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.