BoB allays fears of looming liquidity crunch

• For the first time in 20 months the banking system was recently short, a development analysts feared marked the return of the 2014 liquidity crunch that forced the central bank to intervene and release P2.3 billion into the system to boost liquidity.

Director of  financial markets at the central bank, Matthew Wright told BusinessWeek that the reduced liquidity, which was first noticed at the end of November last year, was a temporary occurrence at this time of the year as foreign companies repatriate profits while government does not sell any diamonds in December.

“Over the festive season and into early January we noticed some signs of tight liquidity but we believe it’s mostly due to seasonal factors. There were net foreign exchange outflows as companies repatriated dividends whilst the inflows are constrained due to low diamond sales in December and January. There was also limited government spending over that period with the construction industry on shut down. We see the liquidity situation stabilising very soon,” he said.

Liquidity in the banking system reduced to about P7 billion in early February from the P10-P12 billion the market was accustomed to.

“If you consider that Bank of Botswana Certificates (BoBCs) holdings by banks are around P7 billion, it means the excess liquidity would also have shrunk as BoBCs would be security pledges with the central bank and part of Liquid asset Requirement (LAR) holdings,” said a market analyst who declined to be named.

 Although delayed government payments as well as repatriation of dividends have been blamed for the tight liquidity, there is also suspicion that some investors are taking out their funds from Botswana due to the low interest rates currently prevailing.

Thanks to a benign inflation, interest rates are currently at record low levels here resulting in a significant interest rates differential between Botswana and South Africa. However, Wright dismissed the possibility of capital flight saying their study of the profiles of foreign exchange purchasers does not suggest any risk of capital flight as the bulk of buyers are just importers of goods and services.

Following the last rate cut by the BoB in August last year, some banks have been dropping their

deposit rates to very low levels, which could have forced depositors to take their funds elsewhere.

“There is some level of tightness although it hasn’t reached the levels of two years ago. Banks have been dropping their rates to very low levels since the last rate cut by the central bank. Most banks were paying close to zero percent on call accounts and a maximum 2.5% on three-months deposits,” said another banking executive, who declined to be named for professional reasons.  According to Econsult, the declining returns on the Botswana Stock Exchange where the market fell 11% in 2016, coupled with perceptions of a deteriorating business environment and economic growth prospects, may also be driving capital outflows.  “There are also indications that government is delaying or deferring payment due to firms for the procurement of goods and services. This means less money deposited in the banking system, and greater use of loans and overdrafts, which further reduces liquidity. While there are no major liquidity related concerns in the banking system yet, it will be necessary to monitor developments closely,” reads a report from Econsult.

The tightening of liquidity also comes at a time when credit growth has decreased despite an accommodative monetary policy stance.

According to the central bank, annual growth in commercial bank credit decreased from 7.1% in December 2015 to 6.2% in December 2016, against a background of subdued economic activity and restrained growth in personal incomes.

The slowdown in annual credit expansion was mostly associated with the decrease in growth in lending to households from 12.8% in December 2015 to 7.6% in December 2016, largely reflecting the effect of restrained growth in personal incomes.

“The lower rate of increase in lending to households was mostly due to a slowdown in the yearly rate of expansion in unsecured loans to this sector from 15.5% to 8.3% in the same period,” said governor, Moses Pelaelo.

On the other hand, the annual growth in mortgage lending to households also slowed from 7.2% to 6.3% in the same period.

For businesses, year-on-year growth in lending accelerated from a contraction of 0.3% in December 2015 to growth of 4.2% in December 2016.

Oversupply OF Office Space

“There is already evidence of declining base rentals and hardening investment yields due to an oversupply of office space and shopping centres around the city,” the statement added.

Turnstar Holdings which also has business interest in Tanzania said its core business is to invest in real estate property and generate rental income.

The company also said it will also embark imminent expansion projects especially Game City in Botswana and Mlimani City properties in Tanzania.

“Game City will be expanded to include additional retail space including a fashion avenue, restaurant area including a food court, entertainment area and a parkade. Mlimani City will be expanded to include additional retail and commercial space including basement parking, additions to the Conference Centre and a Botanical Garden,” said the company’s report.

