Keletso Joseph Rakhudu

"Government has over the years embraced citizen empowerment initiatives in its development planning process by implementing specific programmes intended to empower Batswana in the absence of a specific empowerment policy."

"In this regard the sensitization process of the Policy with various stakeholders is being vigorously pursued. Batswana still require the necessary skills and competences to successfully take advantage of economic opportunities and become competitive in the global economy and therefore to have greater ownership, management and meaningful participation in the economy."

"I do not consider the 20 percent owner’s equity contribution required by some commercial banks to be excessively high. Nor is it a deterrent to acquisition of houses or homes by Batswana."

"Also, it should be noted that the higher the contribution by the borrower, the lower the repayment amount, hence this ultimately becomes a saving for the home owners."

"I therefore believe that the VAT levied on facility arrangement fees on mortgage housing loans cannot deter citizens from acquiring loans to purchase or construct houses."

"The size of the loan against the value of property, the so-called loan to value ratio, of 80 percent, is considered a prudent and safe lending practice, consistent with international norms."