Highlights from National Vision Council Survey on Citizen Views on Selected Aspects

on Vision 2016 PillarsA Presentation to Members of ParliamentDr C. Monkge, Coordinator , Vision 2016

9 December 2010

National Vision 2016 Citizen Household

Opinion Survey

BACKGROUND (I) Vision Council required to report ‘progress’

against 2016 pillarsThis study focuses on citizen views towards

Vision 2016Council engaged BIDPA to conduct studyStudy also asks on views about the running of

the Vision per-seCitizen views historically unaccounted for in

many of the sources of information on Vision 2016

BACKGROUND (II)This survey is based on broad Vision 2016 indicatorsTraditionally data unavailability a challenge for

monitoring Vision 2016 progress This issue is severe at district and sub district levelSurvey conducted in 15 administrative districts of

Botswana Study began before Sowa designated administrative

districtIt covered1200 citizens; located in their households The CSO threshold for representation is 700

householdsUsing household as a prerequisite for interviewing was

intended to enable follow-up in the next survey session

BACKGROUND (iii)For reasons of space and time, this summary

presents only national aggregate figuresHowever the main report has cross tabulations

on district; gender; age and educationMain 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

COMPARISON OF SAMPLE WITH NATIONAL

FIGURES/INDICATORS59% 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)

 

VIEWS ON VISION 2016 Vision 2016 intends ‘Prosperity for All’

by 2016As 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;

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?

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

INFORMED NATION: RANKING OF

INFORMATION SOURCES

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)

Pillar 1: SECTOR RATINGSThe majority of the respondents think

government is doing ‘good’ with regard to Information Technology

The majority also rated government ‘good’ with regard to Education

PROGRESS ON REACHING 2016 GOALS-PILLAR 2

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’

PILLAR 2: SECTOR RATINGS

REACHING 2016 GOALS-

PILLAR 3 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;

PILLAR 3 SECTOR RATINGS

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

SAFE AND SECURE NATION (RATINGS)

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;

MANAGING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: INVOLVING

COMMUNITIESRespondents agree that the police involve

them in fighting antisocial behavioursInvolving the community is important in

engendering ‘ownership’ of policing programs

PILLAR 5:OPEN, DEMOCRATIC AND

ACCOUNTABLE SOCIETYBotswana 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.”

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’

AMENABILITY TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Overall, 72% of citizens indicated positive attitude to constitutional changes,

PREFERRED CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES

Direct election of the president the most favoured change

Discontinuation of specially elected councillors least favoured change

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

VOTING IN THE LAST ELECTIONS (2009)

VOTING BY SEX (2009)

REASONS FOR VOTING

REASONS FOR NOT VOTING

INFLUENCES ON VOTING

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?

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?

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’

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)

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?

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOURS IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Drunkenness and loitering teenagers appear the most prevalent sources of antisocial behaviour

RESPECT IN PUBLIC SPACES

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)

UNPAID HELP TO OTHERS?

Batswana tend to be supportive of each other

74% indicate had offered unpaid help to unknown

However 26% indicated otherwise

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

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

HAPPINESS IN BOTSWANAOverall, respondents indicate a ‘happy’

nation

RECOMMENDATIONS Parliament, political parties and trade unions need to

improve their image among stakeholders; Further reflection may be necessary on constitutional

reforms; andMPs 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???

The EndThank You for Listening!