Botswana's President Masisi: 'I want the Germans to feel what we feel' | DW News Africa

Botswana wants to send 20,000 elephants to Germany. President Masisi tells DW News Africa what's behind the offer.

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#Germany #elephants #Botswana

[callamastia]

i like how DW just casually brings out *_the president of botswana_* for a 15min interview

[kenny]

I feel like you could find 20k Germans who would want an elephant.

[paul-xooo]

„Our relationship with Germany is not defined by elephants“ - what a legend

[v.k.]

"Just to be clear, you're not really sending 20K elephants to Germany, are you?"

"I might well be." I absolutely died!🤣

[geddinixan]

Jokes aside, he did a good job bringing attention to this issue.

[pumpkopf]

German here. Successful conservation efforts here in Germany have led to wolves being present again after being hunted to extinction 150 years ago. We are having a big discussion in our country about, how to deal with wolves that kill livestock and are getting close to settlements. Wolves that are a danger to livestock or people are being hunted right now in Germany. The number of wolves is estimated to be around 1500–3000 Individuals, not even remotely close to elephant numbers in Botswana, and we already are having to result to hunting to manage populations. It's a clear case of "preach water and drink wine", so I can definitely understand the frustration of President Masisi.

[jlymgli]

I am so impressed with Botswana's president. He is not just articulate, but poses his argument in simple, logical terms. He also doesnt back down. I felt compelled to learn more about him. He also renegotiated a diamond mining deal for his country and forced a 750M invesment in diversification of economy, funded by Debeers. Really impressive. This man needs more time in the international spotlight.

[ezekielkuolabuk]

These are the kind of leaders we need as African. Articulate, intelligent and has some dry humour. Much love from South Sudan 🇸🇸.

[ruqljip]

He's right. Protecting elephants sounds great when You don't have to deal with 130, 000 of them.

[jameslooker]

Meanwhile, millions of German kids, "Papa, Botswana schickt kostenlose Elefanten nach Deutschland! Ich verspreche, dass ich gut auf ihn aufpassen werde."

[Melior_Traiano]

Botswana is one of the few countries that has done better in terms of standard of living post-independence than most other former colonies.

[TheTrillionDollarTradeMovie]

As a South African, we salute Botswana for keeping a bit of wildlife space on this human trampled planet

[Fabian-ffcq]

As a german, its kinda sad to see this has not been giving the attention it deserves. Thank you Botswana for the clear words!

[peterlem]

Honestly, as a German, the point came across loud and clear. Also super funny to make such an offer.

[valt]

40% is a sacrifice in modern times....well done and thank you Botswana
With ✊🏽 from 🇿🇦

[whatkenyan]

I bet there are Germans who want their own elephants.

[TimoGla]

Its so crazy that a politician who is doing his job by discussing and explaining a topic all while being brutally honest feels so weird to watch. So very different from our politicians here in Germany. Really impressed by Mr. Masisi.

I’ll have to admit that the ban sounded like a really good idea to me as I am a big fan of nature and wildlife. Also not a big fan of rich aholes killing intelligent creatures for fun. But thinking about it we in germany as a fact eradicated almost every single species that we had human-wildlife conflicts with. Otters, wolfs, bears, european bison and so on. Botswana is absolutely right to call us out on those double standards. Especially with the extraordinary job the country has done in conservation so far.

[haiio]

I love how Botswana is looking for a "middle-path", not forcefully, not authritarian, not rebellious; just rhetorics, concerns and an open-minded discussion. Lovely <3.
10 out of 10 Democracy Points from me

[homemail]

It is amazing to have a president who is so connected to the operations of his country. He really knows what he is talking about, no representative.

[chiepe]

As a citizen of Botswana i can say our elephant problem is out of control. In the Okovango Delta/ Chobe area they are terrorising the locals. We have way too many.