National Vision 2016 Citizen Household Opinion Survey

1. National Vision 2016 Citizen Household Opinion Survey Highlights from National Vision Council Survey on Citizen Views on Selected Aspects on Vision 2016 Pillars A Presentation to Members of Parliament Dr C. Monkge, Coordinator , Vision 2016 9 December 2010

2. Background (i) • Vision Council required to report ‘progress’ against 2016 pillars • This study focuses on citizen views towards Vision 2016 • Council engaged BIDPA to conduct study • Study also asks on views about the running of the Vision per-se • Citizen views historically unaccounted for in many of the sources of information on Vision 2016

3. BACKGROUND (ii) • This survey is based on broad Vision 2016 indicators • Traditionally data unavailability a challenge for monitoring Vision 2016 progress • This issue is severe at district and sub district level • Survey conducted in 15 administrative districts of Botswana • Study began before Sowa designated administrative district • It covered1200 citizens; located in their households • The CSO threshold for representation is 700 households • Using household as a prerequisite for interviewing was intended to enable follow-up in the next survey session

4. BACKGROUND (iii) • For reasons of space and time, this summary presents only national aggregate figures • However the main report has cross tabulations on district; gender; age and education • Main report also attempts comparisons with other sources of information on Vision 2016 (e.g. Botswana’s Performance Report, MDGs Report) • Direct comparisons however are not possible since this is an opinion survey; the other two are factual • Important to note: this is a BASELINE study. It establishes referential data for future studies

5. COMPARISON OF SAMPLE WITH NATIONAL FIGURES/INDICATORS • 59% respondents were female; • Often women work in the informal sector-likely to be home; • Women therefore over-represented by about 7% in the sample • 45% of the respondents are under the age of 29, in line with national population trends where 43% = under 29 yrs; • Over 60s = 7%; whereas nationally they are 6%; • Over 90% respondents had formal educational qualification (Nationally literacy = 81%) • JC holders are the biggest single group of qualification at 27% • 5.5% of sample never attended school: (Nationally it is 10.5% never attended school)

6. VIEWS ON VISION 2016 • Vision 2016 intends ‘Prosperity for All’ by 2016 • As this is five years to 2016, buy in by citizens is crucial • The majority (63%)of respondents seem to share this view; to varying degrees;

7. Heard About the Vision? • 5 years to 2016, it is imperative that the Vision is more visible…to build awareness and even ownership; • Apparently the Vision does not reach about 7 % of the nation • Must Vision Council do more?

8. Sources of Information on Vision • Public radio stations are the most preferred source of information • It is imperative that the nation has multiple avenues for information on Vision 2016 • Indicators on Vision 2016 can also be used as a proxy for sources to information nationally • Most citizens rank reading papers (both public and private) lower than radio and Tv • Overall most respondents rate private print media over government print media

9. Informed Nation: Ranking of Information Sources

10. Progress on reaching pillar 1 goals • The Vision 2016 founding document has the following excerpts on this goal: • The next Millennium will usher in an information driven society throughout the world...Information must be harnessed to the best advantage of all citizens (Vision 2016) • Education is an investment that will lead to a higher quality of human capacity and productivity in the future and to a better quality of life for everyone. (Vision 2016)

11. Pillar 1: SECTOR RATINGS • The majority of the respondents think government is doing ‘good’ with regard to Information Technology • The majority also rated government ‘good’ with regard to Education

12. PROGRESS ON REACHING 2016 GOALS-PILLAR2 • The Vision 2016 founding document has the following excerpts on this goal: • By the year 2016… Botswana will have reached full employment, where the total jobs available in the formal or informal sectors is in balance with the number of job seekers • Botswana will have a vibrant and energetic economy that is able to meet the competitive demands of the 21st century and attractive investors (Vision 2016 Booklet) • Electricity received a ‘good’ rating. Possibly due to announcement of P 5000 uniform connection fee? • Roads, housing, land allocation, rural development, and employment all rated ‘poor’

13. PILLAR 2: SECTOR RATINGS

14. REACHING 2016 GOALS-PILLAR3 • Vision Pillar 3 focuses on harnessing social, economic and other resources for the protection and nurturing of Botswana’s less well off • The Vision 2016 founding document has the following excerpts on this goal: • Botswana will be a compassionate and caring society, offering support and opportunity to those who are poor, and including all people in the benefits of growth (Vision 2016 booklet) • By the year 2016 Botswana will have eradicated absolute poverty, so that no part of the country will have people living with incomes below the appropriate poverty datum line (Vision 2016 booklet) • There will be a social safety net for those who find themselves in poverty for any reason (Vision 2016 booklet) • By the year 2016, all Batswana will have access to good quality health facilities (Vision 2016 booklet) • All sectors rated above 50% ‘good’. • Food security the exception;