BNF is not bullying us- BMD

“We are in a very good marriage with BNF and the BPP, and just like a marriage between religious couples,there can be differences at times, but we will continue to dialogue with our partners,” he said.UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said they never received any reports of bullying from BMD members. He said he just heard allegations and stated that nobody could be campaigning as primary elections are yet to be held.He said even if people can campaign in constituencies meant for other Umbrella partners, at the end of the day all their votes will go to the UDC.Media reports had indicated that BMD members at the congress com-plained that some BNF hopefuls are campaigning in constituencies reserved for the BMD.

Botswana Anglicans are hospice service trailblazers

Botswana Anglicans are hospice service trailblazers
“We are the first hospice to operate in Botswana,” explained Ncube. “We have been a leader in the provision of palliative care throughout the years and have been able to rehabilitate our clients, most of whom have been able to go back to their families and live normal lives.”

Music compiler explains issues of artists, songs and politics

Mmegi Online
"We don't necessarily accept music that appeals to the masses, but sounding music maters most," said Drew. The other thing is the criteria of the music brought; whether it falls within that target audience.
For instance they are an urban youthful broadcaster so they play mostly music that appeals to the younag lads.But Drew says they don't discriminate the music that comes to their station; whether it has elements of politics or not. His comes after recently Hip Hop artist Tshepiso 'Kast' Molapisi cried foul that one programmes manager from a certain radio station refused to play his controversial 'O na le mo-BDP' because it was termed 'political'. However, Kast explained the song as simply meaning 'Boogie Down People'.

Tsodilo Hills, the jewel of Botswana's cultural heritage

LIFE - Globaltimes.cn
The white rock art of botswana's first people

Botswana Diamond Center Construction Complete

Diamond Technology Park (DTP) chief executive officer Rutang Moses told Mmegi earlier in the week that an occupational certificate for the building had been issued on August 1, marking a milestone in Botswana's journey to become a centre of global diamond trade.

COSBOTS, irate artists on a collision course?

The COSBOTS constitution states that members of the board shall hold their respective offices concurrently for three years. COSBOTS board, which is chaired by Solomon Monyame, was appointed on May 22, 2008 for a three-year term. The term expired in 2011 and yet up to today there has never been any known meeting called to re-appoint or re-elect any of the sitting board members. This has incensed some artists, musicians and unsuccessful bidders.

Furthermore, investigations have uncovered the fact that according to the COSBOTS constitution, of the eight directors, one should be a representative of the government department concerned. Contrary to this proviso, at COSBOTS three board members are government employees. Government officers who sit on the board possess no voting powers, according to the constitution, so of the five members who sat on the board that issued the Monitoring Services Tender, Lilian Tlhanke had no voting powers. Which leaves only four members to cast votes to award the winning company the tender. However, the constitution underlines that "no business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of five (5) directors are present".   Interviewed artists, who preferred anonymity, expressed their ire and disappointment at the society, saying that they have never been called to any meeting ever since they registered with the society last year. They wondered if COSBOTS is there to articulate their interests or to cater for some individuals with a vested interest.

The interviewees emphasised that they have never given COSBOTS any mandate to issue the Monitoring Services Tender and engage in other business for them. The complainants, most of whom are members of the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU), stated that to their knowledge the union as such has never been involved in any of the discussions pertaining to the tender. "We feel betrayed by the same people who are supposed to be serving us," one said.

Botswana and SA sign energy memorandum

Fin24: The state visit is expected to focus on key areas such as trade and investment, energy, transport, science and technology, environment and security issues," presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"It will also emphasise the need to invest in infrastructure development, especially for the two countries to work together on large-scale projects such as cross-border infrastructure, industrial and energy developments."

Maharaj said strong economic ties already existed between the two countries and that South Africa remained Botswana's major trading partner.

Botswana land up for auction

The Monitor :: The new policy says where land is available on public tender, consideration will be made for the reservation of a quota for people living with disabilities. It also says there will be special dispensation in considering applications for land for people with disabilities.The new policy acknowledges that people aged under 21 find it difficult to access land because of the age requirement in land acquisition; the policy says special arrangements will be made to enable allocation of land to youth.On the Remote Area Dwellers, the policy realises that some Batswana communities have, from time immemorial, believed in communal use or collective use and ownership of land.Overtime, this has proven to be unsustainable due to economic changes. The absence of exclusive rights to land for these communities does not improve their economic well being and does not accord them secure land rights. The policy says where appropriate, formal settlements will be established for these groups and titles granted to those allocated land.

