Mmegi/The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM articles from August 2009

Mmegi/The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM archives from August 2009

BDP Third Force Emerges?
August 31, 2009... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng As the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) internal wrangle rages on, a new interest group, calling itself The Third Force, has emerged, Monitor is reliably informed. The new group is said to be made up of three former...

It's Not Time Yet for Ke Nako Brand.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Chandapiwa Baputaki The National AIDS Council has refused to endorse the HIV/AIDS prevention brand for the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA) by Leapfrog Communication and Advertising Agency after a meeting last week. The...

Street Lights Spark BPC-FCC Conflict.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Patricia Maganu Francistown City Council (FCC) and the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) are at loggerheads over streetlights maintenance. This emerged during a full council meeting when a BPC official made a presentation last week. ...

Chambeshi to Ditch Chiefs?
August 31, 2009... Byline: Thato Kala Beston Chambeshi might have ditched Mochudi Centre Chiefs to take a new role as coach of Power Dynamos in his homeland, Zambia. Dynamos have sacked their Egyptian coach, Mohammed Fathy with reports that Chambeshi is the man...

World Chess Champion Inspires Botswana.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi Former president Festus Mogae encouraged 40 chess players beaten by the world champion Viswanathan Anand on Saturday to pride themselves in having the chance to play the best man in the game. Mogae said it is a rare...

Boba Trains Club Administrators.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Frederick Kebadiretse The Botswana Boxing Association (BoBA) last week conducted a four-day administrator's development training course for club administrators. LCM Consultants conducted the course from Monday to Thursday. BoBA...

Momentum Gathers Towards Jwaneng Pit Expansion.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Thato Moseki Progress towards the much-anticipated expansion of the Jwaneng Mine pit took a giant leap recently with the appointment of an American project management company, Fluor, as Managing Contractor to the multi-billion Pula...

Volleyball Coach Walks Tall Despite Defeat.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi Coach of the national men volleyball team, Kabo Ntshinogang has said he is impressed with the display of his charges in Cairo, Egypt despite failure to secure qualification to the 2010 World Cup. The team returned...

BSE to List Gold ETF by Year End.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi Save for meeting certain regulatory requirements and securing a local partner, South Africa's Absa Capital says plans have reached an advanced stage to list and trade a gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) on the Botswana...

Banking Sector Withstands Global Recession.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Thato Moseki While their contemporaries in the developed world experienced a free fall in profitability, the local banking sector withstood the global recession, notching up a 22 percent jump in total assets to P45 billion for 2008....

Councillors Want Swartz.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Ndingililo Gaoswediwe Francistown City Council (FCC) is to send a delegation to the Ministry of Works and Transport in the quest to speed up the construction of Tonota-Francistown road. Speaking during a full Fracistown council...

Churches Face Expulsion.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Bakgatla leader Kgosi Kgolo Kgafela II yesterday warned uncooperative religious organisations they face being forced out of his territory if they continue with their tendencies to demonise his tribal building...

'Doctors' Undergo Initiation.
August 31, 2009... Byline: Baboki Kayawe The 36 pioneering students of the School of Medicine at the University of Botswana (UB) were initiated on Friday in a highly symbolic ceremony. The students will graduate as medical doctors in 2014 after completing a...

The State Media is At the Heart of the BDP Campaign.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Tshireletso Motlogelwa "A e gana go bala molaetsa. Ya o go bala dinyonywane tsa Pandamatenga," joked radio presenter and comedian Dignash (Michael Morapedi) on Wednesday about how the powers that be would have reacted had Broadcasting...

Along Came Gaositwe.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Jerry Kai-Lewis To all intents and purposes, the story of Dr Gaositwe Chiepe cannot be adequately told in the context of a profile. For it is much larger than that. The task seems impregnable when one considers her many...

Remembering the Ninth Parliament.
August 28, 2009... The ninth Parliament has come and gone, what remains are memories - good and bad. Below, some MPs share their experience about the parliamentary debates Otsweletse Moupo (Leader of Opposition) The Gaborone West North MP said the ninth...

