11 Nov 2024

President Duma Boko has announced six cabinet ministers and two deputies.

Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, who is the Vice President, has been appointed Minister of Finance while Dr Stephen Modise has been named Minister of Health and will be deputised by Mr Lawrence Ookeditse. 

Specially Elected Members of Parliament, Ms Nono Kgafela-Mokoka has been announced as Child Welfare and Basic Education Minister while Ms Lesego Chombo is the Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs. 

Dr Micus Chimbombi is the Minister of Lands and Agriculture deputised by Dr Edwin Dikoloti, while Dr Phenyo Butale has been appointed Minister of International Relations.

Briefing the media during the first phase of cabinet announcement in Gaborone yesterday, President Boko said other members of the executive would be announced as time went on, adding that the current announcement was to give the public the opportunity to reflect and critic.

He said his administration would be tasked with changing and transforming the country.

On the appointment of Mr Gaolathe as Minister of Finance, President Boko said the country was in dire economic and financial situation and that Mr Gaolathe’s expertise was befitting. 

“We believe he is up to the task, he has the temperament and intellect to wrestle with the challenges,” he said.

He also said Mr Gaolathe was honest and would not deceive the public to create a false impression.

As for Dr Modise, President Boko said the minister would lead the transformation of the health care system, and that it would ensure that every citizen enjoyed high quality health care regardless of their income status or geographical location.

He further said the new  health minister, would also be tasked with overseeing the roll-out of the national health insurance scheme and revamping the health sector to attain universal access.

Concerning the  Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, the President said it was prompted by appreciation of the challenges children faced up to their basic education path.

He explained that the ministry would lay the foundation for an all-inclusive pre-primary education, which would be available to all children, adding that it would also lay the baseline of what qualified to be called a school.

On the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, Mr Boko said the country targeted to meet food sufficiency and to export excess produce.

He said Ms Chombo’s addition into the cabinet was to embrace young people and was also a call to young people to make themselves visible.

He highlighted that the Minister of International relations, Dr Butale was tasked with marketing and representing the country regionally and internationally. 

“He must understand that we are a human rights based government,” he said, adding that the minister must also advise on internal affairs, which would impact on the country’s human rights record. Ends