Full- scale War has returned to Europe - Hellwig- botte
Something special is happening in Europe – it is the return of a full- scale war – all because of the Russian aggression on Ukraine.
Speaking Monday 3rd October to mark the Day of German Unity, German Ambassador Margit Hellwig- botte said that this ( full scale war) is something which is difficult to cope with for the Europeans.
The war has repercussions not only in Europe but also in the rest of the world. However, on the bright side, she said it should teach us something, and that is to never take peace for granted. “We have to work for it day after day,” she told a jovial gathering that was meeting for the first time alfresco since 2019.
“Peace and security is something that we have to cherish and work for very hard in our respective regions,” Hellwig- botte advised her audience that comprised among others three cabinet ministers – Lefoko Moagi, Dr. Lemogang Kwape and Tumiso Rakgare.
Members of the diplomatic corps were also present among them, the Indian Ambassador Dr. Rajesh Ranjan and Dr. Sebastian Okello- Wangi, the Honorary Consul of the Uganda Honorary Consulate, as well as representatives of higher education such as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Botswana Prof. David Norris and the Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Skelemani, who is also a former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Indeed, the German envoy had every reason to be worried because after the historic Fall of the Berlin Wall on the 9th of November 1989, an air of optimism dawned on Europe and was crowned a year later on the 3rd of October 1990 when the Communist East Germany reunited with West Germany.
Ambassador Hellwig- botte explained that this change was brought about by the people in East Germany through a peaceful revolution in which they managed to “do away with oppressive government” and reclaimed their freedoms – their freedom to travel; freedom to say what they want, think what they want, freedom to love who they want!
Of- course there were some international partners who helped Germany during this transition, especially the former allies of WWII mainly the United Kingdom, France, Russia and the United States of America.
Hellwig- botte said they came to the conclusion – and it was formally agreed – that Germany should from that time onwards be united and continue to be a member of the European Union ( EU) and also of NATO.
“And by the way Russia agreed to that – we should keep all that in mind,” she said in air of exasperation given what has transpired this year – 32 years later between Russia and Ukraine!
“At the time we thought it’s the end of the Cold War, there will be peace and security all over the world – but 32 years down the line unfortunately we have to find out that this is not the case,” she cried.
Turning to the 56- year- old diplomatic relations between Germany and Botswana, the Ambassador said they are anchored on the values of democratic rights; human rights and the rule of law – values that are espoused in their membership of the United Nations.
Germany alongside the European Union ( EU) is the biggest supporter of the Gaborone- based SADC Secretariat and also of its programmes on trans- boundary water management; regional economic integration and on trans- boundary management of wildlife through the KAZA Trans- Frontier Park. In education the University of Botswana and Botho University have partnerships with German Universities and every year they exchange students and professors. And every year a number of Batswana secure scholarships to go to Germany to study or to work and some of them even stay for good, she said. Hellwig- botte also clarified that in the area of vocational education, the German Development Cooperation through GIZ has also worked with the government of Botswana to revamp the curricular for vocational training to ensure that young people are job ready and able to take up jobs in industry.
She also mentioned a number of German Companies that are not based here but active in the mining sector such as STEAG which is helping to revamp the Morupule B power plant so that power supply is constant in this country.
STEAG was represented at the reception by its Managing Director Ralf Nagel), who is visiting the plant to meet authorities and see progress.
Another GIZ programme that is dear to Hellwigg- botte is the German Make IT in Africa program – which she has managed have it launch its operations for Southern Africa here in Botswana. Incidentally, Zindzi Letsididi, the Director of TheNeoHub, where the MakeIT in Africa program was launched early this year, was also present. Young entrepreneurs and start- up founders will benefit from this programme and they can contribute to more economic diversification and job creation, the Ambassador said.
For his part Foreign Minister Dr Lemogang Kwape said the support that Botswana received in the form of vaccines, materially and in kind when the world was “knocked out of its comfort zones” by the Covid- 19 pandemic, is a testament of the longstanding relations between the two countries, which share the same values.
The event was spiced by performances from distinguished Botswana Opera singer Tshenolo Batshogile and Tenor, Henry Nyatshane – both of whom also sang the national anthems of Botswana and Germany respectively, while the Thornhill Primary School Marimba Band performed the EU anthem.
In not so many words, Ambassador Hellwig- botte appealed to Minister Kwape to convey her plea to President Masisi to consider using the talent of Batshogile, Nyatshane and Thornhill Marimba band in national occasions, like the Independence Day!