Councillors Query Identity of Khama Fund.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Patricia Maganu Francistown councillors were left wondering yesterday whether the Sir Seretse Khama Memorial Fund is a government department, parastatal or NGO. During a full council meeting, the councillors demanded to be told why...

Kanjabanga Fails to Bar Ntime.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Gaborone lawyer, Gabriel Kanjabanga has failed in his bid to bar his rival, Lemogang Ntime from contesting the Gaborone North Botswana National Front (BNF) primary elections. Kanjabanga's application against the...

Why BDP Negotiation Efforts Crumbled.
August 28, 2009... Since the controversial suspension of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary General Gomolemo Motswaledi, by President Ian Khama, there have been reports that former Presidents Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae, have been leading a team that...

ECZ Gives Thumbs-Up to Cross-Border Power Project.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Humphrey Nkonde Cross-border infrastructure development with Botswana has lately topped the agenda in discussions in Zambia. A specific example is the approval by the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) to construct the...

Consumer Watchdog.
August 28, 2009... Where can you turn? A friend asked me a few days ago where she could go to find out about consumer rights in Botswana. Frankly, I didn't quite know how to answer. You might think that there would be a special section of the Government web...

Bancabc Readies to Go Retail.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi Botswana domiciled and BSE-listed regional banking group ABC Holdings (ABCH) says its first retail business branches at the Square Tower in the new CBD and Fairgrounds Office Park in Gaborone are currently under...

Blil to Venture Into Unit Trusts Next Year.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi The country's oldest life assurance company, Botswana Life Insurance Limited (BLIL), says it will launch a unit trust component as part of a strategy to consolidate its products and to continue to enjoy the lion's...

Mohohlo Attributes P200 Bill to Inflation Policy.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi The characteristics of the local currency were reviewed in order to ensure that the public continues to be well served in an evolving socio-economic environment and in line with international best practices. ...

Ispaad, Contract Farming Make for a Good 'Yield' At Bamb.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi The Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) has recorded a net profit of P14 million for the year ending 31st March 2009 against a net profit of P3 million the previous year. Addressing a press conference on...

Japanese Firm Trains Batswana in Space Age Geology.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Thato Moseki Five more geologists from the Department of Geological Survey (DGS) recently started training in the use of remote sensing technology as part of a five-year agreement between Botswana and Japan. The Japanese Oil, Gas...

Govt Projects Run Behind Schedule.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Patricia Maganu Most government projects are behind schedule due to either lack of skilled labour or to natural disasters, it came to light during a media tour of seven such projects organised by the Office of the President (OP) last...

Statistics Bill Due in November.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Thato Moseki A Bill intended to transform the Central Statistics Office into an autonomous body is set to come before the National Assembly when the 10th Parliament sits in November. Initially, the Bill was due to come before the...

No Pardon for Motswaledi As Talks Collapse.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng Talks aimed at pardoning suspended Secretary General of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Gomolemo Motswaledi, have collapsed. Former presidents, Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae say the talks failed...

Gold Mine Murder Case Resumes.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Oarabile Mosikare A four-year-old Mupane Gold Mine murder case has finally resumed at the High Court after a 12-month delay caused by one of the accused persons. Raymond Leshomo and Arnold Masango are jointly charged with the...

Strong Field for Northern Golf Open.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Gale Ngakane The usually quiet Francistown golf course will be a beehive of activities tomorrow when golfers fight for supremacy in the 2009 First National Bank Northern Open. The winner of the men-only two-day 36-hole event will be...

Bdp Lawyers Pronouncements On Khama's Powers.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Tshireletso Motlogelwa President Ian Khama has said that at the heart of his decision to suspend the BDP secretary general Gomolemo Motswaledi was his comments regarding a press release from the law firm of Collins Newman and Company....

World Chess Champion Arrives.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi World chess champion, Viswanathan Anand of India will face Botswana's top 30 players in simultaneous games in Gaborone on Sunday, the organisers of his visit have said. Initially, Anand was scheduled to play only...

Masomere Feels Sorry for Successor.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Calistus Kolantsho Zimbabwean coach Luke Masomere has said that he feels sorry for compatriot, Paul Gundani, the man who has succeeded him as Nico United tactician. "I feel sorry for the new coach who will work under the current Nico...

