Kabo Ngwanaamotho

They say there is a global economic meltdown – they have definitely not been in Botswana, or have they?

Several, mining giants in Botswana have felt the impact of the crisis; Diamonex closed down, African Copper experienced a major slump in its share price, Tati Nickel has retrenched most of its stuff and Debswana group has closed of some of its operations in Letlhakane and Damtshaa and cut down production targets.

In other countries we have heard of bailouts made by the governments to help out their major industries and major banks. In that respect, and being that Botswana’s economy is heavily dependent on mineral resources especially diamonds, I was under the impression the government would pump some several millions into the mining industry to keep it afloat. And they have not done that.

I have two conclusions;

1. The government does not care about the mining industry and has decided that it will find ways to diversify the economy, or

2. The mining industry has not felt a major impact due to economic meltdown and is merely jumping into the bandwagon and making profit out of it.

Meanwhile Botswana has decided to be a philanthropist and has given our dear neighbors Uncle Bob and his Zims a whopping BWP 500 million!

And to show that we are really serious about what we think is most important for the country we have decided to cut off sponsorship for students and tertiary level and introduced school fees for all students in lower levels – and yes we want every Motswana to attain at least the first basic 12 years of education!

Now that’s politics for you.