Women's TT forum underway

"I urge women to come and take part in this forum and umpiring course because it does not benefit them only. It is also beneficial to the table tennis mother body," Motswagole said. Debswana sponsors the event.  Meanwhile, the association is still hopeful that other sponsors will come on board this week.

Botswana wildlife park hit hard by drought

Drought impacts have forced an wildlife park in Botswana to put out a begging bowl under the banner "Help Save the Animals" to save animals in the game sanctuary park.

The Mokolodi Nature Reserve, 10 km south of the capital city Gaborone, is hit hard by the long drought.

"At present there is very little vegetation for the many browsers and grazers, and those of us who live on the reserve now have desperate animals particularly the Kudu calling at our backdoor for food," said Peter Neumann, the project coordinator of the park.

"Some of the animals are in such bad condition that they are unable to continue living in such harsh conditions. These animals cannot be expected to survive if nothing is done to alleviate their plight," he added.

According to Neumann, proceeds from the campaign will buy lucerne costing 100 pula (about 13 U.S. dollars) per bale to save the wildlife until the rains arrive and set in.

Botswana sends expatriates packing

Through its secretary, Tumo Moaneng, the Association Business Council of Botswana (ABCB) has said that they are in the dark over the criteria government is using to issue work and resident permits. "We are in the dark. We don't know the criteria used to allow foreigners to be permitted to work or invest in this country," Moaneng told Mmegi this week. The government has tightened the process of issuing work and residence permits after the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs introduced a Point Based System (PBS) earlier this year. The ministry says the PBS is a flexible, comprehensive and objective way of assessing the suitability of an immigrant to be employed or to invest in a country. It works by awarding points for the attributes considered desirable in immigrants who want to live and invest or work in a country. But ABCB is up in arms after the PBS resulted in a high rate of rejection of applications. Moaneng has said that a foreigner has to score more than 75% in order to be given a permit. Recently, she claimed that five of her clients were denied permits because the ministry said they scored below the cut off point. Some of her clients were told they did not meet the clearance criteria. "Even those who have been here for decades are being rejected when they apply for renewal. This is likely to turn away investors from Botswana," she lamented.

Mali recalls Momo Sissoko

Mali coach Patrice Carteron on Monday published his list of players to face Botswana in the final qualifying round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, including former Liverpool defensive midfielder Momo Sissoko, to the surprise of many pundits in Bamako.

Bishop of Botswana set for vicar role at Barking church

“Little did we know we would both become bishops: me in England, Trevor in Botswana. Now we will be working together in Essex and East London. Barking is getting a man of rare wisdom, good humour and experience. He will light up the church in Barking.”

Is internship a source of cheap labour?

Currently, 2,855 interns have been enrolled and attached to different government departments and in the private sector, while 1,234 are recorded to have completed and exited the 24-month programme. During the last parliamentary sitting Francistown South Member of Parliament (MP) Wynter Mmolotsi had asked whether government's mandate to reduce its employees through the early exit scheme would not affect those currently on internship in government departments.

"Won't the government's move to reduce its employees by five percent affect interns, and is government ready to absorb student interns, when it has been said that there is no employment and government departments are over staffed," Mmolotsi asked the minister.

Batshu dismissed the query, saying the reduction would not affect interns, adding that they were trying to engage the private sector to increase its intake of interns. The minister said the programme did not re-admit those who had exited it since there was a pending list of 5,094 applicants waiting to be admitted.

Systems' coach stays put despite uncertainity

Kaeleo said that the team owner, Gabriel Nkgetse has made it clear that he does not want people to leave the team, although he would not bind anyone. "Security Systems will continue to exist and play football, whether they are in the constituency league or the Sunday social games. But I have to be honest, my passion for competitive football has waned after what happened to us and maybe it will be good if I get involved just for fun instead of ambition," the clearly dejected Kaleo said.

