Karabo Gare

"Performance of the BDP in the 2024 general elections was a disaster."

"A lot needs to be done to turn around the fortunes of a party that now holds only four parliamentary seats."

"We must select candidates based on merit and expertise rather than personal connections."

"Winning back key constituencies like Maun will be crucial to our comeback strategy."

"We must invest in digital infrastructure, skills development and accessible broadband networks. The recent passing of the Data Protection (Amendment) Act is a positive step towards establishing a secure and open digital market."

"We must enhance financial support by intergrating business development hubs and incubation centres and business accelerations programmes."

"We must embrace the paradigm shift that positions innovation and entrepreneurship at the forefront of economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic."

"I am happy to announce that the Leather Park Project has been included in the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) and will be implemented through the Development Manager Model. The project will be completed in the last quarter of financial year 2024/2025."

"Second and third phases which are the intermediate and final phases of this project will be implemented within the Lobatse Special Economic Zone site: otherwise referred to as the Meat and Leather City."

"Three citizen owned companies were awarded the de-bushing works tender and completed the work in June 2023. In July 2023, two other citizen owned contractors were awarded a tender for fencing the Leather Park site."

"The companies are expected to complete the works in December 2023, after which other construction works will follow. The Government has been worried about the delays in implementation. To correct, the project is among those prioritised in the TNDP."

"All those Ngamiland farmers who are owed, and whose money is due or overdue for payment will be paid without fail by next week."

"We will do our very best to ensure that the bottlenecks, which we have experienced with the sale of meat products derived from cattle slaughtered in Maun are overcome."

"By their nature, cull/aged cows cannot achieve the same efficiencies (both carcass weight gains for a better market price) as weaner-cattle, which attract premium prices in the EU market."

"When we had trouble with our boilers, in Lobatse–it was decided to route non-EU eligible cattle from the green zones to the Maun abattoir – to allow Lobatse to focus on EU slaughter. The Maun abattoir could carry the load but had been under-utilised. Accordingly, and to protect the wider beef market and to assist as many farmers as possible, using the extra abattoir capacity in Maun was the only viable avenue to effectively accommodating both non-EU slaughter from Ngamiland as well as those routed from the green zones."

"Their performance has reaffirmed Botswana’s national pride and sealed the spirit of Botho and unison amongst the citizens."

"Letsile has proven himself to be a persuasive athlete. His remarkable performance, winning gold and silver medals on track is a testament to his hard work, perseverance and exceptional skill."

"I therefore encourage Batswana, especially the youth to invest in sport and enjoy its benefits."