Remarks by His Honour the Vice President, Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe, MP, on the Official Openning of the Palapye Branch of Stanbic Bank

26 October, 2008 in Botswana, Business, Palapye, Palapye business, Speeches

source: Republic of Botswana (25/10/08): TAUTONA TIMES no 33 of 2008
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President “Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline”

B2) 23/10/08: REMARKS BY HIS HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT, LT. GEN. MOMPATI S. MERAFHE, MP, ON THE OCASSION OF THE OFFICIAL OPENNING OF THE PALAPYE BRANCH OF STANBIC BANK AT THE PALAPYE DEVELOPMENT TRUST MALL

[Salutations]…Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Allow me at the onset to express my gratitude to the Managing Director of Stanbic Bank and his team for inviting me to officially open this Palapye Branch of Stanbic Bank. I am informed that the Palapye Branch will now be one of the seven in the country.

2. We all know that Stanbic Bank is a relatively new comer to Botswana having opened the first operation in 1992. However, with operations in 18 African countries and 20 in the rest of the world, it is not by any measure a small financial institution.

3. The Standard Bank Group of South Africa of which Stanbic Bank is a member, is a very well [continue reading]

Botswana braces for high inflation

26 October, 2008 in Botswana, Business

source: The Southern Times

Southern Times Writer

Gaborone. — Botswana has acknowledged that the global financial crisis will have some effect on its economy, particularly on inflation, exports, the domestic banking sector balance of payments and foreign exchange reserves.

This was revealed by the Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samson Guma Moyo during the National Development Plan (NDP) 10th conference held in Gaborone.

According to Guma Moyo although initial data did not show much impact, policies and practices regarding fiscal policy and financial stability would be affected.

“The persistent rise in fuel prices that occurred in the recent past has brought about increases in food prices and therefore a rise in the inflation rate,” he [continue reading]

South Africa: Melamine found in condensed milk

26 October, 2008 in South Africa

source: IOL
October 25 2008 at 11:50AM
Related Articles

By Sheree Bega and Sapa

The department of health has recalled the popular Chinese-made White Rabbit sweets for containing “unacceptable” levels of the toxic industrial chemical melamine.

The sweets, usually presented as an after-dinner treat at Chinese restaurants, and sold in specialist supermarkets, are made in China and are the only product out of 107 – mainly of Chinese origin – tested by health authorities in SA showing unacceptable levels of melamine.

In separate independent tests by the National Consumer Forum on local and Chinese products, traces of melamine have been found in a 750g tin of Nestle’s Gold Cross sweetened condensed milk.

The condensed milk contains 0.5 parts per million (ppm) of melamine, which falls within the safe “tolerable” level of international countries at 2.5 ppm, or 2.5 milligrams in [continue reading]

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on developments in Zimbabwe

26 October, 2008 in Botswana, Speeches

source: Republic of Botswana (25/10/08): TAUTONA TIMES no 33 of 2008
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President “Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline”

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on developments in Zimbabwe

The Government of the Republic of Botswana expresses its disappointment at the continuing failure by the political parties in Zimbabwe to agree on the power-sharing arrangements that would facilitate the formation of a Government in that country. This failure which is a result of one party seeking to dominate power, cannot be allowed to go on unchallenged. Botswana notes with regret that the Prime Minister Designate and MDC Leader Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai has not been issued with a passport to facilitate his foreign travel. This is unfortunate, totally unacceptable and an indication of bad faith.

Botswana is of the view that should the present deadlock continue without resolution, the only viable solution to the political impasse is for the people of Zimbabwe as enshrined in a truly democratic dispensation to be the ones to decide who their true leaders should be. In this regard the only way forward is a re-run of the Presidential election under international supervision in order to avoid a repetition of the violence and political intimidation that [continue reading]

Zimbabwe: MPs Sent Home As House is Broke

26 October, 2008 in Zimbabwe

The Nation (Nairobi)
source: allAfrica
24 October 2008
Kitsepile Nyathi
Nairobi

Zimbabwe’s parliament has been forced to adjourn until November 11, after running out of money to sustain its operations as delays in setting up an inclusive government continues to paralyse national institutions.

The assembly only started sitting early this month, six months after the March elections due to the political impasse blamed on President Robert Mugabe’s controversial re-election.

The suspension of parliament was announced by the acting leader of the House, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu PF, after the feuding parties came together to support a motion to declare the gripping food shortages in the country a national disaster.

“Because of the constraints relating to the non-existence of the inclusive government, the House will not be sitting for a while,” he said.

“In the event measures are put in place, we may be able to call for the sitting of the House at a [continue reading]

Remarks by His Excellency the President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of Kaudwane Primary School

26 October, 2008 in Botswana, Speeches

source: Republic of Botswana (25/10/08): TAUTONA TIMES no 33 of 2008
The Weekly Electronic Press Circular of the Office of the President “Democracy, Development, Dignity and Discipline”

B1) 17/10/08: REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT LIEUTENANT GENERAL SERETSE KHAMA IAN KHAMA AT THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF KAUDWANE PRIMARY SCHOOL

[Salutations]…Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am delighted to be invited to this occasion that marks the 10th anniversary celebrations of Kaudwane Primary School. As I see it, the event is important, not only for the teachers and pupils of this school, but also the entire community of Kaudwane village.

2. It is important for all of us to know that anniversary celebrations give us an opportunity to take stock of our performance in terms of successes, challenges and future strategies. It is, therefore, my conviction that this occasion provides an opportunity for this school to reflect on past experiences, the present situation and the future of the school with a view to improve the provision and [continue reading]

South Africa: Taxi industry threatens to defy Fifa rules

26 October, 2008 in South Africa, World Cup 2010

source: IOL
Kashiefa Ajam
October 25 2008 at 11:56AM

The SA taxi industry says it will defy orders by Fifa if the world’s football body bans Inyathi taxis at the 2010 World Cup.

Speaking at an inspection of the Port Elizabeth stadium, the department of transport’s director-general Mpumi Mpofu said that while the taxis did meet SA Bureau of Standards (SABS) requirements, they did not comply with Fifa’s.

Mpofu, standing in for Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, called on taxi operators to reject the Chinese-made taxis in order to be part of the tournament.

“Inyathi taxis do meet the standard requirements of the SABS but concerns include the issue of whether they can last long. The problems are not safety-related, but the taxis are of poor quality,” he said.

Contacted for comment, Phillip Taaibosch, spokesperson for the SA National Taxi Council, was not aware of [continue reading]