache) was representing every square inch of what would become Botswana. However, there is a real bad chance that his centenary might be celebrated on only a few square inches in Serowe.
Crown Prince Seretse Goitsebeng Maphiri Khama (later Sir Seretse) was born on July 1, 1921 in Serowe and after only 14 years as founding Botswana president, succumbed to pancreatic cancer on July 13, 1980. In 2006 and following years-long lobbying by influential Bangwato, President Festus Mogae declared July 1 a national holiday in his honour. Ever since, a commemorative event has always been held at the Serowe
Botswana Guardian
Tlotlo Mbazo - BG reporter
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing Development has over time decried delays in starting some projects as a result of some unsatisfied unsuccessful bidders who approached courts of law for intervention.
The Ministry that is mandated to deliver public infrastructure for beneficial use by Batswana this week welcomed the decision by the Administration of Justice to treat all cases relating to public tenders before the High Court of Botswana as urgent. While the Ministry respects the rights of any bidder to seek relief from the courts if not satisfied with a tender award process, Ministry Public Relations Officer, Christopher Nyanga says it was always frustrating when such cases took too long to be resolved.
Botswana Guardian
Dikarabo Ramadubu - BG reporter
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has spent over P71 million in outsourcing the services of air ambulance from private companies in the past five years. But this amount notwithstanding, government currently has no plans whatsoever to acquire air ambulance, but is instead strengthening ground ambulance capabilities.
Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Sethomo Lelatisitswe told Parliament this week that a total P71, 356, 550.00 was used in the past five years for air patients transport services. Lelatisitswe said that his ministry does not have plans to acquire air support services (helicopter) to assist EMS operations. Given financial and other operational resource-constraints, Lelatisitswe said his ministry relies on outsourcing air support services to the private emergency medical service providers as and when the need arises.
Botswana Guardian
Dikarabo Ramadubu - BG reporter
Tuesday, 16 February 2021
The findings of a road accident investigation in which seven (7) Matsha College students perished after their truck overturned in 2015 reveals that there are a number of shortcomings that were not addressed.
The students were rural dwellers and were returning to their various home settlements after writing their final Form 5 examinations at Matsha College in Kang where they were boarding. Answering a question in Parliament Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Nnaniki Makwinja said the major findings were that the school had no records of the names or numbers of students eligible to receive Government-provided transport.