Mmegi/The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM articles from September 2008

Mmegi/The Reporter (Botswana) - AAGM archives from September 2008

Motswana Becomes Stanbic MD.
September 29, 2008... The Board of Directors of Stanbic Bank has formally announced the appointment of Leina Gabaraane as the first Motswana Managing Director of the bank as of September 2008. Gabaraane was appointed Stanbic's Deputy Managing Director in...

Unionist Mogende Laid to Rest.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa Thousands of people from the labour movement on Saturday thronged Tonota village to pay their last respects to former Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) president, Golekanye Mogende. Mogende committed suicide...

Men Too, Should Go for Fertility Testing.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Arthur Okwemba An infuriating, yet widespread, characteristic of our society is how blame is heaped on women, pretty much whenever something goes wrong, especially in relationships. This is particularly painful when couples are...

Kgosi Sechele Museum Hosts Successful Festival.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Maureen Odubeng Kgosi Sechele I Museum in Molepolole hosted a cultural festival under the theme , Culture and Economic Diversification Towards 2016 on Saturday. The annual festival, termed Dithubaruba Cultural Festival,...

Ministry to Inspect Chinese Shops.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Bame Piet The Ministry of Trade and Industry will this week embark on an inspection of Chinese shops in the country to see if they have contaminated Chinese milk in stock. Responding to Monitor enquiries, ministry...

Acknowledgement of Power Hitches Advances AK6 Project.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Wanesha Mosinyi Shareholders in Boteti, De Beers, African Diamonds and Wati Ventures, are currently in the concluding stages of discussions with the government of Botswana to resolve all outstanding issues surrounding the...

The Midas Touch of Dj Greg.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Isaac Pheko Gregory Sekga is one of the busiest DJ's in the city. He goes by the alias, DJ Greg. Even though he says that dj'ng is not his day job, he is doing much better than most of his rivals. He seems to have the Midas...

Nata Lodge Burns to Ashes.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Patricia Maganu Nata Lodge, one of the most popular lodges in Botswana, burned to ashes last week. The fire continues to ravage the forest after relenting at the lodge. Nata Police Station Commander, Superintendent Kevin...

Sebabatsane Tries Again.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Chippa Legodimo Sebabatsane's debut album Ke phaphaletse did little to put them on the local entertainment map. In the few live shows they performed last year, they showed much potential, but then again those who wanted to follow...

Nkatumela Kgosi Kgafela.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Ramphoto Molefhe I immediately fell in love with the Koma Ya Basadi that the women surged into immediately after the men folk at Kgafela's coronation in Mochudi at the weekend. I could not help calling Chedza Fani and exhorting...

Regional Boxing Boss Ready for Challenges.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi The new president of the Zone VI boxing, Michael Moroka has said his position comes with a lot of challenges. He said all eyes will now be on him and so he must perform. He has assumed office at a time when...

Alcohol Levy Poised to Spoil the Party.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Maungo Lebanna As expected, headline inflation slowed in August, registering a 0.1 percent increase from 15 percent in July to 15.1 percent. The slight increase in the August was supported by the transport index, which...

BDF VI, Mafolofolo Are Capital BMW Champs.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi BDF VI coach Selebatso Mabutho is a man who does not tremble easily. Like the soldier he is, Mabutho was calmest man in Otse on Saturday even when it was the clear that his side was sinking in the BMW Capital...

Young Zebras Mess Their Chances.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Tshepo Molwane The Young Zebras messed their chances of booking a place at the 2009 African Youth Championships when they were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting South Africa in the first leg at the National Stadium on Saturday. ...

Court Suspends 30 Percent Alcohol Levy.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Isaiah Morewagae A Lobatse High Court judge has restrained the Botswana government from implementing its decision to impose 30 percent levy on alcoholic beverages. Justice Unity Dow, suspended the implementation after a state...

Country Makes Use of Waste Newspapers.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Patrcia Maganu Old newspapers are treated as trash. Some come handy in the absence of toilet paper. Zambians have found ways to put old newspapers to good use. The newspaper business is booming and their suppliers are here in...

