BOCONGO hopes for transparent gov't ahead of SONA
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:06
BOCONCO Executive Director, Kagiso Molatlhwa, expressed optimism that Duma Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) will run a government that considers non-government organisations (NGOs) as key and strategic partners in development of the country. “We expect a more open and receptive government that favours dialogue on development issues. We also want a transparent government,” Molatlhwa said in an interview ahead of Boko’s maiden State of Nation Address (SONA) which will be delivered on today (Tuesday). “We would like to see a government that values the thoughts and viewpoints of all its key stakeholders. “As BOCONGO, we are ready to collaborate with government with a view of contributing positively to the country’s national development agenda.” BOCONGO’s other wish according to Molatlhwa is to see the UDC government coming up with strong measures and initiatives aimed at diversifying the country’s economy with a view to creating employment for the youth. Youth unemployment, which currently stands at slightly above 32%, has been a nagging problem for a number of years.
Molatlhwa also stated that BOCONGO hopes the UDC will preside over an inclusive constitutional review process and called on the government to put mechanisms aimed at ensuring that the process is not compromised. At his inauguration recently, Boko promised that the constitutional review process will commence in the near future and will be inclusive than ever. Molatlhwa stated that there have been public concerns relating to mismanagement of funds, potential corruption particularly amongst various government entities and parastatals under the Botswana Democratic Party government. For this reason, Molatlhwa emphasised that BOCONGO will be following with keen interest how the UDC government applies itself in terms of countering corruption and mismanagement of public funds amongst others. She challenged the UDC to deliver some of the short term promises it made to Batswana such as increasing the minimum wage and old age pension to P4, 000 and P1, 800 respectively. Ahead of the 2024 General Election, the UDC promised the electorate that the minimum wage and old age pension will be increased after a month if voted into power.
However, commentators have questioned the bold promises looking at the state of public finances with former president Mokgweetsi Masisi saying Batswana were “sold a dummy”. When addressing the media recently, Boko maintain that the UDC will honour its promises to raise the minimum wage and old age pension without wasting time but said more details will be provided during the SONA. BOCONGO, which was established in 1995, is an umbrella organisation of civil societies in Botswana whose sole mandate is to coordinate the work of NGOs in Botswana. Precisely, it works with NGOs and other stakeholders to strengthen the NGO sector through coordinating their contributions to development initiatives in Botswana. It also facilitate platforms for effective communication between its members and key stakeholders such government and independent funders.