15. PILLAR 3 SECTOR RATINGS

16. PILLAR 4: SAFE AND SECURE NATION • Safety and security of any nation is required to ensure that citizens can realize their abilities to the fullest; • The Vision 2016 founding document has the following excerpts on this goal: • By the year 2016, serious and violent crime and the illegal possession of firearms will be eliminated, as will the distribution and use of addictive drugs • By the year 2016, violation of the physical well-being and human rights of individuals will be completely eradicated (Vision 2016 Booklet) • Respondents rate government positively in both ‘crime reduction’ and national security

17. Safe and Secure Nation (Ratings)

18. Dealing with antisocial behaviour • Effectively dealing with antisocial behaviour engenders positive attitudes from the community; • Respondents agree that the police and local leaders are effective in this;

19. Managing antisocial behaviour: involving communities • Respondents agree that the police involve them in fighting antisocial behaviours • Involving the community is important in engendering ‘ownership’ of policing programs

20. PILLAR 5:OPEN, DEMOCRATIC AND ACCOUNTABLE SOCIETY • Botswana is continually rated highly by external agencies and governments for democratic credentials; • The Vision 2016 founding document has the following excerpts on this goal: • Botswana’s tradition of democracy is one of its strongest assets, and gives it the stability that it will need in the future (Vision 2016 booklet) • The Botswana of 2016 will emphasize the accountability of all citizens, from the State President down to community leaders for their actions and decisions (Vision 2016 booklet) • “Botswana must introduce a Freedom of Information Act that will protect the rights of citizens to have access to information, and to ensure the accountability of all public and private institutions.”

21. Satisfaction with Way Govt is Run • Some indicators such as ‘Satisfaction with Government’ not usually accounted for • Overall Central Government rated ‘good’ • Local Government however rated ‘poor’

22. Amenability to Constitutional Changes • Overall, 72% of citizens indicated positive attitude to constitutional changes,

23. Preferred Constitutional Changes • Direct election of the president the most favoured change • Discontinuation of specially elected councillors least favoured change

24. MPs and Interests they Represent • Members of Parliament are meant to give expression to their constituents. • Respondents feel that MPs do NOT truly represent voters

25. Voting in the Last Elections (2009)

26. VOTING BY SEX (2009)

27. REASONS FOR VOTING

28. REASONS FOR NOT VOTING

29. INFLUENCES ON VOTING

30. Confidence in Selected State Institutions • ‘State’ defined broadly, not just ‘government’ as per common use • Political parties, trade unions, banks and parliament all get below 50% confidence rating. • Does the presence of parliament; trade unions and political , show a representational deficit?

31. Confidence in Judicial Institutions • An independent, impartial Judicial branch is important for ensuring accountability; • Newly established courts (Small Claims, Industrial) get below 50% rating. Is this due to lack of exposure?

32. EQUAL AND FAIR JUSTICE BY 2016? • 60% believe the justice will be based on equality and fairness in 2016 • 28% ‘strongly agree’ and 32% ‘tend to agree’ • 18% ‘strongly’ disagree and 15% ‘tend to disagree’

33. PILLAR 6: MORAL AND TOLERANT NATION • Vision 2016 says: • No citizen of the future Botswana will be disadvantaged as a result of gender, age, religion or creed, color, national or ethnic origin, location, language or political opinions (Vision 2016 booklet)

34. Tolerance in Our Communities • Respondents indicate Botswana a nation that tolerates its diversity; over 50% indicate ;definitely’ agree to various types of ‘tolerance’ • Racial discrimination the exception. Perhaps due to the issue of illegal immigration and crime?

35. Antisocial Behaviours in Our Communities • Drunkenness and loitering teenagers appear the most prevalent sources of antisocial behaviour

36. Respect in Public Spaces

37. PILLAR 7:UNITED AND PROUD NATION • Vision 2016 says: • The country will still possess a diverse mix of cultures, languages, traditions and people sharing a common destiny. We will harness all of that diversity (Vision 2016 booklet)

38. UNPAID HELP TO OTHERS? • Batswana tend to be supportive of each other • 74% indicate had offered unpaid help to unknown • However 26% indicated otherwise

39. Voluntary organisations (MEMBERSHIP) • Generally Batswana are NOT members of community development organisations • This is a cause for concern as organised activity at community level is a source for empowerment and participation • Crime fighting is highest at a still low 23% membership

40. Satisfaction with Our Communities • Being satisfied with our communities could engender spirit of ownership, likely to lead to engaged citizens • Overall, respondents indicate positive satisfaction with our communities as places to live

41. Happiness in Botswana • Overall, respondents indicate a ‘happy’ nation

42. RECOMMENDATIONS • Parliament, political parties and trade unions need to improve their image among stakeholders; • Further reflection may be necessary on constitutional reforms; and • MPs to reflect on how they are perceived and build trust and confidence. • Need for review of electoral act and consider suggestions on how to increase turnout at elections(voting on weekends) • Holiday for voting? • Consideration be made to know why people think political representatives represent own interests and • Consider teaching voters on role of political representatives vis voters’ social expectations???

43. The End • Thank You for Listening!