Edition 428 September 5 - 12, 2008.

Heartbreak election results for some

The last round of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections - Bulela Ditswe - held over the weekend saw three Assistant Ministers and two other Members of Parliament losing their seats in the 2009 general election.

Bulela Ditswe has become a heartbreaker for many politicians and councillors. It has not been without problems and is said to have the potential of encouraging party factions as losers in most cases are not always willing to back the winners.

Those who lost in the weekend primaries are controversial MP for Nata/Gweta and Assistant Minister of Local Government Olifant Mfa, Nkange MP and Assistant Minister of Local Government Ambrose Masalila, the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry and MP for Shoshong Duke Lefhoko, Francistown South MP Khumongwana Maoto, and MP for Tswapong North Thebe Mogami.

Mfa lost to Makosha Balatotswe who gained 1 687 votes against Mfa's 1 364 while Batshu got 2 506 votes against Masalila's 2 196.

After losing the Botswana Football Association presidency a fortnight ago, Dikgang Phillip Makgalemele redeemed himself by getting 1268 votes against Lefhoko's 1 235 votes in the race for Shoshong constituency. Maoto lost to Winter Molotsi who got a massive 1 300 votes against his MP opponent's paltry 581.

The results are: Mahalapye West - Bernard Bolele (704), Mompati Merafhe (2,775); Mahalapye East - Botlogile Tshireletso (2,066), Joseph Orebotse (672), Lazarous Lekgoanyana(195); Serowe North East - Kgotla Autlwetse (2,090), Ndelu Seretse (3,086); Serowe South - Tebelelo Seretse (1,917), Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi (2,697), Polokego Setshogo(405); Boteti - Slumber Tsogwane (2,191), Monkhei Moreki (682);

Tati East - Guma Moyo (3,520), Machacha Thabani (754); Francistown West - Tshelang Masisi (1,263), Sylvia Muzila (824), Peter Ngoma (774); Tonota South - Pono Moatlhodi (1,879), Ntsima Ntsima (664); Bobirwa - Shaw Kgathi (3,142), Matlhape Letsweletse (916); Mmadinare - Ponatshego Kedikilwe (2,597), Moseki Arnold (633), Lekwapa Allen (300).

Selebi-Phikwe East - Nonofo Molefhi (1,137), Phatswane Lincoln (338); Tswapong South - Garekwe Segaetsho (1,277), Oreeditse Molebatsi (2,645), Richard Segwane (459); Mogoditshane - Patrick Masimolole (995), Otisitswe Baolwetse (618). Seven Cabinet ministers and MPs were unopposed - Thanda Mokalake, Baledzi Gaolathe, Tshekedi Khama, Master Goya, Kavis Kario, Charles Tibone and Phandu Skelemani.

NO TREATMENT FOR AIDS CONVICT

Two armed robbers – one suffering from HIV/AIDS - are to spend the next 10 years in prison.

The infected man has also been told by a Maun magistrate and prosecutor that he will not be eligible for free ARV treatment for the disease as he is a foreigner.

Witnesses told the court they saw HIV/AIDS sufferer Peter Mthimkhulu and his accomplice, Mambo Kobe, rob a Maun man simply because the lights in his house were on and the robbers were clearly visible to anyone who looked through the windows.

Mthimkhulu, a Zimbabwean, also earlier escaped from custody, swam the Thamalakane River and disappeared into the Maun Educational Park with police, the Botswana Defence Force, the SSG and 911 Neighbourhood Watch members in pursuit. He wasn't found at the time but was recaptured later.

The two were this week sentenced by magistrate Rebecca Motsamai for the August 2007 robbery.

Mthimkhulu (27) and Kobe (24) stole cash amounting to P1 500, a radio, and two cellphones.

According to the judgement handed down in court, the evidence revealed by witnesses was that at the time of the robbery, the house's lights were on and the men were clearly visible. The clothes they were wearing were accurately described.

Kobe was later seen wearing the same clothes and the police were informed. He was arrested.

