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BCP 2014 Manifesto Draft Final

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<strong>2014</strong>-2019 MANIFESTO<br />

Ready<br />

to Lead<br />

Leading Botswana out of the crossroads<br />

Our social contract with<br />

the people for <strong>2014</strong> – 2019<br />

READY TO LEAD<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> <strong>2014</strong>-2019 MANIFESTO<br />

1


Table of Contents<br />

Foreword<br />

Introduction<br />

1. Delivering a Citizen Led Economic Alternative<br />

2. Development of Water and Energy Resources<br />

3. Establishing a Conducive Work Environment<br />

and Decent Wages<br />

4. Ensuring an Educated and Skilled Batswana<br />

5. Delivering Equitable Land Distribution and<br />

Providing Decent Housing<br />

6. Promoting a Healthy Nation<br />

7. Ensuring Good Governance<br />

8. Promoting Gender Equality<br />

9. Sports Development and Youth Empowerment<br />

10. Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br />

11. <strong>BCP</strong> Shadow Cabinet<br />

5<br />

8<br />

10<br />

16<br />

18<br />

20<br />

23<br />

25<br />

27<br />

32<br />

34<br />

36<br />

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4<br />

Hon. Dumelang Saleshando<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> President<br />

READY TO LEAD<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> <strong>2014</strong>-2019 MANIFESTO


Foreword<br />

Fellow citizens, it is with great pleasure for me to present to you the Botswana<br />

Congress Party (<strong>BCP</strong>) manifesto for the <strong>2014</strong> general elections. In 2009,<br />

we jointly presented a <strong>BCP</strong>- BAM manifesto under the theme “A Nation at<br />

Crossroads: Which Way Now – Democracy and Prosperity or Dictatorship and<br />

Economic Collapse” We had at the time warned that electoral victory for the<br />

BDP would usher in an era of disastrous economic management and reverse<br />

our gains on democratic governance. Our fears have come to pass.<br />

Our economy is on a free fall as evidenced by the crisis in water and power<br />

supply, failed government projects due to corruption such as the Palapye Glass<br />

Project, a mismanaged agricultural sector that is impoverishing the farmers<br />

and rising unemployment particularly amongst the youth. Our education<br />

sector is in total disarray as demonstrated by the results of public schools<br />

in the past 5 years. The term extra judicial killings, though unknown to most<br />

Batswana before 2008, is now a common phrase in our daily public debates.<br />

Government has declared an unending war on the trade unions and we have<br />

an aggrieved national workforce. The Happy Planet Index, an independent<br />

entity measuring progress on how nations are delivering a better life for their<br />

people, has consistently ranked Botswana as one of the unhappiest nations<br />

in the world.<br />

In the midst of the negative developments experienced since 2009, we have<br />

a positive message to convey to you as the <strong>BCP</strong>. In 2010, the <strong>BCP</strong> and BAM<br />

merged into a single entity, defying the perception that opposition parties are<br />

a constant source of infighting for positions of leadership. We can proudly<br />

assert that we remain the most stable political formation in Botswana. It is on<br />

account of this ability to manage our internal affairs in a dignified manner that<br />

we present ourselves as a credible alternative.<br />

Though in the opposition, we have had a profound positive effect on the<br />

governance of our country. Through our limited number of seats in Parliament,<br />

we have tabled motions that have impacted on the lives of ordinary Batswana.<br />

Parliament instituted a select committee to investigate the declining<br />

performance of the beef industry and the Botswana Meat commission through<br />

a <strong>BCP</strong> sponsored motion. Many families rely on the beef industry for their<br />

financial sustenance and efforts to turn around the sector will directly impact<br />

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on the economic fortunes of Batswana. We have strongly advocated for<br />

promotion of home ownership for those who are still to secure their first house,<br />

and as a result, first time home owners will not have to pay transfer duty.<br />

Parliament has also adopted a <strong>BCP</strong> sponsored motion to do away with Value<br />

Added Tax for first time home owners.<br />

In an effort to develop our democracy, we have sponsored motions such as<br />

the live broadcast of Parliamentary debates. Once implemented, this will allow<br />

the electorate to follow national debates on issues that affect them and better<br />

demand accountability from their leaders. Parliament has also adopted our<br />

motion calling for the ratification of the International Covenant on Economic,<br />

Social and Cultural Rights. Once signed and ratified, the right to work, the<br />

right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living will become<br />

a feature of the human rights menu in Botswana.<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> has also been actively providing strong leadership outside Parliament.<br />

In different local authorities where we had the opportunity to assume positions<br />

of leadership, our councillors have performed with distinction. We have<br />

engaged the public to take part in peaceful demonstrations to democratically<br />

express their views on issues such as the mismanagement of land and the<br />

energy crisis.<br />

Our party has undoubtedly grown in leaps and bounds. At every election<br />

since formation, we have increased our share of the popular vote. Since the<br />

2009 general elections, we are the only party that has not lost any Member of<br />

Parliament but rather attracted other legislators to join our party, confirming<br />

that we are indeed the party of choice. We will be approaching the <strong>2014</strong><br />

elections with a single primary objective, to win the elections and form a<br />

government. We have done our part as an opposition party and are now ready<br />

to assume the reins of power as a government.<br />

To demonstrate that we are ready and willing to form a government, we recently<br />

announced our shadow cabinet composed of men and women who have<br />

the requisite skills, knowledge and experience to lead our country to greater<br />

heights. We have stated the changes we wish to make to the government<br />

ministries to better deliver on our pledges. Through this manifesto, we now<br />

present the key ideas to drive our economy forward and create jobs. We<br />

commit to address the rot in the education sector to give our youth hope for<br />

the future. We also pledge to modernise our democracy to ensure that we can<br />

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all truly celebrate our freedom; freedom from hunger, deprivation, illness and<br />

all the negative impediments dominating the lives of many Batswana.<br />

I am convinced that with our experience of over 15 years managing a growing<br />

party, the skills we have attracted to manage and lead our party, quality of<br />

leadership in our shadow cabinet, the diverse pool of skills possessed by<br />

our Parliamentary and Council candidates for the <strong>2014</strong> general elections and<br />

having put together a manifesto articulating an alternative that will radically<br />

change Botswana for the better, the <strong>BCP</strong> is now ready to Lead Botswana out<br />

of the Crossroads.<br />

I invite you to take time to read our manifesto, which we consider to be our<br />

contract with you once we assume government and administer the country on<br />

your behalf until 2019. I urge you to play your part to ensure that the true potential<br />

of our country is realised and together we can stop the eminent collapse of our<br />

economy and democracy. Be part of the solution to the problems our country<br />

faces by voting for the <strong>BCP</strong>. We are Ready to Lead.<br />

Kgololo!<br />

Dumelang Saleshando<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> President<br />

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Introduction<br />

This <strong>Manifesto</strong> continues the theme of the 2009 one, entitled: “A Nation at<br />

Crossroads: Which Way Now – Democracy and Prosperity or Dictatorship and<br />

Economic Collapse This year’s theme is “<strong>BCP</strong>- Ready to Lead”- Leading<br />

Botswana Out of the Crossroads. In this manifesto, we pledge our readiness to<br />

lead Botswana out of the cross roads. We have a proven track record of stability<br />

and sound organization. We present in this manifesto clear alternative policies for<br />

