Mmegi/The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM articles from December 2005

Mmegi/The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM archives from December 2005

Kentz Botswana Under Liquidation.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Thato Chwaane Increased import costs caused by the devaluation of the Pula has landed Kentz Botswana into receivership. The electrical and mechanical installation contractor is...

Jwaneng Mine Posts New Production Record.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Joel Konopo Debswana Diamond Mining Company has registered new production records at its Jwaneng mine. The mine has exceeded its target to produce 13.6 million carats by 2...

Farmers to Benefit From BMC Price Increase.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bester Gabotlale The 40 percent price increase offered to livestock farmers by the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) is expected to boost the supply of cattle to the embattled...

Government Moves to Buy Printing Press.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Francinah Baaitse Plans by the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology to purchase a newspaper-printing machine has invited strong criticism from both Parliament and...

Mfa Refuses to Stop At Roadblock.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Officials at a road safety roadblock in Topisi, north of Palapye were left speechless when Assistant Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Oliphant Mfa refused to obey instructions to stop. Mfa...

The Year That Was.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) BDP factions Factionalism has proved to be a deep-rooted feature in the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) politics, and continues to give the party leadership a big headache. Efforts...

UB Inquiry Reveals Irregularities.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi The Ministry of Education has released the report of the Committee of Inquiry into allegations of mal-administration and financial irregularities at the...

No Match Fixing At Africa Junior Chess Championships.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) The 15th Africa Junior Chess Championships was an intensely fought affair. Immediately after the event, Zambia's Leah Phiri and Cindy Simango alleged that there had been match fixing in regard...

Be Merry But Come Back With Vigour to Win in 2006.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) This is the last edition of your favourite newspaper this year. It has been a long and hard year. We achieved so much but a lot could have been done. As a nation, this is the most opportune...

Turnstar Results Disappointing - Stockbroker.
December 30, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi In its weekly market report, Stockbrokers Botswana, termed the recently released Turnstar Holdings Limited financial results as "disappointing". On Friday, the...

Police Deny Being Unprepared.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Chandapiwa Baputaki Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kenny Kapinga has rebutted allegations that they are responsible for the many deaths that occurred during the festive season...

Rains Bring Mixed Fortunes.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Mogomotsi Moloi At long last, it finally happened. The rains have come. Farmers around the country are hopeful that the coming year would be productive after last season's drought...

OP Appoints Task Force On Passion Killings.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Tuduetso Setsiba The Office of the President will appoint a task force to investigate the causes of passion killings, deputy Police Commissioner, Kenny Kapinga has said. He said...

Parley Closes Business With Bang.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi After suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of a united and an uncompromising Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Gaborone Central MP Dumelang Saleshando shot from...

Fuel Too Expensive for Govt.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Francinah Baaitse The Office of the President is one of the major guzzlers of fuel in the government ministries. Recently, the minister of Finance and Development Planning,...

Bdp Faction to Meet Mogae.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Ryder Gabathuse In an effort to have their demands entertained, the Kedikilwe-Kwelagobe factional leadership is reported to have concluded to take their fight to the party leader,...

Mogae Has a Legacy to Leave Behind.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Many people who know President Festus Mogae well swear that they never heard him express any interest in becoming a politician, let alone a President. They suspect that Mogae's political...

BFA Consults Over Morocco Report.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Tshepo Molwane Botswana Football Associ-ation (BFA) president, Phillip Makgalemele says they are still consulting with stakeholders whether to publicise the report of the task...

Leaders And the 'Crisis of Relevance'.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Log Raditlhokwa Batswana are reeling under the pinch of democracy for the few, but our fragile republic is still superficially admired by agents of international institutions...

BMC Increases Livestock Prices By 40%.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) will increase producer prices to livestock farmers by an average of 40 percent with effect from January 1, 2006. In a statement, BMC said the anticipated...

Factions Spread to Tswapong Priesthood.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Ever since politicians put factions en vogue the practice is spreading like bush fire. This time factionalism has engulfed the sacred soils of the Tswapong...

