03 Dec 2024

There is a need for Botswana to strengthen its diplomatic missions to enable them to effectively advance the nation’s interests on the global stage. 

This was said by the Minister for International Relations, Dr Phenyo Butale when making his input in the ongoing State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) debate on Monday. 

He said this therefore, raised the need to deploy ambassadors looking at the strategic interests of the country, to better maximise economic diplomacy activities.

Dr Butale, who is also the legislator for Gaborone Central, said that President Advocate Duma Boko in his SONA also emphasised human rights-centric foreign policy. 

“This restructuring of our foreign policy priorities is significant as it allows us to be proactive partners in the international community, advocating for individuals and communities whose voices may otherwise go unheard,” he said, adding that the approach reflected the nation’s core values and commitment to uphold dignity of all individuals. 

Dr Butale said a human rights approach in foreign policy was not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic necessity in today’s interconnected world. He said by prioritising human rights in its foreign relations, Botswana reaffirmed its dedication to democratic principles, justice and equality and such a framework would allow the country to engage with other nations from a position of integrity and conviction. 

“The promotion of human rights is a cornerstone for fostering peace, stability and sustainable development both domestically and internationally,” said Dr Butale and further explained that Botswana’s commitment to amplifying advocacy for democracy and good governance was crucial as the country strived to cultivate healthy relationships with other nations. 

He also underscored the importance of President Boko attending key diplomatic engagements as it showed intent to advancing Botswana’s interest on bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. 

On other issues, Dr Butale said the UDC came in as a government at a difficult time, while the aspirations of the nation on the other hand were high, adding that government was ready and committed to meeting those expectations. 

Concerning his constituency, Dr Butale said that although there was a perceptions that it was affluent, poverty and unemployment were high in the area. 

“Special Support Group officers still lack accommodation and enough gyms, and we have situations like at Maoka junior school where pupils still share furniture,” he said. 

Dr Butale said the University of Botswana, iconic as it was, was struggling financially while the past administration did not assist much. He said that the institution was settling terminal benefits of employees with bank loans. 

Thamaga/Kumakwane legislator, Mr Palelo Motaosane for his part, urged government to subsidise pre-school education at citizen owned pre-schools in an effort to make early childhood education accessible to all. He said doing so would be in line with fulfilling government’s electoral pledges. 

“This should be done as a temporary measure, being alive to the fact that it might take time for government to set up its own infrastructure to enable early childhood education,” he said. Mr Motaosane who was contributing to the SONA debate on Monday, also urged government to convert more junior schools into unified secondary schools, arguing that the move would help decongest senior secondary schools. 

“This will also save parents financial costs of transporting their children since senior schools are far apart, and it will also help keep children closer to their parents for much longer,” he said. 

Mr Motaosane advised government to consider engaging private agricultural demonstrators as Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) had planned, to address  their shortage, especially during the ploughing season. 

Meanwhile, Mr Motaosane said that despite having lost favour with Batswana in the last general elections, the BDP still deserved recognition for leading the country this far. 

He said that the BDP led the country when it had nothing, virtually no developments. “So everything we have today is due to the leadership of the BDP. You cannot blight it from history. It has laid the foundation for the ruling party in many aspects,” he said, and cited the recent diamond deal with De Beers which he said was about to be concluded. Mr Motaosane however, commended Batswana for exercising their democratic right and changed government. 

Boteti West legislator, Mr Sam Digwa advised members of the executive to tour the country to better appreciate the challenges that the electorate experienced rather than rely on official briefings. 

“Touring is the only way of getting first hand, challenges that Batswana face. This will also help to tailor-make plans and initiatives,” he said. 

He said that having first hand appreciation would also help ministers better respond to parliamentary questions. 

Mr Digwa complained that despite being the richest area in the country as far as natural resources were concerned, Boteti remained one of the poorest. 

He said that Rakops had been overtaken in terms of developments, by villages that used to be smaller than it was. “I will therefore, need your support fellow legislators as I advocate for developments for my area,” he said. 

Mr Digwa also called for more village interconnecting road networks in the constituency, as well as better outreach of extension services. Ends