BEST OF BOTSWANA - Volume 4

BEST OF

BOTSWANA Volume

4

2

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

3

State of the Nation Address by His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana

Abridged, 4 November 2013 By this time next year Batswana from across our country will have once more gone to the polls to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.

For nearly five full decades now it has been the power of this simple fact, the ability of citizens to freely exercise the wisdom of their democratic will, which has assured our nation’s steady progress. We are all deeply indebted to the founders of our great Republic, who ignored the example of many by remaining true to their own conviction that Government governs best when it governs by and with, as well as for, the people.

It is this legacy that I proudly pledged to uphold during my own inauguration. Today I am pleased to affirm that, as we prepare to once more seek the peoples’ mandate, our democracy has never been stronger or more vibrant.

4

Best of Botswana

Our democracy has all along been about more than the regular holding of free and fair elections; being rooted in a shared commitment to peopledriven governance for people centred development. It is for this reason that my administration is continuously engaged with citizens from all walks of life, in every part of the country, about their concerns.

Given the diverse and increasingly complex nature of our society, rooted as it is in both timeless traditions and ever changing technologies, we have found it necessary to consult through various mediums: • From the convening of dikgotla and dipitso; to our outreach through electronic and social media, as well as the provision of toll free numbers;

• From private sector partnership within the High Level Consultative Council (HLCC) process; to simply meeting one on one with people.

We seek to connect with every citizen, every day, in every way and everywhere; thus ensuring that consultation remains at the very core of our good governance practice.

It is through our steadfast attention to the feedback we receive through such consultation that we shall meet this nation’s challenges. At the same time we remain mindful of our ultimate goal of achieving a dignified life for all Batswana through the delivery of sustainable economic development, rooted in a renewed sense of social discipline, as well as driven by a culture of democratic accountability.

Our delivery of good governance is further attested to by respected international surveys, as well as local perception polls.

Since 2008, our country’s overall score in the Global Democracy Index has increased.

In the latest survey of 2012 our nation was thus ranked 30 out of 148 nations in the world. In terms of the sub-category Electoral Process and Pluralism we were ranked 23rd in the world, alongside Japan and the U.S.A., while in terms of Civil Liberties we were ranked 15th besides such nations as The Netherlands and Switzerland. This latter ranking dovetails with our rating in the Legatum Personal Freedom Index, where we number among the 30 “high ranking” countries whose citizens are said to enjoy: “High levels of personal freedom of expression, belief and organisation, as well as personal autonomy in a society welcoming of diversity.”

This administration’s implementation efforts shall continue to be guided by steadfast adherence to the “5Ds”, as our signposts on the path towards a better Botswana.

Sustainable development cannot be simply measured in the delivery of physical infrastructure. It must rather be about the holistic transformation of society to meet competitive demands and changing needs.

The 5Ds are thus about ensuring that all Batswana gain the skills and opportunities they need to achieve a dignified life. Poverty eradication and youth development are, therefore, leading priorities: in the context of our overall goal of achieving an equitable high income status for our country free from absolute poverty. In addition to and consistent with the 5Ds, Government’s

strategic framework for a better Botswana is contained in the Long-term Vision and 10th National Development Plan, which are supported by flagship programmes for sustainable economic diversification.

We cannot meet these aspirations through Government efforts alone.

They rather require all of us, in the public and private sector alike, to become more innovative and productive in turning opportunities into achievements.

By pulling together we can build a better country, one that is globally competitive, while remaining true to its unique identity and values. The path to a more prosperous and productive nation that leaves no citizen behind lies not so much in the bounty of natural resources with which the Lord has blessed our land, as in our human resources, that is ourselves.

Let us therefore be mindful that the evolution of any democracy requires patriotism and collective discipline, beginning with self-discipline. In this way we shall achieve the productivity necessary to compete in the world, while overcoming the social ills that threaten to pull us down.

In meeting our challenges while reaching for our goals, let us remember to seek the blessings and guidance of the Lord in all of our endeavours; for in the end it is only through His grace, and our efforts, that all things are possible.

Best of Botswana

5

Foreword by Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Hon Tshekedi Khama Botswana is renowned as a beacon of stability, not only within its region, but also within the African continent. The progress the country has made is as a result of stringent and systematic steps which have evidently overflowed into socio-economic development, opening the country up for business. The results have spoken into the quality of life for all Batswana. Positioned in the top three happiest countries in Africa, the general sense of pride has filtered into the tourism industry, as Batswana have become known for their warmth and hospitality throughout the world.

Our collective patriotism has seen the protection and sustenance of our natural heritage which we can now share with the rest of the world for generations to come.

The recent launch of the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) has ensured that the necessary promotion and channelling of investments into the country can benefit all citizens. This drive has created exposure of the collective effort needed in order for the country to realise its current visions. The value of investing in Botswana is greatly increased by her advantageous location in the centre of the region. Although landlocked, Botswana has direct access to her neighbours Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa – with close access to Angola and Mozambique. The interconnectivity of dry ports within the region has ensured an ease of access to imports and exports.

Through its membership to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Botswana has market access to a population of 250 million people. Botswana also enjoys duty and quota free access to the US market through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

This means that for business travellers and tourists alike, Botswana offers security, accessibility, political stability, cultural heritage, religious tolerance, and is the most transparent country in Africa.

Of course the abundance of natural beauty and wildlife also presents a draw card.

We operate a vibrant tourism industry which is the second largest contributor to the country’s GDP. We have achieved great success in our work to advance sustainable tourism best practices.

As the most peaceful nation in Africa, Botswana is also one of the fasted growing economies in the world with a stable macro-economic environment and

6

Best of Botswana

economic growth. The country is also increasingly competitive on a global scale.

Botswana is home to some of the world’s richest diamond mines. Jwaneng Mine is the richest diamond mine in the world by value of recovered diamonds

while the Orapa Mine is the richest by quantity of diamonds recovered. Diamond mining accounts for approximately onethird of Botswana’s GDP and 70% of export earnings.

The Diamond industry has enabled

significant socio-economic development.

Residents have access to educational facilities, healthcare, safe drinking water, as well as well-developed infrastructure ranging from road, rail and air networks as well as Information and Communication

Technologies (ICT).

With an aim to diversify the economy, Botswana’s laws encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), in a move away from a reliance on mining. The government continues to make positive

changes to encourage the ease of doing business in the country.

We continue to share these successes with our people and present them here with pride as a showcase to the rest of the world.

Best of Botswana

7

8

Best of Botswana

Publisher’s Foreword “Best of Botswana has become a greatly anticipated showcase of the country, her numerous attributes, as well as of her people. Best of Botswana Volume 4 continues to highlight and share Botswana’s strides in excellence and successes with the world.”

Thapelo Letsholo

Although Botswana is a relatively small, landlocked country in southern Africa, it is truly one of the continents extraordinary success stories. Its impressive scale is not measure by land mass, but size of the economy and rate of growth. If measured by satisfaction of her people, Botswana again would prove to be far bigger and wealthier than many of its counterparts. There have been extraordinary improvements in living standards, which are the envy of much of the continent.

Since the mid-1960s, Botswana has moved along a path of sound economic management and outstanding political governance. This laid a sturdy foundation for the growth which is now bearing fruit.

However, the momentum is far from slowing down. Cleverly managed diversification plans have ensured that Botswana is continuing to International Group Publisher Botswana Publishing Partner Africa Group Publisher Sales and Marketing Project Manager & Production Editor Creative Direction Images

reap these rewards – all for the good of her people. This has resulted in a dynamic economy.

The country is now beginning to achieve its status as an upcoming diamond capital in the world – with supply, cutting and polishing of these enchanting gems taking place on Botswana soil.

This is an added draw card to Botswana’s growing list.

Botswana’s achievements are due to the outstanding achievements of successive governments. These achievements have allowed the people of Botswana the room to accomplish their own successes in entrepreneurship and lifestyle. This is a highly commendable feat on the African continent and worthy of high praise and appreciation.

This is a country which has always clearly stayed close to the moral path and is proud to remain outspoken on these issues. It is a country full of creative talent and exhibits a proud heritage. Its cultural calendar is full of events of celebration and its artistic heritage is equally impressive.

Botswana’s immense natural beauty holds considerable appeal for a tourist destination. People from all over the world continue to flock to Botswana and are drawn to its open and tolerant society and unique Batswana conviviality.

I am excited to bring to you the fourth edition of Best of Botswana, in which we draw on a collection of positive growth stories harvested from government’s efforts. The people of Botswana once again proudly showcase their land – and we lovingly share this collection with you.

Our sincere thanks go to the participants showcased here in our fourth edition, as they continue to lead the way in their respective fields and help contribute to Botswana’s growing success.

Special thanks go to our sponsors for their vision and passion for Botswana – most notable are BITC, Brand Botswana and Botswana Tourism. The continued endorsement from the Government of Botswana continues to humble us. Notably, we would like to thank the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Hon Tshekedi Khama for honouring us with his Foreword.

We hope to sow back into generating further exposure for all our supporters.

Thapelo Letsholo

Sven Boermeester RedPepper PR & Communication Consultancy Thapelo Letsholo Balepeng Montwedi; Petula Kuhlman Gia Bischofberger - GVPedia Communications cc Rebecca Lovett Shout Factory - Peter Batistich PressPhoto - www.thepressphoto.com

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in ‘Best of Botswana’ vol.4. Neither ‘Best of Botswana’, RedPepper PR, nor GVPedia Communications cc assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or submissions by participators. The editor reserves the right to amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.

All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system.

Contact details: RedPepper PR & Communication Consultancy PO Box 26382 Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 3951363 Fax: +267 3951368 Email: info@redpepperprc.com www.redpepperprc.com In Partnership with: www.GVPedia.com and www.ProudlyAfrican.info Global Village Partnerships: info@GVPedia.com

Platinum Sponsor: BITC

Sven Boermeester

Gold Sponsor: Brand Botswana

Gia Bischofberger

Silver Sponsor: Botswana Tourism

Best of Botswana

9

The BEST OF

AFRICA We brand and build the image of the world’s most exciting economic regions to affect a change in the perception of a continent, a nation, a city and its people by the rest of the world.

Global Village Africa is Africa’s premier platform for showcasing and networking governments, leading companies and entrepreneurs in business, tourism and lifestyle. The ‘Best of series’ books crisply profile leading companies and innovators, as leaders within their genre.

We celebrate the success of countries, individuals and companies with ‘the good news’ editorial and pictorial imagery in the highest quality print format available.

Branding a Continent, a Nation, a City and its People

All books now available for download on your iPad with the new VIPedia app.

ChapterS 74

Botswana Sports

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

58

Future Visions

Hotels, Lodges and Resorts

Chapter 4

Chapter 3

112

92

Travel and Tourism

130

Retail and Fashion

Chapter 6

Chapter 5

120

Dining and Hospitality

148

Healthcare, Beauty and Wellness

Chapter 8

Chapter 7

136

DĂŠcor, Design and Interiors

172

Corporate Company Profiles

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

156

Investment

204

Banking

Chapter 12

Chapter 11

178

Training and Education

12

Best of Botswana

220

Insurance

Chapter 14

Chapter 13

212

Finance

246

Telecommunications and Technology

Media, Marketing, Conferencing and Events

Chapter 18 290 Chapter 20 310

304

Conservation and Sustainable Development

Chapter 22

Chapter 19

276

Chapter 17

264

Transport and Logistics

258

Real Estate and Construction

Employee Welfare and Trade Unions

Chapter 21

Mining and Minerals

Chapter 16

Chapter 15

232

Security

BEST OF

BOTSWANA Best of Botswana

13

Botswana

Africa’s Enduring Success Story It continues to amaze the new generation that the modern Botswana of today was once a poor, agrarian landlocked nation, of approximately 550,000 people in 1966 with per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of only about US$70.

Forty-eight years later, this windswept wilderness has yielded a modern and mixed economy boasting a multicultural society, world-class institutions, ingrained democratic governance and a per capita GDP of US$6,935 as of 2012.

Over the decades, poverty rates have declined from 50% at Independence in 1966, to about 21% (2012), while other wealth indicators such as vehicle density have shot up over the same period to an estimated 216 vehicles per 1,000 people. Barely 15 years after the introduction of cellular phone services, Botswana boasts one of the world’s highest teledensities at 153%, or two cellphones per three people.

The indicators are endless and include levels of household deposits (P9.9-billion as at June 2013), pension fund assets (P51.4billion by March 2013) or the P5.4-billion which individuals owed on mortgage loans as at June 2013.

For many, the discovery and subsequent mining of diamonds is solely behind Botswana’s economic miracle.

However, a look beyond the surface indicates that while diamonds did indeed trigger the wealth cycle that has produced

14

Best of Botswana

today’s multifaceted Botswana, numerous social, economic and political variables were tweaked to ensure success.

Indeed the discovery of diamonds in the sands of the Motloutse River 12 years before Independence did later trigger the establishment of the world’s wealthiest diamond mines and the immediate inflow of much-needed revenue to the young state.

However, it was the bedrock of social and economic policies adopted by the country’s leaders – namely to ensure that all citizens benefited from diamond revenues – that began the real economic miracle.

Countrywide, primary infrastructure such as roads, railways, water systems, and to an extent, power generation, was established in the years after Independence, building economic greenbelts for communities and investors alike.

The nation’s builders also kick-started the now characteristic heavy budget spend on secondary infrastructure such as health facilities, schools, post offices and law enforcement structures.

The economy slowly swung away from its agrarian base, to extractives/production as the diamond boom added onto existing

mineral activities such as copper and nickel in Selebi Phikwe, as well as coal in the early 1970s.

The miracle around the higher diamond revenues was not only limited to the roll-out of primary infrastructure, but also the attendant development of secondary services such as banking and insurance, which spiralled after having been originally established as outposts for the convenience of the South African trader.

The financial sector grew deeper from these initial services and would later offer asset management, stockbroking, accountancy and audit functions that would prove essential as the capital market took shape.

The financial sector’s growth was in turn aided largely by a policy decision from the 1973 Presidential Monetary Preparatory Commission, which recommended that Botswana leave the Rand Monetary Area and establish its own Bank of Botswana.

Twenty years after its establishment, the central bank set up a sovereign wealth fund known as the Pula Fund, to house and earn returns from consistent budget surpluses and healthy foreign exchange

reserves. The decision effectively ensured the sustainability of the diamond miracle to future generations.

More significantly however, the diamond boom of the 1970s heightened demand within the economy, initially for basic goods and services and later for higherend supplies. With this demand, investors were able to set up more sophisticated and exclusive products and services to an increasingly discerning market.

Today, the bedrock of social and economic policies that enabled the economic miracle, is sustaining it through strategies around poverty and inequality alleviation, fiscal rules in the budget as well as investment, export and trade facilitation.

As the economy slowly turns away from a fixation on the extractive sector, the services sector is increasingly coming to the fore, a fact indicated by government’s progressive approach to the establishment of oversight institutions.

In the past few years, the Competition Authority, Financial Intelligence Agency and Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority, to name a few, have been established, while another key body,

the Accountancy Oversight Authority, is presently being staffed.

Government also consults widely with the private sector on various economic initiatives to ensure that policy tracks industry requirements, with the result being that the country has largely maintained its global competitiveness despite other “miracle” stories across Africa.

Today’s Botswana, an upper middleincome country, provides numerous opportunities to investors, trade partners and visitors alike, a promise summarised in the Brand Botswana tagline, “Our Pride, Your Destination”.

Best of Botswana

15

Botswana

Still Defying The Odds

In 1966 Botswana was the second poorest country in the world with a GDP per capita of about US$70. The country inherited 6km of tarred roads, three secondary schools and six university graduates from Britain.

The adversities faced by independent Botswana included minimal investment by colonial authorities during the protectorate period, encirclement by hostile minorityruled racist states, a proclivity to drought, agricultural pests and animal diseases. Its developmental prospects at the time were considered poor to non-existent.

Now 48 years later, Botswana is part of an elite club of the world’s preeminent economic performers. By the turn of the century, Botswana’s economic situation had changed dramatically and in 34 years had graduated from low income status into the ranks of middle-income, with an average annual growth rate of about 9% from 1966 to 1999.

Botswana’s development was fuelled by the discovery of large diamond reserves.

Economic growth was supported by prudent macroeconomic and fiscal management; further enhanced by international financial

16

Best of Botswana

and technical assistance and a cautious foreign policy. Botswana had beaten the odds and continued its upward trajectory in the 21st century, despite the numerous tests and trials that confront its continued sustainable economic and environmentally friendly development.

Botswana’s business model goes international Botswana is synonymous with diamonds – brilliant, bold and glittering quality gems that dazzle, much like Botswana’s economy.

Since the early 1980s, the country has been the world’s largest producer of diamonds by value. Successive governments have wisely and prudently invested diamond revenues into all aspects of economic, social and political development.

The returns have been continuous increases and improvements in: GDP; per capita income; employment rates; foreign exchange reserves; levels of poverty; educational enrolment; literacy rates; access to health facilities; potable water and electricity; indices of human development; and ratings on transparency, governance and credit-worthiness.

The success of the ‘Botswana Incorporated’ business model has been confirmed by international development agencies, allowing Botswana to move away from simple and straightforward mining and extraction of minerals into more complex areas such as diamond beneficiation – imperative cutting and polishing processes in diamond value chain conducted in-country to maximise local economic contribution.

Botswana’s move into diamond beneficiation is about diamond processing as well as other opportunities that diamond beneficiation brings – namely increased prospects for tourism, property development, security, hotels, restaurants, and taxes. While government is committed to economic diversification away from diamonds, this does not preclude the mineral sector. As Botswana’s President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama said when speaking to “Voices of Botswana” interviewers, Botswana can and will “achieve more engines of growth and more diversification within the mineral sector itself… because diamonds are finite… and when we see the revenues we get from diamonds declining… we have identified other minerals which are going to step in and take over and take us beyond.”

The government is constantly rethinking and reformulating its business strategy, including aiding and assisting other

His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama developing nations to realise maximum gains from mining activities by sharing industry best practice. Botswana, in the spirit of South-South cooperation, has pledged to assist the Republic of Liberia in rebuilding its diamond sector.

In the private sector, Botswana’s brands have gone pan-African on the back of their local experience and success. Indigenous micro-lender Letshego Holdings, established in 1988 to give ordinary citizens access to finance through the provision of consumer lending facilities, has evolved from being merely a consumer lending entity to being a bona fide financial services company. Over the years it has introduced a broad range of innovative products and services including legal insurance, funeral insurance and personal development loans.

Letshego Uganda was launched in 2005 and is a subsidiary of Letshego Holdings Ltd. Botswana – a Botswana Stock Exchange listed company. Letshego now operates in 11 countries and over the course of the last 14 years, has developed into one of the most recognisable brands in Botswana as well as in Africa.

Choppies Enterprises Limited is the market-leading mass grocery retailer in Botswana and retails fast moving consumer goods, household goods, fruit and vegetables, meat products, as well as dry, fresh and baked goods through its

stores in Botswana and South Africa. The origins of Choppies emanate from Westside Supermarket in Lobatse – a small general dealer owned by local businessman Farouk Ismail. Choppies listed on the BSE on 26 January 2012. Today the group operates 69 retail outlets in southern Africa, comprising 53 stores in Botswana and 16 stores in South Africa with more to come. The group employs over 4200 people in Botswana and 1200 people in South Africa – on average 60 to 70 individuals per store with 98 percentile share of employment by Batswana.

Botswana breaks records and sets best practices In 2009, the CIA World Fact Book reported that Botswana’s economy was one of the fastest-growing in world history with a per capita GDP (ppp) of about US$14,000, experiencing a growth rate comparable to (and exceeding) those of the Asian tigers.

Previous personal bests accomplished

by Botswana include Mpule Kwelagobe’s crowning as Miss Universe in Trinidad and Tobago in May 1999. It was significant as Miss Universe is the most publicised and anticipated beauty pageant in the world – won by a young woman from a country in Africa with a population of less than two million.

Amantle Montsho is Botswana’s foremost female sprinter whose speciality is the

Best of Botswana

17

400m dash. She represented Botswana at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 London Summer Olympics, reaching the final in the latter. She also competed at the World Championships in Athletics and the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Indoor Championships – currently the World Champion in the 400m, winning with a personal best of 49.56 in South Korea. She is two-time African Championships gold

18

Best of Botswana

medallist over 400m, winning titles in 400m at the 2007 All-Africa Games, 2010 IAAF Continental Cup and 2010 Commonwealth Games. Her Commonwealth win made her Botswana’s first ever gold medallist there.

In 2012, Botswana athlete Nijel Amos, aged 18, became champion at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Athletics, finishing with a new championship record of 1:43.79. In the 2012 London Summer

Olympics, Amos won silver in the men’s 800m – the first Olympic medal for Botswana. His time of 1:41.73 established a new World Junior Record behind the new World Record set by David Rudisha and is tied with Sebastian Coe for third fastest individual ever.

Following the first reported case of HIV in Botswana in 1985, the country’s response was mainly focused on blood screening to eliminate the risk of transmission through blood transfusion. In 1997, it became clear that the epidemic represented a clear and present danger to national development.

In response, government went on the offensive by becoming significantly more proactive in combating the epidemic. A programme was introduced in 1999 for the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT). In August 2000, the Gates Foundation, along with the Harvard AIDS Initiative and Merck and Bristol-Myers Squibb pharmaceuticals started an HIV/ AIDS treatment program, working with the Botswana government. Antiretrovirals were dispensed at government expense. The Ministry of Education introduced a new HIV/ AIDS educational technology for schools.

The Ministry of Health led and supported a distribution programme of free prophylactics and instituted free testing and screening, with the promotion of circumcision as prevention. These have resulted in significant measurable decreases in prevalence rates, with government’s national response to HIV/ AIDS viewed as an example of international best practice by international aid agencies and organisations such as PEPFAR.

Botswana has gained necessary experience required to confront any medical emergency.

Botswana’s continued search for development solutions Botswana is unique – incorporating history, customs and traditions into solutions for its sustainable economic development.

From its colonial master Britain, it took the Westminster parliamentary system, marrying Tswana traditional practices of governance with the Westminster model. The Tswana ‘kgotla’ or traditional assembly was made a part of government structures and room was made for traditional leadership, through the creation of a House of Chiefs. This recognises the merits of the past, leading to projects such as the School of Medicine at the University of Botswana. This endeavour was derived from acknowledgment of the lack of adequate trained healthcare professionals – inspired by an appreciation of traditional basket weaving. Tswana talent to weave exquisite and intricate patterned creations, a skill requiring manual dexterity as well as attention to detail, translates into a modern day asset – the creation and construction of a locally bred, contemporary assemblage of medical practitioners and surgeons.

While most economists cite Botswana’s small population and land-locked status as economic impediments, Botswana’s President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama begs to differ, citing this as an advantage. On record with “Voices of Botswana” he stated that “Even though we don’t have direct access to ports, we don’t have a coast… we are right in the middle of the Southern African region… we are conveniently placed, well placed in terms of all the countries around us… we are constantly developing our transport network… we have recently upgraded our

major airports, we pride ourselves on our road network, which we are constantly upgrading… we are looking at two exciting railway projects to the west coast through Namibia and the east coast through Mozambique as well as IT connectivity through submarine cables of the east and west coasts… those are all things that bring it all together.”

Botswana’s government continues to find new creative solutions to complex modern development; seeking solutions and partners for economic prosperity. It seeks constructive collaboration with the international community and other African countries, seen by sharing expertise of establishing public institutions with the newly independent Republic Of South Sudan.

Botswana’s story of achievement was written because its leadership and people

dared to aspire to greatness against all odds. This attitude still serves as the backbone of its development efforts. This dedication to the pursuit of greater fortune continues to ensure Botswana’s success story.

Best of Botswana

19

Botswana at a glance Essential Fast Facts

Capital City Gaborone Area 581,730 square kilometres Country Coordinates 24.6667° S, 25.9167° E Government Multi-party democracy since Independence (30 September 1966) Population 2.04 million (2011 census) GDP growth 3.7% (2012), 5.9% (2013, Finance Ministry forecast) Inflation 6.6% (average between January and August 2013)

20

Best of Botswana

Official language English

• P12.2-billion (2023 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council)

Religion Secular (Christianity, Muslim, Hindu, Judaism, African traditional)

Spending By Locals • P3.3-billion (2012, World Travel and Tourism Council) • P3.4-billion (2013 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council) • P5-billion (2023 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council)

Currency Pula (BWP) Country Dialling Code +267 Internet domain .bw BOTSWANA TOURISM FACTS Spending By Visitors • P7.3-billion (2012, World Travel and Tourism Council) • P7.8-billion (2013 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council)

Country Visits • 2,374 million (2012 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council) • 2,498 million (2013 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council) Direct Contribution to GDP P4.8-billion or 3% of GDP (2012, World Travel and Tourism Council) P5.2-billion or 4% of forecast 2013 GDP (2013 forecast, World Travel and Tourism Council)

Employment 31,500 jobs directly or4.7% of total employment (2012, World Travel and Tourism Council) 32,500 jobs directly or 4.7% of total employment (2013, World Travel and Tourism Council) FUTURE GROWTH Various economic commentators, including government technocrats, international financiers and local analysts, are united in believing the country’s future growth is inextricably linked to its ability to diversify its economy away from a reliance on mining, particularly diamond mining. In this respect, the Economic Diversification Drive (EDD) is a focal point of diversification efforts, under which government uses its considerable purchasing power to jumpstart local enterprises through preference schemes. The multi-billion

Best of Botswana

21

Pula e-government project, designed to speed up public sector service delivery and ICT uptake countrywide, as well as other initiatives to boost national data and mobile infrastructure are expected to be channels for future private-sector led growth.

DRIVERS OF THE ECONOMY As in most economies, the two principal drivers are the public and private sector.

In Botswana however, the private sector is making a concerted effort to wean itself off a reliance on government procurement, in light of forecasts of lower public spending

22

Best of Botswana

within a decade. Within the private sector, key drivers are in mining, particularly the diamond sector which contributes significantly to the country’s foreign currency earnings and budget revenues.

Increasingly however, the non-mining private sector, particularly the services industry, is contributing to the economy as seen during the 2009 recession when mining revenues plummeted.

Another key economic driver is the Small to Medium Enterprises sector, which is a key source of employment and skills transfer as well as an anchor for demand at both local and national level.

INDUSTRY AND ENGINEERING Botswana has a growing industrial and engineering sector, supported both by government policy and infrastructure initiatives, as well as multi-national investment drawn by the available high-value market. A three-year old Trade Policy has recorded successes in using tariff and nontariff incentives for industrial development, particularly export-oriented initiatives, as seen in the growth of the non-mining sector.

Key non-mining exports include fruit juices, maize meal, cooking utensils, bottled water, motorboats, animal medication, pasta, cosmetics, chemical products, tobacco flavouring extracts and electric cables. Traditionally, local industry has been dominated by textiles, beverages, chemicals, metals, plastics, brick and tile manufacturers, milling, concrete and electrical products.

Government’s massive investment in public works, particularly since 2009, has also helped the growth of the engineering sector in Botswana around key areas such as water and aviation, as investors have latched onto the opportunities presented.

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS From being a nation of dusty gravel roads at Independence, concerted public investment over the decades has seen Botswana develop a primary and secondary road network estimated at 9,000 kilometres of world-class quality. Major trade and economic corridors include the A1 highway, stretching from the border with Zimbabwe to the border with South Africa, as well as the Trans-Kalahari Highway linking the border with South Africa to the border with Namibia.

The availability, maintenance and continuous development of national, urban and rural roads, has led to a vehicle population explosion over the years - with latest estimates pegging vehicle density at 216 per 1,000 people. Congestion, however, is also managed at urban level by various infrastructure and policy interventions, such as in Gaborone which has a Centralised Traffic Command Centre. The robust road network has allowed the blossoming of private sector players involved in the receipt, handling, dispatch, storage and delivery of containerised cargo for both import and export.

INFRASTRUCTURE The development of primary and secondary infrastructure has been a public spending priority for decades, with government allocating a minimum of 30% of the national budget on new public works, the completion of unfinished projects and maintenance of existing assets. The strategy for new projects is centred on the National Development Plan, a multi-year blueprint which identifies national societal and economic needs and matches these with planned infrastructure targets across all sectors. The development component of each national budget is derived from the prevailing National Development Plan (NDP) and its midterm review, ensuring transparency and accountability for citizens and setting expectations for the private sector and development partners.

The importance of the National Development Plans came into focus in 2009 at the height of the global recession, when

public revenues dropped significantly due to a corresponding fall in crucial mineral revenues. Despite this drop, the 2009/10 budget has been hailed by the IMF and other institutions as a triumph of countercyclical policy - as government maintained and even increased its development and recurrent expenditure running a P9.5billion deficit, in order to support economic activity and employment. The NDP was the backbone of this counter-cyclical strategy with government emphasising that each Pula spent would have to go further than in previous years, through greater

investment in self-liquidating projects as well as maintenance of existing assets. In the 2010/11 and 2011/12 budget, government ran a collective deficit of P6.7-billion, again to pull the economy out of the recession, as indicated by high growth in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, textiles, as well as water and power - according to Gross Domestic Product figures.

That these deficits were made possible by drawdowns from the sovereign wealth fund, the Pula Fund as well as concessional loans from international financiers, is testament to visionary and prudent resource

Best of Botswana

23

Selebi Phikwe and Sowa Town have all developed as a result of intensive privatesector led partnerships with government.

management, as well as the resultant high sovereign credit ratings the country has earned. The result of the prioritisation of infrastructure over the years has been the development of world-class public assets such as country-spanning highways as well as urban and rural roads, premier healthcare facilities in every corner of the country, major progress towards water and

24

Best of Botswana

electricity self-sufficiency, an ICT backbone which is the envy of the continent, as well as quality public education institutions up to tertiary level. The country’s private and civic sectors have also partnered supremely with government over the years, complementing government’s infrastructure efforts in areas such as health, education and recreational facilities. Towns such as Jwaneng, Orapa,

AVIATION The country has six major modern international airports consisting of Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi Phikwe, Kasane and Maun, which geographically cover Botswana’s urban and tourist areas; as well as one minor international facility in Gantsi, the centre of the country’s cattle farming industry.

Besides these, Botswana has six other airports recognised for use under the Southern African Customs Union, as well as another 20 aerodromes spread across the country, largely in major and minor villages.

There also exist numerous private licensed aerodromes located mainly in remote areas and which can only be used by the prior permission of the owner.

The provision of world-class aviation infrastructure and efficient customs and border services, falls under the purview of the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service and the Botswana Police Service.

In recognition of the fact that an efficient and well-developed aviation system is critical for economic competitiveness and growth, since 2008, government has invested close

to P2-billion in major airport development and expansion projects countrywide.

These include Sir Seretse Khama, Maun, Francistown, Kasane, Serowe/Palapye, Hukuntsi, Tsabong and Tsodilo, as well as improved navigational aids at several airports.

At a cost of P527-million to date, the near-complete upgrade of the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) is arguably the most critical, being the gateway for international travellers in and out of Botswana. The new facility already has a new state-of-the-art terminal building, complete with full body security scanners and modern protocols.

When fully complete it will be capable of processing up to 900 passengers per hour, while the runway which is to be extended by a kilometre will be capable of hosting large aircraft such as jumbo jets.

ROADS It is an enduring miracle that Botswana, which had 6km of tarred roads inherited from colonial masters at independence in 1966, now boasts 24,455km of countryspanning road network, which is constantly maintained, upgraded and extended. Of this, 6,616km is tarred and 1,501km is gravel.

The wealth cycle triggered by the diamond discoveries of the 1960s not only allowed government to expand the country’s

road network, but also sparked an explosion in the vehicle population due to higher per capita Gross Domestic Product. The most recent estimates place the national vehicle population at approximately 433,000, rising by an average of 20,000 every six months.

The data also places the per capita vehicle ratio at about 216 per 1,000 - which is among the highest in the developing world

and even above some European countries.

This high vehicle population has resulted in policymakers adopting a keenly visionary approach to development of the road network, roping in acclaimed consultants to forecast demand and other indicators before embarking on road development. Key road projects such as the Dibete-Mahalapye stretch, as well as economic corridors such

Best of Botswana

25

as highways to Zimbabwe and South Africa (Gaborone – Ramotswa), have all benefited from intensive capital outlay in recent years.

Within the capital Gaborone, major roads improvement is continually conducted with a view to easing congestion, upgrading quality and overall, improving access to visitors and residents alike. A Centralised Traffic Command Centre and construction of three traffic junctions are planned for the city going forward, with designs due in the current financial year.

Indicative of government’s commitment to the development of the road network, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has been one of the biggest beneficiaries in the development budget in recent years. In the current budget (2013/14), the Ministry received the second largest allocation of P1.85-billion (16.62% of the development budget) with P728.5-million accounted for

by Bitumen and Trunk Road improvement projects.

RAIL While no extensions of the rail network have been done in recent years, government has made prioritised multi-million Pula support to Botswana Railways in order to boost its

26

Best of Botswana

capacity to deliver world-class rail services to industry.

Particular attention has been paid to maintaining and expanding the parastatal’s ability to tap into goods traffic, outgoing, incoming and transit, in order to support economic activities such as coal, salt and soda ash mining.

Indicative of this support, Botswana Railways last year purchased 160 specialised wagons to convey bulk chemical grade salt from Sua Pan in Botswana to Sasol Polymer in South Africa. In addition, the country’s massive coal export potential was first unlocked last year via a trial run from Sese in northern Botswana to Maputo in Mozambique. The route has been used for transportation of fuel and thanks to the viability shown by the trial, will soon add commercial quantities of coal exports onto its list of commodities. The trial was also seen as a triumph for public and private sector cooperation, with the Botswana Railways teaming up with Australian energy developer, African Energy Resources.

The same cooperation has also seen the commencement of coal exports from Morupule Coal Mine through Durban, while the governments of Botswana and Namibia

are set to sign a bilateral agreement paving the way for the construction of the private sector-led US$11-billion Trans-Kalahari Railway to Walvis Bay. Studies are also continuing into the development of the Ponta Techobanine heavy haul railway and deep seaport in Mozambique, which will give local producers of minerals and other commodities an eastern export route through the eastern state. Much like the Trans Kalahari Railway, the Ponto Techobanine Inter Regional Heavy Haul Railway project is expected to facilitate the development of mining, investment and manufacturing opportunities that have been stunted in Botswana due to lack of seaport facilities for the importation of material and components, and exports of ore, products and finished commodities.

WATER AND ELECTRICITY The Government of Botswana’s primary goal in the water sector over the years has been to develop an integrated and efficient system able to support household and industry demand, while based on the conservation ethos. Being a semi-arid country, government policy and its engagement with private sector actors has been focussed on harnessing the country’s meagre water resources for the use of all Batswana, regardless of their location.

To this end, multi-billion Pula investments have been made and continue to be made in water resource development projects, with specific interventions being dams, cross-country pipelines, water technology, such as the wastewater initiative planned

for Greater Gaborone and agro-commercial infrastructure.

The multi-billion Pula Dikgatlhong, Thune and Lotsane dams, with a collective capacity of 530 million cubic metres are now complete, serving both local communities as well as the country at large. The government is also collaborating with the private sector in the plan to draw about 495 million cubic metres of water per annum from the Chobe/Zambezi River system for the planned Zambezi Integrated Commercial Development Project at Pandamatenga, the country’s agricultural heart.

Efforts are also on-going to source water from neighbouring countries. One such initiative involves a cross-border water project to augment water supply in some parts of Kgalagadi region and Southern Botswana.

Botswana’s long-held dream of electricity self-sufficiency took a giant leap forward this year, with the nearcompletion of the 600MW Morupule B power station. Forecasts indicate that the P11-billion facility, complimented by the 120MW baseload Morupule A and a 90MW power peaking plant, will be sufficient to meet the country’s needs up to 2016.

To cater for the period after that, government has also floated the eagerly awaited Independent Power Producer tenders for the installation and supply of 600MW of green and brownfield power.

Adjudication is expected, with the winning bidders obligated to go on stream from 2016.

Best of Botswana

27

Botswana Economy Overview

Botswana is Africa’s miracle story, part of an elite club, that of the world’s preeminent economic performers

Botswana is an upper-middle income country which recorded a total estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices of P109.8-billion last year, with growth at 3.7%.

Published data indicates that between 1994 and 2012, GDP growth on a quarter by quarter basis averaged 1.2% in US dollar terms, reaching an all-time high of 13.4% in June of 1997 and a record low of -14.4% in March of 2009 during the global recession.

The economy is dominated by a few sectors with mining on average contributing about 40% of GDP. Within this, diamond extraction has traditionally accounted for more than one-third of GDP - almost all export earnings and half of the government’s revenues. Other key sectors are tourism, financial services, construction, and agriculture.

However, since the global recession of 2009 and its impact on the demand for commodities, the mining sector has fallen from its traditional heights to 24.7% in 2011 and an estimated 19.6% last year.

Over the same time, counter-cyclical policies by government have seen non-mining sectors rise to the fore, led by sectors such as construction, manufacturing, water, elec-

28

Best of Botswana

tricity, as well as services such as financials, hospitality and tourism.

The government also plays a significant role in the economy, contributing on average over 15% to total GDP. Botswana is a very open economy with exports representing a large proportion of GDP. The economy has no exchange controls and is a member of a number of regional and international organisations. These include the Southern African Development Community, Southern African Customs Union, African Development Bank, the African Union, the International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group and the United Nations.

Central and quasi-government agencies have generally led several policy initiatives to stimulate the economy, particularly during and after the global recession. These efforts have centred on the counter-cyclical measures through which government dipped into the sovereign wealth fund as well as international credit finance to support economic activity by expanding procurement.

Indicative of this, the treasury ran multibillion Pula budget deficits between 2009/10 and 2011/12 as part of the plan to boost

economic activity by continued and expanded investment in planned public infrastructure projects.

Besides these policies, government established the National Doing Business Committee in May 2011 to tackle challenges identified in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report and the World Bank’s Doing Business Report. The Committee’s activities are powered by a committee within Cabinet, which is Botswana’s supreme decision-making organ.

Targeted challenges include various bureaucratic and technical bottlenecks, technological readiness, innovation, business sophistication and poor work ethic.

To date the e-government initiative, as led by the P980-million 2011 - 2016 National E-Government Strategy, has helped introduce various e-services such as business licencing, company and name registration, as well as efforts which are underway to establish tax e-filing. When fully rolled-out, it is envisaged the e-government project will give investors, households and other stakeholders access to more than 300 services through the government portal

such as application for visas, building permits, patents or trademarks, replacement of birth certificates, vehicle licensing, company registration and requests for moving livestock.

Another key initiative to stimulate the economy has been the Economic Diversification Drive under which government seeks to grow employment and wealth in Small, Medium and Micro-Enterprises (SMMEs) by redirecting its considerable purchasing power. To date, at least P4-billion in government procurement has been channelled towards qualifying SMME manufacturers, service providers and suppliers, contributing to economic capacity.

The Bank of Botswana has also come to the party this year, stimulating the economy via bank rate reductions, as part of the accommodative monetary policy stance adopted last year. The bank rate, at 8%, is at an alltime low.

Workers have not been forgotten in the push to ramp up economic activity, with amendments to the Trade Disputes Act due before Parliament before next year. The amendments are primarily designed to iron out unnecessary delays in resolving disputes.

In addition, policymakers are developing a National Occupational Health and Safety Policy, which will link increased productivity to improved working conditions.

Best of Botswana

29

Top 20 Reasons to Do Business in Botswana

Monirul Bhuiyan/Press Photo

1. Political Stability Botswana has successfully held ten general elections since Independence in 1966, with another scheduled for 2014.

Each election has been a multiparty affair in keeping with the constitutionallyentrenched democratic provisions. As Africa’s longest standing democracy, political stability is a key stimulant to invest in Botswana.

30

Best of Botswana

2. Safety and Security Botswana boasts one of Africa’s and the world’s most secure and safe countries, with low, stable rates of various crimes and well-trained law enforcement equipped with the latest crime prevention strategies and equipment. The country has either no or very little exposure to global vices such as terrorism, cyber-crimes, money laundering and others.

3. Corruption Over the years, international studies have consistently ranked Botswana among the world’s least corrupt countries, a position

buttressed by several public, private and civic anti-corruption entities as well as a well-established ethos instilled in the country’s economic sectors.

4. Top Sovereign Credit Rating Botswana has long been among a handful of countries worldwide to enjoy top-notch credit ratings for both their economic outlooks and political stability. One such last rating, published by Standard & Poor’s in July 2013 ranked Botswana ‘A-’ and ‘A-2’ for the long and short terms, respectively based on strong government balance sheet, well managed economy and a long record of political stability.

5. Foreign Exchange Policy Botswana does not have foreign exchange controls nor restrictions on capital outflows of capital from financial institutions, freeing up cash flow movements for investors. In addition, since 2005, the country has used the crawling peg mechanism as its exchange rate policy, keeping the Pula competitive

based on the inflation differential in major trading partners.

6. Stable Inflation A major component of the country’s macro-economic policy has been to attain a low, stable and predictable level of inflation in order to maintain the economy’s global competitiveness and while preserving value for investors and resident businesses alike. Helped also by appropriate monetary policy, inflation has largely been kept at or near set parameters over the years, and has been downtrending since the global recession.

7. Taxation The World Bank’s Doing Business Report as well as the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report have both highlighted the comparatively low levels of taxation in Botswana as an incentive to investment. In recent years, fiscal changes have been made to simplify the taxation regime, as well as methods of payment to further consolidate this position.

Best of Botswana

31

8. Information and Communication Technology Government and the private sector have poured billions of Pula over the years into the development of the country’s ICT backbone, with the rapid roll-out of data, Internet and voice services and increased uptake by businesses and citizens. By the end of 2012, mobile phone subscriptions were measured at 3.08 million (153 percent teledensity), while broadband subscribers were pegged at 18,838 from 6,000 in 2008. Mobile internet subscribers were measured at 339,926 from nearly zero a decade earlier.

9. Infrastructure Since Independence, Botswana has heavily invested in the nationwide roll-out of primary and secondary infrastructure, bringing world-class roads, dams, electricity, ICT installations to urban, rural and tourist areas.

Since 2009, infrastructure spend has peaked as part of an initiative to pull the economy out of the recession while also sticking to projects outlined in the National Development Plan. Maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure has also been a policy priority.

32

Best of Botswana

10. Institutions Investors in Botswana in their various areas of enterprise are guaranteed sufficient institutional support, without the attendant over-regulation, as a result of the global benchmarking and consultations undertaken prior to the establishment of these institutions.

Today, the country boasts institutions such as an investment and trade centre, financial services centre, financial intelligence agency, competition authority, local enterprise authority, accountancy oversight authority and others.

11. Investor Protection The entrenchment of the rule of law in Botswana from Independence to date and the subsequent enactment and enforcement of investor protection laws in the country, makes it a rarity in a world turning towards resource nationalisation and protectionism. The country is a signatory to the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and other agreement ensuring maximum security for investors.

12. Enforcing Contracts The country’s bedrock of local laws and

international agreements has seen it most recently ranked 68th in the world out of 185 economies for enforcement of contracts by the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2013. The country has a competitive number of procedures, days and cost for contract enforcement which are continuously under review by a committee in the nation’s highest decision-making organ, Cabinet.

13. Resolving Insolvency The World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2013 ranks Botswana 29th among 185 economies for the ease of resolving insolvency with a recovery rate of approximately 65 cents per dollar invested and a duration estimated at 1.7 years. The duration compares with 3.4 for subSaharan Africa and 1.7 for the OECD. 14. Accessing Credit Financial and capital markets in Botswana are among the most sophisticated in Africa, boasting numerous home grown players as well as offshoots of established international groups. A recent Rand Merchant Bank survey placed Botswana among the top five easiest countries in Africa to access a bank loan, while

the World Enterprises Survey showed that Botswana boasts the highest percentage of firms with bank loans or lines of credit in Africa.

have their application for planning permission approved locally instead of waiting for a sitting of the Town and Country Planning Board in Gaborone.

15. Trading Across Borders Being a landlocked country has traditionally limited Botswana’s competitiveness in lowering the cost and duration of cross-border trade.

However, heavy infrastructure spend in aviation, roads, railways and border control as well as policy improvements in trade have helped improve ease of trading across borders from Botswana. Of late, significant investments have been made in automating border controls with the introduction of a scanner at the busy South African border at Tlokweng to boost costs and times taken for trade.

17. High-net Worth Market While much has been made of the fact that Botswana’s population is only 2.04 million, the far less spoken story is that this is a high-net worth market of sophisticated consumers. The country’s per capita GDP has risen from an estimated US$70 at Independence in 1966, to the US$7,000 recorded in December last year. The country’s government, private sector and households have the ability to pay for high value goods as seen in the explosion of the retail sector in the past decade.

16. Registering Property The World Bank’s ranks Botswana 51st among 185 countries for the procedures, time and cost of registering property. Legislative improvements have also been passed to assist faster property development, which include the recent passing of amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act. The improved Act will allow investors in far areas to

18. Literate Population Botswana’s heavy investment in education over the years has yielded dividends in data pegging the country’s literacy rate (among citizens aged 15 and above) at about 81 percent. At this level, Botswana is Africa’s 12th most literate nation, a significant achievement given the low access levels of primary and secondary education at Independence.

19. Skilled Population The country has developed significant human resource skills across mining, construction, financial services, tourism and travel as well as other key economic sectors over the years. A network of local and international universities/colleges, accreditation and certification bodies ensures that quality standards are kept to world standards, while government policy ensures that the skills being produced match industry requirements.

20. Labour Relations Relations between employers and employees in Botswana have traditionally been amicable, particularly when compared with other parts of the continent.

In the public sector, several pieces of legislation and tripartite agreements guide dispute resolution, while private sector entities have similar agreements based on existing laws. The existence of national laws, dispute resolution institutions and enterprise level agreements have erased the need for militancy among unions over the years.

Best of Botswana

33

Experience Botswana Visit Botswana now

Tourism A study undertaken seven years ago during the development of Botswana’s national brand strategy revealed that globally, the word “Botswana� triggered images of diamonds and safaris. When participants were asked what immediately came to their minds at the mention of the word Botswana, nearly all responded safaris, diamonds or both. The reason is simple: no other place on Earth offers an unspoilt, rugged, majestic, cathartic and primal tourism experience like Botswana.

With more than 17% of the total land area reserved as game reserves and national parks, the country offers the discerning tourist an unforgettable experience under the African sky. From the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, to the mystery of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the average of 2.3 million visitors and thousands

34

Best of Botswana

more domestic tourists are continually discovering the wonders of Botswana.

History Botswana has a rich history dating back to its occupation by San populations from the Cape and the subsequent arrival of Bantu “Tswana” tribes following the Zulu kingdom wars of the 19th century known as Difaqane.

Bechuanaland, as Botswana was once known, applied for and received status as a British protectorate, following hostilities between locals, Boer settlers and the Ndebele later in the same century. Led by patriot Khama the Great from the Bagamangwato tribe, Botswana crystallised into a nation of diverse and united tribes which resisted assimilation into South Africa and ultimately gained independence in 1966. Since then, various nation-builders at traditional and political level helped establish the pillars of self-reliance, national unity, Botho (Ubuntu), democracy, good governance, justice and equality.

Botswana – The Good Life A cosmopolitan and peaceful country, Botswana has earned a reputation as the diamond of Africa; a safe environment to live, work and play. The stability and good governance over the decade, coupled with healthy economic growth and distribution, has helped develop one of Africa’s most desirable living addresses. Each year,

thousands of people migrate to live, work and study in Botswana, while millions more visit to experience the serene beauty of one of Africa’s few middle-income countries. Public and private investment into sports, recreation and entertainment have also added lustre to the Botswana experience, while values inherited from the nation’s founders have helped keep crime and corruption at globally low levels.

Food and Cuisine As the world turns to more natural, additivefree and organic diets, Setswana cuisine – the traditional foods and meals of Botswana – have become wildly popular both locally and internationally. Setswana diet staples such as sorghum and millet have spawned numerous dedicated internet pages filled with mouth-watering recipes; while locally, an increasing number of cultural food expos are being successfully held to showcase the local cuisine. With millions of tourists entering the country annually, culinary tourism is beginning to take off in Botswana, with attendees spreading the good news by word of mouth.

Of significance is the annual Letlhafula festival held between May and August and featuring a bounty of Setswana dishes and beverages for sampling. Letlhafula, the Setswana word for harvest, was the source of the first edition of Botswana Traditional Recipes, a Setswana cuisine cookbook.

Best of Botswana

35

Outdoor / Bush Life Botswana’s rugged wilderness hosts hundreds of camps, lodges and scenic sites for the off-the-beaten track traveller interested in getting up close and personal with the flora and fauna. Outdoor camping and bush living activities have become increasingly popular as more tourists shy away from traditional hotels and lodges in favour of a more natural African experience.

Operators in the tourism belt in the north and south-west of the country have responded to the trend by developing an array of safe, enjoyable and unforgettable tourist experiences to allow the willing traveller to “rough it”. Driven by a desire for the rustic, many tourists have marvelled at being able to brush shoulders with elephants at a campsite in the bush, track other animals with experienced guides and enjoy a sun downer with a crackling wood fire and the energetic pulse of the nocturnal fauna.

Blue Skies Most visitors to Botswana leave struck by

36

Best of Botswana

its wide-open blue sky, an unsurprising phenomenon given that the country receives approximately 3,200 hours of sunshine each year or 21 millijoules per square metre per day. In fact, the country has an average 300 sunny days each year and a monthly average of eight hours of sunshine a day - mostly in the temperature region of 30 degree Celsius.

Unlike other areas where hostile weather plays havoc with or limits travel plans, visitors to Botswana are generally assured of bright, sunny days with musky evenings and warm nights. The country’s blue skies have also given rise to an increasing number of air events, such as the recent Botswana International Air Show which featured vintage and modern civilian and military aircraft performing manoeuvres.

Melting Pot of Cultures Botswana comprises approximately 34 different ethnic groups, with eight of these defined as the major tribes and headed by paramount chiefs. The country’s genesis from Difaqane-linked migrants from South

Africa, to the inflow of groups from the north and west over the decades, in addition to the original San, has led to a rich mixture of citizens and other residents. The country’s wealth miracle over the years has also attracted migrants from all over the world, most significantly from neighbouring Zimbabwe, who have assimilated and added further variety to the existing diversity.

However, even in its diversity, the country has remained focussed on the guiding principle of botho (Ubuntu/ humanity to others) through which the various tribes interact and are united as a nation.

Vibrant Cities While the majority of visitors to Botswana naturally flow to the tourist heartland in the north and south-west, the fast-developing metropolises of Gaborone and Francistown, with their mod-cons and urban attractions, are gaining popularity. From conference delegates, to urban tourists, to local residents - these blossoming cities beat with an urban rhythm and provide the quality and conveniences of other world-class cities.

Gaborone in particular has enjoyed quick-fire growth through multi-billion Pula private sector investments in the new Central Business District - an area now renowned for showcasing the latest architectural designs and facilities. Several international studies have highlighted how lucrative Gaborone and Francistown’s retail and office space markets are, being proven by the fast pace of development in both cities.

Waterways – Okavango by Mokoro One of the world’s largest inland deltas, as well as being one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, the Okavango Delta is a symbol of the natural dichotomy that many find irresistible about Botswana - an eleven cubic kilometre stretch of water fanning out into the desert. The delta, easily Botswana’s

most recognisable natural feature, provides a home to an estimated 200,000 large animals including all members of the Big Five - being the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros.

However, it is impossible to conclude a trip to the Okavango without spotting its natural transport - the traditional dugout canoe known as Mokoro in Setswana.

A traditional mekoro (mokoro plural) is painstakingly crafted from tree trunks and hollowed out using hand-tools. Tourists who have meandered through the Okavango’s calm waters on a mekoro have reported slipping into dreamy, trance-like states broken only by sightings of the many “wild” residents of the area.

Roads to be Driven The world’s most watched factual TV show, Top Gear, once asked its viewers to vote for their top ten most popular episodes over its 11-year history. The winners? A 2007 trip

the three popular hosts took to Botswana was voted number four, while another questionnaire via social media ranked it the best of all time! In the episode, the three hosts started from the Botswana/Zimbabwe border and drove 1,600 kilometres to the Namibian border, crossing over the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in the process.

Botswana is a land of wide open spaces and – due to heavy investment in transport infrastructure – thousands of kilometres of quality roads to travel while taking in the unblemished terrain.