Botswana anchored on social democratic principles. This ten point manifesto focuses<br />

on critical areas of national life namely; the economy, energy and water resources,<br />

labour relations, education, land and housing, health, governance, gender equality,<br />

youth development, international relations and trade.<br />

Section 1 outlines how the <strong>BCP</strong> will deliver an inclusive citizen-led economic program<br />

that shall create decent jobs for a majority of Batswana. Through beneficiation of<br />

natural resources, provision of infrastructure and cutting edge technology, agricultural<br />

diversification and commercialization, agro-businesses and a state inspired tourism<br />

sector, the <strong>BCP</strong> government will expand Botswana’s economic base and stimulate<br />

industrialization. A citizen empowerment law will be enacted by the <strong>BCP</strong> government<br />

to allow Batswana to fully participate in their economy.<br />

Section 2 covers energy and water resources. We offer our long term strategy<br />

to provide energy and water to both businesses and households in an affordable,<br />

environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.<br />

Section 3 spells out how the <strong>BCP</strong> government will foster cordial industrial relations<br />

as a way of fostering productivity, innovation and creativity in the work force. The<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> government will respect tripartite arrangements as well as honour the collective<br />

bargaining process at all times.<br />

Section 4 of the manifesto covers the education sector. <strong>BCP</strong> holds the view that<br />

education is a vital resource for the overall development of the country. It is on<br />

that basis that if the <strong>BCP</strong> is given the mandate to govern, it will divide the Ministry<br />

of Education into two, namely, Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of Higher<br />

Education for ease of management and coordination. To transform the sector the<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> will introduce free and compulsory education from pre-school to Form Five. Preprimary<br />

education development will be emphasized and appropriate infrastructure<br />

and personnel will be made available. The reduction of class size; mother tongue<br />

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instruction at entry levels; refocusing the curriculum to meet market needs and<br />

improvement of the welfare of teachers as well as students will be given priority by<br />

the <strong>BCP</strong> government.<br />

Section 5 outlines the <strong>BCP</strong> strategy on land and housing. The <strong>BCP</strong> will deliver an<br />

equitable land management and distribution program which shall confer same rights<br />

and benefits to land owners. Land servicing shall be carried out on a massive scale<br />

and by the end of the first five years in office, waiting periods for land allocation will<br />

be reduced to only one year. Home ownership will be prioritized and in this regard,<br />

first time home owners will be exempted from VAT when buying a house. The tenant<br />

purchase scheme will be structured to make it easy for occupants of BHC houses<br />

to acquire them.<br />

Section 6 covers the health sector. We will promote the full implementation of<br />

Primary Health Care and revert to the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 to ensure a<br />

health delivery system anchored on equity, accessibility, affordability and community<br />

involvement. The <strong>BCP</strong> government will also pay particular attention to observance<br />

of high standards of care in health facilities. Sexual reproductive health will be given<br />

greater attention and HIV/AIDS interventions will be integrated into the health system<br />

to avoid stigmatization.<br />

Section 7 covers democracy and governance which spells out how the <strong>BCP</strong><br />

government will modernise Botswana’s democracy and make it open, accountable<br />

and transparent. A Constitutional Review Commission shall be set up to review<br />

the constitution and align it with international best practices on issues such as<br />

separation of powers, powers of the President, independence of the Judiciary, and<br />

independence of Parliament. We shall improve transparency and accountability in<br />

Government by ensuring that appointment to oversight institutions is done with<br />

the input of Parliament and that such bodies report directly to Parliament. Local<br />

authorities will be transformed to afford them greater autonomy in decision-making.<br />

Sections 8 and 9 are devoted to gender and youth issues respectively. Mainstreaming<br />

gender and youth development in the political, economic, social and cultural life of<br />

the country is a key priority in the <strong>BCP</strong> government’s development agenda. The <strong>BCP</strong><br />

will implement an affirmative action policy that shall ensure greater participation of<br />

women and youth in decision-making and economic activities.<br />

Section 10 outlines how the <strong>BCP</strong> government will deal with international relations<br />

and international trade. The <strong>BCP</strong> will constitute a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and<br />

International Trade. In this regard, our government will refocus the work of our<br />

foreign missions to have a special bias towards opening up investment avenues for<br />

Botswana businesses in the international community and attracting genuine Foreign<br />

Direct Investment. Foreign missions will be staffed with fully resourced investment<br />

experts who shall place Botswana as an investment destination of choice.<br />

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1. Delivering a Citizen led<br />

Economic Alternative<br />

1.1 Situational analysis<br />

The Botswana economy continues to overly depend on revenue from mineral<br />

exports. It is characterised by high levels of unemployment, particularly amongst<br />

the youth, high levels of inequalities and exclusion of Batswana from participation<br />

in the key sectors of our economy. The manufacturing sector is marginal and its<br />

capacity to diversify the economy is untapped. Our exports are sold in international<br />

markets with minimal processing to add value. Procurement of goods and services<br />

by government and Parastatals is dominated by foreign suppliers or their agents, in<br />

the process stifling the opportunity to enhance domestic production capacity. The<br />

historically impressive data on economic growth are not reflected in the average<br />

lives of Batswana.<br />

Botswana has an underdeveloped infrastructural base that is not able to open up<br />

opportunities for investment in strategic sectors. In most parts of Botswana, poor<br />

road network, limited access to power and water as well as telecommunication<br />

services in areas that have potential for economic activity remain key barriers to job<br />

creation. Compared to other countries with a GDP comparable to Botswana, we<br />

lack a modernised infrastructure base that can support our drive to attract foreign<br />

investment.<br />

1.2 Our Contract on Delivering a Citizen led Economic Alternative<br />

The key thrust of our economic strategy will be premised on the need to deliver<br />

inclusive growth and job creation leading to improvement in the quality of life for<br />

Batswana.<br />

To broaden the base for economic growth and industrialization, the <strong>BCP</strong> will prioritise<br />

investment in infrastructure such as provision of power and water as well as modern<br />

roads, expanded rail and telecommunication networks in all areas with potential for<br />

economic activity.<br />

To attain industrialization, we shall:<br />

• Put measures in place to attain a minimum of 50% beneficiation for most of our<br />

mineral products by the year 2019. The targeted sectors shall be diamonds,<br />

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copper, nickel, soda ash and coal<br />

• Promote the establishment of industries that are related to cattle by-products<br />

such as leather products<br />

• Aggressively pursue an import substitution policy for goods whose inputs are<br />

available in the domestic economy and offer protection for the infant industries in<br />

sectors such as cement, bricks, glass and dairy products<br />

• Identify products with competitive advantages for the regional and international<br />

markets whose raw materials are available in the domestic economy and support<br />

industries that will focus on production for export.<br />

To promote citizen involvement in the mainstream economy, the <strong>BCP</strong><br />

government shall;<br />

• Formulate a law on citizen economic empowerment compelling the involvement of<br />

citizens in all major economic activities<br />

• Re-formulate the citizen reservation policy to target more high value ventures<br />

• Improve the capacity of the government to monitor the implementation of the<br />

citizen empowerment strategy.<br />

To finance our industrialization and infrastructure expansion strategy, we shall;<br />

• Influence financial sector lending with the identified national priorities<br />

• Mobilise domestic savings by sectors such as the pension industry to finance the<br />

infrastructure expansion program<br />

• Promote joint partnerships between government and the private sector.<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> government will play an active role in conjunction with the private sector to<br />

ensure that the above stated strategy for industrialization is realised. In expanding<br />

the economic base, special attention will also be paid to promoting procurement<br />

of locally produced goods. The total government procurement budget for goods<br />

will be biased towards goods produced by the local business sector and shall be<br />

progressively increased to at least 60% by 2019.<br />

It will be the objective of a <strong>BCP</strong> government to promote the growth of a strong<br />

entrepreneurial base to drive the economy. To this end, there will be a Ministry of<br />