Good News From BMC.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) is to increase the livestock producer prices by an average of 40 percent with effect from January 1 next year. This is a commendable development by the state...

Botswana Benefits From Zim Fuel Crisis.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Joel Konopo Petroleum suppliers in the northern part of Botswana have experienced a boom in sales as Zimbabwe continues to suffer fuel shortages. "It is true that retail sites in...

Ndaba Back With Bojazz II.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi After his successful debut album, "Dawn of Bojazz", local jazz guru, Nick Ndaba has come up with another offering for jazz lovers. This time his project is...

Changes Made to BoBCs.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi Changes have been made to Bank of Botswana Certificates (BoBC) system after complaints that commercial banks are over-relying on them to shore up the bottom...

Vee Impresses At Zimbabwe Debut Show.
December 29, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Fraser Mpofu Vee staged his debut show in Zimbabwe but the excessive rains that fell across the country led to the cancellation of two other scheduled gigs on Christmas Eve and...

Who is Going to Be Khama's Deputy?
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer As Vice President Ian Khama readies himself to occupy the highest office in the land when President Festus Mogae relinquishes power in 2008, it still remains unknown...

Motsumi Reprimanded for Use of Car.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi The Minister of Works and Transport, Lesego Motsumi has been reprimanded by her principals, for using her official vehicle to attend classes in South Africa....

It is Too Little But Welcome.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Kabo Mokgoabone There are mixed feelings from users of petrol, diesel and paraffin after the decision by government to lower the prices of fuel by 10 thebe per liter (petrol and...

In the Footsteps of Huggins.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bester Gabotlale US ambassador to Botswana, Katherine Canavan may have only come into the country in the last quarter of this year but she is a veteran in the region. She has...

Police Going for Broke This Festive Season.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Thato Chwaane The Botswana Police say this time around they have gone all out to make this festive season a blissful one on the roads. The police say they have put in place...

The State Must Fund Transplant Operations.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) With an improved healthcare system and easy access to medical facilities in Botswana, hitherto unknown diseases and ailments have come to the fore. Unlike previously when people died of...

Can Development Keep Pace With Population Growth?
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Over the last few weeks the world has met about several matters that are of vital concern to the future well-being of all of us. In Montreal, it was about the impact of global warming. In Hong...

Robert Moffat 1795-1883.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Sandy Grant Starting from scratch, Moffat first verbally learnt Setswana, then recorded it as a written language, then translated the Bible, eventually both the Old and New...

De Beers Ponders New Diamond Mine.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bester Gabotlale Botswana, the world's largest diamond producer by value looks set to increase its dominance in the diamond market as De Beers ponders opening another mine in the...

Mobile Companies to Improve Service.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi The country's two mobile phone companies, Orange Botswana and Mascom Wireless have promised that they are geared to provide improved service during Christmas and...

Slow Rate of Localisation At Fnb Worries Minister.
December 23, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major Moeng Pheto said on Wednesday that he is worried by the slow rate of localisation at the First National Bank (FNB)...

Dube Contemplates Running in 1,500m.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe After a barren year in which he failed to compete in the lucrative European circuits, Botswana's acclaimed 800m runner, Glody Dube is contemplating a...

Sabure Becomes a Grand Master.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Kenneth Boikhutswane Federation International Des Eches (FIDE) has awarded Tuduetso Sabure the title of Woman International Grandmaster (WGM) for her win in last month's Africa...

BCP Responds to Allegations.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Following various media reports about negative statements made by some new BNF members and in particular the report of the Botswana Guardian of December 16th 2006, the BCP wishes to respond as...

DWNP Boss Wants Investment in Wildlife.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer The new director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), Rapelang Mojaphoko, has said the wildlife sector needs heavy investment to boost the...

Power Disruptions Are Unpredictable - BPC Official.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Chandapiwa Baputaki The Botswana Power Corpo-ration (BPC) Public Relations Officer, Tlhomamiso Selato has said the power failures during rains or strong winds are unpredictable...