LEA Urges Farmers to Try Renewable Energy.
September 29, 2008... As energy prices continue to soar, farmers in Gamalete area have been advised to consider renewable energy alternatives like the sun. Walter Kgabung, director of technology innovation at Local Enterprises Authority (LEA) told a gathering at...

Govt Must Promote Indigenous Languages.
September 29, 2008... Last week our sister publication - Mmegi - carried a story about the new line-up for news bulletins at state-owned Botswana Television (Btv). The new line-up only recognises Setswana as an indigenous language, which is totally unfair to other...

New Liquor Regulations Threaten Jobs.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Jobs in the entertainment industry are once more on the line as government is just about to implement the new liquor regulations which prescribe that nightclubs should close early. Some nightclub owners...

Independence Day of Yesteryear in Gabane.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Duncan Motswagae "Marching order, marching order, marching order marching order, marching order, marching order, rona le masole a mocha o chele." I remember it as if it was only yesterday. The song would go on, the voice of...

Villagers Want Police Officers Back.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Gakuto village, some 30km outside Gaborone, must wait a little longer for the return of the two local police officers, who were allegedly chased away by the Village Development Committee (VDC) three months...

Borolong Village Under Siege.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe Tsholofelo Smarts never used to think that one day, his home village of Borolong, 20km west of Francistown, would be a place of terror. The once quite and peaceful remote village in the Bokalanga area...

The Zezuru - a Religious Community Engaged in Business.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Sylvester Wapitso The ting-ting-ting metallic taps could be heard a few metres from the household. Instantly, one is welcomed into the home of tinsmiths. Pieces of metal sheets are scattered all over. Gracious Tatangira's...

Face-to-Face With BR Spokesperson.
September 29, 2008... Monitor: BR used to run a daytime train service between Gaborone and Francistown. Is it in your plans to bring back the service? Masenya: On October 24, 2006, our southbound passenger train derailed at the Madiaela level crossing. As a...

Mogae Speaks On Poverty Alleviation.
September 29, 2008... The following are remarks of former President, Festus Mogae at a recent meeting on poverty alleviation at the Clinton Forum in New York, USA last week. Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps some of you will recall that during the 17th...

Talon, Saber Energy Agree On Merger.
September 29, 2008... Talon Metals Corporation says it has entered into binding heads of agreement (HOA) with Saber Energy Corporation, a private coal-bed methane exploration company with extensive land holdings and an active exploration programme in Botswana. ...

Monomotapa Comes On Board.
September 29, 2008... Byline: Tshepo Molwane After a period of uncertainty, Monomotapa African Broadcasting Corporation (MABC) were officially unveiled as the new sponsors of the Premier League on Friday afternoon. MABC has splashed out $9.5m (P64.8m) to...

Teachers Probed Over Politics.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa Some Gobojango Community Junior Secondary School teachers are under investigation by the Central Regional Education Office for their alleged involvement in politics following a recent prize-giving ceremony at...

Domboshaba Festival Promises Thrills.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Siki Motshwari Johannes A marathon Kalanga cultural fiesta takes place at the foothills of Domboshaba Hill tomorrow. To the Bakalanga people, Domboshaba hill is what Mecca is to the Islamic world. Like pilgrims journeying to...

Kraai Makes Ends Meet Chiselling Dead Wood.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Botswana is not renowned as a sculpture country. Rather the only country famous for its sculpture in the southern African region is stony Zimbabwe. However, there are some Batswana who are into this type of...

Batswana Deserve Better.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Michael Dingake In the 1960s, Africa experienced a stampede for independence. The independence of the Gold Coast, re-christened Ghana, opened the scorecard in 1957. Harold Macmillan, the Tory Prime Minister of Britain, portrayed...

The Olsen Behind Award-Winning Videos.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Jerry Kai-Lewis If the Channel O Music Video Awards are anything to go by, Shike is Botswana's premier music video director. His work first caught everyone's attention when music video fans across the continent voted Mista Doe's...

Khama Method Under Scrutiny in Alcohol Case.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Tshireletso Motlogelwa Today at the High Court in Lobatse, President Ian Khama's decision to impose a levy on alcoholic will come under attack when Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) and Botswana Breweries Limited (BBL) haul him...

