DEVELOPMENT-BOTSWANA: ”Will the MDGs Help Me Find a Job?”

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Joel Konopo

GABORONE, Apr 27 2007 (IPS) - Batswana are divided about the viability of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In random interviews, IPS found some arguing that the MDGs are elitist ideas unattainable in reality while others contend that the MDGs can be used to address socio-economic problems.

In 2000, governments agreed to eight developmental goals ranging from ”eradicating extreme poverty and hunger” to developing ”a global partnership for development”. The year 2015 was set as target date for the achievement of most of the goals.

For Kago Pelopedi (19), a high school graduate from Mochudi, a village about 25 kilometres north of Gaborone, MDGs are important for Batswana as they address issues pertinent to this southern African nation. These issues are HIV/AIDS, poverty and access to education.

”These issues are central to our lives as citizens of developing countries,” Pelopedi says.

The issue is more complicated for unemployed Neo Kelaile (25). After listening to IPS’s explanation of the MDGs, she explodes in uncontrollable laughter. ”Dreams,” she says. ”Those are dreams.” She is pessimistic about the MDGs.

”How are the MDGs going to put food on my table,” she wonders. Her friend, Koketso Moreri, asks: ”They sound like a good idea, but are they realistic?”

Kelaile has no clear idea about what the MDGs are about. ”From the snippets I got from the media they will help us develop, especially poor people like us. I want a job and if these MDGs will help me get one, I will be grateful,” Kelaile says, half-joking.

Michael Tshabadira, a resident of Old Naledi, a slum area in Gaborone, has a gloomy picture of the MDGs. Tshabadira, a 49-year-old unemployed father of two, says nothing will come from the MDGs.

”It is just about a group of rich people from rich countries having fun romanticising the woes of the poor. They are just lying to us when they say they will take us out of poverty. Even our government, which is aware of our suffering, is failing. So how can these UN guys who are so far away succeed in fighting our poverty?” he wonders.

For Gloria Matlhare, a 34-year-old receptionist, the MDGs seem far from fruition. ”They are quite impressive, the promises to address poverty, health, environmental protection and giving access to education to young children.

”This emphasis is welcome in Botswana, especially regarding education because today we are forced to pay school fees for our children, yet we get peanuts for wages. But I am pessimistic about the possibilities for success. It is not clear how they are going to be implemented and by who exactly. Is it the UN or governments?” Matlhare wonders out loud.

Unemployed 28-year-old Ishmael Matshaba says that in Botswana the most welcome goal will be the one addressing poverty and access to education for children, which he regards as a major concern.

He feels that Botswana is winning the fight against HIV/AIDS ”but nfortunately there are kids out there who have lost parents to the isease. The rate of unemployment, on the other hand, is dealing a serious blow to our livelihoods. These issues should be addressed urgently.”

Katlego Kgosimore, a University of Botswana Economics student, is aware of the MDGs and that Botswana will not be able to meet all the goals. She also knows that Botswana has already achieved universal education at primary level. ”We are doing much better than most other countries in the region.”

Her friend, Jackson Chimidza, a Public Administration student, agrees: ”Our leaders have adopted major policy changes over the past six years, with macroeconomic management and trade policy helping to underpin improved growth performance.”

But Maureen Matenge, an employee at the University of Botswana, holds different views. She doubts government’s commitment towards achieving the MDGs. ”There is need for a concerted effort and cooperation by all stakeholders. Government has a tendency to formulate and implement policies without prior consultation.”

Taxi driver Edwin Putswedi was in the dark when IPS interviewed him about the MDGs. ”That is news to me,” he says with a measure of inquisitiveness. ”I have never heard of them.” A brief explanation elicits a barrage of criticism against the government. ”Our leaders do not tell us about these things,” he complains.