Other evidence which linked the two was a cellphone which was stolen. It had been thrown from a police vehicle by Mthimkulu and picked up by a standard seven student who took it to the police station. The two robbers tried to convince the court they were not in Maun at the time of the offence but this defence was dismissed and described as an “afterthought”.

In his plea of mitigation, Kobe asked for a lenient sentence, saying that he was an orphan and adding that he is taking care of his 8-month-old baby whose mother had died.

Mthimkulu described himself as an HIV/AIDS sufferer and was on ARV. He also begged for a lenient sentence saying that ‘'There is no life at prison. May the court consider my plea of mitigations and give me a suspended sentence.'' He also said the court should consider that he is not educated and life is hard on his side. He further asked the court to take into consideration the fact that he is not the one who committed the offence.

In response Motsamai told him that the court has to balance the law and the interest of the society as well as the culprit and the complainant.

Mthimkulu also begged for a lenient sentence saying that he is a person of ill health and is on ARV treatment.

He said since he was arrested, he had not taken medication and also argued he had been in prisoner for a year before escaping.

‘'I escaped from custody as I was afraid that I may die any time in prison and I was risking my life at prison since I was not taking my medication,'' he said.

When passing sentence Motsamai said she considered their mitigations and that the offence that they have done attracts imprisonment penalty of not less than 10 years or life imprisonment. She also said she had considered that Kobe has a previous conviction of armed robbery in 2004 for which he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Choppies manager ‘ridiculed standard of President'

The manager of the Maun branch of Choppies supermarket, Unnikrishman Bhaskaran (36), of Borolong ward, appeared before Maun senior magistrate Rebecca Motsamai this week for allegedly “uttering words with intent to ridicule the standard of the president of Botswana , Seretse Khama Ian Khama.”

According to the charge sheet, during April Bhaskaran allegedly uttered words to Elizabeth Anderson, who was an employee of the supermarket, that she had to go and ask for permission to go to the toilet from ‘'Ian''.

It was said the words were designed to ridicule.

Bhaskaran pleaded not guilty and said that what is reflected on the charge sheet was not the truth. He was represented by Charles Tlagae, of Charles Tlagae Attorneys, Maun.

The State was represented by Pascal Mhandu, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, who told the court that investigations in the matter were complete and that the State was ready for trial. He said the State would call six witnesses.

Bhaskakran will appear again for mention in October 10.

The case was registered after the accused was interogated by Maun police following allegations that Bhaskaran insulted the president. Investigations were carried on and he was warned and cautioned for the offence as charged.

In terms of the Penal Code, Chapter 08.01, Section 93, “any person who in a public place or at a public gathering uses abusive, obscene or insulting language in relations to the President, any other member of the National Assembly or any public officer is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding P400”.

“Public gathering” is defined as “any meeting, gathering or concourse, whether in a public place or otherwise.”

Section 89 of the Penal Code also states that anyone uttering any words showing hatred, ridicule or contempt for any person is guilty of an offence and can be fined P500.

As a result of stories about the matter appearing in The Ngami Times, the supermarket banned the sale in the store of the newspaper.

It can only happen in Maun…………………

The woes of a locked-in bar customer

A local restaurant owner was called from his bed close to midnight recently to return to his establishment – no, Maun's burglars hadn't entered the premises, but a customer found herself locked in when the restaurant closed that night!

The many in this town with 911 radios heard all about it as a distress call was made “to get someone out of the restaurant”.

Reaction was swift.

Across the road, at Discovery Bed and Breakfast, the owners went to Klaas Boll's home to rouse him and amid much cussing – so we are told – he raced off into town to rescue the damsel in distress.

It appears that when Boll was locking up the Bon Arrivee restaurant, and was shooing away clientele who had overstayed the welcome proclaimed by law, one of the customers had slipped past him in order to do what comes naturally.

When she re-entered the main part of the restaurant she found to her consternation that the door was locked.

