Mass Media News

Author: Daily News

  • Nyangabgwe Hospital Unveils Paediatric Theatre

    Nyangabgwe Hospital Unveils Paediatric Theatre

    Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital has unveiled the renovated paediatric theatre, made possible through donation by KIDS Operating Room, a United States America-based non-profit organisation. The state-of-the-art facility is the first dedicated paediatric surgical theatre at the hospital, designed exclusively to meet the surgical needs of children. 

    The theatre becomes the second of its kind in Botswana, following the installation of a similar facility at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone.

    It is equipped with modern, high-tech surgical equipment, thanks to the philanthropy of Mr Steve Lansdown and wife, Maggie, who are based in the United Kingdom.

    Head of the Project, Mr Caleb Machaira, described the donation as a step toward improving healthcare delivery, ensuring that children received specialised care they deserved. 

    Mr Machaira stressed the importance of access to safe surgical care for children, noting that the new theatre would allow young patients to receive specialised treatment closer to home, ultimately transforming countless lives. 

    For his part, Mr Lansdown said the organisation had been approached for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when Botswana faced numerous challenges. 

    Nyangabgwe Hospital Superintendent, Dr Ivan Kgetse expressed gratitude to the donors, acknowledging that government alone could not meet all healthcare needs. 

    He commended the donors for their role in saving the lives of children. Delivering a vote of thanks, nominated councillor and Francistown City Council Health Committee chairperson, Mr Amos Madeluka, said the facility would serve not only children in Francistown but those across the entire country.

  • Leadership Acts Against Illegal Sand Mining

    Leadership Acts Against Illegal Sand Mining

    North West district is blessed with natural resources, fertile soils and water bodies and yet the resources are under increasing pressure from pollution, deforestation illegal sand mining, among others.

    Illegal sand mining from the water bodies particularly rivers compromise the aquatic system, something, which the district leadership is fighting tooth and nail to nub in the bud.

    Recently, the district leadership, law enforcement agencies and other local authorities embarked on an operation led by the district commissioner to assess damages caused by illegal sand mining along the Shashe water channel that forms part of the Thamalakane River.

    The district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka revealed in an interview that the operation was prompted by the public outcry over the growing incidents of illegal sand mining along the Thamalakane river and other water bodies in the district. He expressed a serious concern that the practice had destroyed the environment and the river altering its natural flow due to deep open pits or trenches that created environmental problems.

    Illegal miners, he said had turned the river into a quarry looking at the amount of sand extracted along the river channel starting at Boro area, adding that it seemed perpetrators had ventured into a lucrative business of selling sand.

    “We are overwhelmed by reports of illegal sand mining activities in our district, hence we have reignited the fight against the practice due to its severe environmental degradation, economic impact and safety risks. As leadership in collaboration with law enforcement committee we will not give up against environmental degradation,” he added.

    Mr Waloka also warned members of the public to refrain from buying illegally mined sand as that exacerbate the criminal activity, saying they should buy from licensed companies.

    In the district, he said there were about five licensed companies. 

    He also appealed to members of the community to join forces with the law enforcement committee to stop illegal activities and deter perpetrators. 

    Residents were urged to report any suspicious activities related to illegal mining to local authorities.

    Councillor for Thito/Bombadi area, Mr Lerayamang Baswi also expressed worry over illegal sand mining, saying over the years, they had observed harvesting of sand from rivers which had a negative impact on the environment.

    Efforts by residents to deter perpetrators, he said were in vain as the practice still persisted, which also presented a hazard for members of the community including livestock.

    “The pits are very deep and very dangerous as some people and animals can fall into especially during rainy season. Recently, one of the farmers reported that one of his cattle had fallen into one of the pits,” he added.

    Councillor for Shashe/Botshabelo ward, Mr Keakgotswe Bokhutlo stated that illegal sand mining was rife in the area placing an enormous pressure on the environment.

    He appreciated efforts by local authorities for conducting the operation saying that was testament that they were equally concerned with the practice. 