Paths to be Taken In the plethora of activities tourists have to choose from in Botswana, walking safaris are a relatively unknown but highly enjoyable pursuit. A number of operators specialise in walking safaris, with their pathways leading deep into the animal and plant kingdom for which Botswana is renowned. Guided by experienced and trustworthy guides,

Best of Botswana

37

tourists trace the steps ancient hunters took in search of their targets, or simply bask in the healing powers of the African wilderness. None of the walks are vigorous and emphasis is on safety and the unique enjoyment that can only come from retracing old hippo trails.

Unique Animals to Behold Botswana is a natural game reserve for most animals found in southern Africa, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, African buffalo, hyenas, and 22 species of antelope. The duiker (a small, horned antelope), wildebeest (gnu), and springbok (gazelle) are also familiar. Bird species reported are 593 out of which eight species are under the globally threatened category.

From the cute and cuddly to the fierce and fearsome, the depth of Botswana’s array of wildlife is among the greatest in Africa.

38

Best of Botswana

Local Cultures Heritage or cultural tourism has properly taken off in Botswana in the last two decades, as visitors have expressed interest in understanding the people of the land, their stories and their artefacts. Of the estimated 34 tribes, groups such as the Basarwa (San) and BaHerero stand out for their unique culture and traditions. The San are the original inhabitants of Botswana, a nomadic, spiritual group of people who have maintained their hunter-gatherer traditions even to the present day. Known as Basarwa in the local dialects, the San have made the harsh Kalahari Desert their home by adapting to it over hundreds of years. BaHerero, an offshoot of the Namibian tribe of the same name, are well-known for their colourful attire, headgear and rites. Heritage sites are also scattered all over the country and include Tsodilo Hills, Gcwihaba Caves, Domboshaba Ruins, Lekhubu Island, Moremi Gorge,

Lepokole Hills, Majojo Ruins, Matsieng, Three Dikgosi, Livingstone Memorial, Manyana Rock Paintings and Mogonye Gorges.

Events and Destinations Galore The calendar year is replete with various cultural and entertainment events scattered across the country, which help to bring communities and visitors closer. Notable events include the Maitisong Festival, Tjilenje Cultural Festival held in Nlapkhwane in the north-east, the wildly popular Toyota 1000 Desert Race held over winter, the Kuru San Dance Festival, the Domboshaba Festival and the Khawa Dune Challenge held recently in the small village of Khawa, located in the southern Kgalagadi district. Fashion and beauty shows are also significant and include Miss Botswana, the Gaborone Fashion Week and the Miss Universe pageant which attract scores of urbanites.

Best Places to Stay Over the years, the country’s hospitality industry has ballooned with numerous urban, rural and tourist facilities opening up. The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) initiative to grade these facilities has also enhanced quality standards and allowed for the standardisation of service and expectations across the industry.

Gaborone alone boasts several world-class accommodation centres which include the five-star Peermont Walmont, Mondior, Gaborone Sun, Cresta Marakanelo’s President Hotel and Cresta Lodge, the one year old four-star Lansmore Hotel and the newly opened Town Lodge Gaborone, part of the South African chain. The tourist heartland, on the other hand, is dotted with world-class hotels, lodges and camps offering industrybeating luxury in the proximity of the safari experience.

City Breaks Minutes away from Gaborone and Francistown are various entertainment and leisure facilities, designed to provide a break from the urban jungle. Innovative entrepreneurs have developed several of these facilities to tap into the crowd seeking a breather from the fast-paced city life found in both Gaborone and Francistown.

For Gaborone urbanites, city breaks include the Gaborone Game Reserve, Lion Park Resort with its diverse activities such as the amusement centre and waterslides, the 12,500 acre Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and the Polokwe View Point which offers picnic facilities in scenic surroundings about 35 minutes from Gaborone. Francistown dwellers take their breaks at one of several scenic destinations including Woodlands Stop Over, Wayside View Chalets, River View Villa, and Shashe Mooke village which offers beach volleyball in a landlocked country.

Rural Retreats Nearly all of the more than 240 villages in Botswana hold hidden attractions, which in most cases can only be found by the resolute traveller. In the tourist belt in the north-west, villages are often close to scenic destinations and offer the additional benefit of heritage activities away from the mainstream tourist venues. According to one tourism website (touristlink.com) the villages of Palapye, Gabane and Tshabong were voted the three top rural retreats for visitors, offering a variety of leisure and entertainment activities.

Family Friendly The hospitality industry in Botswana has built itself around the concept of wholesome satisfaction to all, irrespective of age, creed or other singularities. All hotels, lodges,

camps and leisure centres offer familyoriented activities under the “fun for the whole family” principle, whether this involves game drives or camping activities. The development of quality infrastructure and placement of social services such as health, police and internet access in the proximity of tourism activities has enabled operators to offer the full family experience.

Best of Botswana

39

People of Botswana The Real Resource

Botswana is renowned for the abundance of its natural resources, from its various precious minerals, stunning flora and fauna and wide open skies. However, of all its endowments, visitors agree that its single most incredible – and possibly most inconspicuous – is its people.

According to the Botswana Centre for Human Rights, the country has approximately 34 different ethnic groups, with eight of these defined as the principle tribes. It is from all the ethnic groups, as well as the migrant cultures that have settled over the years, that the country’s values, sociosystems, aspirations and ultimately its model of governance have evolved into Africa’s longest democracy and a shining example of tranquillity and stability.

Despite the diversity of tribes and cultures, national unity was established by the young nation’s early builders who were quick to build a legacy of governance

40

Best of Botswana

principles around the spirit of botho (mutual respect/humanity). This spirit and its impact on the people of Botswana is evident in founding philosophies such as the equitable sharing of resources for the enhancement of all citizens, regardless of tribal singularities.

At governance levels, the same principles enabled the entrenchment of a governance system incorporating communities, tribal chiefs, councillors, legislators and ministers, with all roles enshrined in a democratic constitution.

Funded by revenues from mining, tax, customs duties and other sources, the rollout of primary and secondary infrastructure, massive investment in human development and the creation of national savings were all underpinned by the ideal of ensuring that all Batswana benefit from the country’s resources.

Over the years, these founding principles have ensured that no single

group was left behind in the economic miracle triggered by the discovery of diamonds in the late 1960s and the subsequent on-going development of a diversified knowledge-based economy.

Powered by these revenues, the country established universal access to primary education, subsidised access to health care, various poverty alleviation initiatives including a destitute programme, as well as free antiretroviral drug therapy in response to the AIDS pandemic.

As a result, the founding principles have produced a highly literate, hospitable, welltrained and tolerant nation of innovative and competitive citizens - ideals espoused in the Vision 2016 document, a national, multi-sectoral blueprint to propel its socio-

economic and political development into a competitive, winning and prosperous nation.

A visitor to Botswana today will find a warm, friendly and accommodative people of all creeds and colours, with a rich cultural history shared in the spirit of botho.

Aided by the robust human development initiatives over the years, the visitor will be able to immerse themselves in the experience, places and activities which authentically represent the stories and people of the past.

Each corner of the country offers a unique cultural and historical experience for the visitor and the opportunity to learn first-hand the journey that built peoples of diverse paths and tongues into the modern nation of Botswana.

Best of Botswana

41

Botswana Icons

Ruth and Seretse Khama “One of the greatest love stories the world has ever known”

As a law student studying in London in 1948, Seretse Khama sent a letter home to Serowe, Bechuanaland, the effects of which he could not have predicted. In the letter, he informed his uncle and guardian Tshekedi Khama of his intention to marry Ruth Williams, an English woman, with the full expectation of his uncle objecting to the union.

After all, as the son of Sekgoma Khama, and the grandson of the famous Kgosi Khama the Great, he was the Kgosi of the influential Bangwato tribe. Tradition dictated that his wife would be the mother of the tribe, and surely he could not select the mother of the tribe on his own and from as far-flung a place as London, England.

While he expected his uncle to object, Seretse Khama did not bargain on his

42

Best of Botswana

marriage tearing the tribe apart and creating an international political plot involving Britain, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia.

Born in Serowe (in the then British Bechuanaland Protectorate) in 1921, Seretse – named for binding clay because of a recent reconciliation between his father and grandfather – was named Kgosi of the Bangwato, at only four years old, upon the death of his father.

Lonely and sickly as a child, he was nonetheless sent to boarding schools in South Africa, and later attended Fort Hare University College, graduating with a BA Degree in 1944. His uncle sent him to England for law school in 1945.

In 1947, as a law student at the Temple, Seretse met Ruth Williams, a clerk with a

Lloyds underwriting company. Ruth, born in 1923 in Blackheath, South London, was the daughter of a retired Indian Army captain. She had left high school during the Second World War to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, and had served as an ambulance driver.

Her professed love of dancing and jazz led to her chance meeting with Seretse at a London Missionary Society (LMS) dance, and sparked what Kenyan statesman Julius Nyerere described as “one of the greatest love stories the world has ever known”.

When Seretse’s uncle learnt of his nephew’s intention to marry a white English girl, he tried to stop the marriage through the British High Commissioner. The turmoil surrounding the young couple unnerved the cleric who had agreed to marry them, and he passed their marriage request to the Bishop of London.

The Bishop himself was under enormous pressure from the British government not to marry the two lovebirds, and said he could only marry them if the government agreed.

In the end, the two were married in a register office. An immediate result of their marriage was Ruth being fired from her job, and her father chasing her out of their family home.

But that was not to be the only objection to their marriage. In Serowe, Seretse’s uncle Tshekedi Khama asked him to give up his wife in order to become the Kgosi.

When Seretse refused, and when the tribe eventually supported Seretse, Tshekedi moved into self-imposed exile with a group of his supporters.

Sir Godfrey Huggins, then prime minister of Southern Rhodesia announced that he had written to the high commissioner of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland saying it would be “disastrous” if Seretse was allowed to become the Kgosi of Bangwato. In nearby South Africa, Prime Minister DF Malan, one of the architects of apartheid, asked the British government to oppose the marriage, describing it as “nauseating”.

Under pressure from South Africa, from where they needed uranium and gold, the British government invited Seretse back to London, ostensibly for discussions regarding the future of the tribe. Seretse accepted the invitation, leaving his pregnant wife in Serowe.

Upon his arrival in London, Seretse was met with a bewildering proposition from Philip Noel-Baker, the Labour government’s Secretary of State for Commonwealth relations. He was asked to surrender all

claims to the chieftainship in return for an annual allowance of £1,000.

When he refused, he was told that he was banished from Bechuanaland for five years, and in 1952, with Ruth having joined him in England, he was told the banishment was permanent.

Eventually in 1956, in the midst of intense international media pressure, and after the Bangwato had written to the Queen to demand the return of their Kgosi, the British government allowed Seretse and Ruth to return home – a triumphant example of enduring love that did not give up in the face of family pressure, cultural differences, separation, racism and immense pressure from powerful governments.

Further, at a time when racism was the norm in states like South Africa, their lifelong love was a symbol of a new era of acceptance and tolerance. Their moving love story provided the inspiration for the movie Guess Who is Coming to Dinner, starring Sidney Poitier, himself a leading light for African Americans in cinema.

As a founding president of independent Botswana in 1966, despite being president of what was then known as one of the poorest countries in the world, and despite the country’s proximity to powerful racist regimes in South Africa and Rhodesia, Seretse used these lessons of tolerance and patience to develop a democracy whose enduring legacy is of equality and nonracism.

Further, he was concerned about the future of other countries in the Southern African region, having a vision of the region, after colonialism and apartheid, as a peaceful and prosperous region. Known as one of the “Front-Line Presidents,” Seretse was among the key founders of what has since become known as the Southern African Development Community.

Seretse, who was knighted and known as Sir Seretse Khama, served four terms as president before he died in 1980. Ruth, whose other legacy was as a tireless charity worker died in May 2002. The couple had a daughter and three sons, with two of the latter later becoming the current President of Botswana and the current Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.

What started as a romance between a young law student and a former ambulance driver laid the template for the nationbuilding principles of inclusiveness, mutual respect and unity, a model countries around the world are still fighting to emulate.

Best of Botswana

43

Botswana Icons

Sanji Mmasenono Monageng

Photo by: Robert Vos

The first Motswana to be appointed to the International Criminal Court

Judge Sanji Monageng is arguably Botswana’s prime export to the global arena of dispute resolution and justice. The Serowe-born human rights advocate has had an illustrious, meteoric and trailblazing legal career, overcoming systemic gender challenges in the profession to record several “firsts” within and outside Botswana.

While it is a well-known fact that Justice Monageng was the first Motswana to be appointed to the International Criminal Court in March 2009, that achievement belies the numerous pioneering feats she achieved coming from a humble background as a University of Botswana graduate in 1987.

Starting from the position of magistrate after her graduation, Justice Monageng rose to the level of principal magistrate and then High Court Judge in 1989; in total gaining ten years of invaluable experience in practical legal affairs dealing in criminal cases, in both the adult and juvenile courts.

Her experience in civil cases and areas such as maintenance, children and women’s issues as well as employment matters, shaped the legal personality that would later be spotted at global level via her appointment to the ICC. One of her many firsts was her pioneering efforts in 1997 to establish the

44

Best of Botswana

Law Society of Botswana, single-handedly setting up and running the fledgling body as its first Chief Executive Officer. In this capacity, she was responsible for the dayto-day administration of the office and the affairs of the Society, continuing in this role until 2006.

Another first for her occurred later in 2006 when the Commonwealth Secretariat, impressed by her track record in Botswana, recruited Justice Sanji Monageng as a judge of the High Court of Gambia, recruited by the Commonwealth Secretariat, responsible for the trial of criminal cases and, on occasion, civil cases as well as appeals from the magistrates courts.

Two years later, Justice Monageng was also appointed as a High Court judge for the Kingdom of Swaziland by the Commonwealth Secretariat, where she was responsible for trying criminal and civil cases, as well as constitutional matters.

In March 2009, the ICC’s Assembly of State Parties appointed Justice Monageng as a judge for a nine-year term, crowning her years of dedicated service to the arena of human rights advocacy.

The Assembly is the ICC’s management oversight and legislative body composed of representatives of the states that have

ratified and acceded to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding charter.

Nearly two years to the day of her initial ICC appointment, Justice Monageng was elected First Vice-President of the global court, an extremely influential position which involves providing strategic leadership to the ICC as a whole, as well as being responsible for the proper administration of the Court.

Besides this career path, Justice Monageng has over the years performed numerous luminary roles such as her appointment in 2003 as a member of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which solidified her knowledge of international and national systems.

Justice Monageng was later appointed the Commission’s chairperson in November 2007 and also chaired one of the Commission’s special mechanisms - the Follow-up Committee on torture, inhumane, She has also undergone several residencies and secondments over the years, as well as enjoying membership of various local and international human rights organisations.

At the heart of Justice Monageng’s achievements over the years has been her faultless passion for human rights, particularly women’s rights, indigenous peoples and communities, torture and children.

The ICC Vice President has been involved in women’s empowerment and gender mainstreaming at local and international level, being a member of Emang Basadi, a local gender advocacy group as well as Women in Law and Development in Africa.

In her own words: “It’s an uphill struggle to succeed as a woman. As women we always have to work extra hard to prove that we can do it. There are so many obstacles on the road to success but the only thing that one can do is to stay focussed.”

She is a member of many international organisations including the International Association of Women Judges, the International Commission of Jurists and the International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law – and was a Board Member of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa for three years.

For a young girl with a love for phane (local Setswana cuisine consisting of mophane worms), Justice Monageng is the embodiment of the true spirit of nobility – doing what is right, to achieve what is good.

Moutlakgola Nwako

Sunday Standard Newspaper

Many outside Botswana would find it far-fetched to connect a boyhood of herding cattle to an illustrious political career, and yet that is the route taken by numerous architects of modern day Botswana

One of these, Moutlakgola Palgrave Kediretswe Nwako, rose from that thankless childhood pursuit in his native Central District to walking the hallowed halls of power as the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Born on 6 August 1922, Nwako spent the bulk of his formative years herding and looking after the family cattle, only coming into contact with education at 14 years of age. At that ripe age, he was sent for primary schooling at Khama Memorial School in Serowe.

In 1943, a 21-year-old Nwako went for secondary education at Tiger Kloof Institute, where his classmates and peers were names that would become important in the history of modern-day Botswana. These names included political stalwart Motsamai Mpho, former Member of Parliament Edison Masisi and second President of Botswana Ketumile Masire, with whom Nwako had a friendly rivalry competing for the top positions in class. It was also at Tiger Kloof that his peers gave him the name Pythagoras, for his keen interest in Mathematics.

This love of Mathematics served him well for, upon completion of his studies, he worked in the tribal treasuries in major tribal centres such as Molepolole and Serowe. Later, he took his talent for numbers to the Bangwatoestablished Moeng College, where he served as school bursar.

It was here that his being a stickler for numbers earned him another name: ga gona madi (there is no money), so called by the students he re-buffed when they asked for money to buy food.

Nwako, who belonged to the Malekantwa age regiment, was among a group of young educated GaMmangwato-based progressives who, throughout the 1950s, called for political reform as well as the return of Kgosi Seretse Khama from involuntary British exile.

In the early 1950s, Nwako dipped his feet into the political field when he, along with other Malekantwa activists such as Kenneth Koma, as well as older figures such as Kgalemang Motsete and Leetile Raditladi, formed a political movement then known as

the Bamangwato National Congress. The Congress was a third force in GaMmangwato politics, flanked on one side by the older traditionalist camp led by Tshekedi Khama and the camp supportive of Seretse Khama, led by Keaboka Kgamane.

Along with his political activities, Nwako began dabbling with writing for newspapers such as Naledi ya Batswana and Echo, his identity hidden behind the pseudonym “Tribesman.”

His political ambitions were further met when he was elected, in 1960, to the executive of the Bangwato Tribal Council.

Late in 1960, his former Tiger Kloof classmate, Motsamai Mpho, contacted him about forming a new nationalist movement, to be known as the Bechuanaland People’s Party (BPP).

Nwako considered this, as the National Congress he had helped found had failed to attract popular support. However, the politician found that he was not particularly interested in the BPP, and became part of a group assembled by Seretse Khama to form another political movement. In this way, he was one of the founders of the Botswana Democratic Party, and served in its first executive committee as an assistant treasurer.

A relentless campaign - undertaken on bicycle - in the run-up to the first national elections of March 1965 saw him winning a landslide victory in the Tswapong constituency, where he was assured of support for three decades, leaving the constituency only in 1994.

After elections, he served in the country’s first cabinet as the Minister of Agriculture, thereafter facilitating foreign relations as the Minister of Foreign Affairs before settling in for a 12-year stretch as the Minister of Commerce and Industry from 1977 to 1989.

In 1989, he left Cabinet to serve as the Speaker of National Assembly from that year to 1999.

Nwako died in 2002, and was buried at his family’s Dishilong Farm in Mookane, where speakers included former president Festus Mogae and former cabinet member now prominent businessman David Magang.

The then 80-year-old had risen from an agrarian background common to the times he was born in, to rise among his peers and distinguish himself in the selfless service of a young Botswana.

Best of Botswana

45

Botswana Icons

Rosemary Keofitlhetse - Miss Botswana

“In a glittering ceremony on 27 April 2013, Keofitlhetse’s dream came true when she was crowned Miss Botswana 2013”

When Rosemary Keofitlhetse was just five years old, Mpule Kwelagobe created history by becoming the first Miss Universe from Botswana. Although she was still young, Keofitlhetse remembered the excitement around Kwelagobe’s win and once told a local publication that though she did not fully understand the buzz, she envied Kwelagobe.

At nine years old and still in primary school, Keofitlhetse made her first tentative steps into the world of modelling and beauty pageants with the encouragement of her mother, who later passed away. Since that first primary school pageant, which she won, she ventured into more pageants in her

46

Best of Botswana

junior and senior secondary schooling - her heart already set on being crowned the most beautiful woman in Botswana.

In a glittering ceremony on 27 April 2013, Keofitlhetse’s dream came true when she was crowned Miss Botswana 2013, throwing her into an intense year under the spotlight.

The Maun-born beauty, who nonetheless identifies herself as a true export from the sands of Hukuntsi, wowed the judges on the night with both her beauty and her intelligence.

But her intellect did not just surface on the night of the crowning – weeks before the memorable night, in a run-up activity to the

pageant, Keofitlhetse won herself a diamond necklace and earrings from Debswana, after impressing the company management with her answers during the contestants’ visit to the Jwaneng diamond mines.

Ever poised and gracious, Keofitlhetse described her crowning as Miss Botswana as an honour to her late mother.

A student at the Botswana Accountancy College, the 20-year old Keofitlhetse has had to suspend her studies for a year to focus on her queenly duties over the course of her reign.

Part of those duties include knuckling down to charity activities which she has set for herself - such as helping needy children acquire an education, refurbishing the Botswana Council of Women offices and day care centre, becoming a Blood Donation Ambassador for the National Blood Transfusion Centre, and even joining President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama on his countrywide Kgotla meetings.

But even more pressing than these local obligations was her duty to represent Botswana at the Miss World pageant in Bali, Indonesia.

In September 2013, Keofitlhetse left for Bali escorted by her family members, with the nation and government contributing to boost her hopes of ascending to the pinnacle of world beauty pageantry. The Department of Gender Affairs, under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, paid for her Miss World wardrobe; while the Botswana National Youth Council under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, partnered with Private Collection in sponsoring her national gift for the pageant.

A pair of diamond earrings, the gift received the highest bid with an equivalent of P22, 400 in an auction where national gifts from participating countries are auctioned for Miss World charities.

Although Keofitlhetse did not replicate Kwelagobe’s dizzying height at the pageant, simply hearing her country’s name being called over the public address system as she walked down the catwalk was a memory that will stay in her mind forever.

For the month she spent in Indonesia, she ceased to be Rosemary Keofitlhetse from Hukuntsi: she embodied Botswana, with all the hopes and dreams of her country, in her poised frame.

Tsaone Macheng - Miss Universe Botswana Macheng has set her sights on creating a platform for Botswana fine and performing artists

For the winners of the Miss Universe Botswana beauty pageant, the biggest hurdle is always the tremendous pressure to live up to the sky-high bar set by Mpule Kwelagobe 13 years ago. She was not only the first Miss Universe Botswana but also the first, and so far, the only Miss Universe from Botswana.

But for Tsaone Macheng, the Miss Universe Botswana 2013 winner, the pressure paled in comparison to the real challenge she had to face: a court case in which eight contestants wanted her dethroned and stopped from competing at the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow.

Following tense weeks at the Gaborone High Court, where the eight contestants argued that Macheng was crowned the winner unfairly, the court’s ruling cemented

what the judges at the Miss Universe Botswana had always known: that Macheng was head and shoulders above the rest.

Perhaps what has been most surprising is the grace with which Macheng took the drama in her stride, considering she was never interested in beauty pageants in the first place.

The 22-year old told a local publication that she was convinced to enter the beauty pageant by scouts from the organising company, who approached her in a restaurant. It was the first time she had ever participated in a beauty pageant, and the debutant’s jitters kept up with her until the very night she was crowned queen.

Butterflies in the stomach and court cases notwithstanding, the Nshakashokweborn beauty queen is keen to explore the

opportunities that come with her title; and even in this she takes the road less travelled.

Instead of the standard fare of beauty queens, who usually drift towards working with the elderly, children and the disadvantaged, Macheng has set her sights on creating a platform for Botswana fine and performing artists. As a Fine Arts student at the South African Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Macheng dreams of both becoming a lecturer of art and helping to set up an arts hub in Botswana.

She hopes the arts hub will become a platform for local artists and propel them to shine on the world stage. Further she hopes the hub will instil some innovation in the local art scene, as well as inject much needed confidence for local visual and performing artists. She believes that a successful and functional arts sector can boost the country’s tourism sector.

It is not surprising that the beauty queen dreams of developing arts in Botswana: she has revealed that her passion for art was ignited in her early schooling days in Zimbabwe.

Her father encouraged her fledging interest, but the complete happiness she felt in art classes during her school days helped her realise that this was the perfect career for her.

Despite her initial disinterest in being a beauty queen, she has since realised that there is not much difference between the worlds of art and beauty pageants. The effort put into crafting a specific image is itself a kind of art, as is the way one carries oneself.

The grace with which she handled her initiation into the world of pageantry and the resulting court case suggests that this Miss Universe exudes the highest form of art – confidence.

Best of Botswana

47

Botswana Icons

Mogogi Gabonamong

The sterner the discipline, the greater the devotion

When media houses reported in September 2013 that football veteran and Zebras’ stalwart, Mogogi “Gino” Gabonamong had called time on his 14-year career with the national team, the country’s faithful supporters were stunned.

Over the decades, the 31-year-old defensive midfielder had shepherded the Zebras from their dark days of let-downs, when they were pejoratively known as the “Whipping Boys of Africa” to a professional outfit fast gaining a giant-killer reputation.

Born in the small village of Mmutlane in the Central District, Gabonamong’s passion and genius for football shone through early in his years, rising from dusty village football to catch the attention of the technical bench at Mogoditshane Fighters in 1998, aged just 16.

While that alone was a feat his village peers could only dream of, Gabonamong had his sights fixed on loftier heights and with his stated mantra, “the sterner the discipline, the greater the devotion,” the teenager was set for greater milestones.

Having already played for all the Botswana national junior teams, in 1999 a fresh-faced Gabonamong broke into the senior Zebras’ ranks and quickly became a pillar within the four-man back line that would become the pride of Botswana and the fear of its footballing opponents in later years.

48

Best of Botswana

At that time, Gabonamong was the only player playing for four national teams at the same time, being the Under 17, Under 20, Under 23 and senior national squad.

That a young rookie could be entrusted with a strategic position in the Zebras’ defence, was testimony to team selectors’ early confidence in Gabonamong - a decision in no small part influenced by his life mentor and local football legend, David Bright. Bright was in charge of the Zebras at the time of Gabonamong’s debut.

Domestically, the hard-tackling utility player soon caught the eye of Mogoditshane Fighters’ peers, moving to FC Satmos in 2003 and Township Rollers in 2005 after he returned from a stint on loan in Trinidad and Tobago’s top-level TT Pro League.

The hard-man crossed to the lucrative South African football scene in 2006 where he joined premier league side, Santos, linking up with fellow Zebras’ midfield maestro, Diphetogo “Dipsy” Selolwane.

The reunion came full circle when Gabonamong’s mentor, David Bright, also joined Santos as head coach in 2008.

Gabonamong proved to be a valuable asset for Santos, coming up from the back to score 10 goals in his five-year spell with the Cape Town team and helping the squad

to its highest league position of third, in the ten seasons since it won the championship in 2002.

In 2011, Gabonamong joined Pretoria premier league side, SuperSport United - where he is currently - in a deal that made him Botswana’s highest earning sportsperson in 2011.

However, it has been Gabonamong’s 14 years with the Zebras that have built up his cult-status in Botswana and the region.

The dedicated foot-soldier has fought on and off the pitch during his career, grinding out historic victories with the respect to the former and standing up for players’ conditions with respect to the latter.

The defensive midfielder has cemented his status as a talisman of sorts for the national team, having been present at most of its major accomplishments. In total, the 31-year-old has represented Botswana 34 times in various regional and continental campaigns, using his experience in the top flight South African league to positively impact the team.

With the rumours about his retirement largely dispelled by recent appearances for the Zebras, this young legend continues to be an inspiration for a footballing nation that dusted itself off from mediocrity, to become a force to reckon with.

George Swabi

A self-taught musician, Swabi became a household name in Botswana following the release of a song entitled ‘Bagammagwato’

When President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama presented George Swabi with a Presidential Certificate of Honour on 30 September 2008, the accolade capped more than four decades of pioneering and illustrious efforts in the field of Setswana traditional folk music.

While apartheid authorities in South Africa discouraged Setswana folk music fearing it would unite and galvanise resistance within the black majority, in Botswana the genre emerged from the shadows with luminaries such as Swabi blazing the path.

Unique for its emphasis on string instruments, the absence of drums, as well as the production singularity of the instruments involved, Setswana folk music once again became a focal point of cultural pride being a time-hallowed medium for the installation of values, instruction, encouragement, folklore and even comedy.

A self-taught musician, Swabi became a household name in Botswana following the release of a song entitled ‘Bagammagwato’, a wildly popular production frequently played on an equally beloved Radio Botswana Sunday programme dedicated to traditional music.

The melodic production, accompanied with Swabi’s gravelly-voiced intonations, continues to be his most well-known and

requested song, although he has recorded other hits over the years.

In the 1960s when a young Swabi was playing a home-made traditional string guitar on the streets of Serowe and Palapye – villages in central Botswana – he would never have imagined that in years to come, he would perform for presidents and other leaders, while also touring the world.

By the 1970s, Swabi’s stature within traditional folk and mainstream music was well cemented with various appearances in national events, as well as liberal airplay on broadcast media. In 1980, he became one of the country’s first Setswana folk music exports when he travelled to perform in England, traversing cultural and linguistic divides previously viewed as impassable.

Swabi also performed in Italy, Scotland and Finland, wowing mesmerised audiences with a refreshingly original African art form and in the process, raising the flag for Botswana in distant parts.

Locally, his efforts also caught the attention of then president, Sir Ketumile Masire who frequently invited him to perform for various visiting heads of state - honours that cemented Swabi’s standing as a cultural icon and Setswana folk music envoy.

In keeping with his predecessors’ promotion of folk music and its leading lights such as Swabi, the President also

paid homage to the musician not only through the Presidential Award, but also through the purchase of a guitar to replace one Swabi had lost in a robbery.

While in more recent years, Swabi has occupied the position of an elder in the traditional music arena, younger enthusiasts have moved to immortalise the musician by capturing his production through audio and video recordings.

Cultural music enthusiasts have even uploaded Swabi’s signature track, Bagammagwato, onto YouTube, where it has garnered more than 2,400 views.

In a recent interview with a state-owned newspaper, Swabi also revealed that plans were underway to retrieve his recordings from Radio Botswana and have them registered with the Copyright Society of Botswana, for posterity.

In the same interview, the Palapyeborn musician revealed that he spends his free time listening to the Radio Botswana traditional music programme and reminiscing on the experiences of past decades.

The efforts underway to eternalise Swabi and his music by capturing his productions in the latest technology, will ensure that the legend who started off as a street performer in dusty villages, will forever be amongst the best of Botswana.

Best of Botswana

49

Botswana Icons

A.T.I

Atlasaone Molemogi’s meteoric rise in the local and regional Setswana hip hop arena continues to amaze many

An explosion of artistic intensity, packaged in Goth, raw talent, and shock value, Atlasaone Molemogi’s meteoric rise in the local and regional Setswana hip hop arena continues to amaze many who remember the complex youngster born 23 years ago in Serowe, a village in the Central District.

Known as A.T.I, the University of Botswana student burst onto the music scene three years ago quickly demonstrating his marketing acumen by building the persona of a Setswana hip hop gothic rapper, replete with his now trademark black tear running down his left eye.

In a dynamic global industry where mystique and uniqueness, backed by

50

Best of Botswana

refreshing talent, are a musician’s stock in trade, where novelty is ephemeral and where the buying public’s attention is increasingly difficult to capture, it is A.T.I’s marketing acumen that has propelled him to the dizzy heights he now enjoys.

Having tried and failed to break onto the music scene through the traditional doors, A.T.I produced the ‘Batho Bame’ mix-tape in August 2010, aggressively marketing it via social media, word of mouth and other channels to eventually sell 8,000 copies.

A.T.I had tried the traditional route for six years, appearing in talent shows such as My African Dream where he had a level of success despite failing to secure the coveted top award. As Batho Bame’s success grew, with its lead single ‘Skeleton’ topping two local radio charts, the raspy-voiced rapper became an underground cult sensation the gothic persona he had perfected, drew and retained even the most indifferent of listeners.

However, it was his release of the single ‘Ke Lekhete’, accompanied by scorchedearth marketing and a video in 2012, which won A.T.I national attention - the track eventually became the year’s most played song and also earned him the Best HipHop Song of the Year honour at the national music awards.

Countrywide performances continued

building the shock value persona, with his appearances featuring dark artistry, choreography, make up, theatre and each bespoke to the particular event. A.T.I even arrived in a coffin on stage at one point outdoing the main act, US rapper, Eve. He also has appeared on stage on a king-sized bed with a dressing table and other fixtures.

A.T.I’s commitment to success was demonstrated in his diligence, being among the country’s busiest artists between 2010 and 2011, where he featured on 75 songs by other musicians.

The rapper’s eagerly awaited debut album ‘Polao ya Motho’, hit the market in August 2012, preceded again by heavy marketing that saw the young rapper’s face on promotional material throughout the country, in addition to his appearances.

The already established rapper became a regular performer in high-profile events, breaking new ground by performing in Malaysia, which has a considerable student body of Batswana, as well as a July 2013 performance in the reality show, Big Brother.

His latter performance made him one of only four Botswana musicians to have been invited to perform on the annual show.

Hard to imagine that just eight years ago, A.T.I was a struggling rapper, drowning in the sea of young talent all wrestling to catch talent scouts’ attention.

Nnunu Ramogotsi

Talented lyricist, composer, performer and actress

A young lady who rose from the southeastern village of Ramotswa, to the pinnacles of musical success in Germany and Sweden, jazz songstress Nnunu Bomolemo Ramogotsi is an inspirational story of faith, talent and determination.

Born in 1977, Ramogotsi quickly nurtured her musical talent at church, where following her mother’s passion for singing, she rapidly turned heads with her naturally melodic intonations.

Ramogotsi’s transformation to the jazz diva she is now began when her conductor at St Conrad’s Catholic Church Choir in Ramotswa, introduced her to Gomolemo Motswaledi, founder and director of the KTM Choir. Not that the songstress had been resting on her laurels waiting for talent scouts – at the time, Ramogotsi had been working as a choir conductor at the Botswana Institute of Administration and Commerce.

Impressed by what he saw, Motswaledi recruited the budding musician to the KTM Choir, an iconic Setswana choral repertoire that has spearheaded the revival of the nationally beloved musical genre for 20 years.

Named in honour of the late Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete – the man who composed and wrote Botswana’s national anthem – the KTM Choir provided Ramogotsi with fertile ground to hone her vocal and performing proficiency.

Her association with the KTM Choir also enhanced Ramogotsi’s profile and

confidence, giving her a glimpse of the dizzying success that, unbeknownst to her, lay a few short years ahead.

Recognising her potential, Motswaledi took Ramogotsi under his wing and introduced her to late jazz legend, Duncan Senyatso, for whom she apprenticed as a backing vocalist. This in turn led to performances with other local jazz luminaries such as Ndingo Jowha, Lister Boleseng, Punah Gabasiane, Shanti-lo, and Banjo Mosele.

A star had been born; a faith was paying dividends; a dream was being realised.

Ramogotsi’s career accelerated from these performances as she grabbed a cabaret gig at the Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort, performing alongside veteran musician, Lekofi Sejeso. The corporate world began to notice Nnunu and soon invitations were pouring in for her to grace Christmas events, product and office launches, Valentine’s Day specials and many others.

Ramogotsi also became a member of the Women of Jazz, a trio of female jazz artists which also includes Punah Gabasiane and Kearoma Rantao - and has been responsible for mainstreaming Botswana’s take on the musical genre within and outside the country.

On 18 July 2012, Ramogotsi released her eagerly-awaited debut album, Mma Sonoko, to wild popularity, also unveiling the maturity of her stage performance, which featured

a fashion-show theme, striking clothing design and even “hunks” that would carry the velvety-voiced musician onto the stage.

Few know that in the lead-up to releasing the album, Nnunu worked with Jean Michel Byron, the lead singer of the group TOTO, who played an important role in giving Mma Sonoko an international feel and appeal.

In September, Ramogotsi officially launched her debut album with a starstudded line which included South African afro-pop legend, Steve Kekhana, renowned SABC presenter, Cebo Manyapelo as well as local performers such as Eugene Jackson, T.H.A.B.O, Dig Nash and Shanti Lo. The year of her debut album would be Ramogotsi’s most memorable yet, as she later walked away with Best Album of the Year and Best Female of the Year at the 2012 BOMU Music Awards, after having been nominated for four honours.

In 2013, Ramogotsi – now a household name – recorded further milestones in her meteoric rise, performing at the Durban July alongside Rantao and also embarking on tours to Germany and Sweden, in the process adding to her regional and international pull.

This talented lyricist, composer, performer and actress is set to climb to even higher heights, with the pillars of a solid foundation she built at St Conrad’s Catholic Choir supported by the guidance of her career mentors.

Best of Botswana

51

Botswana Society for the Arts

The Botswana Society for the Arts is a non-profit NGO founded in 1996 whose mission is to create a destination for world-class arts

The BSA is currently the only umbrella organisation devoted to the development and promotion of the visual, performing and literary arts. The BSA is led by Felicity Leburu-Sianga as the chairperson and Dr Gaositwe Chiepe, PH MBE FRSA as its patron.

The BSA’s vision to create a destination of world-class arts has largely been implemented through its efforts to build a school of the arts in Botswana termed the Botswana National Arts Institute (BNAI).

From its inception the BSA has been persistent in its call for the establishment of a National School of Arts. It has been generously assisted in this venture by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC), which leased the Society 10 hectares of land at the dam site in Gaborone for the School and provided P10million for professional design fees of the buildings. The focus of the school will

52

Best of Botswana

be to equip youth, practicing and aspiring artists with creative theory while at the same time equipping them with entrepreneurship skills through companies set up within the institution to refine their business acumen within their fields. The 420 theatre and exhibition spaces housed within the school will provide entertainment and recreation for art audiences local and international. The BSA is always in need of support, financial or otherwise into this project and calls to the public for help. To further assist this venture the BSA has acquired a tax donation relief under the Ministry of education and skills development as an educational facility for any persons or companies who wish to donate to the training of future creative persons.

Highlights Goalmouth! This was a ‘fantasy football musical’ especially written for members of

Mophato Dance Theatre in collaboration with UK-based Korasong Radio. It was premiered in the UK in June 2010 to coincide with the World Cup, and the BSA is raising funds to bring the production to Botswana. As a direct result of their training experience and exposure with Goalmouth! Mophato won the 2010 My African Dream Battle of the Finalists. The group has attracted many new members, and they have been able to train more young people and write many more productions. A documentary film of the training of Mophato was made and aired on The Africa Channel in the UK and later on BTV. CIFG The BSA together with other art activists was instrumental in lobbying for the creation of the Creative Industries Sector into the National Human Resource

Development Strategy (NHRDS) of Botswana published in 2009 by Human Resource Development Advisory council.

The Sector committee was chosen in November 2013 and the sector officially launched on the 2nd of December 2013, see website for details.

Over and above training one of the BSA’s goals is to one day realise a database of all creative persons, companies and institutions in Botswana.

In this way it will be easy for such information to be consumed by the market that desires their service.

Furthermore it will open doors into the realisation of beneficial statistics about the creative work produced in Botswana, either exported or consumed locally, and their contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country. A small artist directory has been started on the BSA website to this effect.

For more info contact the BSA at: Botswana Society for the Arts Private Bag BR 201 Gaborone, Botswana Plot 10213, Unit 9, Mafulo House Broadhurst, Gaborone Tel/Fax: +267 3952949 Cell: 76058939 Email: info@bsa.org.bw www.bsa.org.bw Best of Botswana

53

Samantha Mogwe

Botswana’s up-and-coming songstress with a passion for live performances

Born in Serowe to a Motswana father and Zambian mother, 25-year-old Samantha Mogwe was raised in a humble Tswana environment by her grandmother from birth - as both her parents were working at the time. She moved to Gaborone to live with her parents between the age of four and five years old.

She was exposed to a variety of musical influences in her family. Her older brother introduced her to hip-hop and R&B in the era of “BoysIIMen” and the likes. Her older sister introduced her to pop, while her father collected almost all genres of music and loved listening to them at high volume.

Samantha was moulded into a multiverse appreciator of all music, which gave her a big push in the direction of her current music writing.

She remembers well how her mother gave her the biggest support from an early age by allowing her space in the home for her musical expression, considering she was the last born of her siblings, which built the confidence she needed later for her craft.

Between 13 and 14 years of age, she joined her church band at Open Baptist

54

Best of Botswana

Church and began chiselling her voice behind the scenes as a backing vocalist but still too shy to step onto centre stage at the time.

As a teenager she was grounded and down to earth but was pushed by her friends and family to enter a local competition called “My African Dream” at 15 years of age, together with her best friend in a duet.

Though they did not win in their category, this is where her realisation of her love for the arts, and particularly music, became apparent as something she would like to do more of.

As a result, she later went on to win another local music competition, “Karaoke Idols”, at the age of 16 - the youngest contestant on the show. Around this time, her sister was very well connected in the poetry fraternity with the Exodus Live Poets and so introduced Samantha to the rest of the team to become one of the few musical acts in the predominantly poetic scene.

Exodus was where Samantha’s passion for live performance and working with live musicians emerged - as well as gaining understanding in the art of planning for

events and shows. Furthermore, having been exposed to poets through Exodus, she was indoctrinated into the art of writing one’s original material which has honed her skill as an artist and vocalist.

It was in 2008 that Samantha went to Monash University, South Africa campus, for her tertiary studies. Through a long-standing friend she knew from high school all the way through to tertiary, she was convinced to join the competition for African Idol, where she made the Top 24. She had to halt her studies after three semesters in order to commit to the demands of the show. She was the only Motswana to have made it that far in the competition; making Batswana proud yet again.

Having not made it all the way to winning this competition, she was slightly demoralised but still questioning how she could go about doing what she loves in music, on a bigger scale. From that experience, she began organising her own shows by herself, starting out with an acoustic set-up with a pianist and a drummer and gradually grew the band to what it is today. After organising sold-out shows hosted at the No.1 Ladies Detective Opera House, Maitisong and Botswana Craft, it was no surprise that she was the opening act for Zahara in December of 2012 at GICC. She wrote the song ‘Transition’ when her uncle who had supported her career from its inception passed away in 2007, as a way of expressing her grief and emotion.

This was where her much anticipated album (out in March 2014) was born out of, with ‘Transition’ as the first single featuring in it the 2013 holder of the Channel O Africa Male Video of the Year - Zeus.

Samantha has also hosted a music show with Zonke Dikana from South Africa holder of the 2013 Channel O Africa Female Video of the Year.

Out of all her hard work and perseverance, Samantha has secured a record deal with Universal Records in South Africa which will be handling all her management from here on, including her album launch scheduled for March 2014.

This is bound to send her to international stardom since her passion is for her music to reach the multitudes and heal them.

Hence we can safely say there is more to come out of this young Motswana artist and songstress.

Kalvin Kesupile

Artivism is a passion of Kalvin’s, since this young choreographer/playwright/musician was already working on various initiatives meant to use art as an instrument for social change

Kalvin Kolanyane Kesupile was born on 13 January 1988 in Francistown. Kalvin’s father passed away while he was still young and so he was raised by his mother and older brother. His father left Kalvin with a legacy to uphold and live up to as he was a guitarist and a mathematician, while his mother was an accountant and singer of choral music.

This upbringing moulded Kalvin into a well-rounded young person who excelled both at academia and the arts, as witnessed

by Kalvin’s outstanding academic records all through to tertiary school level, while he excelled in the arts as well.

Kalvin’s passion for the arts became apparent when schooling at Clifton School where he was constantly involved in school plays and musicals, such as the school’s annual Cultural Weekend. Kalvin continues to give back to the Cultural Festival by volunteering as part of the creative minds involved in putting it together. It was at John McKenzie Junior School where Kalvin began getting involved in marimba, traditional dance, acting and athletics.

Through his excellence in academics, Kalvin secured a scholarship for A-levels to study theatre and music at Crawford College in Durban, South Africa. He matriculated there with an ‘A’ in music and an ‘A’ in drama. With his stronger passion for theatre, he joined the Eisteddfod competition and won the “Best Vocalist” category catapulting Kalvin into further studies at

the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg for a four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dramatic Arts, specialising in Directing and Designing.

Kalvin returned to Botswana after completing the BA and immediately got involved with events and initiatives in the local arts sector, by playing the role of Joseph in ‘Joseph and the Technicolor Coat’ in 2004. He then wrote a few plays such as the dance piece entitled ‘Moribo’ in 2011 and co-composed the play ‘Once Upon a Life’ that featured at the Wits Theatre, which instantly catapulted this young playwright and designer to international acclaim.

That was only the beginning for this newly attained status of International playwright, as Kalvin soon followed with a piece entitled ‘Keledi’ in 2012 which was aimed at the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. This marked Botswana’s first submission for this day, which earned Kalvin the new status of LGBTI Art-ivist (human rights activists who use art as an instrument for advocacy and change).

Artivism is a passion of Kalvin’s, since this young choreographer/playwright/ musician was already working on various initiatives meant to use art as an instrument for social change, such as the Tshedisa Arts in Residence (TAR). This is a collective of artists who put on theatrical shows bringing various performing artforms together on stage to illicit social debate and personal

healing for their audience. Profits of such shows benefit different charitable initiatives, such as women’s shelters and orphanages.

Kalvin is looking forward to taking up studying once more with a Master’s Degree in Playwriting in 2014 and ultimately a PhD in the same field, due to his strong belief that Botswana has limited literature. More artists with exposure and opportunity to leave a literary footprint need to come forth to elevate reading and writing in the country.

Kalvin is a member of the Botho Arts Movement which is a part of the International Compassion Charter in Botswana. The movement encompasses artists from all sectors of the arts who use art to help people connect with each other through breaking the silence on various common social ills and challenges.

Kalvin has written a reprise of the 2012 play ‘Keledi’ for the movement. Another play in the pipeline, entitled ‘Pharamesising’, aims to unpack the repercussions of gendering society on the growth of individuals and their social interactions in later life.

As one of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers expected to promote leadership amongst youth in various fields of interest, coupled with a passion for ‘artivism’, a lot can be expected out of this young artist. The hope is that Kalvin continues to carry the flag of Botswana higher and higher by breaking new ground for years to come paving the way for other young artists in this field to also work hard.

Best of Botswana

55

The BotswanaPost Story of the Stamp

The stamp is often referred to as the paper ambassador of a country of origin. This is because stamps reach all corners of the world, carrying images and information about the people, culture, flora and fauna from which it originates.

The Post Office and its stamps is one of the oldest institutions in Botswana and have been around since the year 1886.

The stamps begin with the development of Botswana as a nation and also the origins of the people in terms of traditional dressing, dwellings, and cultural ceremonies.

It takes us through the colonial era, which is around the time the postal system was established, right through to the period of our self-determination in 1966 and the present times.

The first stamps which were in circulation in the 19th Century were generally overprints of stamps produced in Great Britain and
all had a picture of King George and later Queen Elizabeth II. These stamps were later modified to show Botswana

56

Best of Botswana

BotswanaPost We deliver, whatever wherever

Cattle, which are revered by Batswana.

Through this small piece of paper, the history of when the country changed its name from Bechuanaland Protectorate to Botswana can be traced. The establishment of our national currency the Pula and the Thebe, was also discernible in the stamps.

Were it not for stamps, few would know how different tribes dressed, since the way of dressing of the Batswana at the time was considered to be inappropriate by the early settlers and missionaries hence in their early paintings of the native people, they were depicted wearing middle-eastern types of loin cloths and robes.

The food, language, dance, beliefs and festivities defined who we were as people and how these have changed over the years is artistically documented through the stamps.

Notwithstanding this, these old stamps are quite valuable and are sought after treasures. The so-called “sea horses” overprinted stamps are very rare and a single stamp can easily sell for thousands of Pounds Sterling.

Setswana custom and heritage, in terms of the abundant wildlife and unique landscapes such as the Okavango, are featured in numerous stamp series, inviting

the different viewers across the globe to come and witness this breath-taking scenery.

Traditional artefacts illustrated in stamps, such as baskets from North-Western parts of the country as well as tools and weaponry, boast of the people’s mastery in beautiful crafts.

Also of intrigue and legend are stories told by stamps of rock paintings thought to have been done by the earliest inhabitants of the land, the Basarwa, a couple of millennia gone past. These paintings, much like hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt, tell the story

of the people who lived in that era - their ways of living and their co-existence with and dependence on the land and animals.

The history of stamps and some of these collections can be viewed at the Philately Museum housed under Poso House in Gaborone.

Plot 53952 Khama Crescent P.O. Box 100 Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 395 3131 Fax: +267 391 3599 www.botspost.co.bw Best of Botswana

57

Chapter 1 Future Visions

58

Best of Botswana

Innovation is happening here‌ come and join us

Best of Botswana

59

Botswana Innovation Hub CEO Vision Interview Innovation is happening here… come and join us

and state. In a much more competitive world the prior spirit of self-reliance, boot strapping and entrepreneurship needs to be encouraged more. This is beginning to happen with the younger generation.

What is your view of Botswana’s reputation abroad?

Botswana’s reputation abroad is not always differentiated from anywhere else on the continent. Botswana has to continue to move to establish a unique dynamic brand for investment, tourism and business. In instances where people know about the country the view is very positive.

Botswana is known for its diamonds, natural beauty and wildlife. What else sets Botswana apart from the rest of the world?

The culture of the people who live here is fascinating to the international community.

Major reference points include the system of the Kgotla with democracy deeply rooted in tradition, respect for human rights and Botswana’s reputation acquired over the past 40 years of being an African success story, and positive use of natural resources for development.

What makes Botswana attractive to tourists?

Our attractive natural environment is very unique and unspoilt – vastly different from the urban centres of the US, Europe and Asia. The attraction includes animals in their natural habitat, unspoilt wilderness in large parts of the country, the safe and peaceful environment and welcoming nature of the people.

Botswana is often perceived as humble and reserved, is this a disadvantage?

The “can do” spirit may have lessened over the years and been replaced with a greater reliance on a competent government

60

Best of Botswana

How pragmatic are Batswana? Are they able to really find solutions to challenging situations?

Creative problem solving in situations of ambiguity which rapidly change is important.

This creates resilience and survival skills for unexpected and challenging situations. We have had a long period of growth of incomes and improvements in living conditions. The global recession of 2008 was a wakeupcall that showed that we need to enhance our ability to think through challenges and develop novel solutions and innovative approaches - and most importantly, be successful in the execution and implementation of our projects and work.

Fostering this culture remains a challenge in my personal experience.

How would you describe Botswana’s attitude towards commerce and entrepreneurship?

Batswana can hold their own with the best in the world in areas of commerce and entrepreneurship. There are numerous examples of Batswana who are doing fairly well in these areas in countries such as South Africa, Europe and America. At home the environment for private sector participation needs to be rapidly improved, so that we can realise the latent energy of the people and their innate desire for success at a personal level.

Botswana is a very small country, competing with and amongst many Goliaths; what should Botswana’s focus be?

I agree with the recent analysis of the National Strategy office that we need to amplify the export clusters we already have, with their ability to create value-added linkages, and move up the international value chain. What come to mind are the diamond and mining industry more generally, the beef industry, and increasing the footprint of the tourism industry to reach many more people. This will involve many coordinated and simultaneous interventions that include transport and aviation, science, technology and innovation and improving the ease of doing business. With this sort of approach we will strengthen our competitiveness and

acquire a special place at the heart of SADC and the growing consumer markets of Africa in the next 10 years.

What makes Botswana attractive to investors?

Our attraction lies in policy certainty, reliability, a value system that is strongly disapproving of corruption, and a focus on progress of mankind.

What are the economic prospects for Botswana over the next three to five years?

There should be a continued focus on renewing the lagging infrastructure that is relevant to supporting the export clusters.

This includes transport, aviation and also our interconnectedness thorough ICT and broadband. Our ability to fine-tune the process of getting highly-skilled foreign nationals and capital investors to locate within Botswana without undue burdens is also important to solidifying our prospects going forward.

How would you explain the reasons for your company’s success in Botswana?

The Botswana Innovation Hub is at a relatively early stage of implementing a visionary concept and idea. We are focusing on identifying projects and partnerships for which we have the resources to execute and the technical partnerships to move forward in a sustainable way.

How do you foresee the innovation, trade and investment sector in Botswana changing?

I foresee a greater integration in the SADC region, and new businesses coming to have less reliance on government procurement and starting partnerships, beginning with markets in the immediate adjacent countries.

What role does your company play in Botswana’s future development?

Botswana Innovation Hub has been incorporated as a company to develop Botswana’s first Science and Technology Park. We contribute to the country’s economic development and competiveness by creating new scientific, technological, and indigenous knowledge-based business opportunities. Botswana Innovation Hub adds value to existing companies, fosters entrepreneurship and technology transfer, and attracts innovative companies and institutions.

Botswana Innovation Hub Innovation is happening here… come and join us

The Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) is a product of the Botswana Excellence Strategy of 2008 which proposed a three-pronged national strategic goal - being economic diversification, job creation, and moving the country towards a knowledge-based economy.

