Non-mining GDP to firm

Final Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are due to be released on March 31. However, projections contained in documents published by the Finance Ministry as part of the budget speech process, indicate that the non-mining sector will continue its steady role in containing the full fallout of economic activity from the diamond downturn. In 2024, non-mining GDP growth ameliorated what was expected to be a steep slump in the economy due to the continued weak performance of the diamond sector.

For this year, Finance Ministry experts expect strong growth in the water and electricity sector, which is essential in supporting other economic activities. In addition, manufacturing is expected to expand by 2.5 percent from an estimated 0.5 percent for 2025, while construction is forecast to grow by 2.3 percent from a forecast negative performance of 0.2 percent in 2025. The statement, whilst some may say, comes a little bit too late, is timely as gender-based violence (GBV) continues to haunt the country.

A week hardly passes without reports of a wife, a girlfriend or boyfriend being killed by their intimate partners. Just recently, a high-ranking officer stationed at Glen Valley Barracks reportedly murdered his wife and has so far managed to evade arrest. It is also alleged that another soldier murdered his…