Stock thieves wreak havoc in Palapye
8 billion people, 8 billion opportunities
The world reached a population of 8 billion on the 15th of November, 2022, with the population expected to surpass the 10 billion mark by 2080. While it took about 12 years to move from 7 billion to 8 billion, it is expected that the next billion (9) will be attained after approximately 14.5 years (2037), reflecting the slowdown in global growth.
A number of factors can be attributed to this new milestone of 8 billion, and these include; improved healthcare; reduced global poverty; improvements in maternal and child health; and an increase in the longevity of life.
While a world of 8 billion is a milestone for humanity, a focus on numbers alone may distract us from the real challenge we face which is securing a world in which progress can be enjoyed equally and sustainably. As such the world cannot rely on one-size-fits-all solutions in a world in which the median age is 41 in Europe compared to 17 in sub-Saharan Africa. To succeed, all population policies must have reproductive rights at their core which call for investment in people and the planet, and be based on solid data. Women and girls’ reproductive health and rights are key to ensuring societies thrive amid demographic changes. Population trends don’t mean census data or surveys only – it also involves women’s and girls’ right to make choices about their bodies and future. The reproductive rights and health of women must be protected irrespective of demographic trends.
What does this milestone mean for countries experiencing slower population growth like Botswana?
The 2022 Population and Housing Census estimated the total population of Botswana at 2.35 million people, representing an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent compared to 1.9 percent recorded during the 2011 census. This may be attributed to the decline in total fertility rate (TFR) in the country, currently estimated at three births per woman.
The decline in TFR has ushered Botswana into an advanced stage of demographic transition, where currently about 65% of the population is classified as economically active (those aged between 15-64 years) and thus suggested a reduction in the burden of dependency in the country. In fact, Botswana’s dependency ratio declined from 110% in 1981 to 61% in 2020.
Further, as the TFR declined, the median age of Botswana increased from 15 years in 1980 to an estimated 24 years in 2020, a figure that is projected to reach 31 years by 2045. While the increase in the median age is a testament to the fact that we have more people within the working age brackets, it also signifies one important factor - that the society of Botswana is also aging.
Botswana has undergone phenomenal urbanization since its independence as urban locations increased in number and size. In 2011, almost twothirds (64%) of the population lived in urban areas and this was projected to reach 80% by 2026. All these factors culminate into this one key thing - that Botswana has an opportunity to harness a demographic dividend. In simple terms, a Demographic Dividend is an opportunity that arises when a transition occurs such that the population is dominated by more people that are economically viable than dependent individuals. This opportunity has been open for Botswana since the early 1990s but it does not last forever and is projected to close around 2060, as the aging phenomenon continues to unfold. As the world commemorates the milestone of 8 billion, it is important for Botswana to reflect on their demographic dynamics, and invest in strategic actions and interventions that help us harness the demographic dividend.
Interventions to harness the demographic dividend
This opportunity is not automatic. It can be realized and maximized with key strategic investments;
● Ending the unmet need for family planning, which is estimated at 17.4 percent is central to realizing the demographic dividend. This is particularly important for adolescent girls and young women, who account for 10% of births in the country annually.
● The creation of mass-quality jobs for young people is also key to realizing the demographic dividend. Currently, young people in Botswana remain dependent up to the age of 32 years. The burden of the so-called ‘Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) needs urgent attention.
● Gender equality and women’s empowerment are key enabling factors for reaping a demographic dividend. A typical Motswana woman requires urgent action as we accelerate progress towards Agenda 2030 - because while their male counterparts become dependent around the age of 32 years, and remain so up to age 55 years, at no age does a Motswana woman have more income than her consumption. The fact that men specialize in paid market work, and that women specialize in unpaid work is a gross inequality, that not only threatens Botswana’s progress towards reaping the demographic dividend, but also attainment of gender equality and women’s empowerment by 2030.
Complex linkages between population, sustainable development, and climate change
While the Day of 8 Billion represents a success story for humanity, it also raises concerns about links between population growth, poverty, climate change, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The relationship between population growth and sustainable development is complex.