BIH – which is also aligned to the National Vision 2016’s pillar of achieving a prosperous, productive and innovative nation – was incorporated as a company to develop and operate Botswana’s first Science and Technology Park.

The company is mandated to support new and existing ventures, as well as attract companies, universities, research and advanced training institutes to establish

Best of Botswana

61

in the Science and Technology Park. This is intended to help transform Botswana into a technology-driven and knowledgebased economy, by producing a culture of innovation and competitiveness among its associated companies and knowledgebased institutions.

Our Mandate • Botswana Innovation Hub has been incorporated as a company duly registered under the laws of Botswana to develop Botswana’s first Science and Technology Park.

• We contribute to the country’s economic development and competitiveness by creating new scientific, technological, and indigenous knowledge-based business opportunities • We add value to existing companies,

62

Best of Botswana

foster entrepreneurship and technology transfer, generate knowledge-based jobs, and attract innovative companies and institutions to Botswana Innovation Hub. Our Mission To offer a unique platform for scientific, technological and indigenous knowledgebased innovation.

Our Vision To be the leading destination for innovation in Africa.

Our Values • Innovation • Integrity • Openness • Collaboration • Excellence

Maranyane House (BOTEC) Plot 50654, Machel Drive Private Bag 00265, Gaborone Tel: +267 3913328 Fax: +267 3913289 Best of Botswana

63

Botswana...

the Tourism Destination of Choice

Botswana Tourism CEO, Myra Sekgororoane Developed and managed under a national tourism policy and strategies, Botswana’s tourism has grown to become the second contributor to the country’s economy and identified by the government as a strong industry for economic diversification from its much historically appreciated reliance on diamonds.

As the largest global producer of diamonds by value, Botswana is also well known for its rich wildlife and wilderness; rich and diverse landscapes that truly make it a land of contrasts attracting first time and repeat tourists.

64

Best of Botswana

When tourism is planned and managed in a sustainable manner, the economy is not only stimulated in the short to medium term but offers guarantees within our means to preserve our environment natural resources and heritage for our future generations of citizens and our future generations of tourists.

Often described as a naturally warm people, the Batswana take pride in their rich heritage and culture symbolised through national monuments, heritage sites and entertainment through traditional song and dance by the young and old.

Botswana Tourism once again lends its support to Best of Botswana as an ideal country tourism promotion book, as it cohesively compiles the country’s attributes and highlights opportunities be they for investment or to simply visit. Production of a fourth volume of the book is testament to its popularity and Botswana’s vastness of non ending opportunities and the allure to keep visiting, again and again.

Myra T. Sekgororoane Chief Executive Officer Botswana Tourism Organisation

Growing the Economy

Vision statement from FNBB Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Lorato Boakgomo-Ntakhwana

Having operated in Botswana since 1991, First National Bank of Botswana has been part of the economic and social miracle the country has become renowned for the world over.

This economic climate, guided by a fiscal and monetary policy anchored in publicprivate sector consultation, helped First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) gain market purchase with an innovative range of products, services eventually becoming the country’s biggest Bank.

In 2013, the local economy experienced pressure from lower mining and nonmining growth, as a result of tightening global commodity markets, resulting in the downsizing and retrenchments in domestic companies.

Positively though, the lower global growth and declining global prices, contributed to a decline in domestic inflation which hit a 41year low in August at 5%.

The lower inflation environment allowed the Bank of Botswana to cut rates

thrice to their lowest level, as part of its accommodative monetary policy stance designed to stimulate economic activity.

Notwithstanding the resultant lower margins, the action helped boost consumers’ credit appetite and also required Banks to strategise around risk-mitigation in order to reduce the attendant stress on the books of their consumer segments.

FNBB shifted its gears and refined its operating model in order to maintain performance and stay ahead of the difficult operating conditions. This operating model places the customer at the centre of all the Bank’s activities and recognises that it’s through this customer-centric approach that business momentum can be achieved.

This model defines the customer touch points, product ownership and distribution of products, services and solutions.

Through the Bank’s well-established culture of innovation we are able to continually reinvent ourselves and prove to be agile enough to react appropriately to our customers’ needs, a strategy that saw an 11% growth year on year on the balance sheet driven by 13% growth in deposits from customers and corresponding 23% growth in advances. This resulted in a profit before tax growth of 24% and profit after tax of 23%; results that continue to be reflective of the Bank’s robust strategies.

As Botswana’s leading Bank, we are proud to associate with the 2014 edition of Best of Botswana, a chronicle of the crosssectoral successes that have made this country a focal point of world excellence.

We also take this opportunity to applaud the Government of Botswana for the visionary leadership and prudent governance that have created one of the world’s most attractive environments for investment and growth.

The establishment of key investment climate pillars such as political stability, good governance, rule of law as well as the array of fiscal and monetary policy stimulants have anchored the Bank’s growth and enabled it to positively contribute further to Botswana’s economic miracle.

FNBB is proud to have been a part of this growth for more than 22 years and management, staff and shareholders recommit themselves to many more years of growing together.

www.fnbbotswana.co.bw Best of Botswana

65

Interview with Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) Managing Director Mr. Tabake Kobedi, on his vision for Botswana

Botswana is often perceived as humble and reserved, is this a disadvantage for the country and its locals?

Not at all, in fact the humility endears Batswana to many people, especially the tourists. I think unfortunately the humility is equated to timidity, and I do not believe that Batswana are timid. They are assertive when the situation requires and will stand up for their rights when they need to.

How pragmatic are Batswana? Are they able to really find solutions to challenging situations?

Botswana would not have been where it is in its global rankings were it not for their pragmatism and foresight, especially of our leaders. The successes we have been able to achieve are all evidence of this.

How would you describe Botswana’s attitude towards commerce and entrepreneurship?

As a young independent country we clearly still have some way to head towards becoming fully-fledged entrepreneurs creating and running well-oiled commercial enterprises. We have the benefit that our Government continues to focus on creating the necessary environment conducive for businesses to thrive and this will propel us to become even better entrepreneurs.

Botswana is a very small country, competing with and amongst many “The fact that Botswana is a small country is actually inconsequential. What is the key is for the country to focus on being the best business destination it can be, capable of exporting high-quality goods and services ...”

What is your view of Botswana’s reputation abroad?

It is good to know that increasingly African countries are not tainted with the same brush and are instead being recognised for what they are. In that respect, Botswana’s reputation abroad continues to gain positive reviews.

Botswana is known for its diamonds, natural beauty and wildlife, what else sets Botswana apart from the rest of the world?

66

Best of Botswana

As we all know, Botswana has for many years been recognised as a beacon of good political governance and sound economic growth model.

This is something we must not make the mistake of taking for granted. We need to continue to nourish it, but also be cognisant that other countries are aspiring for that and will do what they can to outshine us.

What makes Botswana attractive to tourists?

Batswana are a downright humane people who will always go out of their way to love their neighbours… even more so tourists to the country. Besides, the country is still quite safe and secure and that is a key determinant in tourists’ decisions to visit one country versus another.

Goliaths, what should Botswana’s focus be?

The fact that Botswana is a small country is actually inconsequential. What is the key is for the country to focus on being the best business destination it can be, capable of exporting high-quality goods and services to the Goliaths who will be more than prepared to spend their money on such offerings. We have great opportunity to develop our tourism offerings, as well as to capitalise on our blessings of diamonds by developing a thriving downstream market. This we can do if we invest heavily in creating deep diamond skills, which we will export even after the diamond resources have run out, and in fact, this applies also to other natural resources which nature has blessed Botswana with.

What makes Botswana attractive to investors?

Botswana has over the years invested a lot in making itself attractive to investors. The accolades we get from across the world are testimony to that, be it from institutions like Transparency International, the World Bank, foreign governments, etc. The key issue is right from the onset we recognised that investment, especially foreign investment, is a necessity if the country is going to develop, resulting in our policies being geared to be investor friendly. We also listen well to investors to accommodate their requirements, as well as continuing to improve the investment landscape as we are fully aware that investors have other choices of location to invest their money; we aim to keep them wanting to invest in Botswana.

What are the economic prospects for Botswana over the next three to five years?

I feel quite optimistic and confident about the prospects, even beyond five years. Notwithstanding our previous track record, there is a lot more we can do as opportunities still abound, such as in prospecting for minerals and developing new mines, turning our expansive coal resources into the diamonds of tomorrow, expanding the scale of tourism, large-scale infrastructural developments, as well as diamond beneficiation.

How would you explain the reasons for your company’s success in Botswana?

DTCB is in the fortunate position of being a product of a successful partnership between the Government and De Beers, which has been in existence for over 40 years. Not only do we have good shareholders, we also enjoy the benefit of a determined and forward-looking Board of Directors who accordingly direct the company. Most of all, the majority of our employees have been around in the company for a long time. This is a good sign of their loyalty and continued desire and belief in the company’s success.

How do you foresee the diamonds and mining sector in Botswana changing?

Diamonds will continue to be around in

Botswana for many years to come. Still, we do know that as a finite resource, they will run out at some time in the future. While we continue to be blessed with the resource, the key thing is to ensure that we are being as frugal as we can in their management, so that they not only benefit us, but will continue to benefit generations to come.

From the point of view of other minerals, Botswana is still fairly under-prospected and therefore the more exploration we have, the greater the chance of discovering even more minerals to mine, in order to add to the great legacy of diamond development in Botswana.

What role does your company play in Botswana’s future development?

DTCB is part of the diamond pipeline and sits between the upstream mining done

by Debswana as well as the downstream sales done by De Beers. Our role is an important linkage between these two important parts of the pipeline. Not only that, our Vision is to be the world leader in Diamond Beneficiation. With Botswana so focused on being a major world diamond Hub, it is so appropriate that we have DTCB, which will play its part in turning Botswana’s diamond dreams into lasting reality - through availing diamonds for local beneficiation.

Best of Botswana

67

The BSE: The Economy’s Heartbeat and Nerve Centre

While globally, Botswana is renowned for its diamonds and natural endowments such as diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery, the country is also blessed with numerous competitive advantages which are allowing sectors such as the financial services to better contribute to greater economic diversification.

These advantages include a stable political and economic climate, Africa’s highest sovereign credit rating, commitment to good governance and zero tolerance of corruption, as well as absence of controls on movements of foreign exchange and capital In addition, Botswana is among the few developing countries that does not solely rely on inflows of Foreign Direct Investment and whose savings are largely invested offshore.

The Botswana Stock Exchange’s successes over the years are testament to the potential of the financial services sector and indeed the wider economy in terms of sustainable growth. While the Exchange is comparatively smaller than its continental peers and came from humble informal beginnings 18-years ago, a strategy anchored by several development pillars, has ensured the attainment of numerous achievements over the years.

Under one of these pillars, Infrastructure Development, the Central Securities Depository was established in 2008 for

68

Best of Botswana

the efficient clearing and settlement of transactions, while simultaneously lowering the systemic risk of investing. The Exchange also adopted international norms in the settlement of transactions.

In 2012, the BSE introduced its revolutionary Automated Trading System, having studied its potential impact on the growth of the capital market; liquidity on the BSE has risen by 300 percent since the ATS’ introduction, which we feel is a precursor to the type of change that can occur.

Other strategic pillars include Market Development, where we believe that while the Exchange must compete internationally, it must serve domestic investors. Under this pillar, the BSE conducts continuous marketing and educational campaigns to sensitize Batswana on the pros and cons of investing.

As a result, local participation in the BSE has grown to between 10 and 15 percent of turnover from nearly zero in 2007 when the Exchange commenced on the marketing/ educational campaigns.

Another key pillar is Product Development, where the Exchange has broadened its product offering beyond equities, into groundbreaking instruments such as Exchange Traded Funds, in order to boost liquidity and attract offshore savings into creating domestic value.

Along with legislative and legal improvements as well as human resource development, these major strategic pillars are the building blocks of the development and success of the Exchange over the last seven years.

At the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), we believe a robust financial services sector is key for any economic development and that a strong exchange is critical for sustained economic diversification.

We believe Botswana’s competitive advantages can be sustainably and inclusively exploited for the country’s economic development. Besides contributing to greater economic diversification, the financial services sector, with the BSE at its heart, can also be a model and source of diversification; a catalyst for enhanced diversity in other sectors.

We are proud to associate with this edition of Best of Botswana in celebrating the country’s successes and its promise of an even better future for all its residents, visitors and investors.

CORPORATE INFORMATION BSE Office: Exchange House Plot 64511, Fairgrounds Private Bag 00417 Gaborone

BoFiNet Vision Statement

effective operationalisation and go to market platform of the organisation.

As such BoFiNet remains poised to make a significant impact on the global telecommunications sector with progressive plans in place to ensure direct connectivity to the rest of the world with planned Points of Presence in the Middle East, Asia, India, and USA. To date three products have been launched, these being: Internet Protocol Transit (IPT), International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC) and National Leased Circuits (NLL). The encouraging uptake of the products has further emboldened the organisation to increase its product and services portfolio; with plans afoot to bring new product and services on stream in the last quarter of the 2013/14 financial year.

The organisation’s vision is to be a “World-Class Information Communications Technology Organisation For A Globally Connected Botswana”. BoFiNet shall be the wholesale carrier of choice through the provision of world-class wholesale infrastructure and services to the national, regional and international markets.

BoFiNet’s mission is to maximise/optimise the country’s national and international bandwidth capacity to ensure affordable, efficient and dependable open access for customers to catalyse the development of the downstream ICT market in Botswana.

Botswana Fibre Network (BoFiNet) was established in 2012 as part of government’s decision to restructure the current Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) into two separate entities. BoFiNet is owned 100 percent by the Government of Botswana (GoB) and is responsible for the national broadband fibre optic infrastructure and wholesale service provision. The decision was informed by the need to not only spur Botswana’s global competitiveness, but to ensure the sustained growth of the ICT sector as key enabler of economic diversification in the country.

The facilitation of access to affordable telecommunications services remains Government’s national development imperative. To this end the creation of BoFiNet, as a ‘carrier of carriers’ within the ICT space is meant to rationalise

the ICT sector, in particular the wholesale segment, to ensure market competitiveness and activation at the retail level. As such BoFiNet is expected to operate and optimise the investments in the telecommunications infrastructure deployed by the Government of Botswana, in the process ensuring open access to services as well as launching focused services aligned to the requirements of the wholesale customers. The infrastructure includes the International Connectivity infrastructure (the EASSy and WACS Cables), the National Fibre Backbone Infrastructure, the Metro Loop Fibre Infrastructure and the Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing Network at a combined investment outlay of P900million.

The official launch of BoFiNet on the 3rd of October 2013, marked the

Our five founding values are: Customer Centric - We commit to meeting and exceeding service standards Agility - We move quickly in responding to our customers needs and in exploiting market opportunities Integrity - We act with fairness and transparency in all our business dealings Innovative - We will provide the sector with cutting-edge products and solutions Leadership - We will develop and inculcate leadership at all levels of the organisation.

BoFiNet Private Bag 00236 Gaborone, Botswana Plot 74769, Unit 3, Mowana Mews Gaborone CBD Tel: +267 3995500 Fax: +267 3903414 TOLL FREE: 0800601002 Email: info@bofinet.co.bw www.bofinet.co.bw

Best of Botswana

69

Proudly African

Boosting Trade, Development and Cultural relations across Africa

Thapelo Letsholo, CEO Proudly African Proudly African is an initiative of Global Village Africa which is a marketing and business platform geared towards showcasing and harmonising Africa’s development, trade and cultural diversity to a global audience.

This is where the BEST OF AFRICA in business, government and non-profit organisations unite, promoting their vision and best practice in order to find the right customers, partnerships and joint ventures - in order to grow alongside the continent’s indisputable economic potential.

The initiative has an unstoppable magnetic presence with its ever growing country and sectoral window already in over

72

Best of Botswana

20 African states. We invite all leaders in business and government across Africa to showcase and integrate their visions and activities so as to promote inter-Africa trade, investment and technology transfer from around the globe.

We also invite all Africa’s media, trade exhibitions, conferences and business chambers to use the platform to gain mutually beneficial exposure. Fully unlocking Africa’s promise requires greater continentwide economic integration and inter-trade; such as in Europe, where integration has enabled the continent to become the world’s single biggest market. Integration and inter-trade is not only urgent, but also

indispensable to unlock economies of scale and propel Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy, thus aligning the continent with the global flows of trade and finance as an equal partner.

Africa’s massive economic potential still lies largely untapped - but not for much longer. The world is coming and so is the dream of a more united Africa. We need to make sure we maximise on the growth for the benefit of all of Africa and its people.

Proudly African - Connecting Minds Building Communities

www.ProudlyAfrican.info

Best of Botswana

73

Chapter 2 Botswana Sports

74

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

75

Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) Summary

76

Best of Botswana

The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) has been in existence since 1965 as an independent body, with the Botswana National Football Association (BNFA) as its only member affiliate. As an independent organisation, the BNSC relied on private donors for funding, and largely on the Bechuanaland National Sports Appeal Fund (BENSAF), which was also established in 1965.

BENSAF, as the name suggests, was entrusted with raising funds from within the country and internationally, to construct sports facilities and source equipment.

It was through donations and self-help initiatives that Botswana’s first National Stadium completed and officially opened in September 1966.

In the same year, the Botswana National Sports Council recognised the existence of Botswana Lawn Tennis Association (BNLTA).

Both BNFA and BNLTA benefited from BENSAF fundraising efforts. Between the two, BNFA activities were more dominant.

Since there was no truly national league, football activities were organised by individual clubs, who often invited teams from neighbouring countries. In the course of time, some individual clubs became disgruntled with the BNFA, affecting the general administration and organisation of football in the country. By 1972 these problems led to the institution of a Commission of Enquiry into the affairs of BNFA.

A major outcome of the Commission was the enactment of the BNSC Act in 1975, as a regulatory mechanism, whose primary provision was to ensure that, all sports clubs, associations and federations fall under the control of one umbrella body: Botswana National Sports Council. The Act was revised in 1981.

According to the Act’s provisions, BNSC is the supreme custodian of sports in Botswana whose strength and growth manifests in the number of affiliates and the level of established links with international sports bodies.

The BNSC is the government’s arm of extending resources to various sports associations and federations through the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, whose major responsibilities in its relations with BNSC include: financial support, liaising with other government ministries and departments, and above all, policy formulation for sports development.

Though some affiliates of the BNSC were established before the Council Act – for example, BNLTA (1964), BNFA (1966) and Men’s Golf Union (1972) – they affiliated to the Council upon promulgation of the Council statute in 1975.

BNSC is a member of the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa, and falls within the Zone VI region. The Council is linked to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC).

Best of Botswana

77

Objectives According to the BNSC Act, the Objectives of the Council are to promote Sport within Botswana and participation of Sport outside Botswana.

Mandate and Functions The National Sports and Recreation Policy outline the mandate of the Botswana National Sports Council as follows: Coordination and Facilitation • Coordinate and facilitate implementation of sport development programmes as initiated by the national sports associations in accordance with the National Sports and Recreation Policy.

• Co-ordinate development of short, medium and long-term planning on

78

Best of Botswana

sport development.

• Adopt approved standards of coaching, administration, and management in all areas of sport delivery in line with international practice in sport.

• Ensure that the primary delivery of sport takes place at and through the national sports and recreation associations.

• Ensure that national sports associations decentralise their management structures in order to facilitate sport development throughout the country.

• Forge links with international sports bodies and technical cooperation assistance bodies.

Sport facilities development and management • Coordinate all sport facilities requirements

by national sports associations.

• Manage the sports facilities in line with the agreed terms and conditions by Government.

Resource mobilisation and appropriation • Co-ordinate requests for budget for sport and recreation development from the national sports associations.

• Monitor, distribute and account for the Government subvention on sports development through the development of an effective internal system.

• Assist the national sports associations with a strategic approach towards resource mobilisation.

• Provide and manage administrators and technical personnel for selected sports disciplines.

Sports Promotion • Create linkages with the media, sponsors, private sector and other stakeholders in the promotion of sport.

Structure Council Structure Council

International Competition • Determine criteria for participation in regional, continental and international competitions by Botswana teams.

• Prepare Botswana athletes for international competitions in collaboration with the Botswana National Olympic Committee and national sport associations; with the latter as lead agents.

DC NEC

SDC

HRC

FTC

AC

RMC

CSC

SSC

LFC

Sec’t

Affiliates WASBO

SVM

Aff. Emp

Elec. C

Best of Botswana

79

Congress The Supreme body of the Council is its general membership.

Executive Committee The main function of the Executive Committee is to oversee the affairs of the Council on an ongoing basis on behalf of the general membership.

The Executive Committee of the Council is made up of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, and three additional members. In accordance with the BNSC Act, the Chairperson is appointed by the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture on an annual basis. The Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer and one Additional Member are elected at the Annual General Meeting held in July every year. The other two additional members are government representatives for Ministries of Youth, Sport and Culture; and of Education and Skills Development. They are appointed by the relevant Ministries on an annual basis.

80

Best of Botswana

AFFILIATION Membership Roll The Botswana National Sports Council, as the umbrella body of sport in the country, has 37 national sports governing bodies affiliated to it. The number of Affiliates may change from time to time due to new applications, and sometimes due to others dropping out as a result of inactivity.

Below is a full list of BNSC Members/ Affiliates: 1. Botswana Athletics Association 2. Botswana Boxing Association 3. Botswana Amateur Judo Association 4. Botswana Badminton Association 5. Botswana Basketball Association 6. Botswana Bowling Association 7. Botswana Bridge Federation 8. Botswana Brigades Sports Association 9. Botswana Chess Federation 10. Botswana Cricket Association 11. Botswana Cycling Association

12. Botswana Darts Association 13. Botswana Dance Sport Association 14. Botswana Football Association 15. Botswana Golf Union 16. Botswana Gymnastics Federation 17. Botswana Hockey Association 18. Horse Society of Botswana 19. Botswana Integrated Sports Association 20. Botswana Karate Association 21. Botswana Motor Sport 22. Botswana Netball Association 23. Botswana Tertiary Students’ Sports Association 24. Botswana Rugby Union 25. Botswana Softball Association 26. Botswana Swimming Sport Association 27. Botswana Special Olympics 28. Botswana Squash Rackets Association 29. Botswana Table Tennis Association 30. Botswana Tennis Association 31. Botswana Volleyball Federation 32. Paralympics Association of Botswana 33. Botswana Weightlifting Association

34. Botswana Primary School Sports Association 35. Botswana Korfball Association 36. Botswana Parachute Association 37. Botswana Handball Association The Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) is treated as an Associate Member of the Council. The trio of Department of Sports and Recreation (DSR), BNOC, and the Council is recognised by the Policy as the major stakeholders in the development of sport in Botswana.

BNSC VISION 2028 In 1996, the Botswana National Sports Council launched the first 16- year strategic plan called Vision 2012 which ended in 2012. The Council reviewed the strategy and developed a new 16-year-long strategy. The new BNSC Strategic Plan is called Vision 2028. Its implementation started in January 2013 and it will be reviewed in periodic

cycles of four years to coincide with the Olympic Games; 2016, 2020, 2024 and 2028.

The BNSC has come up with a new Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Mission To lead, develop and implement an innovative sports delivery system by promoting sport participation and excellence.

Vision Sports for All, for Excellence and Prosperity.

Core Values yy Botho yy Integrity yy Effective Communication yy Inclusiveness yy Excellence yy Discipline Motto “Earn your stripes”

High Level Targets yy To improve contribution of sports to society yy To improve athletes’ performance yy To increase high-profile event hosting yy To increase sport participation BHAG Target The BHAG target agreed for the BNSC Strategy 2028 is; yy Five Olympic GOLD Medals by 2028 BNSC SUB-STRUCTURES • WASBO The Women and Sports Botswana was formed in 1997 with the aims of increasing the current level of participation by women and retain such levels into the next century, to also increase women and girls’ participation and/or awareness in all areas of sports and recreation.

Best of Botswana

81

• CENTRE FOR SPORTS EXCELLENCE The concept of Centre for Sports Excellence entails the designation of certain institutions and schools for sport and the provision of the necessary support services in the form of sport equipment and human resources by the Ministry of Sport and BNSC.

• SPORTS VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT(SVM) Sports Volunteer Movement was formed in 2000, the movement encourages individuals and the community at large to participate in Sport, and also seeks to recognise and appreciate the efforts of those involved. An online database has been developed. SVM currently has eight functional regional committees. A draft policy has been developed, and the membership currently stands at 1000.

82

Best of Botswana

BNSC POGRAMMES • ACTIVE COMMUNITY CLUBS (ACC) An Active Community Club is a place where people access physical and social activities through taking part in sports, games and learning. It is intended to contribute to the long-term social development of community club members through participation in regular physical activities. The programme targets children aged 4-15 years, youth of 16-30 years and people living with a disability.

• Re Ba Bona Ha (RBBH) This is a grassroots development programme that seeks to introduce sport to children throughout the country. Its objectives are to develop technique on athletes at a young age (5-17 years), to identify talent, to keep young people meaningfully occupied, and to help in the transformation of the under-achieving image of Botswana Sport. All Sports codes where skills development is a factor are eligible. Currently nine sports codes are enrolled in the programme.

These are football, volleyball, softball, boxing, rugby, athletics, chess, basketball and cricket. Debswana has been sponsoring RBBH since 2008, and the sponsorship has since grown from 1.7 million to 2 million.

• SPECIAL FUNDS The BNSC has set aside funds for deserving athletes who are excelling in Sports. These are the Elite fund where promising and academically gifted

athletes are sponsored in the country, in Europe or America. The Zebras athletes fund is set aside for elite athlete’s development.

• ANNUAL SPORTS AWARDS This is the scheme under which performance over the past year is recognised. It applies to all deserving sportspersons and teams across board; i.e. athletes, officials, coaches, administrators, etc. The difference between this and the Affiliates’ Performance Incentives Scheme is that this one rewards cumulative performance throughout the past year, while the latter is solely based on any official competition where achievement is recorded. The Annual Performance Scheme is administered by a panel, while the Affiliates’ Performance Incentives Scheme is administered by the Council Secretariat. Each of the two schemes is administered under a set of different guidelines as reviewed from time to time.

FACILITIES • STADIA The government has officially handed over the management of stadia to BNSC from the 1st November 2012. The stadia will assist BNSC in generating funds for it and its Affiliates. The following Stadiums were handed over: yy Masunga Sports Complex yy Molepolole Sports Complex yy Maun Sports Complex yy Serowe Sports Complex yy Francistown Sports Complex yy Lobatse Sports Complex yy Botswana National Stadium OTHER FACILITIES Other facilities that the BNSC has are as follows: • Athletes Village The Athletes Village situated in Block 9, is rented out to BNSC Affiliates when their Athletes are on camp, and other groups but preference is given to Affiliates.

• Gyms The BNSC has two two state-of-the-art gyms which are situated at the National Stadium and Lobatse Sports Complex.

These are used mostly by the athletes especially when they are in camp. But they are also open to the public. This is the other way the Council is able to generate income.

• LEASED COURTS The following courts are leased from Gaborone and Lobatse Councils: • South ring Courts

These were recently refurbished by Orange Botswana employees, and are now in use by the public.

• Tsholofelo Courts These are in good condition and are currently in use by community clubs.

• Lobatse Courts These courts were also refurbished and are in good condition.

2013 Achievements yy Tracy Chaba earned her a place to play professional volleyball in Algeria. yy Senior Male Team and Senior Ladies Teams won the World Cup Qualifying Games which were held in Molepolole and Zambia respectively. We maintain our support as both Teams go to the last qualifying stage scheduled for Egypt in February 2014. yy Khaya Groth won two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Championship in Canada before fighting his way to the top 16 position out of 56 competitors in kumite at the World Youth Championship in Spain. yy Three of karate officials Sensei Union Kgafela and Sensei Jonathan Phiri

acquired World accreditation as Judges of Kumite and Sensei George Tshikare acquired accreditation as Coach, also from the World Karate Federation. yy Alister Walker of Squash continues to do well in the professional ranking and is now ranked number 15 in the World. yy For the third season in a row our 400m women star Amantle Montsho won the Sumsung Diamond Leaugue, shortly after scoping a silver medal at the IAAF World Championship in Russia August 2013. yy Nijel Amos won gold at the World University Games in Russia in the 800m male. yy Phenyo Matong improved his ATP world ranking from 1900 in the world to 1400 by playing six ITF Men’s Pro Circuit Futures events in 2013. yy Bernardo Ayuso Erastus won 14 races in 2013, including Tour of Palencia General, Hot Point Sprint, Botswana champs MTB etc.

Postal Address: P. O. Box 1404 Tel: +267 395 3449/ 367400 Fax: +267 390 1607 Email: sport@bnsc.co.bw www.bnsc.co.bw Best of Botswana

83

Mascom National Derby

The Mascom National Derby is Botswana’s premier horse racing event that has been part of the Mascom sponsorships portfolio since 2006. Held in Maun, the event has over the years become the ultimate Easter getaway, with the 2013 edition attracting close to 10, 000 spectators. Providing a tangible boost to the local economy, the Mascom National Derby not only attracts multitudes of local visitors but also enjoys the participation of horse race enthusiasts from neighbouring Namibia and South Africa.

Preparations for the Mascom National Derby are meticulous, so as to give patrons a uniquely Maun and Mascom experience. It has also become the norm for local and international tourists to book off their Easter holidays to be at the Derby as early as January, because this is an

84

Best of Botswana

event not to be missed and has lived up to its reputation of being a cultural and sports fest, and is fast becoming a national and regional tradition.

To date Mascom has invested over P2-million into the Derby, and remains committed to supporting horse racing as a sport even further in the coming years.

Mascom views sport as a platform that can

be used to engage with stakeholders and also contribute to the welfare of Batswana.

This is further evidenced by continued sponsorships of various sporting codes, including soccer with the Mascom Top 8; Botswana Volleyball Federation League; motorsport with the biggest sporting event being Toyota Desert Race, athletics and cycling.

Tebogo Lebotse Chief Communications & PR Officer Emil: tebogo.lebotse@mascom.bw Tel: + 267 390 3396/8 tebogo.lebotse@mascom.bw Mascom Wireless Tsholetsa House, Plot 4705/6, Botswana Road, Main Mall Private Bag BO 298, Gaborone Tel: +267 362 5394 Fax: +267 390 3445 www.mascom.bw Best of Botswana

85

Toyota 1000 Desert Race in Botswana The Desert Race first began in 1975 as the Total Trans-Kalahari Race

For several years it was held in an area below the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana, but after the Gleneagles Agreement was signed as part of the antiApartheid movement, South Africans were no longer allowed into Botswana.

From 1981 the event was then held in the Northern Cape of South Africa, in the Vryburg/ Taylor’s Pan region. This was when Toyota SA Marketing came on board as the event sponsor and the event thus became known as the Toyota 1000 Desert Race.

When game farming became popular in the late 1980s, the available areas for this 1000km event were decreased significantly.

As a result in 1991, the event was moved back to where it originated in Botswana.

The race has since grown in popularity and stature over the years, with competitors likening it the ‘Comrades Marathon’ of offroad vehicle events.

Journey to Botswana The Four Wheel Drive Club and Toyota were connected with the Desert Race even before the Toyota Desert Race days. The binding

86

Best of Botswana

element between them was a man named John Salters, who was Clerk of the Course of the Total Trans-Kalahari, the Chairman of the Four Wheel Drive Club Organising Committee and was also employed by Toyota.

Total ended their sponsorship of the Total Trans-Kalahari before the Gleneagles Agreement and the removal of the event from Botswana. John Salters then negotiated a sponsorship with Toyota for the Desert Race and it was then moved to the Northern Cape in South Africa.

At first, it was restricted to motor vehicles but in 1978, motorcycles also took part in the race for the first time - adding a new and exciting dimension.

In 1988, John Salters was killed in a car accident and Peter Mounsear-Wilson became Clerk of the Course. The Toyota 1000 Desert Race held its position as the premier event on the national championship calendar for both motor vehicles and motorcycles.

In 1996, the four-wheel ATV ‘quads’ took part in the event for the first time, adding further variety to off-road racing. When The Motorcycle Off-Road Commission decided to stage its own national championship event in the Vryburg area, South Africa, in 2002, the Toyota 1000 Desert Race lost its national championship status for motorcycles and quads.

But in recognition of the unmatched terrain offered in Botswana, many motorcycle and quad competitors voiced their desire to enter the 2002 event in Botswana - setting a precedent for Toyota 1000 Desert Races in years to come.

In 2004, the traditional overnight stop

for national competitors was excluded from the event for the national competitors, who then got a well-deserved rest in Gaborone accommodation in preparation for the final Sunday leg. The terrain offered true 4x4 competition - with only 19 of the 79 entrants crossing the finish line.

Bikes and quads competed in the regional race, which covered the first 250km of the race route on day one and the reverse route for day two.

Spirit of Botswana This national championship race of Botswana, a premier event in the Southern African region, would not be possible without Toyota as the main sponsor, Botswana Tourism Organisation as the Coordinator, the Botswana Police, a number of Botswana Government Departments as well as support from other additional sponsors such as

Mascom Wireless and the many officials behind the scenes who volunteer. It is a pride of Botswana and draws thousands of participants and fans from across the region – sharing in the glory of the Botswana terrain.

There is truly no better place for it than Botswana – with the Toyota 1000 Desert Race and the nation sharing a mutually beneficial relationship. Botswana receives welcome coverage and publicity as it warmly welcomes competitors and spectators.

There is an indelible spirit of camaraderie and passion ignited by the event. It always provides many hours of spirited conversation around the campfire or in the pub - with both competitors and spectators sharing their adventures while at the Toyota 1000 Desert Race in Botswana.

www.toyotadesertrace.co.za Best of Botswana

87

Tour de Tuli Bicycle Adventure

The Sports tourism sector in Botswana is continually growing – a major benefit to the country considering that it is most often in aid of charity

One such event is the annual Tour de Tuli bicycle adventure ride in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, which is an initiative that raises funds for non-profit organisation, ‘Children in the Wilderness.’ ‘Children in the Wilderness’ is a charity programme run by Wilderness Safaris.

Children in the Wilderness The objective of the programme is to empower and teach children, from communities around Wilderness Safaris operations, on the importance of conservation. Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) has been participating at this event for the last five years with a view to create awareness for the Tuli region - which is the lesser known of the tourism regions in Botswana.

In addition, this event presents Botswana as a true adventure destination, which

88

Best of Botswana

appeals to adventure seekers in the world of travel. The 2013 tour featured over 500 cyclists from all over the world. The fourday route starts in Botswana, crosses into Zimbabwe and ends in South Africa.

Every year, BTO invites local media with a view of creating more local awareness for the area and Tour de Tuli event. Tour de Tuli gives cyclists an opportunity to view wildlife while enjoying their favourite sport. The 2013 tour featured over 500 cyclists from all over the world.

Day 1 It starts at the Limpopo Valley Camp’s Mashatu Air Strip, with a single track cycling route offering cultural interaction while passing through local villages. There is an overnight stop at Mashatu Kgotla Camp, which is near Solomon’s Wall – a sight worth seeing for its natural beauty and imposing rock formations.

Day 2 The memorable second day of the tour takes cyclists over the challenging terrain of a sandy jeep track through the sacred hills of Mapungubwe. Riders negotiate over riverbeds while crossing rocky ridges to Fraser Jones Weir – with thrilling views of the wetlands between the ridge and Shashe River. After crossing the informal border post set up for cyclists to cross

over from Botswana to Zimbabwe, riders continue on to Shashe Village in Zimbabwe’s Maramani community, where they stopover for refreshments. The break is followed by an easier fast ride over a flat terrain to the overnight stop at Maramani Camp which overlooks the Limpopo River.

Day 3 The third day offers diverse scenery from rocky outcrops to flat bush veld and fantastic views over community lands - riding into thick acacia bushes and over the basalt rocks which border the Limpopo River floodplains. Memorable sights include the 200-million-year-old fossil preserved in a rock, reached after a climb up the perennial spring Sizi. The route then heads east over the Pazhi River up to Sandstone Lodge, followed by a tough ride on elephant trails.

The final overnight stop at Kuduland Camp comes after skirting the Mutshilashokwe

dam and passing through a fishing camp and ancient ruins.

Day 4 The last leg of the Tour de Tuli is a morning ride from Kuduland Camp past the Nottingham Fishing camp, along a shady riverbed and parallel to basalt cliffs – under the watchful eye of black eagles which soar through the vast African skies. Cyclists pass by large caves and unique trees.

The scenic ride continues along the Limpopo River to the crossing point into South Africa’s Mapungubwe National Park.

The unforgettable but exhausting Tour de Tuli mountain bike challenge is described by riders as being largely fulfilling – seeing Africa’s most beautiful landscapes up close.

www.thevoicebw.com www.botswanatourism.co.bw Best of Botswana

89

Khawa Dune Challenge and Cultural Festival

The annual Khawa Dune Challenge & Cultural Festival was hosted from Friday 23 August to Saturday 24 August 2013 by collaboration between Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO), the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture (MYSC), Botswana Motor Sport (BMS) and Kgalagadi District.

The event is family-oriented and involves a Quad and Motorbike Challenge traversing the Khawa Sand Dunes, a Camel Race, cultural activities showcasing the cultures of the Kgalagadi, as well as fun Camel rides. There was also a Football Tournament comprising of four teams starting with knock-outs on Friday and finals held on Saturday. The only one of its kind, this event, held at the Khawa village about 167km from Tsabong in the Kgalagadi District, brings together motorsport and culture adding a new dimension to tourism product development.

90

Best of Botswana

The importance of introducing the Camel-related activities is noted in its enhancement of the sustainability of camel-centred tourism as a new product offering. These activities are helping promote awareness of the new Camel Park in Tsabong.

Adventure lovers throng to the event in large numbers. The thrill of professional stunts as well as quad, motorbike, and camel racing balances the showcase of different Kgalagadi cultural traditions.

The 2013 event began on the Friday with a night of traditional dance at the centre of the remote Khawa village, meaning ‘Morning Dew’, which has a population of around 3000 residents.

Saturday morning saw President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama officially open the motorsport race, in front of the crowd of over 1000.

Notable teams participating in the 2013 event were the Wildebeest Quads Youth Academy and the Cheetah Quads – the latter dominating the race.

The event houses a VIP campsite which was seen to accommodate various CEOs from parastatals, banks and corporations. Campsites comprised of mobile safari tents supplied by the private sector – adding to the truly unique Botswana experience.

The evenings around the fire saw revellers appreciate the exhilarating traditional polka dance performances,

alongside the President. The Botswana Tourism Organisation has embarked on efforts to market the event to other countries in the region for 2014, for a bigger and better event. Coming years will not only see the introduction of hot air ballooning, but also sand-related activities such as sand gliding.

The Khawa Dune Challenge & Cultural Festival has become a highly anticipated event on the annual calendar and as a result, the 2013 edition attracted double the amount of participants and tourists than the year before.

The Khawa Dune Challenge & Cultural Festival has helped open the door to the village of Khawa. Community vendors were given temporary licenses for the event which saw a boost to local businesses and sales. Government infrastructure put in place to cater for the crowd has also benefited the community.

For Batswana, the event marks a weekend getaway which caters to families with children. The aim of Botswana Tourism Organisation was to create an entirely new tourism activity which would be unique to the Khawa and Kgalagadi region. The benefits have been far reaching as filling stations and shopping outlets on the way to Khawa have received new traffic. Khawa and the sand dunes of the Kgalagadi district are now deservedly being recognised and explored.

Tel: +267 391 3111 Fax: +267 395 9220 Email: ttafa@botswanatourism.co.bw www.botswanatourism.co.bw Best of Botswana

91

Chapter 3 Travel and Tourism

92

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

93

Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO)

Mandate Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) promotes best practice in the tourism sector with a view to facilitating tourism development that is socially and environmentally sustainable. The organisation markets and raises awareness of the country’s tourism locally and internationally, as well as develops and implements quality standards through facility grading and eco-certification.

BTO is responsible for implementation of the National Ecotourism Strategy (2002), and assisting present and prospective entrepreneurs on issues relating to sustainable tourism development.

Going Green through Sustainable Tourism In 2009, BTO launched the Botswana Ecotourism Certification System. The system is designed to encourage and support

94

Best of Botswana

responsible environmental, social and cultural behaviours by tourism businesses and make sure they provide quality ecofriendly products to consumers. It comprises of a set of voluntary quality performance standards, which are designed to meet or exceed basic environmentally responsible standards or legislation.

Through these standards, BTO has highlighted our strong commitment to socially and environmentally responsible tourism. These standards with the associated certification system are the foundation of our continued commitment to working with the industry, and those associated with it, on the development of tourism facilities and services. This can position Botswana as a leading sustainable ecotourism destination - demonstrating willingness to be part of a global ‘green’ economy.

Business Opportunities in Tourism Our tourism investment portfolio has seen the industry attract both local and foreign direct investment, drawn to its competitive business environment, political stability and strong growing economy.

Under the Government Policy of “Community Based Natural Resource Management’’, BTO drives the strategy to increase investment in community-based projects that encourage the development and commercialisation of areas endowed

with natural resources. It is important that we keep our focus on growing these initiatives as tourism is one of the greatest sources of employment and can further help lower poverty rates. This is also part of BTO’s extensive Corporate Social Investment.

Botswana Tourism Community Based Projects The Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) is mandated to develop and improve existing tourism opportunities and diversify the sector, into other forms of tourism. As part of this mandate, BTO has assumed the responsibility of assisting a number of Community Based Organisations (CBOs) or Trusts in developing their eco-tourism ventures, which would broaden the tourism product base throughout the country.

Below is a list of projects that are currently in progress or complete: • Seboba Nature & Recreational Park • Goo-Moremi Resort • Tsabong Pilot Eco-Tourism Camel Park • Lepokole Nature Reserve Seboba Nature & Recreational Park Seboba “Chihuha”, meaning “a place of rapids” in Sisubiya, is a unique place where the Chobe River forms a prominent geological feature in the form of Rapids.

The origins of the rapids date to the late

Best of Botswana

95

Quaternary era when the Chobe arrived as an extension of the Kwando and Linyanti system to occupy a channel previously abandoned by the Zambezi River. During the annual floods (February to June), the rushing river rapids produce brisk soothing sounds and amazing white water panoramas.

To unleash the tourism potential of this area, Botswana Tourism Organisation and the Seboba VDC Trust have gone into partnership and developed a park that comprises facilities, as outlined below:The park is envisioned to offer a wide range of activities such as: traditional song and dance; poetry, arts and crafts; nature walks; sunset moments; bird watching; and picnics.

• Performance Area The performance area is a multipurpose arena which is intended to provide tourists/guests with cultural entertainment through traditional song, dance and poetry from all over Botswana. The arena comprises of raised

96

Best of Botswana

levels which allows two types of seating arrangements - cinema style (capacity 165) and dinner setting (capacity 60).

There is a food server and a refreshment bar incorporated into the structure allowing meals to be served to guests to experience traditional cuisine and refreshments during performances. The arena is fitted with a state-of-the-art audio and visual system.

• Information Centre and Curio Shop This building is located near the gatehouse and accommodates administration offices and mainly Botswana’s first live Craft Workshop and Curio Shop. The aim is to showcase and celebrate indigenous craft-making skills and provide a platform and market for the crafts to be sold to tourists.

• Commissioner’s Kop and Viewing Deck The Commissioner’s Kop is a hill within the Seboba area and is famous as a

resting place for the first President of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama, during his visits to Kasane. The hill provides 360-degree elevated views around the park - and especially of Impalila Island in Namibia and the Chobe River. Sunset views and bird watching in the area are some of the best in Chobe. A plaque for Seretse Khama outlining the history of the place and surrounding areas, including information on flora and fauna, is provided. The viewing deck comprises of a 50m2 platform to host focal events such as educational talks and tourist groups which visit the park. • Traditional Village The traditional village comprises of four huts/ structures (matlo a borobalo) depicting Basubiya, Banambia, Basarwa and Batawana culture in Chobe - in terms of their place of sleep, kitchen (lefelo la boapeelo), food storage (letlole), and family area (lelwapa).

In addition, there is a communal kraal and the Kgotla for traditional meetings, dance, storytelling and display of traditional games. The traditional village was constructed using local materials and methods by the local tribesmen and women. • Walking Trails and Picnic Areas The Seboba Nature and Recreational Park has a 2km walking trail, which has elevated platforms made from recycled plastic and lookout points which are fitted with benches for relaxation and bird watching.

There are two self-catering picnic sites each with a capacity for 30 people and with facilities such as braai (barbecue) and wash-up areas, fixed benches and monkey-proof litter

bins. The picnic sites share a parking area and an ablution building with male and female toilets. • Goo-Moremi Resort The Moremi Gorge is part of the larger Tswapong Hills environs which consists of a series of spectacular waterfalls, some up to 10m in height.

The area is endowed with numerous ritual archaeological relics for the Batswapong tribe. It is also home to rare raptors including the endangered Cape Vulture and is a sacred place for religious pilgrims. Botswana Tourism Organisation and Moremi Manonnye Trust (a Community Trust) have developed resorts that comprise 18bed chalets and a Camping Ground with capacity for 50 people. The resort has a 3.5km walking cultural trail along all important archaeological sites, which include hiking into the Gorge.

Botswana Tourism Organisation Tel: +267 3913111 Fax: +267 3959220 www.botswanatourism.co.bw Best of Botswana

97

Lekhubu Island

Lekhubu Island also popularly known as “Kubu Island” is a rock outcrop, which was sometime submerged under the waters of the great Makgadikgadi Lake

Lekhubu and Gaing-O means a ridge or a rocky outcrop in Setswana and Sesarwa.

It is a remnant of ancient sand dunes and is one of the scattered granite islands found in the Makgadikgadi Pans. In addition it is the second largest space in the Sowa Pan system.

The rocks are stained white with fossilised bird droppings and are called apatite, which bears testimony to a large bird population that used to live on the island feeding on the fish of the waters that surrounded the rocky outcrop. Felsic dykes are also found on the rocks. The island was declared a national monument in 1990 due to the artifacts from the stone-age era that included cutting tools, pottery shreds and remains of a low circular stonewall that dated back to around 200AD. Lekhubu Island is predominantly known through its unique ecological and archaeological features.

98

Best of Botswana

Unique Ecological and Archaeological Features of Lekhubu Island The Stone Wall There exists a low-circular stone wall/ ruins with four loop holes, though initially there were about 24 windows similar to The Great Zimbabwe Ruins and have cultural significance. The ruins are said to have been an initiation school for boys.

The walls were once 1.2 metres high and 70 – 100 metres in diameter, though much of it has collapsed due to animals, human activities and weather elements.

The Stone Cairns 450 – 500 stone cairns which were piled by the initiates during graduation are found in the island.

The Median or Sacred Place Pottery shreds and ostrich eggshells are found here in close proximity to the

shrine but have been washed away by the rains and are found anywhere in the island, especially on the shoreline of the pans.

Part of the breeding site for flamingoes Lekhubu Island is well known and most famous for being host to breeding flamingoes thereby providing a niche for bird tourism. The opportunity offered by bird watching together with serenity of the island brings peace and fulfillment to guests, despite the absence of the big five.

The Shrine This is a sacred cave that was and still is used for traditional ceremonies, rituals, spiritual and custom purposes. People still come for meditation at the site.

Best of Botswana

99

DOMBOSHABA

Cultural Heritage Site

Domboshaba literally means Red or Eland hill locally known as “Luswingo”. The site is located in the northeastern part of Botswana near Masunga. It is bordered by the Kalakamati – Masunga road to the south and Vukwi River in the Northeast. Domboshaba monument covers the hill top and the lower valley.

Domboshaba is found between Vukwi and Kalakamati villages. It is about 9kms from Masunga village and about 7km from Kalakamati. There is a tarred road that runs 500m from the site, making it easily accessible.

Cultural and Natural heritage Domboshaba is an Iron Age site, which was occupied towards the end of the Great Zimbabwe period. It is an open site of more than 8 hectares. On the hilltop there are dry stonewalls which form private enclosures. Most of these stonewalls have

100

Best of Botswana

an average height of 1.8 metres. The hilltop has 6 stonewall enclosures while the lower part has 1 main enclosure divided into several enclosures. Most of the walls are free standing with a few platforms, which mainly form part of the entrances. There are 15 visible dakha floor structures, which represent the presence of huts.

The chief’s many wives are believed to have lived on the southern side where there is a big enclosure with lots of dakha floor structures. The chief lived on the hilltop with some of his assistants.

The site has been revered by the local people and has been protected by cultural taboos until the advent of colonialism.

From that point onwards there was a lot of treasure hunting. The site was excavated by both treasure hunters and archaeologists; the excavations led to problems with regard to the conversation of both stonewalls and dakha structures.

The most damaging were the Frobenious’ 1928 excavations. He dug almost all the areas with stonewalls. There is only 1 stonewall enclosure with some cheque decorations. This wall is on the lower valley area and was restored through sponsorship funds from the Africa 2009 Programme.

The type of stone used for building the stonewalls is granite with a few dolerite blocks. Dolerite could have been quarried within the environs of the monument as the presence of this type of stone was noted during an archaeological survey carried out at the monument. The common tress species in and around the monument are Mophane (Colophospermun Mophane) and Mofafu. As a result of the vegetation, the

Mophane moth caterpillar (Gonimbrassia belina) is abundant at the site just after the rainy season.

The Community and the Monument The community in the area holds the monument in high esteem. An organized cultural group holds the annual traditional festival there. Participation is drawn from the nearby villages and the audience comes from across the country. The community believes that their great ancestors occupied the monument.

Restoration A condition survey was carried out at the site in 2003. The survey led to the eventual restoration of the wall with the cheque

decoration in 2006. The access route (up hill steps) was also stabilised.

Flora and Fauna The trees and shrubs found at the site were identified using the morphology of their stems and branches. The eastern side of the site is characterised by a rocky landscape and is covered with some rock plants; these are mostly big trees and ferns. The western side is made up of sandy soil and is occupied by sand loving plants, mostly Termanalia species.

Botswana National Museum Tel: +267 397 4616 Fax: +267 391 1186/390 2797 E-mail: national.museum@gov.bw

Best of Botswana

101

Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana Welcome to Botswana

The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) is a Statutory Corporation established under the Civil Aviation Authority Act (CAP 71:04) of 2004.

This Act was repealed by the Civil Aviation Act of 2011. The Authority commenced full operations on 1 April 2009 as a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).

CAAB is responsible for the regulation of air transport, enforcement of civil aviation regulations, the provision of air navigation services, the operation and development of airports, as well as advising the Government on civil aviation matters, amongst others.

Most of these functions were formerly handled by the former Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

The CAA Act of 2011 stipulates that the Authority will perform its functions in accordance with sound commercial and

102

Best of Botswana

financial principles, and will ensure as far as possible, that its revenue is sufficient to meet the expenditure properly chargeable to its revenues.

For a country measuring 581,730km² spread over geographical contrasts such as the wetlands of the Okavango Delta, the plains of the Kalahari and the flatlands of the south, aviation accessibility for commercial and private use is a key policy priority for Botswana.

The CAAB manages and maintains six major airports consisting of Sir Seretse Khama International, Maun International, Kasane International, Francistown International and Selebi Phikwe, which geographically cover Botswana’s urban and tourist areas, as well as one minor international facility in Ghanzi, the centre of the country’s cattle farming industry.

Besides these, the Authority operates 19 secondary airfields spread across the country, largely in major and minor villages. There also exist numerous private licensed aerodromes located mainly in the Okavango Delta and Chobe Districts. These aerodromes can only be used by the prior permission of the owner.

Development and upgrade projects In recognition of the fact that an efficient and well-developed aviation system is critical for economic competitiveness and growth, since 2008 government has invested close

Artist impression of Maun Airport Departure Drop off

to P2-billion in major airport development and expansion projects countrywide.

These include Sir Seretse Khama, Maun, Francistown, Kasane, Hukuntsi, Tsabong and Tsodilo, as well as improved navigational aids at several airports.

Sir Seretse Khama International Airport At a cost of P527-million to date, the near-complete upgrade of the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA) is

arguably the most critical, being the gateway for international travellers in and out of Botswana. The new facility already has a new state-of-the-art terminal building, complete with full body security scanners and modern protocols.

When fully completed, it will be capable of handling 975 passengers per pick hour while the runway which has been extended by a kilometre is capable of hosting large aircraft equivalent to B747.

Best of Botswana

103

Artist impression of Maun Airport Check-in Hall

Artist impression of Maun Airport waiting area

Francistown Airport At Francistown Airport, the country’s second largest, a P562-million upgrade completed in 2011 produced a terminal building capable of handling a traffic forecast up until 2025, various categories of business lounges, 67 offices, and structures capable of handling a 737 Boeing aircraft or equivalent.

