Shaw Kgathi

"When you really think about it, how many people actually have access to the media, which the opposition depends on to do their homework."

"The strategy of the opposition political parties is upside down."

"If President Khama leaves office, who they will attack?"

"The strength of the BDP has continued to grow, which is evident from the latest by-election that was won by the ruling party."

"We observe that when we are dealing with a labour issue the opposition by interfering for misguided political gain is jeopardizing Unions chances at the negotiation table by politicizing the issue."

"We would ordinarily not comment on a labour matter, which is subject of negotiations."

"We therefore urge the opposition to allow workers to exercise their rights as prescribed by law, and be left alone to bargain with Government."

"Human trafficking is one silent but very devastating crime, which can affect our loved ones."

"The amendments introduced stiffer penalties in terms of fines, which range between 20,000 U.S. dollars to 100,000 U.S. dollars and prison terms up to life imprisonment,""

"I blame FIFA for being political. They must stay away from politics. There is no formal complaint from BFA to say they are not happy with the way constituency tournaments are run. I challenge FIFA to tell this nation who officially complained to them and they must tell us who invited them into this country to carry their assessments."

"Botswana Congress Party’s Chilboy is the one who travelled to the FIFA offices in Johannesburg to report the matter. By so doing I want to think he was confirming BCP’s position on constituency tournaments. I will not rest on this matter until BCP and its leader explain to Batswana why they are sabotaging the development of football in this country. I challenge BCP leader, Dumelang Saleshando, to make a statement in parliament, to tell this nation that one of his candidates is behind the plan to sabotage Botswana football."

"The first person is the president and the second person is Kgathi. These two men want to control everything. They are a hindrance to the success of football in this country. This issue started in 2010 in one BFA conference in Maharaj when regions reported that the constituency league was not helping but destroying our football. Prior to that I personally met with Khama in 2009 and I told him that he must ask for advice about the constituency tournaments from those who understand football and FIFA regulations. Khama never took my advice but instead he chose to listen to bootlickers like Kgathi."

"We have also observed that amongst the 3800 registered companies some of them are briefcase companies."

"This we believe is perpetrated by those who want to abuse employees by hiring and firing them as they wish."

"What has been said is that residents of Lentswe-Le-Moriti are staying in a freehold area, hence they are unable to access government assistance programmes like the Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development (ISPAAD) and services."

"I heard it in political rallies. Even the former area MP, James Maruatona has been saying it for the 15 years he was been in Parliament and you may wonder how those people have been surviving? I do not want people to sensationalise the issue."

"I have been at the forefront of the sport policy development, developments of stadium as well as being in the 2010 task team during my stay in parliament."

"I am assuming this office with full understanding of what has been done in the ministry and I will take every aspect of what is expected of me as the minister as a challenge and do things to the of best of my ability. People have shown appreciation by voting me in and I will try by all means not to disappoint them."

"Performance is still and continues to be a major problem in our sporting codes. We are working on centers of excellence where we can nurture and develop talent."

"Youth programs like Re Ba Bona Ha are good initiatives and the government should spend more money on them to attain talent and also build elite competitions."

"Constituency league tournaments are also a good program because through them, talent is discovered."

"Sport governing bodies should be able to use these leagues to source talents,another major problem we have is facilities and structures."

"There is a lot of talent in villages who may not be part of organizations such as BOTESSA and BISA and who may need such facilities to develop their talents. We also encourage all sports bodies to decentralize for the growth of sports in our country."

"Youth is also of concern to this ministry. We are taking keen interest in developing young people. We appreciate the fact that they are not homogenous. They are varied, some are into academics, sports and some may be roaming the streets and unemployed. We are, therefore, working towards ensuring that all programmes availed to them are applicable in those senses."