Business Development and Citizen Empowerment focusing on development of the<br />

local business sector. Levies, taxes and licensing fees will be reviewed so as to<br />

cancel levies that do not go into the consolidated fund. The licences required for new<br />

business to operate will also be reviewed with the aim of minimising requirements for<br />

businesses to operate.<br />

Small and Medium Enterprises will be assisted to access government contracts and<br />

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for major projects, those awarded the tenders shall be required as a condition of<br />

the main contract, to sub-contract aspects of the contracts to small and medium<br />

enterprises. The <strong>BCP</strong> shall support and protect the informal sector by reviewing<br />

existing laws, regulations and by laws to remove any form of harassment of informal<br />

sector traders.<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> government will focus on promoting Botswana’s international business<br />

interests. Growing local businesses will be assisted by Botswana foreign missions<br />

to explore market opportunities beyond our borders to export a more diversified mix<br />

of goods, thereby increasing opportunities for earning foreign revenue.<br />

1.3 Our Contract to Promote Rural Development through the Agricultural Sector<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> recognizes the central role of agriculture in the economy and rural<br />

development. It is through enhanced agricultural production that the <strong>BCP</strong> hopes<br />

to restore the pride, dignity and confidence of Botswana citizens and expand<br />

opportunities for meaningful economic activities in the rural areas. Attainment of<br />

food self-sufficiency, upliftment of the rural economy and improved livelihoods shall<br />

be the cornerstones of our agricultural policy. The <strong>BCP</strong> shall:<br />

• Develop rural infrastructure – we shalll develop roads, telecommunications, dams<br />

and provide electricity to facilitate development of rural areas through agriculture.<br />

This will be our key strategy to attract investment and the youth into the agricultural<br />

sector and improve opportunities for the rural populations to be fully engaged and<br />

earn decent incomes. In addition, we will introduce and support infrastructure for<br />

large scale irrigation schemes.<br />

• Promote green energy programes for agricultural production – we will promote and<br />

support the use of solar energy and related technologies to produce affordable,<br />

sustainable and environmentally friendly energy for farming households.<br />

• Develop area specific strategies – we shall develop targeted assistance schemes<br />

for small, medium and big commercial farmers and support each geographical<br />

area according to its needs and circumstances.<br />

• Establish an agricultural bank and credit system to serve both large and small<br />

farmers.<br />

• Diversify agriculture – we shall diversify the sector by promoting the exploitation<br />

and management of wildlife by establishing community based game farms,<br />

upscale small stock and ostrich farming, encouraging exploitation of veld products<br />

and strengthening fishing as part of expanding the agricultural base.<br />

• Create agro-businesses – we shall create rural agro-industries such as milling,<br />

skin tanning, basic technology production (plough, planter and harrow), fertilizers<br />

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and livestock feed to create more long term jobs in the agriculture sector.<br />

• Promote export - we shall identify products for potential export.<br />

• Emphasize agricultural education for all – we shall develop a comprehensive<br />

agricultural education programe where children and parents will be exposed to<br />

and educated on the importance of agriculture and the need to produce some of<br />

the basic foodstuff for themselves. In addition, we will build and sustain a critical<br />

skill mass of Batswana artisans, technicians and professionals to meet both the<br />

current and future needs of the agro-industry.<br />

• Increase public investment in agricultural research - we believe that agricultural<br />

research should be the principal tool to producing evidence-based policies and<br />

practices. We shall make research central to agricultural production by establishing<br />

district agricultural research and experimental stations.<br />

• Support insurance in the sector - we shall establish a comprehensive insurance<br />

scheme for crop and livestock sub-sectors in collaboration with private insurance<br />

firms.<br />

• Provide sustainable water as the key to productive non-rain fed dependent<br />

agriculture- we will build small and medium scale dams to support agricultural<br />

projects, harvest water and drill syndicate owned boreholes to allow for crop<br />

diversification and all year agricultural production.<br />

• Control, management and possible eradication of animal diseases – we shall<br />

dedicate resources to the control and eradication of diseases such as foot and<br />

mouth. This will include a robust program of ensuring that disease control fences<br />

are well maintained.<br />

• Alternative markets for Botswana beef - We shall seek alternative markets for<br />

Botswana beef with less regulatory requirements for the farmers.<br />

• Access to artificial insemination – We shall expand access to artificial insemination<br />

as way of improving the quality of the national herd<br />

1.4 Exploiting Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> aims to develop tourism as a strategic industry that can contribute to<br />

national development by generating more revenue, creating more jobs and providing<br />

leisure and entertainment to both citizens and foreigners. The <strong>BCP</strong> pledges to fully<br />

exploit the economic potential of this sector as follows:<br />

• Develop tourism infrastructure by establishing the Parks and Tourism Board that<br />

will develop lodges and other infrastructure and invite the private sector to run<br />

them under a management contract. This arrangement will ensure that these<br />

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lucrative concessions remain under citizen ownership at the same time benefiting<br />

private investors who will not worry about the lease periods as well as the costs<br />

of constructing the lodges.<br />

• Localize the concessions to ensure that all concessions (hunting, photographic<br />

etc) are allocated to citizens only. International tourism investors will go into joint<br />

ventures with these citizens. This will ensure that the means of production stay<br />

with locals.<br />

• Create linkages with other economic sectors such as agriculture by ensuring that<br />

agricultural products such as vegetables, meat and poultry are sourced locally by<br />

hotels and lodges. This will grow both the agricultural sector and tourism for the<br />

well being of the entire economy and the people.<br />

• Develop a robust, holistic marketing strategy and plan for different regions of<br />

Botswana’s products.<br />

• Formulate a well researched, coordinated and branding marketing strategy for the<br />

country with clear deliverables and targets.<br />

• Promote and protect community based tourism by developing a Community<br />

Based Tourism (CBT) Policy to ensure that local communities are actively involved<br />

in this industry.<br />

• Develop a national tourism profile by mapping out all the different cultural sites,<br />

build halls for cultural performance, and protect traditional music and art.<br />

• Promote and facilitate the establishment of joint venture tourist enterprises<br />

between Batswana and non-citizens to embark on the development of complex<br />

projects that require significant levels of investment, as well as technical and<br />

managerial expertise.<br />

• Eliminate or reduce tourism leakages with the view to augmenting the level of<br />

tourism benefits accruing to Batswana unlike presently where most of the money<br />

paid by international tourists for their Botswana Tourist packages remains in the<br />

country where they pay for the said packages.<br />

• Review the current policy of high cost low volume in the tourism sector.<br />

It is our view that the economic strategy outlined above will stimulate industrialization,<br />

create decent jobs and economically empower citizens of Botswana. However, there<br />

will be some individuals who may not sufficiently benefit sufficiently from the growing<br />

economy. It is on this basis that the <strong>BCP</strong> will offer protection to the vulnerable and<br />

disadvantaged members of society.<br />

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1.5 Protecting the Vulnerable<br />