“I walked around the place and then noted some people on the pavement and banged on the door to get their attention,” said the luckless woman.

A 911 call was made and the rest is history.

To be locked in a restaurant packed with food and drink is of course a mere fantasy for many. If all else fails, settle down for the night with a good-sized noggin at our side and sleep until the morning shift arrives and to their astonishment find an all-night customer . . . .

Ultra-modern distance learning facility

An artist's impression of the new Botswana College of Distance and Open Learning (BOCODOL) centre costing about P90-million which is under construction in Disaneng, Maun. Work on the state-of-the-art building started on August 16. A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled for next week when the Minister of Education, Jacob Nkate, is expected to officiate. Tuwana Construction are the builders, with the lead design consultant being Africon Consulting Engineers, and Chessnut Management being the project engineers. The architectural consultant is Albert Welfing, of Maun. The ultra-modern building design includes energy saving, reduced “carbon” footprint, re-use of water and other modern technologies which will make the building a landmark project for not only Maun but the whole country.

Pedestrian sustained minor injuries

By Molefi Manyepedza

A 30 year old Bombadi ward woman in Maun sustained minor injuries after being knocked down this week on Tsheko Tsheko Road .

The accident took place opposite the Ponny Bar on Sunday night.

According to Superintendent Alfred Magudu, of Maun Police, the incident took place on Sunday at around 2230hrs on Tsheko Tsheko road near Pony bar.

The woman sustained a cut on her left shin and bruises to the left thigh. She was later admitted in Maun General Hospital . Magudu is asking drivers to drive careful at night and travel at low speeds. This is so because the road is also used by other drivers, animals and pedestrians.

“Pedestrians are supposed to put on light coloured clothes during the night to enable drivers to see them. These will help in reducing incidents in which pedestrians are knocked down by vehicles,” he added.

BDP objects to Nkate allegation

GABORONE – The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) says it is “a mischievous suggestion” that T-shirts with pictures of the Minister of Education, Jacob Nkate, were sponsored by the NIIT training college to promote his election campaign in the BDP primaries. It is described as “another misguided and factually wrong statement attributing the donation in question as an attempt to curry favour by NIIT.”

The BDP says that to its knowledge the T-shirts were a gift to the Ngami constituency for a specific event – the reception of new members that were being admitted into the BDP at Etsha 6 well over a year ago.”

The party's central committee said it had found no wrong-doing or impropriety on the part of anyone.

Nkate is secretary-general of the BDP.

Maun best rock/metal band...... Remuda on stage at Maokaneng Bar in Matlapana opposite Okavango River Lodge belted out their best tunes much to the amusement of the large crowd which had come to watch their live performance.They will be performing again this weekend. The show starts at 3pm till 7.30pm. There is no cover charge.

Horses, dogs show their class

The recent horse and dog show in Maun was the most exciting in years.

“The Bramptons” farm of Gill Paynter (Spells) was the venue once again when 17 horses competed in 3 different disciplines: dressage, show jumping and cross country in 3 classes: preliminary, pre-novice and novice.

Each class was progressively tougher and more challenging for horse and rider.

The overnight leaders in the two-day event after dressage and show jumping were Pippa Bowker on “El Sabir” (African Animal Adventure Stables) in the preliminary class, Peter Perlstein on Natasha Wilmot's “ET” in the pre-novice class and Nicky Keyes on her own “Norty Cal” in the novice Class. However, the cross country on the Sunday morning saw great change to the leader table with many lower placed horses moving high up in the ranks.

The final results were: Prelim class – 1st Dany Hancock riding Sarah-Jane Gullick's “Zig Zag”, with 2 nd and 3rd places going to Mia Farr on “Ziard” and Pippa Bowker on “El Sabir” both owned by African Animal Adventure Stables

Pre-novice class – 1st: Peter Perlstein on “ET”; 2nd Gill Paynter on Barry Paynter's “Forest” and 3rd, Nicky Elliot on her own “Showboy”.

