ISBS Newsletter March 2018 COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY. BOCONGO speaks about the Rape incident of a Nurse. INSIDE the issue

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1 BOCONGO newsletter ISBS Newsletter March 2018 COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY Vol. 01 No. 003 MAY 2018 BOCONGO speaks about the Rape incident of a Nurse INSIDE the issue GOVERNANCE, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS, GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, CIVIC EDUCATION, SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, TIT BITS from June 18 Youth Leadership Training Programme Venue: Palapye Youth in: a politics a trade union movement a youth organisations a churches a civil society and media

2 Media & Democracy event with Civil Society Botho Seboko, the Executive Director (ED) of BOCONGO at a British High Commission event held at the University of Botswana. Seated next to Emily Summers - the British Deputy High Commissioner the BOCONGO Executive Director made a profound presentation on Civil Society and Media and ideas for advocacy and collaboration. Media and Democracy in Botswana dialogue event sponsored by the British High Commission at the University of Botswana. 2

3 Sentabale NGO Patron s Wedding Prince Harry is the Founding Patron of Sentebale NGO which supports the mental health and well-being of children and young people affected by HIV in Botswana. Sentebale NGO members in Gaborone, Botswana celebrating the wedding of their Founding Patron, Prince Harry. 3

4 The TB/Silicosis class suit ends The Botswana Centre for Human Rights is pleased to announce that the TB/ Silicosis class suit has finally come to an end, with a settlement reached between the miners legal representatives and gold mining companies. This historic settlement was announced and signed by the parties in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 3 May The settlement comes years after long and difficult negotiations. The settlement was reached as a response to various factors, including, the escalation of legal costs, the lengthy court processes, the increasing number of claimants who are dying from silicosis and the consequential need to fast track the compensation of remaining claimants. Settlement notwithstanding, the agreement needs to be endorsed by the The Silicosis Class action was a law suit brought on behalf of former and current mineworkers who worked in apartheid era gold mining companies in South Africa Gauteng High Court before it can be enforced. Arising from the agreement will be the establishment of the Trust which will be charged with the duty of facilitating disbursements of compensation in line with the South African compensation laws. This effectively means ex-miners that who have been paid under the South African Government payment scheme, will be eligible to receive additional compensation under the class suit. This is a development which DITSHWANELO supports and endorses. The Silicosis Class action was a law suit brought on behalf of former and current mineworkers who worked in apartheid era gold mining companies in South Africa, who due to over exposure to silica dust contracted TB/Silicosis and other occupational lung diseases. DITSHWANELO has been working with ex-mineworkers on the Silicosis Class suit since 2012 with Richard Spoor Attorneys, a South African law firm. 4

5 Rape incident of a Nurse There has been conversations on the issue of rape... It limits the choice of the victims..we are concerned as defenders of human rights... We are living in a community that has good and bad men. Our society is fragmented it is worriesome. This problem is a product of our social construction as a people...we urge government to ensure there is safety for everyone... Botho Seboko, Executive Director BOCONGO BOCONGO Member Organisations spoke about the tragic rape incident of a nurse that recently took place at Extension II Clinic in Gaborone. 5

6 Youth Leadership Training The Civil Society stakeholder briefing by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The briefing formally introduced the upcoming all funded Youth Leadership Training Programme to be held in Palapye from 24 th - 30 th of June The aim of the programme is to enable youth in politics, trade union movement, youth organisations, churches, civil society and media to develop initiatives which will enable them to be more active and engaging in society. 6

7 Launch of the Future Life Pouch Food Botho Seboko, the Executive Director of BOCONGO at the launch of the Future Life twin pouch elaborating the role of his organisation in support of Foodbank Botswana, a member of BOCONGO in good standing. Foodbank Botswana NGO launch of the Future Life pouch food in Mogoditshane this morning. The Future Life pouch is a complete balanced meal high in energy and protein. It s being piloted at a primary school in Mogoditshane. 7

8 May 25 - African Union Day It is a day set aside to commemorate the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which later was replaced by the African Union (AU). The theme for this year s celebration is Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa s Transformation. Corruption in Africa, as observed by the 2016 African Governance Report IV, is one of the major impediments to structural transformation on the continent. The report identifies weak governance structure and institutions as one of the main determinants of corruption on the continent and thus threatening prospects for positive outcomes of transformation. According to the 2018 Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International, African countries feature among the top ten most corrupt countries in the world with Somalia leading in the ranking. The index suggests a direct correlation between the abject levels of poverty and the high prevalence of corruption. This reality is a flagrant contradiction with the ideals espoused in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). The Charter as a road map for the promotion of good governance on the continent enjoins State Parties to institutionalise good economic and corporate governance through the prevention and combating of corruption and related offences among other things (Article 33 Clause 3). As the continent marks AU day today, the 14-member consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working to create awareness and empower citizens to demand for implementation of the ACDEG calls on governments on the continent to prioritise the implementation of the ACDEG as part of efforts to ensure good governance. The consortium also urges the media in Africa to join the crusade in creating awareness and popularising the ACDEG among African citizens to empower them to demand good governance practices on the continent. 8

9 Matsieng Air Show The Botswana International Air Show was held at the Matsieng Air Strip and all proceeds from the show will be donated to: 1. Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation 2. Pudulogong Rehabilitation Centre 3. Lady Khama Trust May Tit Bits BOCONGO Thematic Group on Sustainable Environment The BOCONGO Thematic Group on Sustainable Environment met this month to elect a new Chairperson. Peo ya Rona Society Peo ya Rona Society express sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the general public for participating in their recent sponsored walk from GSS grounds to the airport and back. Europe Day On the occasion of the Europe Day this month with civil society at the European Union residence. African Commission Committe The African Commission Committe on the Protection of the Rights of People Living with HIV and those at Risk, Vulnerable to and Affected by HIV of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights will visit Botswana in July. They are scheduled to give audience to some BOCONGO Member Organisations (MOs) in good standing dealing with HIV and issues in the country. Stepping Stones visits AP offices Today Stepping Stones International team visited the AP offices where they handed a request to them to engage in discussions of Childrens Rights and Child Protection and to have them included on their party manifestos. Botswana Open University Botswana Open University invites NGOs to submit unsolicited local educational content to broadcast on their new online radio. The University has an online radio broadcast and needs local content to broadcast. 9

10 His Excellency s inaugural Press Conference President Masisi held his inaugural Press Conference as the President of the Republic of Botswana, the first of many to come. The main purpose of this briefing was to share Botswana government s road map/vision with members of the media. Award For Khama The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance and Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance will recognise the Former President,Lt General Dr.Seretse Khama Ian Khama by presenting him with an award for his political leadership and commitment to enhancing and protecting the lives of the people of Botswana from alcohol related harm. The event will take place on Monday 11th June 2018 in Gaborone. 10

11 The Management and Staff of BOCONGO would like to congratulate His Excellency Mokgweetsi E. Masisi on his appointment as the 5 th President of the Republic of Botswana. It is with great pleasure to also welcome His Honour Slumber Tsogwane as the Vice President and the new Cabinet. 1

12 Tlale House; Opposite Air Botswana and Competition Authority in the Mall area by Shell Private Bag 00418, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: Fax: Web: 12