In Botswana, there are high levels of poverty and deprivation that require government<br />

to specifically target and prioritise for social and economic up-liftment as well as<br />

sustenance. The <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Create economic opportunities for all people who are poor and vulnerable as we<br />

believe that the best form of social welfare is work.<br />

• Reorientate social welfare policies and programmes towards a developmental<br />

approach, where emphasis will be on human development and rehabilitation.<br />

• Accord social safety nets to the poor, people living with disabilities, orphans and<br />

the elderly. The value of safety nets will be guided by the cost of living as well as<br />

the need to prioritise graduation out of dependency on government assistance<br />

• Extend psychosocial and financial assistance to child headed households<br />

• Set 60 as the age for which people qualify for old age pension and this will be<br />

based on the prevailing cost of living<br />

• Introduce special programes for children in difficult circumstances such as street<br />

children to integrate them into society<br />

• Provide support services and facilities for people living with disabilities<br />

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2 Development and<br />

Management of Energy<br />

and Water Resources<br />

2.1 Situational analysis<br />

Botswana’s approach to development and management of water resources has<br />

been unambitious, short term and unsustainable. Energy and water resources have<br />

been treated as commodities that should be generated in modest quantities to<br />

satisfy prevailing current demand. Even more disturbing, the current government<br />

has tended to favour a policy of water and energy importation from neighbouring<br />

countries as a cost saving measure. The policy is flawed in that it ignores the<br />

potential negative consequences of dependence on other countries for such vital<br />

resources as power and water. When the shortcomings of dependency became<br />

apparent, the response of government has been to throw money into the energy and<br />

water sectors without due regard to the quality of the infrastructure that was being<br />

put in place. The impact of this ill-conceived and rushed approach to energy and<br />

water resource development and management has been intermittent power cuts in<br />

the case of energy and water shortage and rationing in the case of water provision.<br />

The net result of the above has been devastating on the business sector. Many<br />

businesses have had to contend with major disruptions to their operations.<br />

Households continue to be inconvenienced by the erratic supply of water and<br />

electricity. Botswana has become a risky investment destination on account of failure<br />

by the government to guarantee reliable supply of water and electricity. This is in<br />

spite of the fact that the country has invested substantial resources in the Morupule<br />

B project and the North South Water Carrier Project.<br />

2.2 Our Social Contract on Energy<br />

Given the strategic importance of energy to the national economy, the sector requires<br />

a long term strategy that is geared towards attaining self-sufficiency in a sustainable<br />

and environmental friendly manner. To this end, the <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Beneficiate coal resources with a view to producing sufficient electricity for<br />

consumption and export to other countries.<br />

• Invest in research and utilisation of clean renewable energy programes such as<br />

solar, wind and biomass. We will subsidise households and businesses that wish<br />

to utilise renewable energy so as to reduce pressure on the national grid.<br />

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• Liberalise the power generation regime and institute an independent regulatory<br />

authority that will ensure quality and monitor prices.<br />

• Institute an audit into the Morupule B project to establish the true extent of the<br />

problem and determine the necessary remedial measures.<br />

• Enrol the assistance of international agencies that promote the development of<br />

renewable energy.<br />

2.3 Our Social Contract on Water Resources<br />

Proper planning, development and management of water resources is critical for<br />

sustained economic development. In recognition of this, the <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Develop a comprehensive long term plan that details potential dam sites around<br />

the country and develop a timetable for constructing appropriate infrastructure to<br />

capture rainwater for domestic and commercial use.<br />

• Promote the construction of small to medium scale dams that can meet demand<br />

for agriculture and domestic use in given localities.<br />

• Undertake a comprehensive audit of underground water resources with a view to<br />

exploit it for domestic, commercial and agricultural use.<br />

• Prohibit the use of pit latrines in areas identified as potential sources of underground<br />

water.<br />

• Invest in water desalination projects for different areas with high volumes of salty<br />

water.<br />

• Promote the use of grey water by households for usage in their gardens as well as<br />

recycled water for horticulture and other relevant industries.<br />

• Explore the optimal utilization of the water resource availed by the Chobe and<br />

other rivers.<br />

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3. Establishing a Conducive<br />

Work Environment and<br />

Decent Wages<br />

3.1 Situational analysis<br />

Botswana workers are confronted by multiple challenges that include inadequate<br />

earnings; job insecurity; unsafe working environment; limited social security,<br />

ineffective dispute resolution mechanisms and limited engagement between the<br />

tripartite partners (employer, employee and government). Government has adopted<br />

an anti-trade union stance and perceives organised labour as an impediment to<br />

good governance and economic development. This has resulted in a contaminated<br />

environment among the key social partners and acrimonious exchanges have<br />

become the norm.<br />

The Labour Department is under resourced and lacks capacity to resolve routine<br />

labour disputes, which has resulted in the Industrial Court being flooded with<br />

cases that take up to 4 years to resolve. Employers have no regard for the Labour<br />

Department and employees have lost faith in the Departments’ ability to ensure<br />

justice in the workplace. Low wages have expanded the pool of people who can be<br />

termed as the working poor. Upon retirement, most workers are declared destitutes<br />

on account of limited social security offered by employers.<br />

3.2 Our Social Contract with the Workers<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> believes that Batswana have the right to decent work as captured in the<br />

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966. We are<br />

committed to pursuing economic policies that are geared at attaining full employment<br />

and according all citizens an opportunity to live a life of dignity in which hard work<br />

guarantees success.<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> is committed to creating work place justice and democracy where collective<br />

bargaining will be the chief instrument for determining working conditions and<br />

salaries. To this end, we shall:<br />

• Make the Ministry of Labour to be a stand-alone ministry and focus mainly on the<br />

implementation of labour laws, inspections in work places to ensure compliance.<br />

The ministry shall also monitor training and localization programs.<br />

• Recognise trade unions as an integral part of our economic and social development<br />

strategy and treat them as equal partners in the development process.<br />

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• Strengthen social dialogue by establishing an Independent Tripartite Council which<br />

will bring the unions, employer organisations and government together to promote<br />

harmonious industrial relations, ensure that effective bargaining is promoted and<br />

propose legislative changes required for ensuring work place justice. In addition,<br />

the Council will on an ongoing basis address issues of productivity by the<br />

workforce.<br />

• Improve Dispute Resolution mechanisms as a matter of urgency. Dispute resolution<br />

in the work place shall be removed from the Ministry of Labour. An independent<br />

body responsible for Mediation and Arbitration shall be established with powers<br />

to timeously adjudicate over disputes.<br />

• Move the Industrial Court from the Ministry of Labour and set it as a specialised<br />

court of the High Court. At appeals level, there shall be a Labour Appeal’s Court.<br />

• Actively encourage the unionization of workers, particularly private sector workers,<br />

domestic and agricultural sector workers to promote collective bargaining in the<br />

work place.<br />

• Support Family Responsibilities at the Workplace - we shall introduce full pay<br />

for mothers on maternity leave and increase maternity leave to 14 weeks in line<br />

with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maternity Protection Convention<br />

of 2000.<br />

• Introduce a living wage for workers that is aligned to the cost of living.<br />

• We will introduce compulsory pension legislation for all workers.<br />

• Introduce Legislation on Sexual Harassment – we shall initiate legislation which<br />

will provide for prevention and penalization of sexual harassment at the workplace.<br />

• Realign the Scope of Essential Services – We shall align the definition and scope<br />

of essential services to the 1994 ILO Committee of Standards position.<br />

• Facilitate ownership of shares by workers in public corporations.<br />

• Put in place a comprehensive strategy that will ensure a skilled labour force.<br />