Motlakase to Play in South Africa.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Boitumelo Khutsafalo Motlakase Power Dynamos continue with their preparations for their maiden appearance in the Premier League when they travel to Petersburg, South Africa for a pre-season tour. The Palapye side play Vodacom...

Tafic Indaba to Tackle Crucial Issues.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Gale Ngakane TAFIC holds its annual general meeting tomorrow to mull over problems in the just-ended season and chart the way forward. Club spokesman, Jones Mosweu said elections are not on the agenda but delegates can decide that...

First Cut.
August 28, 2009... Seeing clubs playing with worn-out kits does not add value or enhance the image of both the First Division and the Premier League. In fact a peep into the budget or pay structure of Premier League clubs shows a very huge disparity in salaries....

Setswana Dishes Had Everyone Salivating.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Maureen Odubeng The annual Botswana Craft Letlhafula has become an important event on the national calendar, having grown by leaps and bounds over the years. In 2007 Botswanacraft in collaboration with the then Department of Youth...

An African Journal Going for Nearly 50 Years.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Sheridan Griswold Transition: An International Review (2009) Issue 101. In these pages we have recognised a few other quality serial publications such as Granta and Botswana Notes and Records. Honouring Transition is long overdue -...

Gabz FM Should Not Pander to Busybodies.
August 28, 2009... It has been widely reported that an activist of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party has registered a complaint with the management of Gabz fm that his party president has been unfairly maligned in one radio programme. There is nothing wrong...

Ruling Party Official Challenges Khama.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Tshireletso Motlogelwa Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Secretary General Gomolemo Motswaledi finally moved to the High Court yesterday to challenge his suspension by President Ian Khama. The respondents in the case are the BDP, Khama...

The Land Stampede.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Gasebalwe Seretse Police had to be called in to control a crowd of plot-seekers massed outside Tlokweng Land Board offices on Wednesday night. Trouble nearly flared as Batswana from various parts of the country competed for an...

Reds Lead the Charge in the Transfer Market.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Thato Kala After setting the pace and eventually emerging victorious last season, newly-crowned Premier League champions, Gaborone United (GU) is once again leading the way in the transfer market. Already, the Reds have made two...

Job Losses Loom At DTC.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Brian Benza Retrenchments are inevitable in the diamond sector as DTC Botswana adopts cost-cutting measures aimed at securing long-term financial viability for the monopoly cartel. Although the Diamond Trading Company of Botswana...

P4 Million Sought for 'Accidental Discharge'.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Isaiah Morewagae No-one has been charged for the shooting of unarmed civilian, Ofentse Morwe, at Phakalane in Gaborone just over a year ago because "the incident" was "an accident", says the Public Relations Unit of the Botswana...

HIV On the Rise in Phikwe.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa National Aids Coordinating Agency (NACA) principal youth officer Mokagdi Mantswe says statistics continue to show that HIV/AIDS prevalence in Selebi-Phiwke is still on the increase despite the interventions in place....

All is Not Well in Journalism With ICTs.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Jerry Bungu The noble profession of journalism has received Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) with mixed feelings, on one hand as an enabling tool yet on the other as an impediment to the operations of a journalist, JERRY...

MELS Leader Eyes the Presidency.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng MELS leader Themba Joina has high hopes that if the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) does its job properly this year, he will be in the running for the presidency after a false start in 2004. He said that since...

A Glimpse Into Performance of MPs.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Bame Piet Mmegi staffer BAME PIET looks back at a past era and assess the performance of Mps during the just ended ninth parliament Pono Moatlhodi A 'Sub Accountant' by profession, he always boasts. He is a good debater but not...

Councillor Queries State of Ipelegeng Projects.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Ndingililo Gaoswediwe Councillor for Ikageng Ward here, Alec Tabengwa, yesterday rejected the 'notion' that Ipelegeng projects are nearing completion. Speaking in full council, Tabengwa questioned the progress report that shows...

The Rise of the Dragon.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Brian Benza With all the mishaps that have been associated with travelling in the past few months, including plane crashes and the A(H1N1) virus, I am sure you will agree with me that now is not the time to travel, especially long...

