07 Apr 2024

Botswana and Zambia have agreed on programmes for the expansion of the Kazungula Bridge Authority. Areas to be modified include the approach road to the bridge as it is too narrow and needs opening up. 

There has also been an agreement on the enhancement and alignment of digital forms, particularly payments through the revenue authorities. 

President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, said this during a courtesy call by the SADC Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi on April 3. 

Dr Masisi indicated that the expansion plan was informed by  the increasing traffic volume across the bridge, which he said was bound to increase with the advent of a rail line. 

“This then compels us to start thinking about what would be next when the bridge starts to get overused, and we are humbled in our thinking given the very sad accident that took place recently in Baltimore, US. What will happen if the Kazungula Bridge gets compromised,” he wondered. 

He said such thoughts necessitated potential for a second bridge, particularly as the area around the bridge had been redeveloped on both sides. Dr Masisi also said Botswana would provide technical assistance to Zambia on the development of online platforms as Zambia had been impressed by the SmartBots initiative and internet connectivity that Botswana was currently rolling out to villages. 

“The Zambians have also been impressed by the Kazungula redevelopment programme, which they now want mirrored. Namibia have also been equally impressed and want to copy the programme, and it is highly likely that Zimbabwe will also follow suit,” he said. On other issues, Dr Masisi said there was a need for Botswana and SADC to feel the existence of each other more, borne out of the country’s commitment and quest to realise its MICE strategy. 

President Masisi said he, together with other regional presidents, were in agreement on the need to make SADC much more effective, potent and felt more than it was currently. He said with all the changes taking place around, such as the uncertainty of SACU, the relations with UN and its regional organisations, it was important for SADC to change. 

On other issues, Dr Masisi registered his dissatisfaction at the way SADC reported to its member states. He said he was dissatisfied with the annual rotation of chairpersons, suggesting considerations should be made to make the term longer to allow the chairperson to supervise the Secretariat much better. 

He said the current arrangement was not adequate. Concerning SADC’s role in peace building, maintenance and security, President Masisi said the regional bloc deserved praise as it had done well in those areas, although he indicated that improvement in areas such as transparency in management of resources for the mission was needed, particularly to countries that contributed troops. 

He also said there was a need to be transparent on the international assistance the region receive from international partners to avoid duplication of efforts and wastage of resources. 

Concerning the SADC Logistics Depot earmarked for Rasesa in Kgatleng, Dr Masisi raised concern that it had stayed undeveloped for far too long, which did not indicate seriousness.  He said this was more so that Botswana had sacrificed land for the project. On multi-lateral engagements, Dr Masisi said SADC was widely recognised as a credible organisation to work with, as it was stable.  He, however, urged SADC to find a solution on member states who did not pay up, as it was burdensome to others. He said protocols had to be put in place to help member states that were in hardships, and that some relief mechanisms have to be found to assist them maintain their membership. 

For his part, Mr Magosi said issues of peace and security were critical and sensitive and needed to be discussed closely. 

He also said what was key for SADC was to look at projects and programmes that made a difference in the lives of citizens of the region. 

“We have done enough protocols, agreements, implementation plans and it is now time to actually implement those and focus where we are making a difference,” he said. ENDS