104

Best of Botswana

Kasane Airport In Kasane, a P180.5-million upgrade and expansion has opened greater avenues for tourism development by providing greater and more efficient access to the Chobe region’s natural attractions.

Kasane Airport is now also able to handle Boeing 737 and equivalent aircraft,

boosting traffic to the tourism-rich northwest region.

Maun International Airport The P553-million extension of the runway of the Maun International Airport was recently completed. The extended runway is capable of handling a Boeing 737 or equivalent

Artist impression of Maun Airport

aircraft. Plans are underway to extend the airport terminal. When completed, the airport will be able to handle 470 passengers at typical peak hour and 147 passengers at non-schedule departures. The complete airport will consist of a new runway, new air traffic control tower, new terminal building and supporting facilities.

The key to aviation competitiveness, however, has also been the CAAB’s development of quality human resources at all airports to ensure efficient and effective transit by travellers. Always ready to render service with a smile, the helpful staff at the country’s airports are the frontline in the country’s brand initiative.

This particular quality is a key to supporting the increased numbers of flights and passengers coming through the country’s airports as a result of the infrastructure spend. Statistics Botswana figures indicate that airports at Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi Phikwe, Maun, Kasane and Ghanzi handled 80,164 aircraft movements and 764,972 passengers in 2012, the latter figure being a step closer to the golden target of one million.

Plot 61920 Letsema Office Park, Fairgrounds P.O.Box 250 Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 368 8200 Fax: +267 391 3121 E-mail: caab@caab.co.bw www.caab.co.bw

Artist impression of Maun Airport Check-in Hall

Artist impression of Kasane Airport

Best of Botswana

105

106

Best of Botswana

www.airbotswana.co.bw

Best of Botswana

107

The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB)

The Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) exists to promote, encourage and police excellence in hospitality and tourism in Botswana.

It is HATAB’s role to ensure that all visitors, both from within and from outside Botswana, enjoy consistently high standards of service from the entire hospitality and tourism industry.

The Association is an umbrella organisation representing all sectors of the industry. Privately established and funded, it is the governing body for all its members.

In the interests of service excellence it provides and enforces codes of conduct for its members, and it promotes the industry by consistent communication with tourists, locals, and especially with the media.

It is a non-profit organisation and it owes its existence to the fact that the

108

Best of Botswana

members themselves recognise the importance of high standards at every level of the industry.

HATAB was formed in 1982 and the voluntary membership now includes more than 40% of all registered and operating tourism enterprises in the country. These members benefit in many ways; through HATAB they police themselves, and also have a voice that lobbies Government and other key stakeholders, to create an enabling environment for hospitality and tourism enterprises to thrive and prosper.

To keep members informed the Association publishes a Quarterly Review and holds an Annual General Meeting when the Chairman reviews the developments of the past year and considers what the future holds. On a dayto-day basis the affairs of the Association are run by a Secretariat under a Chief

Executive Officer who reports to the Executive Committee. This committee is made up of 12 men and women, each elected from a different HATAB sector.

Together these sectors virtually make up the entire industry: hotels, restaurants, air services, air charter, mobile safaris, lodges and camps, tour operators, travel agencies, and hunting concessions. Thus HATAB essentially groups the private enterprise side of the industry, but it works closely with government through the Ministry of Tourism and shares the same vision for the future. It also takes on as a special interest the concept of community based tourism ventures, working with the Non-Governmental organisation that represents Community Based Natural Resource Management (BOCOBONET).

Tel: +267Â 395 7144 Fax: + 267Â 390 3201 Main Mall, Turnstar Building, 3rd Floor Private Bag 00423 Gaborone, Botswana www.hatab.bw Best of Botswana

109

Rosewell Chauffeurs

Introduction Introducing Rosewell (Pty) LTD. A chauffeurdriven car hire company driven to redefine luxury travel. Based in Gaborone, Botswana Rosewell offer chaffeur-driven vehicles for all occasions.

Redefining Luxury Travel Rosewell (Pty) Ltd are a Botswana-based chauffeur car hire service. A private hire operator, providing safe, punctual luxury chauffeur-driven cars & vehicles for business, tours, weddings, events and nights out.

Whether your needs are for airport transfers, corporate transport, city tours, weddings and events or simply a luxurious way to round off a night. Let Rosewell glide you there in safety and in style. With executive cars for Gaborone and the rest of Botswana.

110

Best of Botswana

You can choose the right vehicle for your journey. Your business will benefit from professional and prompt service with friendly and efficient operators. Creating a seamless airport transfer, road show and multi-point itineries for you and your business.

Our commitment We pride ourselves in providing you with: • Luxury Comfort and Safety • Security and Confidentiality • Reliability • Punctuality • Professionalism • Experience Our Principles • Safety First Rosewell handle the transport of many high-profile executives and corporate clients. We understand that security and discretion are paramount and our Terms of Use reflects our commitment to this responsibility.

• Smart Chauffeurs Dressed in smart, dark suits our chauffeurs are immaculately presented.

• Experienced Chauffeurs All of our chauffeurs are experienced professionals and have a full background and criminal record check. They comply with our confidentiality agreement - what is said in the car, stays in the car! They all have a good topographical knowledge of Botswana, and do not rely solely on their in-car satellite navigation. Our chauffeurs are hand-picked to provide a truly first-class service, from door to door. All have great people skills as well as good driving experience.

• Intellectual Chauffeur We have carefully selected our drivers from different graduate levels to basic intellectual education level.

Driven to serve Our selection process looks at the drivers’ attitude and commitment to service, as much as their driving and topographical skills. Nothing is too much trouble for a Rosewell chauffeur; they take pride in their work with an aim to provide the highest level of service.

The Chauffeur Cars The world’s finest chauffeur cars from, Mercedes-Benz to BMW, ensure that you get the right vehicle for your journey. Every car is valeted, including complimentary water and newspaper.

Fleet We have a dedicated fleet of unbranded vehicles. All our vehicles have full insurance cover with passenger liability insurance inclusive; valid road transport permits; road worthy certificates and tracking devices.

• Standard: Toyota Corrolla, Chevy Cruze • Comfort: Mercedes Benz C Class, Audi A4, BMW 320i • Executive: Mercedes Benz E Class, BMW 7 Series • MPV (Mercedes Viano): people moving comfort • MPV (Toyota Quantum or similiar): roomy Our Chauffeur Services • 24hrs On-call Chauffeur • Airport and Hotel Chauffeur • City Day Chauffeur • Out of Town Chauffeur • Road show Chauffeur • Restaurant and Club Chauffeur • Weddings and Events Chauffeur • Wildlife Resort Area Chauffeur • Rosewell Concierge • Presidential Visits • Limo Services • Hotel Concierge Rosewell Executive Cabs Rosewell Chauffeurs brings you executive cabs that operate from hotels to ease your office transfers in the week, and your pick up and drop off to your chosen destination.

This is a cheaper alternative to a full chauffeur drive. The service also best serves corporates to transfer them from the hotel to their different locations throughout the day. Our dispatcher monitors your itinerary and requested appointments. This is also a cheaper option to leasing a vehicle for your stay in Botswana. Our service is accessible and available for purchase through our affiliated hotels; the Town Lodge, Lonrho Lansmore Hotel, Phakalane Golf Estate and the Peermont Hotels.

Presidential Visits As our service is specialised, we host Presidential visits, Ministers and their entourage in Botswana. We provide a fleet of specialised vehicles and drivers who are specifically trained for this kind of drive.

P. O Box AD56ACJ Gaborone, Botswana Email: bookings@rosewellchauffeurs.co.bw Tel/ Fax: +267 390 8292 Cell: +267 75401877 www.rosewellchauffeurs.co.bw Best of Botswana

111

Chapter 4 Hotels, Lodges and Resorts

112

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

113

Lansmore Masa Square

Botswana beguiling the world

Botswana, known for its diamonds, has always held the world’s attention for these sparkling gems. Over the years, however, we have moved from a nation whose claim to fame lay solely in the fate of a single precious stone to a country which beguiles the world by producing a myriad of wonders, from our athletes to our ever changing skyline. One such bright star, set against the backdrop of an evolving cityscape, is the recently opened luxury hotel, Lansmore Masa Square.

Lansmore Masa Square, a business first luxury hotel in the new CBD, has already charmed locals and business travellers alike. With its bevvy of unique offerings and its own particular brand of impeccable service, luxury and glamour, the hotel has truly set itself apart.

In a city whose hospitality landscape had previously lain unchanged for years, Lansmore Masa Square offers a challenge to the rest in the way of a philosophy that

114

Best of Botswana

mandates redefinition of that very landscape.

The hotel continues to urge guests and patrons to refuse to settle for anything but the epitome of perfection. Lansmore has already become the go-to choice for its infamous Thursday night cocktail evenings, its fabulous rooftop event space, and its Provençale cuisine that holds an elusively African twist. It has become the tourist gateway into the wonders of the city and beyond, as well as providing a long soughtafter base for a glamorous yet relaxed outing for city residents.

What catapults Lansmore Masa Square to the ranks of sparkling gem, however, is not only its service standards and luxurious appeal for both business and leisure

travellers. The hotel’s numerous ‘firsts’ make for a uniquely tempting draw. Lansmore Masa Square is Botswana’s tallest hotel, the only business first luxury hotel in the country and the very first Lansmore hotel in the world. The 7th floor of the hotel enables guests to boast that they are sleeping on the highest hotel bed in the country, while the infinity pool, located on the 3rd floor rooftop, serves as the highest infinity pool in the nation, holding an astounding 115,000 litres of water three floors high. The area is also the country’s highest rooftop event space, offering breathtaking views of the cityscape.

As Botswana continues on its path to success and proves that it truly is one of the most rapidly evolving countries on the

African continent, the nation does not fail to impress. Botswana continues to take bold strides as a country birthing talents, wonders and shining stars.

It’s not just our diamonds the world marvels at now, but gems ranging from our diverse people to the dazzling, evolving cityscape against the blue Botswana sky.

For more information, go to www.lonrhohotels.com/content/ lansmore-masa-square www.facebook.com lansmoremasasquare Email: reservations@lansmorems.com Tel: +267 3159954 / 72302543 Best of Botswana

115

Ta Shebube Eco Lodge

Explore the new frontier in remote desert destinations

Ta Shebube’s unique desert safari delves deep into the Kgalagadi – an isolated, unspoilt and undiscovered treasure trove with respect to its remote desert and solitude feel, rugged scenic beauty, the abundance and variety of wildlife, wilderness trails and culture.

Due to its extremely remote location and harsh terrain, the park gets relatively few visitors making it ideal for dedicated gameviewers, bird-watchers, photographic safaris and for guests seeking a desert experience.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) is one of the largest conservation areas in the world, and one of the last truly unspoilt ecosystems. This vast wilderness is a protected area where the boundary between South Africa and Botswana has no physical

116

Best of Botswana

barriers. This allows for free movement of animals along ancient migration routes that is so necessary for the survival of animals in this harsh desert environment.

The area is characterised by the red rolling Kgalagadi sand dunes, the Kgalagadi dune bushveld with its scattered salt pans, dune crests dominated by tall dune grass, the arid fossil river environment of the Nossob and Auob River valleys, vast open Acacia savannahs and expansive grassy plains. The dry river beds with its multitude of waterholes show predators and antelopes off at a premium. Predators are the area’s big attraction and include the black-maned Kalahari lion, leopard, brown and spotted hyena, jackal and wildcat. It is one of the best places in Africa for the cheetah which

thrive by hunting in the fossil river bed and the surrounding Kgalagadi dunes.

KTP is a haven for birders, especially when interested in birds of prey, and the Nossob riverbed is rated as one of the best places in Southern Africa to view raptors.

Of the 80 raptors recorded in Southern Africa, 52 of them have been seen in the KTP. A pristine desert wilderness.

The Ta Shebube desert circuit consists of two lodges, Rooiputs and Polentswa.

Each lodge promotes high-quality, low density tourism and is large enough to cater for groups of family and friends, yet small enough to ensure that all guests will

experience the tranquillity and solitude that make Kgalagadi such a desirable holiday destination.

Rooiputs Rooiputs is located about 25 km north of Two Rivers (Twee Rivieren). Situated off the predator-rich Nossob valley, the lodge is perched along a mature red sand dune, overlooking a water hole.

Co-ordinates - S 26º200.85’ – E 20º44’54.64

beds, high-quality mattresses and linen ensuring a relaxed night’s sleep.

Polentswa Polentswa is located 222 km from Two Rivers. along the predator rich Nossob. The camp is nestled amongst tall trees and dwarf scrubs overlooking the Polentswa Pan with its waterhole and exciting game.

Co-ordinates: S25º03’13.21, E20º25’40.23

Lodge and Facilities • The main open fronted lodge is set under thatch on an elevated expansive wooden deck and constructed out of a clever combination of canvas and wood and decorated with furniture which reflects the rich textures of Southern Africa and the desert; • Lounge area, a bar, dining room, reading area; • Craft shop; • Boma for fires and traditional meals; • Plunge pool.

Lodge And Facilities This is a classic tented camp capturing the romance of this nostalgic bygone era.

The main building is on an elevated deck to catch the breeze and positioned under a canvas roof. Here guests can either recline with a sundowner and a book, watch the game visiting the camp’s waterhole or merely contemplate the desert.

• Lounge area, a bar, dining room; • Reading area; • Boma for traditional dinners; • Viewing deck; • Waterhole.

ACCOMMODATION • 9 standard en suite thatched chalets; • 1 family unit; • 1 honeymoon suite with outside bath tub; • All chalets are privately set on raised wooden decks with a perfect view of the waterhole; • Chalets have a main sleeping area, small sitting area, en suite bathroom with his and hers wash basin, toilet, outside showers and a large veranda; • The sleeping area has double or twin

Accommodation In contrast to Rooiputs, Polentswa’s accommodation comprises of classic safari tents, all built on raised wooden platforms and under enormous canvas roofs that also encompass a spacious private veranda and an open air hot water shower. The tents will be originally furnished to reflect the spirit and essence of an authentic tented safari camp.

• 7 luxury classic safari tents; • 2 desert suites/family units; • Tents have a main sleeping area, dressing

Best of Botswana

117

area, en suite bathroom with wash basin, cupboard space, adjoining shower area open to the stars and a water-born toilet.

• The sleeping area has double beds, highquality mattresses and linen ensuring a relaxed night’s sleep; • The Polentswa tents are not really suitable for twin beds.

Activities • Game drives: morning, afternoon/ sunset game drives; • Half day birding safari; • Mid-morning birding & nature walks with our guide; • Star gazing with camp telescope; • Wellness massages*.

Safari Packages Ta Shebube offers fully inclusive packages and self-drive packages for those that prefer to drive themselves.

Children Policy Children over the age of eight years old are welcome to the camp and a family friendly tent is available for parents and children under twelve years old. However, parents must be aware of the danger posed by wild animals and the children must be under strict supervision all the time.

Climate The climate is typical for an arid area.

During summer between October to April, average temperatures can go beyond 40°C. Although this is the rainy season, rainfall is quite scarce, often accompanied by dramatic thunderstorms.

During winter between May and August the highest day temperatures are at a comfortable 26 – 30°C while the winter nights can be exceedingly cold with temperatures falling as low as 10°C below zero. The air is clear and dry. Winter is the best time to view game which often is congregated near the waterholes in the valley. Good game viewing can also be experienced towards the end of the rainy season.

Eco-Tourism The camp is designed to ensure that its operations are carried out in an ecologically sustainable manner where flora and fauna are fully protected and conserved.

Programmes are in place to minimise the negative aspect of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of the local communities.

Therefore, every effort is made to use green technologies at the camp such as solar power, and to promote recycling, energy efficiency and water conservation.

The lodges are powered by a solarpanel system with generators as a back-up.

Limited charging of batteries is available.

Both lodges are serviced by two boreholes.

118

Best of Botswana

The borehole water is very salty and a water purification system is used to remove the salt and provide potable water for the camp. Hot and cold water is available in all units.

However, due to the scarceness of water; guests are asked to use it considerately and we urge all guests to restrict showers to only a few minutes. For the same reason there are policies in place for the cleaning of guest towels and bed linen, and the camp offers no laundry service.

All junior staff are employed from the villages around the KTP to ensure that the local communities benefit from tourism.

Communication Limited cell phone signals are available at Rooiputs but not at Polentswa.

The camp has satellite phone for emergencies.

Access

By Road The park can be accessed by road from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Alternatively, guests will be met at Two Rivers/Twee Rivieren Parks Entrance or airstrip and transferred to the lodges.

Border Posts • Twee Rivieren, South Africa: opens 7.30hrs, closes 16.00hrs • Two Rivers, Botswana: opens 7.30hrs, closes 16.00hrs • Mata Mata, Namibia: opens 8.00hrs, closes 16.30hrs By air • Daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape town to Upington (SAA Airlink www.flyairlink.com) • There are private charter flight companies in Upington that can fly from Upington to Twee Rivieren in South Africa or Bokspits in Botswana.

www.tashebube.com

30 Years of Wilderness Safaris

Renowned ecotourism company, Wilderness Safaris, had its origins in Botswana 30 years ago. It is here that we started our love affair with the wilderness and where we offer our guests exclusive access to wildlife and wilderness areas of unparalleled quality.

Over the years, the company branched out into a further eight African countries – Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Seychelles, and most recently, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) and Kenya.

However, our roots remain as strong as they ever were – evidenced by the fact that in 2010, Wilderness listed as a fully-fledged company on the Botswana Stock Exchange.

Our vision is encapsulated by “the 4Cs” - a concept that suggests that our organisation aims to be truly sustainable by committing to the four dimensions of Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. We

specialise in privately hosted safaris and memorable wildlife experiences in the most remote and pristine areas of Botswana.

The country’s beautiful destinations – the Okavango Delta, Linyanti, Selinda and the Kalahari – and the wildlife dwelling within are showcased through a variety of experiences, from luxury Premier and Classic camps to family-focused Adventure camps, and guided safaris known as Explorations.

We share these destinations with our guests, introducing Botswana’s outstanding wildlife, birds and landscapes to them through game drives, mokoro and boat rides, insightful and enthusiastic guiding, and eco-friendly accommodation.

Recognising that conservation is as much about people as it is about the environment, the company has pursued important goals through its Children in the Wilderness pro-

gramme and the Wilderness Safaris Wildlife Trust - which have helped change the face of nature-based tourism in southern Africa.

We believe that our most significant achievement is to have built a financially viable, responsible ecotourism business model that has allowed us to provide an alternate land use for Africa’s wild areas, which does not exhaust natural resources, marginalise local communities or export its earnings.

Rather, it is one that has enhanced biodiversity conservation, engaged and uplifted rural communities, partnered with governments, added a real viability to Africa’s protected area and had a net positive impact on the world.

TravelShop@wilderness.co.bw Tel: +267 686 0086 Best of Botswana

119

Chapter 5 Dining and Hospitality

120

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

121

Upping the gastronomic ante

When it comes to culinary options in the city, we are starting to be a little spoilt for choice

With promises of international flair and dining views that will take your proverbial as well as literal breath away, there’s no denying that we’ve got a much bigger menu to choose from than we did just a few years back.

But does variety necessarily mean we have much of a choice? A paradox in itself, when what you’ve got is a delightfully large collection of what is essentially the same thing, it’s a little hard to start throwing around words like “choice.” Thankfully, as the Gaborone’s cityscape starts to take on a persona of its own, and new developments add to the ever evolving skyline, a truly tantalising injection of flavour has started to emerge. In fact, it’s a myriad of flavours as flavours of the continents are awakened within our local culinary establishments, each trying to leave that elusive taste in their diners’ palette.

It’s a little more than that, though, as many a self-proclaimed foodie will contend that it isn’t simply the food that gives a restaurant, café or any dining spot the winning ticket. Rather, it’s the perfect fusion of fine food, atmosphere and giving people what they actually want – something that changes as often as our moods do. Indeed, as with travel, one of the most intoxicating things about trotting across the culinary globe, as it were, involves sampling and indulging in gastronomic magic, different cultures, and the surprising marriage of two foods, flavours or feelings you would not otherwise have expected.

122

Best of Botswana

Lansmore Masa Square, having already established itself as a leading business-first luxury hotel set itself the ambitious task of redefining the hospitality sector in Botswana.

A year and a half on, it is difficult to dispute that that hotel has already left more than simply a fleeting impression, most especially in the gastronomic space. With Absolut Gaborone at Lansmore as the most recent addition to the hotel’s culinary arsenal, Lansmore has upped the ante in working to ensure every guest or patron really is spoilt for choice.

If you’re in the mood for fine French dining, try La Touche de Provence, the inhouse high couture of cuisine renowned for bringing a taste of Provençale cuisine that has its own elusive, local twist, to the very heart of Gaborone. With French restaurant manager and a Cape Townian Chef, there’s no denying the subtle nuances of international fusion within the restaurant and an ambiance you can’t possibly ignore and yet can’t quite put your finger on. And if you’re looking for something a little less a la carte, the restaurant’s buffet sees a dish from afar every day of the week. You may very well start your Monday in China and end the week with a little bit of Spain.

For those looking for something a little low key, a burger and a beer or a light salad over drinks or coffee with friends, Espretto strikes the perfect after work vibey atmosphere young professionals often seek.

Having fast become popular for after work drinks and themed nights that range from Hops and Apples on a Thursday or Soulful Sunday’s as jazz music fills the Masa Centre piazza. Local favourites? A burger that will leave you longing for more and proudly African sourced coffee not for the faint of heart.

Finally, if you’re looking for something that is quite truly different for Botswana, head upstairs to Absolut Gaborone.

Housed on the 3rd floor rooftop beside the hotel’s now infamous rooftop pool and overlooking Gaborone’s dazzling cityscape, the new addition to the Lansmore culinary family transports you to a world away.

Offering the full bouquet of Absolut Vodka flavours and varieties, Absolut provides Batswana with a uniquely mesmerising experience, be it through sundowners after work or a cheeky cocktail with friends.

On weekends, the rooftop spot strikes an entirely different tone as resident DJs take the decks and the rooftop truly comes to life. It’s a little strange to think so many

different tastes, atmospheres and offerings can be found in one locale, but isn’t that the beauty of a city on the rise? Being spoilt for choice whilst knowing at the same time exactly what you want. Add to that the knowledge that what you’re getting isn’t the run of the mill pop up restaurant replicated in every city, but an immersion into a truly unique atmosphere as unique as the hotel that offers it.

For more information, go to www.lonrhohotels.com/content/ lansmore-masa-square www.facebook.com lansmoremasasquare Email: reservations@lansmorems.com Tel: +267 3159954 / 72302543 Best of Botswana

123

moyo Gaborone

“So much more than just a restaurant”

A unique destination for a sophisticated African experience has opened in Gaborone.

From Ethiopia and Tunisia in the North, right the way down to Zululand in the South East, moyo has incorporated all that is indigenously African to create a venue that is more than just a restaurant.

At moyo guests can indulge in an entirely authentic experience in a setting of unique, locally crafted décor against pleasing shades of ochre. Curtains of threaded stone and wire provide a barrier that separates this African Wonderland from the hustle and bustle of the city. The pride of moyo lies in the detail that creates the experience – from our wishy

124

Best of Botswana

washy ladies who wash your hands with rose water once you are seated, to the signature face painting of moyo facepaint, moyo is famous for – meticulously executed to create and unforgettable encounter.

On the menu you will find an eclectic range of African cuisine: stuffed baked onions; delectable seswaa; Egyptian rose petal Semmit Bread; Zulu cabbage; or oxtail – a truly African feast. To wash it down we have carefully selected a palatable range of wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages to suit every dish on our menu.

The moyo stage is set to keep you entertained. Performances from local,

regional and international musicians, poets and artists are a staple at moyo and are guaranteed to satisfy every soul.

Come down to the iconic iTowers in the swanky CBD and experience true African hospitality the way it is meant to be enjoyed.

You can find us at: Unit 1AB 1st Floor, iTowers, CBD, Gaborone “a drum is beating and a seat is reserved for you at moyo”

Cappello Masa Square FOOD*PASSION*PEOPLE

At Cappello we are all about FOOD, PASSION and PEOPLE and our driving force is making sure that all three elements are combined into a seamless experience that will thrill and delight our patrons.

We have incorporated the glamour of classical mingling and socialising with delectable flavours to tantalise your senses.

The ideal venue for a work lunch, afterhour cocktails or pure lounging in comfort, Cappello has created a subtle, casual and delicious atmosphere and tantalising social arena. Centrally located at Masa Square in the bustling CBD, Cappello provides its patrons that much-needed escape from their daily tricks. With energy and a simple world-class touch, we aim to bring

CAPPELLO FOOD • PASSION • PEOPLE

enchantment to daily life. We promise to create an ideal flexible flavour and mood to complement your occasion, be it business or pleasure - with FOOD, PASSION and PEOPLE at the centre of your experience.

Whether you walk in for a quick espresso or wonder in for a Cucumber and Mint Martini, the Cappello encounter will satisfy.

You can find us at Masa Centre, Western Commercial Rd, Gaborone For bookings or more information: Tel: +267 393 1914 Fax: +267 393 2052 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ cappellogaborone Twitter: @cappello_gabs Best of Botswana

125

Rodizio Restaurant

Rodizio is an exciting and up-market Brazilian Restaurant situated at Riverwalk Shopping Centre, upper Level

We are the perfect food and entertainment destination as we cater for corporate, private and all types of celebrations.

Rodizio Botswana offers customers a warm, inviting and relaxed environment, with our DJ, dancers and singers who offer you a unique party experience.

Rodizio Botswana is a Brazilian style restaurant with an amazing and varied menu that will tantalise your taste buds. Experience the Rodizio meat concept which, offers you four different types of meat with 1620 different cuts at any given time. Trained carvers will bring offerings of meat to your table several times throughout the meal, until you decide it is no longer possible to even take one more bite. At a set fee, you can’t afford to miss out. Try our A-la-carte menu with fresh crisp salads to tasty starters and fabulous main course meals that includes fish, prawns, calamari, squid heads, oysters and lobsters that will more than satisfy your hunger.

126

Best of Botswana

Rodizio has a fully-stocked bar which includes an extensive wine list and cocktail menu. We also offer premium Whiskies, brandies and other spirits to enjoy with our selected range of cigars.

We have both smoking and non-smoking areas available to our clients, inside we can seat up to 60 patrons in the non-smoking area, whereas our more popular smoking balcony area can seat up to 100 patrons.

Come and enjoy our Daniela Prawn Platter special every Monday, the Meat Rodizio special every Wednesday and the special Brazilian cocktail’s served in a pineapple shell every Friday.

Visit us on: www.rodiziobotswana.co.bw

Riverwalk Shopping Centre Upper Level Shop 106 Village, Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267Â 392 4428/9 Best of Botswana

127

Sweet Candy Buffet

Kiddies Party Specialists

Who we are Sweet Candy Buffet is an event planning company with its core business being Kiddies events planning. This includes, but not limited to, birthday parties, children’s tea parties, Christmas parties, pre-school graduations and family fun days. The idea of Sweet Candy Buffet came in as a result of an opportunity which presented itself due to lack of professional kiddies events/parties planners and managers in Botswana. SCB has been operational from April 2012 in the provision of kiddies’ events planning and organisation.

Mission and Values To become the premier organiser and planner of excellent children’s parties and

128

Best of Botswana

ensure our customers, both parents and children, are satisfied while still keeping it as affordable as possible. Sweet Candy Buffet is dedicated to building long-term relationships with customers through provision of quality customised events planning and customer support, and wants to be recognised as the leading children’s parties and events organiser in Botswana.

SCB Values are: (i) Customer Commitment - Build respectful relationships with internal and external customers that cultivate trust; (ii) Quality - Provide the highest level of the goods and services. Willingness to go an extra mile to satisfy our customers.

Products and Services SCB offers the following services: Children’s birthday/tea parties/family fun days/creche/ Christmas parties - SCB uses these opportunities to make hosting a party a snap, right down to the refreshments.

• • • • • • • • • • •

Jumping Castle Party Packs Decor Cakes & refreshments Balloons Banners Invitations Clowns Heliums Themed party accessories Basic Set up (covered chairs and tables)

Tel: +2673951363/ +267 71 226669/+26772 996960 Facebook: Sweet Candy Buffet Botswana/facebook.com Email: candybuffet@rocketmail.com Best of Botswana

129

Chapter 6 Retail and Fashion

130

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

131

Choppies

The business was founded by the Chopdat family in 1986 when the first store, Wayside Supermarket (Pty) Limited, was opened in Lobatse. Following this, Lobatse again witnessed the opening of a second store in 1993. In 1999 the third store started its operations in Gaborone; which commenced the start of a rapid and very successful rollout of stores in Botswana. In 2008 the first store of Choppies was opened for the public of South Africa at Zeerust.

Choppies History and Overview Currently the Group is one of the largest employers in Botswana. Around 5200 people in Botswana and 2000 in South Africa are on the payroll of the organisation.

Customer profile The core customer segment visiting the store falls in the middle-tier segment of the society. Yet recently we are witnessing a change in this profile with upper-middle class sect consumers also frequenting our stores.

132

Best of Botswana

Today, the Group comprises of 99 stores; 66 in Botswana and 21 in South Africa, 12 in Zimbabwe, with a further 12 stores (six in Botswana and six in South Africa) scheduled for opening in the next financial year In the last 15 years, Choppies has grown to become the most preferred home brand in the retail sector in Botswana. Fuelled by explosive growth, Choppies presently enjoys a market share of 32% in the retail sector of Botswana. Choppies owns the largest supermarket chain in Botswana, with a footprint extending to rural locations which have been traditionally underserviced in the retail sector. The Group created a paradigm shift in the Botswana retail market, by taking stores to population centres, and maintaining shop hours convenient to the consumer.

More recently, the Group extended its operations to South Africa, with a network of stores in the provinces of North West, Limpopo and Free State.The company was listed in the Botswana Stock Exchange on 26 January 2012, in what is generally

considered to be one of the largest and most successful listings on the exchange in the non-banking sector. Since listing, the share price has risen from P1,15 to P3,07 a share, nearly a three-fold increase in value for shareholders in the span of over 18 months.

Social Responsibilities The Group takes its social responsibility seriously and is actively involved in the communities within which it operates. It employs over 100 physically handicapped persons and contributes significant amounts to charities, inter alia Botswana Red Cross, SOS Children’s Villages, The Lady Khama Charitable Trust Fund, and sponsors sports and recreational entities and events.

PMR Africa awards We are particularly delighted with the recognition the Group received from PMR Africa for its various social responsibility activities. The following PMR Africa Awards were received during the year: • Companies doing most to enhance the Presidential; • Task Group’s Vision 2016 (a national manifesto for the people of Botswana) – 1st Overall; • Retail Stores (fresh produce) – 1st Overall; • Companies/institutions doing most for economic empowerment – 1st Overall; • Retail Stores (food) – 4th Overall; • Companies held in high esteem as good corporate citizens based on their corporate social responsibility initiatives and investments over the past 12 months – 1st Overall.

Choppies is proud to be associated with the Lady Khama Charitable Trust Fund.

We remain one of the single largest donors to this most worthwhile cause.The Group is a Gold Sponsor of the University of Botswana Foundation, which is a non-profit

trust intended to engage the public and private sectors and other stakeholders in partnerships with the University of Botswana.

The Group was the main sponsor of the My Star Talent Show, which showcases and promotes local talent in Botswana.

Choppies was an associate sponsor of the Kabelano Charity Cup, which is an annual soccer event intended to provide a vehicle for the country’s budding footballers to put their talents on display. Other noteworthy social responsibility activities include:

• Donation of wheelchairs to the Office of the President; • Provided a bursary for a selected San student to undertake studies at the San Research Centre, part of the University of Botswana.

The group built and handed over 26 houses towards the Presidential Housing Appeal.

www.choppies.co.bw

Best of Botswana

133

Material GirlZ Fashion Shop

Material GirlZ Fashion Shop is the go-to destination for chic contemporary fashion.

Always defining fashion’s next stride forward, designed for the confident, sexy and modern woman, MaterialGirlz is a label that embodies a sensual and sophisticated lifestyle.

Specialising in: • Off-the-runway dresses • Celebrity inspired dresses • Ready-to-wear day-to-day outfits • High fashion Designer shoes • Trendy fashion accessories • Handbags and clutches • Personal shopping and styling • Custom-made prom, cocktail and evening dresses Bridal Boutique: • Custom-made bridal Gowns by

134

Best of Botswana

material girls fashion shop

• • • •

international designers, with a 21-day turnaround time Very unique, over-the-top bridal styling Bridesmaid dresses Bridal accessories Mother of the bride

Owner /Creative Director /Personal Shopper - Mrs. Charity Mbulawa-Baaitse A Mother, Wife and Successful Businesswoman, Mrs. Charity MbulawaBaaitse founded Material GirlZ Fashion Shop in July 2013 after years of travelling and exploring various fashions worldwide.

Now with a solid supplier network in New York, Atlanta, London, Dubai and China, she is able to bring various fashions and experiences home to Botswana.

Mrs. Baaitse is passionate about fashion and is skilled in addressing client’s styling needs. As a Bridal Stylist, she always happily recommends unique bridal gowns, which seem to be perfectly made to match the personality of the individual bride.

As the face behind this fashion shop, the 28-year old entrepreneur is the Sole owner, Creative Director and Bridal stylist. Her concept for the fashion shop was inspired by

her personal love of fashion – a place where she can share her experiences of her world exploration and bring international fashion sense to her homeland. She is proud to introduce unique celebrity inspired outfits, off the runaway dresses, brand name shoes and various other fashion accessories.

“Botswana ladies do love their fashion but we are often limited to chain/department stores which do not cater for an up-market sense of style; so I visit these various countries time and again to shop for my clients depending on their appetite”, said Mrs. Baaitse.

The shop is located in Phakalane which is a bit of a drive from Gaborone, therefore we have created an online shopping platform enabling our client to shop at the comfort of their own home. Website: www.materialgals. com “We are driven by the demand, the love and support from our clients; every day we learn and share fashion experience with our clientele - the sky is truly the limit. I definitely am taking the business to greater heights as we plan to move and open a branch in a more convenient place soon”, said Mrs Baaitse.

Shop No 4, Mowana Park, Gaborone Tel: +267 71990070 Email: charity@materialgals.com Email: Charitymbulawa@yahoo.com www.materialgals.com Best of Botswana

135

Chapter 7 DĂŠcor, Design and Interiors

136

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

137

SASA Interiors

Introduction Sasa Interiors are involved in the design or renovation of internal spaces, including structural alterations, furnishing of the interiors, finishing and fixtures. Our ability combines the efficient and functional use of space while also understanding and appreciating the general aesthetics of an interior space.

Who we are Sasa interiors is a wholly citizen-owned company. The company’s founder Nomsa. N. Moyo studied for a professional qualification in Interior Design in Britain.

Since being founded in November 2002, the company has grown its reputation to one of the most successful interior design companies in Gaborone, excelling in particular in the corporate industry. The company now boasts a small, but effective, not to mention creative, team of five interior designers, an office administrator and personal assistant, with Nomsa still at the helm as Managing Director.

138

Best of Botswana

i n t e r i o r s

What we do Our job is to see to interior spaces that are in accordance to each client’s specific wants and needs. All of our work requires us to have a clear understanding of client’s operational requirements for a particular interior, and we undertake to do feasibility studies before commencing with a project, whether it is residential, corporate, retail or hospitality.

In addition to this, Sasa Interiors offer a turnkey solution to all projects, should our clients require it, by handling projects from conceptual stage to site handover.

This would include our involvement as Project Managers on certain projects, standing as the main line of co-ordination and communication between client and contractor.

Delivering Bespoke and innovative designs down to the smallest detail!

At Sasa Interiors our interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, resulting in a flexible, functional environment that optimises space and fulfils the project goals.

Services Provided • Acquiring a detailed brief from the client to determine a project’s specific requirements and functions; • Site surveying; • Developing the initial concept and acquiring key information about a

•

•

•

• •

• •

•

• • • • •

•

specific project about the theme and functionality of a specific project; Understanding the needs of both the client as well as that of the end users, and finalising briefs while considering this information; Carefully selecting materials and furnishings in coherence with a specific budget; Negotiating and setting project fees as well as project terms and conditions; Compiling project schedules, timelines and deliverables; Researching and compiling reference images relating to a specific project; Producing ‘sample’ or ‘mood’ boards and presenting to clients; Procurement of furniture and fittings, including: light fittings, artworks, window dressing, wall- and floor finishes etc; Preparing detailed technical drawings using computer aided software; Preparing 3D models & renderings using computer aided software; Working together with a team of interior designers; Project supervision to finalisation; Project Management to hand-over; Working and liaising with qualified quantity surveyors or project managers, as needed; Staying on top of the latest design trends and applying them to our interiors;

Best of Botswana

139

Our Mission We are CREATIVITY PERSONIFIED! Sasa Interiors aims to provide professional services to promote clients’ satisfaction, focussing on service excellence, honouring deadlines, and personalising design according to clients’ specialised requirements, needs and brand identities.

Our Value Statement Our Passion for creativity is expressed in everything we do!

• We are - Customer driven • We do - Bespoke design • We deliver - Seamless Service • We ensure - Client Satisfaction

140

Best of Botswana

Our Design Approach Inclusive and integrated – The interior design of any building should accommodate for all users and be fit for purpose. The design should meet the differing needs of all users irrespective of rank or status.

Sustainability and environmental design – Our design proposals ensure that we incorporate durable, low maintenance and where possible recyclable materials to assist with the sustainability and environmental objectives of any building. Where possible we source local suppliers and materials to help promote the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the whole design process.

Flexible workspace – When designing any interior it is important to maintain an element of flexibility to any environment. We ensure that our interior design concepts are flexible enough to deal with future expansion and space redistribution without compromising on the quality of the whole design.

Some Projects Managed: • BOTSWANA INVESTMENT AND TRADE CENTRE (BITC) • BOTSWANA INNOVATION HUB, INCUBATOR OFFICES (Gaborone) • PUMA HEAD OFFICE (Gaborone) • BECI (Gaborone) • BOTSWANA SAVINGS BANK BRANCH REFURBISHMENT (Francistown Branch 2008 AND 2013) • DIALOGUE SAATCHI & SAATCHI (Gaborone) • MORIBAME MATTHEWS (Gaborone) • DIAMOND TRADE COMPANY BOTSWANA (DTCB)

• APEX (Gaborone) • DIAMOND TRADE COMPANY BOTSWANA (Gaborone) • BOTSWANA TELECOMMUNICATION CORPORATION (BTC Head Office Ground And 8th Floor) • BOTSWANA TELECOMMUNICATION CORPORATION (Retail ShopsGaborone, Francistown, Maun and Kasane) • BOTSWANA POST (Maun Airport, Francistown, Kasane & UB) • BOTSWANA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Mamuno Lodge) • DEBSWANA COMMUNICATION CENTRE (Jwaneng Mine) • DEBSWANA JWANENG »» INFORMATION MANAGEMENT »» FURNITURE PROCUREMENT FOR CUT 8 BUILDINGS »» COMMUNICATION CENTRE AND ADMIN BLOCK • EOH CONSULTING

• DISCOVERY METAL • BOTSWANA INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS (BICA) • BANC ABC HEAD OFFICE ( Furniture Procurement) • KPMG (Gaborone) • SABATA RESIDENCE (Phakalane) • APEX (Gaborone)

www.sasainteriors.com Best of Botswana

141

INSTIJL INTERIORS

Interior Architecture and design consultants

We recognise that each project is an expression of the owner’s unique personality.

Listening to our clients’ values and artistic preferences is essential in creating personalised interior designs that are comfortable to our clients’ home lifestyles or business environments.

By following a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, INSTIJL INTERIORS ensures that the needs and resources of the client are satisfied. At INSTIJL INTERIORS we produce superior designs and always aim for finished spaces with craftsmanship of a high standard.

ABOUT US INSTIJL INTERIORS is an interior design firm established in 2012. The company is led by two partners, Karabo Letsididi (Interior Designer) and Bakang Montwedi (architect).

The partners are qualified professionals in Interior Design and Architecture.

Our design team brings a diversity of experience, fresh perspective and originality that is combined with exceptional technical

142

Best of Botswana

iNSTiJL NTER ORS

INSTIJL INTERIORS PRODUCTS & SERVICES We offer professional interior architecture & design services in: • CORPORATE • RESIDENTIAL • CORMMECIAL • RETAIL • INDUSTRIAL & • HOSPITALITY WHAT WE DO: There are primarily three categories or stages under which we provide our services: DESIGN: • Interior Design consultancy; • Interior architecture, design & build; • Research, identify and analyse project goals and priorities; evaluate existing

•

•

• • •

i

expertise and extraordinary attention to interior detailing and space planning.

INSTIJL INTERIORS is about more than just aesthetics. We find creative design solutions for interior environments while supporting the health, safety and well-being of occupants and enhancing their quality of life.

We shape the experience of interior spaces, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment. Not to be confused with interior decoration, our designs draw on aspects of environmental, Technology, psychology, architecture, and product design in addition to traditional decoration.

i

I nte ri or

A r c h i t e c t u r e & D e s i g n C o n s u lt a n t s

documentation and conditions, assess project resources and limitations & Integrate findings with knowledge of interior design & economic trends; Liaise, coordinate with and review the drawings of other consultants throughout the course of projects; Design Concept Development; Formulating design concepts that are functional, fiscally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing; Space planning - harmonious arrangements of objects in space; Creating balance and rhythm with the use of colour, texture and fabric; 3-Dimensional modeling, Rendering & animation.

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION: • Joinery design (kitchen, wall wardrobes, cabinets and vanities, custom furnishings, fittings and finish applications); • Ceiling & Lighting Design; • Interior color schemes; • Schedules (finishes, sanitary ware, interior door schedules); • Preparation of construction documentation and specifications for interior construction, space planning, materials, finishes, furnishings, appliances, fixtures and equipment.

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING/ FITOUT AND INSPECTION • Obtain offers for the execution of the works and advise the client regarding

Best of Botswana

143

the award of the building/fitting contract and obtain quotations for the execution of the works and advise the client regarding the appointment of sub-contractors/ contractors; • Prepare contract documentation and arrange the signing thereof; • Administer and perform the duties assigned to the interior architect/ designer in the building contract; • Provide the client with as-built drawings, certificates/ relevant technical data and guarantees from suppliers on completion of the works.

OTHER SERVICES We offer other services: • 3-DIMENSIONAL MODELLING, RENDERING & ANIMATION • INTERIOR DESIGN & BUILD PROJECT MANGEMENT • FURNITURE DESIGN & PROCUREMENT OUR DESIGN PHILOSPHY We recognise that each project is an expression of the owner’s unique personality. Listening to our clients’ values and artistic preferences is essential in creating personalised interior designs that are comfortable to our clients’ home lifestyle or business environment.

By following a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, INSTIJL INTERIORS ensures that the needs and resources of the client are satisfied. At INSTIJL INTERIORS we produce superior designs and always aim for finished spaces with craftsmanship of a high standard.

144

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

145

Imagine the Difference

Pabaap has created a balanced portfolio of complementary services to offer a one-stop-shop to its customers

The following offerings are currently available at Pabaap: Garden Design and Landscaping We at Pabaap design and implement beautiful gardens that are sustainable and timeless.

In our first meeting we will walk you through the various gardening themes, discuss your needs, and desires. At our next meeting we will present you a preliminary plan and explain how the design will make your outdoor space the showcase of the neighbourhood and benefit the environment. We pride ourselves in providing our clients with exceptional comprehensive service. We source all the products associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere to complement the style of your outdoor living space.

Landscape maintenance and garden care service As an extension to the exceptional landscaping services being rendered, Pabaap also offers

146

Best of Botswana

landscape maintenance and garden care services only to the Business community. The activities include tasks as diverse as lawn care and maintenance, shrub reshaping and pruning, feeding and fertilising, sweeping and anything else which keeps your garden looking at its best. Our garden maintenance offerings range from a one-off visit to simply get the garden into shape; to regular visits.

Pabaap has truly outdone itself regarding goals set for the first three years of operation.

Our workmanship bares the testimony of our talent and how we would want to be perceived

in the future. Our hallmark ranges from successful garden designs and installation of park landscaping, commercial and residential projects we have carried out so far.

We pledge to offer you a garden experience of exceptional quality, diversity and yet making it truly exclusive for you. Watch this space as we evolve going forward!

Email: info@pabaap.co.bw Optional email: pabaap@gmail.com www.pabaap.co.bw Best of Botswana

147

Chapter 8 Healthcare, Beauty and Wellness

148

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

149

Botswana Public Officers’ Medical Aid Scheme (BPOMAS) Your health is our concern

Atop Botswana’s leading medical aid providers is Botswana Public Officers’ Medical Aid Scheme (BPOMAS). BPOMAS is a closed scheme providing medical aid cover to Botswana’s public service employees and employees of qualifying parastatals (that were previously Government departments).

Qualifying employees are eligible for a 50% subsidy on their monthly contributions from the government.

BPOMAS was established in the year 1990 and has since its establishment been administered by Associated Fund Administrators Botswana (AFA); the largest fund administrators in Botswana who are experienced and employ the best of Botswana’s expertise. Since its establishment BPOMAS has made significant strides in ensuring that public service employees have access to quality healthcare and continues to offer the most

150

Best of Botswana

comprehensive benefits at the best rates.

With over 72,000 principal members and an excess of 100,000 dependents enjoying top quality medical treatment from local and international healthcare service providers all made possible by ensuring world-class financial, Governance and Health Risk Management practices. The Administrators, AFA Botswana, have ensured an unparalled claims processing mandate that employs the best technological tools available in sub-Saharan Africa. BPOMAS has in its sights the goal of being “the leader in the provision of sustainable healthcare solutions”, and by the looks of things is not very far off. The main mission is “to assist members to access quality, innovative and effective healthcare solutions that meet their needs”.

We hold Professionalism in the highest regard, continuously develop Innovative

products and work in an effective Team Orientation that encourages Accountability to internal and external stakeholders. We will always strive to conduct our business with Service Excellence and pledge to serve all our clients with Botho.

Historically BPOMAS has had only two benefit options that members could choose from when joining the scheme; namely the High and Standard benefit options. As of 1 April 2013 though, BPOMAS made exciting changes, as agreed at a members’ Special General Meeting held on 9 June 2011, which have made this a very good time to be on the medical aid. Not only has a new benefit option, Premium, been introduced; the existing options have also received major upgrades to the benefits that members are entitled to.

The Premium Benefit option offers the most comprehensive cover at P500,000 per annum; which includes P300,000 Dread Disease cover and a P200,000 annual basic limit.

The High Benefit option has P300,000 comprehensive cover; P150,000 of which is Dread Disease cover and a P150,000 annual basic limit. Standard Benefit option however, does not offer dread disease cover and has an annual basic limit of up to P30,000, contingent on one’s dependents.

It is very apparent, that the options available for BPOMAS members are varied and cater for a wide market in a highly pricesensitive and competitive environment.

Medical conditions in their breadth and depth are covered and many patients have enjoyed and continue to take advantage of curative and preventative interventions available through their BPOMAS cover.

Some of the major conditions covered under the Premium and High benefit options include: HIV/AIDS, chronic illnesses, cancers, heart attack, stroke, organ transplants, road traffic accidents and paraplegia to mention a few. Other more common benefits include maternity benefits, optical and dental benefits, acute medicines, paramedic services and alcoholism/ drug addiction; available throughout all the benefit options.

Setswana culture has a saying “Matlo go sha mabapi”, which loosely translates to say that those around you, even if not necessarily your family will stand up to help in times of need. BPOMAS takes no exception to this age-old Setswana adage and endeavours to help all members beyond the doctor’s office or their local pharmacies.

That is why the scheme offers funeral benefits of up to P10,000 for members or

dependants who lose their lives while their membership is active regardless of cause of death; a benefit which is available at no extra cost to the member.

We also understand that members would like to enjoy fantastic benefits even in times of good health while maintaining their medical aid, and that is why BPOMAS provides benefits that extend beyond healthcare. In addressing this need, we have crafted a programme dubbed the Value Added Partnership Programme (VAPP),

which entitles all members to discounts at various carefully selected merchants in various businesses across the country.

Examples of such businesses are holiday destinations, gyms, wellness consultants and lifestyle magazines; because the more our members frequent these providers, the healthier and more fulfilling lives they are likely to lead. After all, prevention has always been better than cure.

BPOMAS being a socially involved and responsible scheme has the mandate of

Best of Botswana

151

community development at the core of its dealings; from donations to charitable causes, schools, hospitals and medical bodies, to hosting events geared towards encouraging wellness and leading sustainably healthy lifestyles. One such event is the Annual BPOMAS North vs.

South Health Challenge and Expo; a lifestyle event characterised by a six-hour long aerobathon, which has evolved through the years to include more physical challenges and interaction with various health and fitness practitioners and service providers.

The challenge is structured so that it is accommodative of beginners all the way to professional athletes alike, ensuring everybody can join and derive benefit from participation.

BPOMAS is a staunch believer in maintaining healthy, cordial and participative relations. Against this endeavour, We have pledged support to Healthcare Professional

152

Best of Botswana

Groups such as the Medical Practitioners Group (MPG) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Botswana (PSB) and to this end a social investment amounting to P1,000,000 has been made over the past five years.

In the same note and gesture, BPOMAS has contributed over P4,000,000 to noble causes that are intended to enrich and fulfill persons, organisations that carry out benevolent services for the betterment of Botswana.

In ensuring and maintaining a leadership position in the market, the Scheme through the Administrators has ensured that technology drives efficiency and customer service.

A number of electronic facilities that are geared towards providing superior service and enhancing the customer experience at BPOMAS have been launched and are readily available for use by stakeholders.

These facilities are varied and target both the

BPOMAS member and the service providers who serve their medical needs, such as doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and even employer groups or administrators.

An example of such facilities is the Web Access feature embedded in the BPOMAS website; a portal that allows members to view their membership accounts realtime, online. The portal allows members to view statements and payments made on their behalf by the scheme, print out their membership certificates and even update their contact details; all in the comfort of their home or office. On the service providers’ side we have implemented products such as Electronic Data Interface (EDI) and Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA); facilities which have proven to enhance the relations of the

scheme and its service providers by enabling faster claims submissions and processing, less human error and payments delays, as well as nullifying the need for manual claims submissions which required a lot of doctors’ time away from their practices.

A healthy, stress-free life depends entirely on the decisions you make for yourself and for your family. Our aim is to assist members to gain access to quality, dependable, costeffective and efficient proven healthcare solutions that meet their needs. Choose a medical aid that is trusted, affordable, experienced and that cares for your health choose BPOMAS.

www.bpomas.co.bw Best of Botswana

153

Urban Space

Urban Space is a haven of tranquillity in the heart of Gaborone

We offer our clients an extensive range of innovative treatments and massages in a holistic, relaxed environment.

A handful of friendly, skilled staff attends to our clients’ needs, crafting treatments that bring out the innate vitality and natural vibrancy of each individual. Our therapists are knowledgeable of the pressures and demands placed on our bodies in order for us to serve our clients in the most passionate manner that exceeds their requirements.

• Full leg massage • Neck and shoulder massage • Foot massage

Massage Massage has many benefits, including relieving stress and muscle tension, improving muscle tone and circulation. It has been scientifically proven that touch releases dopamine, a hormone which gives a sense of happiness and well-being.

Hair Removal Smooth skin is a pleasure to touch. We offer a range of wax hair removal therapies, including: • Eyebrow shaping (we also offer threading) • Ear hair removal • Nipple and tummy hair removal • Half and full leg hair removal • Traditional and full bikini hair removal • Underarm, half arm and full arm hair removal

Urban Space provides an extensive range of massages including: • Full body massage • Back massage

154

Best of Botswana

For an added element of sensuality and relaxation, try our aromatherapy, reflexology, herbal, hot stones and Indian head massages as well as Reiki, an ancient Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.

We also offer group massages for corporate clients and bridal parties.

• Upper lip and beard wax • Unisex chest hair removal • Back hair removal We are also able to tint eyelashes and eyebrows.

Pedicure Our pedicures are just the right treatment for your tired feet. We provide a relaxing and luxurious treatment that aids and protects your feet from common ailments.