    “The fight against illegal mining must be seen as a shared national responsibility and it is commendable to see leaders acting collectively towards the course,” he added. 

  • Energy and Fuel Sectors Receive Boost

    Energy and Fuel Sectors Receive Boost

    Government, through the Ministry of Minerals and Energy has signed  Memoranda of Agreement with Oman on strategic cooperation in the Botswana minerals and energy sector.

    The specific areas of collaboration will be on the development of petroleum products bulk coastal storage in Walvis Bay, petroleum products supply and regional trading, development of Tshele Hills inland petroleum products storage, implementation of 500 megawatts solar photovoltaic as well as cooperation in minerals and exploration.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony in Gaborone yesterday, President Advocate Duma Boko said the strategic agreements were critical in strengthening Botswana’s security of supply of energy and strategically positioning Botswana in regional energy trading.

    He said the MoAs were achievement for Botswana to transform from a net electricity importer to an exporter that government aimed to achieve within the next 18 months.

    In relation to fuel security, President Boko indicated that the MoAs would enable Botswana to move from the 14 days grace period fuel security to a higher 6-9 months order of magnitude in fuel security.

    He said there were many other projects in offing and expressed optimism for them to be implemented timely.

    He noted that it was commendable that concrete agreements were signed between the two nations, thus called for  immediate creation of enabling environment for them commence and prosper.

    The agreements, he said marked the beginning of translating words into deeds, as government moved from thinking about the execution of the projects, adding that he was confident that the projects would be delivered timely and to the expected quality standards.

    “It is equally important to devote all the time to implement such projects as they have far-reaching implications for both countries and remove all bottlenecks, red tapes and impediments that could hinder timely implementation,” he said.  

    He stated that Oman was fully committed to the entire value chain and already lined up to commence.

    He said the expectation was to have a lot of skills exchange through attachment of both skilled and semi-skilled personal in Omari companies and refine their skills for the benefit of the country.

    President Boko thus urged the Omari investors to regard Botswana as their other home away from home as their physical presence was of outmost importance for the success of the project proposed.

    “We are most grateful and humbled by the Omari gesture and remain hopeful that it will improve and advance our country hence look forward to cement the partnership between the two countries,” President Boko said.

    For his part, president of the Oman Investment Authority, Mr Abdulsalam Bin Mohammed Al Murshidi expressed gratitude toward the chemistry and cooperation between the two countries.

    He said Oman was committed to completion of the proposed project, which would enhance wellbeing of the local communities.

  • NANO Fertilizers Way to Go

    NANO Fertilizers Way to Go

    The newly launched IFFCO NANO fertilizers range will broaden the horizon and ensure that the quality and content of our local produce is of high quality, said President Advocate Duma Boko. 

    The fertilizers are produced by a local manufacturing Lone Trends in partnership with Indian fertilizers farmers cooperatives, IFFCO and Nardi, enhance nutrient availability and efficiency and are also environmentally friendly. 

    President Boko who officially launched the IFFCO NANO fertilizers range in Sebele today said there was a need to step away from the traditional methods of agriculture such as relying on rain fed crops because of the unpredictable forces of nature which make it close to impossible to grow satisfactory crops. 

    “We are now bringing forward technology to break the insular and vanguard ways of production,” he said.

    For his part Research Scientist at NARDI, Mr Ofentse Sithole, said the product is designed to deliver nutrients more efficiently at the molecular level, ensuring that crops absorb a greater percentage of the fertiliser applied.

    Mr Sithole said Nano fertilisers contain highly concentrated nutrients engineered into tiny particles that plants can take up more easily, reducing wastage and improving soil health. 

    He added that the technology supports sustainable farming by minimising the environmental impact often caused by over-application of conventional fertilisers.

    He urged Batswana farmers to embrace organic and Nano-based fertilisers, saying they guarantee higher-quality produce, improved yields and better long-term soil fertility. 

    He emphasized that the shift to modern, environmentally friendly inputs was essential for the country to improve food security and compete in regional agricultural markets.