Exporters Told to Prepare for Stiffer Competition.
September 26, 2008... Local exporters have been urged to roll up their sleeves in readiness for stiff competition that will come with trade liberalisation characterised by tariff reduction. Opening the annual general meeting of the Botswana Exporters and...

The Young Helpless Restless.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Lawrence Ookeditse Every morning they rush to this place; the labour office in central Gaborone. Their faces showing of the frustration they have to endure, waiting and waiting and more waiting has become a characteristic of...

Mmegi Francistown Office Turns Five.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Francistown When the Dikgang Publishing Company (DPC)-publishers of both Mmegi and Monitor titles changed the frequency of the publications to daily-pessimists doubted the sustainability of the project. I remember some people...

Mogende - Fiery, Firebrand, Outspoken And Humble.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Mqondisi Dube Fiery, firebrand, outspoken and humble. These are the words that are likely to dominate eulogies to the late Botswana Mine Workers' Union (BMWU) national chairperson, Golekanye Mogende who breathed his last breath...

Nurses Threaten Court Action On Scarce Skills Allowance.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Isaiah Morewagae Nurses have hinted that they might take government to court over the scarce skills allowance if negotiations fail. Their main contention is that they fall within the category of those who have been selected...

Makosha Vows to Shatter Mfa's Nata/Gweta Record.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Ryder Gabathuse After ousting Local Government Assistant Minister and incumbent MP for Nata/Gweta Olifant Mfa in what the latter claimed would be a walk in the park on August 30 in the recent Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)...

Mafolofolo, Kutlwano Fight for Supremacy.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi All roads lead to the Otse Police College tomorrow for the finals of the Capital Motors volleyball challenge. In the opening women's final which is expected to kick off at 1.30pm, favourites Mafolofolo will...

Lippe is the New BTC CEO.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi Former Orange Botswana Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thapelo Lippe, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC), the company's Board Chairman confirmed this week. ...

Poverty is On the Decline - Professor.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Ephraim Keoreng In Botswana, poverty has generally been declining over time from 59 percent in 1985/86 to 47 percent in 1993/94 to 30 percent in 2002/03. Speaking at the recent Decent Work workshop at Boipuso Hall in...

Player Gets Counselling After Leg-Breaking Tackle.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Boitumelo Khutsafalo TASC player, Tshoganetso Malizimba is undergoing counselling after he broke the leg of new Township Rollers' recruit, Tebogo Mothusi in training. TASC spokesperson, Jonas Ikgopoleng said that they have...

Country Suffers From Manhole Theft.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Isaac Pheko The theft of manhole covers has become a national problem, Francistown City Council chief water engineer Nazir Bushen has said: "People have been stealing these lids and selling them to scrap metal dealers. They break...

Another Set of Counterfeit Banknotes in Circulation.
September 26, 2008... The bank of Botswana has issued a warned to the public about the presence of fake P100 and P50 banknotes in circulation. According to a statement released by the bank's spokesperson Chepete Chepete , the P100 counterfeits bear the serial...

Young Zebras Start Final Assault.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Tshepo Molwane The national Under-20 team launches the penultimate assault to qualify for the African Youth Championship in Rwanda when they take on South Africa's Amajita in the first leg at the National Stadium tomorrow. The...

Caught Between Past And Present.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Sandy Grant Recently, I caught the advance publicity about a BBC TV programme, which was going to explain, why the tourism industry in India is so much less significant than that of other Asian countries such as Thailand and...

Mafolofolo Face Tough Test.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi Mafolofolo men's volleyball team is in for a tough battle when they meet BDF VI in the BMW Capital Motors Cup final at the Otse Police College tomorrow. After struggling to reach the final, Mafolofolo comes up...

Govt Tightens Passport Screws.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Isaiah Morewagae Batswana who lose their passports will not be issued with replacements in less than a year on average, Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Seesawing Tsiane has warned. Tsiane says in a...

A Ray of Hope for Orphaned Children.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa Some orphan children suffer silently at the hands of the so-called guardians and caregivers. As such, many have succumbed to emotional turmoil and perennial thoughts of their late parents. The retreat...

Country Going Zim Way - Experts.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Bame Piet Chairperson of the Press Council of South Africa, Raymond Louw, has likened Botswana's Media Practitioners Bill as a duplicate of the Access to Information, Protection and Policy Act (AIPPA) used by President Robert...

