Botswana Speaks explained
Botswana Speaks, a parliamentary initiative aimed at enhancing democracy through public participation and policy dialogue was launched by Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane last week.
According to Botswana Speaks website, it is about enhancing the representative role of the Member of Parliament and building a responsive Parliament and Government for improved service delivery.
The platform, which is web-based and has a mobile application, will allow citizens to send messages directly via an online system using computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The messages are uploaded automatically into a tracker, and viewed regularly by the Members of Parliament (MPs) for response.
uSpeak and Speak4Yourself Botswana Speaks has two components:
uSpeak- for constituents to submit issues, opinions pertaining to their constituency. uSpeak will also enable constituents to be in touch with their MPs and or request information from them.
Speak4Yourself enables constituents to discuss, vote on, make their position known about issues and legislation before Parliament. This will empower constituents to have more of a say and role with regard to policy making and motions tabled by their respective MPs at Parliament.
The platform will enable constituents to communicate with their MPs 24/7, 365 and effectively capture and relay their suggestions and opinions on issues relating to service delivery and policy making amongst others all at the click of a button on your computer or any smart or mobile device.
Use of the Botswana Speaks platform will be simple and access made easy whether you are at home, in the office or on the move.
For those that do not have access to internet, you will be able to access Botswana Speaks for free at any of the Parliament constituency offices where there will be a dedicated Botswana
Speaks officer to assist the public whether its with registration or using the platform.
For those who do not have access to internet or do not have a smart device but have a GSM phone (bo-sedi lame), Botswana Speaks is still accessible via sms platform. For one to access the platform there is firstly a need to register either online or with assistance by your local
Parliament constituency office. Each of the 57 Parliament constituency offices across Botswana will have a dedicated Botswana Speaks officer based at each office. The officers are extensively trained on Parliament functions and on using the Botswana Speaks platform and will be ready to address any queries should they arise and ensure that every constituent will have access to the platform irrespective of their age, gender, religion and or political affiliation.