The Botswana government has sparked controversy after asking citizens to donate money to reward the country’s historic Olympic gold-medal-winning team. The request, made public on Monday, suggested that the fund would allow citizens to honor the athletes by “contributing rewards to our champions.”
Letsile Tebogo made history by becoming the first African athlete to win the men’s 200m at the Olympics, securing Botswana’s first-ever gold medal. However, the government’s appeal for public donations has overshadowed celebrations, with many questioning why taxpayer money isn’t being used to reward the Olympians.
“We are already paying tax, give our champions money from the government purse,” one outraged Facebook user commented. The Botswana government has yet to respond to requests for clarification on whether it is also contributing to the reward fund.
The call for donations has drawn mixed reactions on social media. While some, like an unemployed electrical engineering graduate, expressed regret at being unable to contribute, others suggested that the cabinet should lead by example and donate 25% of their salaries.
In contrast, some voices of support for the fund have emerged, with one user proposing that the donation drive be opened to all Africans, eager to contribute from Kenya. “Open it to all Africans, I want to contribute from Kenya,” said the user.
Botswana, one of the world’s largest diamond producers, has recently faced a slump in diamond revenues, leading to government spending cuts. Despite this, the country has one of the highest levels of income per head in Africa, though it struggles with high youth unemployment rates.
Other countries in Africa have often rewarded the winners of Olympic gold medals, or the Africa Cup of Nations, with houses or lump sums of cash.
The mixed reactions highlight the broader socio-economic tensions within Botswana, as citizens grapple with the government’s approach to celebrating a momentous national achievement. Meanwhile, the Olympic team’s triumphant return was marked by a half-day holiday declared by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, with tens of thousands gathering at the National Stadium in Gaborone to welcome the athletes home.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
The 34th anniversary of German Unity celebrated in Lagos, was hosted by Consul General Weert…
Matt Gaetz has said he will not return to Congress after withdrawing as Trump’s DOJ…
President Tinubu has sought Senate confirmation of Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff, citing…
Israeli PM Netanyahu faces potential arrest in the UK as Downing Street pledges to fulfill…
A second Australian teenager has died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, bringing to six…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFlFl1mPGC8 The arrest of self-proclaimed Prime minister of the Biafra Republic, Simon Ekpa who was…
View Comments
AUCTION OF DIRECT TOKUNBO IMPORTED VEHICLES (2024 AUCTIONING) IS CURRENTLY GOING NOW!!! .
ROOFING SHEETS DIFFERENT TYPES AVAILABLE.
IMPORTEDED VEHICLES & DIFFERENT TYPES OF GENERATORS, AUCTION PHONE'S. FOR SALE AT CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE AUCTION PRICE INTERESTED BUYER SHOULD KINDLY CONTACT US ON O8O__6739__9O9O
BAGS OF RICE AND VEGETABLE OIL FOR SALE IN A CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE PRICE, BUYER SHOULD CONTACT US ON O8O__6739__9O9O
ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALES.
SOME OF THE AVAILABLE VEHICLES AND THEIR AUCTION PRICES ARE:
Toyota 4Runner #950,000
Toyota Avalon #900,000
Toyota Avensis #950,000
Toyota Camry tiny light #450,000
Toyota Camry muscle #1.3m /spider #1.8m
Toyota Camry Big daddy #650,000
Toyota Corolla le #800,000. Corolla S, #1.2m
Toyota FJ Cruiser #1.1M
Toyota Hiace #4m
Toyota Highlander #2.5m
Toyota Hilux #2.2m
Toyota Matrix #600,000
Toyota Prado #2m
Toyota Rav4 #650,000
Toyota Sequoia #950,000
Toyota picnic #670,000
Toyota Sienna #600,000/#950,000/#1.4m
Toyota Tacoma #2.7m.
Toyota Tundra #2.5M.
Toyota Venza #2.4M
Toyota Yaris #900,000
Volkswagen Golf 2,3,4 #250,000/350,000/#450,000/
Volkswagen Passat/wagon #500,000.
Volkswagen Touareg #600,000
Acura MDX #1.3
Acura TL #1M
Acura ZDX #2M
Audi A4 #500,000
Audi A6 #650,000
BMW 3-Series #650,000
BMW 5-Series #980,000
Ford Escape #600,000
Ford Explorer #900,000
Honda Baby Boy #500,000
Honda Accord 03 EOD #860,000
Honda Civic #500,000
Honda Crosstour #1.2M
Honda CR-V #750,000
Hyundai Accent #950,000.
Infiniti FX35 #1M
Infiniti FX45 #1.2M
Land Rover Discovery #3M
Lexus ex 300 #800,000
Lexus Rx330,#1.5m
Lexus Rx350,#3.5m
Lexus Rx400, #4m
RANG ROVER SPORT =#5M.
Land Rover LR3 #2m950,000.
MERCEDES BENZ DIFFERENT MODEL.
NOTICE: THE PRICE OF THOSE VEHICLES DEPEND ON THEIR YEAR MODEL.