There is an extensive range of treatments to choose from, besides the traditional pedicure: • Gel overlay • Gel overlay with soak • French gel overlay • Specialised paraffin pedicure • Men’s pedicure Manicure Much of the time, the strain of day-to-day living is absorbed by our hands. Indeed, we use them to perform hundreds of tasks a day, yet how easy it is to take them for granted. Let us pamper your hands with a range of Bio-sculpture gel treatments: • Full set of clear, colour or French tips • French and regular gel overlay • Soak • Specialised paraffin manicure • Men’s manicure • Acrylic • Fill, repair, file and paint Skin Renewal Technologies Urban Space offers a variety of facial treatments. We give our clients a detailed consultation which aids in identifying the unique composition of their skin. Quality is paramount at Urban Space. Both Nimue Skin Technology and Guinot Professional skin care products have been specially formulated to target specific needs, such as hyperpigmentation, acne, sensitive and ageing skin.

Guinot Guinot facials are the most advanced beauty salon treatment for maintaining a balanced healthy complexion. It deep cleanses, oxygenates and regenerates the skin, keeping it in optimum condition. Our Guinot treatments include: • Hydradermie facial, with eye treatment • Beaute neuve • Liftosome care • Deep cleanse

Nimue Nimue Skin Technology has earned a reputation for innovation through research, development and testing of highly effective, results-oriented derma-cosmeceutical skin treatment systems. Urban Space provides a full range of Nimue facial treatments: • Skin consultation • Youth facial (10 to 16 years) • Nimue deep cleanse, eye treatment, regenerating facial • Nimue specialised facial, firming and hydrating facial • Express facial, for when you don’t have more than half an hour • Nimue alpha lipoic maintenance facials • Nimue rejuvenation treatments • Serum-Nimue glycol treatments The Urban Space experience is customercentric approach and can be tailor- made to accommodate single and group

treatments. Clients are able to use the garden for events such as baby showers and hen parties and companies can take out corporate packages for their clients and staff. Urban Space also offers an intimate couple’s massage, where couples can relax in a shared room, strengthening their bond through this pleasurable, shared experience. To give the gift of relaxation, Urban Space has a variety of gift voucher options to suit your needs.

Heaven awaits you at Urban Space.

Plot 2658, Kgori Close Extension 9 Tel: +267 318 7434 Cell: +267 725 26944 +267 717 99279 Email: noelene.urbanspace@gmail.com Best of Botswana

155

Chapter 9 Investment

156

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

157

The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre An Introduction

The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) was established in 2011 through an Act of Parliament and is the national investment and trade authority in Botswana.

Falling under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, BITC is mandated with the promotion and attraction of foreign direct investment and cross-border partnerships, business growth via the advancement and development of exports, as well as the management of BRAND BOTSWANA. Besides its enabling Act, BITC is modelled in line with the goals of key

158

Best of Botswana

national policies and strategies such as the Economic Diversification Drive, National Development Plan 10 and Vision 2016.

Its operations are also guided by existing strategies around exports, investment, trade and branding. BITC’s over-arching goal is to advance Botswana’s position as a highly attractive investment destination and business domicile for the world.

The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre is an economically critical organisation, as it encourages domestic investment and expansions, promotes

locally manufactured goods to regional and international markets and contributes towards improvement of the investment climate through policy advocacy. It also increases citizen participation in the economy while creating sustainable job opportunities.

The Centre functions as a fully service integrated investment promotion entity that is the international investor’s first reference and one-stop-shop for financial, regulatory and business start-up information and assistance, as well as for the identification of investment opportunities within

Botswana’s business space.

BITC takes an active part in the enhancement of the Botswana business climate through better business policy advocacy for and on behalf of local and foreign business concerns. It undertakes initiatives such as reducing the cost of doing business and expediting the implementation of modern trade facilitation tools.

Indicative of this, the BITC is among the lead actors in the multi-sectoral National Doing Business Committee formed three years ago to plug the gaps identified by the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.

Mission To promote Botswana as the leading destination for investment and trade in Africa with a focus on accelerated economic growth and diversification, employment creation and export development.

Values • Transparency • Integrity • Progress • Sustainability • Professionalism.

Transparency We are completely open and transparent in all of our actions and activities, providing a leading example both on the continent and internationally. We trust others and are trustworthy, conducting our affairs in an ethical and admirable fashion.

Integrity Every action or decision we make is undertaken with consideration for proper process and fairness to all.

Best of Botswana

159

Progress We believe in the transformative power of sustainable economic development. With Batswana interests at heart, we are defining a bright future for all.

Sustainability We take pride in the strength of our wellregulated, transparent and investor-friendly business environment. We are focussed on continuing to build capacity - driving prosperity for generations to come.

Professionalism We conduct our business with skill, respect, confidence and acumen. We share a common ideal of professionalism; placing our nation at the leading edge of global investment and trade.

Roles Some of the Centre’s roles include undertaking investment and export promotion missions both regionally and

160

Best of Botswana

internationally, researching, reporting and disseminating key investment related Botswana data, initiating activities aimed at enhancing Botswana’s competitiveness, facilitating the development of local manufacturing, and boosting the sector’s export readiness.

BITC is also the interim custodian authority of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that are being created to increase investment in the country. The preliminary areas being considered for SEZs development are: Financial Services in Gaborone; Multi-Use near the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport; Beef, Leather and Bio Gas in Lobatse; Horticulture in Tuli Block; Integrated Coal Power in Palapye; and Mining supply in Francistown.

In its first year of operation, the 2012/13 financial year, BITC surpassed its target for FDI attraction of P600-million, recording instead P698.7-million - a remarkable feat given that the Centre was then only a year old. During the same year, the BITC recorded

domestic investment and expansions valued at P362.5-million or 72.5% of its target of P500-million with total jobs created reaching 1,206.

Going forward, BITC will continue negotiating Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key stakeholders, whose services directly impact the business startup process, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of the one-stop-shop.

The Centre also has 47 envisaged projects in its sights or pipeline which it believes could generate P4.3-billion in investment value, creating 4,075 new jobs.

Botswana Investment and Trade Centre Plot 54351, Central Business District Private Bag 00445, Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 363 3300 Fax: +267 317 0452 www.bitc.co.bw Best of Botswana

161

Botswana Stock Exchange Overview

The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) is Botswana’s national stock exchange, which is given the responsibility to operate and regulate equity and the fixed interest security market

Formally established in 1989, the BSE traces its humble beginnings to when it was known as Botswana Share Market (BSM).

At that time there was no formal stock exchange in Botswana and the BSM traded as an informal market. There were only five listed entities with a single broking firm i.e.

Stock Brokers Botswana Ltd (SBB), which was also charged with facilitating trading on the exchange via the matching of orders.

In September 1994, the legislation to transform the BSM into a full exchange was passed by Parliament, paving the way for the establishment of the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) where trading opened in November 1995.

In March 1998, Ernst and Young took the full administration of the BSE. With effect from July 2001, a full time Chief Executive Officer was appointed with the aim of making the BSE completely independent.

162

Best of Botswana

In April 2003, in order to better execute the affairs of the Exchange, better serve stakeholders, and be more responsive to global events and to remain competitive, the BSE discontinued the secretarial role of Ernst and Young Botswana to become a fully independent entity.

Our Products The BSE aims to become a financial supermarket, meaning it aims to provide the right kind of products to suit investors and issuers, so that it meets growing customer demands and challenges in the globalisation of financial markets. This can be done through product innovation and diversification.

Current products that can be listed include Equities, Corporate Bonds, Government Bonds, Exchange Trade Products and Commercial Papers, while products being developed are Securitised Products and Derivatives.

Role The BSE continues to be pivotal to Botswana’s financial system, and in particular the capital market, as an avenue on which government, quasi-government and the private sector can raise debt and equity capital.

The BSE plays host to the most preeminent companies doing business in Botswana. These companies represent a spectrum of industries and commerce; these are Banking, Financial Services, Wholesaling and Retailing, Tourism, Energy, Funeral Services, Property, Security and Information Technology.

BSE Road Map 1989: The BSE traces its humble beginnings to when it was known as the Botswana Share Market (BSM) in 1989 when it was formally established. In 1989, the BSM started with five listed entities.

1994/5: In September 1994, the legislation to transform the BSM into a full stock exchange was passed by Parliament paving the way for the establishment of the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) where trading opened in November 1995.

2001: With effect from July 2001, a full-time Chief Executive Officer was appointed with the aim of establishing it as independent.

2003: In April 2003, in order to better execute the affairs of the Exchange, better serve stakeholders, be more responsive to global events and to remain competitive, the BSE discontinued the secretarial role of the Ernst and Young Botswana to become a fully independent entity.

2006: The BSE developed a strategic plan with the objective of developing the Capital Market. The BSE adopted seven strategic pillars to better execute its plans and these are: Infrastructure Development, Market Development, Product Development, Regulation, Governance, Human Resource Development, and Financial Resources.

2008: The Central Securities Depository (CSD) was implemented in May 2008 and share dematerialisation has been progressing well since. The BSE also commenced computation of three additional indices: Local Asset Status Index (LASI), Foreign Resources Sector Index (FRSI), and the Domestic Financial Sector Index (DFSI) with effect from February 2008. BSE Board Charter was adopted in 2008.

2009: The strategy to implement Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) was bearing fruit as the BSE held discussions with potential ETF issuers. In 2009 selected BSE publications were translated into Setswana. As at end 2009, there were 31 listed companies and 32 bonds listed on the BSE.

2010: The New Gold ETF was listed in July as the first ETF to be listed on the BSE. P123.4-million worth of new gold was traded in the first six months.

2011: The BSE listed the second ETF, the Bettabeta ETF, in May 2011 2012: The BSE implemented the Automated Trading System (ATS) in August 2012

CORPORATE INFORMATION BSE Office: Exchange House Plot 64511, Fairgrounds Private Bag 00417 Gaborone Best of Botswana

163

Debswana Pension Fund

The award-winning, best governed, biggest private pension fund in Botswana

Background In an era where governance has become a critical issue for retirement funds in Botswana and the world over, the Debswana Pension Fund (DPF), by far the biggest and oldest privately run pension fund in Botswana, has achieved many a milestone to establish itself as one of the best governed pension funds in the country.

It is the largest private pension fund in

164

Best of Botswana

size and value and also the second largest overall.

Established in 1984, the DPF has earned a reputation as the best administrated pension fund in the country, thanks to the visionary leadership of its Trustees and a well-run Fund Secretariat that boasts of sound systems in place. The Fund has successfully grown to a remarkable P4.5billion (nearly USD600-million) since its inception, making it the second largest in both value and membership size after the Government Employees’ Pension Fund countrywide.

To date the DPF has accumulated a total of 11,000 members inclusive of active and deferred members, as well as pensioners. This membership is derived from the Debswana and De Beers family of companies, namely: Debswana Diamond Company, DeBeers Holding Botswana, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, DeBeers Global Sight-holder Sales, Morupule Coal Mine, Peo Venture Capital Fund and the DPF itself.

The Fund is governed by a board of seven Trustees and another six alternate Trustees, with some appointed by the contributing employers and others elected by members. The board of Trustees meets four times a year and it is supported by four Committees, namely: The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Investments Committee,

the Benefit and Communication Committee and the Nominations and Remunerations Committee. All the committees are supported by the Fund Secretariat under the leadership of the Principal Executive Officer and a management team that oversees five main divisions, i.e. Finance, Risk and Compliance, Communication, Operations and Investments.

Vision, Mission and Values The DPF vision is to be the preferred provider of retirement fund services in Botswana, with our mission being to provide members with competitive and sustainable retirement benefits through: prudent management of member funds, efficient administration of member records, and provision of focused communication. Our team of employees aspires to be a self-driven and motivated team that is innovative, agile, trustworthy, demonstrate integrity, and are continually customer focused.

Governance structure The Fund, which is regulated by the Non-Bank Financial Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA), boasts exceptional leadership in a board of Trustees and fund management that takes their fiduciary responsibility seriously. It is on this background that the Trustees and management constantly make a conscious effort to monitor and evaluate all important deliverables such as fund investment performance, member communication and data integrity, amongst others.

Over and above the board charter, each Committee also has terms of reference that guides the Trustees in their decisionmaking process. Risk management and cost management remain at the top of the Fund’s long-term agenda. Such progressive leadership can further be demonstrated by the innovative decision that the Trustees have made throughout the life of the Fund, securing the DPF as a credible benchmark for the industry locally and internationally.

In addition to the above, DPF prides itself with a dynamic team that has made the Fund what it is today. Through all the achievements and challenges of the Fund over time, our people have demonstrated resilience and the passion and commitment to maintain the DPF as a model for excellence. The Fund has ensured through deliberate training programs for staff to support them in their delivery of its mandate, with emphasis on funding career specific programs as well as professional

Debswana House: A DPF owned property

memberships - that staff are afforded an on-going basis to network with their peers and learn the latest best practices, as well as actively participate in local and international forums regarding industry issues.

Historical Achievements Some of the transformational milestones achieved by the Fund in the last ten years include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. The Introduction of Life Stage Investment Model In response to the negative impact of the global market slump arising from the 11 September 2001 tragedy, the DPF Trustees saw the need to introduce an investment strategy that would seek to limit investment losses for vulnerable members who are on the verge of retirement. This globally acclaimed best practice investment model would therefore ensure segregation of investment portfolios by age so that the assets belonging to retired and retiring members (who do not have the luxury of the time needed to recover investment losses suffered in the event of a downturn), are invested modestly with minimal exposure to risky instruments. Indeed over the eight years after the inception of this model, the Trustee objective was met as reflected by the performance bias toward the conservative portfolio during the 2008 market downturn.

Best of Botswana

165

operation. This move has created new opportunities to further enhance service delivery to members through a one-stopshop that boasts improved processes, turnaround times and cost-effective management of member assets. Currently, the DPF still remains the only fund of its stature with an in-sourced administration in Botswana.

Participating employers i.e. Debswana, DeBeers Holding Botswana, De Beers global Sightholder Sales, DTCB, Morupule Coal Mine, Anglo Coal Botswana

2. Insourced Benefits Administration In 2008, the Fund Trustees adopted a new strategy that brought about the need to optimise its operational platforms to ensure data integrity and ownership by the Fund with the aim to further afford DPF members the quality of service commensurate with its philosophy. In a move considered a first for the Botswana pensions industry, the Trustees made the decision to move all of its benefits administration in-house from the outsource partner at the time - and this was achieved in 2010 through the procurement of a new administration system that is currently in

166

Best of Botswana

3. A Robust, Focused Member Communication Strategy Debswana Pension Fund implements comprehensive communication plans on an annual basis, which aims to meet its communication objectives for members and other stakeholders, as well as ensure compliance to the statutory requirements for Pension Fund Communication as per clause 9 of the revised Pensions and Provident Funds Act (1988) of Botswana. Fund Communication is managed in-house through a fully established Communication Department.

In terms of governance, the Benefits and Communication Committee of the Board of Trustees reviews and approves the DPF Communication Strategy on an annual basis.

The DPF develops its own Communication Strategy through the expert knowledge of in-house personnel. However, for creative support during implementation, an advertising agency is contracted on a periodical basis. The DPF maintains a rolling Communication Strategy that is uniquely designed to address the specific needs of each stakeholder group. The Strategy is revised annually to respond to any changes or developments that may transpire in the

external and internal environment, as well as introduce new innovations and emerging communication best practices.

The DPF Communication Strategy is ranked amongst the best in the pensions industry.

Since its inception, the Fund has won numerous communication best practice awards from the regional industry body Institute of Retirement Funds Southern Africa (IRF), of which the DPF is a member.

The most recent award was received in 2012 for Best Practice in “Stakeholder Communication Campaign Project�.

This award was for the introduction of Short Message Services (SMS) as a new communication medium to improve the effectiveness of the Communication Strategy. The Fund was able to demonstrate a high value-add to the effectiveness of its Communication Strategy through exploitation of technological medium, including the achievement of a more than 75% accessibility and interactivity with the Fund by a widely dispersed membership across Botswana through this business improvement initiative.

The Fund Communication Strategy also gives recognition to the communication needs of pensioners, both as members of the Fund and their local communities. In 2008 the DPF saw the need to mobilise its pensioner members to establish their own pensioner association, which has to date seen 17 branches established across Botswana. The association is currently working towards further consolidation nationally.

Support provided by the Fund Secretariat during the formative years was in the form of bringing the pensioners

together by facilitating meeting venues, registering the Association and drafting a preliminary constitution for them to work with and improve upon, providing the use of Fund Communication services and giving general guidance with regard to the formation of association. The Association is now independent – however, the Fund continues to work in partnership with them in recognition of their role as a valuable platform/medium for the implementation of the annual Fund Communication programs for pensioners. This initiative and other programs implemented for pensioners earned the DPF yet another IRF Best Practice award in 2010 for “Recognising the needs of Pensioners in Society”.

4. Insourced Management of Pensioner Assets and Pensioner Annuities In another first, the DPF is the only fund of its stature that provides all of the pension administration services in-house, in particular, the provision of retirement annuities. Retiring active and deferred members of the DPF have the option to remain members of the DPF for life by buying an annuity within the Fund. Whilst the Fund adheres to statutory requirements to offer members the opportunity to exercise this option to buy an annuity elsewhere, the retiring Fund members have largely remained loyal to the DPF. This is mostly because of a history of care, the assurance of personalised service, and re-assurance of the continuation of care for the welfare of their beneficiaries beyond their passing - as demonstrated through products such as the DPF Funeral Advance Cover and other member-focused policies and processes around benefits administration.

Through the engagement of highly experienced actuaries, investment consultants, as well as a proactive in-house investment management function, the DPF maintains a robust policy framework for overall asset management aimed at achieving healthy funding levels on a continuous basis, thus ensuring the sustainability of the DPF for its current and future pensioners.

5. Best Practice in Governance and Compliance The DPF has a sound governance framework through which the Trustees execute their mandate. The Trustees have established this framework in order to protect the interests of all stakeholders including members, Fund and Employer. The governance framework clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders. The Trustees have clearly separated strategic and operational governance functions and set out a clear mission statement in terms of management of the Fund. Through various policies the Trustees apply the necessary checks and balances to ensure that the Fund mission/ objective receives the commitment from all

the relevant stakeholders: Employer, Board of Trustees, Employee representatives, Pensioners.

Controls are in place to ensure that Asset Managers’ performances are constantly evaluated with the assistance of an independent investment consultant.

Processes are also in place to ensure compliance to Fund Rules and Statutes at all times. There is also an established process to ensure that all benefit, risk and pension entitlement changes are signed off by the appropriate stakeholders. As affirmation of the robustness of this framework, the DPF was once again recognised for “Best Practice in Legal and Technical Compliance” in 2012 by the IRF. The Future In summary, the incumbent board Chairman Mr Richard Vaka in his annual message to members looks to the future with great optimism: “The DPF is where it is today due to years of unwavering commitment to prudent financial management, governance, compliance, and strict adherence to best practice as key elements in the day-to-day operations of

the Fund. Our purpose before anything else is to be there for the members and live up to our values of being customer focused, trustworthy with impeccable integrity, and an innovative and agile team that is self-driven and motivated. We look forward to the future with much anticipation as the Fund continues to grow and prosper, and hopefully further achieve many more milestones that will see us deliver beyond member expectations.

We pledge to continue to work with all stakeholders to fulfil our brand promise to our members, which is to build Your Fund, Your Security, Your Future.”

Media and Business Enquiries to: Communication Manager Email: asejoe@dpf.co.bw Tel. +267 361 4301 / +267 361 4267 Private Bag 00512, The Mall Gaborone, Botswana Plot 50361, Block D, Carlton House, Fairgrounds Office Park Gaborone, Botswana Visit www.dpf.co.bw Best of Botswana

167

The Pre-Retirement Switch Portfolio

This means transferring funds from one investment portfolio to another before retirement mainly to preserve what has been accumulated over the years

From April 2014, the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund will offer members nearing retirement an option to switch from the more aggressive portfolio (i.e. the Active Member and Deferred Pensioner portfolio to the more conservative portfolio (the PreRetirement portfolio).

The option to switch can only be exercised by members who intend to retire in 3 years’ time, at most. The reason for offering the option to members with a 3 year time period to retirement is because the conservative portfolio’s main objective is to preserve capital and members with more than 3 years to retirement should be more focused on capital growth than focusing on capital preservation. An early switch could be disadvantageous to a member during good market conditions as such a member would forfeit investment growth.

It is important to note that the

168

Best of Botswana

decision to exercise the option to switch to a preservation portfolio lies with each respective BPOPF member nearing retirement. The Fund therefore presents the following information, which is geared at educating members, in a bid to assist members to make informed decisions on whether or not to switch to the preservation portfolio.

Consideration of the following questions can assist a member in making a decision whether or not to switch to a preservation fund: • What is likely to be my emotional state if my Fund Credit is to decline, owing to poor market conditions, before I retire?

• How big an impact would a fall in my Fund credit have on my post-career life ( e.g. if you are solely dependent on pension income for survival during your retirement life, it may be prudent to

volatile investment growth/returns.

• The member is not exposed to any currency risk Risks of switching to the Preservation Portfolio • On a comparative basis, during periods of strong equity market performance, the pre-retirement switch portfolio may be outperformed by the Active Member and Deferred Pensioner portfolio, hence delivering lower returns.

• Once the member switches to the preretirement switch, their investment shall not benefit from any favorable currency movements.

• No decision reversals shall be accepted by the Fund i.e once a member has exercise his option to switch to the Preservation Portfolio, under no circumstances will they be allowed to switch back to the Active Member and Deferred Pension Portfolio.

actively consider preserving accumulated assets years before retirement) • Do I understand and acknowledge that the Active Member and Deferred Pensioner portfolio returns may be higher than Preservation Portfolio returns especially during periods of good equity market and currency performance?

Do I understand that the Preservation Portfolio aims to preserve accumulated wealth at the time of switch, but does not guarantee any level of investment returns/ growth?

• Am I comfortable with the fact that that once I exercise my option to switch, I will not be allowed to switch back to the Active Member and Deferred Pensioner portfolio?

Once the above have been considered, a member would then be in a good position to

make a decision whether or not to switch.

Note: • If your willingness to take risk is lower consider preserving your capital by switching • If your willingness to take risk is higher, you may consider pursuing the growth objective and passing the option to switch.

Advantages and potential benefits of switching to the Preservation Portfolio • Preservation of the capital amount – the portfolio is geared towards ensuring that the initial amount transferred from the Active Member and Deferred Pensioner portfolio, into the Preservation portfolio, is not eroded by negative investment returns.

• The member is not exposed to more risky asset classes and the consequential

Head Office Private Bag 00195, Gaborone Plot 61920, Letsema Office Park, Fairgrounds Tel: +267 315 8422/ 391 1445 Fax: +267 391 2066 Francistown Regional Office Private Bag 0053, Francistown Plot 469/70 Mangole aa leswe building Blue Jacket Street Tel: +267 241 2562 Fax: +267 241 2583 Kang Regional Office Private Bag 003, Kang Plot 659 Unit 3 Gamonyemana ward Tel: +267 651 7340 Fax: +267 651 7005 Best of Botswana

169

Fairscape Precinct

A mixed-use concept for Fairgrounds

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) and its 100% subsidiary, Commercial Holdings, have marked yet another milestone by investing in a property development initiative dubbed “The Fairscape Precinct.�

Strategically located in the heart of Showground Office Precinct, this stateof-the-art development will be unique and trend-setting as it will be a mixed development tower standing at 15 storeys and comprising of rental office space, retail

170

Best of Botswana

space, penthouses, a hotel and 884 car parking bays in the basement. BDC found it imperative to initiate Fairscape Precinct to revitalise Fairgrounds by offering prospective commercial and retail tenants with a worldclass mixed-use property at a total cost of P466-million.

Fairgrounds have since transformed into a major office hub in Gaborone but lack a development that truly places it as an office location of international stature. BDC

therefore found it imperative to come up with Fairscape.

The uniqueness of the development is derived from five major design principles: mixed land use, central piazza, district architectural identity, streetscape character and environmental sustainability.

This mixed-use concept is the first of its kind to be implemented in Botswana and is envisaged to bring modern high-class working and living environment into the

country. The core concept is to integrate the corporate and private culture into one domain – where business meets pleasure.

The central aim of the Fairscape Precinct development is to create an environment which promotes economic opportunities and stimulates enterprises with a lot of emphasis on investment sustainability.

With a 15-storey high tower, the design and structure of the building is to accommodate pedestrian movements and accessibility

to the amenities of the precinct with a piazza forming the central (focal point of the precinct) having an array of shops and open cafes, hence providing a vibrant “street architecture� where locals and visitors can mingle.

Also as a 15-storey high tower, this will make it one of the tallest buildings in Gaborone. The design and construction will incorporate modern green building status,

which will render the development to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient, with a three-level basement parking.

Moedi, Plot 50380, Gaborone International Showgrounds Private Bag, 160, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 365 1300 Fax: +267 390 3114 or +267 390 4193 Email: enquiries@bdc.bw Best of Botswana

171

Chapter 10 Corporate Company Profiles

172

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

173

Oseggroup Vision Statement To be the leading and globally recognised provider of customer management solutions in selected growth markets by 2015.

Oseggroup is a provider of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services in Africa and was established in February 2003 to offer a variety of Customer Management and Accounts Receivable solutions to Botswana and the regional market. We are in the business of managing the customer cycle by adding value and providing exceptional customer experience to our customers. Oseggroup has grown from a small company initially with a staff complement of three to a medium size company with three divisions namely Oseg Debtsolve, Oseg Direct and Oseg Capital. Oseg has established a state-of-the-art 200-seat Contact Centre in Botswana. We have also successfully established another 50-seat Contact Centre in Windhoek, Namibia and employ over 150 call centre agents in Botswana and Namibia. The quality of our service can be attested by our clientele base and retention rates. Oseg group services most of the Blue chip companies in Botswana.

We have also attained global recognition at one of the world’s premium awards by being nominated for Best Non European Contact Centre of the year 2007, at the CCF Awards held in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Mission Statement To provide world-class efficient and innovative customer management solutions.

174

Best of Botswana

Values • Customer Satisfaction We continuously deliver customer experiences and exceed customer expectations • People Development We empower, up-skill and motivate our people to achieve high performance • Social Responsibility We are sensitive to the needs of the community • Innovation and Entrepreneurship We encourage and implement new viable and working ideas • Synergy We promote cross-functional and vertical communications • Performance We are driven by performance and achievement of results • Integrity We establish and maintain high standards of professionalism and trust in our day-today functions

Oseg Debtsolve focuses on outsourcing of the back end of the customer management cycle by providing Default prevention, Delinquency management and charge-off collection strategies.

SERVICES PROVIDED BY OSEG DEBTSOLVE Default Prevention Oseg Debtsolve works with clients to bring default accounts to their current status by employing strategies that maximises borrowers contact and minimises incidents of default. Our automated SMS notification and friendly reminder calls helps in early intervention efforts by preventing delinquency.

Delinquency Management Oseg Debtsolve provides strategies that help companies to reduce the number of accounts that go into the charge-off buckets by curing them back to the current status.

Depending on your needs, we provide pre-charge-off delinquency management solutions that enable clients to better control their at-risk customers by curing accounts whilst maintaining a positive relationship with customers.

Charge-off Collections We provide charge-off collections for all accounts that have been written off. Our collection strategies allow our clients to achieve maximum netbacks and increase their bottom line. Our approach allows us to collect on charged-off accounts and liquidate without having to take the usual long route of litigation.

Oseggroup Customer Management Cycle

Oseg Direct focuses on the front end of the customer management cycle by providing customer acquisition, customer development and customer retention solutions.

Customer Acquisition Lead Generation Oseg Direct helps clients increase sales turnover by turning cold leads into hot leads. The leads are qualified and pre scored before they can be forwarded to clients.

establish if they are satisfied with the client service/product offering.

Customer Development Cross Selling Oseg Direct’s dedicated sales agents run campaigns that assist our clients to derive more value from customer relationships by selling more products to a customer who is already using.

Customer Services Inbound Customer Enquiries Oseg Direct is able to handle inbound customer interactions and enquiries for our clients. Oseggroup is able to handle all various media such as email, sms voice and letters.

Up Selling At Oseg Direct we work with our client to upgrade customers who qualify for higher value products.

Promotional Campaigns Oseg Direct runs promotional campaigns that are aimed at sensitising our clients prospective/current customers of the former products or services in order to raise awareness and help in influencing the decision-making process of our clients customers.

Customer Retention Oseg Direct customer retention strategies assist our clients to derive more value from customer relationships and increase customer satisfaction by conducting customer win backs and after sales follow up.

Welcome Messages Oseg Direct makes friendly courtesy calls to our clients’ new customers and to the clients’ existing customers congratulating them on their services or product acquisition.

Customer Win Backs Customers that have terminated their relationship with the client are given friendly calls that are aimed at running promotional campaigns that will assist in winning back customers.

After Sales Follow Up Oseg Direct calls clients’ customers to

Voibro Voibro is a voice broadcasting Messaging Service that sends notification/messages to a customer’s mobile phone in the form of a voice message: • Sends more than 20,000 messages/per day • Increases productivity • Improves Customer Satisfaction • Increases response rates • Improves sales volume • Cost-effective marketing and client management • Greater control of your market place • Timely notifications • Can be linked to IVR technology to offer easy to use self-help menu • Missed call message delivery (the

customer can call back and hear the message at their convenience.

• Customers can send SMSes back to the terminating number and prompt a call back • Live answer notification • Live call direct transfer to locations of choice Bulk SMS Short Message service (SMS) is the ability to send and receive text messages to and from mobile telephones. The benefit of bulk SMSing is that the client has the power to retrieve and read the contents at their convenience.

Oseg capital offers creative solutions for financing businesses through invoice factoring, purchase order factoring, and debt purchasing markets in Botswana. Oseg Capital helps well-managed companies take advantage of profitable growth opportunities and grow their sales beyond their current capacity.

First Sun House, Plot 138, Unit 5,Gaborone International Finance Park, Gaborone, Botswana Email: admin@oseg.co.bw Tel: +267 312 1222 Fax: +267 313 2462 Best of Botswana

175

Nature of our Business

Simon & Lawrence (Pty) Limited is a diversified and multifaceted operation with its foot in different market segments i.e. Media, Financials, Real Estate and Partnerships

An artistic impression of a proposed commercial development.

The Company is engaged in the business of exploring for opportunities within its four portfolio segments and through partnerships.

It follows a strategy of balancing risk and reward by focusing on opportunities by geographic area and prospect type.

Within the selected areas, the company develops a portfolio of properties and development prospects in conjunction with an active acquisition strategy.

Our commitment to investing in new

176

Best of Botswana

initiatives to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers is an essential part of our corporate philosophy. As a result, Simon & Lawrence (Pty) Limited is selling products and services within our portfolios that are nationally and market usable.

Whether it is world-class infrastructure development or products to drive increased processing requirements, solutions that enable sustainable applications as consumer devices continue to shrink in size, Simon &

Lawrence Properties is committed to meet and exceed its customers’ needs each and every day. We currently are looking for opportunities in Rwanda and South Sudan; mostly low cost housing and PVC Manufacturing.

Investments Arms REAL ESTATE It is a multifaceted business, encompassing activities that range from the renovation and lease of existing buildings to the purchase

Simon& Lawrence PTY LTD

of raw land and the sale of improved land to others. As a property developer and investor, we are the coordinators of the activities, converting ideas on paper into real property.

This is the unit looking into East Africa where there is a high demand of low cost housing.

FINANCIALS Corporate Financing can be a critical lever for businesses that need to maximise liquidity and flexibility. It’s important to work with a partner who understands your industry and can structure the right program to help you achieve your goals. We work with a wide variety of mid-size businesses, large businesses, multinationals and private equity sponsors. We currently offer factoring solutions to SMEs, as well as short-term loan financing to Pick n’ Pay customers in greater Johannesburg in partnership with SL Capital - a BEE company based in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

MEDIA We have years of experience in the print and electronic media communications industry.

We plan and deploy media communication best practices. Through our subsidiary, Flame Power Multimedia, we help different companies to innovate and develop successful print and electronic media communications.

Our positioning and differentiation strategy lies in our commitment to professionalism, innovation and adherence to international standards at all levels of our operations. As a local company we are fully conversant with the local market and we have consequently engaged local professionals to formulate customised products. Some of Flame Power Clients over the years include BTV, BHC, BCL, BTC, MoH, Naca, BTO, BEDIA, and UNFPA etc.

PARTNERSHIP We offer a functional delivery service around a true single point of contact, with a team of experienced, diverse people. Our point of difference from other firms is that we are

Physical Address Exponential Building 5th Floor North Wing Central Business District (CBD) Gaborone

Michael Ramontsho (left) the Portfolio Manager with Nasrin Masuge, Office Manager

more nurturing and caring. Our operational strategies are the most flexible of all types of commodity supply and delivery because we can deliver our products and services exactly where/ when they are needed; when you need help, the person you need to talk to is the person you “get”.

We currently are in partnership with Indian and Taiwanese companies to deliver medical consumables and South African companies for Corporate Wear and Broadcasting equipment.

Future Goals We will continuously look for and

Postal Address P.O. Box 40596 Gaborone Botswana

provide innovative and efficient ways to provide the finest products and services.

Our strategy is to grow by meeting our customers’ changing needs as our customers change, so must we.

We will develop new products, redesigned and enhanced and new methods will be developed, all to meet our target market. We aim to grow through reputation and through the satisfaction of our partners.

Contact Info Tel: +267 393 9741 Fax: +267 393 9742 Email: info@simonlaw.co.bw

Best of Botswana

177

Chapter 11 Training and Education

178

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

179

Botho University

A Powerhouse of Knowledge Creation

As Botswana has grown over the years, her economy has increasingly demanded greater human resource up-skilling from both an employee and an entrepreneurial development point of view.

In the first decades after Independence, government largely played this role, developing and maintaining establishments for primary, secondary and tertiary level education, as well as vocational and training institutes around the country. Public funds were also used to provide sponsorship for qualifying students at tertiary institutes around the world.

However, the pace of growth in the country’s economy coupled with the increasing demand for home-grown educational curricula, as well as declining availability of publicly funded external scholarships, pointed to a need for private sector partnership with government particularly in tertiary education.

Beginning in the 1990s, several private tertiary institutions began responding to

180

Best of Botswana

government’s call – made through 1994’s Revised National Policy on Education – to partner in advancing Botswana’s economy through the provision of sector relevant graduate programmes.

One of the first to do so was Botho University then known as NIIT, which established in 1997 with a focus on training in computer technology in line with its founders’ foreknowledge that Information Communication Technology would be the cornerstone of Botswana’s growth in the global village.

Six years later in 2003, the institution recorded another milestone when it partnered with international universities from from the United Kingdom to offer a degree programme in Computing. Botho University became one of the first private tertiary education providers in Botswana to register with both regulatory bodies - the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) and the Tertiary Education Council (TEC). Both regulatory institutions demand the highest professional

and technical standards and Botho’s registration was testimony of its commitment to providing globally recognised education of the highest standards, with instructors of the finest pedigree and state-of-the-art learning and sporting facilities.

The year 2007 was a transformational one for Botho University. With its student body growing, the institute’s principals invested in the construction of a multi-million Pula campus in Gaborone and also received the first enrollment of government-sponsored students.

Subsequently in 2008, the institution launched an ambitious strategy to become a multidisciplinary establishment of regional repute, building on its foundations as a technology knowledge dynamo. Botho

also established new structures supported by staff development and strong quality assurance mechanisms to complement the new strategic direction.

Botho University was now well on its way to achieving the vision of producing a wellrounded graduate who is highly employable and can contribute to both nation building and community development.

In line with this new pathway, the institution was renamed as Botho College, expanding its offerings to accounting programmes such as AAT, ACCA and CIMA under the Faculty of Accounting.

By 2013, Botho’s strategic transformation had reached new heights, as it now had established four faculties namely Faculty of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of

Best of Botswana

181

Business, Faculty of Computing, as well as Faculty of Education and Continuing Studies - all duly approved by TEC. The institution transformed itself into Botho University in March 2013 and also achieved another important milestone in the very same quarter, when it was handed the BOS ISO 9001:2008 certification by Botswana Bureau of Standards. Botho University is the only university in Botswana to have achieved an ISO Certification.

Today, Botho University has one of the country’s largest educational footprints, with campuses in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun, offering a rich variety of globallyrecognised degree, diploma, certificate and short-course qualifications in state-of-the-art facilities and under well-qualified tutelage.

182

Best of Botswana

In line with its commitment to producing a well-rounded graduate, Botho University has adopted a Botho Graduate Profile where a student is encouraged to enhance his career, personality and social traits by participating in various activities.

The University has 23 active sports and recreation clubs, supported by extensive facilities for codes such as basketball, netball, volleyball, football and chess. The institution has won all the top student accolades and championships in the country such as BOTESSA and PTIA games.

Other sports codes include rugby, boxing, karate, lawn tennis, badminton, softball, bridge and athletics.

Indicative of the well-rounded student philosophy, it is a little-known fact that Botho

University harbours many sporting heroes of Botswana, namely: the top Motswana football export, Mogakolodi “Tsotso” Ngele; and Boxing Champion Pearl Tsitsi Morake, a Botho University student turned employee who has many feathers under her cap, including a gold medal at the Keone Mooka Mageu Boxing Championship, Botswana Boxing Association’s Female Boxer of the year award and most recently a silver medal under welter weight at the Best of the Best Championship. Like Mogakolodi and Pearl there are many other burgeoning champions nurtured by Botho University.

The University has not only fostered sporting excellence amongst its students, but also paved way for academic brilliance by conducting competitions like LINKZ. LINKZ is an annual ICT challenge for students mainly focusing on information and communication technology skills.

Botho University also hosts an annual research conference inviting people from all over the globe. The recently concluded Botho University International Research Conference is a testimony to Botho’s commitment towards research that helps its academic staff engage with their international counterparts annually, to discuss and debate key issues in the field of higher education. The Botho University International Research Conference (BUIRC) 2013 attracted over 350 participants from over 13 countries.

Botho University students were very privileged to get exposed to such international speakers and were able to present themselves at the student’s expo tees, which gave them high motivation to excel in various international competitions.

One of the most recent successes in such an international competition was when three Botho University students emerged victorious in the Botswana leg of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2013 and qualified to represent the country at the global finals in St Petersburg, Russia.

The Microsoft Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition where eligible students are invited to use their imagination and passion to create technology solutions for problems facing the world today. The competition allows students to take a groundbreaking application idea from concept to market with Microsoft resources and support.

The University’s phenomenal growth has not been limited to academia only, as the institution has long endeavoured to enhance its Corporate Social Responsibility footprint as a way of giving back to the community.

This has given birth to Botho University E-Skills foundation, which provides technical assistance towards ICT capacity building in the community on a non-profit basis.

Some of the community intervention initiatives under this include a donation of ten computers and six months of computer training for three primary schools in villages of Mauxotai, Maposa and Sepako, which

amounts to a total value of the initiative to be worth P300,000.

The Foundation has partnered with BOTUSA and the Ministry of Health to recruit 60 graduate interns, train them and provide project management services to manage all health systems in rural and remote medical clinics countrywide. The total value of this intervention is US$350,000.

Currently Botho University has donated more than 150 computers to 15 primary schools and has provided them with the curricula and the teachers to train the students and staff. More than 8000 students have benefitted from this initiative.

Botho University has also set up a reading corner for children in the Letsholathebe Hospital, Maun, which is currently maintained by Botho University’s Maun campus.

Botho University, by maintaining a strong linkage with industry in order to develop relevant curricula and also by instilling a compulsory entrepreneurship module in all programmes, has become the frontline of the educational response to the economy’s human resource requirements. The institution is responding to the call made by President

of Botswana His Excellency Seretse Khama Ian Khama at the University’s launch, that the country’s tertiary education system must contribute to the nation’s ability to compete regionally as well as globally.

GABORONE CAMPUS Botho Education Park, Kgale, Gaborone P.O. Box 501564, Gaborone Tel: +267 391 9999/391 9666 Fax: +267 391 3187858 FRANCISTOWN CAMPUS Barclays Plaza, Blue Jacket Street Francistown P/Bag F451, Francistown Tel: +267 244 0686 Fax: +267 244 0685 MAUN CAMPUS Opp. Maun Technical College Boseja, Maun P.O. Box 20157, Boseja, Maun Tel: +267 686 5404 Fax: +267 686 5035 www.bothocollege.ac.bw Best of Botswana

183

Botswana Accountancy College (BAC)

“Aiding and abetting a shift away from resource-based economies to knowledge-based economies through real investment in education and skills development” Michael Lesolle FCCA ACA

Intro It is not by coincidence that if you want to be with the best, be the best! BAC shines a beacon towards which the greater part of business education is steered. It happens through a deliberately designed rubric consisting of a carefully knitted mosaic of offerings which collectively paint the picture of a performer’s pirouette. It attracts to itself only the best. The best students, the best strategic partners, the best teachers and mentors, the best business propositions, the best solutions – we could go on. It is therefore not surprising that many people want to be a part of BAC! Education as a business It is common cause that education is now universally regarded as a business, albeit somewhat tacitly by the classical education institutions which still have to operate as a

184

Best of Botswana

part of a knowledge landscape which has transformed significantly. Most education institutions which have hitherto been referred to as state institutions, or public education institutes, including universities and higher education centres, now have to ‘earn their keep’ in order to stay in business.

This is a phenomenon that has ‘side effects’, for it adds another layer of intra-competitive imperatives within the institutions themselves which are ‘not for profit’. As a consequence, the dynamics of quality also succumb to pressure from the more ‘slick’ and efficiency driven private sector education corporate bodies. BAC is part of such a system, and has thrived because of it – from being a ‘hybrid’ type institution. Nothing came as a surprise therefore, when private sector norms which invaded the public institutions crossed roads with the BAC in a state of readiness.

The open skies of Africa – Botswana still the ‘shining star’ Quite unrelated is the notion that the African continent is still in its first phase of its renaissance, which brings with it a different set of challenges. Not long ago, the experiences of the ‘scramble for Africa’ left behind a trail of destruction, whose effects are still felt today, generations later.

Currently however, the ‘scramble’ is of a different kind. Although it is still underpinned by the continent’s resources, often times referred to as a ‘curse’, Africans now have a fighting chance to call the shots amidst the scramble.

There are conditions – it requires a different type of mindset to defeat corruption, unethical behavior, abject poverty, run-away diseases, and literally, causing the continent to be regarded as a pariah continent among nations in the 21st century. This may sound gloomy and defeatist. In effect it is merely a build up to an argument that a case has to be made to catapult today’s generation of Africans who have the knowledge, experience and skills to seize the moment. The size of the skills base may not be enough, but they are currently present – some of which in effect benefit advanced economies through a process of migration. This presents phenomenal opportunities for deepening the skills base, the knowledge resource and capacity

Best of Botswana

185

building for true leadership. In addition, many African states including Botswana have since embraced the concept of transforming their economies from a resource based to knowledge based economies. Herein lies the vantage point of BAC the institution.

We are a significant player in our part of the continent, guilty of ‘aiding and abetting’ a shift away from resource based economies to knowledge based economies founded on real investment in education and business skills development.

The BAC value proposition To be “the Best of Botswana”, the college is known for its non-compromising stance on quality and the relevance of its programme offerings. By extension, the quality of its graduates ensures that they are the most sought after by industry, in other words, the college places a premium on its graduate employability factor. By far the most unique of its propositions, is the depth of its investment in talent and expertise. The significant investment in talent represents one of the hallmarks of its success and differentiation.

For this reason, and in order to produce work-ready graduates, and those who will stand out as future potential wealth creators, the college identifies key strategic priorities amongst which are the integration of teaching/learning, research, community engagement and student experience. In

186

Best of Botswana

many respects, its brand anchors on this value proposition.

Reputation built on ‘The company you keep’ For good measure, even as the college edges towards attaining the capability to be an awarding institution in its own right, it very jealously guards its own brand against the background of the value addition from ‘the company it keeps’. With its strategic partners, the BAC continues to grow from strength to strength, thereby ‘separating itself from the crowd’.

The current partnership with two UK universities (University of Derby and the University of Sunderland), offers the best of both worlds in which each of the two universities has something unique to offer through its key area of strength. With the prospect of an addition to its strategic partners, a new strategic relationship with one of the most respected and highly ranked UK Business Schools is in the offering during 2014. The college is therefore set to assert itself as the best there is in Botswana, the region and beyond.

In this regard, ‘the company BAC keeps’ is of utmost importance. It makes the college one of its kind in Southern Africa, with a business model which ensures it offers a diversified suite of courseware in its portfolio of offerings mostly sought after by modern day business undergraduates and researchers, and most importantly, respected and embraced by business and industry.

On the basis of international recognition of programmes offered by BAC, the prestigious awards conferred on BAC by global professional bodies – ‘Platinum’

by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Global, ‘Quality Learning Partner’ by Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Global, bestows on the college, some of the most sought after ‘badges of excellence’.

Other institutions world-wide competing in the same space can look in envy. It also confirms BAC’s pedigree and ‘footprint’ as an institution which acts locally and thinks globally.

The millennial generation conundrum Considering the perplexing phenomenon of the millennial generation in various spheres of modern day life, the college is itself a relatively young institution which attracts to itself the best performing and talented of young people. The College is therefore able to, and has put into context, the mind of the young graduates who are gender and ethnically diverse, spontaneous in their ways, wide-eyed and always ready for something new.

Purposefully, BAC is able to tap into this positive energy of young people, a new generation with its new rules.

With this conundrum at its disposal, the

college is able to infuse within its ‘student experience’ strategies, the type of blended learning interventions; the type of mix most familiar to young people. At the earliest available opportunity, we will engage with undergraduates to reinforce their ‘thinking digital’ approaches which will enable them to generate ideas which have the power to change communities, businesses and the environment around them.

As a consequence, the BAC undergraduates are drawn to an institutional culture of entrepreneurial flair which supports their aspirations. It also instils creative habits among them.

BAC going for the ‘jugular’ The Tertiary Education landscape transformation in Botswana could not have come at a better time for BAC. Almost spontaneously, the opportunities presented are both unavoidable and simply too good to be true. With education depression in other countries particularly in Europe, smart

partnerships with institutions in Africa by a process of osmosis in order to engender the otherwise idle capacity in those jurisdictions is logical, only if properly adapted to fit with the agenda of African institutions.

To illustrate the point, and almost like ‘going for the jugular’, BAC has launched into the rare offerings (for Botswana) in the hospitality, travel, and tourism suite of destination management programmes at degree level, in partnership with a UK strategic partner who is best at it. This is consistent with the Botswana Education Hub agenda of attracting undergraduates to Botswana, thereby exporting education.

What the year 2014 has in store for BAC, can only be described as the “Best for Botswana”.

For more information, visit www.bac.ac.bw or Email: enquiries@bac.ac.bw Best of Botswana

187

The University of Botswana

Botswana’s Pride - The establishment of the University of Botswana in 1982 followed more than two decades of intensive national and regional efforts driven by the shared desire to promote human development through education

Approximately 22 years before its establishment, three countries jointly established the University of Bechuanaland (Botswana), Basutoland (Lesotho) and Swaziland (UBBS) which became University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS) in an effort to reduce their reliance on the then apartheid era South Africa. The nascent University, based in Lesotho, soon grew from its original 188 students, to 402 by 1970, coming from the three original founding states as well as the then Rhodesia and South Africa.

Lesotho withdrew from the UBLS partnership in 1975 and the other two states continued to cooperate. Botswana began to strategically plan for what would later become the University of Botswana.

Botswana and Swaziland continued their partnership as the University of Botswana and Swaziland, until the early

188

Best of Botswana

1980s when they amicably parted into two separate national universities.

Under the visionary leadership of the late President, Sir Seretse Khama, a campaign officially known as the Botswana University Campus Appeal (BUCA) had begun in 1976 to raise funds to establish the Botswana Campus of the new University of Botswana.

The campaign, which is recorded in the country’s collective memory as the Motho le Motho Kgomo (One Man, One Beast) campaign, was aimed at raising one million Rand for the campus, Botswana being too poor to self-finance at the time.

Batswana came from all corners of the country donating cash, cattle, grain, eggs and all forms of other contributions to realise the dream of establishing what at the time was the country’s proudest achievement.

The Motho le Motho Kgomo fund raising campaign led to the establishment of the University of Botswana in 1982, with the

Best of Botswana

189

formal inauguration conducted by the then President, Sir Ketumile Masire on October 23 of the same year.

Over the years, with government support as well as regional cooperation with other institutions, the University of Botswana grew its student and academic body as well as its curriculum offering, with multi-million Pula investments in infrastructure and technology.

Today, the University of Botswana is ranked the 12th best in Africa (4icu. org University Web Ranking), and boasts campuses covering 200 hectares, with more than 17, 600 students, 2, 700 staff members and an annual budget of more than P1 billion.

The University has seven undergraduate faculties, complemented by a school of graduate studies. The University’s library is an example of the quality on offer to students, with nearly half a million books, pamphlets and periodic titles, 187 internet dedicated workstations and a seating capacity of 1, 132.

The University has also developed incisive research capability with five dedicated centres focussed on wetlands conservation, science and innovation, HIV/ AIDS, public administration management and the San. The Okavango Research Institute, specialises in the study and conservation of one of the world’s largest and most intact inland wetland ecosystems - the Okavango Delta.

190

Best of Botswana

It also conducts research into other southern African wetlands, river basins, watersheds and surrounding dry lands.

The institute is located on the edge of the Okavango Delta and has various programmes to research and better understand wetlands and their ecosystems, with outcomes regularly published. The institute also offers training and boasts a MPhil/PhD Programme in Natural Resource Management as well as other courses to support this research.

Besides the research institute and centres, the University of Botswana also has a world-class School of Medicine (SoM), the first and only medical school in Botswana whose mandate is to train locally relevant and internationally competent doctors in Botswana.

Botswana has finally established its very first medical school after years of intensive planning to get this project underway. It has already admitted a total of 36 top students specially selected from BSc and Pre-med who will be pioneers of SoM beginning in August 2009.

The School, which opened enrolment in 2009, offers a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and other senior degrees.

The School has supportive infrastructure and a 450 bed academic hospital currently in the works. The teaching hospital will provide practical clinical training for the medical

students and feature an emergency care facility and faculty offices and research labs.

It will mainly admit patients who are referred for tertiary care.

The University of Botswana, however, is not all work and no play. The institution prides itself in state of the art sporting facilities and established codes such as football, tennis, volleyball, basketball and netball, as well as an Olympic-size swimming pool built to international standards.

The 10, 000 seater University of Botswana stadium is the sporting jewel in the institution’s crown, being regularly

used for major UB event including the annual graduation ceremony and public events. Next to the stadium is an openair entertainment arena complex which can accommodate 1, 500 standing or 800 seating spectators and hosts various student art, culture and entertainment events.

The University of Botswana has indeed transformed into a focal point of national pride, providing a rich student-life experience and high-quality recognised qualifications to equip both local and international scholars. www.ub.bw

Best of Botswana

191

Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology Hi-tech, innovation-focused learning ecosystem

Limkokwing University campus in Gaborone is well-equipped with facilities to produce tech-smart, creative thinkers

192

Best of Botswana

Founder President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Limkokwing believes inspirational education helps young people develop a thirst for knowledge

Limkokwing University entered Gaborone with a reputation for its innovative approach to education. It was not only the first private university to open in Botswana, but was also the only one offering associate degrees and degrees in creative-based and technologydriven programmes related to the creative industries.

Creating Botswana’s most hi-tech University to expand the creative sector of the economy The Limkokwing campus in Gaborone is well-equipped with high-end facilities for the acquisition of digital multimedia skills in design, animation, web, software engineering, sound engineering, photography, architecture and broadcasting.

By 2013, more than 5,000 Batswana have graduated as creative professionals, injecting new blood into the Botswana economy to build its creative industry sector. The country’s second television station is largely managed through the creative input of Limkokwing graduates.

Promoting Botswana across Africa and the world Botswana, through Limkokwing University, is building its ability to provide higher education that has already attracted students from 14 countries to study in Gaborone.

This was the result of the Limkokwing University promoting Gaborone through roadshows in neighbouring countries. The University successfully recruited students from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zambia, Namibia, Djibouti, Lesotho, Guyana, Swaziland, and Tonga Island.

Students who join Limkokwing become part of its international network and will be assisted to cross borders to our campuses in

Best of Botswana

193

Each year about 1,000 young creative professionals exit the University to bring their skills and knowledge to support government, industry and community

London, Beijing, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, Bali, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching to continue their research or complete their further studies.

In the same spirit the University has promoted Botswana to the world through its high-profile website that has not only won numerous awards but is a popular place with visitors from 222 countries and territories.

Each month the website receives more than 10 million hits and in 2012 it reached 300 million hits.

Limkokwing graduates rebranding Botswana Their unique experience on campus, creative

194

Best of Botswana

thinking ability, talent and grasp of new technology are the new resources that Botswana will have to mine to strengthen the economy and build its branding. Limkokwing graduates have the skills to move companies forward, bringing them to be at par with the professionalism expected by the rest of the world.