Of Political Issues And the Courts of Laws.
August 28, 2009... Byline: Lawrence Ookeditse The failure of our political parties in maintaining political stability and reigning in on official excesses have left people looking for answers elsewhere - the courts. A threat of 'judicialisation' of political...

Rollers Discard Zambian Duo.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Thato Kala Premiership giants, Township Rollers have transfer-listed Zambian defender, Timothy Phiri at his own request. The player joined the club at the start of last season but his stay has not been a happy one so he asked to be...

Lawyer Quits Group Sex Case.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Isaiah Morewagae Two of the convicts in the long running group sex case were left in the cold after their attorney Langwane Langwane ditched them at the last minute. Hence the two former Special Constables, Sydney Ntope and...

'Erring' Btv, Radio Must Not Go Unpunished - BCP.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has written to the National Broadcasting Board (NBB), complaining about alleged violation of the broadcasting code of conduct for elections by Botswana Television (Btv) and Radio...

Another Boon for Borrowers as BOB Cuts Bank Rate Again.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Brian Benza Following the decline in the annual inflation rate to 6 percent last month, the Bank of Botswana on Tuesday announced a further slashing of interest rates, a development widely seen a boon for borrowers. BoB said in a...

World Netball Event Exposes Under-21 Deficiencies.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi Botswana Netball Association (BONA) president, Tebogo Lebotse has said a lot needs to be done to turn the Under-21 national side into world beaters. The team returned home on Sunday after finishing a disappointing...

Poor Showing in Sports Calls for Soul-Searching.
August 27, 2009... The past few months have been bleak for Botswana sports on the international arena. Various sporting disciplines have flattered, only to deceive when pitted against the best in the world. It is always sad to wake up to the reality that we are...

Mtukudzi Son to Rock Gabz.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Oliver Mtukudzi's 21-year-old son, Sam, is scheduled to liven up the spirits of jazz lovers at the Botswana Craft tomorrow (Friday), with performances from his Rume Rimwe debut album released in 2007.and...

Promoters Plan an Action-Packed Month-End.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Indications are that entertainment promoters are determined to cash in on this cash-saturated weekend - and the last in August - by coming up with a variety of mouthwatering entertainment activities in Gaborone...

It's All Systems Go for Mtukudzi, Dyer Show.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi It is all systems go for Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi and Steve Dyer's show at the Botswana Craft courtyard in Gaborone tomorrow (Friday) evening. It is expected that Dyer will be backed by two of his old...

Can the President Be Sued as BDP Leader?
August 27, 2009... Byline: Gideon Nkala Unless former presidents Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae pull off a sensational last minute deal in the impasse between the two factions in the ruling party, all indications are that the feuding will end in court. ...

Bannister Takes Over As Bema President.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Thato Moseki The Managing Director of Can Manufacturers, Booker Bannister, is the new President of the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BEMA). Bannister takes over from Tarsem Kumar, the Group Managing Director of...

Mhlanga to Star at Thapama Pleasure Island Grand Opening.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Once again, Street Horn Promotions will be taking jazz to the Northern city, Francistown, this weekend. On Friday, Street Horn will be launching the Thapama Hotel jazz joint, Pleasure Island. On Saturday the company...

Former Presidents Appeal to Khama Again over Motswaledi.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng Former presidents, Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae are expected to meet President Ian Khama today to discuss the issue of suspended ruling party secretary general Gomolemo Motswaledi. The meeting is another...

Nico Expels Senior Players?
August 27, 2009... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa The sacked players include former international, Eric Molebatsi though Nico chairman, Kitso 'Jomo' Nkoborwane professed ignorance of the development. The players received their dismissal letters last week. The letter...

BSE Suspends Olympia for Flouting Accounting Rules.
August 27, 2009... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) has suspended the trading of the shares of Olympia Capital Corporation effective from 25 August 2009 after the company reported contradicting financial statements and failed to report...

Olomide Set for FrancisTown, GABZ.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe A massive concert featuring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) rumba king, Koffi Olomide, awaits Francistowners on Independence Day (September 30) at the Adonsomnia Hotel. The most sought after rumba maestro...

