18 Dec 2024

Debates by legislators on President Advocate Duma Boko’s inaugural State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) came to a close on Tuesday. 

When responding to the debates, the Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa appreciated President Boko as he said that his SONA put the interests of Batswana first. Mr Mohwasa said that it was clear through his SONA that President Boko-led government had intent to see an improvement in the economy as well as the welfare of Batswana.

 “It is our hope that as members of parliament across the political divide, we will work together to ensure the success of the UDC manifesto,” he said, and equally appreciated the input of fellow legislators on the SONA. “It was a good thing to see for the first time a different atmosphere in Parliament where there was symbiotic relations of opinions and ideas during debates,” he said, and that it was something that should be encouraged for the future. 

He said that now the main challenge ahead was to answer the pleas of Batswana on long awaited development projects. Mr Mohwasa however, indicated that it was important for Batswana to note that the SONA could not be used to touch on every national need, and that where it lacked, ministers would provide more details. 

He assured legislators that there will be financial and assets audit of government books as promised. “This will be part of our first 100 days in office and work is already in progress,” he said. Mr Mohwasa also indicated a need to align the NDP 12 with the ruling party’s manifesto, which he said will compel various sectors to follow suit. 

He said that for the benefit of Batswana, the UDC planned to be a unifying party where freedom of expression was a given.

“Even in parliament we will not flex our numerical advantage, but allow difference of ideas from all legislators,” he said.

Mr Mohwasa also said that economic reforms were already underway, citing the recent visit by President Boko to Belgium as one of those. He assured legislators that the Development Manager model, which was established to help smooth delivery of government projects, was still under review, and that the findings will inform government on the way forward with it. 

‘This is the same case with agricultural schemes which are also under review,” he said.

Mr Mohwasa also admitted some shortages in the health and education sector, such as lack of medicines and shortage of personnel as well as needs for maintenance and additional classrooms. 

On other issues, he said that there was a need to address the slow allocation of residential plots.

“We also need to do more on the issue of promotion of home ownership, which was affected by the cessation of schemes such as rent-to-buy, although there were concerns that Batswana ultimately sold houses acquired through such to foreigners,” he said.

Lastly, Mr Mohwasa said that there was a need to strengthen capacity to allow swift prosecutions to take delinquents off the streets. He also appreciated political parties for their thorough nurturing of legislators, which he said would help contribute to robust debates in Parliament. ENDS