Limkokwing graduates are setting up businesses providing creative services in the areas of creative writing, animation, web design, video and film editing, and digital art, among others. The wealth of talent can now be showcased to the world through the ability of young Batswana entrepreneurs

who can translate their skills into the various media.

Innovative approach to inculcate entrepreneurship In August 2009, the University launched the Limkokwing Entrepreneurship Acceleration Platform (LEAP) for the benefit of final semester students so that they may gain insights into the inner workings of industry.

While it is a common practice for students to do their practical studies through internship, the University introduced LEAP as a proactive move to overcome the difficulty of sending students for training.

Limkokwing University is contributing to make Gaborone an education hub for the region.

Through Limkokwing University thousands of Batswana are finding the pathway to become in-demand and highly employable

The LEAP programme harnessed the participation of key industry stakeholders to provide guidance to students as they were given tasks in setting up a business. What Limkokwing University has truly engineered for Botswana is a change of mind-set among its next generation, which now enjoys learning.

Founder President Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Limkokwing believes the love to learn must be fostered in youths. “Education must inspire youths to love knowledge acquisition. The University has totally changed the way Batswana view education.

They have produced plays, won awards,

written books, and produced albums.

You can safely say that this University has changed the way the world views Botswana.”

Enabling knowledge transfer in marketing, campus management and curriculum development An important aspect in building Botswana as a regional hub for higher education is the contribution that Batswana graduates are making in establishing this nerve centre.

Guided by professionals from Malaysia, Batswana graduates now form the backbone of the senior management of the Botswana

campus. They have displayed maturity and leadership in pioneering the establishment of Botswana’s first creative university. They now lead the University’s way forward and by doing so strengthen the nation’s aspirations to become a regional hub for education.

A number are involved in the promotion of Gaborone to cities around the region. They are also acquiring vital skills in curriculum development and campus management.

www.limkokwing.net Best of Botswana

195

BA ISAGO: Growing with Quality, Getting Stronger and Better

BA ISAGO University College is a private citizen-owned tertiary education institution with campuses located in Gaborone, Francistown and Maun

First opened in Francistown in 2002 with 50 students, BA ISAGO now has over 3000 students in its three campuses. As Vision 2016 seeks to propel Botswana’s socioeconomic and political development into a competitive, winning and prosperous nation, it places education at the heart of Botswana’s future development agenda by aspiring to create “An Educated and Informed Nation By 2016”.

In today’s global economy, graduates have an abundance of courses to study and a multitude of career paths to follow. Whatever career path, as a preferred choice of tertiary education institution, BA ISAGO University College gives students numerous choices.

The College offers credible market-driven and internationally recognised programmes that prepare students for the global job market.

Even though BA ISAGO has made milestones towards the Nation’s 2016 goals, it is looking beyond 2016 to a position of international significance. After 2016, it will be innovation and entrepreneurship that act as key drivers of the diversification and development of Botswana’s economy -

196

Best of Botswana

BA ISAGO UNIVERSITY College

Est. 2001

reversing the African Diaspora and building an increasingly prosperous and sustainable society.

The current generation of students is worldly and connected like no other before it. They use knowledge as the new global currency. Seeking inspiration and wisdom, they desire challenges and have pride. BA ISAGO is working hard to capture and nurture the energy of this generation to create an environment for minds to grow and ideas to live.

Equally, BA ISAGO is working towards meeting the new and dominant aspirations of teachers and other staff members. BA ISAGO is focusing on professional freedom so that all members of staff continue to be part of a ‘movement’ that is progressive and respected. There is pride in being associated with an institution that is contributing to the country’s development.

The College has largely embraced and subscribes to major National Blue Print Policy documents which guide the development of Tertiary Education in Botswana, such as: the Tertiary Education Policy - “Towards a

Knowledge Society”; the National Human Resources Development Strategy; and one of the pillars of Vision 2016, “espousing the creation of an informed and educated nation”.

Growing with Quality The College has over the years, identified itself with the Government’s Commission on the Revised National Policy on Education (RNPE) which supports the establishment of a partnership between Government and the private sector, in order to provide tertiary education with the shared aim of creating greater access to higher education for its citizens.

BA ISAGO’s programmes are accredited by two quality assurance bodies, regulating tertiary education in Botswana. Both the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA) and the Tertiary Education Council (TEC) have recognised BA ISAGO as an institution offering quality and relevant programmes in support of the country’s human resources needs. The University College strives to offer excellent facilities with dedicated academic and administrative staff that are ready to

facilitate learning, training and research.

The University College is pursuing programmes that promote South-South cooperation and at the same time maximising prospects and opportunities for further and higher education in Botswana. The institution is positioning itself to play a critical role in the SADC region and more widely in Africa and the rest of the world. It is vigorously exploring prospects, possibilities, opportunities and strategies designed to provide study opportunities to students from outside the borders of Botswana.

Academic Partnership BA ISAGO has embraced and subscribes to the ideals of strategic partnership in education and training through its collaboration with internationally renowned institutions. The University College offers its own home-grown programmes, as well as some which are offered through licence agreements with the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Such programmes

Best of Botswana

197

its curriculum, by offering the following programmes in collaboration with NUST: • Bachelor of Commerce in Risk Management and Insurance • Bachelor of Commerce in Fiscal Studies • Diploma in Development and Disaster Management

have been approved and registered by the Tertiary Education Council (TEC). Other strong collaborative partnerships include ACCA, ICDL, UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL), UNISA’s Centre for Business Management (CBM) and the Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA).

Collaboration with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) As a primarily business-focused tertiary education institution, BA ISAGO signed a Memorandum of Agreement with NUST in 2007, which enables it to diversify

198

Best of Botswana

Kellogg Foundation Partnership BA ISAGO also had a strong collaborative partnership with Kellogg Foundation, geared towards empowerment of the Basarwa Community in D’ Kar, near Ghanzi, with emphasises on traditional leadership development, youth and women leadership development. The College also has an active corporate social responsibility policy, through which it has promoted a number of outreach programmes.

In addition to drawing some of its programmes through such partnerships, BA ISAGO continues to develop and introduce its own home-grown programmes, which are benchmarked internationally and quality assured. Most programmes are market-driven, largely responding to the socio-economic needs of the country and the region.

List of Academic Programmes The following degree, diploma and certificate programmes are offered on a full or part-time basis: Postgraduate Programmes 1. Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (SBL) 2. Master of Business Leadership (SBL)

Degree Programmes 1. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Banking and Finance 2. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting 3. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Entrepreneurship 4. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Financial Management 5. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Management Accounting 6. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology 7. Bachelor of Accounting Sciences and Financial Accounting 8. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Transport and Logistics 9. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Marketing Management 10. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resources Management 11. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Risk Management 12. Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Real Estate 13. Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development 14. Bachelor of Education in Social Studies 15. Bachelor of Technology in Safety Management 16. Bachelor of Education (General) 17. Bachelor of Science Degree in Quantity Surveying 18. Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Hons) in Risk Management and Insurance (NUST) 19. Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Hons) in Fiscal Studies Diploma Programmes 1. National Professional Diploma in Education (NPDE) 2. National Diploma in Safety Management 3. Diploma in Court Administration 4. Diploma in Accounting 5. Diploma in Law 6. Diploma in Real Estate 7. Diploma in Insurance 8. Diploma in Marketing Management 9. Diploma in Transport Management and Logistics 10. Diploma in Entrepreneurship 11. Diploma in Development and Disaster Management (NUST) Professional Programmes 1. ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) 2. CAT (Certified Accounting Technician) 3. BICA (Botswana Institute of Chartered Accountants) 4. ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence) Certificate Programmes BA ISAGO has developed eight programmes at Certificate level which have been validated and accredited by the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA). These include Certificates in:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Human Resources Management Business Management Entrepreneurship Certificate in Real Estate Certificate in Law Certificate in Customary Law Certificate in Court Administration Foundation and Intermediate Certificate for Deputy Sheriffs and Court Bailiffs

Centre for Research, Entrepreneurship and Project Management (CREPM) In October 2008, BA ISAGO established CREPM for the purpose of enhancing professional development of various organisations in the public and private sectors, as well as promoting academic research and expanding the business of BA ISAGO, through consultancies, short-term training, seminars, workshops and community engagement.

Programmes that have been accredited 1. Advocacy & Lobbying 2. Performance Management Systems 3. Research Methods and SPSS 4. Project Planning 5. Monitoring & Evaluation 6. Occupational Health and Safety 7. Property Valuation 8. Property Economics and Finance 9. Introduction to Building Technology 10. Property Marketing 11. Customer Service 12. Introduction to Property Law 13. Small Business Management 14. Business Plan Preparation 15. Business Management 2 16. Computer Skills 17. Communication Skills 18. Employment Relations 19. Training and Development 20. Organisational Behaviour 21. Business Communications 22. Basic Concepts of Information Technology 23. Using a Computer and Managing files 24. Word Processing 25. Spreadsheets

26. Database 27. Presentation (PowerPoint) 28. Information and Communication 29. Introduction to Vocational Education and Training 30. Determine Training Methods and Techniques 31. Produce a Lesson Plan 32. Develop Learning Materials 33. Facilitate the Lesson 34. Evaluate Training Sessions 35. Produce Assessment Instruments 36. Demonstrate Time Management in the Work Place 37. Finance for Non-Finance Managers 38. Programme in Office Management (CBM: UNISA 39. Short Course in SMME Management (CBM: UNISA).

40. Programme in Safety Management (CBM: UNISA) 41. Programme in Public Procurement and Supply Management (CBM: UNISA) 42. Fundamental Management Programme (SBL: UNISA) 43. Management Development Programme (SBL: UNISA 44. Exectutive Development Programme (SBL: UNISA) Conclusion The College remains strongly committed to growing its business through sound, ethical and internationally acceptable best practices.

BA ISAGO is a dynamic private tertiary education institution offering market-driven programmes of international repute, with a wide range of degree, diploma and certificate level programmes, on a full-time and parttime basis.

All its programmes have a direct bearing on the human capital development of Botswana. The College’s philosophy and guiding business principles are always premised on the understanding that there must, at all times, be a meaningful balance between its business imperatives and the academic pursuits of its students. BA ISAGO

is focused and committed to transforming itself from a University College to full university status.

GABORONE CAMPUS Plot 54831, Block 7 Corner of Western Bypass (Motsete Road) and Mogoditshane road, Gaborone, Botswana Email: gaborone.campus@baisago.co.bw Tel: +267 395 7744 Fax: +267 395 7709 Mobile: +267 714 37500 FRANCISTOWN CAMPUS Haskins Building, Plot 1602/3, Light Industrial Site Francistown, Botswana Email: francistown.campus@baisago.co.bw Tel: +267 241 8780 Fax: +267 241 8778 MAUN CAMPUS Plot 394, Mabudutsana Ward Corner of Moremi 3 Road and Mogalakwe Road, Maun Tel: +267 686 7021 Fax: +267 686 7021 Email: maun.campus@baisago.co.bw www.baisago.co.bw Best of Botswana

199

CIE continues BGCSE inspections in Botswana The Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Inspector Mr. Peter Tabbitt landed in Gaborone on Saturday, 12 October 2013

The Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Inspector Mr. Peter Tabbitt

200

Best of Botswana

Mr. Tabbitt’s mission in Botswana was to carry out the CIE annual inspection of Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examination centres in accordance with the accreditation agreement between CIE and Botswana Examinations Council (BEC).

Before he started his schedule, Mr. Tabbitt met the BEC Executive Management Team and functional area managers for introductions on Monday, 14 October 2013 at BEC headquarters.

BEC Caretaker Executive Secretary Professor Brian Mokopakgosi warmly welcomed Mr. Tabbitt and acknowledged some areas of concern raised before by CIE for improvements.

Prof. Mokopakgosi stated that the feedback that BEC receives from CIE after inspections helps the Council to improve, “We continue to note the concerns you raise from year to year and use them to improve our processes,” he said.

Some of the concerns that CIE raised in the last report include security of examinations papers and the inconsistency

in the application of the examination regulations across centres - of which Prof.

Mokopakgosi stated that BEC is working hand in hand with centres to address.

He added that there are other areas of improvement such as internet connectivity - a challenge which BEC is addressing in consultation with the ministry of education and skills development.

For his part, Mr. Tabbitt advised that whatever solutions BEC might come up with to address challenges encountered at centres, should be collaborative efforts with the concerned centres - adding that BEC should have trustworthy people at centres overseeing the security of examination papers.

He highlighted the challenges of fighting examinations malpractice, especially due to technological improvements such as the introduction of smart wrist watches which candidates can slip into the examination room while loaded with extensive data.

Responding to Mr. Tabbitt’s question of whether BEC has satellite offices, the BEC Data Processing Manager Mr. Oduetse Setlhare explained that BEC only has offices in the capital city of Gaborone but uses the Ministry of Education and Skills Development regional education officers to pass information to examinations centres.

In order to improve examinations centre management, the acting BGCSE Manager Mrs. Gaone Hirschfeldt explained to Mr. Tabbitt, that the Council has recently engaged the regional examination administrators to assist in the administration of examinations at centres and that they are trained before they could be deployed.

The CIE inspectors, according to Mr. Tabbitt, are retired school teachers, system auditors and other professionals who have educational and management backgrounds, are initially trained and then brought together time and again to update them on changes.

Mr. Tabbitt returned to the United Kingdom on Saturday, 2 November 2013 after completing his inspections in Botswana and the hope is that such a relationship between BEC and CIE can only enhance the upholding of international standards by the latter.

Mission, Vision and Core Values of the BEC • A Mission gives the scope of an

Botswana Examinations Council

organisation’s operations, defines why it exists and reflects the organisation’s purpose; • A Vision statement is the desired result accomplished when an organisation delivers value to its customers. It is an organisation’s picture of future success where it wants to be in the future; • Core Values are the organisation’s guiding principles that bind the organisation’s members together to ensure mission success and delivery of customer value.

BEC’s Mission, Vision and Core Values are as follows: Mission “Provision of a credible and responsive assessment and examination system” Mission Commentary: • Credible: Trustworthy and Error free assessments and examinations that conforms to both the local and international standards; • Responsive: Examination and Assessment system that is affiliated to the national curriculum, takes into cognisance candidates with special needs and is not detached from current issues in the environment; also relevant to the local market.

Vision “To be a provider of accessible and globally competitive qualifications”.

Core Values • Excellence: We have passion for quality work and outstanding performance characterised by the use of innovative and creative solutions; • Integrity: We uphold best practice standards, honesty, professionalism and ethical behaviour; • Transparency: We are open in all matters of public interest while safeguarding confidential information; • People Focus: Our people; employees, the community we serve and nation at large are profoundly important to us.

We are thus committed to cultivating a culture that is characterised by mutual respect, professionalism, courtesy, compassion and sharing to build lasting and rewarding relationships.

BEC Chairperson Dr. Joseph Tsonope

BEC Caretaker Executive Secretary Professor Brian Mokopakgosi

Botswana Examinations Council Contact Details: Plot 54864, KT Motsete Rd Private Bag 0070, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 365 0700 Fax: +267 318 5011 www.bec.co.bw Best of Botswana

201

Botswana Qualifications Authority

National Human Resource Development Strategy (NHRDS) Background The National Human Resource Development Strategy (NHRDS) which was approved by Cabinet in January 2009 recommended a rationalisation strategy to eliminate overlapping mandates and duplication of services between the Tertiary Education Council (TEC) and the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA). It also put in place a holistic and integrated institutional framework comprising of two new statutory bodies, the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) and the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA).

NHRDS Vision By 2022 it will be universally accepted that the quality, productivity and motivation of its people will be Botswana’s single greatest and most valuable resource.

202

Best of Botswana

NHRDS Mission To encourage each citizen to realise their individual potential, through an approach which balances needs and capability, and to enable them to play a full and meaningful role in their community, society and the world.

NHRDS Values The following values will underpin each goal, objective and programme activity: • Equity • Quality • High Performance Standards • Accountability BQA The Authority known as the Botswana Training Authority, established under section three of the repealed Vocational Training Act, is continued under the new name of the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). It is a parastatal organisation under the Ministry

of Education and Skills Development, established by the Botswana Qualifications Authority Act, No 24 of 2013.

• BQA Objectives • To provide for and maintain the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF); • To coordinate the education, training and skills development quality assurance system.

• • •

BQA Functions • Is responsible for all qualifications, from early childhood to tertiary level; • Design, develop and implement a common quality assurance platform, and regulate compliance therewith; • Register and validate qualifications and part qualifications, and ensure their relevance to social and economic needs; • Develop, implement and maintain an overarching national credit and qualifications framework; • Set teaching and learning standards for education and training providers; • Develop policy and criteria for workbased teaching, workplace learning and work-based learning programmes, the

•

•

•

recognition of prior learning (RPL) and the credit accumulation and transfer system (CATS); Ensure international recognition for the national qualifications system and the international comparability of qualifications; Develop standards for the recognition of external qualifications; Evaluate and register local and external qualifications; Maintain a national database of qualifications; Maintain a national database of assessors, moderators, education and training providers and learners; Register and accredit education and training providers, assessors, awarding bodies and moderators; Accredit learning programmes; • Develop and review quality standards, and ensure compliance through a monitoring and evaluation system; • Design qualifications and curricula for general education and tertiary education, including technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and higher education;

• Contribute toward the development of international competency framework; • Design methods of validating the achievements of learners; • Recognise and validate competencies for purposes of certifications; • Design procedures and rules for the protection of enrolled learners; • Set criteria for the development of national education and training quality and inspection standards; • Advise the Minister on all matters pertaining to its functions; • Perform any function consistent with this Act that the Minister may, by regulations, determine; and • Do all such things and perform all such functions as may be necessary for, or incidental to, the attainment of the objectives of the Authority.

Plot 66450, Block 7, Gaborone P/Bag BO 340, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 3657 200 Fax: +267 3952 301 Email: customerservice@bota.org.bw www.bota.org.bw

Best of Botswana

203

Chapter 12 Banking

204

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

205

Boosting Financial Inclusion Through Technology

The words “banking” and “technology” in Botswana are rightfully synonymous with First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB), an organisation that has, for decades, blazed the trail in innovative e-solutions designed to broaden access to banking.

Financial inclusion in Botswana has always been a challenge for authorities, with government relying on the country’s attractive investment climate to enable banks to reach out to the unbanked.

The 2014 Global Financial Development Report indicates that only 30.3% of adults aged 15 years and over in Botswana have an account at a formal financial institution, compared to 53.6 in South Africa and 39.7% in Zimbabwe.

Other studies have shown that the key barriers to greater financial inclusion in Botswana include the cost of banking services and geographical limitations.

bring banking closer to clients as part of a customer-centric strategy.

Under its “Bricks to Clicks” strategy, major milestones over the years have included the pioneering of Internet banking services in 2003, bringing convenience, flexibility and security to transaction and account management at reduced rates.

In November 2006, FNBB scored another first in the country with the introduction of Cellphone Banking, which not only provided clients with low cost, flexible banking services via their cellphones, but also valueadded features such as the purchase of prepaid airtime.

Other “firsts” over the years include the inContact-real time transaction based SMS/ email messaging, the instant accounting solution for SMMEs, Mobile ATM and the one-stop payment solution known as FirstPay Portal.

Innovative Technology FNBB has provided the strongest response to government’s call for greater financial inclusion, innovating around technology to

FirstPay FirstPay, launched in March 2012, is a debit and credit card payment platform that gives FNB and non-FNB customers the ability to

206

Best of Botswana

pay their utilities and services online. Not only was FirstPay the first in Botswana; it was the First within the FirstRand Group!

In the array of digital innovations, the most popular in the consumer segment has undoubtedly been the e-Wallet solution, a product specifically targeted at eliminating the two major barriers to banking; cost and geographical limitations.

Launched in December 2010, e-Wallet was targeted at reaching the unbanked through a simple mobile phone-based product providing services such as money transfer as well as prepaid airtime and electricity purchase and transfer.

The product’s appeal to the unbanked has been that it does not require the receiver of a money transfer, prepaid airtime or electricity to have a bank account; only a mobile phone and an FNBB ATM from which to access the funds, in the case of money transfer.

Available across all mobile networks, the product has proven wildly popular since its launch even crossing into Setswana lexis as “go ewaleta” (to e-wallet, used as a verb).

While FNBB’s innovation for financial inclusion has focussed on providing greater digital channels for banking products and services, the traditional brick and mortar investment has not been abandoned.

For more than two years, FNB Botswana customers have enjoyed a partnership between the Bank and Pick n’ Pay franchises, which led to the introduction of new sales and service channels called “FNBB Kiosk”.

These kiosks are found in identified Pick n’ Pay stores that are being converted from Score supermarkets. At present, the Bank has three kiosks located at Lobatse, Gaborone and Francistown, offering services such as account opening, general enquiries, loan applications, credit card applications, internet and cellphone registration and cheque deposits.

In its 2013 financial year, the Bank increased the number of its ATMs to 136 and substantially increased its footprint of Point of Sale machines (POS) to 5,168, the largest network in the country. A fully-fledged branch was also developed at Airport Junction in Gaborone.

First Place During the year, the Bank also completed construction of First Place, a state-of-the-art building comprising of a branch, a bulk cash facility, double basement parking, customer-

designated parking areas, staff gym and cafeteria, modern fittings, and superior building management services.

The building houses all divisions of the Bank, enabling customers with assistance in one place for all their banking needs. Staff welfare is designed right into the heart of the new building, with pause areas crafted into every floor, complete with tasteful furnishings arranged in the style of a café.

By design, First Place helps FNBB staff members enjoy coming to work every day, and offers a creative and conducive environment for them to do what they do best, letting customers enjoy the most innovative banking services from a motivated team, in an inviting and relaxing environment.

First Place is not only a customer innovation but an employee value-add as well; another example of the innovation that lies at the heart of the Bank’s strategy to innovate for growth.

FNB has introduced many multiple innovative solutions for the purchase of prepaid electricity – including Slimline ATMs and the Smartphone Banking App. Slimline ATMs Slimline ATMs are portable ATMs placed at merchant stores to offer customers banking convenience. Customers can make payments and transfers, check balances, print mini statements, purchase airtime,

e-Wallet, change pins, purchase goods or cash out. This launch celebrates another innovative milestone in FNBB’s drive to bring its services closer to customers.

Prepaid Electricity There are now many ways to stay switched on with easy to buy prepaid electricity available through FNBB, by simply using Online banking, ATM, eWallet, FNB App, or Cellphone banking.

First National Bank of Botswana Limited Tel: +267 370 6000 www.fnbbotswana.co.bw Best of Botswana

207

Local Knowledge, Global Vision, Unique Perspective...

Jitto Kurian, BancABC Managing Director “One of the core values that forms the foundation upon which BancABC operates is its focus on people. We recognise that within and outside our organisation, people are the single most important success factor.”

UB Foundation Golf Day 3-Year Sponsorship Launch

208

Best of Botswana

BancABC stands out as a dynamic and innovative financial institution with a unique focus on Fresh Thinking – Smart Banking.

BancABC is part of a group that operates in Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with a representative office in South Africa. BancABC is the brand name of ABC Holdings Limited, a company that is registered in Botswana with a primary listing on the Botswana Stock Exchange, as well as a secondary listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

The Bank offers a diverse range of financial services across its widening footprint, some of which include Corporate Banking, Treasury and Retail & SME Banking.

BancABC, through the entities that preceded it, has served Batswana since

1989, when it first operated as a leasing business and subsequently became a merchant bank. Since having commenced retail banking in July 2010, the Bank has achieved rapid growth and now boasts a footprint of nine branches around the country, positioning it to better serve its Corporate, Treasury, Retail and SME Banking customers.

The Bank’s growing branch network includes a flagship loan centre and four fully fledged branches based in Gaborone, while Francistown, Maun, Palapye and SelebiPhikwe play host to a branch each. To allow for quicker solutions to customer queries, BancABC has also deployed a Customer Care Centre, which can be accessed through a toll-free line on 0800 330 330.

BancABC’s smart approach to banking is clearly demonstrated in key first-to-market offerings, such as the introduction of 100% Home Loans and Chip & Pin Visa Debit, Credit and Prepaid Cards in the latter part of 2011. However, it is not just in banking that the Bank demonstrates Fresh Thinking.

BancABC is a firm believer in innovative team work, as displayed by the partnership with Botswana Life Insurance Limited (BLIL) on their Life Rewards card, and similar association with Orange Botswana on their Orange Money Debit card, both of which were the first of their kind in Africa. The Bank continually endeavours to forge new partnerships that give Batswana better access to financial services.

BancABC’s fresh approach to sponsorship, social investment and community engagement continues to show that a smart bank can make a real difference.

In 2012, BancABC assumed the mantle of proud co-sponsor of The Zebras, Botswana’s senior national football team. The Bank shares Botswana’s passion for football and is committed to helping the national team reach greater heights.

BancABC Zebras VIP Experience

BancABC Country Marketing Manager, Stephanie Stoneham sharing blood, sharing life

BancABC Annual Corporate Golf Day, Fun in the Sun

BancABC continues to strike a unique chord with customers and communities across a wide ranging front, be it through its passion for championing social initiatives like building shelter for the underprivileged or donating wheelchairs to the Office of the President’s Disability Fund; or whether the Bank is uplifting the public mood through exciting new product activations or VIP experiences for football lovers; and even when actively supporting young dynamic talent development at tertiary level through platinum sponsorship of the Annual

University of Botswana Foundation Golf Day. BancABC also regularly donates to Cheshire Foundation, Lady Khama Charitable Trust and other worthy causes. Most recently BancABC partnered with the National Blood Transfusion Services for a blood donation drive under the theme “Share Blood, Share Life”. This intervention by BancABC will have the effect of boosting the low national blood stock.

For more information, contact Marketing at marketingbw@bancabc.com.

www.bancabc.co.bw Best of Botswana

209

Chapter 13 Finance

212

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

213

Botswana as a regional Hub for Financial and Business Services

Following a 2011 legislative decision to create a one-stop shop for investment and export promotion and development, the Botswana International Financial Services Centre and the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) were merged. As part of its mandate, the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) has been charged with the responsibility of developing Botswana into a regional hub for cross-border financial and business services.

The BITC’s financial and business sector promotional activities are focussed on courting International Business Companies, International Insurance, Investments Funds, International Banking, Call Centres and Business Process Outsourcing companies, to experience the depth of Botswana’s investment climate offering for international financial services providers.

214

Best of Botswana

In the years prior to its incorporation into the BITC, the IFSC attracted a cumulative P13billion worth of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and created 300 jobs, with wellrecognised multinational corporations making Botswana their operational home.

These efforts are based on the following key markers of the competitiveness of Botswana investment climate: •• Botswana is Africa’s longest running democracy, with well-established rule of law, investor protection and contract enforcement, all contributing to a model for peace, stability and prosperity built over years of prudent private and public sector development.

•• Botswana boasts specific legislation to facilitate and promote growth of international financial services, which includes dynamic institutional and regulatory oversight bodies.

•• Botswana has one of Africa’s highest literacy rates at more than 82 percent as well as a readily accessible and skilled workforce.

•• Botswana is centrally located in southern Africa, with world-class road, rail and aviation economic corridors into neighbouring countries and beyond.

•• Botswana falls within the Central African Time (CAT) zone which GMT + 2 making it a convenient offshoring location for African, European, USA and other firms.

•• Botswana provides investors with access to the various market access agreements which open up the country’s economic borders to the southern African region, SADC and major economies such as the United States and the European Union.

•• Botswana provides the ideal family environment to live, work and play, with an open and accommodative society, coupled with world-class healthcare, education, hospitality facilities, cuisine and an overall modern standard of living.

•• Qualifying investors will enjoy an incentive package which includes: »» Low tax environment (15 percent of profits instead of 25 percent corporate tax), including exemption

from Capital Gains and Withholding Tax; »» Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements with at least 13 other major economies, and another 11 under negotiation with efforts continuously being made to grow the number of agreements; »» No foreign currency exchange controls; »» No restrictions on foreign currency denomination. Investors under this incentive package are allowed to denominate their capital in any of the internationally recognised currencies cushioning their businesses from exchange rate risks and losses.

Botswana Investment and Trade Centre Plot 54351, Central Business District Private Bag 00445, Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 363 3300 Fax: +267 317 0452 www.bitc.co.bw Best of Botswana

215

Local Enterprise Authority of Botswana

As Botswana seeks to further diversify its economy away from minerals, entrepreneurship development remains a key priority area for diversification

In line with development of entrepreneurship, the Government has established the Local Enterprise Authority through the Small Business Act of 2004. This aims to promote entrepreneurship and develop the Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) sector.

In accordance with the Small Business Act, the Authority’s mandate is to promote entrepreneurship and SMME development through: • Providing business development services (i.e. business plan facilitation, training and mentoring); • Identifying business opportunities for existing and future SMMEs; promoting domestic and international linkages (especially between SMMEs and government, large business entities and other SMMEs); • Facilitating changes in regulations quality management systems and standards, infrastructure and access to finance; and • Facilitating technology adoption and diffusion; and promoting general entrepreneurship and SMME awareness.

216

Best of Botswana

The LEA also addresses impediments that hinder SMME development and sustenance through implementing research-based initiatives. The Authority has conducted a study to assess the viability and competitiveness of various sectors in the regions of the country. Upon completion, the study should inform the SMME sector of the untapped opportunities within the regions.

As part of its advocacy and policy reform initiatives to achieve an enabling environment for the general SMME community, the authority is facilitating the development of the National Entrepreneurship Policy and Implementation Strategy for Botswana. The objective of the policy is to foster entrepreneurial orientation as a critical ingredient of the socialisation process, while creating an environment conducive for the development of competitive and sustainable small, micro and medium enterprises in the country.

The Authority prides itself on having an extensive country-wide footprint of 13 branches. Through the tutelage of ISO 9001, the highly specialised quality of service is

standardised in all branches. Clients are therefore guaranteed excellent service in the entire LEA branch network, regardless of the location.

The 13 branches are in Francistown, Gaborone, Ghanzi, Kanye, Kasane, Masunga, Maun, Mochudi, Molepolole, Ramotswa, Selibe-Phikwe, Serowe and Tsabong. In addition to the branches, there are four business incubators. These LEA incubators are an advanced Business Development Service geared towards provision of business development services to support and accelerate the business development process, especially of highpotential start-up companies.

The companies are provided with office

space, IT infrastructure and facilities, technical support, business development services including access to finance, the market and technology-based interventions, business networking, mentoring and coaching.

The four LEA incubators are as follows: • Francistown Industrial Business Incubator - focuses on light engineering manufacturing.

• Pilane Multipurpose Incubator - multi sectorial.

• Leather Industries Business Incubator leather manufacturing.

• Glen Valley Horticulture Incubator horticulture production.

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) Private Bag 191, Gaborone 2nd floor, Block A, Plot 50676 Fairgrounds Office Park, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 364 4000 Fax: +267 364 4001 Toll free number: 0800 155 155 Email: botsalea@lea.co.bw www.lea.co.bw Best of Botswana

217

Chapter 14 Insurance

220

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

221

Prestige Med

Across the world today, thousands of companies are benefiting from an alternative way of buying insurance to protect their businesses, property and their employees

The process is known as Self-Insurance and if it is right for your business the potential benefits can include: • Lower Insurance Premiums • Better Insurance Coverage • More Reliable Insurance • A Safer Workplace • An Improved Bottom-line The Concept of Self-Insurance Self-Insurance is defined as when a company, or group of companies, pays part of its own insurance losses and also assumes the role of an insurer by establishing systems to pay those claims. Self-Insurance is a widely recognised way for a company to buy insurance. It can allow companies to design their own insurance programs, obtain broader insurance coverage, make factories and offices safer places to work in and save companies money. With Self-Insurance a company identifies certain loss exposures and then makes the decision to assume the role of an insurance company by becoming responsible for settling all or part of the claims arising from those risks. By assuming the role of an insurer, Self-Insurance can allow a company to design its own insurance program, making insurance coverage more available than would otherwise often be possible in the commercial market.

Self-Insurance provides a company with an incentive to reduce its

222

Best of Botswana

claims, save premiums and consequently increase its profits. Self-Insurance differs from standard insurance policies that have large deductibles as it requires the self-insurer to adopt a formal system of paying for its losses. As a result of being more aware of the potential losses, as well as the savings, self-insurers need to adopt a more hands-on role with regard to loss prevention than they would if they were insured in the traditional markets. Today Prestige Med is helping many companies in applying these principles to their own insurance programs and benefiting accordingly through the process known as Self-Insurance.

How Does Prestige Med Fit In There is quite a lot of administration involved in Self-Insurance. To help companies from losing focus of their core business, we do their administration. It can be quite a daunting task to determine if a claim is legitimate and fraudulent or not. We have highly experienced personnel who specialise in claims diagnosis.

The Principles of Self-Insurance (i) Retention of Losses A basic concept of Self-Insurance is that if you are a self-insurer, you will have a greater interest in ensuring that losses are kept as low as possible. Claims savings are passed back to the self-insurer rather than a conventional insurer, either as a reduced premium or a dividend. (ii) Assuming the Role of an Insurer By replacing the role of an insurance company and becoming responsible for claims payments, self-insurers are not only able to pay claims more quickly but they can also monitor where losses are coming from which enables them to make loss control improvements to their workplaces accordingly. Self-Insurance normally requires a company to set aside funds to pay these losses, as well as purchasing high-level excess policies to ensure that the monies set aside will not be exceeded by higher than expected claims. Budgets for insurance can be set in the knowledge that monies set aside for insurance are the maximum amount that the self-insurer will have to spend and if claims costs are less than expected, the company will save money and increase its profits. (iii) Availability of Insurance Coverage Self-Insurance can allow a company to obtain

insurance coverage that would otherwise be unavailable in the commercial insurance market. As a self-insurer pays its own claims, policies can be tailored to its own needs with less impact from changes in the traditional insurance market.

Insurance Risks that can be self-insured Health Insurance | Vehicle Insurance | Property Insurance | Furnisher & Fittings | Employee Compensation | Funeral Insurance | Professional Indemnity Unique Features of Self-Insurance Self-Insurance has various key features that distinguish it from traditional risk transfer programmes. As opposed to simply taking a higher retention on a traditional insurance program, Self-Insurance is all about assuming the role of an insurer but at the same time endeavouring to keep losses as low as possible through prevention and loss control.

The unique features of Self-Insurance are often summarised as follows: Retention of Risk A self-insurer is

responsible for all of its losses but normally purchases excess protection, often known as specific and aggregate coverage, to limit its potential maximum losses. The retention of risk reduces the premiums that would normally be paid to traditional insurers as profit margins, and administrative expenses that would normally be included in an insurance premium are reduced.

Best of Botswana

223

Administration Self-Insurance requires formal procedures for the processing and payment of claims to be established, through an outside Third Party administrator, Prestige Med. Book-keeping Self-Insurance requires that procedures are set up to monitor performance of the program. Monitoring losses plays an important role in loss prevention, as trends can be identified and dealt with efficiently.

Loss Prevention New procedures are often established by a self-insurer to reduce the possibility of losses, or to manage them once they have occurred.

224

Best of Botswana

Advantages of Self-Insurance Self-Insurance is by no means appropriate for every organisation and feasibility studies play a role in determining the suitability of SelfInsurance. Prior to performing such a study, a prospective self-insurer will need to be aware of both the advantages as well as the disadvantages of adopting the self-insured approach.

The Advantages to a self-insurer can be summarised as follows: Cost Savings The principal aim of SelfInsurance is to improve a company’s operating profits by reducing premium costs.

By assuming the role of an insurer, costs

such as overheads for policy administration, assumption of risk and profit are retained by the self-insuring company. Self-Insurance plans also avoid premium taxes and residual market loadings which are charged on insurer premiums and, although these are normally charged on any excess or specific and aggregate coverage, these are significantly less as the excess premiums are much lower than the full coverage equivalent.

Plan Design Self-Insurance plans and risk transfer programs can often be modified to provide coverage that commercial insurers are unable to provide. For example, self-insured medical benefit plans can be tailor-made to individual company requirement.

Improved loss experience Self-Insurance often brings improved loss experience as the company (or group) that is self-insuring is accountable for its own losses. As much as a company can gain from improved loss experience, it can also lose out from poorer than expected loss experience, although being at risk does serve to make the selfinsurer more aware of its exposures. The awareness that is generated often results in loss prevention techniques such as safety programs being established. For example

employee benefit plans can be established that provide annual health checks, workers compensation self-insurers have an incentive to implement safety in the workplace programs and companies self-insuring their automobile liability programs have an incentive to maintain driver standards through regular driving courses. Larger companies who insure through captives often develop their own in-house risk management divisions to minimise potential loss exposures.

A Better Workplace Employers who make their workplaces safer and who are able to better protect employees’ health often achieve increased morale and productivity by being seen as a caring employer.

Faster Loss settlements As a self-insurer is effectively paying its own losses, these can be settled immediately and disruptions to the business minimised.

Enhanced Cash Flow Improving the workplace often leads to improved productivity through enhanced employee morale. If a company is paying its own claims, damage to property can be dealt with quickly and efficiently with losses to business earnings reduced. Improved loss experienced

improves the bottom line as fewer funds are required to settle claims and administration costs are reduced.

Tel: +267 744 60040 +267 725 96704 Email: kabo@prestige-aid.com kitso@prestige-aid.com www.prestige-aid.com Best of Botswana

225

Symphony Health

A Breath of Fresh Air!

Symphony Health, Botswana’s only new generation medical aid scheme, was registered in the country in April 2013 and opened its doors for Membership enrollment on 1 May 2013. The Scheme was established in order to give the market a true alternative to what had existed prior to its entry into the Botswana market.

226

Best of Botswana

Symphony Health is administered by Symphonic (Pty) Ltd. Symphony Health was officially launched in Botswana on 30 May 2013 by Mr Joe Seoloane of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.

As a new generation medical aid, Symphony Health, or “Sym Health”, as it’s commonly referred to, has two components in terms of the Monthly Premiums paid by a Member. The first component, which is 75% of the premium, is the Risk Pool, which is used to pay health expenses that are beyond the Member’s control, such as hospitalisation. The second component, which is 25% of the Premium, is the Medical Savings Account (MSA) which is used to pay for controllable costs such as GP or dentist visit, drugs etc.

Any balance from the MSA not spent in any given year, is carried forward to the next financial year and when a Member terminates his Membership after a period exceeding 12 months, he gets refunded all his accumulated savings. The MSA is one of the key unique features and competitive advantages of Sym Health.

Benefit Options/Health Plans The Scheme offers three Benefit Options for potential Members to choose from, depending on health needs and affordability.

These are: Sym-Core This Benefit Option/Health Plan offers Overall Annual/Hospitalisation Limit of P200,000 per family. The day-to-day or out-of-hospital expenses are paid out of the Medical Savings Account (MSA).

Sym-Classique This Benefit Option/Health Plan offers Overall Annual/Hospitalisation Limit of P350,000 per family. The day-to-day or out-of-hospital expenses are paid out of the MSA and Additional Risk Benefit from the Scheme.

Sym-Exec This Benefit Option/Health Plan offers Unlimited Overall Annual/Hospitalisation Limit per family and the day-to-day or outof-hospital expenses are paid out of the MSA and Additional Risk Benefit from the Scheme.

Other Features of the Product Offering Symphony Health also provides the Member with the following: •• Open Membership – a Member is able to enroll any member of his family who is financially dependent on him, on the Scheme, provided he can afford to pay on their behalf, the Monthly Premium.

Inclusion of the extended family members was necessary from a Benefit Design perspective given that as Batswana we believe strongly in extended family principles; •• Age-based Premiums (based on age of Principal Member) – each Member pays for his risk. The younger you are, the relatively lower Premium you pay and vice versa; •• Preventative-based Approach to Healthcare – the Scheme helps the Member to remain healthy and in that way help the Scheme remain financially healthy and sustainable going into the future, by allowing Members to go through specific screening tests on an annual basis. The tests vary depending on the Benefit Option/Health Plan one is registered on; •• Legal Cover – as a member of Symphony Health, a Member gets automatic legal cover of P60,000 per family per annum. The cover is to be used for a number of legal matters including bail applications, debt collect, human rights abuse, family matters etc.

The cover also offers some additional benefits to the members, including 25% cash back where a Member would have not claimed for three consecutive years; •• International Travel Insurance – this benefit is available to Members enrolled on the Sym-Exec Benefit Option. It

covers emergency medical conditions whilst a Member has travelled outside Botswana. A Member or Beneficiary is entitled to P2-million for 30 days whilst a family is covered for P5-million for the same period.

Notwithstanding the above, Symphony Health has a lot to offer a Member, at very competitive premiums and is flexible in addressing the needs of the Members. We want to believe that our Benefit Options/Health Plans caters for almost everyone who wish to purchase a medical aid cover through Symphony Health. The Scheme is indeed “a breath of fresh air!”

Symphony Health is the only medical aid in Botswana that allows you to save a portion of your premium that’s not spent, include your parents and other loved ones under the same cover; as well as pay for a lawyer when you need one. It is a breath of fresh air!

Email: info@symhealth.co.bw Call: +267 399 4450 Website: www.symhealth.co.bw

Best of Botswana

227

About Liberty Life Botswana The Advantage of Knowledge

Liberty Life Botswana is a subsidiary of Liberty Holdings. It is a registered life insurance company. It was awarded an operating licence in 2008 and is regulated by the Non Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA). Liberty Life Botswana offers insurance cover for death, disability, credit life, funeral cover, critical illness and impairments.

The Company is a specialist insurance business directed at meeting the specific needs of clients with appropriate products, financial modelling, service, direct marketing support and the unequivocal financial guarantee provided to purchasers by the Liberty brand.

Liberty Life Botswana has a wellexperienced team to provide superior customer service as well as insight into the local market. A diverse team that boast of industry experience into financial risk services.

Our Vision The Vision of Liberty Life Botswana is to be a

228

Best of Botswana

leading and trusted life insurance company in Botswana.

Our Values We live by a set of values, which are: • Involvement: Our humanity and Empathy • Innovation: Our Ingenuity and Curiosity to find a better way • Integrity: Our Fairness and honouring our promises • Insight: Our Knowledge and Understanding • Action: We roll up our sleeves and find a way to make things happen From Humble Beginnings Founded in 1957 by Sir Donald Gordon with the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to grow their wealth and leave a proud legacy for their family. Liberty has grown into an international organisation with assets under management of BWP671billion, more than 2.5 million clients and properties that cover 1,1 million square kilometres. With a presence in 15 African countries, Liberty has grown from being a South African life insurer to a pan-African financial services company, offering asset management, investment, insurance and health products.

Liberty has a Fitch National Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating of ‘AA (zaf)’ and National Long-term rating of ‘AA-(zaf)’.

Current Capital Adequacy Cover (CAR) that is 2.7 times above the required regulated CAR requirement. Note the financial facts!!

• Current market capitalisation is BWP26billion as at 31 December 2012 • Currently Liberty Holdings has over BWP421-billion assets under management (Liberty Africa) • Headline earnings for the 12 months to December 2012 were BWP3,176-million • The Group experienced more than BWP16-billion of net customer cash inflows • The Group has over 5.9 million insurance and investment retail policies under administration.

Products and Services Liberty Life Botswana offers an extensive, market-leading range of products and services to help customers build and protect long-term wealth. These include life and health-related insurance. Our business model is based on creating

Lulu Rasebotsa, CEO products that have relevance in the market and forming strong partnerships. We have experience in creating solutions that work and benefit our existing partners; we work together with our partners to understand their needs, and the needs of their customers, to design appropriate solutions. Our administration capability and understanding of insurance operations will ensure that administration is done efficiently and with integrity. We have invested in the technology platforms necessary to enable our business model in a cost-effective way for the customer, and will continue to do so.

Customers have flexible choices and the input provided by Liberty Life Botswana advisers equips them with the knowledge and expert advice they need to make the right decisions with confidence, no matter what their stage of life.

Our Product Range includes among others bancassurance bank Products, Credit Life and Disability, Vehicle and Asset Finance Protection, Mortgage Protection, Group Life and Group Funeral Benefits among others. As Liberty Life Botswana, we see it as our responsibility to empower our clients; small businesses and large corporate institutions in offering the best suitable risk benefit solutions for their staff or members.

Corporate Social Responsibity We are an organisation that understands the value of knowledge and its power to change realities when set in action. This is why we have invested in support of education initiatives and projects in our communities.

• We have sponsored the Community Capacity Enhancement and Empowerment Society of 10 villages in the Kgalagadi South, to educate their communities with life skills, financial education and leadership qualities.

• We support the Stanbic Bank CE’s Charity Ride; proceeds of which are donated to communities along the cycle route.

• We are the main sponsors of the KTM Choir Annual Composers Concert; promoting youth, arts and culture in Botswana.

Fairgrounds Office Park Plot 50676, Ground Floor Block D, Unit 1 Tel: +267 391 0310 Fax: +267 391 0311 www.liberty.co.za Best of Botswana

229

Zurich Insurance Company Botswana

Zurich Insurance Company Botswana (“Zurich Botswana”) was incorporated in Botswana as Botswana Eagle Insurance Company Limited in 1976

Cocktail function to welcome Bilkiss Moorad as CEO of Zurich Insurance Company Botswana, 03 October 2013. From left to right: Pieter Bezuidenhout, NonExecutive Director, Zurich Insurance Company Botswana;Edywn O'Neill, Chairman, Zurich Insurance Company Botswana; Collin Molepe, Chief Operations Officer, Zurich Insurance Company South Africa; Bilkiss Moorad, Chief Executive Officer, Zurich Insurance Company Botswana; Dennis Burton, Non-Executive Director Zurich Insurance Company Botswana

In June 2009, Botswana Eagle Insurance Company was renamed Zurich Insurance Company Botswana Limited.

We are one of the oldest and largest short-term insurance companies in Botswana and offer a comprehensive range of general insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, commercial enterprises, mid-sized and large corporations which encompass: Personal Lines: • Motor; Homeowners; Personal All Risks; Pleasure Crafts Casualty: • Accident & Health, Primary; and Excess Umbrella Liability Property: • Multi Peril (Fire & Perils) • Assets based polices such as Material Damage/Business interruption;

230

Best of Botswana

®

• Machinery Breakdown; • Loss of Profits Corporate: • Assets All Risks; • Contractors All Risk & Plant All Risks; • Engineering (Machinery Breakdown & LOP); Mining & Engineering Motor Fleets/Schemes; • Private Cars; Commercial Vehicles; Motor Cycles & Motor Traders Specialist Lines: • Financial Lines: Crime/ PI and D&O Marine & Transportation ( Marine Cargo and inland transit) • Engineering encompassing (CAR, PAR, MB/LOP, Erection All Risks, • Computers & Electronic Equipment, Works Damage etc) • Travel Insurance Zurich Botswana is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Company South Africa Limited which is held by Zurich Financial Services Switzerland (www.zurich. com), one of the largest Global Insurers today.

We take a global approach to our core business. The diversity of our portfolio, both geographically and by line of business, is key to our strategy. Our customers benefit from our ability to underwrite and provide services on many fronts, and from the combination of our international expertise, global strength and detailed local knowledge.

In Botswana, we have we have a staff complement of 40; the majority of our employees are Botswana nationals.

Our strengths We pride ourselves on our in-depth customer knowledge and insight, global network coupled with local expertise, quality of service and ease of doing business, strong capital base and wealth of talented employees, all strengthened by our brand and reputation.

What makes us different?

Among our strengths are our extensive customer knowledge and risk insights, our global network and local expertise, our determination to make it easy for customers to do business with us, and the financial discipline and stability that help us pursue profitable growth.

• Knowledge and insight We constantly seek deeper insights into risk, and we bring that knowledge to our customers to help them manage their businesses better.

• Global capabilities Drawing on our global network and local expertise, we can offer distinctive services to respond to what our customers value most.

• Customer focus We place customers at the heart of all we do. We aim to make it as easy as possible for them to do business with us and ensure that they receive quality service when they do.

• Strength and stability Operational and financial discipline, coupled with a strong capital base and a commitment to develop our talented people, help us manage our business for profitable growth.

• The Zurich Way We have introduced one consistent and uniform way of doing business.

Corporate responsibility performance Zurich Botswana supports projects and initiatives that underpin our commitment to the communities within which we operate.

Across our core business practices, our propositions and services, and in our engagement with our local communities,

we proactively consider and address social, environmental and governance issues that are of concern to our stakeholders. Being a responsible sustainable company is therefore essential to how we do business.

Our aspiration not only permeates our core business operation, but also reflects our commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of African society.

Zurich Insurance Company Botswana Limited Zurich House, Plot 54479 Fairgrounds Office Park, Gaborone PO Box 1221 Gaborone Tel: +267 363 5000 / 318 8888 Best of Botswana

231

Chapter 15 Security

232

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

233

Prevailing Security Systems

Prevailing Securities (Pty) Ltd strives to offer comprehensive security services that are dedicated to meeting the ongoing needs of its clients

Since its founding in 2005, it has provided security guards and performed installation to a vast network of facilities.

The company is dedicated to delivering an excellent service at a competitive price and is 100% Batswana citizen owned. Its team includes former members of national

234

Best of Botswana

security forces who have a total of over 10 years of experience in the fight against crime.

The team have Business graduates, a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. We are committed to quality assurance based on

ISO 9001 SPECIFICATION. Our guards are thus subjected to continuous training in line with international industry standards.

Our company prides itself on being much more than just another Security Company.

We realise that each client has special requirements and we do our utmost to

the largest security companies in the country.

Our first priority is to ensure that our experience, teamed with professional staff, exceed client expectations in managing their security requirements.

The protection level of the Fully Armoured Monocoque vehicle, with newly developed fibreglass trimmings, is the highest in Botswana. Because of this high protection level, higher value commodities can be transported in it, such as for Reserve Banks.

Due to the high volume and value of money transported for Reserve Banks, this vehicle would be ideal for what we call “secure to secure” runs, such as from the airport to the Reserve Bank.

The fact that Prevailing Securities can now offer the banks in Botswana “Mobile Banking” is a huge benefit to the banks, who in effect will increase clientele offering these clients in rural areas the opportunity to utilise their banking services.

Airborne Assets-in-Transit Prevailing Securities offer an overt and covert protection service for high-risk valuable goods at static locations or in transit either in Botswana or Overseas.

We provide detailed survey reports, security planning and implementation, a low profile transit and guarding option, plus ongoing location and customer update via Gateway GPS Vault Protection.

We are committed to comprehensive security and risk management beyond your front door. Our secured Transportation Services protect your cash and valuables using planned and discreet armed covert operations.

identify with their individual needs and then provide complete satisfaction.

Prevailing Securities’ workmanship is quality controlled, ensuring that the highest standard of excellence is adhered to at all times. The company’s technical experience is comparable to

Features & Benefits • While airborne, the valuable cargo is virtually inaccessible and cannot be intercepted. Equally so while on the ground as the helicopter takes-off and lands at secured areas either from the supplier, you the client or the airport.

• The packages never come into contact with the public while in transit.

• We offer WhistleBlower Management as researches indicate that tips continue to be the most effective means of detecting fraud. The development of a WhistleBlower protection policy is an important element of any effective fraud prevention and mitigation strategy and clearly demonstrates the organisation’s

Best of Botswana

235

Our fraud risk management service aims to reduce the likelihood of loss through fraud.

• We can help management to evaluate suspicions, investigate them vigorously, improve recoveries and provide evidence that will allow you to make appropriate decisions that can be used in future proceedings, through Fraud and Financial Investigations.

commitment to good corporate governance and comprehensive fraud and corruption risk management.

• We also offer Fraud Risk Management where we work with clients to identify areas where the organisation is at risk, together with an assessment of the likelihood that those risks will eventuate and estimate of their impact. Finally, we develop measures to minimise the risks.

236

Best of Botswana

Coin Factory In order to meet the demand of the nation’s commercial banks in Botswana, coins must be held in stock at the Cash Management Centre in Gaborone. These would mean the Cash Management Centre will manage the inventory of circulated coins to ensure that the commercial banks have enough coins at time of need to meet public demand, thus avoiding unnecessary coin production costs.

Cash Management A fully-fleshed Cash Management Centre will be established in Gaborone as the first phase while Francistown is targeted for mid2014. The centre will house coins on the one wing while notes will be handled on the other

wing. This will cater for all other loopholes that we have identified in the cash-in transit industry.

We want to address the bank clients’ needs, the bank cash collection, and replenishing needs. Weekends and Holidays are always a great concern since the Bank of Botswana is closed during these times.

Some clients close for business as late as 22:00 hours while some banks cash centres close at 14:00 hours and others at 15:30.

