Botswana faces crisis after Covid19
Public health, education to suffer after pandemic
Botswana Government should find capacitation measures to help Batswana adapt to life post-pandemic. As the world moves on and different industries continue to open up, many people are trying to go back to their previous lives, but it is inevitable that change is essential to current life.
However, this change comes at a high price, says community mobilisation activist, Onkemetse Phufoetsile, adding that Covid-19 has affected the lives of the ordinary Motswana, particularly in the socio-economic stance.He said most pressing issues nationally are education and public health.
“Money should now be pumped into the health system to help resuscitate it and prepare for the future because the health system will be drained when this pandemic ends. “Public schools have also greatly been affected by the pandemic. This Covid-19 crisis is revealing some cracks in our education system. Government should be prepared to deal with poor grades and find ways to rectify the situation,” he said.
Phofuetsile has written a tool book titled ‘Coming out of a Crisis,’ which explores ways that Government can help Batswana create normality and adapt as the world slowly eases out of lockdowns and returns to “normal life.” He said while Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in health crisis; fear and uncertainty; loss of income and struggle to find new coping mechanisms, Botswana has the capacity to handle a pandemic because of its low population, although sterling management is still lacking.
“We have the resources, but the problem is with the management of these resources; Government as a system is supposed to be the administrator of the country’s resources independent from political influence. But there seems to be too much meddling of politicians in the administration of the resources.”
Phofuetsile however hailed BOCAIP for sponsoring a campaign for local pastors to visit institutions and provide counselling. He also applauded government for having made sanitising of hands and wearing a mask in all public places, a law.He said this has greatly helped in combating the crisis.
Going forward, he said there is need for a National Master Plan on how “we are going to rise out of the Covid-19 crisis, that should be followed with an action plan because talk is cheap.”
Phofuetsile studied Theology at Living Waters Theological Seminary in Harare, Zimbabwe and has worked as a pastor and administrator. He is a self-employed licensed marriage officer and counsellor.