MPs Want Morale Boost for Police Recruits.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bame Piet Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West, Rakwadi Modipane has called on the Ministry for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration to take the work of special...

Suppliers Dispel Fuel Shortage Fears.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer Fears that there would be a fuel shortage in the country in the festive season because of supply problems in South Africa have been put to rest by two major suppliers...

Police Refute Corruption Claims.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Tom Ketlogetswe The head of Public Relations Unit at the Botswana Police Service, Senior Superintendent Solomon Mantswe, says more than 99 percent of the Botswana police officers...

Get Ready - Negotiations Are Here.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) It is good news indeed that there is light at the end of the sterile tunnel in which the government managed to get itself stuck in its futile attempt to counter Survival International's...

Marole Inspires Orapa Villages.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Motseothata Monyane Debswana's Managing Director, Blackie Marole says "Debswana's performance is not only measured by the number of carats produced, but also by how the company...

Chiefs Double.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bame Piet Members of the House of Chiefs - Ntlo Ya Dikgosi- will be increased from 15 to 35 during National Development (NDP) 9, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public...

Orapa Patients Get Christmas Donation.
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Motseothata Monyane The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in Orapa has given P1 200 to Orapa hospital to be used on purchasing Christmas presents and food for patients who will...

Who Stole the Rape Towels?
December 22, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Investigations by the police have failed to find the person who stole part of the exhibits that were used in the Robert Masitara rape case. An unprocessed...

Museveni Has Become Another African Tragedy.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) It was bound to happen. For many skeptics, the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has never had democratic credentials. It is rather amazing that it took the western world 19 years to wake up...

Shopping Booms Gaborone Business.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi It is Christmas time again. In the capital city of Gaborone, retailers and small-scale businesses alike are jockeying for cash from last minute shoppers. All...

Bmc Hopes for Better Cattle.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer The troubled Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) hopes that the recent rains would continue so that the condition of cattle meant for slaughter at its two abattoirs can...

Sesana Arrives to a Hero's Welcome.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Thato Chwaane The 2005 Right Livelihood Award winner, Roy Sesana and his companion Jumanda Gakelebone waltzed into the Sir Seretse Khama Airport lobby yesterday to a rousing...

The Eyesores of Selebi-Phikwe.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Ephraim Keoreng Hidden in the backyard of the beautiful Selebi-Phikwe Square complex is an eyesore. Here lies a very filthy and winding tunnel with a powerful stench. It is full...

Kwelagobe's Suit Still Good.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Phillimon Molaodi Attorneys representing Molepolole North Member of Parliament (MP), Daniel Kwelagobe, say his case against deported University of Botswana lecturer, Kenneth Good,...

The Other Side of a Corporate Boss.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe He was recently seen performing classical music on stage with Dr Kopano Mpuang Allmon at the Gaborone Sun. Those who do not know where his bread is...

MP Wants Prisoners to Work in Farms.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bame Piet The MP for Maun East, Ronald Ridge caused laughter in Parliament on Monday when he said that prisoners should be made to work in farms to produce food for government...

Abandoned Game to Be Replayed.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Tshepo Molwane The Premier League Committee (PLC) has said that the abandoned clash between Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Naughty Boys will be re-played early next year. Referee...

Motsumi's Gravy-Benz.
December 21, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Letshwiti Tutwane The Minister of Works and Transport, Lesego Motsumi has admitted that she is using her official car, a black Mercedes Benz, to travel to South Africa to attend...

BAA Gets Ready for Regional Meet.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Tom Ketlogetswe Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) will host the tenth edition of the annual 2006 Southern African Region Cross Country championships in Kumakwane on February...

Gunners in Another Win.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Tom Ketlogetswe Lobtrans Gunners climbed four places up the log table after defeating Mogoditshane Fighters 2-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday. This was Gunners' second...

Minister Mum On Ballooning Numbers of Immigrants.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Bame Piet The chief immigration officer, Roy Sekgororoane, will not disclose the number of Zimbabwean immigrants staying in Botswana. He referred enquiries to the Minister of...

