Poverty Eradication

The Government of Botswana is committed to eradicating poverty. This poverty eradication drive is  one of the many steps that have been taken to ensure that Batswana’s ideals to achieving  prosperity for all become a reality over the next 6 years and thereafter.  Governments’ poverty eradication initiative is also in line with the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

As the country gears up towards making Vision 2016 and Millennium Development Goals a reality it is hoped  that indeed there will prosperity for all.   In order to provide the nation with information on the various steps been taken to eradicate poverty, His Honour Vice President Lt Gen. Mompati Merafhe addressed a press conference in May. This was the first of a number of planned press conferences to ensure that the nation is kept updated on governments’ projects and programmes aimed at eradicating poverty.

Facts and Figures on Poverty Eradication

SUPPORT FOR THE DESTITUTE, ORPHANS AND HOME BASED CARE

Beneficiaries are:

·         Destitute: 43,590

·         Home Based Care: 3,084

·         Orphans and Vulnerable Children: 47,000

His Excellency recently stated that the P360 per month paid by the programme to each Motswana will be reviewed as soon as the economy shows positive growth.

ISPAAD

·         To date the programme has benefited 94,099 farmers;

·         Government has spent P211, 729, 024 on the programme in the 2009/10 financial year and plans to spend about P180m this financial year.

LIMID

LIMID has benefited 5,274 Batswana to date and P36, 654, 902 was spent in the 2009/10 financial year, and P20m is budgeted for this year

YOUTH PROGRAMMES

·         Currently over 43,000 young people participate in the constituency tournaments.

·         The Young Farmers Fund has disbursed P106m to 251 recipients to date.

·         Government has sponsored over 3000 youth projects.

Infrastructural readiness

Significant strides have been made by Government to ensure that quality infrastructure is present as an enabler for sustainable development:

·         73 of the 100 villages have been electrified under the “100 Villages Electrification Project”; estimated expenditure is over P 530m;

·         In addition, 29 villages have been electrified under the 30 villages Electrification Project; the estimated cost is over P150m;

·         To improve services Water Utilities Corporation has been given the mandate to provide water in both urban and rural areas;

·         Clinics have been transferred from the Ministry of Local Government to Ministry of Health for better coordination and effective service delivery;

·         84% have access to water;

·         Nteletsa II to reach 197 villages;

·         Mobile tele-density was 132% in November 2009;

·         Botswana Post has completed the installation of 25 Kitsong Centres;

·         235 secondary schools have internet connectivity;

·         As of June 2009 there were 6000 subscribers to the internet;

·         E-government is being rolled out to improve communication of the government to the public and the public to the government.