Kaleo has also denied reports that the club was negotiating with First Division South side Young Strikers to purchase its franchise."Those are just rumours and who ever said this was not speaking on behalf of the team (Systems).

Tsolamosese residents rail at sub-land board

The angry residents said that even though they have lived in the area for years, they are puzzled that even after a presidential amnesty, the land officials keep on disappointing them. "Even though we do not like being called squatters, we have accepted the presidential amnesty and have agreed to pay the charges. We do not know why Mogoditshane Sub-Land Board neglects us.

We know our charges but whenever we want to pay our fines, we are told that we cannot pay because our names cannot be found in their computers," said Philimon Dipholo. The residents said the officials favour those with deep pockets and generally they mistreat customers.

"We keep on going to Mogoditshane Sub-Land Board seeking help but your employees are incompetent and do not respect us. I feel that this is because they call us squatters," one of the residents shouted. "We are also upset that everyday, our yards' corners are shifted.

BOTA - Training Fund under-utilised

"Most companies send employees to train outside, especially in South Africa where workshops and seminars are usually not accredited," Maikaelelo said. "We encourage training to be done here unless in instances where there are no locals who can do that,"  Besides, he noted, BOTA is experiencing an influx of training providers in Botswana, which Maikaelelo described as a double-edged sword because some are fly-by-night.

UDC: A journey just beginning

In realist theoretical posturing, one may conclude that what matters most is the ultimate goal. Moralistic arguments and many other value judgements matter little as one has his mind set on the goal he must achieve and the ultimate good that the achievement of such a goal ushers in.  In this case, the goal of a united opposition, one that was inherited from their late mentor is Mecca. It is the ultimate piece to the puzzle that will lead to winning over power; they think. And taking over power need not be in 2014, as we all must know by now that it will not be. While many wonder how Boko continues to exhume all the confidence in the world and be happy despite what in reality is a weak Umbrella, I have discovered it is so because he from day one did not believe he would be President in 2014. Make no mistake, he wanted to be, wants to be still even but he is not a foolish man to let an optimism bias lead him astray. It is also born out of the acceptance of the fact that an Umbrella without BCP is a weak Umbrella. Nevertheless, an Umbrella unites some of the parties - and likely will lead to a merge of those. The same way the BCP went about swallowing up both BAM and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Confrontation with Botswana police lands smugglers in Zambian hospital

"I urge the smugglers to desist from this illegal business," she said. The Zambezi River is a rich ground for criminals who smuggle good to Zambia from Namibia and Botswana.  The dugout canoe is the transport of choice across the fast flowing Zambezi River for smugglers. The goods of choice seem to be liquor and groceries.

BDP primaries: A two-horse race

his side, then he will give Bolele a run for his money. In the 2009 general elections, Senai was Merafhe's campaign manager. This has brought him closer to the retired politician's supporters. Some people already view him as Merafhe's heir apparent. He however concedes that the contest is one of the toughest assignments he has ever had. He says that he is prepared to face the challenge like a man though.

Cebani: In the last general elections, the sitting civic leader haboured plans of challenging for the parliamentary seat but upon realising that Merafhe, whom he reveres greatly, was in the race, he opted out.The 47-year-old politician who was previously in the employ of the Botswana Railways as a traffic officer (hire accounts), pins his hope on advancing the cause of the youth as his trump card. As a sitting councillor, Cebani is familiar with the challenges of the office he wishes to occupy. For a long time, he has been volunteering his services to the youth - assisting them to do business plans. He has donated football kits and balls to the constituency's youths. His prayer is that factories could set up base in Mahalapye and employ the many unemployed youths in the village.

That he heavily banks his support on the youth could be his undoing because, generally, within the BDP and even in Mahalapye, it is largely the elderly who take active part in both party and national politics.

However, the politician has set out to get a good combination of both young and elderly people to get him the BDP ticket. Although Cebani is still in the race, he has not made it to the top two yet, reports from Mahalapye-West suggest. He however, still has another week ahead before the primaries to redeem himself.
Molefe:  A retired senior member of the army, he acquired BDP life-membership in 2004. Ever since his retirement , the 51-year-old has been working his way inside party structures.