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4. Ensuring an Educated<br />

and Skilled Batswana<br />

4.1 Situational analysis<br />

The education system is in a state of crisis. In the past five years alone, students’<br />

performance in public schools has been declining. The infrastructure in most<br />

schools is in a state of disrepair and shortage of books and teaching materials is<br />

common. A number of schools are operating without science laboratories. The<br />

class size in most schools is not conducive for effective learning.<br />

Teacher morale is low on account of poor working conditions that remain unattended<br />

after many years. These range from lack of accommodation and poor remuneration<br />

to poor opportunities for professional and self-development. Relations between the<br />

Ministry of Education and teacher organizations are acrimonious and not conducive<br />

for the development of the education sector. Graduates of tertiary institutions<br />

remain largely unemployed after graduation.<br />

4.2 Our Social Contract on Education and Life Long Learning<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> seeks to transform Botswana into a truly educated and informed nation by<br />

giving all its citizenry quality education relevant to the real world of work, informed<br />

by contemporary research and leveraging on science and technology. To ensure<br />

that these objectives are attained, the education ministries will be segmented into<br />

Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of Higher Education. The <strong>BCP</strong> shall:<br />

Emphasise Access, Retention and Completion by;<br />

• Redefining basic education to mean early childhood, primary, junior and senior<br />

secondary schools.<br />

• Providing free and compulsory basic education.<br />

• Ensuring that learners with special needs have access to educational opportunities;<br />

• Providing all schools with Information and Communication Technology<br />

infrastructure as a tool to facilitate learning.<br />

Promote Lifelong Learning: To ensure that Batswana participate actively in the<br />

global economy through continuous adaptation to changing opportunities and<br />

labour market demands, we will transform Batswana into lifelong learners by:<br />

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• Widening access to higher education and providing government sponsorship for<br />

post graduate studies.<br />

• Facilitating universities and other tertiary institutions to develop relevant and<br />

appropriate distance education programmes at both graduate and post graduate<br />

levels to reach out to the needs of learners in all parts of the country.<br />

• Maximising shared use of government institutions’ resources by Distance<br />

Education providers.<br />

Promote Education Quality.<br />

We shall establish an autonomous Educational Inspectorate that audits educational<br />

provision and monitors quality at all levels of the education system. The National<br />

Education Inspectorate will:<br />

• Be accountable to Parliament and submit an annual report on the status of<br />

educational facilities;<br />

• Produce school inspection reports that will be made public. Such reports will be<br />

discussed at district council levels.<br />

Develop and Implement a Policy of Multicultural Education. The policy aims at<br />

building a nation that respects unity in diversity and equality. Some of the steps that<br />

will be taken will include:<br />

• Introduction of mother tongue as a medium of instruction from early child education<br />

to standard 4 in communities where Setswana is not the first language;<br />

• Teach moral, civic and family life education in all public schools.<br />

Promote Teacher Professional Development. We shall set up a Staff Development<br />

Agency to ascertain opportunities for professional development and reward<br />

excellence in teaching. In furthering teacher professional development we shall:<br />

• Set first degree as the minimum qualification for all teachers;<br />

• Upgrade Colleges of Education to offer degree programs;<br />

• Ensure subject specialisation in the training of teachers for middle primary to<br />

senior secondary education level;<br />

Restore Teachers’ Self-Esteem and Dignity. We recognize the centrality of<br />

teachers in human resource development. We are committed to radically improve<br />

their working conditions and reward system. The <strong>BCP</strong> shall:<br />

• Remunerate teachers fairly taking into consideration levels of responsibilities and<br />

extra –curriculum activities.<br />

• Provide all teachers with adequate accommodation;<br />

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• Establish a Teaching Council to professionalize teaching.<br />

Transform School Curriculum for Relevance and to Highlight Vocational Skills<br />

Acquisition. This will be achieved by:<br />

• Introducing curriculum at secondary school level that underscores vocational<br />

skills acquisition aimed at ensuring viability of self-employment as a means of job<br />

creation;<br />

• Periodically review the curriculum to align it with the demands of the job market.<br />

Strengthen Collaborative Partnerships in Educational Development by:<br />

• Fostering participation of students, teachers, parents, community and industry in<br />

directing education through committee involvement and resource support.<br />

• Introducing boards and councils to oversee technical and higher education<br />

institutions.<br />

• Encouraging leadership development in schools by supporting Student<br />

Representative Councils which shall be protected through legislation.<br />

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5. Delivering Equitable Land<br />

Distribution and Providing<br />

Decent Housing<br />

5.1 Situational analysis<br />

Land is a critical and finite resource requiring prudent management for present and<br />

future developmental challenges. The key challenges in Botswana are that though<br />

we are blessed with a huge mass of land relative to our small population, many<br />

Batswana are unable to secure land for residence, business or farming activities.<br />

Waiting periods for land allocation can be as long as 20 years. Huge tracks of land<br />

belonging to absentee landlords remain undeveloped while state land allocation is<br />

shrouded in secrecy. The different land tenure systems allow for unequal treatment<br />

for those who hold land depending on its categorization. In some parts of the country<br />

residential plots are allocated in areas without services such as roads and water but<br />

are required to be developed within short periods. Allocation criterion is inconsistent<br />

across the different land boards.<br />

On account of the poorly managed land allocation system, most people find it difficult<br />

to develop property. The artificial shortage of land has led to high property prices<br />

and a thriving black market for land. The Botswana Housing Corporation houses are<br />

unaffordable for the average working Motswana and it is not able to cater for the<br />

total demand in the housing market. There is also a huge pool of people who do not<br />

afford BHC low cost units but are also considered to be above the income threshold<br />

for the Self Help Housing Agency.<br />

5.2 Our Social Contract on Land Distribution and Management<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> maintains that a just, equitable, transparent and accountable institutional<br />

structure for land administration is an essential prerequisite to establishing a just<br />

society.<br />

In order to attain the objective stated above, the <strong>BCP</strong> government shall;<br />

• Undertake a comprehensive land audit to appreciate the current land ownership<br />

scenario.<br />

• Impose a development covenant on undeveloped free hold land.<br />

• Phase out the Certificate of Right and the Land Grant Certificate issued for tribal<br />

land plots and replace them with title deeds to allow those allocated to enjoy full<br />

economic value of the land.<br />

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• Prohibit the allocation of land without services.<br />

• Impose a tax on allocated freehold land that remains undeveloped beyond the<br />

development covenant.<br />

• Undertake accelerated land servicing and reduce the waiting period for land<br />

applications to 12 months by 2019.<br />

5.3 Our Social Contract on Decent Housing<br />

In accordance with Article 25 of the United Nations Declaration on Human rights, the<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> regards decent housing as a basic human right which every citizen of Botswana<br />

should be accorded. We recognize the urgent need for scaling up innovative and<br />

affordable housing initiatives through supportive policy framework. In this regard,<br />

the <strong>BCP</strong> envisages a stronger role for government in housing delivery particularly for<br />

the low income groups and the poor. For the middle and high income groups, priority<br />

will be to avail them with serviced land.<br />

In order to attain decent housing, the <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Ensure a fast and efficient acquisition, servicing and allocation of land for housing<br />

to reduce the waiting periods.<br />

• Transform BHC to focus on building affordable houses and its mandate will shift<br />

from treating provision of housing as a profit driven commercial undertaking to a<br />

basic need for the citizens.<br />

• Introduce flexible packages for BHC tenants to buy the houses they rent.<br />

• Offer tax incentives to private companies that promote home ownership for their<br />

staff.<br />

• Abolish Value Added Tax on home purchases by first time home owners.<br />

• Engage private property developers to construct multi residential units for sale at<br />

pre-determined prices.<br />

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6 Promoting a<br />

Healthy Nation<br />

6.1 Situational analysis<br />

The current health system in Botswana is tilted more towards curative. The<br />

curative model has proven to be expensive with less improvement in the national<br />

health status. Despite our high expenditure, we still see emergence of childhood<br />

preventable diseases like diarrhoea, malnutrition and high under five years mortality<br />

rate. Our maternal mortality rate is not improving; resistant TB is on the increase.<br />

