- An Open, Democratic and Accountable Nation
Open, Transparent Governance
The Botswana of the future will be a community oriented
democracy, with strong decentralised institutions. Botswana
will build upon its history of democratic development.
The continued involvement of all political parties in the
reform process will ensure a lasting and durable democracy.
These traditions will mature over the next twenty years,
and become nearer to the people. The democratic process
will be continually deepened and enriched in accordance
with the general evolution of the society and wishes of
Batswana.
The Botswana of 2016 will emphasise the accountability
of all citizens, from the State President down to community
leaders for their actions and decisions.
An integral part of a good democratic process, across
the broad spectrum of all political formations, is regular
free and unfettered competition for political office at
every level, and the avoidance of the development of personality
cults. This culture will ensure that holders of office
remain vigilant and allow others to show their leadership
potential without any inhibition. This will also facilitate
the transition of leadership without necessitating a major
turnaround in fundamental socio economic and other policies
such as the implementation of the long term Vision.
The role of the civil society, including the churches,
the non governmental and voluntary organisations will be
enhanced in the Botswana of 2016. These organisations are
a key element of good governance, and will promote accountability
within the democratic system.
Attitude and Quality
of Leadership
A morally and ethically upright, educated society will
be matched by a leadership of the same qualities, which
will provide role models for its younger generation and
an instrument to implement democracy. Botswana will have
increased political tolerance, and legal sanction against
those who violate the principles of accountability at all
levels of leadership, including the state presidency.
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A Prosperous, Productive and Innovative Nation
Botswana will be a society distinguished by the pursuit
of excellence through a new culture of hard work and discipline,
where effort is rewarded and where the necessary skills
are available. Government will be providing a lead by assuming
the role of facilitator, in partnership with the private
sector, to create an environment where business and entrepreneurial
activities are encouraged and supported.
Botswana will nurture and develop the creative elements
within its society, and will be actively contributing
to the scientific and technological civilisation of the
future.
Sustainable Growth and Diversification
Botswana will have diversified its economy, with mining,
agriculture, industry, manufacturing, services and tourism
all making a substantial contribution. Botswana will
have an vibrant and energetic economy that is able to
meet the competitive demands of the 21st century, and
attract investors.
Agriculture in Botswana will be productive, profitable
and sustainable, and will make a full contribution to
economic development, poverty alleviation, food security,
improvement of the quality of life, and the sustainable
utilisation of our natural resources.
This diversification will have developed the role of
women in the mainstream of development. The economy will
be in macro economic balance, with stable monetary, exchange
rate and fiscal policies.
There will be partnership arrangements between local
and foreign investors that will have empowered citizens
and developed investment, and substantially increased
resource ownership and management by citizens.
The Environment
By the year 2016, economic growth and development in
Botswana will be sustainable. Renewable resources will
be used at a rate that is in balance with their regeneration
capacity. Non renewable resources such as minerals will
be used efficiently, and their depletion will be balanced
by enhanced physical and labour capital. There will be
a fully integrated approach towards conservation and
development.
The key natural resources and assets of the country
will be equitably distributed between its people. Communities
will be involved in the use and preservation of their
environmental assets, and will benefit directly from
their exploitation. The attitude towards natural resources
will pay attention to a fair distribution between present
and future generations. The eradication of poverty will
have created a situation where no one will be forced
to damage the environment in order to obtain their basic
needs.
The wildlife of Botswana will be managed for the sustainable
benefit of the local communities, and in the interests
of the environment as a whole.
By the year 2016, Botswana will have taken strong measures
to limit the pollution that would otherwise have resulted
from rapid industrialisation. The urban environment throughout
the country will be enhanced by the building of parks
and gardens for recreational purposes. Batswana will
take pride in their clean and unuttered surroundings.
GDP per Capita
By the year 2016, Botswana will have trebled its per
capita income to a level of the equivalent of US$8,500
in real terms (after correcting for inflation). This
is equivalent to about P30,000 at 1996 exchange rate
and prices. Botswana will maintain an average annual
growth rate of some 6 per cent in real per capita incomes.
This means that the overall growth rate of the economy
must be 8 per cent per year during the next twenty years,
in order to accommodate a population growing at 2.1 per
cent. This level of growth will be sustained by a very
high level of investment, at about 41 per cent of GDP,
one of the highest in the world. This rate of investment
will be met from government savings, domestic private
savings, and from an inflow of foreign capital.
Employment
By the year 2016, with the economic growth targets above,
Botswana will have reached full employment, where the
total number of jobs available in the formal or informal
sectors is in balance with the number of job seekers.
The gender distribution amongst the employed will be
equitable and fair at all levels, including those of
decision makers and middle management.
The economic growth will come from diverse sources that
generate jobs for the ordinary Batswana. Equitable distribution
of resources will have eliminated bottlenecks, and given
control and management to the people.
Housing and Shelter
By year 2016, all Batswana will be able to obtain access
to good quality basic shelter, either in the urban or
in the rural areas. The national housing policy will
not discriminate against any social group, women or the
disabled.
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An Educated, Informed Nation
Education
By the year 2016, Botswana will have a system of quality
education that is able to adapt to the changing needs
of the country as the world around us changes. Improvements
in the relevance, the quality, and the access to education
lie at the core of the Vision for the future.
The education system will empower citizens to become
the best producers of goods and services. It will produce
entrepreneurs who will create employment through the
establishment of new enterprises. Public education will
be used to raise awareness on life skills, such as self
health care.