Molefe, a businessman, has been more visible in the village, assisting the party in any way he can.
There is talk in the village that his 'discipline' acquired from the army has some elders wishing Merafhe could pass the baton to him.

Although experience counts in any given field,  work rate is an even weightier factor.
Compared to his competition, Molefe is relatively new to BDP politics and would have to work harder to appeal to the hard-to-please BDP diehards come September 15.

Motsete: Currently in the employ of Air Botswana as an aircraft maintenance planner, Motsete has served in various BDP structures. He has served in the Finance and Economic sub committee of the BDP Central Committee as well as the PEEC. He served as specially elected councillor between 2004 and 2009. In the 2004 general elections, Motsete was Merafhe's campaign manager.

He cut his political teeth in Mahalapye West in the party structures. His main challenge could be that his job keeps him mostly in Gaborone. As his campaign moves from door-to-door, one thing worries him. He has no idea about the strengths and weaknesses of his competition, and it does not help him in setting up his strategies. However, Motsete is determined to fight on and use the knowledge he has about the constituency to his advantage. He is fully aware that he is contesting against some of the most well-established politicians in the constituency.

For his first attempt in a contest of this magnitude, Motsete might just gain experience, which may come in handy for use in future forays.Although politics often has its surprises, Motsete is certainly not one to pull one in this contest.

Mascom empowers Botswana youth

The 13, who were awarded certificates together with those who participated in the course, will run the Kitsong Centres in their respective villages. Sullivan stated that this year Mascom, through other collaborative partners, have enrolled 10 Mascom Kitsong Centre operators for the International Computers Driving Licence (ICDL), a global computer literacy initiative developed to raise the level of knowledge about Information Technology (IT).Expected to complete their training early next year, the operators would qualify to run the Mascom Kitsong Centres and be in a position to extend the training to the rest of their respective communities.

Sullivan explained that as Mascom it is their view that for the centres to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the country's economy, they should be self-sustaining.

She stressed that Mascom continues to invest in capacity building as well as increasing the service offerings in the Mascom Kitsong Centres, ensuring that each centre is fully equipped before it is given to selected youth to operate for their own benefit.

"The Mascom Kitsong Centre services include airtime and simcard sales, email and Internet services, photocopying, printing, typesetting, fax services, and computer training," said Sullivan.In addition to these services, some innovative Mascom Kitsong Centre and business-driven operators continue to develop other revenue streams, including photography, stationery sales, graphics and video productions, as well as computer games.

Mascom is committed to a further 10 new centres to be rolled out next year to bring the total of Mascom Kitsong Centres countrywide to 71, she said. The Minister of Transport and Communication, Nonofo Molefhi said he was humbled to officiate at yet another Mascom initiative just a few months after officially opening the state of the art Mascom Innovation Centre in Phakalane, noting that he is once again witnessing another Mascom's commendable contribution to the ICT sector in Botswana.

Molefhi said in 2009 Mascom partnered with 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 and with the success of the project, Mascom continued to build on the investment by establishing 10 Kitsong Centres in 2011.

Maiketso ousted as F/town mayor

"You can't even control the city council and you are talking like a small boy. We want to meet the minister ourselves and hand him our proposal personally. "We do not want to be addressed because this would not avail us time to talk to the minister and his officers about this land issue," Moswaane exploded. "This motion is fuelled by self-seeking individuals who want to be in power. This chopping and changing of the leadership is not taking us anywhere. It affects the way we render services to the electorate," Professor Lazarus Tlou of Itekeng ward, vented his frustration. Reliable sources have said the BMD councillors, whose party is a partner in the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), had decided to abstain because of their political differences with the BCP.

CDC trains firefighters from all over Botswana

He revealed that Palapye fire station, which operated with a skeleton staff for several years, now has a full complement of personnel.  "The department has acquired some of the most advanced fire, rescue and ambulance equipment in the country," he said. Raditanka said Serowe, which had depended on Palapye for some time, recently acquired a full complement of personnel and advanced fire rescue and ambulance equipment. CDC now intended to set up sub-stations in Mahalapye, Boteti, Bobirwa, Tonota and Tutume sub-districts, even though there were some challenges that the council still faced regarding that.

