SA high commissioner to Bots lives in opulence but can't ‘afford' to promote SA.

GABORONE- These are strange times indeed: SA high commissioner to Botswana, Ngconde Balfour lives in opulence but can't afford a table at the global expo organised by Botswana Export Development & Investment Authority (BEDIA).

This was revealed to Moneyweb Botswana on its visit to the conference in Gaborone, held to promote businesses and stimulate intra-regional business exchange.

In a bid to seize the opportunity and promote their services, South African Airways and Sun International flew journalists from South Africa's leading media houses to Gaborone and housed them at one of the leading hotels in the city, Gaborone Sun, otherwise known by the locals as G-sun, where we met up with them.

Upon arrival and checking into G-sun, journalists were driven to the South African embassy residence to meet with Balfour. As usual everyone on the bus was looking forward to seeing how their representative in Botswana lives, given the extravagant lifestyle public officials in South Africa have been known to enjoy at the expense of taxpayers.

The group was warmly welcomed by a housekeeper followed by Balfour who ushered us into his lounge. The eye was drawn to the numerous mirrors in the house and well organised, attractive furniture.

One journalist's eye was caught by a Mercedes Benz E-class catalogue lying on Balfour's coffee table, he told Balfour, "I like the bedtime story book on the coffee table". Balfour responded that he was just browsing through the catalogue which the local Mercedes Benz dealer, Naledi motors had dropped off at his home. He emphasised that if he was to buy it, and "definitely not now", he would use his own funds and not taxpayers'.

Balfour told us he was appointed to Botswana as a political ambassador with an aim of co-ordinating SADC issues and promoting cross border relations between South Africa and Botswana. He said the global expo organised by BEDIA was a good opportunity for South African companies to promote themselves in Botswana, but added that the South Africa High Commission would not be present "due to a lack of funds".  Asked to elaborate he said that the global expo stands were too expensive for his office.

Fortunately not all South Africans felt the same, South African Airways, Cape Winelands District Municipality, Invest North West South Africa, North West University graduate school, St James Capital group, Johannesburg fresh produce market, SSH body manufacturers, HSE solutions, Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality, frame fun and Mvelaserve cleaning services were present.

BEDIA said the main aim for the global expo was to attract foreign direct investment, promote joint venture opportunities between citizens and foreign investors, stimulate a culture of entrepreneurship locally and promote access to Botswana market for international exhibitors.

Write to John Chombah: johnc@moneyweb.co.za

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He always seemed to be in the Manto Mbeki Malema mould So it is not surprising that nothing works properly in Botswana. by Not Strange on November 10 2009, 16:59 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Eish Eish just to be shutting up, you are jest racist by ANCYL on November 10 2009, 17:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

why the mirrors? Oh maybe I understand now. This Balfour character has a girth that would make the fabled "fat lady" soprano of many an opera seem like a lithe, twiggy-type stick insect. I suppose he needs the mirrors to be able to check whether his . .more wedding tackle still exists. Isn't this the fellow who released Shabir because he heard His Oxcellency the Pres mutter something about wanting to see his mate on the golf course? Isn't this also the fellow who literally pee'd himself after his mbeki support and was really wanting to retain a cabinet post? Seems to me Jacobus saw through the bloke and rewarded him with Botswana. Oh well, it's probably better than North Korea . .less by Cassandra on November 10 2009, 20:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Lavish Lifestyle Of course he is living a lavish lifestyle and can afford plenty new mercs out of his own pocket. Well lets say Bosasa's pocket, which is in time the Department of correctional services, oh wait that's yours and my money!!! Sorry my mistake, he was . .more found not to have been bribed my Bosasa........ . .less by Cheeky on November 10 2009, 20:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

balfour Don't worry- the Prisons saga is still under investigation-wheels of justice are slow under A.N.C. Balfour will get his just desserts by erewhon on November 11 2009, 08:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANC values again The crime syndicate now has its tentacles in Botswana. Maybe they should lock up all watches if the convicted thief Manto pops around by SAM on November 11 2009, 09:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Futile Balfour Balfour he is just flawed, he is like a software which went to production with errors diliberatly. I am not sure what exactly Zuma was thinking. Equally the previous President trusted this man. he messed up the department of Sport in route to level . .more the correctional services. For goodnees seek all the ministers are buying BMW 750, and yet his office can handle afford a table that will promote South Africa. He must be Joking. He must come back home A.S.A.P . .less by Lopez on November 11 2009, 14:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANOREXSIA NERVOSA Those suffering from ANOREXSIA NERVOSA will confirm that this illness makes one do strange things. by babs on November 11 2009, 14:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

What a rubbish article What evidence is presented of opulence as per the headline? A brochure, a few mirrors and attractive furniture. No mention is made of the price of a stand at the conference. And it is common cause that we now have a large state deficit and the . .more government needs to pull in its belt. This is a poor excuse for journalism and frankly should be pulled off the site. . .less by Nicholas on November 12 2009, 10:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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