Clients Amongst the number of clients the company has, we have several contracts with organisations such as The Department of Broadcasting (in remote areas including Jwaneng, Kanye, Mahalapye, Palapye, Serowe and Francistown), The Gaborone City Council, Botswana Power Corporation, Botswana Housing Corporation and University of Botswana, High Range and Golden Fruits.

We have also completed a number of contracts for The City of Francistown Council, South East District Council, Selibe Phikwe Town Council, Labatse Town Council, Ministry of Health at

Nyangabwe Referral Hospital, Car World and Sistec.

Armoured Monocoque • Fully Armoured Shell Mounted onto the Chassis • Protection Level: B6 • Calibre: 7.62 x 51 rounds • Steel: 6mm Armoured Steel - will stop multiple rounds • Glass: 44mm Bullet Resistant Glass • Polycarbonate – will stop 3 shots within a 120mm triangle Internal Layout can be as per the required application i.e.: • Cash-in-Transit • Mobile Banking Unit – 2x Pay Points • Bulk Carrier for Reserve Banks • Bullion Carrier for the Mining Industry Our Services: • Vehicle Tracking Devices • Fleet Management

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Access Control Systems Digital Surveillance Systems Video/ Audio Intercom CCTV Installations Physical Guards Security Training General Security Consultancy Guards and Guard Dogs Fire and Smoke Detection System Time Attendance Cash-in-Transit Airborne Assets-in-Transit Security audit / survey

Prevailing Management Mr Shadrack Baaitse Shadrack is the company managing director/ founder and has been in security field for over seven years. He has worked for National Security and has acquired Security Specialist and Security Management certificates. His major task incorporates supervising the service department, liaison with financial, commercial institutions.

Tel: +267 395 3330 www.prevailingsecurities.com Best of Botswana

237

Security Services Botswana (Pty) Ltd Celebrating 30 Years of Success “Serving the Industry since 1983”

Proposed new offices for our head office under construction based in Francistown.

238

Best of Botswana

As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we would like to thank The Office of the President and Government Departments for their continued assistance and support over the years, and to ALL our valued customers large and small – thank you for your patronage, loyalty and confidence in Security Services and what we stand for.

Our success is attributable to your support!

Through 30 years of ‘Securing the Nation’ - we pledge to continue to strive towards incomparable service excellence in the Security Industry!

Security Services Botswana (Pty) Ltd is a 100% citizen-owned, Botswana-registered Security Company specialising in guarding services through physical guarding, alarms and patrol dogs, and offers customised services in accordance to each client’s particular security requirements through focused and integrated security solutions.

The company is based in the second largest

City of Botswana, with its head office located along Khama Street, Plot 617/20, Francistown, in the heart of the Central Business Development (CBD).

Being the first Security Company in Botswana, opening its doors in 1983, the company is proudly the first and oldest security operator in Botswana, renowned for its excellent reputation in the security industry.

Through the vision of the Managing Director, Ali Parekh and with the assistance of a vastly experienced and dedicated team of Security professionals, Security Services Botswana has grown from strength to strength over the years.

With well-established branches nationwide, based in Francistown, Nata, Kasane, Maun, Serowe, Selebi Phikwe, Orapa, Palapye, Mahalapye, Gaborone and Lobatse, the company employs 2000 security guards currently on post throughout Botswana.

Aspiring towards being a Safe and Secure Nation, Security Services strives to work hand in hand with the local authorities to promote the safety of the public and ensure that only adequately trained security guards are deployed to clientele.

Amongst other things, the company aims to constantly comply with all applicable legal requirements and to adopt a comprehensive security structure throughout the various operating branches, with a view to continuously improve the way it conducts its business.

It also aims at encouraging similar principals in its clients and suppliers so as to enhance an environment of partnership.

Guarding In view of the fact that the security industry is a service-based industry that thrives on its personnel, utmost importance is placed on ensuring that the recruitment process is handled with precision.

The company’s Human Resources Department is meticulous when it comes to engaging individuals for any particular project and prior to employment; each possible recruit undergoes intense screening and has to comply with the mandatory requirement of producing a police clearance certificate from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Gaborone.

Subsequent to Police clearance and thorough interviews, the most suitable candidates are carefully selected for employment and trained into security personnel.

Best of Botswana

239

Regular training of employees is regarded as an essential tool in providing exceptional service, and special focus is placed on the career path development of employees through this active training and participation in quality improvement processes. In order to provide customers with 24-hour security coverage, guards work in 12-hour shifts ensuring that the clients’ security requirements are met throughout the day. Parades for day and night shifts are also conducted on a daily basis prior to deployment to ensure fitness and promote the social welfare of all employees.

The company’s transportation system is of paramount importance and all efforts are directed at eliminating self-deployment and ensuring that all guards arrive on post in a safe and timely manner.

The current transportation system has been tried and tested over the years and proved to be successful, based on a cycle which runs in two shifts - from 06h00 to

240

Best of Botswana

18h00 and from 18h00 to 06h00 daily.

Guards are transported to posts from the company’s offices after the particular shift parade and attendance register has been completed by supervisors. Subsequently, collections are done once a guard has been replaced at a post.

All transportation is managed and carried out in-house and guards are transported to their relevant posts by vehicles from the company’s fleet.

Guards may also be permanently stationed on posts as per the clients’ requirements for sites serviced outside of any major city.

Alternatively, transportation to and from sites may also be arranged. In addition, customised accommodation for mining sites, farming areas, surveying areas, or any other remote site may be organised to suit the client’s particular needs.

Security Services aims for a defect-free service, therefore managers and supervisors are expected to promote a climate in which

positive attitudes towards a quality security program can be established and advanced at each and every post.

The company is committed to applying the principals of sustainable development in its business activities and it undertakes to provide a safe working environment in all operations associated with its business.

The company acknowledges the obligation to protect the clients’ physical assets against damage, waste or loss and has established management systems for the protection of assets, information and personnel, which are consistent with internationally recognised principles and conform to personalised client requirements.

In line with this system, management will continuously upgrade the security safety standards in accordance to the risk of the given post/premises and ensure that all security officers/guards receive the necessary training in order to understand and adhere to the particular set standards.

Products and Technology In support of the guarding services, the company makes use of hand-held radios, baton sticks, handcuffs, whistles and panic buttons in order to promote site safety at all times.

The company’s control room consists of state-of-the-art computerised data transmitters, which send signals from the in-house mast. This ensures that two-way communication is made available to the security guards 24 hours of the day.

A Guard Monitoring System is also available which records the guards clockin times at different stations on post for the duration of the shift.

The system allows the client to locate possible high-risk areas on post which require regular attention and promotes maximum vigilance on the part of the security guard.

Daily reports can also be generated from the system to monitor the guard’s activities during a particular shift.

Dog Unit With its own dog schools in Francistown and Gaborone, Security Services Botswana currently has the largest Dog Unit in the country, consisting of about 250 working dogs. Specialist dog trainers and security consultants are employed to ensure that all dogs are trained according to set standards and that the health and safety of the working dogs is made a priority at all times.

Security guards undergo lengthy training to become dog handlers and specific dogs are assigned to specific handlers to ascertain the pairing suitability and develop the connection and bond between them so that they are able to work at any site as a team.

The dog unit has been particularly successful as a crime preventative method in Botswana.

Special Services • Appointment of Security Site Managers at your service 24-hours a day for any problems or queries; • Provision of internal communication radios for guards on posts and base radios for supervisors to contact head office for any queries; • Quick reaction unit 24-hours a day for any emergencies within the vicinity of your area; • Guard monitoring systems; • Provision of specialised uniforms as per client’s specifications for appropriate dress code; • Security consulting/risk assessments by any one of the qualified consultants for any site to be protected; • Provision of Quad bikes, golf carts, and patrol vehicles to effectively cover protected posts; • Available tactical task force team; • Private investigation services;

• Supply and installation of additional security options such as CCTVs and electric fencing.

Whether your business focus is corporate, industrial, commercial or leisure, SECURITY SERVICES BOTSWANA CAN MEET YOUR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. Through 30 years of ‘Securing the Nation’ we pledge to continue to strive for incomparable service excellence in the Security Industry and actively support Botswana’s Vision 2016 towards a safe and secure Nation.

Gaborone Tel: +267 393 5070 Fax: +267 393 5071 Francistown Tel: +267 241 3697 Fax: +267 244 0886 www.securityservicesbotswana.com Best of Botswana

241

Regiment 63 Security Services Your friend in security

Regiment 63 Security Services takes an integrated approach to your security problems in order to ensure that you will receive the most effective and value-added security for your money. Supervision and monitoring of guards is a critical component to the success of the security guard services as an effective security measure.

Our supervision includes observing and inspecting guard performance, testing guard capability, continual appraisal of individual performance and providing counselling on and correcting substandard work practices.

Regiment 63 Security Services boasts of experienced managers and supervisors who have vast experience in the security industry.

Most of our key personnel and top managers have either police or military background and have served for more than ten years in such institutions. This makes them suitable in the security industry especially in the training of staff, briefing, and consultations in security matters.

Machinery and Equipment Regiment 63 Security is housed at plot

242

Best of Botswana

160, Tlokweng Old Mall and the office is fully equipped with a computer and printer.

A landline is installed together with a fax machine. Internet is available. Furthermore we have a ten-line contract with Be-mobile (Be-mobile Office Manager) and all our office staff and supervisors are linked together for free communication.

Patrol vehicles are fitted with VHF radio communication systems to communicate with various supervisors on the ground for support and back up. Regiment 63 Security has a fleet of vehicles assigned for different duties. We also have a sub-office at Plot number 64, Newtown, Kasane which caters for the northern region.

Vital Points The following items which constitute vital points of a security guard are available for use by our security guards in the excursion of their duties: torches, whistles, handcuffs, and baton sticks. In addition, Regiment Security installs electronic guard monitoring equipment at selected premises upon the request of the client.

Uniforms Our uniform constitutes of black trousers (formal) and white pilot shirts. Our combat uniform (night) also consists of completely black combat trousers and shirts, with badges of rank, black jerseys with the company logo embroidered on and black safety shoes. A name tag is pinned on the left side of the upper shirt just next to the shirt pocket which shows the name, rank and employment number of the security guard.

Human Resources Here at Regiment 63 Security, our appointments are competency based.

Regiment 63 Security uses updated criteria specifications provided by the client as the basis of question formulation.

Tests and assessments are consistently and objectively used in conjunction with other measures of screening. Employee profiles are determined by the applicable job description and unit specific requirements.

Some of the general qualities we seek in our security guards are that: • Security guards must be fluent in either Setswana or English and must have a good understanding of basic mathematics.

• Security guards must be preferably from the local community for practical and social development reasons.

• Security guard must be well-groomed and friendly, polite and courteous

when dealing with clients and members of the public.

• Security guards must be passionate about their duties.

Our policy and procedure prior to employment includes: • Standard interviews • Criminal checks • Reference checks • Evaluation and consultation with security to ensure security officers do not have previous criminal records (our security guards are vetted by police and cleared before employment).

Our security guards are selected with a high level of education (form 3 - 5) and in particular, emphasis is placed on employing the correct attitude not necessarily the skills only. The security guards are then subjected to a two-week training course and they are trained on basic security guard duties which include duties of a guard, report writing, drills, covert operations, and surveillance, among others.

They are trained in basic fire-fighting and fire drills and response, as well as fire alarm training and availed with charts with names and telephone numbers of important service providers, such as the fire brigade, ambulance, police, etc.

By means of offering both practical and theoretical training, we promote the development of a skilled workforce thereby creating productive security officers. To ensure that our service promise is backed up

by our actual delivery, we develop a security officer’s behaviour, knowledge and skill sets through ongoing in-job-training. We believe that there is no better place to train security guards than on-site.

Our contract manager, under the expert guidance and assistance of the Managing Director, carries out ongoing training on and off the job. The security guards are then inducted to situations at different posts.

Wherever it is deemed possible, security officers who are being developed will be given the opportunity to grow within the organisation.

P.O. Box 50205 Gaborone Plot 160, Tlokweng Gaborone, Botswana Tel/Fax: +267 393 8378 Cell: +267 73856485 Email: regiment63sec@gmail.com

Best of Botswana

243

Brinsel Security

Security you can trust Brinsel Security is a 100% citizen-owned company and aims to be recognised as the leading Security Solutions Provider in Botswana through a reputation for hard work, honesty and efficiency.

Guards Disciplined guards available at affordable rates for temporary and contracted periods of time.

Some of our Guarding Services include: • Business Protection • Residential Protection • Event Security • Car Park Security • Exhibition Venues • Concert Halls • Emergency Security • Door Supervision • Static Guarding Alarm Sytems We offer alarm installation and system monitoring services.

Our Alarm Services include: • CCTV Installation • Access Control • Alarm Installation and Monitoring • SMS Alert • Outside Beams • ATM Shock Sensor and Installation • Glass Breaker (Sound and Shock Sensors) • Pepper Striker Alarms Response Vehicles Have your premises checked regularly by our fleet. GPS monitoring ensures that the closest vehicle will be dispatched in the event of an emergency.

Other Services Include: • 24- Hour Alarm monitoring • Quick Response • Cash in Transit • Asset in Transit • Mobile Patrols

244

Best of Botswana

Unit 4B, Plot22012, Ext. 13 Gaborone West, Botswana Tel: +267 390 2414 Fax: +267 318 4801 Base Control: +267 73 816 113 P.O. Box 25607 Gaborone Email: brinsel@orangemail.co.bw Best of Botswana

245

Chapter 16 Mining and Minerals

246

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

247

Botswana, Diamond capital of the world Passing of the torch in the diamond industry, from London to Gaborone

The story of Botswana’s diamond miracle – a tale that has captivated the hearts and minds of many around the globe – is one that remains as fascinating today as when it was first told.

A true legend, the romance of the story derives its setting from the sands of the Motloutse River in 1959, when Central African Selection Trust prospectors uncovered three small diamonds before an eight-year effort led by De Beers geologist, Dr Gavin Lamont, traced these back to an area near the village of Letlhakane and Mopipi Pan. On the afternoon of 19 April 1967, Manfred Marx, a recent graduate geologist from Cape Town who had joined Dr Lamont’s prospecting team, climbed out of a sample pit he had dug, carrying with him the first piece of diamond-bearing rock from what is now known as the Orapa diamond mine.

In the intervening years, major discoveries were also made near Letlhakane village and in the south at Jwaneng although geologists also documented diamond mineralisation around the Orapa area, in Tsabong, parts of Kgalagadi and Gantsi, as well as Ngamiland.

Debswana, the De Beers vehicle formed to mine Orapa, was established in 1968

248

Best of Botswana

with government owning 15% shareholding.

This figure was eventually negotiated to an equal equity footing over the years, with government’s final share being around 75% due to tax changes.

In later years (2004), the Government of Botswana, acting on behalf of its people, also snapped up a 15% shareholding in De Beers in order to tap into the 125-year old company’s diversified corporate portfolio and track record of profitability.

The discovery of diamonds led to a near-instant economic metamorphosis in Botswana, which transformed from an agrarian-based country with a revenue of less than P10-million a year in 1966, to more than P1-billion two decades later. In 2012 – 2013, revenues were estimated at P42-billion with mineral royalties, dividends and taxes accounting for 29%.

Rapid Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth as well as an expansion and deepening of the economy catapulted Botswana to its present-day upper middleincome country status, while significant increases were also recorded in per capita wealth, as well as literacy and access to education and healthcare.

The socio-economic transformation was in full part due to a deliberate philosophy

adopted by the young government to ensure equitable sharing of natural resources and the accruing benefits in the entire population.

One tangible example of this philosophy’s impact on the people of Botswana is that the country’s network of tarred roads grew from six kilometres at Independence in 1966, to today’s 9,000-kilometre stretch of worldclass, country-spanning roads.

The diamond story would have been miraculous enough had it ended there.

However, beginning early in the millennium, senior policy makers began responding to a long running call for greater diamond beneficiation on home soil, as a way of retaining more value from diamond mining activities.

At this point, Botswana’s involvement in the multi-billion US dollar diamond industry was limited to production, with its equity partner, De Beers’ sorting and valuing and also aggregating the stones in London before auctioning these to global diamond cutting and polishing firms.

As a result, in 2006, the Government of Botswana successfully negotiated an agreement with De Beers establishing the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) to sort, value and for the first time sell a portion of Botswana’s production in Botswana!

The agreement resulted in the eventual establishment of 16 cutting and polishing firms in Botswana, the creation of about 3,000 jobs and the growth and diversification of revenue streams in the economy.

However, London was still aggregating stones from all De Beers’ mines worldwide before sending Botswana its portion. De Beers’ London headquarters also continued to conduct sales functions to cutting and polishing firms contracted there.

In 2011, the government and De Beers finally sealed a 10-year agreement for the sorting, valuing and sales of Debswana’s diamond production in Botswana, as well as the transfer of De Beers London-based rough diamond sales activity to Botswana

by the end of 2013. Last August, the first stones from De Beers’ mines under the new deal came into Botswana, representing the passing of the torch in the diamond industry, from London to Gaborone.

According to Bank of Botswana data, rough and polished diamond imports climbed to P8.5-billion in the third quarter of 2012 from P2-billion, as the new stones came into Botswana, while exports shot to P11.2-billion from P7.8-billion.

The migration from London has also dramatically impacted the host city of Gaborone, with De Beers’ executives expecting it to create 160 roles in the local subsidiary with another 90 UK staff and their families relocating. By last year, De Beers Botswana had acquired about 20 properties for rental in 2012 and with 55 more needed in 2013.

Under the new deal, Gaborone will sell stones ten times a year to 76 of the world’s leading cutting and polishing firms with the last ever London auction having been held in October 2012.

In total, the relocation will shift more than $6-billion (P52-billion) of annual rough diamond sales from London to Botswana,

while creating opportunities in sectors such as accommodation, hospitality, education, transport, security, leisure and others.

Meanwhile, the same 2011 deal also gave the Government of Botswana the right to purchase and independently sell 10% of Debswana’s production, rising to 15% by 2016.

Under the deal, government in 2013 had a right to purchase up to 12% of Debswana’s production.

A specially created state vehicle, the Okavango Diamond Company, held a pilot sale in June to test the systems and processes for auctioning rough diamonds in front of 50 clients.

Okavango’s first commercial sale was held in September 2013 with US$20million (P172-million) worth of stones sold.

The company planned another auction of 280,000 carats in October 2013.

Together with the fledgling diamond jewellery industry being operated by some cutting and polishing firms, Botswana now boasts all stages of the diamond value chain, ensuring optimal benefits for all its residents.

Not bad for a story that began with three shiny stones in the gravel of a seasonal river!

Best of Botswana

249

Diamond Trading Company Botswana 3rd Biennial Shining Light Awards Diamond Jewellery Collection

David Atho Moatisi design

Banyana Mpete design, overall winning piece

Diamond Trading Company Botswana celebrated the launch of its 3rd Shining Light Awards collection under the theme, ‘Women of Africa - Your Light Shines’. The event was held at the Gaborone International Convention Centre on 21 March 2013 and in addition to unveiling the Botswana collection, it featured jewellery pieces from Namibia. The event showcased eight pieces of spectacular diamond jewellery from the seven finalists following the 2012-2013 design competition. The collection boasts a total of over 14, 000 cut diamonds with a combined wholesale value of over US$1million. ‘With their participation in the Shining Light Awards, contestants come out of the entire experience with their knowledge about diamonds, jewellery design and

250

Best of Botswana

Thusonyana Caiphas Othomile design

entrepreneurship in general having been enormously expanded. Diamond beneficiation is a business imperative which has become the defining message of our time, and in order to maintain our credibility on it, we should not only beneficiate diamonds, but be seen to do it through our deeds. The success of these Awards - as indeed that of the designers we honour this evening, is proof that DTC Botswana and its Sight holders’ contribution to this process is having a demonstrably positive effect on the ground and is indeed promoting the ideals that beneficiation envisions’, said the DTC Botswana Managing Director, Tabake Kobedi.

The Botswana Shining Light Diamond Jewellery Design Awards was launched in the country in 2008. The primary aim of the high-

profile awards event is to celebrate the beauty and purpose of diamonds through jewellery design. The Awards provide a platform for local designers to showcase their work internationally.

In every competition, an educational grant is awarded to an institution as a way of growing the arts in Botswana. For this competition, an educational grant of P30,000 was awarded to the Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education (FCTVE).

The main mandate of this state-of-the-art college it to provide an innovative combination of technical and vocational education and vocational teacher education. The funds will go towards further developing FCTVE’s Clothing, Design and Textile programme.

This programme is offered to anyone wishing

Olorato Temogo design

Catherine Rainey Markides design

Catherine Rainey Markides design

Lesedi Aboneng design

Tshegofatso Ragontse design

Banyana Mpete receives her award

to pursue a career in the clothing, design or textile industry and to those who already have careers in the industry for continuing professional development.

The overall winner, who pocketed P50,000 is Banyana Mpete who designed an 18ct white and yellow gold neckpiece set with 486 round brilliant and fancy diamonds with a total weight of 36.64 carats sponsored by Blue Star Diamonds Pvt ltd.

The rest of the winners for the 2012-2013 competition who each won P5,000 are:

2. Olorato Temogo designed an 18ct white gold neck piece set with 1,516 black and white brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 30.06 carats sponsored by Swana Diamonds.

3. Catherine Rainey Markides designed a 9ct white gold, rhodium plated, belly piece set with 864 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 30.27 carats sponsored by Teemane Manufacturing Co (Pty) Ltd. 4. Thusonyana Caiphas Othomile designed an 18ct white and yellow gold neckpiece set with 463 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 18.80 carats sponsored by Steinmetz Diamonds.

5. Lesedi Aboneng designed an 18ct yellow and white gold neckpiece set with 345

round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 26.37 carats sponsored by Chow Tai Fook (Botswana) Diamond Cutting Works (Pty) Ltd. 6. Catherine Rainey Markides designed an 18ct gold and silver neckpiece set with 3,633 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 44.20 carats sponsored by Shrenuj Botswana (Pty) Ltd. 7. Tshegofatso Ragontse designed an African beaded skirt with gold outline set with 225 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of 31.58 carats sponsored

by Pluczenik.

1. David Atho Moatisi designed a 10cts white gold neckpiece set with 1,304 round brilliant, tapers and baguette cut diamonds with a total weight of 47.58 carats sponsored by Eurostar Botswana (Pty) LTD

www.shininglightsawards.com www.dtcb.co.bw www.dtcbotswana.com Best of Botswana

251

Blue Star Diamonds Botswana (Pty) Ltd

Blue Star Diamonds is one of the world’s leading diamond companies, involved in activities comprising of Rough Distribution, Manufacturing and Polish Sales. With over 50 years of experience in the diamond industry, they are one of the largest manufacturers of polished diamonds and are also pioneers in the use of advanced technology for manufacturing. Through their vertically integrated system, starting from sourcing the rough all the way to finishing the diamond, they cater to all segments of the industry. Blue Star Diamonds was established in Mumbai by Vasantlal Mehta

252

Best of Botswana

in 1966. Over the next 15 years, his sons Akshay, Anuj and Ashit entered the industry.

Ashit established the rough division in Antwerp from 1981 under the name Arjav Diamonds, while Akshay and Anuj focused on the manufacturing and polish operations catering to both national and international clients under the name Blue Star Diamonds.

Headquarters are in Mumbai with subsidiaries in Surat, Hong Kong, Gaborone, and Dubai - with 2000 employees globally.

Today, Blue Star Diamonds’ position is the result of a strong family commitment to the diamond industry spanning three

generations. The experience of polishing has given a unique knowledge, offering an edge in polish distribution and manufacturing in all markets of the globe.

Sourcing and Supply Blue Star Diamonds sources rough stones directly from major mines. As one of the world’s top rough dealers, Blue Star Diamonds has two DTC sites - India since 1994 and Botswana since 2012. They also have additional supply arrangements with Harry Winston, ALROSA and BHP Billiton.

Blue Star Diamonds being the largest manufacturer of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) dossiers, manufactures some of the best excellent cut round brilliant diamonds, with over 10,000 carats each month. They also offer tailor-made manufacturing of any shape and size as per clients’ needs.

Providing certificates, assortments and programs for all needs of the industry – from leading wholesalers, to international luxury brands and multinational jewellers – Blue Star Diamonds are one of the leading manufacturers in certified and uncertified diamonds over 0.20cts with significant quantity and quality of goods year round.

The direct sourcing of rough diamonds and complete control of each aspect of creating the diamond into its beautiful polished version, allows Blue Star Diamonds to satisfy the demands of their clientele and ensure a regular supply of any aspect of the industry.

Blue Star Diamonds is 100% Kimberly Process compliant. It is also committed to complying with the ethical, social and environmental Best Practice Principles as set out by De Beers. Blue Star Diamonds is focused on excellence and value addition in its cuts, consistency of supply and strong belief in long-term and mutually beneficial business relationships.

Manufacturing Having expertise, high standards and modern machinery, Blue Star Diamonds are at the forefront of the diamond industry. The core principles of long-term relationships, innovative thinking and corporate social responsibility are instilled in each activity throughout the organisation.

Beneficiation, environmental and social responsibilities are the pillars on which the management of the manufacturing units is based in both Surat and Gaborone. The entire staff is guaranteed healthcare and provided the most comfortable working environment globally. Furthermore, by

establishing manufacturing operations in the diamond producing countries, it allows maximum contribution to local economies.

Blue Star Diamonds combines cuttingedge technology, skilled artisans and passion for quality to make each diamond special.

Ensuring unmatched quality and quantity of polished diamonds closely oriented towards customer needs, they constantly strive to achieve the best balance between value, yield and make in its manufacturing units in Surat and Botswana.

Customisation The fully integrated advanced-ERP system enables Blue Star Diamonds to be fully responsive and manage to meet the customers’ expectations. This permits manufacturing of both round and fancy shapes according to the timing, quantities, qualities and parameters that suit customers’ specific requirements. Customers are provided with a range of services, including specialised assortments, strict parameter fancies and layouts for jewellery, amongst others. This is the result of a large inventory, broad manufacturing base, and experienced polish sourcing ability. They also offer clients the option of ordering diamonds of any size, shape, colour, and clarity.

Polish and Certification The wide range and variety of goods certified by reputable third-party Gemological Laboratories ensures both volumes and quality to each client. Blue Star Diamonds has diamonds certified by GIA, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) and the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) – assuring international standards that are relied upon by all traders, retailers and consumers.

Unit Type A, Factory No 2, Block-8 Industrial Plot 61128-61130 Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 316 7364 Fax: +267 316 7366 P.O. Box 685 ABG, Sebele Email: Botswana@bluestardiamonds.com sales@bluestardiamonds.com

Best of Botswana

253

Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd

Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd (“Khoemacau”), previously known as Hana Ghanzi Copper (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Cupric Canyon Capital Plc (“Cupric”) has been exploring and developing the GhantsiChobe Copper Silver Project (Khoemacau Project”), located in the Kalahari copper belt within the Ghantsi and Ngamiland Districts.

Khoemacau is a Botswana company that holds five prospecting license blocks in Botswana that cover 2,149 square

254

Best of Botswana

kilometres. The Ghantsi Project is located within these license blocks. Khoemacau Copper Mining has been exploring and developing the Copper Project since 2007.

The project is managed from a base camp located approximately 40 kilometres east of Kuke Village, and another camp near Somelo Village (Zone 5 Camp) and an administrative office in Gaborone.

Activities at the Khoemacau Project have now successfully completed the 70,000 metres infill drilling programme

at the North East Fold and Zone 5. To date, work on the project is positive and our efforts continue in earnest with the multiple studies required meeting expectations. Cupric believes there is significant resource potential (both opencast and underground) and plans to fast-track the development of the project in order to complete the feasibility study during 2014 and quickly move the project into construction thereafter.

Based on the above, Cupric confirms that

Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd

it has now identified two target areas for mine development in both Ghanzi and Ngamiland Districts.

To date, some P600-million has been spent on exploration, development and management of the project. By the end of 2014, it is anticipated that a further P250million will be spent on the project.

Kuke Primary School has given this project the name Khoemacau Copper Mining Project. This name was derived from the hills found in the region where

the copper-silver mineral wealth is located. These hills are called Kgwebe near Somelo, Mabeleapodi near Kuke and Cau (Tsau) near the Khoemacau Copper Mining project. They have taken the prefixes of the three names to come up with the Khoemacau. The name was found to be suitable for the project because it encompasses the physical features of both Ghantsi and Ngamiland Districts. These are “The hills of the people”, (Khoemacau).

It is translated to mean “Thaba tsa batho”.

Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd Fairgrounds Financial Centre Ground Floor, Block 3, Plot 50374 P.O. Box AD 80 AAF Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 393 1006 Fax: +267 393 1008 www.cupriccanyon.com Best of Botswana

255

Kwa Nokeng Oil Botswana

Kwa Nokeng Oil is the official Commercial Fuel and Lubricant distributor for Chevron in Botswana

We are a 100% Motswana-owned company and have been doing business in Botswana since 1968.

We employ 250 Batswana, some of whom joined our Kwa Nokeng family in 1970.

We distribute Caltex fuel and lubricants to the furthest corners of Botswana.

We are all about service, accountability and getting product to your doorstep in time, every time. We operate like no other petroleum company in Botswana, and we are at our customers’ disposal 24/7.

At Kwa Nokeng Oil we are passionate and driven to strive for service excellence and honesty.

Kwa Nokeng Oil owns and operates a series of commercial fuel depots in Botswana.

We have over 500 fuel customers currently purchasing Caltex fuel from us on a daily basis.

Our Products The Caltex Havoline and Delo range of lubricants are world class leaders. We supply these products to the retail, tourism, mining, agricultural and Government sectors of Botswana. The Delo range with ISOSYN technology gives excellent service protection.

This Delo protection leads to extending your engine’s life… saving you valuable Pula’s.

Caltex Diesel with Techron D is as tried and tested as our country’s democracy, and cannot be faulted. We are leaders in supplying the commercial sector with the new 50ppm

256

Best of Botswana

Diesel with Techron D. This product has a low sulphur content that contains exclusive ingredients that control deposits, help maintain fuel injector cleanliness and enable optimum engine performance.

Our Customers Kwa Nokeng Oil was awarded the C.T.O tender for the 2013 period and we are very proud of this accomplishment.

Some of our customers are: • De Wet Botswana • FOURIE Botswana • A.P.R Energy • B.M.C (Botswana Meat Commission) • W.U.C (Water Utility Corporation) • B.P.C (Botswana Power Corporation) • BR (Botswana Railways) • Truck Hire • V.T.H • Rhino Plant Hire

• • • •

Lulu Bricks Unitrans Skip Hire BH Botswana

Company Ownership Clinton & Carl van Vuuren are the only shareholders and directors of Kwa Nokeng Oil. Raised in the small village of Machaneng in the 1970s, where their parents operated a small general dealer. It’s here where the villagers helped raise them, teaching them respect and above all else, honesty.

We believe that it‘s these values that brings customers to us and takes us to our customers. You will find these values in every one of our 250 Batswana employees.

We would like to welcome you to the Kwa Nokeng Family.

Pula Pula!

Kwa Nokeng Oil PO Box 1750 ABG Sebele Mall, Gaborone Tel: +267 396 0283 Fax: +267 396 0287 Cell: +267 72300410 Email: clinton@kwanokeng.com

Best of Botswana

257

Chapter 17 Real Estate and Construction

258

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

259

RealReach

International Property Consultants, Valuers, Property Managers

RealReach is part of a growing group of companies that do work throughout Africa as chartered surveyors. RealReach, formerly CB Richard Ellis, operates in Botswana with related companies in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda. It is one of the largest and longest established groups on the continent and has developed the most comprehensive and independent professional property practice in the SADC region and beyond. After 35 years of unparalleled excellence in the field of real estate consultancy working as part of the CB Richard Ellis Group, the company is now standing on its own as an international real estate firm and has changed its name to RealReach.

260

Best of Botswana

The company advises a wide range of private, governments, parastatals and corporate clients in the region and whole of Africa, and provides a complete and wide range of property consultancy.

RealReach has a staff compliment of 13 working under chartered surveyors who have over 30 years experience in the field.

One of the chartered surveyors is a plant and machinery valuer, the only one in the country and also one of three in the whole of Africa.

Our Roots RealReach has had its roots in Africa for over 35 years having been established as Fleetwood-Bird Chartered Surveyors in 1978. It then became Fleetwood-Bird

Wilson & Co in 1983 before becoming Fleetwood-Bird & Co. In 1989, the company joined an Africa wide group of companies that also had African roots being Richard Ellis (Johannesburg and Durban, formerly Dunlop Heywood) formed in 1953 and Richard Ellis Zimbabwe formed in 1970 and became Richard Ellis Fleetwood-Bird. At this stage the principal partners had cross shareholding in each company and Richard Ellis International also had a stake in the whole group. The regional group then changed its name to Richard Ellis Africa under an agreement with Richard Ellis International in 1995. The international group changed its name to CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) in 2003 and we have operated under that trading name until the lapse of the agreement in December 2012. Over the years, the shareholding of the company was becoming localised. CBRE was bought off in 2004 and is now 100% citizen owned.

Portfolio The company has the widest mix of clients ranging from private individuals, SMMEs, to large corporates and governments. It has handled the largest valuation contracts in the country including Water Utilities, Botswana Power Corporation, Botswana Development Corporation, Botswana Post, Local Government rating, Barloworld, Debswana/De Beers, BR Properties, Choppies; just to mention a few.

The company is on valuation panels of major banks and financial institutions which are Botswana Building Society, Bank of Botswana, Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic Bank, National Development Bank, First National Bank, Bank Gaborone, Capital Bank and Bank of Baroda.

RealReach has offices in Gaborone and Francistown. The Francistown office, which will shortly be converted to a fullyfledged branch managed by a registered surveyor, handles operations in the north.

Services Valuation and Consultancy; Land & buildings, plant & machinery, plantations and other assets.

Property Brokerage; specialising in the letting and sale of commercial, industrial, residential and agricultural property for all purposes.

Property Asset Management & Facilities Management; maintenance and administration of commercial, industrial and residential property for major institutions, insurance companies, pension funds and private property owners.

Mission “To create the best experience for our customers by providing the most professional, innovative and commercially sound real estate service in the country.”

Core Values • Committed to charging our office environment with our Botho, to ensure that all our customers are served international solutions in their own local atmosphere that has utmost respect for dignity invested in each person.

• We are focused on empowering our customer base through real estate as they have a right to wealth, security, dignity and respect irrespective of race, gender, sex and religion.

• Our passion is to maintain highest standards, honesty and ethical professional conduct and practice throughout our assignments and all the time.

Why The Name ‘RealReach’ It was time to change pace and go further in delivering more enhanced services to the market. Having given the country over 35 years of unparalleled excellence in the field of Real Estate, we have established ourselves as reputable market leaders in this field. The challenge now is to recreate the highest levels of quality service delivery in the area of real estate and also to adapt to the 21st century technological developments; while continuing with our style of business and our well-known adherence to the highest standards of professional ethics and business practices.

TAGLINE - Reaching out Further The company adopted “Reaching out Further”, which is short for ‘Reaching out further to deliver Real solutions to your Real Estate requirements’. The motto means that the company is committing itself as real estate chartered surveyors to reaching higher in order to bring you, the customer, more enhanced real estate solutions.

Gaborone Branch Plot 50363, 2nd Floor Gaborone Showgrounds Office Park P.O. Box 1136 Gaborone Tel: +267 318 8200 Fax: +267 318 8197 Email: info@realreach.co.bw Francistown Branch Lot 16186 Shoprite Complex Private Bag F348 Suite 94, Francistown Telefax: +267 241 0742 www.realreach.co.bw Best of Botswana

261

Climate Control

Climate Control was established in 2004 and is a leading Mechanical contracting company in the region. Backed by unrivalled Technical expertise, we are familiar with every type of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) or refrigeration system under the sun! We have successfully completed projects on Chilled water, Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF), Packaged units and Direct expansion systems.

Climate Control performs installations for both domestic and commercial applications. Whether it is a new multimillion Pula construction project or a personal requirement to install, maintain or service a single split air conditioning unit for your house, we guarantee to have your system running in a cost-effective and timely manner. With the ability to control temperature and humidity and a wide range of product selections, Climate Control is capable of handling the most complicated assignment you can come up

262

Best of Botswana

with. Our passion and expertise makes us the most relied on company in the HVAC field in Botswana and Zambia.

We also run a state-of-the-art duct manufacturing workshop catering specifically for the needs of the commercial air conditioning industry and fume extraction requirements. Our duct shop was set up to improve efficiency on project deliveries and can handle any size of a job. We also manufacture insulated and uninsulated ducts for other customers.

With a decade of experience in providing comprehensive installation and maintenance solutions for HVAC; Fire

Suppression Systems; Solar Water Heating Systems; as well as kitchen and laundry equipment, we are undoubtedly a resource you need for your maintenance and new installation requirements.

We value the contribution of our talented, experienced and passionate professional staff that is at your service to deliver to your individual needs.

Whether you need warm, cool or a measured dose of fresh air, we promise to create a memorable and comfortable indoor environment you rightly deserve.

Control of your indoor Climate is our business!

L

C

LI

O MA R T TE CON

P.O Box 25632, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 390 3509 Fax: +267 390046 Plot 8778/4, Tshupa Road Broadhurst Industrial Francistown Branch Plot 4899, Suite 1A Francistown, Botswana Tel: +267 241 2122 Zambia Branch Plot 1051, Accra Road, Kitwe, Zambia Tel: +260 212 221 333 Email: climatecontrolsales@mail.zamtel.zm Best of Botswana

263

Chapter 18 Transport and Logistics

264

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

265

Fast+Furious International

A highly-focussed and specialised transport solutions company delivering mutually designed solutions, engineered to client specification

Fast+Furious International is a rapidly growing Botswana company that constantly evolves to do things differently and better all the time. We are distinctive due to our unique model and the way we approach a customer’s needs. We do not try to fit the customer’s requirements into our model but attempt to create the best solution for the customer.

The company is evolving and investing into our infrastructure to support our

266

Best of Botswana

sustainable growth plans which include custom-built facilities, new technology, the best people, new vehicles and new processes.

We intend to remain a focussed and specialised transport solutions company. We do not want to be the biggest, but we do want to be the best at what we do.

This is what we refer to as the ‘drive to win’ and our culture sets us apart from the traditional players.

Fast+Furious International’s transport solutions are a paradigm shift; a methodology for two companies to work together to achieve mutual success. We tackle what to some might appear to be the impossible. We work closely with our clients to co-design, engineer and implement the appropriate customised solution. We strive for longterm relationships creating meaningful partnerships.

Some examples of our industry specialisation include print and media, reforwarding, health & beauty, direct sales networks and pharmaceuticals.

Our people are ‘hands on’ and totally involved in the business. This is reflected in our flat management structure that removes layers of bureaucracy and provides practical on-the-job training and personal development. Our culture is one of recognition and reward, encouraging

teamwork and commitment to ensure individuals know their role and what they must achieve to ensure our client’s success.

Fast+Furious International’s distribution model comprises of a mix of our own fleet, owner-drivers and owner operators to meet clients’ needs. We make it personal through our Key Account Managers who provide personalised service by living and breathing our client’s logistics scenarios.

We apply our winning formula to deliver

optimum performance to both our clients and our clients customers. From our heritage and pedigree we have built a sustainable business model, providing ownership, innovation and intelligence, all with a personal touch.

Tel: +267 393 4893 Fax: +267 393 4897 Email: info@fnflogistics.com www.fnflogistics.com Best of Botswana

267

BotswanaPost an Icon of Excellence

BotswanaPost’s Vision is: “We are an Icon of Excellence connecting people to each other and the globe” and Mission is “to provide communities with Financial, Logistics, Postal, Communications and Agency Services, through leveraging our network and partnerships with government and businesses”.

Our journey to change The Postal Service is probably one of the oldest public services in Botswana, having been established in 1875 by the London Missionary Society. In those days, pairs of “runners” carried mail between various points on a stretch from Bulawayo up to Mafikeng. Historical records indicate that these runners (men on foot) carried up to 15,542 postal items of mail per annum.

Subsequently, the Post used the train and road transport contractors to deliver

268

Best of Botswana

BotswanaPost We deliver, whatever wherever

mail until the late 1990s when the Post acquired its own fleet of delivery vehicles and continued to expand the mail delivery network.

Since independence, the Post has grown in leaps and bounds, with three entities that were under the aegis of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs being incorporated as parastatals due to the ever-changing market driven needs.

The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation and Botswana Savings Bank were incorporated into parastatals in 1980 and 1982 respectively and the BotswanaPost in 1989. At incorporation, the modes of communication were changing - accelerated development of telecommunications was taking place and the telephone had become more and more accessible to the ordinary citizen.

Emerging technologies such as Email, Internet services and later cellular telephones, all followed - reducing the use of the letter as a preferred mode of communication.

With advances in technology, the traditional “snail-mail” has taken a big hit; hence in 2011 BotswanaPost came up and implemented a strategy of ‘Icon of Excellence’ to respond to this change.

The Post is now harnessing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to stimulate communication particularly in the rural areas as well as business growth on other products like parcel mail and money transfer, which are driven by electronic capabilities.

“Botswana Post has in the past operated as a traditionalist postal operator, but has since evolved into a service provider of choice by leveraging on technology as well as strategic partnerships.”

Being a service provider is a crucial step towards moving in the direction of becoming a regional operator and ultimately a global operator.

The strategic roadmap in the journey to become an “Icon of Excellence” First the organisation integrated its systems and then diversified products and services.

This was done by leveraging on: • Electronic communications • Advanced payment systems • Improved multi-channel access, focusing on Mobile Telecommunications systems.

How the journey began - executing roadmap Just over two years ago, BotswanaPost

started by investing in its “Core IT infrastructure” - optimising and improving the Post’s technical capability to be able to harness technology in order to deliver firstclass services to its customers nationwide.

Side by side with the IT infrastructure optimisation was the counter automation.

This project was geared at ensuring that all transactions are centralised - meaning a single view of all activities across postal networks and consequently, providing convenience and efficiency to our customers.

The Post later launched POSOPAY, an e-commerce portal that allows customers to access services offered by the post office anytime, anywhere.

Another major milestone in the journey to transform was when BotswanaPost was awarded “Super vendor” status to deliver BPC prepaid electricity. The model to deliver this service involved using the 125 Post Office branches countrywide, then rolling out Point of Sale Devices to third party vendors, and providing creative 24- hour channels through mobile and banking channels.

Best of Botswana

269

In sustaining its business, BotswanaPost will continue to partner with organisations, amongst others: BMC, BMS, Water Utilities, BPC to offer services on their behalf.

The future is in the cloud, the future is at the Post
 BotswanaPost has entered into the Internet market to be able to compete with other Internet service providers. This was done with the launch of PosoCloud.

PosoCloud could be easily explained
 as cloud computing, which is a phrase that commonly refers to network-based services served up by virtual hardware and simulated

270

Best of Botswana

by software running on one or more real machines. PosoCloud services include CloudSite, CloudHotsposts and Cloudapps, which are set to improve the lives of Batswana.

The journey to transformation not only dealt with technology, products and services but also the workforce and infrastructure. In 2013, BotswanaPost completed its state-ofthe-art Post Offices in Hukuntsi, Letlhakeng and Gumare.

The new Post Offices incorporate Kitsong Business Centres as BotswanaPost strives to bridge the digital divide between the urban and rural communities through Internet

connectivity. The Post Office buildings have enhanced security, a spacious banking hall which provides for a banking facility and an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).

These enhancements have been deliberately designed, as the Government is close to the conclusion of the merger between BotswanaPost and Botswana Savings Bank. BotswanaPost also modernised its head office, the Poso House, through refurbishment.

The revolution of the Post however does not mean that the advent of online shopping, cloud services, mobile and banking channels will close down the Post Office as we know

it. The Post Office will remain the central meeting place for communities, providing them with convenience and affordability.

Giving back to the community (BotswanaPost Foundation) BotswanaPost as one of the oldest institutions in the country has been at the heart of communities as a hub of commerce, connecting families with each other and the globe. Building on this tradition and proud legacy, we are pleased to provide much needed assistance, with the limited resources at our disposal, to communities who have supported us over the years.

The BotswanaPost Foundation was established to guide the organisation’s corporate social responsibility programme.

The aim of the Foundation is to position BotswanaPost as a good corporate citizen that is concerned with the impact of its business decisions on the environment and communities where it operates. The types of projects to be funded are areas of education, ICT, environmental, youth empowerment, arts and culture.

The Foundation has assisted communities such as Childline Botswana; but its flagship project to date has been the adoption of Kacgae Primary School in 2012.

In an effort to give back to communities that BotswanaPost does business in, the Foundation took a deliberate decision to adopt Kacgae Primary School in response to its request for support to its strategy “Our School our Pride”, which was meant to address the School’s underperformance.

The strategy is intended to improve School performance particularly through use of

Information Communication Technologies as a learning tool.

The Foundation has since delivered a fully- functional computer lab with solar powered laptops, Internet connectivity, a refurbished library and an irrigated garden.

In an effort to invest in a sustainable project, the Foundation made a commitment to improve academic excellence through various initiatives, such as prize-giving sponsorship. The Foundation has signed an MoU with the Education Hub to ensure that the academic performance of the school is monitored to see the impact of the relationship over a period of three years.

Plot 53952 Khama Crescent P.O. Box 100 Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 395 3131 Fax: +267 391 3599 www.botspost.co.bw Best of Botswana

271

Botswana Couriers & Logistics A bold new direction

Our journey began when Botswana Post saw an opportunity to form Botswana Couriers and participate in the economy within the private sector, through setting up an independent subsidiary with a full commercial mandate to operate within the courier market. The Company started with only two cars and a handful of employees, with a focus on express documents and parcels.

We now operate a fleet of over 140 vehicles with staff complement hovering around 160. We have endeared within our people, the spirit of learning and continuously seeking to improve to become a customer-centric company and a better corporate citizen, while making a meaningful contribution towards job creation.

Where we are going Botswana Couriers and Logistics has embarked upon a journey into the future, it has witnessed a rebirth through the implementation of its strategy which espouses its aspiration to a new direction.

This was borne out of a burning desire

272

Best of Botswana

to harness our position in the economy to drive Botswana Couriers & Logistics to greater heights playing our role in the Botswana economy and beyond, helping government in its efforts to diversify the economy and create shareholder value.

Vision We are the preferred business partner for value-adding and innovative supply chain and logistics solutions.

Mission Through leveraging our local expertise and global collaborations, we deliver tailor-made, secure and efficient logistics solutions that enable our target customers and Government to focus on their core activities.

Strategic Objectives Values These will be anchored on our values of Entrepreneurship, Partnerships, Innovation, Service Excellence, and Accountability.

Achievements • Consistent revenue growth • Exclusive transport logistics for Botswana Post • Re-organisation of the company.

• Refurbishing and opening of new branches (Letlhakane, Serowe, Palapye).

• Creation of business units geared towards providing the market with end to-end solutions.

• Breaking and pioneering new ground for Courier companies in Botswana on provision of the 3PL solutions.

• Increase of our staff complement from 81 to 160 employees across the branches.

• Increase of fleet from 44 vehicles to over 140.

• Seven branches, various agents and 121 access points through Botswana Post across the country to accommodate the growing business.

What we offer Botswana Couriers and Logistics offers domestic and international courier and freight services to approximately 164 countries globally. With the head office based in Gaborone, Botswana Couriers & Logistics has a branch/agency distribution network in over 125 locations across Botswana which is unparalleled and

unmatched by any other courier company locally because of its vast distribution network.

Our Services • International Document and Parcel Express • Domestic Document and Parcel Express • Messenger Services • Tender & Embassy Warehousing • Inventory Management Freight • Distribution and Transportation of Bulk Consignments Pharmaceuticals • Outsourced Warehousing • Managed Warehousing

Our spirit of innovation and partnership has led us to create and enhance very distinct lines of business, being Courier, Freight, Warehousing and Life Sciences (or Pharmaceuticals).

Botswana Couriers and Logistics Going Beyond...

Botswana Couriers & Logistics House Plot 89, Tshukudu Road Gaborone International Commerce Park Tel: +267 393 0629 Fax: +267 393 0630 Toll-free: 0800 600 996 www.botscouriers.co.bw Best of Botswana

273

Sprint Couriers

Sprint Couriers was established in November 1996. It identified a niche in the market for tailor-made courier and logistics solutions, which were not available or offered by existing courier companies. Sprint Couriers strongly believed that it could secure a place in the domestic market.

Vision To become the leading transportation and logistics service provider in Botswana and beyond.

Mission It is our policy to provide services which are convenient, affordable, customised, and are of world-class standards. Our portfolio of end-to-end transportation and logistical solutions are designed to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers, achieved through our winning network of international partners.

Values RESPECT: We believe respect is earned; therefore we are customer-oriented in all our dealings in order to obtain the highest level

274

Best of Botswana

of value through retaining and enhancing relationships that are built on trust and diligence.

INTEGRITY: We relentlessly pursue our individual and team tasks to meet your commitments. We take accountability for our performance in all of our decisions and actions.

TEAMWORK: We promote and support a diverse, yet unified team. We work together to meet our common and unique goals.

RESPONSIBILITY: Conducting our business with the highest standards of ethics, adherence to doing what’s right for environmental excellence and community enrichment.

QUALITY: Delivering a quality-driven service is inherently a continuous process in our organisation.

VALUE: Setting the benchmark with our tailor-made responses to your transportation and logistics challenges, we make sure you have peace of mind knowing that you have optimal, efficiency.

List of services offered Domestic: • Sprint service - it’s designed to get the highest priority shipments at the destination within an hour. This is subject to a 75km radius by road from the office the shipment is leaving. The Sprint Service runs on the hour every hour during operating hours. Every regional Sprint Couriers office guarantees this.

• Same day service - Our Same Day Service is designed to offer customers a balance between speed and value.

Providing that the shipment has reached a Sprint Couriers office by 10:00am, delivery will be made by 5:00pm up to 500km in distance through the relevant Sprint Couriers office.

• Budget service - Our Budget Service offers next-day delivery at the most affordable prices. The distance covered increases to the whole of our network to reach the destination by 5:00pm next day when shipped from our office by 10:00am. Every Sprint Couriers office offers this service.

• Break bulk/ freight service International: • International documents • International parcels

Value-added services: • Saturday delivery • Tender/visa collection & delivery • Incity deliveries • Dawn & after hour deliveries • Packaging • Domestic & cross boarder freight Sprint Couriers value people. We work hard to cultivate a strong team spirit and continually innovate and invest to raise the quality of our services though our people. We have grown from 16 employees in November 2006 to 172 in March 2013.

Market access and penetration in Botswana is not easy as one needs good partnerships and strong understanding of the local market and business environment.

Sprint Couriers managed to achieve just that.

Service promise Sprint Couriers promises a very convenient service at affordable prices: they will always keep safety and reliability at the forefront of operations. Customers can rest assured their

consignments will arrive in good condition and on time.

We continue to strive in providing a goodquality customer service. The Customer is at the heart of everything we do.

Future plans Our focus is to strengthen our commitment to bringing Sprint Couriers to its next chapter of growth. We want to become global - and in the next few months if all goes well, we will be physically represented in other continents.

We would like to thank everyone for their continued support. We look forward to strengthening and deepening our partnerships with you, our valued stakeholders, as we steer full steam ahead to even greater heights.

RE A LEBOGA BATSWANA!

www.sprintcouriers.co.bw Best of Botswana

275

Chapter 19 Telecommunications and Technology

276

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

277

Moonstone Capital A part of the Moro Group of Companies “Tomorrow’s Technology Today”

Moonstone Capital, part of Moro Group of Companies, is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with extensive experience in the Botswana market.

We provide technical leadership for our customers, enabling them to make the most of their technology and moving their business forward. Our longevity in the market, over 12 years, is driven by our ability to continuously redefine ourselves, staying relevant to the market and forming strategic partnerships.

Moonstone currently holds Microsoft competencies in Volume Licensing, Server Platform, Management & Virtualisation, and Collaborations &

278

Best of Botswana

Content. This demonstrates a “best-inclass” ability and commitment to meet our customers’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment.

Our service offering covers • IT Core Infrastructure • Application Development and Support • Business Productivity • Managed Services Moonstone Capital has found acceptance in both Government and the private sector and has participated in some of the most significant IT projects in Botswana. Our 12 years of experience speaks for itself.