Novice – 1 st Dany Hancock on her own “Bonte”; 2 nd Gill Paynter on her own “George” and 3rd Nicky Keyes on “Norty Cal”.

The next show jumping/cross country weekend is scheduled November 1 and 2 at “The Bramptons”.

Once again, the dog show caused great entertainment with families bringing their much loved pooches to compete in agility, high jump and sausage bobbing competition in aid of Maun Animal Welfare Society (MAWS). The “MAWS Supreme Champion” was eventually won by Dany Hancock's “Tarka”. He smashed his own high jump record with an incredible height of 1m 30cm. The organisers wish to thank sponsors, helpers and spectators for their support!

A gourmet delight in Maun

Delicious was the word most used around the table at a gourmet night held at the Buck & Hunter pub and grill restaurant last weekend.

It was a fitting description for the feast provided for 20 guests by German-trained chef Wolfgang Werbeck and the restaurant's co-owner, Jamie Briggs. .

There were two menus on offer, the one just as tasty as the other. All the items were from by Spar Safari in Maun.

Menu 1 had curried butternut soup, Salmon Tian and Danish caviar, roast loin of lamb, spinach parcel, roasted garlic, mustard mash, followed by strawberries Parisienne.

The fare on Menu 2 had lamb consommé as the starter followed by a mussel cocktail in orange vinaigrette, chicken breast in a blue cheese crust, baby leeks and glaced carrots, Parisienne potatoes, and finished with deep friend ice cream on a fruit coulis. The wines – from Bateman's Fine Wines, Maun – fully complemented all the dishes. Saxenburg Guinea Fowl blanc, a predominantly chenin blanc blended with one third Viognier. It was excellent with the curried butternut soup and the mussel cocktail. The Jordan chameleon blanc is a sauvignon blanc- Chardonnay partnership which was excellent with roast lamb and the chicken breast in a blue cheese crust. The medium bodies cabernet sauvignon was also ideal for the roads lamb and chicken. The perfect accompaniment with the desserts was the very fine KWV red muscadel.

It is planned to hold similar dinners later

German-trained chef Wolfgang Werbeck and the restaurant's co-owner, Jamie Briggs .

Kenyan power sharing model for Zimbabwe ?

Excerpts from a paper on power

sharing written by PhD student Boga Thura Manatsha, who hails from Masunga

The crux of the present article is to analyze the on-going power-sharing dialogue in Zimbabwe .

I am afraid that nothing will come out of it. Let's stop fooling the people! Mugabe, Mbeki, Tsvangirai, and the now turned ZANU-PF admirer, Mutambara, know that the talks will not produce any tangible (re)solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe .

George Charamba, Mugabe's spokesman, once said that Zimbabwe is not Kenya , and as Zimbabweans, they have a way of resolving conflicts. Indeed, Zimbabwe has a unique way of resolving “conflict” through the use of war veterans, the Fifth Brigade, the army and police.

In Kenya , the remnants of the Mau-Mau anti-colonial rebellion of 1952-1960 have not played significant/coercive role in the post-independence politics of that country. However, to start with, Kenya (through its recent power-sharing deal) has set a wrong and embarrassing precedent for African “democracy” – anyway, do we have democracy in Africa ?

Kibaki, like Mugabe, lost the elections in broad daylight, but clung to power willy-nilly. Africans are fooled and made to believe that the Kenyan power-sharing deal is “a success story”. It is not! The deal might have succeeded in halting the killings, mayhem, and violence, but does it really have any meaningful impact on the lives of the ordinary Kenyans?

Did the coalition government resolve the ethnic hatred which had flared after the disputed elections? What about the debates which fuelled the violence; federalism, ethnic equity and representation, and the independence of the Electoral Commission? Have they been resolved or shelved?

The Kenyan leaders, out of greed and the love of money, came up with the largest cabinet ever in the history of that country since independence. With a population of about 37 million, Kenya 's cabinet is composed of 40 full ministers and 52 assistant ministers. Kenya 's cabinet was described by Africa Centre for Open Democracy as “totally wasteful government”.

