The President’s Cabinet
According to the constitution of Botswana, the President delegates responsibility to the ministers whom he has selected and then works with them for policy implementation. Every decision the President makes is a calculated risk. Cabinet ministers are also advisors to the President. He makes bets on individuals and these are always surprises in both directions, they can be a failure or a success.
The president has picked his cabinet, and its full of surprises. This is Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s cabinet since he was elected President for the first time on the 16th of October.
Presidential Affairs and Public Administration
In Lesego Motsumi, the Presidential Affairs ministry is getting an experienced campaigner. She has always doen a wonderful job especially when she was appointed Minister of Health in 2008 when she helped steer the trouble ministry to a better position. She will be assisted by Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi who is a newcomer to parliament.
Trade and Industry
This ministry is getting one of the most shrewdest economists in the country in Baledzi Gaolathe. He has been a examplary civil servant in every position he has held from Permanent secretary or as CEO of BEDIA and BDC, two of Botswana’s Foreign Direct Investment firms. He will be abley assisted by Mrs Dorcas Makgatho-Malesu who was recently CEO of BEDIA and BDC.
Infrastructure, Science and Technology
Mr Johnie Swartz is a seasoned campaigner in parliament havign led the Transport & Communistaions ministry and the Agriculture Ministry.
Education and Skills Development
Mrs Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi has been tasked with steering the troubled ministry. The ministry has had a troubled 5 years since Jacob Nkate took over in 2004. Lets hope she will use her experience to try a steer it to a better position. She will be assisted by Mr Keletso Rakhudu. They definitely have a lot of work to get through.
Transport and Communications
Mr Frank Ramsden has led this ministry well the last time out and he is given a task of continuing with the good work he has been doing. He will have to push more on the road constructions as people dont want the situation like the A2 from Gaborone to Francistown which took almost 6 years to complete.
Local Government
Mr Lebonaamang Mokalake has been given the huge mandate of leading this big ministry after it was led very well by Ms Margaret Nasha in the past decade. He will be assisted by Ms Botlhogile Tshireletso & Mr Kentse Rammidi.
Youth, Sport and Culture
Mr Shaw Kgathi is appointed to this ministry since its formation a few years ago. Lets hope he will drive it well and show what it can do. It wasn’t in the best of shape under Moeng Pheto and even under Gladys Kokorwe.
Health
Ministry that has a lot to do after the debacle of Mma-Tlou as minister there. The new man will also have to tackle a disgruntled workforce & low morale in the ministry. His lieutenant will be Mr Maxwell Motowane. Dr John Seakgosing will have his hands full but from what I have read about him from the media, he has a great CV, lets hope he can bring stability to the beleaguered ministry.
Finance and development planning
Mr Kenneth Matambo did a sterling job when he took over earlier this year when Baledzi Gaolathe went on leave. He is tasked with making sure that the government comes up with sound economic policies. Mr Charles Tibone has fallen on hard times recently. He was minister first at Minerals, Energy and Water Resources and he didnt deliver. He was later moved to Labour & home affairs where his war with his Assistant Oliphant Mfa was the biggest thing to come out of that ministry during their tenure there. He was later dropped but he has come back as an assistant, maybe he can re-invent himself.
Agriculture
Mr Christian De Graaf is a man from the Ghanzi farming region, so it was just a matter of confirmation for this ministry. He will be assisted by Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi. From the outside, the team looks formidable but will they deliver?
Defence, Justice and Security
Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse has also done a tremendous job since moving from lands & housing. It looks like this was his real calling. The only he hasn’t been able to answer about are the extra judicial killings.
Minerals, Energy and Water Resources
Mr Ponatshego Kedikilwe is an experienced minister who has been doing a good job at this ministry. He has pushed for a diamond processing plant to be setup in the country. He has also been looking to solve Botswana’s water shortage problem. A very good man for the job.
Foreign affairs and international cooperation
Mr Phandu Skelemani is a man who has re-invented himself from attorney general who was at loggerheads with the former President to become Botswana’s Chief Diplomat. He has been lobbying for a resolution to the Zimbabwean crisis and he has been at the forefront of rebranding Botswana in Africa and abroad.
Labour and Home Affairs
Mr Peter Siele took over the ministry in 2008 when there was a cabinet reshuffle. At the time the ministry was also experiencing turbulent times but he has helped steer the ship to safety. It looks like the President really trusts him to do a good job as he didnt give him an assistant to work with.
Lands and Housing
Mr Nonofo Molefhi has been doing a good job since he took over the ministry last year when Seretse was moved to Defence, Justice and Security. Will the good job continue especially with some a lot of land scandals that have gripped the country in the past year?
Environment, Wildlife and Tourism
Mr Kitso Mokaila is another to keep their ministries from last year. It shows you how much the President believes he is doing a good job.
I would have to say, this cabinet holds a lot of promises. I had thought maybe infrastructure could have been created as a new ministry with development planning whereas Finance was going to be a ministry in its own as its really big when joined with development. Development is lagging behind & with a creation of an Infrastructure and Development Planning ministry would have pushed for that. Science & Technology could have been joined with communication and push for Internet liberation & pushing for more competition in the industry with domination of Botswana Telecommunication Corporation(BTC) very clear. I also think the Education & Skills development ministry would have used an extra assistant minister.
The President has taken a gamble & he is hoping that all the appointments he has made will pay off. Time will tell.