Experts believe that demographic increase or decrease is not particularly good or bad in entirety, but ensuring that countries are resilient amid demographic changes is key to building sustainable societies. Building demographic resilience means that each government must be able to project and anticipate its demographic future so that it can plan. Demographic resilience can be achieved by timely policy-making by governments with demographic change projection as a foundational principle. Demographic resilience seeks to equip people with the skills, tools, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Women and girls’ reproductive health and rights are key to ensuring societies can thrive amid demographic changes. To improve the quality of life for the next billion, we must strive to ensure that every birth is intended by ensuring all people have access to:
● Family planning services, such as contraceptives.
● Quality maternal healthcare services.
● Accurate and easily accessible information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
● The global community must ensure that all countries, regardless of whether their populations are growing or shrinking, are equipped to provide a good quality of life for their populations and can lift and empower their most marginalized people.
As the Executive Director of UNFPA Dr. Natalia Kanem says “8 billion starts and ends with upholding rights and choices. This is the path to prosperity and peace.”
*Priscilla Rabasimane is a Communications Analyst at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Botswana.
Farmers in Palapye and surrounding areas are dispirited by the upsurge in stock theft in the area as the police continue to arrest suspects in possession of stolen cattle and carcasses. The rampant stock theft in the area is said to be difficult to contain thus keeping the police on their toes and remains one of the greatest threats to the long-term sustainability of livestock production and farming in the vicinity. The police have worriedly observed that stock thieves hang around grazing areas to rustle unbranded cattle, which are their chief target.
In an interview with Mmegi, Palapye Station Commander, Superintendent Molly Lebala-Moduke said they continue to arrest stock theft suspects and confiscate stolen beasts, indications that indeed stock theft has become a paying job for perpetrators.
Lebala-Moduke said through their investigations, they have established that there is a syndicate of livestock thieves targeting cattle when they have gone out to graze, slaughtering them and selling meat to butcheries and the informal sector.
“Last year, from the July to September quarter, we recorded 13 cases of stock theft and compared to the same period this year we recorded 20 cases which reflects a massive increase. In October only this year we have recorded 19 cases as compared to 13 cases the same month last year. This is a serious concern especially that we have been battling this scourge for years,” she said.
The senior police officer added that on Tuesday they recorded two cases of stock theft from different syndicates. She said in the first incident they received a tip off of people who were seen burning something in a field at Maotokgonyana lands suspected to be burning a cow hide.
“The police immediately rushed there and their investigations lead to the arrest of two men aged 34 respectively who when interrogated by the police they admitted to have killed a cow and burnt its hide. The police couldn’t retrieve the meat as they had already sold it,” she said.
She further stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing to locate the three other suspects who are still at large and establish their market. Furthermore, Lebala-Moduke said later that day they received another report that a man residing in Extension 3, Palapye was seen in possession of a slaughtered cow suspected to have been stolen.
She said on arrival at the crime scene, the police found the owner of the yard, a 38-year-old man in possession of two slaughtered cattle and arrested a 43-year-old man, the driver of a Corolla car who had just delivered the meat.
“Moreover, the police’s investigations led to the arrest of two more suspects, a 43 and 58-year-old men who are currently in police custody helping the police with investigations. Investigations on the matter are ongoing to locate the fifth suspect who is still at large,” she said.
Lebala-Moduke said they have since established that the two cattle were stolen at Shalakwe cattle post and they are yet to locate the leathers of both cows.
“Usually when we recover stolen stock’s skins the suspects would have destroyed the cattle’ brand mark. We have been holding meetings with farmers partnering with farmers association to warn them about this scourge,” she said.
She added to have since observed that some farmers’ lack of responsibility and accountability in branding and earmarking their cattle, worsen the problem and as a result the majority of them (farmers) end up losing their cattle because they cannot identify them.
“We have been pleading with farmers to visit their cattle posts frequently and familiarise themselves with their livestock, pay their herdsmen on time in order to motivate them. As for unbranded beasts, being the zero teeth, we have encouraged farmers to make sure they brand their livestock to curb stock theft,” Lebala-Moduke said.
She added that they have been doing inspections in butcheries and sensitise them about stock theft issues because it has been established that they are stock thieves’ market together with people who make business by selling cooked food.