I am confident that Kenya 's problems have not been resolved but temporarily suspended. This strategy will boomerang. Quick-fix power-sharing deals such as this in Kenya contain the seeds of their own destruction.

Similarly, in Rwanda, in 1993, after the controversial power-sharing deal was brokered between the Habayarimana regime and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) led by the charismatic Paul Kagame, some paramilitary groups violently opposed it, leading to the genocide of 1994 where 800 000 people lost their lives.

What is clear is that in Africa either in Ivory Coast , where the French negotiators managed to strike a power-sharing deal, or in Sudan , where the prospects of peace are dim, compromised and bogus power-sharing deals will never resolve these conflicts.

In Zimbabwe , the conflict is not based on any ethnic lines at the moment, but on ideological differences. So, how do you resolve an ideological war/conflict? Do we want to conclude that power-sharing will neutralise and harmonise the political ideology of ZANU-PF or MDC?

If we think so, then we are living in the world of political fantasy. These are two different entities, operating in absolutely different political ideology? You don't just sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) and think that ideological inclinations will be compromised later. This is the Gordian-Knot in the Zimbabwe crisis.

Mugabe continues to claim, by using old-fashioned anti-colonial struggle ideological rhetoric, that he is the liberator of his people against neo-colonialism. If he thinks people like him, why did he coerce them to vote for him? He boisterously said that he will never allow a “democratically” elected government to rule Zimbabwe . He mentioned blatantly that his liberation gains cannot be reversed by a ballot!

There are controversies going on in Zimbabwe whether Mugabe should be made a ceremonial president. Whatever that means! In the first place, is he a president? In Zimbabwe , the dog's breakfast which took place on June 27 did not produce a president.

Mugabe knows that very well. After declaring himself the winner, Mugabe organised a quick inauguration ceremony, and later flew to Egypt to attend the AU summit. Mugabe's intention was to see how his mates will react to him. AU, a club of dictators, did not criticise him openly.

Mugabe even threatened that he will single out each and every leader at the summit if they dare to criticise him. Knowing that their houses are not in order, they decided to keep mum - giving the old man a sigh of relief. It is surprising that a power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe is being negotiated on the basis that Mugabe won the second round elections, and categorically he is the President. If so, I think Zimbabwe is heading towards a more protracted stalemate, more serious than the Joshua Nkomo-Mugabe power-sharing deal of the 1980s.

Minister on tour of Okavango area

The Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Daniel Kwelagobe, is addressing Kgotla meetings in the Okavango parliamentary constituency this week. During the tour, the Minister will also visit various facilities and major government projects in the area. He has already been to Beetsha, Gunotsoga, Seronga, and Mogotho, and will tomorrow (Saturday) be at Ngarange (9am), followed by Xakao (Sunday 9am), Kauxwi (Monday 8am), Nxamasere (Tuesday), Sepopa (Tuesday 8am), Bodirela Puso and Shakawe (Wednesday 2pm).

Maid on theft charges

By Molefi Manyepedza

A 32 year old Botshabelo, Maun, woman has appeared before Kgosi Labane Meno at the customary court facing a charge of stealing her employer's property.

According to Constable Solomon Matlou, Oreeditse Sarefo was employed by Iketlo Kuda in May as a maid. Both Kuda and Sarefo agreed that from August 1 to 3 Sarefo would not be at work and would return to her job on August 4. The date came and went without her arriving g.

During her absence, Kuda noticed that nine pairs of shoes, a blouse, a t-shirt, 2 bowls and an electric cord were missing.

Kuda then made a phone call to Sarefo who told her that she was employed in Ghanzi. Matlou said Kuda went to Sarefo's house in Maun and found her there.

Kuda asked her about the missing property and was told the items had been sold. The matter was then reported to the police and investigations started.

Some items – including four pairs of shoes - were however found with Sarefo and a friend of hers. “There is nothing I do for a living and this is what made me steal,” Sarefo told the court.