HIV infections and STI remain high. The load of preventable life style diseases like<br />

sugar diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure is on the increase. This can be<br />

reduced by robust primary and community based interventions which focus on<br />

prevention, early detection and treatment.<br />

6.2 Our Social Contract on Health<br />

A healthy nation is a pre-condition for development. There can be no meaningful<br />

development when the country’s health sector is in a state of crisis.<br />

In order to promote universal access to quality services we shall:<br />

• Promote the full implementation of Primary Health Care that focuses on prevention<br />

– we shall revert to the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 to ensure a health delivery<br />

system anchored on equity, accessibility, affordability and community involvement.<br />

• Review the Public Health Act – the Public Health Act will be reviewed to remove<br />

objectionable provisions in as far as HIV and Human Rights are concerned.<br />

• Strengthen the public health system - We shall be unrelenting in our pursuit<br />

for high standards and quality service. In particular, we pledge to preserve the<br />

integrity of the public health system so that access to services is not the domain<br />

of those who can afford to pay for it. We are committed to public health services<br />

that are free at the point of delivery.<br />

• Support health workers as key players for success in the health system. To this end<br />

we shall provide high quality training for health workers , reform the pay system for<br />

health workers to provide better and fairer rewards for all staff including ancillary<br />

staff and increase health workers in all health facilities to minimize staff-burnout.<br />

• Strengthen Partnerships in Health – we shall develop a machinery of collaboration<br />

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with other critical players like the private health practitioners, traditional and<br />

spiritual healers.<br />

• Promote the patient’s voice - we are committed to giving patients and the public<br />

more say in the running of health services. This will entail putting patients first and<br />

building a health service around their needs. In addition, family members, carers<br />

and the community will be involved in ways to improve services.<br />

• Promote Youth Friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health Services – we will<br />

drastically reduce unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections<br />

including HIV among youth through the provision of services in a youth friendly<br />

manner.<br />

• Strengthen Health Referral System – to promote a continuum of care, we will<br />

strengthen referral systems both in the country and within neighbouring countries.<br />

• Establish Geriatric Health Care Services- considering the increasing pool of the<br />

aged in our demographics with their attendant health challenges, we will provide<br />

special services, facilities and medication for them.<br />

• Integrate HIV and AIDS fully in health programes – we will provide for full integration<br />

of HIV and AIDS services with other health programes to promote efficiency in<br />

service delivery and to de-stigmatise the disease.<br />

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7. Ensuring Good<br />

Governance<br />

7.1 Situational analysis<br />

Botswana’s democracy is underdeveloped. The constitution has not been reviewed<br />

since independence and has not entrenched economic, social and cultural rights.<br />

Parliament lacks independence and is virtually under the office of the President. The<br />

appointment of key personnel to institutions of democracy and the judiciary remains<br />

shrouded in absolute secrecy and is primarily decided by the executive.<br />

The election process is presided over by the government of the day and the<br />

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is not truly independent. The security<br />

sector, especially the Directorate of Intelligence Services and Security (DISS),<br />

is personalised and serves the interests of the presidency with no oversight or<br />

accountability. Fundamental laws required to ensure good governance such as<br />

Freedom of Information, Disclosure of Assets and Liabilities, Protection of Whistle<br />

Blowers, Conflict of Interest and Insider Trading are not in place. The absence of<br />

these laws has made it difficult to convict ministers and other officials suspected of<br />

corruption.<br />

7.2 Our Social Contract on Governance<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> believes in an ethical, accountable and transparent government that<br />

promotes participatory democracy and collective decision making. In this regard,<br />

we shall do the following;<br />

Reclaiming our Civil Liberties<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> Shall:<br />

• Set up a Constitutional Review Commission headed by a judge to look into possible<br />

amendments of the constitution including the bill of rights to include soio-econmic<br />

and cultural rights, the right to a clean environment, reduction of powers of the<br />

President and qualifying the immunities given to a sitting President.<br />

• Guarantee press freedom in the constitution and forbidding Parliament from<br />

passing any law that restricts press freedom.<br />

• Transform state broadcasters such as Radio Botswana and Botswana Television<br />

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into public broadcasters with independent boards free from political control.<br />

• Establish community based media platforms such as radio stations and newspaper<br />

to promote our cultural diversity.<br />

Strengthening Institutions of Democracy<br />

To promote Parliamentary Democracy, the <strong>BCP</strong> shall:<br />

• Establish an Independent Parliamentary Service Commission that will oversee the<br />

operations of Parliament.<br />

• Confirm the position of Speaker as head of the legislature and Leader of the<br />

House.<br />

• Introduce the position of Leader of Government Business in the House to<br />

coordinate relations between the executive and legislature.<br />

• Promote access to parliamentary debates through live broadcasts of debates<br />

• Introduce legislation to ensure that resolutions of Parliament are binding on the<br />

Executive for implementation.<br />

• Entrench the position of Leader of Opposition in the constitution and make it<br />

accountable to the Speaker.<br />

To promote the Independence of the Judiciary, the <strong>BCP</strong> shall<br />

• Ensure that the Botswana judiciary fully complies with the International Bar<br />

Association minimum standards of Judicial Independence.<br />

• Improve the conditions of service for the judiciary so that we attract and retain the<br />

best judicial officers.<br />

• Ensure that all judicial officers (judges and magistrates) enjoy personal and<br />

substantive independence. To this end, conditions of service for all judicial<br />

officers will be secured to guard against control by the executive. In the conduct<br />

of their duties, judicial officers will be subject only to the law and their conscience.<br />

• Review the composition of the Judicial Service Commission to increase the<br />

number of members not appointed by the President. Representatives from the<br />

judges and magistrates association, civil society and academia will be included in<br />

the Judicial Service Commission.<br />

• Allow for transparency in the appointment process of the judges and introduce<br />

public hearings by a Parliamentary Select Committee.<br />

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• Broaden the scope of legal aid to cover more deserving cases<br />

• Ensure one centre for power of the judiciary – The Chief Justice shall be the head<br />

of the Judiciary and also the President of Court of Appeal.<br />

Reforming Electoral Law System<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> shall:<br />

• Introduce a hybrid of first past the post and proportional representation system;<br />

• Introduce direct election of the President.<br />

• Increase the autonomy of the IEC by removing the civil servants as returning<br />

officers.<br />

• Empower the Commissioners of the IEC to independently appoint the Secretary of<br />

the Commission.<br />

• Empower the IEC to issue writ of elections for both parliamentary and local<br />

government by-elections.<br />

• State the date of general elections in the Constitution.<br />

• Introduce party funding by the State in recognition of the indispensable role played<br />

by political parties in our democracy.<br />

• Regulate amount of financial donations per party from private donors.<br />

• Develop a system of declaration of donations by parties; and<br />

• Demand audited financial reports from political parties on annual basis as prerequisite<br />

for continued state funding of each party.<br />

Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Public Institutions<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> shall:<br />