More Bashing for Media Bill.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Bame Piet The controversial Media Practitioners' Bill received more bashing at a one-day conference yesterday with participants calling for its total rejection. Vice chairperson of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)...

Two Artists Exhibit At Supa Ngwao.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Isaac Pheko Two Francistown artists - Kenneth Seabo and Dichaba Dichaba - are exhibiting their artworks at the Supa Ngwao Museum. It is a three-week exhibition, which started last week Friday. Dichaba and Seabo are both...

Shock As BFA Dissolves Women Soccer Bodies.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has dropped a bombshell by dissolving the Women Football Commission (WFC) and the Women League Committee. The former commission chairperson Senki Sesinyi got the shock...

Standard Bank Sponsors Independence Open.
September 26, 2008... The annual Standard Chartered Bank Independence Open Golf tournament took place last weekend at the Gaborone Golf Club. About 200 players took part in the event that had a women section for the second year running. Standard Bank head...

BCL Pays Over Half a Billion to Creditors.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi In a move that will see the Selebi-Phikwe-based copper and nickel company finally restructure its business, BCL has paid over half a billion pula to its creditors, which include the Government of Botswana. ...

Can Thammano Inspire Killer Giants?
September 26, 2008... At 35, former Township Rollers' midfielder Gabaletlhege 'Bashin' Thammano believes he has what it takes to help Killer Giants to gain promotion to the Premier League. After failing once again at the last hurdle to make it to the elite...

Icons of Modern Architecture.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Kagiso Seloilwe It is that time of the year when we get to celebrate Botswana's existence as an independent nation, celebrating 42 years of independence. To most people it is a day to look forward to and celebrate the lives of...

Mogende - A Neighbour Who Didn't Know His House Number.
September 26, 2008... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa 'Comrade Gendes' as 56-year-old, Golekanye Mogende was affectionately known by his fellow unionists and workmates leaves a void in my life. As a neighbour in Phase One suburb in Selebi-Phikwe and even at the...

Tawana Safe for Now.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Maureen Odubeng The nomination results are out and this time Botswana's representative, Tawana Lebani, is not among those who are up for eviction. The housemates who were nominated for eviction from the Big Brother 3 house...

Stock Market Reverses Losses.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Brian Benza On the back of a strong recovery by financial counters, the Domestic Companies Index (DCI) has now reversed its year-to-date negative performance, despite the recent turmoil on global equity markets. An earlier...

State to Oppose Dismissal of Theft Charges.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Oliver Modise Two former employees of Gaborone Private Hospital (GPH), Malebogo Seeletso and Mpho Matlapeng, accused of stealing over half a million Pula from the hospital, want their case dismissed for good because the state has...

Singer Brooks Says Why Must I Kill My Lover?
September 24, 2008... Byline: Lekopanye Mooketsi Musicians are just like authors who write about their personal experiences. Gaborone singer, Veronica Brooks, who has just released a sizzling debut album in which she sings about her painful experience, is...

Shock Greets Mogende's Death.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Mqondisi Dube The late Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) chairperson, Golekanye Mogende has been described as a fiery but respected trade unionist. News of his death has been met with shock. Mogende passed away at his home in...

Evictee Latoya's High Spirits Intact.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Maureen Odubeng She may be the first housemate to be evicted from the Big Brother Africa 3 house, but Latoya Lyakurwa's spirit is far from being dented. While the Tanzanian representative in the house got the shock of her...

Patricia Majalisa Inspires Duo.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Chippa Legodimo Those who have seen South African song- bird, Patricia Majalisa, on stage often remember her performances for the way she always shouts the word 'chisa' as she tries to get the audience involved. But to Neo...

Savings Bank Launches Branch in F/Town.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Oarabile Mosikare The launch of Botswana Savings Bank (BSB) branch here has been described as a partial fulfilment of the bank's corporate strategy that all stakeholders should be the first to know about. "BSB customers are...

Khama Sends Ministers to Inspect Neglected Orphans.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa There was drama at the Kgotla here on Wednesday evening as President Ian Khama ordered the Minister of Health, Lesego Motsumi, the Assistant Minister of Local Government, Olifant Mfa and the chairman of the...