Matlou told the court that the accused was a first offender and in mitigation asked the court to be lenient with her because she takes care of an infant and stays with her grandmother.

Kgosi Meno fined her P200 and warned that failure to pay in three months will land her in jail for 3 months.

International HIV conference

GABORONE - An international HIV conference is to take place in Gaborone next month. Organised by the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, it will be the second such conference.

Under the theme “Bold new steps,” it starts on September 17 and will be attended by a host international experts.

Tourist hurt at campsite

A tourist was cut on the hand in one of two robberies carried out at camps in the Maun area this week. In the first incident, a tent was slashed. It is not known whether any property was stolen. The second incident resulted in a camper being cut when a robber tried to slice open a tent. The police and MRI were called to the 3.30am scene. Police are investigating both incidents.

Pass or don't drive

By Basadi Morokotso

Newly-introduced regulations that require learner drivers to pass theory tests before applying for a Provisional Driving Learner's licence has angered driving school operators who say it will affect their businesses.

Two who spoke to The Ngami Times in a recent interview expressed dissatisfaction with the new move as they feel it will mean people learn at home and only then take lessons.

The public relations officer for the Ministry of Works and Transport, Samuel Mbaiwa, said before the Road Traffic Act was amended by parliament in 2003, members of the public did not have to encounter the hassles that currently lie before them.

All that had to be done then was to ask for a provisional driver's licence and take to the road without having to study and fully understand road signs and markings.

When questioned on why the ministry took so long to put the Act in place although the amendment dates back to 2003, Mbaiwa said they had to computerise the licencing system after the 2003 amendment and they could not do so as computerisation was done in a number of phases. He said instead of worrying and pointing fingers, the public needs to be grateful and be made aware of the fact that the new system will benefit them.

He said people should look at the many car accidents and the many lost lives as a result of people who had no driving experience, fuelled by lack of knowledge of road signs.

Those operating driving schools should not only look at the benefits, but also consider the fact that their products should be equipped with knowledge and skills.

Major funding for SSK upgrade

GABORONE – The government has negotiated loans with Middle East and oil interests for the upgrading of the Sir Seretse Khama International airport at Gaborone .

According to the latest Government Gazette, the Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development is to provide P125.7-million for the purpose of facilitating the financing for the upgrading and expansion work with a further P65-million from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, based in Sudan , for the same reasons.

The project is already underway at the airport and is one of several being undertaken in Maun and Francistown to improve local airports.

The Maun upgrade was to have started earlier this year but was postponed until September. Work that has been done to date includes the clearing of large residential areas adjoining the planned perimeter of the airport.

Labourer in court for indecent assault

A labourer at the North West District Council Supplies department in Maun has appeared before Maun senior magistrate Rebecca Motsamai for indecent assault.

According to the charge sheet, Tsholofelo Willy (40) touched Mmapula Gaboemisiwe on July 4 on her private parts and breasts.

He pleaded not guilty to the offence, adding that he would engage a lawyer.

The prosecutor, Nkaelang Lekgowa, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, said investigations were complete and that the State will call six witnesses.

He said as the accused indicated he would engage legal representation, the trial date will be set in the presence of the accused's attorney. The accused will appear for mention on November 3.

Poachers arrested for killing kudu

By Lets Open

Police have arrested three Chanoga men for poaching a kudu.

The animal was killed during the current closed season for hunting.

The three are due to appear before the Maun magistrate's court while police investigations continue. Meanwhile, Chanoga residents, about 25km from Maun, are fearful of elephants that are roaming in the area.

They are said by villagers to have destroyed water installations, irrigation systems and farmlands.

Elephants have also been sighted in the Chuchubega, Makola, Toteng, Tshwaramasepa and Matshobe areas as well as at Samedupi.

The animals have also ranged as far as the Ghanzi district.