All Batswana will have the opportunity for continued
and universal education, with options during and after
secondary level to take up vocational or technical training
as an alternative to purely academic study. Education
will be developed in partnership between the public and
private sectors.
Botswana's wealth of different languages and cultural
traditions will be recognised, supported and strengthened
within the education system. No Motswana will be disadvantaged
in the education system as a result of a mother tongue
that differs from the country's two official languages.
Information
Botswana will have entered the information age on an
equal footing with other nations. The country will have
sought and acquired the best available information technology,
and have become a regional leader in the production and
dissemination of information.
Botswana will have developed its communication capacity,
particularly in the electronic media, radio and television.
Batswana will be informed about the rest of the world.
All Batswana will have access to the media through national
and local radio, television and newspapers. All schools
will have access to a computer, and to computer based
communications such as the internet.
The society of Botswana by the year 2016 will be free
and democratic, a society where information on the
operations of Government, private sector and other
organisations is freely available to all citizens.
There will be a culture of transparency and accountability.
By the year 2016, the people of Botswana will be able
to use and apply the potential of computer equipment
in many aspects of everyday life.
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A Moral and Tolerant Nation
Morality
Deterioration of National Values
There is a challenge to cultivate and preserve national
moral and cultural values in the face of rapid social
change.
"Give Me"' Attitude
The creativity and effort of ordinary
people with the vitality of the private sector provide
the vital engine for development and growth. It is essential
that Botswana meets this challenge and avoids a culture
of dependency in the coming years. The future does not
lie entirely in the hands of Government.
Tolerance
Botswana must rediscover a collective
identity based upon shared values and a respect for ethnic
or cultural differences; or differing views or religious
beliefs.
Unity and Pride
Botswana contains a diversity of tribes
with different languages that are not equally recognised,
and there are signs of disunity and separateness. It
is vital to meet the challenge of building a united nation
that harnesses this diversity.
There is a challenge to instil pride
and ownership as well as responsibility for attributes
associated with Botswana, especially amongst the young.
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A United and Proud Nation
By the year 2016, Botswana will be a united and proud
nation, sharing common goals based on a common heritage,
national pride and a desire for stability. This will
be demonstrated by increased use of the flag and other
national symbols that signify racial harmony.
The country will still possess a diverse mix of cultures,
languages, traditions and peoples sharing a common destiny.
We will harness all of that diversity. We will have achieved
ethnic integration and full partnership to create a nation
in harmony with itself. From this partnership will have
sprung an equitably distributed prosperity in a caring
environment born of loyalty, dedication and 'national
pride.
This faith in ourselves, and strength in our unity will
propel us into the next millennium with confidence that
we can realise our Vision by the year 2016.
Family Values, Traditions and History
The family will be the central institution for the support
and development of people in Botswana, and for the transmission
of social and moral values. The strength of the family
will have been reinforced in response to the rapid social
changes that are sweeping the country, the region, and
the world.
The emphasis on a strong family unit will encourage
responsible parenting and the institution of marriage.
It will provide the social foundation for the eradication
of problems such as the high incidence of teenage pregnancies,
adultery, prostitution, street children and the spread
of HIV.
A Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation
Income Distribution
By the year 2016, Botswana will have a more equitable
income distribution that ensures the participation of
as many people as possible in its economic success. There
will be policy and measures that increase the participation
of poorer households in productive and income earning
activities. The economy will be growing in a distributive
manner - that is in a way that creates sustainable jobs.
Poverty
Botswana will be a compassionate and caring society,
offering support and opportunity to those who are poor,
and including all people in the benefits of growth.
By the year 2016, Botswana will have eradicated absolute
poverty, so that no part of the country will have people
living with incomes below the appropriate poverty datum
line. Within the next ten years, the percentage of people
in poverty will have been reduced to at most 23%, which
is half the level in 1994.
Social Safety Net
All people will have access to productive resources,
regardless of ethnic origin, gender, disability or misfortune.
Botswana will have succeeded in helping people to escape
from the poverty trap, and play a full part in society.
There will be a social safety net for those who find
themselves in poverty for any reason. This will go hand
in hand with the provision of good quality social security,
in partnership with the private sector and NGOs, aimed
at vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, orphans
and terminally ill.
Health
By the year 2016, all Batswana will have access to good
quality health facilities, including both primary and
curative services within reasonable travelling distance.
Mental health treatment will be accessible to all.
Facilities will also be available for the special needs
of the disabled, for women in adolescence or post menopause,
and the elderly.
There will be adequate nutrition for all citizens, in
addition to good quality sanitation, and an adequate
supply of safe water for human needs.
Botswana will be fully equipped and able to deal with
unexpected epidemics, or the outbreak of new and hitherto
unknown diseases.
The potential of traditional and spiritual healing systems
will be fully tapped and utilised in co operation with
modern medical practices, within the framework of modern
law.
HIV / AIDS
By the year 2016, the spread of the HIV virus that causes
AIDS will have been stopped, so that there will be no
new infections by the virus in that year.
If there is not at that time an affordable cure, all
people who are suffering from AIDS related illness will
have access to good quality treatment in the health facilities,
community, or the workplace so that they can continue
to live full and productive lives for as long as possible.
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A Safe and Secure Nation
Botswana will be a crime-free society
with zero tolerance for criminal activities in
2016. White-collar crime will be curbed. There will be
confidence in institutions for
law enforcement and public protection, which will be
manned by trained police officers.
There will be a reduction in deaths and injuries caused
by bad driving, inadequate fencing or poor marking of
roads.
A small, alert, trained, disciplined and accountable
army will be in place to will act
against any acts of external and internal aggression
or terrorism.
