Africa-Press – Botswana. Citizens have been encouraged to percieve Botswana not as a land-locked but as a land-linked one, a move aimed at repositioning the country as a vital connector in Southern Africa’s economic and trade landscape.
Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Morula Ward, Gaborone West recently, Member of Parliament for Bonnington South, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, called on citizens to embrace a more empowering national narrative that highlighted Botswana’s geographic location as strength rather than as a perceived limitation.
“The term ‘landlocked’ implies limitation, but Botswana is not isolated,” said Mr Gaolathe. “We are a central connector in Southern Africa, we are land-linked, not landlocked,” he said.
Mr Gaolathe said Botswana’s location placed it at the heart of Southern African region, with borders connecting it to four key countries, adding that the connections, opened up critical trade routes to major international ports such as Durban and Walvis Bay, allowing Botswana to serve as a bridge between inland economies and global markets.
“This aligns with Botswana’s ambitions to position itself as a trade and transport hub,” he said, adding that the shift in narrative reflected Botswana’s proactive approach to redefining its role in Southern Africa’s economic ecosystem.
The MP underscored that the rebranding from landlocked to land-linked was more than symbolic as it reflected a broader strategic direction in national policy.nMr Gaolathe further said Botswana was increasingly investing in infrastructure, promoting regional integration, and modernising logistics and transport networks. Among key government initiatives, he mentioned plans to construct a major underground fuel pipeline and development of a new international airport to boost regional connectivity.
He said such mega infrastructure projects would enhance the country’s logistical capabilities and create business opportunities and jobs for citizens. He encouraged Batswana to contribute ideas and take initiative in developing ventures that supported the nation’s economic transformation.
Mr Gaolathe who is also the Vice President and Minister of Finance, said land-linked reflected, “Botswana is a connected, capable, and competitive nation,” urging that Batswana should assume that position, and step confidently into a future of regional and global relevance.
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