Calamities hit hard on households - Masisi
President Mokgweetsi Masisi says the COVID- 19 pandemic and the energy crisis have had a devastating effect on many households.
The unprecedented nature of the pandemic, and the necessary measures deployed to mitigate its impact, were not helped by the global energy crisis that followed the immediate outbreak of the Russia- Ukraine conflict. According to the president, the resultant rising cost of living was experienced in many households just as the promise of the rollout of the COVID- 19 vaccines was starting to pay dividends. Speaking at the country’s independence commemoration, Masisi pointed out that owing to the war in Ukraine, the business sector, which was already recovering and re- hiring to reverse the trend of unemployment and loss of incomes, was not spared by the crippling operational costs due to among others, high fuel costs and associated supply constraints.
“As we commemorate our 56th Anniversary of Independence, let us all reflect deeply, on the significance brought by a moment, such as this day. This introspection will afford us the opportunity to understand and appreciate who we are as a nation, and most importantly, to deliberately choose not to be shaped by horrific and worst miscalculation of our mind- set,” he said. In doing so, Masisi believes that the country must remember milestones worth celebrating despite the heavy weight of challenges that for most parts of the last two years restricted movement. The president indicated that the fanfare and jubilation that accompanied the marking of the National Day in the past, has this time around been replaced by the grim events that are still fresh in everyone’s memories.
“Who would ever forget, especially the perilous months of July to September 2021 – when we lost many of our fellow citizens to the COVID- 19 pandemic,” Masisi asked rhetorically. He said there are many families that are hurting as a result of losing a loved one or close relative, a friend or a neighbour, due to the Covid- 19 pandemic. Masisi said by far, a greater number, especially women, those in the hospitality sector and the youth who are dominating the service sector, were hit the hardest economically by the devastating impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic. “I am however comforted that Batswana possess an abundance of spirit to bear each other’s burdens in times of crises. I therefore urge all of you, my country men and women, to continue in this selfless and timeless spirit well engrained in our society, through practices such as Molaletsa, Dikgafela and Letsema.” In order to sustain livelihoods, Government introduced policy and legislative reforms aimed at facilitating the overall improvement of doing business and stimulating economic activity. “We have seen the reduction in the standard Value Added Tax ( VAT) rate from 14 percent to 12 percent this year,” the president explained. Masisi explained that Parliament also passed the Retirement Funds Act, 2022, allowing pensioners access to draw pensions for settlement of mortgages and medical bills for terminal ailments.
He said this should improve their overall wellbeing and bring much- needed relief to beneficiaries in distress while also freeing- up a bit of cash in their pockets, for other critical uses.