source: BOPA
10 November, 2009

BOBONONG, – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has a goal to eliminate malaria in the region by 2015, hence member states are urged to consolidate their malaria control and intervention programmes.

Giving a keynote address at the commemoration of SADC Malaria Day at Semolale in the Bobirwa Sub District recently, Bobonong East councilor, Mr Calvin Sekwababe said it was important to review progress towards attaining the goal.

“This year’s theme ‘Counting Malaria out!’ and the slogan ‘kick Malaria out: Act Now!’ highlight the importance of tracking progress along the way as we join forces to attain the SADC goal,” Mr Sekwababe said.

Speaking on behalf of Bobirwa MP, Mr Shaw Kgathi, the councilor said it was incumbent upon the region to [continue reading]

source: Mmegi
WANETSHA MOSINYI
Staff writer

Botswana’s diamond exports totalled P9.3 billion year-on-year at the end of September against the current forecast of P13.9 billion and the 2008 total of P21.3 billion.

According to Capital Securities Economic Review report released last Friday, this resulted in total principal exports of P12.1 billion against a forecast of P17.6 billion and P29.9 billion in the previous corresponding period.

During the three months from April to June, diamond exports averaged P1.58 billion a month, not far below the monthly average of P1.75 billion during the comparable period in [continue reading]

source: allAfrica
Inter Press Service (Johannesburg)
Kelvin Kachingwe
10 November 2009

Lusaka — When journalists were beaten by political supporters for covering the president’s return trip from abroad, and cabinet ministers and police officers looked on without stopping it, it seemed to be the last straw in the victimisation of the media. But it was not.

Despite the outcry that resulted after the incident, it seems as if the media in Zambia are still not free to work without the risk of being attacked by disgruntled political supporters.

The Zambian media have always had a dodgy relationship with politicians, depending on whether they are in government or opposition, but never before have the attacks been so intense and frequent.

Last month journalists from both the public and private press had to scamper for their safety when political cadres stormed the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (Zamcom), where [continue reading]

source: Mmegi
EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer

Procurement is a critical function in leading organisations.

In an address to a Commonwealth Conference on Procurement in Gaborone yesterday, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Kenneth Matambo said governments and companies are increasingly emphasising the need to reduce costs, make quick decisions and establish more efficient processes to help grow the economy.

Matambo said for governments, public procurement is particularly important as it accounts for a significant proportion of GDP. “In Botswana, it is estimated that about 60 percent of the government development budget is spent through the [continue reading]

source: IOL
November 10 2009 at 10:43PM

South Africans will have four months to hand in illegal firearms under an amnesty in 2010, the Police Ministry said on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said the amnesty would extend from January 11 until April 11 next year.

The proposal for the amnesty by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa was passed by Parliament on Tuesday.

“The amnesty provides for a procedure whereby a firearm, be it legal or illegal, may be surrendered at any local police station without fear of being prosecuted,” said Mnisi.

Mnisi said there was a large pool of illegal firearms in circulation around the country and these weapons were a [continue reading]

source: Mmegi
Staff Writer

Engen Botswana volumes have increased despite the upturn in international oil prices, which has seen local fuel pump prices going up. The company published first half-year results to September 2009, reporting a 17.3 percent increase in Earnings Per Share to P0.26.

Though volumes increased by 18 percent, revenue declined by 23 percent year to year to P555.3 million. Gross profit increased by 10.7 percent to P84.3 million on the back of a 27 percent decline in cost of sales, with the gross profit margin improving by 450 basis points to 15.1 percent.

A 15.9 percent increase in operating expenses was off-set by a 155.7 percent increase in [continue reading]

source: BOPA
10 November, 2009

LOBATSE – Workers at border posts have been implored to serve customers diligently in order to maintain Botswana’s positive image to the outside world.

Addressing Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) employees at Ramatlabama and Pioneer Gate border posts, finance and development planning assistant minister, Mr Charles Tibone said border post workers were in the frontline, hence the need for them to always remain conscious of the responsibility vested in them to present Botswana in positive light to visitors. Mr Tibone urged the employees to carry themselves responsibly in the execution of their duties, saying as they dispense services to customers, they should be aware that their actions would determine the customers’ attitude towards Botswana’s levels of service delivery.

He expressed disappointment that he was not given a warm welcome on arrival at Ramatlabama border post, saying this was an [continue reading]

source: Mmegi
Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe
Staff writer

The provision of 12 boreholes and artificial watering pans for the wildlife at a national park in the vast Makgadikgadi Pans is expected to improve the quality of wildlife and tourism activities in the area.

Last year the Kalahari Conservation Society (KCS), started construction of 12 solar pumped boreholes in the area to provide for the wildlife during the dry season.

The project, co-sponsored by the government of Botswana and Tiffany Foundation comes at a time when the demands on water in the area have also grown with increased population of elephants and other wildlife species, as well as growth in tourism.

KCS chief executive officer (CEO) Felix Monggae says the [continue reading]

source: Sunday Standard
by Sunday Standard Reporter
09.11.2009 1:44:32 A

The management of local supermarket chain Choppies has revealed that they might face collapse if the spate of armed robberies that have been targeted at their countrywide operations are not stemmed with immediate effect.

Speaking to The Sunday Standard on Friday, Choppies Group Public Relations Officer, Ben Stegling, said they have so far lost huge amounts of money to armed robberies. He added that, while they appreciate that the robberies have so far not resulted in any casualties, a number of their employees were severely assaulted in the process. He also disclosed that they are now considered a serious security risk by insurance companies because of the frequent claims that [continue reading]

source: Fin24
2009/11/09 08:35:00 PM

Johannesburg – The resignation of power utility Eskom’s chairperson and return of its chief executive signalled an end to a leadership drama that erupted last week, but analysts say it could unnerve foreign investors.

Eskom chairperson Bobby Godsell had announced chief executive Jacob Maroga’s resignation to the utility’s staff last Thursday, but the chief executive returned to work on Monday, an Eskom spokesperson confirmed.

In a dramatic turn of events, Godsell himself stepped down on Monday, the department of public enterprises (DPE), which oversees Eskom, said.

“Mr. Godsell has resigned. The minister received his letter this morning,” said Ayanda Shezi, a spokesperson at [continue reading]