11 Nov 2024

Vice President Mr Ndaba Gaolathe has been appointed the new minister of Finance, as recently inaugurated President Duma Boko continues to construct his new cabinet.

The appointment, together with that of five more cabinet ministers, was announced in a press conference at Office of the President this morning.

President Boko explained that Mr Gaolathe was the ideal person to head the Finance ministry through the current challenging economic times.

"He will be the arrowhead for our dealing with these economic challenges and associated issues. He has a huge job in his hands. He has to steer us through these choppy and turbulent waters and we have him there because we believe he is up to the task. We believe he has the temperament, he has the intellect, the intellectual dexterity to wrestle and wrestle successfully with the challenges that we face," he said.

Five more cabinet ministerial appointments were also announced, with Specially Elected Member of Parliament (MP) Dr Stephen Modise taking over as minster of Health. Nata/Gweta MP Mr Lawrence Ookeditse is the deputy minister of Health.

President Boko said his government would be aiming to provide universal health care.

"When we say universal health care, we say so alive to the normal where government provides standardised low quality goods and services. We want to break out of that frozen mode and get into a different level of operation where every citizen is assured of high quality health care. This must be regardless of their income status or geographic location," he said.

Specially Elected MP,  Ms Nono Kgafela Mokoka has been appointed the minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education. Mr Boko assured that early childhood learning would be available to every child in Botswana.

Kgalagadi South MP, Dr Micus Chimbombi has been appointed minister of Lands and Agriculture, deputised by independent MP Dr Edwin Dikoloti.

Specially Elected MP, Ms Lesego Chombo has been appointed minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, while Dr Phenyo Butale is the new minister of International Relations. Ends