Editors Note

WE CAN WIN THIS WAR

2016 is just around the corner. Thus, only two years remain before we hit 50 as a nation that has continually enjoyed self-rule, peace and democracy. However, to a Motswana it is now a cliché to talk about Botswana’s success story as a democracy and economic model of prosperity and good governance.

Notwithstanding, to other nations, Botswana still remains a beacon of democracy, peace and economic prosperity in Africa. Meet anyone anywhere and introduce yourself as a Motswana, their immediate reaction is to tell you how amazing your country is to have achieved so much in little so a time.

Truly amazing to hear somebody as far as Germany or Lebanon talk about your country in such positive terms. I felt so proud and honoured when a media colleague I met in Berlin, Germany last month told me how amazing Botswana was.

She told me about the peace, democracy and economic prosperity that Botswana is renowned for. I listened to her with keen interest as she narrated her story and how impressed she was.

I thought she would just stop there but then she continued and asked me something I thought she wouldn’t but that I always expect other people to talk about – HIV/AIDS. Botswana is one of the countries most affected by HIV/AIDS. Shew!

That certainly blights the success story that is Botswana. This is something you least want to hear from someone especially from outside Botswana but that you always anticipate you will be asked about after all the good things have been said and done.

After all these efforts to address the problem of HIV/AIDS, there must be light at the end of the tunnel. Certainly there is and the desire for Botswana to celebrate 2016 with zero new infections seems to be turning into reality. I mean, it was heart-warming to learn last month that Botswana recorded a decline of 71 per cent in HIV incidence between 2001 and 2011.

To be ranked among the top 26 countries where new HIV infections declined by more than 50 per cent between 2001 and 2012 is indeed heart-warming and gives one hope that Botswana can win the warn against HIV/AIDS.

“The number of new HIV infections continues to decline as we await results of the fourth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey,” National AIDS Coordinating Agency boss was quoted as saying last month. This should bolster our resolve to reach the target of zero new infections by 2016. However, we are not there yet.

So let us not get overly excited because the enemy is still out there. I urge you to continue fighting even beyond 2016. We can win this war! Thank you!

Editor

Thomas Nkhoma.