Celebrating Women With Mosadi.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Maureen Odubeng The finished product of Mosadi: Celebrating Women through the Arts documentary will premiere at Riverwalk New Capitol Cinema today, and tomorrow. Those who saw its preview will definitely want to see the finished...

Artist Wants His Portrait on Country's Coin.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng In what may be seen as a search for self-actualisation, Afro-Pop artist Dr Vom, born Kangangwana Mogocha, wants to have his portrait included on the Botswana currency. The artist, who has been in the industry close...

Botec Plans Use of Kgalagadi Sands for Brick-Making.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Martin Nyirenda The chief executive officer of the Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC) Dr Edson Selaolo has said they are supporting initiatives designed to utilise the Kgalagadi Desert sands for brick-making. "We have reached the...

A Welcome Rally for the Common Good.
August 26, 2009... Although Parliament has rejected a motion by Lobatse Member of Parliament, Nehemiah Modubule calling on it to constitutionalise election day, all is not lost because the House has agreed to make some reforms to the Electoral Act. Among some...

Radipotsane's Appointment Causes Stir.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Chippa Legodimo The appointment of Oris 'Boyo' Radipotsane as BMC coach has been met with mixed reactions at the club with a section of supporters expressing disappointment. Supporters held two meetings last week to discuss the...

Construction of Goal II Project Gets Underway.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Boitumelo Khutsafalo The expansion of accommodation facilities at Lekidi Football Centre under the FIFA Goal II project commenced yesterday. The job has been awarded to TAMLAC, the construction company that worked on FIFA Goal I...

PS Defends Broadcasting Director on Khama Speech.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng The permanent secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology, Festinah Bakwena has said there was nothing wrong with the director of broadcasting services reading a statement from the Botswana...

Swine Flu Cases Rise to 30 - Director.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Chandapiwa Baputaki The number of confirmed cases of the Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) has risen to 30 from the 13 reported last month. Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Health Shaneez El Halabi revealed this in an...

Mochudi Buffaloes Join Privatisation Bandwagon.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Chippa Legodimo First Division side, Mochudi Buffaloes have followed in the footsteps of FC Satmos and Gaborone United (GU) to go private. Buffaloes are expected to change to a private company before the new season kicks-off. Club...

Hardware Employees in the Dock for Theft.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Ndingililo Gaoswediwe Four employees of Hardware City at Nata Village have denied swindling their employer of goods worth over P100,000. Two shop assistants, Kereng Akuje and Phenyo Thibanya; driver, Othusitse Gakgotla and...

Council Trains Destitute on Survival Skills.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Calistus Kolantsho A four-day training workshop on entrepreneurship and rehabilitation skills started yesterday in Selebi-Phikwe under the aegis of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development of the town council. The...

Bail Application Goes Before Regional Magistrate.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Isaiah Morewagae The bail application in the murder case of Matshidiso Ntwaagae, a waitress at popular Gaborone pub O'Hagan's has been referred to Gaborone Regional Magistrate, Lot Moroka. The presiding magistrate, Nokothula Moyo...

Ditshwanelo Takes Up Case of 'Simulated Suicide'.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Tshireletso Motlogelwa The Botswana Centre for Human Rights (Ditshwanelo) has taken up the case of Italy Setlaampoloka who was allegedly tortured to death by the police in Mogoditshane last month. Ditshwanelo spokesman, Peter...

Skelemani Walks for Charity.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Gale Ngakane The walk started at a brisk pace Saturday morning with the chief walker, Francistown East Member of Parliament (MP) Phandu Skelemani and his wife in black leotards leading the way out of Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital. ...

Policemen Suspended for Alleged Graft.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Calistus Kolantsho Two officers of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and one uniformed officer based at the Selebi-Phikwe Police Station have been suspended over allegations of taking bribes. "We are trying to close all...

BDP Denies Snubbing Private Press in Election Campaign.
August 26, 2009... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has defended its decision to run its election campaign advertisements only in the government-owned Daily News newspaper. BDP executive assistant, Lee Lesetedi said that this is...