Two food thieves sentenced

By Boniface Keakabetse

Escalating food prices seem to be pushing certain people to the wrong side of the law. In two separate incidents, Leatametse Tebogo, 23, and Otsile Nthoiwa, 30, both of Botshabelo ward in Maun appeared before Kgosi Labane Meno at the customary court on two separate charges of shoplifting.

In the first case, the Kgosi fined Tebogo P200.00 or six months imprisonment for failing to pay for stealing groceries valued at P526.34 from Score supermarket. According to the charge sheet, Tebogo tried to cheat his way through Mpho Ludick, a security guard on duty, with the stolen goods. Tebogo could not produce the receipt for the goods and on further questioning from Ludick, Tebogo later claimed that he had secretly paid a cashier in the supermarket P300.00 for the goods. He couldn't prove it.

Making a plea for leniency, Tebogo told the court that he and his younger brother are orphans. He is taking care of the brother and his girlfriend with a newly born child. In the other case, Nthoiwa was given a P133.95 fine for trying to sneak a can of 1.8kg Nespray powdered milk and 100 ml baby oil jelly out of the Shoprite supermarket. The goods were found in her handbag. Nthoiwa's tricks did not fool the watchful eyes of security guard Obositswe Khubo who caught the offender committing the act and later turned her over to the police. In mitigation, a frightened looking Nthoiwa said: “I have no parents. I have children without a farther, and I am their mother and farther.”

Constable Solomon Matlou, of Botswana Police, prosecuted the two cases.

Earthquake was on the Kunyere fault

The earthquake that was felt across large areas of Maun and the Okavango Delta recently was not centred on the South Atlantic Ocean as originally thought but the epicentre was in fact on the nearby Kunyere fault at the junction of the Marophe and the Kunyere rivers.

This has been established by Piotr Wolski, Senior Research Fellow (Hydrology), of the University of Botswana 's Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre in Maun. “The earthquake of August 18, at 20:21 GMT (local time 10.21pm) had a magnitude of 4.4, and the epicentre was located at 20.033 deg S and 23.184 deg E, which puts it on the Kunyere fault at the junction of the Marophe and the Kunyere rivers,” he said in an e-mail to The Ngami Times this week.

The data has been obtained from the South African Council for Geoscience, through Professor Spike McCarthy, of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg .

The earthquake has a potential to affect distribution of water in the Okavango Delta, particularly flows towards Lake Ngami .

“I believe, however, we will have to wait a couple of years to ascertain with certainty whether or not there is any effect,” said Wolski.

It's do or die for Zebras

The senior national soccer team, the Zebras, face a crucial encounter over the weekend when they take on Madagascar in the second leg of the 2010 World Cup and the AFCON qualifiers in Antananarivo .

The squad prepared enough for the Sunday match- the two friendly games against Zimbabwe and Lesotho gave them the opportunity to polish up their mistakes before they headed for Madagascar .

Botswana and Madagascar played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the National Stadium in Gaborone .

Zebras' coach Stanley Tshosane is optimistic of a good result - “we prepared enough for this game, and we know that we have a tough battle against Madagascar but we have been working hard and we are convinced that we will bring back a positive result,” he said.

The Zebras are close to qualifying for the World Cup and AFCON in 2010, and the game in Madagascar is a must win for the nation to realise the dream of qualifying for the finals. The availability of the evergreen Cape Town Santos star midfielder Mogogi Gabonamong will add depth into the middle of the field, where the coach has been having difficulties of putting up a good combination.

The experience of Gabonamong is needed most and he will be assisted by Mogaladi and Mafoko who have been playing together in the absence of Gabonamong.

The team is made up of Egyptian-based goalkeeper and captain Modiri Marumo who will be assisted by understudy Noah Maposa. The rest of the squad is Mompati Thuma, Mogogi Gabonamong, Boitumelo Mafoko, Diphetogo Selolwane, Pontsho Moloi and Tshepo Motlhabankwe.

Nelson Gabolelwe, Mpho Mabogo, Joel Mogorosi, Dirang Moloi, Jerome Ramatlhakwane, Abedinico Powell, Vincent Phiri, Michael Mogaladi, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu and Ofentse Mmipi. Zebras have five points from four games and a convincing result will set up a thrilling clash against Mozambique in Gaborone next month.

