20 Nov 2024

Botswana is grappling with many challenges among them, economic uncertainty as the country relies heavily on diamond revenue.

Delivering his maiden State-of-the-Nation Address in Gaborone Tuesday, President Advocate Duma Boko said other challenges  included high unemployment rate, which is currently at 27 per cent and continues to worsen, cash flow problems, declining birth rate as well as social and infrastructural issues.

“But we shall overcome,” he said.

The President said the  current government had inherited challenges left by the 12th Parliament.

However, he said together they would resolve them and build a stronger, inclusive and more prosperous future.

He said he had seen the bravery and might of Botswana firsthand when the current Minister of Youth and Gender Affair Ms Lesego Chombo dared to dream and brought home the Miss World Africa crown.

He also said Letsile Tebogo and Ross Branch dreamt and came home champions of the world.

President Boko said they dreamt big dreams of immensity and intensity , adding that there was nothing that Batswana could not do.

He said the moment demanded both immediate solutions to stabilise the country’s economy and long-term reforms that would lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

President Boko said the transformative journey required bold leadership, strategic action and the unity of every Motswana.

“I take you into my confidence. I share with you a vision for the future. I map out the concrete steps we will take towards a future that offers prosperity, opportunity, and dignity for all”, he said. Ends