BNF Expels Tafa, Modubule.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Oliver Modise The Botswana National Front (BNF) has expelled Lobatse MP, Nehemiah Modubule, and one of its chief ideologue, Dr Elmon Tafa. The expulsion of the duo was announced in Gaborone yesterday by BNF president,...

Bota Ups Campaign On School Registration.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Mosah Mokganedi Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) marketing and promotions manager, Lazarus Lekgoanyane, says they face a lot of challenges in registering and accrediting institutions. Key among them is lack of cooperation...

National Juniors in Crucial Qualifiers.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Boitumelo Khutsafalo The national Under-20 and Under-17 teams will be engaged in crucial African qualifiers over the weekend at the National Stadium in Gaborone. The Under-20 team will be playing the first leg against South...

KBL Takes Government to Court.
September 24, 2008... After government decision to impose a 30 per cent levy on alcoholic beverages by October 1, Kgalagadi Breweries have instituted an urgent application before the high court in which they pray that the implementation of the levy in October...

Teacher 'Exodus' Hits FSSS.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Ryder Gabathuse The deputy headteacher of Francistown Senior Secondary School, Watson Basoli, says the "exodus" of teachers from the government-aided school is frustrating efforts to deliver. In an interview with Mmegi this...

Gospel Artist Releases Debut Album.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Isaac Pheko Gospel musician Botsogo Modise has released his debut CD under Msindo Music Entertainment (MME) records in Francistown. The album features six tracks composed and arranged by Modise himself. Modise delivers...

Letsoaka Names Squad for Youth Team.
September 24, 2008... The national Under-20 coach Serame Letsoaka assembled a 22-member squad to take on Botswana in the first leg away fixture of the African Youth Championship qualifiers. The team will start camp in Johannesburg on Sunday, in preparation...

Are We Capable of Adhering to Standards?
September 24, 2008... Are we Batswana incapable of ensuring strict adherence to the standards we have set for ourselves? Looking at the performance of different sectors in our country, we are tempted to answer in the affirmative. The poor implementation of...

Nico Sets Ambitious Targets.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Mqondisi Dube Premier League side, Nico United has set ambitious targets, among them opening an office before the end of the year and developing its training ground to host matches. The club, which defied odds last season to...

Doubts As PLC Awaits Monomotapa Deal.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Tshepo Molwane The Premier League Committee (PLC) is expected to seal a deal for the sponsorship with cable television company, Monomotapa today. The company is expected to sponsor the Premier League for the next three years at...

Bobirwa Enjoy Strong Partnership.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Onalenna Modikwa While some councils spend more than P150, 000 on the retreat camps dubbed 'Ark for Children', Bobirwa sub district spends absolutely nothing because of its strong partnership forged by the council, private sector...

Phikwe Clubs Blast Ex-BFA Officials.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Mqondisi Dube Club officials in Selebi-Phikwe have lambasted members of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) regional committee for pursuing personal interests to the detriment of football development. Four members of the...

Justice Masuku - a Teacher Turned Lawyer.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Ryder Garathus Moreri Sejakgomo Mmegi staffers RYDER GABATHUSE and MORERI SEJAKGOMO visit retiring Swati judge Thomas Masuku and hear that the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law are paramount in a democratic set-up...

Mascom Clinches Nteletsa II Deal.
September 24, 2008... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi The Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology has awarded Mascom Wireless a P86 million contract to supply, install, operate and maintain telecommunications networks in 41 villages as part of Nteletsa II...

Aviva Poised to Acquire 90 Percent in Mmamantswe.
September 22, 2008... Byline: Wanetsha Mosinyi Integrated energy developer Aviva Corporation (ASX, BSE) has announced the completion of two important milestones in the development of its Mmamantswe project. In a BSE-posted statement on Friday, Aviva...

Platinum Glitters at Kgafela II Coronation.
September 22, 2008... Byline: Monkagedi Gaotlhobogwe For a while, the Kgatla main Kgotla was turned into a mini stadium of elegant seats and stands. The traditional Kgotla kraal, as well as the Bakgatla royal kraal, where the past Bakgatla diKgosi are...