Confidence • Appointed Microsoft Managed Partner • Appointed Dell Preferred Partner Breakthrough • Winner – Apps4Africa 2011 • Winner - mHealth Youth Innovation Competition 2013 Growth • Partnership with BotswanaPost for Prepaid Electricity Vending • SwaziPost Counter Automation Project

Moonstone Capital Helping you unlock the value of your IT investment to grow your business

Get a high performance and reliable infrastructure

At the heart of your organisation lies your aptly named core infrastructure. Core infrastructure includes data center services such as virtualisation and networking; client services such as client management and security; identity and security services such as access and information control; and IT processes and compliance. All of these capabilities work together to support your enterprise, and anything you can do to optimize these capabilities has widespread benefits.

Gain insights and put them to use with tools you know

Your business productivity infrastructure helps streamline the management and control of content, data, and processes across all areas of your business. With an optimised infrastructure, you can simply see how people communicate and share expertise, make processes and content management more efficient, and improve the quality of business insight, while enabling your IT department to increase responsiveness and have a strategic impact on the business.

Use technology to enable business

Through this service, Moonstone focuses on business impact and value by optimising the use of technology to enable business transformation and foster innovation. Our IT Strategy Services include: • The alignment of IT with business strategy to determine how technology can support growth.

• Setting strategic direction that links business challenges with leading-edge IT strategies.

Rona Tshiamo Group Executive: Business Development Tel: +267 390 1339 Fax: +267 390 1181 Email: info@morotechnologies.com www.morogroup.co.bw

Best of Botswana

279

Sandulela Telecom Botswana

Sandulela Telecom Botswana is in the service provision business spanning wireless and fixed–to-wireless products, electronic voucher distribution, Easy-Top-Up and merchant services.

Sandulela is a distributor (retail and wholesale) of prepaid SIM cards and virtual airtime for Mascom Wireless, Orange and BTC in the Botswana market. The company is also appointed Super Vendor for prepaid electricity distribution with Botswana Power Corporation.

The vision is clear- we aim to serve by ensuring ease of accessibility of power to all

280

Best of Botswana

Sandulela MD Percy Radikoro shaking hands with BPC CEO Jacob Raleru at the official signing of the partnership between the two companies.

the parts of Botswana. It is the company’s belief that solutions are driven by consumers’ needs that create a demand for technology which makes life easier and better. We keep things simple and relevant and provide solutions for everyday life through the use of innovative technology.

Sandulela has identified the development of communications and cutting-edge technology as one of the pillars for sustainable economic growth in third world economies and thus employs a strategy based on the premise that sustainable return on investment in the sector will result from

the wide implementation of competitive and innovative IT and telecommunication solutions.

Our team of professionals continues to strive for excellence and is ready to take Botswana to the next level of innovative solutions.

First Floor, Unit 1F, Masa Centre Tel: +267 350 0230 Fax: +267 390 1181 Email: infobots@sandulela.com Best of Botswana

281

Botswana Fibre Networks Ltd (BoFiNet)

Botswana Fibre Networks Ltd (BoFiNet) is a wholesale provider of national and international telecommunication infrastructure

BoFiNet’s mandate is to provide and operate a world-class telecommunications backbone network infrastructure which will drive connectivity and economic growth.

BoFiNet services retail organisations in the telecommunications industry such as BTC, Mascom and Orange, amongst others.

BoFiNet was established due to Botswana wholesale customers being dissatisfied with current fibre network wholesale offerings and services, with some even beginning to build their own network.

In addition, the prohibitively high price of connectivity in the market, which limits take-up of services, played a role in the need for an organisation such as BoFiNet. Moreover, the wholesale layer in Botswana is generally poorly serviced and the existing fibre infrastructure is under-utilised, failing to maximise the investment Government has made in the network.

282

Best of Botswana

BOFINET Board members

BoFiNet is owned by the Botswana Government and was established in 2012 following Government separation of the incumbent operator, BTC, into two separate organisations: BoFiNet, and BTC Ltd, which will be partially privatised once the separation is complete.

BoFiNet was established as a commercial and self-sustainable business and has a completely independent strategy as well as structures separate from BTC. The structural separation was recommended to allow BTC to focus on downstream retail offerings.

BoFiNet, on the other hand, operates, focuses upon and improves the backbone network and wholesale market. This is expected to improve competitiveness in the downstream telecommunications market and confidence from wholesale customers that BoFiNet acts in their interest. There is also a potential for alternative revenue generation

Best of Botswana

283

for the Botswana Government through regional transit services and utilisation of excess capacity on the International assets.

BoFiNet is a wholesale provider of telecommunications distributing to retail telecommunication companies already in existence in Botswana and does not sell directly to end users.

In recent years the Botswana Government has supported three significant relevant investments, which will all move to be managed by BoFiNet: • Development of the national fibre network, in particular in the transKalahari region and metro fibre networks in Gaborone and Francistown; • Acquisition of stakes in the EASSy and WACS submarine cables; • A dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system, which is

284

Best of Botswana

designed to use to its full potential the national fibre network (this system is currently being installed and is not yet operational).

BoFiNet provides an average of at least 10–12 fibre pairs, allowing for maximum efficiency and capability, as compared to the single fibre pair and single wavelength on the Trans-Kalahari ring previously provisioned by BTC. BoFiNet has the capabilities to supply other regional countries including: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

The organisation’s establishment is integral to the ongoing Botswana National E-Government Strategy 2011 – 2015, a national policy recognising that for Botswana to flourish and prosper in the 21st century, she needs to become an innovative user of ICT.

The e-Government Strategy outlines five major programmes and approximately 25 interrelated projects that will, collectively, move all appropriate government services online, significantly improving public sector service delivery, and accelerate the uptake and usage of ICT across all segments of society.

BoFiNet is expected to play a pivotal role in this socio-economical transformation through the provision of digital backbone and associated services.

Already, the organisation’s envisions a central role in the roll-out of digital services such as e-Health, e-Learning, e-Statistics, e-Tax Filing, e-Employment, e-Connect and others.

BoFiNet believes firmly in its core values which include reliability, security, efficiency and transparency, innovation,

and accessibility. It strives to uphold these values in all aspects of the business.

BoFiNet is run by five Board of Directors.

The Board appointed CEO Mr Mabua Lesego Mabua, who oversees the management and strategic direction of the organisation. BoFiNet’s offices are based in Gaborone, Botswana.

BOFINET Private Bag 00236 Gaborone, Botswana Plot 74769 Unit 3, Mowana Mews Gaborone CBD Tel: +267 399 5500 Fax: +267 390 3414 TOLL FREE: 0800601002 Email: info@bofinet.co.bw www.bofinet.co.bw

Best of Botswana

285

Mascom Kitsong Centres

Established in 1998, Mascom Wireless is a reputable, responsible and responsive corporate citizen, which fully appreciates the role and responsibility the company has towards its various stakeholders and the environment

As Botswana’s leading mobile network operator, Mascom has established a brand that is well – known and recognized throughout Botswana. This comes with great responsibility, as evidenced by using our CSR initiatives to target individuals, groups and organisations in an effort to positively contribute to, and change for the better, the lives of ordinary people.

In 2009 Mascom partnered with the Botswana Government through the Nteletsa II Rural Telecommunications Development Project, and extended coverage to a total of 41 villages and also set up Kitsong Centres in each of the 41 villages. After the success of this project, Mascom continued to build on to this investment by establishing 10 Kitsong Centres each year in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In the year 2014 Mascom will hand over 10 Kitsong Centres to young entrepreneurs to operate as their own

286

Best of Botswana

businesses. This will make a total of 81 Mascom Kitsong Centres countrywide.

During the 2013 handover ceremony Mascom Chief Information Officer, Lilly Sullivan, emphasized Mascom’s commitment to “continue setting up Kitsong Centres and looking for more avenues to make them more attractive to the youth, and to use them to provide essential services to the community”.

Mascom Kitsong Centres provide the local community with easy and affordable access to ICT-based services in line with Mascom’s objective to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural communities.

The Mascom Kitsong Centre typically comprises of a branded porta-cabin equipped with computers, printers, fax machines, copiers and data cards for access

to the mobile data network. Services include secretarial duties, airtime and SIMCard sales, email and internet access, and computer training. More established Mascom Kitsong Centres also offer photography, video productions, as well as computer games.

The 2013 Mascom Kitsong Centre operators were also enrolled for the International Computers Driving Licence (ICDL) course, a global initiative developed to raise the level of ICT literacy for individuals, organisations and society.

To date Mascom has invested over P16 million in the Mascom Kitsong Centre Project. Mascom has pledged to continue working with the nation of Botswana towards Vision 2016 by aligning their activities with the pillar of being a prosperous, productive and innovative nation.

Tebogo Lebotse Chief Communications & PR Officer Email: tebogo.lebotse@mascom.bw Mascom Wireless Tsholetsa House, Plot 4705/6, Botswana Road, Main Mall Private Bag BO 298, Gaborone Tel: +267)390 3396/8 Fax: +267 390 3445 www.mascom.bw Best of Botswana

287

Chapter 20 Media, Marketing, Conferencing and Events

RedPepper PR and Communication Consultancy

As an innovative Brand Possibility Agency RedPepper’s mission is to create memorable experiences that shape the way people engage and connect with brands

292

Best of Botswana

RedPepper is an innovative Brand Possibility Agency with a mission to create memorable experiences that shape the way people engage and connect with brands. The company has re-branded to become focused on unlocking the true potential of their clients’ brands. Based in Gaborone, Botswana, RedPepper has a broad reach throughout Africa and is focused on influencing the growth of companies through targeted and creative communication. The agency provides effective outcomes that not only exceed current market expectations, but also continue to build and grow over time.

As it has become harder and harder to stand apart from the crowd and differentiate, every brand needs a creative team who are in tune with the true potential of their organisation.

RedPepper works hard to push the limits of what is possible, making each impression brighter, sharper, more unique and more engaging. Delivering solutions that don’t get forgotten - making brands brilliant.

High impact, brand-driven experiences that encourage audience engagement can be executed across print, environmental, press and event channels, built upon a solid foundation of communication strategy, marketing and product launch experience.

With a wealth of production experience and unrivalled technical capability, RedPepper lives by the philosophy that anything is possible. Assuming the role of project custodian, RedPepper can manage event logistics, merchandising and media placement so that clients don’t have to worry about the fine print. With precise attention to detail and a committed, focused team on hand, quality outcomes are a certainty.

As passionate believers in the benefits of

collaboration, the team draws upon a broad network and collective team of first-class local and international talent to deliver and produce the very best. With a strong network of select partners, RedPepper thrives on finding and maximising the opportunities for brands and delivering exactly what they need to excel and prosper.

Through strong attention to detail, use of clear and effective language – and the power of engagement on an experiential level, the team works collaboratively with clients to create compelling branded materials and experiences.

Create.

Creating high impact, brand-driven experiences that drive audience engagement across print, environmental, press and event channels. Built upon a solid foundation of communication strategy, marketing and product launch experience.

Produce.

Driving awareness and engagement through the production of quality branded products, gifts and merchandise. With a wealth of production experience and unrivalled technical capability we live by the philosophy anything is possible.

Deliver.

Assuming the role of project custodian managing event logistics, merchandising and media placement so you don’t have to worry about the fine print. With precise attention to detail and a committed, focussed team on hand dependability comes standard.

Plot 119; Unit 2G Gaborone International Finance Park P O Box 26382 Gaborone, Botswana Tel. +267 395 1363 Fax. +267 395 1368 Email: info@redpepperprc www.redpepperprc.com

Best of Botswana

293

294

Best of Botswana

Kamoso: empowering leaders today, to create an inspired vision for the Africa of tomorrow.

In February 2012, an innovative new creative agency, Kamoso Consulting was established in Botswana.

Leveraging the resources of international brand consultancy SouthSouthWest and Gaborone–based communications firm RedPepper, Kamoso Consulting provides a unique and valuable role in assisting Botswana’s evolving economy at the dawn of the African century. Drawing on a depth of local and international knowledge and experience, the agency develops powerful strategies, enhancing the value of organisations, products and services.

This drives results by converting business strategy into meaningful brand activation and engagement.

Directors Thapelo Letsholo and Andy Sargent first met during an inbound trade mission from Australia, hosted by the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) in February 2011. After identifying a niche in the market for their combined offering, their respective companies have been working closely together ever since.

“We are proud to welcome Kamoso as a member of the Botswana business community, which has been the outcome of a joint effort with BEDIA. Collaborating with such extensive experience and professionalism required no hesitation.”

– Reitumetse Aphiri, BEDIA. “The decision to formalise our partnership and form Kamoso was driven by the genuine desire to continue to build local capacity and further facilitate the transferal of skills, in and out of Botswana. Botswana is the logical base for us in Africa as the economy is stable and the business environment is well regulated. There is general excitement across all sectors for the future of the nation, driven by the responsible management of recent economic growth and responsible development.” Andy Sargent, Kamoso.

Consistent with the aim of delivering projects of national significance, by early 2013 Kamoso will have launched no less than three major brand identities across the tourism, education and government sectors.

Target industries were identified as central to Botswana achieving Vision 2016 (Botswana’s strategy to propel its socioeconomic and political development) – proof of Kamoso playing a vital role in the continued growth of both the public and private sectors across Botswana.

Due to the depth of engagement with client organisations, Kamoso prefers to partner with organisations long term, meaning that these projects will all be overseen past their launch phase, ensuring the strategic objectives are met and a viable brand positing can be achieved and upheld.

“What has been inspiring in our extensive engagement processes with client organisations and their stakeholders is the genuine focus on the national interests and that we are already discussing post 2016 ambitions.” – Jonathan Price, Kamoso Carrying strong endorsement from institutions such as BEDIA and the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) has assisted Kamoso as it enters the market with a powerful service offering unlike any other domestically.

“Branding is an essential part of the growth and development of any country – especially in an expanding economy such as Botswana’s. The unique drive of Kamoso to connect business strategy with brand strategy and activation is a breath of fresh air in Botswana.”

– Bosisi Ntshole, Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).

Tel: +267 395 1363 Email: dumela@Kamoso.co.bw Web: www.kamoso.co.bw

Best of Botswana

295

Diplomat Africa Magazine

Sharing knowledge, future visions and inspiration – in the pursuit of best practice of African governance and leadership

Overcoming Challenges African countries face various social, development, economic, trade, education, health, diplomatic, defence, security and political challenges.

Most of these challenges cannot be tackled effectively by individual members as we are all interlinked; we provide a platform whereby we can all be more effective in our approach in combating these challenges.

Achieving regional economic integration in Africa requires the full support of governments to act on behalf of all Africans for their common prosperity, peace and unity.

Diplomat is a quarterly print and online magazine about government and industry and their role in promoting economic growth and the social well-being of Africa.

The magazine launched in East Africa first with now more than five issues under their belt. The wheels are now in motion for the rest of Africa to join our East Africa colleagues in reporting the whole story of Africa. The first Diplomat Africa magazine was launched in February 2011.

The Role of the Magazine The magazine is about government and

business and their roles in promoting economic growth and the social wellbeing of Africa. African leaders need to promote and showcase their vision, national interests, missions, foreign policies and diplomacy successes. The magazine’s role Is to share knowledge, understanding and provide inspiration in the pursuit of best practice in governance and leadership.

We focus on foreign affairs, trade, investment, business, energy, health, education, environment, security and culture.

Focus Areas The current focus area for distribution is Southern Africa, with major areas of influence in Botswana and South Africa.

Regional offices and contacts include Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, Mauritius, DR Congo, Uganda, and Nigeria. Diplomat Africa aims to expand to East and West Africa.

To submit an article or report to be included in Diplomat Africa please contact our editors.

Gaborone Tel: +267 395 1363 Email: info@gvpedia.com info@redpepperprc.com www.ProudlyAfrican.info

PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SUSTAINABIUTY THROUGH LEADERSHIp, DIPLOMACY AND TRADE

296

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

297

CLEANBOTSWANA TOP SUSTAINABLE COMPANIES

Progress on Environmental, Social andand Corporate Governance in Botswana. in Botswana Progress on Environmental, Social Corporate Governance

Energy, Environment and Sustainability Clean Botswana the leading benchmark organisations across all industry sectors which have the highest level of innovation in environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) in Botswana.

The publication is an annual guide of accurate corporate progress in the ESG space. It is vital for decision makers in business and government to note those affecting positive change in their industries by searching for information on best practices, sustainability and superior returns on investment.

It also serves as a beautifully packaged memento and creates awareness amongst readers and policy makers - inspiring action on how to achieve more environmentally conscious living in Botswana and Africa.

CLEAN BOTSWANA represents a snapshot showcase of how environmental, social and corporate governance issues are evolving in Botswana by tracing corporate best practices.

It showcases insights and ideas powering sustainable development in Botswana and focuses on the future - looking at the bigger long-term picture.

CLEAN BOTSWANA aims to encourage 298

Best of Botswana

people and businesses to ensure that the positive aspects of travel and tourism, lifestyle and business go beyond just contributing to environment.

Content Companies and organisations across all different industry sectors in Botswana will be their achievements and value proposition.

They will also discuss the mission, vision and strategy of their sustainability plans. Our focus is on environmental and economic sustainability.

Chapters • Energy • Waste Management • Sustainable Business • Transport • Agriculture and Food • Mining • Clean Technology • Recruitment and Training Policies • Corporate Governance • Corporate Social Investment • Sustainable Living

Distribution With a total print run of 15,000 books, CLEAN BOTSWANA is a business-to-business publication aimed at business decision makers and professionals you trust to do business with; who share your vision and invest in your products and services. If you have a powerful corporate message, you need it to be seen and read. CLEAN BOTSWANA gets into the hands, onto the desks and before the eyes of leading policy makers, entrepreneurs and business people both locally as well as internationally.

CLEAN BOTSWANA is available in eBook format and optimised on our global website www.gvpedia.com as well as our global business directory www. globalvillagedirectory.info. These receive over one million unique readers from 165 countries worldwide. The publication also receives exposure over a wide range of social networking platforms.

RedPepper PRC Tel: +267 3951363 Fax: +267 3951368 Email: info@redpepperprc.com

Best of Botswana

299

PressPhoto

PressPhoto is the leading photo agency in Botswana with its imagery, services and technology

We are an essential source of real-time editorial and creative pictures. We cover Botswana and beyond for media and other secondary users and have a strong photographic network to reach all over Botswana where news happens. We cover most of the international events where Botswana might have interest in.

PressPhoto is a very young and focused photo agency with a global standard in practice. Every day we add lots of new pictures for our clients. Pressphoto not only takes pictures for today, it also preserves the present for the future as we believe that photography is a powerful tool to contribute in the process of development and echo the voice of less powered voices.

PressPhoto provides a variety of photographic services starting from hardcore photojournalism to feature photography, documentary photography, corporate photography, and PR photography. Our photography team provides clients demandbased services, training and photography

300

Best of Botswana

pp pressphoto

consultation. Besides our own assignments we also take care of special and exclusive assignments for our clients. Our photo archive is also a very good source of news and creative pictures. To meet the deadline of our clients we provide on-time services to them. Our experienced photographic team will make sure your assignment from concept to final creation meets the standard.

Whether for sport or entertainment, portrait or lifestyle, corporate or advertising, we can co-ordinate your commission – from start to final creative.

Private Bag: 351/219 Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 73800901 +267 71776751 Fax: +267 3186519 Email: editor@thepressphoto.com Email: massmedia_bots@yahoo.com www.thepressphoto.com Best of Botswana

301

Global Expo Botswana

Promoting investments through innovative business partnerships and trade exchange

Global Expo Botswana is the country’s premier international business-to-business exhibition which is multi-sectoral in focus. The Exhibition is endorsed by the Government of the Republic of Botswana through the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Objectives The aim of this Exhibition is to offer exhibitors and visitors an opportunity to actively promote their businesses and to stimulate intra-regional business exchange.

Why Global Expo Botswana?

• Attract foreign direct investment.

• Promote joint-venture opportunities between citizens and foreign investors.

• Stimulate a culture of entrepreneurship locally.

• Promote exports of locally-produced goods.

• Promote access to the Botswana market for international exhibitors.

302

Best of Botswana

Global Expo Botswana Services • Modular booth systems.

• Internet and Email facilities and wireless internet.

• Exhibitors’ lounges.

• Conference and seminar facilities.

• Government department facilitators.

• Business day invitations.

• Complimentary exhibitors’ handbook and catalogue.

• Assistance with visa applications.

Why Invest in Botswana?

• No foreign exchange controls.

• Preferential market access to SACU, SADC, EU, MERCSOR and US markets.

• Duty-free importation of machinery to be used in production.

• One of the lowest corporate tax rates in the region at 15% for the Manufacturing entities and for the International financial service companies.

• Free market enterprise.

• Most transparent country in Africa and amongst the least corrupt in the world (Transparency International).

• GDP per capita at current prices = US$ 7,730.

• World Bank Survey - Doing Business Report 2014 ranked Botswana no: 56.

Global Expo Botswana Value Added Services Investment Forum, Buyer-Seller meetings and workshops will run concurrent to the exhibition as part of value addition.

Exhibitor and Visitor Survey at a Glance Exhibitor Profile: • Agribusiness and agricultural products • Textiles and garments

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Manufactured products Construction materials Automobiles Electrical goods and appliances Timber and furniture Engineering products Chemicals and cosmetics Machinery Information technology Consultancy services Leather and associated technologies Mining Tourism Power and renewable energy

Visitor Profile: • Importers • Wholesalers and traders

• Agents • Business executives • Mining supply chain management programme • Distributors • Government procurement agencies • International buyers • Retailers

Botswana Investment and Trade Centre Plot 54351, Central Business District Private Bag 00445, Gaborone Botswana Tel: +267 363 3300 Fax: +267 317 0452 www.bitc.co.bw Best of Botswana

303

Chapter 21 Employee Welfare and Trade Unions

304

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

305

Botswana Teachers’ Union

An independent Teachers Trade Union representing the welfare, interests and values of all teachers - Secondary, Primary and Tertiary

Vision To be the largest and best in advocacy for members’ welfare and improved socioeconomic status.

Mission To realise our vision we strive to advocate and protect the welfare of our members

306

Best of Botswana

through efficient and effective management of the Union in line with Botswana labour laws and international best practice.

Objectives • To seek and maintain itself as a Union of teachers to be recognised on behalf of its members for better

conditions of service; • To attend to the welfare and interests of teachers; • To strive for the improvement of academic and professional qualifications of its members; • To institute when in a position to do so, a teacher aid scheme for the purpose

teachers and promote and maintain high standard of ethical conduct, professional integrity and professional efficiency in the promotion and maintenance of high teaching standards; • To do all such things as are in the interest of its members and which are consistent with the aims and objectives of BTU. of enabling members to ensure benefits such as: gratuity scheme, funeral scheme, savings and credit facilities, housing scheme, etc.; • To provide service and institute legal proceedings on behalf of its members, either as a group or as individuals; • To foster a co-operate spirit among

International Relations BTU has established fraternal relations with international organisations e.g. Educational International (EI), Southern Africa Teachers Organisation (SATO), Norwegian Union of Teachers (NL), Canadian Teachers Federation (CTF), All Africa Teachers’ Organisation (AATO).

President: Mr Johannes Phalaagae Slashing Tshukudu Cell: +267 75899028 Deputy President Mr Kenathata Dipogiso Cell: +267 73534107 Secretary General Mr Ibo N Kenosi Cell: +267 73008321 Deputy Secretary General Mr Lebang Ramaphane Cell: +267 75899020 National Treasurer Mr Moses Monnatsie Cell: +267 74967841

Best of Botswana

307

National Amalgamated Local and Central Government Parastatal Workers Union

Vision Create conducive democratic working and living environments; attain and secure sustainable and decently paying jobs for its current membership; and succeed for the working people of Botswana.

Mission We exist to continue representing and protecting members against victimisation by employers.

Values Our actions should be guided by a set of shared values that are applied consistently to the business strategies. These values are: • Unity • Honesty • Efficiency • Commitment to excellence • Respect • Discipline • Transparency and Accountability

308

Best of Botswana

The National Amalgamated Local & Central Government, Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU) boasts of +46,000 members.

NALCGPWU has many challenges and is always prepared to face them in future by establishing close partnerships with stakeholders. The Union always makes sure that it will meet its obligation of customer satisfaction through presenting and protecting their members against victimisation by the employer.

Benefits of being a member; Union’s main obligation is to protect the working rights of every member.

Other Benefits • Funeral Scheme The NALCGPWU Funeral Scheme

is compulsory to all members of the Union. The minimum amount of premium is P27.00 monthly, which covers members with a lump sum of P20, 000.00.

• Food Package/Funeral Grocery With minimum subscription of P20.00 per month every member is entitled to funeral grocery when deceased.

• Manual Workers Benefit Scheme The Union offers its members shortterm loans at reasonable interest rates.

• Group Loan Scheme With Banc ABC For any employee of local and central government or paratastatals to qualify for free assistance, join the union now so that you can be covered during the time of need.

Lentswe La Babereki House Plot 74769, Morojwa Mews Western Commercial Central Business District (CBD) Tel: +267 395 2790 Fax: +267 395 7790 Email: info@amalgamated.co.bw PO Box 374 Gaborone, Botswana

Best of Botswana

309

Chapter 22 Conservation and Sustainable Development

310

Best of Botswana

Best of Botswana

311

Innovating within the Community

Being among the biggest corporate entities in the country, First National Bank Botswana (FNBB)’s social interventions have always been a strategic priority in the Bank’s drive to positively contribute to Botswana’s development.

Since 2001, these interventions have been led by the FNB Botswana Foundation, the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility vehicle created to empower the communities in which FNBB operates.

In a bid to ensure that the Foundation has adequate funding for social investment, the Bank contributes up to 1% of its profits after tax to the Foundation. To date the Bank has contributed P30.9-million and the Foundation has contributed P26.6-million to the community.

It has built relationships with this kind support. Transport assistance through

312

Best of Botswana

vehicle donations was made. A notable cause included the Tsholofelo Trust in Letlhakeng which was established to create a positive and significant difference to residents of Letlhakeng Sub District, who are affected and infected by HIV and AIDS. In 2011, a P1-million classroom block was granted to the Botswana Society for the Deaf; aimed at expanding learning facilities and ensuring wider access to the education and skills development for the hearing impaired.

In total, the Foundation has assisted 89 organisations with the sum of P26.6million since its inception, making a profound positive impact on the lives of under-privileged members of society. FNB Foundation’s social development initiatives are equally demonstrative of its “Inspired to Innovate” tagline, designed to complement public and civic initiatives in the area of social development, through targeted assistance not only by financial means, but also the allocation of time, human resources and dedication.

Recent support from the Foundation includes Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Kamogelo Day Care Centre, Masiela Trust, and Gabane Home Based Care. The Staff Volunteer Programme, on the other hand, built an ablution block at Seasole Primary School in Letlhakane, painted Athlone Hospital’s Paediatric Ward in Lobatse, refurbished Kamogelo Day Care Centre’s playground and donated household items and clothing to flood victims in Letlhakane, among its numerous activities.

The FNB Foundation considers funding of a capital nature; such as buildings (dormitories, classrooms, multi-purpose halls and others), vehicles, machinery and operating expenses.

The Fund specifically focuses on the following areas: • Education; • Job creation; • Skills development/ vocational training; • Support for the disadvantaged/ handicapped, especially children; • Promotion of Arts and Culture; and • Provision of sports and recreation facilities for the community.

To benefit from the FNB Foundation, the project is required to satisfy some financial prerequisites, such as ensuring that there are sound financial systems and controls in place for accurate accountability for

the funding provided. In the event that the grant is approved, full reporting is needed from the project upon the completion of the work being supported or during the funding period. If there is a lapse in compliance, future requests for support will be put in jeopardy.

While FNB Foundation’s biggest manifest impact is in cash and kind, it is the spirit behind these activities that the beneficiary

communities most remember; interventions that recognise the importance of grassroots development in the overall macro-economic picture.

First National Bank of Botswana Limited Tel: +267 370 6000 www.fnbbotswana.co.bw Best of Botswana

313

Forest Conservation Botswana Creating Sustainability

Matsheng Community Development Trust: About 10,000 Marula trees protected on a 230 hectare forest reserve

Vision To be a reputable partner in Community Based Forest Conservation in Botswana.

Mission FCB exists to promote activities that maintain, restore and protect and ensure sustainable utilisation of Botswana Forests by prudently managing the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund. (TFCF).

Background The Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) was enacted in 1998 by the United States Government (USG) to offer developing countries options to relieve certain eligible debt owed to the United States, while at the same time providing funds, in local currency, to support Tropical Forest Conservation activities. In addition to forest conservation and debt relief, the TFCA is intended to strengthen civil society by giving small grants to NGOs and local communities.

In October 2006, the Governments of the United States of America and the

314

Best of Botswana

Republic of Botswana signed the first TFCA Agreement in Africa. The Agreement culminated in the formation of a company called Forest Conservation Botswana (FCB) which is a non-profit making entity.

The Government of the Republic of Botswana in 2007 established a special fund, known as the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund (TFCF). The purpose of the TFCF is to promote activities designed to conserve, maintain and restore the forests of Botswana, including such world famous areas as the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park region, in accordance with the terms of the Tropical Forest Conservation Agreement, the Forest Act and National Forest Policy.

The Core Functions Of Forest Conservation Botswana (Fcb) • To administer the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund in promoting activities designed to conserve, maintain and restore the forests of Botswana.

• To disburse grants from the fund to support eligible activities.

• To oversee activities financed from the fund.

• To promote activities designed to conserve, maintain and restore the forests of Botswana in accordance with the terms of the Tropical Forest Agreement, Forest Act, the National Forest Policy and the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund Order.

• To procure contributions to the funds of the company by way of subscriptions, donations, bequests, endowment and benefits of any nature from any source whatsoever to be used for the advancement of the company’s objects.

• To establish, support, and aid in the establishment of any other associations, organisations, and institutions formed for all or any of the objects of the company.

• To organise scientific symposia, courses of instruction, and meetings to further the objectives of the company.

• To do all such lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

Furthermore, the Strategy will focus on highvalue communal area forests, which will be identified through a remote sensing/ GIS and local fieldwork checks project (proposed as part of the Forest Resources Management thematic area). High-value forests in communal areas have not yet been identified to-date. On the basis of the outcome of the study, the FCB will select two areas with important forests and forest resources in communal areas for focusing conservation efforts. The successes realised from these ‘pilot’ areas would then be replicated in other communal forest areas.

Tlhare Segolo Foundation : Protection of Palm and other tree species by fencing open spaces in Maun

FCB Conservation Strategy The objectives and structure of the FCS The FCB Forest Conservation Strategy seeks to balance forest conservation and improvements of rural livelihoods through the direct and indirect use of forest resources. This is the essence of sustainable development applied to the country’s forest resources in line with the goals of Vision 2016 and NDP10 and more recently with the 2012 Gaborone Declaration on Sustainability in Africa. FCB does not support either forest resource preservation or all types of livelihood improvements but focuses on forest conservation through improved forest management and livelihood improvements, which will reduce pressure on forest resources and lead to greater appreciation of forests.

Recognising that FCB is only one of the players in the forest sector, the Vision of the FCS is ‘to be a reputable partner in Community Based Forest Conservation in Botswana’. This requires well-conserved, diverse and sustainably-used forests and forest resources for the benefit of the people. The FCB mission is to promote the implementation of activities that maintain, restore, protect and ensure sustainable utilisation of Botswana’s forests.

The overall FCS objectives are to: • Contribute positively to improved forest resources conservation and sustainable utilisation; • Increase the appreciation of the value of forests and forest resources by increasing the benefits of communities living in

and near forests and by increased community participation in forest management; • Raise the profile and value of the forestry sector in Botswana.

The FCS aims to address the main physical threats to forest resources (i.e. elephants, veld fires, human encroachment and climate change) as well as management and perception inadequacies (i.e. inadequate forest management, undervaluation of forest research and inadequate research and data).

The focus will be on forest conservation through improved forest management in selected protected areas and communal areas. The reduction of the threats should result in the slow-down of the decline in forest areas, and forest conservation and sustainable use. While it is recognised that the policy environment needs to be improved, this can only be achieved on the longer term and exceeds the ‘’powers’’ of FCB. The FCS is developed for a seven-year period 2013 – 2020, which allows measuring some of the project results. This FCS goes beyond Vision 2016 and will be completed during NDP11. This offers the opportunity to provide continuity in the forestry sector, until the mid-term review of NDP11.

The FCS will be focused on selected Forest Reserves (as Protected Areas) and selected communal forest resources. The Strategy will prioritise the FRs for which DFRR is first developing management plans (a DFRR requirement for encouraging multiple use of Forest Reserves).

WHO CAN APPLY? • Citizens of Botswana and institutions, such as NGOs, including Village Development Committees, Parents Teachers’ Associations, educational entities, community organisations active in Botswana.

• Economic, scientific, educational, social and professional organisations.

• Any other appropriate forest/environment related entities active in Botswana.

• Government Agencies of the Republic of Botswana with responsibility for environmental protection and management may be assisted under special circumstances that may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Administration And Operation Of The Tropical Forest Conservation Fund (Tfcf) A local Tropical Forest Conservation Fund Board (TFCFB) has been established to administer the fund and award small grants to eligible recipients, primarily local environment and forestry NGOs, and can include indigenous or community groups.

The Board includes representatives from the U.S. Government and Botswana Government, as well as representatives from NGOs, which are approved by the two Governments. The majority of the board is represented by civil society members.

Enquiries may be directed to: The Chief Executive Officer P.O Box 5118, Gaborone enquires@forestconservation.co.bw

Tel: +267 315 8427 Fax: +267 315 8426 www.forestconservation.co.bw Best of Botswana

315

Lady Khama Charitable Trust

About the Trust The Lady Khama Charitable Trust was founded in 2002 in Lady Ruth Khama’s honour by her son His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the current President of The Republic of Botswana.

Through the Trust, the legacy of Lady Khama’s community development work, which mainly focused on children and women, has continued.

The Trust allocates its funds to dedicated projects in Botswana proposed by charitable organisations that can demonstrate good governance and financial discipline in their support of the disadvantaged, in particular women and children in need.

Who was Lady Khama?

Lady Ruth Khama was the first woman to have the First Lady of the Republic of Botswana title after her husband Sir Seretse Khama became president in 1966. She was

316

Best of Botswana

unfailingly by her husband’s side as he met the challenge of transforming the povertystricken Protectorate of Bechuanaland (now Botswana) into a prosperous and peaceful democracy. A devoted mother herself, she was always concerned about the needs of women and children, especially those who were disadvantaged.

This concern manifested itself in her leadership of numerous charities; most notably the Botswana Red Cross Society, the Botswana Council of Women, and the SOS Children’s Villages. Something of her character is reflected in the core principles of the Red Cross, such as humanity, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. Her dedication to these ideals was a source of personal strength that predates the time of her famous marriage, which elevated her as a global symbol of the triumph of love of family and community over racial ignorance and hate.

Several books were written about Lady Khama and Sir Seretse’s story, including “Colour Bar – The Triumph of Seretse Khama and his Nation”, which was published in 2007 by Penguin, and “A Marriage of Inconvenience – Persecution of Ruth and Seretse Khama”, which was published in 1990 by HarperCollins.

Purpose The Lady Khama Charitable Trust’s purpose is to help improve the lives of vulnerable women and children in Botswana. The Trust aims to achieve this by initiating, establishing, supplementing and promoting charitable and educational activities in Botswana and by raising and investing funds to support this mission.

Methodology The Trust partners with existing charitable organisations working at both national and grassroots level. The focus is on supporting

organisations that are well run, small and dynamic. More often than not, these organisations work in remote areas and often struggle to procure support as a result.

The strength of The Lady Khama Charitable Trust is in local fundraising and identifying the projects and beneficiaries that are most in need of help and most likely to use the funds to the best advantage.

Working Method In addition to its own fundraising activities, the Lady Khama Charitable Trust looks for funding from local and international donors, individuals, corporations and organisations.

As a result of the two main fundraising activities – being the Gala Dinner and Family Fun day – to date the Trust has been able to donate over 4-million pula to local charitable organisations. Since inception in 2002, the Trust has raised about 5-million pula.

Beneficiaries Projects and initiatives that receive funding from the Lady Khama Charitable Trust are evaluated quarterly on a case-by-case basis.

The Trust ensures that funds are used for their intended purpose through regular feedback and updates given by the charity organisations.

Over the years the Trust has donated money, vehicles, wheelchairs and paid medical bills for children in desperate need.

Beneficiaries include: • Bana ba Metsi • Botswana Red Cross • Childline • Little Friends • Ray of Hope • Society of St Vincent De Paul • SOS Children’s Village • St Peters day care centre • Stepping Stones International • The Flying Mission • Top Banana • Tshidilo Stimulation Centre The legacy of Ruth Khama and her values lives on through the Lady Khama Charitable

Trust, which hopes to form a legacy in its own right through fostering and growing a culture of community aid and support. These goals go hand-in-hand with creating a healthier future Batswana community in every aspect.

Same Siziba (Trust Coordinator) Tel: +267 393 4501 Mobile: +267 7595 8918 Email: same.siziba@lkct.org or info@lkct.org www.lkct.org Best of Botswana

317

Kalahari Conservation Society

The Kalahari Conservation Society is a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that was inaugurated by the then His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Botswana, Sir Ketumile Masire, in 1982.

The Society was formed in recognition of the pressures on Botswana’s wildlife and the general environment. KCS is the oldest environmental NGO in Botswana and has been effective in undertaking its lobbying activities through advocacy and assisting Government in policy making as well as collaborating with other Private Sectors, NGOs and Government Departments to contribute to the conservation of Botswana’s

318

Best of Botswana

environment and wildlife resources. Since its establishment, the Society has grown rapidly, receiving recognition both within Botswana and internationally.

The Society has continued this role over the years and per the terms of its constitution, “KCS is free to engage in virtually any type of programme, project or activity that can be carried out in the interest of the conservation of the natural environment of Botswana.”

However, during the 1995 Assessment study of the KCS, this was found to be problematic as the KCS was not big enough to shoulder the burden of carrying out

activities to address all conservation issues encountered in Botswana. Most members interviewed then were of the opinion that the KCS had to focus its energies and resources on a few high priority conservation activities or functions through which it could realistically afford to make a difference. In 1998 the KCS strategic plan still gave wildlife management a priority over other natural resources to conform to those findings.

In response to the difficult operational conditions brought about by Botswana’s status as an upper-middle income country and donor fatigue in the environmental

• Diversified programme of conservation projects; • Networking with a variety of stakeholders; • Maintaining financial security; • Offering areas of comparative advantage in development; • Responsible biodiversity conservation programmes. miLESTonE aCHiEVEmEnTS in THE LaST 30 YEarS In order to achieve its mission and vision, aims and objectives, KCS facilitates or contributes to wise decision-making concerning bio-diversity protection and the sustainable utilisation of natural resources through professional advice, participation in policy formulation, research, advocacy and public environmental education.

field, the recent strategies adopted biodiversity conservation as a strategic field to guide operations of the Society unlike the previous plans that focused on wildlife conservation. This approach has broadened KCS’s scope of work and is better placed to implement transboundary projects and various large scale projects in natural resources management.

• To leverage the economic value of wildlife and natural resources for the prosperity of all, especially rural people that reside in wildlife-rich localities.

• To breed a generation of environmentally conscious citizens who strive for a healthy balance between human wellbeing (of present and future generations) and healthy ecosystems.

THE aimS anD oBJECTiVES oF THE KaLaHari ConSErVaTion SoCiETY arE: • To conserve Botswana’s wildlife resources and their habitats.

THE FoLLoWinG arE KCS’S maJor STrEnGTHS: • Committed and active board; • Successful lobbying and advocacy; • Membership based;

EVErY riVEr HaS iTS pEopLE proJECT (EVErY riVEr) Every River was a transboundary natural resource management project between Botswana, Angola and Namibia, under the management of KCS. The first phase ended in January 2004 and the second phase commenced in March 2004 and ended in February 2007.

In the first phase socio-ecological surveys culminated in a working document encapsulating the future for comanagement programmes in basinwide management of the Okavango River.

The second phase of Every River began with a basinwide forum formation and entailed basin-wide workshops aimed at information sharing, community based natural resources management and overall participatory development on trans-boundary initiatives.

The project was sponsored by Swedish SIDA and off shoots of the project, such as the Basin-wide Forum, continue to operate under new projects.

Examples of new projects are the Southern African Regional Environmental Program (SAREP) and The Future of The Okavango (TFO) ending in 2015.

These are strengthening community institutions and implementing livelihoods programmes across the basin.

Best of Botswana

319

ECoLoGiCaL ZoninG oF THE oKaVanGo DELTa The Ecological Zoning of the Okavango Delta project undertaken by KCS in 1988 provided very detailed knowledge of all aspects of the Delta and a sound foundation for future landuse planning. The objective was to define areas, which require complete protection because of unique assemblages of animals and plants, and areas of recreational subsistence use, such as fishing, hunting and photographic tourism. The information was useful to the development of the Okavango Development Management Plan. manaGEmEnT pLanS For GamE rESErVES anD naTionaL parKS KCS raised funds and participated in the development of Management Plans for Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park in 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Society also assisted in the development of the Management Plan for the Gaborone Game Reserve (GGR) and raised funds for the building of the GGR Education Centre.

KCS anTi-poaCHinG UniT KCS started Anti-poaching Unit operations with the Botswana Police in 1985 and handed the six vehicles and two boats to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks in 1988 when the latter established the Anti-poaching Unit to continue with the

320

Best of Botswana

operations. His Excellency Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama chaired the Unit during its lifespan.

ECoLoGiCaL STUDiES on WiLDLiFE SpECiES Ecological studies on various wildlife species including lion, wild dog, and elephant, wildebeest, zebra and other large herbivores have been assisted or undertaken by KCS. These studies have enhanced our knowledge and helped to define our priorities in the use and conservation of these species as a sustainable resource, as well as an important feature of the overall wildlife picture of Botswana.

HarrY oppEnHEimEr oKaVanGo rESEarCH CEnTrE (HoorC) KCS conceptualised and helped establish a Research Centre for the University of Botswana in Maun. The Society successfully fundraised P4-million for the construction of the HOORC buildings and the Centre’s equipment. From its opening in 2001, the facility has contributed to a better understanding of the ecology of the Delta, generated much needed research capacity within Botswana, improved dissemination of scientific information on the Delta, and coordinated research programmes and activities in the Delta. KCS further secured P9-million from the EU to equip the centre.

FiSH paraSiTE proJECT The Fish Parasite Project, approved by the relevant Ministries, started in 1997 under the auspices of Kalahari Conservation Society in conjunction with the University of the Orange Free State. The project was driven by the concerns over fish declines in the Okavango Delta.

The results of the project assist in the sustainable management of the Okavango fish resource, leaving skills and knowledge as well as specific actions in Botswana.

The project ended in 2003 and reports are available at the KCS library.

FLaminGo proJECT This research project was geared at finding sustainable methods for the future management and protection of the Makgadikgadi flamingos. Techniques for monitoring and collecting hydrological data, flamingo population numbers, and breeding estimates have been recorded. The results are available at the KCS library.

WaTEr proViSion in proTECTED arEaS The project has been undertaken with the support of the Government of Botswana through the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife & Tourism, and the Tiffany Foundation to manage funds for providing water to wildlife in protected areas in

collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. The various projects were started in 2008 and continue in 2012 following a similar successful project in Makgadikgadi National Park in 2007. It entails drilling and equipping solar panelled boreholes for wildlife in the following areas: • • • •

Chobe National Park Khutse Game Reserve Kalahari Transfrontier National Park Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

CommUniTY BaSED naTUraL rESoUrCES manaGEmEnT proGrammES (CBnrm) Since its establishment KCS has facilitated and assisted various CBNRM projects in the country. The Society has a Community Liaison Unit that facilitates conservation through CBNRM. We are involved and associated with the following projects, which are at various stages of development: • • • • • • •

Moremi Gorge Conservation Project Nata Sanctuary Project Khama Rhino Sanctuary Project Dikalate Hills Research Project Lepokole Hills Nature Project Xaixai Community Project Etsha 6,9 and 13 villages.

KCS is Secretariat to the Botswana CBNRM forum funded by WWF. The programme has an annual budget of about P700,000 to coordinate and facilitate stakeholders’ activities in CBNRM. The forum prides itself for having lobbied for the 2007 CBNRM policy.

there are possible off shoots from the project.

KCS staff were trained in negotiation and also attended a number of convention meetings under this project.

EnVironmEnTaL EDUCaTion The KCS Environmental Education Unit has expanded its outreach programme to include decision-makers and the business community. The Unit has addressed national leaders to share local, regional and international environmental issues and concerns, as well as establish finding solutions for local environmental problems.

The Unit also continues to provide environmental education to schools, both teachers and students, and to wildlife and environmental clubs of Botswana.

THE LoCaL GoVErnmEnTS anD inTEGraTED WaTEr rESoUrCES manaGEmEnT (iWrm) in SoUTHErn aFriCa or LoGo WaTEr proJECT The LoGo Water project aimed to significantly improve the capacity of local governments to fulfill their role in the adoption of sound integrated water resource management solutions. It therefore contributes to the achievement of the water related Millennium Development Goals. This project was implemented mainly on the Limpopo river basin and it commenced in 2004 and ended in 2007. KCS is also managing a project to develop the Botswana IWRM plan due in November 2012.

ConSErVaTion anD DEVELopmEnT opporTUniTiES From THE SUSTainaBLE USE oF BioLoGiCaL rESoUrCES in THE CommUnaL LanDS oF SoUTHErn aFriCa proJECT (CoDEoSUB) The project focused more on building the capacity of the implementing organisations and promoting the participation of SADC NGOs in the implementation of multinational conventions. The project ended in 2005 and

Plot 398, Kagasa Close, Off Independence Avenue, Extension 3, Gaborone, Botswana P.O. Box 859, Gaborone, Botswana Contact Person: Felix Monggae, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +267 397 4557 / 71317366 Fax: +267 391 4259 E-mail CEO: felixmonggae@kcs.org.bw E-mail Deputy CEO: baboloki@kcs.org.bw www.kcs.org.bw Best of Botswana

321

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

“Botswana’s hidden gem: Guaranteed to delight”

Situated about 28 Kilometres from Serowe via Serowe-Orapa road, Khama Rhino Sanctuary is an ideal place for any person who wants to experience the tranquillity of the mind and experience variety of wildlife.

The sanctuary offers a wide range of services amongst others; accommodation, environmental education, curio shop and safari & self drives around the park.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary also has a picnic site and offers conference facilities for quiet and progressive meetings.

Visitors can also indulge in a variety of top-range menus prepared by highlyexperienced chefs at its luxurious restaurant.

Sustainable development is one of our key objectives in Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust, for this rationale we have some strategies set aside to ensure that it is met.

322

Best of Botswana

Some of the strategies we have put in place to ensure sustainability of our sanctuary include availability of refuse storage facilities.

These storage facilities are used to lock away all the refuse found in the Sanctuary to ensure that our wildlife does not come into contact with it. This helps to make sure that our wildlife does not feed on anything that may endanger their health. We then hire refuse collection trucks to take all the refuse to the dumping site for sorting and recycling purposes every week.

In addition to this we have an outstanding Environmental Education Centre for overnight stays or day visits to equip people on environmental education and conservation.

KRST offers environmental education where youth groups, school groups and elders are taught about environment and the need for its

cleanliness and conservation so that they too can play a role in making sure the Sanctuary is always kept clean. These lessons sometimes aid in developing other strategies to tackle emerging environmental issues we may stumble across as some of these clients are from research or here for environmental assessment.

One of our successes in attaining environmental conservation and cleanliness is by conducting productive clean up campaigns in our neighbouring villages.

Furthermore, for natural disasters such as veld fires, we have set up fire breaks and conduct controlled burnings to ensure that if there is ever such an incident, it is dealt with accordingly to guarantee the safety of our sanctuary. Our clients are sold refuse waste bags that are branded with

“be environmentally friendly� below our logo to make sure that they take part in the cleanness of our environment. Also, as part of environmental conservation we are strictly against deforestation, we do not in any way allow cutting down of trees for firewood in the Sanctuary.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary P O BOX 10, Serowe Botswana Tel: +267 463 0713/460 0204 Fax: +267 463 5808 Cell: +267 7396 5655 Email: krst@khamarhinosanctuary.org.bw www.khamarhinosanctuary.org.bw Best of Botswana

323

Participators Index Air Botswana.................................................................................................................. 106 BA ISAGO University College......................................................................................... 196 BancABC........................................................................................................................ 208 Blue Star Diamonds....................................................................................................... 252 Botho University............................................................................................................. 178 Botswana Accountancy College - BAC................................................................. 184, 212 Botswana Couriers & Logistics...................................................................................... 272 Botswana Development Corporation Limited - BDC..................................................... 170 Botswana Examination Council - BEC .......................................................................... 200 Botswana Fibre Networks - BoFiNet........................................................................ 69, 282 Botswana Innovation Hub - BIH....................................................................................... 58 Botswana Investment & Trade Centre - BITC ................................ 1, 156, 214, 302, OBC Botswana National Sports Council - BNSC..................................................................... 74 Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund - BPOPF........................................................ 168 Botswana Public Officers’ Medical Aid Scheme - BPOMAS......................................... 148 Botswana Qualifications Authority - BQA...................................................................... 202 Botswana Society for the Arts - BSA............................................................................... 52 Botswana Stock Exchange - BSE............................................................................ 68, 162 Botswana Teachers Union - BTU................................................................................... 306 Botswana Tourism Organisation - BTO.............................................................. 64, 92, IBC BotswanaPost.......................................................................................................... 56, 268 Brand Botswana........................................................................................................... 2, 30 Brinsel Security.............................................................................................................. 244 Cappello Masa Square................................................................................................... 125 Choppies........................................................................................................................ 132 Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana - CAAB................................................................. 102 CLEAN Botswana .......................................................................................................... 298 Climate Control.............................................................................................................. 262 Debswana Pension Fund............................................................................................... 164 Diamond Trading Company Botswana - DTCB....................................................... 66, 250 Diplomat Africa Magazine.............................................................................................. 296 Espretto - Lansmore Masa Square................................................................................ 122 Fast+Furious International.............................................................................................. 264 First National Bank of Botswana - FNBB......................................................... 65, 204, 312 Forest Conservation Botswana - FCB........................................................................... 314 Global Expo Botswana................................................................................................... 302 Global Village Africa......................................................................................................... 10 Hospitality & Tourism Association of Botswana - HATAB.............................................. 108 Instijl Interiors................................................................................................................. 142 Kalahari Conservation Society - KCS............................................................................ 318 Kamoso Consulting........................................................................................................ 294 Khama Rhino Sanctuary................................................................................................. 322 Khoemacau Copper Mining............................................................................................ 254 Kwa Nokeng Oil.............................................................................................................. 256 Lady Khama Charitable Trust......................................................................................... 316 Lansmore Masa Square................................................................................................. 114 Liberty Life Botswana..................................................................................................... 228 Limkokwing University Of Creative Technology............................................................. 192 Local Enterprise Authority - LEA.................................................................................... 216 Mascom Wireless..................................................................................................... 84, 286 Material GirlZ Fashion Shop........................................................................................... 134 Moonstone Capital......................................................................................................... 276 Moro Group of Companies..................................................................... 124, 125, 276, 280 moyo Gaborone.............................................................................................................. 124 National Amalgamated Local & Central Government - NALANC................................... 308 National Development Bank - NDB.......................................................................... 70, 210 Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority - NBFIRA................................... 218 Orange Botswana........................................................................................................... 288 Oseggroup...................................................................................................................... 174 Pabaap........................................................................................................................... 146 PressPhoto..................................................................................................................... 300 Prestige Med.................................................................................................................. 220 Prevailing Security Systems........................................................................................... 232 Proudly African........................................................................................................... 10, 72 RealReach...................................................................................................................... 260 RedPepper PR and Communication Consultancy......................................................... 290 Regiment 63 Security Services...................................................................................... 242 Rodizio Brazilian Restaurant.......................................................................................... 126 Rosewell Chauffeurs...................................................................................................... 110 Sandulela Telecom Botswana........................................................................................ 280 SASA Interiors................................................................................................................ 138 Security Services Botswana .......................................................................................... 238 Simon & Lawrence......................................................................................................... 176 Sprint Couriers............................................................................................................... 274 Sweet Candy Buffet....................................................................................................... 128 Symphony Health........................................................................................................... 226 Ta Shebube Eco Lodge.................................................................................................. 116 University of Botswana.................................................................................................. 188 Urban Space.................................................................................................................. 154 Wilderness Safaris.......................................................................................................... 119 Zurich Insurance Company Botswana........................................................................... 230

324

Best of Botswana

INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE IN THE LAND OF BLUE SKY OPPORTUNITIES

Visit us today www.bitc.co.bw