Ivory Coast is currently top of group 7 with eight points.

The national side will be turning out in their new All Kasi kit, presented to them by co-director of Tsa Gae (Pty) Ltd, Frank Maplanka, on Monday.

Warm welcome for Olympic athletes

GABORONE - Botswana 's athletes from the just-ended 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing got a warm welcome when they returned this week from China .

In spite of failing to bring home medals, the 12 member team put up a brave performance that was applauded by all Batswana.

At a reception hosted to honour the team, Vice President Mompati Merafhe hailed the team, reminding them of the honour in representing one's country.

“The team competed very well and proved that we have talented people and this required a lot of sweat and determination,” he said.

Merafhe said government would continue to support efforts of elite sport and said the country needed visionaries and urged the sporting fraternity to do all it could to qualify for the next Olympics to be held in London in 2012.

Merafhe also praised the Chinese embassy in Botswana , saying they were not only wonderful hosts of the Games but also ensured that the local team was motivated by promising them incentives

Chinese ambassador to Botswana, Ding Xiaowen, presented P30 000 to three athletes - Amantle Montsho (400m, Gable Garenamotse (long jump) and Khumiso Ikgopoleng (51kg boxer) for reaching the finals of their respective sports.

“The athletes have done their best and should not have any regrets. They should start preparing for the next Games now,” said Xiaowen.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Gladys Kokorwe also said that the team did not disappoint, and encouraged them to start preparing for London 2012.

Local hockey players in national squad

Three students from Okavango International School in Maun represented Botswana at the recent Tri-Nations SADC tournament in Gaborone .

Mbakiso Shubani played in the boy's under-16 side against Zimbabwe and Namibia while Shana Mothibedi and Boemo Otae were in the girls under-13 team.

This is the first time players from Maun have made the national selection.

Apache route finalized

The route for this year's Apache Relay organised by the BMC Sports Club has now been finalised.

The event next Saturday (September 13) will take competitors from BMC in Boseja to Delta Waters International School and on to the Mukwa Gardens hockey rink. The next stage is to the Shorobe traffic circle and then to The Bridge, after which competitors will double back to Audi Camp, Croc Camp and the Okavango River Lodge.

Motor X will be followed by a treasure hunt before returning to BMC.

The relay consists of various sports events which turns it into fun day for competitors and spectators alike.

Teams of 8 compete at a cost of P800 per team.

Chiefs take the big one!

GABORONE – Mascom Premier League champions Mochudi Centre Chiefs lifted the Coca Cola Cup for the first time. Chiefs crushed Santos 5 – 2 at the National Stadium on Saturday. The victory makes Chiefs the first team to win every tournament in the country - the 2007/08 Mascom Premier League, Orange Kabelano Charity Cup and the Kgosi Kgafela Inauguration Cup.

Chiefs did not lose a game in the current season – and their last defeat was in last year's Coca Cola Cup semi-finals.

Chiefs have qualified for both the Confederations Cup, or Champions League, and the club's PR, Clifford Mogomotsi, said they are yet to decide on which competition they would enter.

Under-17s to play Angola

The Botswana national under-17 soccer squad will play Angola , in the 8 th African Junior Championships to be held in Algeria in 2009. The game will be played on September 14 in Angola , with the return scheduled for September 26 in Gaborone . The squad is currently in camp, and will be leaving the country on Tuesday. They are working under the tutelage of Kagiso Kobedi and Ditiro Motsikgare, assisted by Junior teams technical advisor and former national team coach, Jelusic Vesselin. The under 17 team is made up of senior school students, and BFA technical officer Philemon Makwengwe said that they are having problems in bringing the boys together as they are coming from different regions. “We are having a very big problem as the schools are opening, and all the players in the camp are school going students but we are talking to relevant people to assist us,” Makwengwe said.