• Ensure that the Ombudsman and Auditor General are directly accountable to<br />

Parliament.<br />

• Ensure that oversight institutions are made more accessible to the public and are<br />

capacitated to undertake their duties effectively.<br />

• Ensure an open and transparent recruitment process for the Ombudsman by<br />

providing for vetting of candidates by a Parliamentary Select Committee.<br />

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Eliminating Corruption<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> aims to pursue zero tolerance for corruption. In this regard we shall:<br />

• Undertake a comprehensive review of all relevant legislation dealing with and/or<br />

linked to corruption, including – but not limited to – the Penal Code, the Criminal<br />

Procedure and Evidence Act, the Finance and Audit Act, the Public Service Act,<br />

the Police Act, The Ombudsman Act, the Corruption and Economic Crime Act<br />

and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.<br />

• Enact, as a matter of urgency, the Freedom of Information Act, Disclosure of<br />

Assets and Liabilities, Conflict of Interest and Insider Trading;<br />

• Make the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime truly independent by<br />

reporting directly to Parliament;<br />

• Establish a special parliamentary committee on anti – corruption to monitor the<br />

work of the Directorate;<br />

• Expand the Directorate and provide it with the necessary professional mix that<br />

can meet the demands of its job;<br />

• Introduce a system of Declaration of Assets and Liabilities by senior civil servants,<br />

Chief Executives of parastatal organizations, judicial officers and Members of<br />

Parliament.<br />

• Introduce a law to prohibit political and public officers from participating in decision<br />

making processes where their interests or those of their immediate relatives are<br />

involved (conflict of interest).<br />

Combatting Crime and ensuring safety for all<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Ensure that the Police Service does not become the old Police Force by excluding<br />

soldiers from policing duties.<br />

• Increase the budget for the Police Service in order to increase its capacity to meet<br />

the challenges of law enforcement.<br />

• Increase the budget of the Prison Service to improve the welfare of offices and<br />

review the salary structure to align it with that of the Police Service.<br />

• Improve the working conditions of all the security forces to retain qualified and<br />

quality staff and avoid a corrupt force.<br />

• Allow for collective bargaining on conditions of service for the security sector.<br />

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• Develop schemes to divert juvenile offenders from crime and provide them with<br />

more rehabilitative environment away from hard core and regular offenders.<br />

• Reduce overcrowding in Prisons by encouraging community sentencing and other<br />

alternatives to prison.<br />

• Wage war on drug trafficking by strengthening the capacity of the Police and<br />

Customs and Excise to prevent drugs from coming into Botswana.<br />

Enhancing Decentralisation to Promote Universal Access to Services<br />

The <strong>BCP</strong> believes that effective development must be anchored on a decentralized<br />

system to allow for the voices of the people to inform planning and service delivery.<br />

To this end, the <strong>BCP</strong> government shall:<br />

• Entrenching local government as a second tier of government in the constitution.<br />

• Empowering local authorities to expand their revenue generating opportunities<br />

and reduce their reliance on central government for financial support. Councils<br />

will be empowered to decide on their recurrent and developmental budgets.<br />

• Carry out an extensive review for all government departments to identify services<br />

that will be more efficiently delivered by local authorities in line with our policy of<br />

decentralization.<br />

• Introduce a policy of executive chairpersons or mayors with powers to run their<br />

districts/towns.<br />

• Creating efficient local government authorities by re-demarcating some of the<br />

existing sub-districts into fully fledged districts.<br />

• Enhancing efficiency of local government by strengthening their capacity to attract<br />

and retain appropriately skilled personnel.<br />

• Expand the mandate of local authorities to cover the provision of primary health<br />

care while the Ministry of Health focuses on policy formulation.<br />

• Position local authorities to promote procurement of goods and services from<br />

businesses within their locality with a strong bias towards citizen owned companies<br />

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8. Promoting Gender<br />

Equality<br />

8.1 Situational analysis<br />

Women in Botswana form 52% of the population, with women headed households<br />

equalling those of male headed households. Despite this dominance in numbers,<br />

women remain the most marginalized in society. The patriarchal nature of Botswana’s<br />

society, like in all known societies, has institutionalized the subordination of women,<br />

with the result that women have faced historical and current marginalization<br />

compared to men. Efforts to empower women have not yielded much success<br />

mainly because development processes have continued to espouse the patriarchal<br />

values and norms, which define women primarily as mothers and wives. This has<br />

to a large extent prevented society from seeing women as legitimate actors in the<br />

political, economic and social arenas of society. As a result society has not been able<br />

to provide the bridges and leverages that the majority of women need to transition to<br />

a level where they can participate as equal partners in development.<br />

Inevitably therefore women face many challenges in life. These include limited<br />

access to higher education particularly in the areas of science and technology, high<br />

unemployment, high levels of vulnerability to diseases and limited access to social,<br />

political, economic and cultural resources. Other areas of concern are the low level<br />

of participation in business and political leadership. They also face endemic levels<br />

of violence.<br />

8.2 Our Social Contract on Gender Development<br />

<strong>BCP</strong> is committed to attaining equality between women and men in public and<br />

private life. To this end the <strong>BCP</strong> government shall:<br />

• Establish the Ministry of Home Affairs, Gender Development and Culture to<br />

coordinate the mainstreaming of gender in all government ministries.<br />

• Promote public awareness on issues of gender development.<br />

• Introduce curriculum geared at promoting gender equality from an early age.<br />

• Incorporate gender issues and analysis in all policy making and programe<br />

development in all sectors of the economy.<br />

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• Adopt, domesticate and ensure compliance with the SADC Gender Protocol, the<br />

Conventions on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women<br />

(CEDAW) and other conventions that seek to end discrimination and violence<br />

against women.<br />

• Strengthen legal instruments to protect women. These will include among others,<br />

strengthening legal obligations of paternity and equality of access to property and<br />

inheritance.<br />

• Facilitate economic justice for women: To this end, the party will mainstream<br />

gender issues in economic structures and policies. There will also be specific<br />

policies to ensure increased access for women to employment, credit facilities<br />

and appropriate training. Special attention will be given to the informal sector in<br />

rural and urban areas where women are over-represented.<br />

• Tax incentives will be provided to companies and groups that support women’s<br />

economic projects.<br />

• Strengthen Health Services for Women - emphasis here will be on improvement<br />

and strengthening of diagnostic and clinical technology and services to address<br />

women specific illnesses such as breast and cervical cancers.<br />

• Make Education and Training more Accessible to Women - the curriculum and<br />

other school programmes and activities will address subject choices by girls to<br />

ensure girls entry into the science and technology streams in larger numbers.<br />

• Promote the Participation of Women in Politics - the <strong>BCP</strong> shall introduce civic and<br />

leadership training programes to empower women. Furthermore affirmative action<br />

will be used as an instrument to ensure a fair representation of women at both<br />

local and national levels.<br />

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9. Sports Development and<br />