Suspected Diamond Smuggling Investigated in Botswana

Botswana security services are investigating allegations that a number of former state employees and members of the southern African country's economic elite conspired to illegally sell rough diamonds that were mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Diamond Intelligence reports.

 

The vehicles of the suspected members diamond smuggling cartel have been impounded and their houses have been cordoned off while they are questioned about their involvement in the alleged illegal activities. Major consumer purchases, seemingly beyond the means of even these well-to-do citizens, attracted the attention of the country's tax revenue service.

 

The Gaborone socialites are suspected of using the government's license to broker diamonds to launder gems that were mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Botswana's President Ian Khama only days ago spoke publicly of his government's commitment to vanquishing the illegaldiamond trade being conducted within the country's borders, according to Diamond Intelligence.

Let us applaud Botswana

Having realised that doing fence sitting while the Zimbabwean economy is deteriorating cannot help matters, Botswana chipped in with a credit facility worth about US$70 million meant to revive Zimbabwe's economy.
The lines of credit signed between Zimbabwe and Botswana Finance Ministers, Tendai Biti and Kenneth Matambo respectively in Harare on August 3, 2012, came at a time when the country had no access to international lenders like the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The initiative by Botswana to come up with such a package at a time when the international community is failing to bail out the country should be applauded. Botswana has shown the world that friendly countries should be assisted in times of need.

Whereas other countries have failed to see reason and bailout the ailing economy of Zimbabwe, Botswana has done exceptionally well by chipping in with such an offer.

Some of the countries in Africa and the world over have developed a wait and see attitude while Zimbabwe is in dire need of financial assistance.

Before such an initiative by Botswana, the media has been portraying Zimbabwe and Botswana as countries at a political war. Some media houses went on to say that President Robert Mugabe and Ian Khama do not see eye to eye as they are sworn enemies.

The recent offer by the Botswana government has dispelled that notion which was bent to sow seeds of hatred between friendly nations. While the media was portraying the two countries as enemies, the same media failed to influence those claiming to be friendly to Zimbabwe to come up with any offer.

If the truth be told, countries which were misleading former opposition leaders into believing that if they manage to get in government they would chip in with substantial amount of donor funds, have withheld their money to the disappointment of many Zimbabweans.

To show how helpful Botswana is, it did not impose its will on Zimbabwe before such a lifeline was offered. The country just felt that her neighbour needs assistance hence her desire to chip in with such a credit facility.
Had that credit facility come from either the EU or USA, strings would have been attached. The western countries, though developed, have no cheap money.

The WB and the IMF which are controlled by the developed countries, led by the USA and the EU bloc, are not good at releasing such facilities without economic prescription. Zimbabwe once experienced one of its worst era in history in the early 1990s when the WB and the IMF prescribed economic structural adjustment programmes for the country.

Other African governments should emulate what the Government of Botswana did to Zimbabwe. They should realise that Africa is for Africans and can only be saved by Africans. If only African leaders could dump the idea of rushing to the USA and EU for financial support in times of depression, the continent would be self reliant Africa is endowed with vast mineral resources which can sustain the continent and only the will and cooperation of African countries could save the continent.

Because of Botswana's assistance, companies which have been facing liquidity problems in our country would benefit as they would use such an initiative to recapitalise their operations.

NOCAL Warned Oil Expert Wants Botswana’s Steps Followed

The director of the International Growth Center (IGC), Paul Collier has admonished the Government of Liberia through the National Oil Company (NOCAL) to follow the positive examples of the Southern African state of Botswana in order to succeed from oil deposits.

Mr. Collier, who is currently in the country at the invitation of NOCAL, told a cross-section of entrepreneurs and business executives yesterday that it is important to institute necessary policies that Botswana used in driving her economy to a better standard other than following others that currently face crisis in handling their natural resources.

He stated that in order for Liberia to be successful in the equitable distribution of its oil wealth to all its citizens, NOCAL needs to prioritize the building of private sector capacity, instituting better rules governing the oil sector and continued engagement with local business by developing them.

“Oil is a signal for attracting investment to the country and if you manage its deposits well, you will attract investments from all around the world.”

“You have to put in place the best policies that will govern the sector and implement those policies,” said Mr. Collier.