Pula Will Not Change.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer President Festus Mogae appears to have beaten a hasty retreat on his proposal to change the name of the national currency, the Pula. Mogae was reported in the...

Union Leaders Claim Snooping By Special Branch.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Mogomotsi Moloi Top trade union leaders have vowed to carry on with the struggle despite acts of sabotage by law enforcement officers. The unionists claimed that members of the...

BDP Faction Refuses to Disband.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Ryder Gabathuse Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) woes deepened last Sunday when the marginalised Kedikilwe-Kwelagobe faction announced it would defy the order to disband. "Our...

Gaborone Councillors Criticise School Fees.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Chandapiwa Baputaki After turning down the opportunity to be briefed by the Principal Education Officer, the Gaborone City Council has turned around and passed a motion requesting...

The People Have Spoken.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) There has been spirited discussion on the change of the name of the local currency, the Pula to something else. The discussion emanates from the comments by President Festus Mogae. The...

BDP MPs Fail Electoral Law Change.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Francinah Baaitse Botswana Democratic Party MPs, seemingly confused, rejected a motion on Friday proposing an amendment to Section 63 of the constitution. The section...

Rains Paralyse Air Botswana Flights.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe The heavy rains in Gaborone and surrounding areas on Sunday thwarted Air Botswana evening flights to and from Johannesburg, Maun and Francistown. An...

BBS Hawkers Complain About Boccim Market.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Handapiwa Baputaki Hawkers have expressed concern about the location of the Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower (BOCCIM) flea market at the BBS Mall. They...

Develop Regional Transport System - Salomao.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer The executive secretary of SADC Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomao has stressed the need for the development of a regional transport system. He said this would facilitate...

South African Clown Loses Plot At Maitisong.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Popular South African comedian, Tshepo Mogale annoyed his guests instead of making them laugh at the year ending stand up comedy show at Maitisong on...

Well Done BDP.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) I am bored of always finding fault with Domkrag. Today I want to congratulate Domi for their successful retreat in Tlokweng. I see and hear some quarters, sounding quizzical about official...

The Person Behind the Character.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Ephraim Keoreng Masego Kebaitseng is not a typical artist. She confesses that she is a shy girl, haunted by stage fright, especially before large audiences. The attractive...

An African Tale for All Ages.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) "Kirikou and the Sorceress" (1998) is being shown on Tuesday 20th December 2005, only at 7pm at the Maru a Pula School, A/V Centre (Gaborone Film Society). Kirikou and the Sorceress is...

Botswana,Zim Sign Quality Assurance Pact.
December 20, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Fraser Mpofu The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ). Under the MoU, the two...

Quett Must Be Honoured.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: BOTSALO NTUANE In Parliament last Friday, the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration responded to a question I had submitted earlier on. My question sought...

Mobile Phone Use Threaten BTC Monopoly.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Kabo Mokgoabone The Botswana Telecomm-unications Corporation (BTC) has expressed concern at the growing rate of mobile phone usage to the detriment of the landline. BTC is a...

The Year When Prices Went Berserk.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Kabo Mokgoabone No bonuses, no Christmas presents, thanks to President Festus Mogae for the Pula devaluation in 2005. This is the message from young people, who passed time by...

Man Dies in Kanye Police Shoot-Out.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Police in Kanye are investigating an incident in which a suspected robber was shot dead on Wednesday in a scene reminiscent of Western movies. Kanye police...

Maun Accident Survivors in Critical Condition.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Staff Writer Two survivors of the horrific road accident in Maun that left one man dead were in critical condition on Friday. District Traffic Officer, Pelontle Kesupile said...

How They Performed in Parliament And Cabinet.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) This has been a year of mixed fortunes. Monitor's grand jury takes a flashback at how some of the Honourable representatives at the National Assembly fared in the last two sittings ...

Barclay Card Staff Hand Over the Keys.
December 19, 2005... (From Mmegi / The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM) Byline: Gideon Nkala It was not just an ordinary event. There was singing, there was laughter and tears were shed-tears of joy and tears of emotion. A crowd of young people clad in...