Youth Empowerment<br />

9.1 Situational analysis<br />

Youth in Botswana are facing the following challenges of unemployment and<br />

underemployment, poverty, wealth and income inequality, unfriendly reproductive<br />

health system, a collapsing and irrelevant education system, lack of access to land<br />

and housing and economic opportunities as well as lack of representation in key<br />

decision making bodies.<br />

9.2 Our social contract<br />

To develop, nurture, and empower the youth to enable them to reach their full<br />

potential and meaningfully contribute to the development of the country, the <strong>BCP</strong><br />

shall;<br />

• Create consistency of laws, regulations, standards and practices in respect of age<br />

of majority for the youth.<br />

• Entrench Affirmative Action in the Youth Policy to encourage youth representation<br />

in decision making.<br />

• Set up a Youth Entrepreneurial Development Agency to assist youth with funding,<br />

training and development and capacity building for business.<br />

• Introduce Employment Tax Incentive for companies that employ unemployed<br />

youth under the age of 36 to promote youth employment, training and skills<br />

development.<br />

• Ratify and domesticate into legislation and implement all youth related conventions,<br />

charters and treaties to align youth laws with international best practices.<br />

• To provide access to youth friendly reproductive health services and establish<br />

substance abuse rehabilitation centres.<br />

• Set up skills development centres around the country to train and equip unskilled<br />

and unemployed youth.<br />

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9.3 Sports, Recreation and Arts Development<br />

Situational Analysis<br />

Sports, recreation, arts and entertainment are not adequately developed and remain<br />

under resourced. Consequently, below par achievements are common occurrences<br />

in all sporting codes. There is no professionalization of sporting activities.<br />

Our social contract<br />

To develop, professionalise and support sports, recreation, arts and entertainment,<br />

the <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Develop sports through public and private sports academies and introduce a<br />

competitive schools league in all sporting codes to identify and nurture talent at<br />

an early stage.<br />

• Professionalise Sports through grants to premier sport divisions and attract<br />

investment and sponsorship through enactment of corporate social responsibility<br />

law.<br />

• Build sporting and recreational Infrastructure to create a conducive environment<br />

for competitive sports and recreational activities.<br />

• Unearth, develop, nurture and promote youth talent in visual arts, performing arts,<br />

and art performance through schools, theaters, youth centers.<br />

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10. Foreign Affairs and<br />

International Trade<br />

10.1 Situational analysis<br />

Botswana’s foreign policy lacks clarity and vision. The country’s influence in the<br />

global community of nations is minimal, due mainly to five factors;<br />

• Low profile and priority accorded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the<br />

current government.<br />

• The appointment to foreign missions of persons who neither have the interest nor<br />

the competence in diplomatic relations.<br />

• The indifference of the current Head of State towards participating in regional,<br />

continental and global forums such as SADC, AU and UN.<br />

• Pursuing an isolationist stance on matters of international relations.<br />

• Adequate resources to facilitate the work of foreign missions.<br />

International trade is characterised by uncoordinated international campaigns for<br />

foreign investors that are not informed by the prevailing economic conditions in<br />

Botswana. There is no clearly defined strategy with targets to attract the kind of<br />

investor that is aligned with our developmental needs. No attempts are made to<br />

assist the Botswana business community to expand beyond our borders.<br />

10.2 Our Social Contract on Foreign Affairs and International Trade<br />

We will position Botswana to become a responsible citizen of the world, cooperating<br />

with international partners, actively participating in regional and international<br />

organizations and promoting our trade interests in our dealings with the rest of the<br />

world. The <strong>BCP</strong> shall;<br />

• Constitute a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with a view to<br />

place trade at the core of our diplomatic relations. The appointment of officers<br />

to our foreign missions shall be influenced by their ability to attract investors to<br />

Botswana.<br />

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade will also be responsible<br />

for promoting Botswana businesses in international markets. Given the small<br />

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size of the Botswana market, it will be a key priority for the Government to assist<br />

Botswana companies to expand their operations beyond Botswana.<br />

• Reposition Botswana Development Corporation as government’s investment<br />

arm, together with other government owned companies, to pursue investment<br />

opportunities in foreign countries, particularly emerging economies. Such outward<br />

investment missions will primarily be pursued through joint ventures between<br />

Batswana entrepreneurs and the government owned companies.<br />

• Staff all foreign missions with well trained and skilled investment promotion<br />

experts with a good appreciation of both the Botswana business sector and the<br />

global economy.<br />

• Actively participate in regional, continental and international organizations to<br />

advance good governance at a global level.<br />

• Promote the engagement of Batswana professionals in international organizations.<br />

• Subject all international treaties, conventions and protocols to ratification by<br />

Parliament.<br />

• Participate in the Peer Review Mechanism under NEPAD to continuously modernise<br />

our democracy and assist other African countries to learn from our experiences.<br />

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<strong>BCP</strong> Shadow<br />

Motsei Rapelana<br />

Presidential, Constitutional<br />

Affairs and Public<br />

Administration<br />

Gaborone North<br />

Akanyang Magama<br />

Minerals, Energy and Water<br />

Resources<br />

Gaborone South<br />

Taolo Lucas<br />

Agriculture and Rural<br />

Development<br />

Bobirwa<br />

Dumelang Saleshando<br />

President<br />

Gaborone Central<br />

Aron Bagalatia<br />

Basic Education<br />

Okavango<br />

Phillip Bulawa<br />

Higher Education<br />

Tati West<br />

Habaudi Hubona<br />

Health<br />

Francistown West<br />

ASSISTANT MINISTERS<br />

Kesitegile Gobotswang<br />

Vice-President<br />

Sefhare-Ramokgonami<br />

Morgan Moseki<br />

Presidential, Constitutional<br />

Affairs and Public<br />

Administration<br />

Tiny Kojane<br />

Environment, Wildlife and<br />

Tourism<br />

David Tshere<br />

Health<br />

Francistown East<br />

Mmathete-Molapowabojang<br />

Mahalapye West


Cabinet<br />

Batisani Maswibilili<br />

Economic Development<br />

and Finance<br />

Specially Elected Nominee<br />

Kgoberego Nkawana<br />

Environment, Wildlife and<br />

Tourism<br />

Selibe-Phikwe East<br />

Anna Motlhagodi<br />

Business Development and<br />

Citizen Empowerment<br />

Gaborone Bonnington North<br />

James Masisi<br />

Foreign Affairs and<br />

International Trade<br />

Specially Elected Nominee<br />

Dithapelo Keorapetse<br />

Youth and Sports<br />

Selibe Phikwe West<br />

Goretetse Kekgonegile<br />

Labour<br />

Maun East<br />

Kentse Rammidi<br />

Local Government<br />

Kanye North<br />

Elsie Alexander<br />

Home Affairs, Gender<br />

Development and Culture<br />

Specially Elected Nominee<br />

Isaac Mabiletse<br />

Lands and Housing<br />

Mochudi East<br />

James Olesitse<br />

Infrastructure,<br />

Communication and<br />

Technology<br />

Palapye<br />

Alfred Pilane<br />

Agriculture and Rural<br />

Development<br />

Nthusang M. Dibe<br />

Business Development and<br />

Citizen Empowerment<br />

Brains Kwadipane<br />

Youth and Sports<br />

Lebohang Letsie<br />

Local Government<br />

Richard White<br />

Lands and Housing<br />

Mochudi West<br />

Gabane-Mankgodi<br />

Ghanzi South<br />

Specially Elected Nominee<br />

Kgalagadi South


P O Box 2918, Gaborone<br />

Plot 364, Independence Avenue, Gaborone<br />

Tel: +267 3181805<br />

Follow the Growing <strong>BCP</strong><br />

@bwkgololo<br />

congresspartybw@gmail.com<br />

www.bcp.org.bw<br />

sms the word DONATE to 16506<br />

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