Author: Daily News

President Advocate Duma Boko has promised to champion Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)’s mission, advocate its interests and promote its achievements within Botswana and beyond. President Boko, who was inaugurated as BIUST’s chancellor in Palapye on March 27, said he accepted the responsibility with humility, gratitude, enthusiasm and resolve, pledging to provide strategic and external leadership in support of the governing authority of the university.
 
“I recognise that I assume this role at a time when universities across the world face complex challenges that include finance, competition for talent, and rapidly evolving technological demands,” he said, adding that with unity of purpose and clarity of vision, such hurdles could be turned into opportunities.

“I commit myself to working closely with the BIUST council, the vice chancellor, the leadership of the university and the entire academic community in strengthening governance, expanding partnerships and advancing research excellence,” he said. He said the creation of BIUST was not a happenstance but was established to spearhead Botswana’s transition from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven economy that thrived on innovation.

“It is, therefore, fitting that BIUST was conceived as a specialised, research-intensive institution dedicated to the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Its mission is clear; to cultivate innovators, to train problem-solvers to generate knowledge capable of transforming industries, economies, and societies,” he said.

He said through the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), the government would transform education into a key pillar for a knowledge-based economy, focusing on STEAM, digital literacy, research, and curriculum modernisation to match graduate skills with labor market needs as well as create high-value employment.

President Boko said Botswana was blessed with the gift of a youth demographic dividend: a youthful and vibrant population whose energy needed to be channeled to make them architects of the country’s next chapter.

Also, President Boko commended BIUST for having produced more than three thousand graduates, young men and women equipped with market-relevant skills and global ambition.

”Some are entrepreneurs building enterprises, others innovators solving complex challenges, while yet others are pioneers extending Botswana’s intellectual footprint beyond the borders,” he said.

He said a few days preceding the historic launch of Botswana’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1 in March last year, he had the distinct privilege of touring the facilities of SpaceX – the American technological outfit that helped BIUST launch BOTSAT-1 into space and he gained valuable insight into cutting-edge space technologies.

President Advocate Boko said therefore, the lauch of BOTSAT-1 reaffirmed the Southern African nation’s commitment to digital transformation, scientific progress, and technological innovation. BIUST achievements also aligned closely with Botswana’s broader national vision to diversify the economy beyond diamonds, he stated further.

He said government had embarked upon several forward-looking initiatives, including the establishment of a National Research and Development Fund accessible to accredited institutions to stimulate innovation and technological discovery.

Meanwhile, President Boko paid homage to former president, Dr Festus Mogae, who became BIUST’s first chancellor. He said Dr Mogae’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to national development had played a key role in establishing and nurturing BIUST during its formative years.

“Your legacy resonates far beyond this campus. It speaks to the nation, the region and the global community of science and learning. You set a standard of leadership that is both inspiring and formidable,” he said.

As BIUST second chancellor, President Boko pledged to honour Dr Mogae’s legacy by safeguarding his achievements and advancing the mission the former statesman championed.

quiet but determined conversation is gaining momentum across the country. From lecture halls to policy forums, young people are increasingly stepping forward, reflecting on what the country’s constitution means to them today and what it should become in the future. At the centre of these discussions is the proposed establishment of a constitutional court (concourt), a development some young voices see as a promising step toward strengthening democracy and safeguarding rights in a rapidly changing world.

in an interview with BOPA, a University of Botswana,  fourth year Economics student, Mr Abel Manyelesemane, said the constitution remained the foundation of the country’s democracy.

“It guarantees our rights and gives every Motswana confidence that they are protected under the law,” he said.

Mr Manyelesemane said as the country evolved, the Constitution must also be reviewed to reflect current realities.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening legal institutions, noting that the establishment of a concourt could play a pivotal role in safeguarding citizens’ rights and enhancing accountability.

“A concourt would strengthen the protection of rights and improve accountability,” he said.

Adding to the discussion was Botswana Youth Ahead Organisation founder, Mr Keabetswe Sanao, who said, as a young person living in Botswana, the existence of a Constitution represented his rights, freedoms and how he could approach the future.

“Is it essential because its writes the story of how our country must be governed in such a way that everyone within our borders is protected,” he said.

As a human rights advocate, he was of the view that, “a concourt will guarantee that the human rights of Batswana are protected as we need a court that will only focus on the constitution. If we have a court that focuses on the Constitution and trying to solve the cases related to it, we will go somewhere as Botswana.”

Regarding changes he would like to see in the Constitution that would benefit future generations, Mr Sanao said more youth quotas and digital rights should be introduced.

“We want reserved seats for young people in Parliament and councils as this could strengthen youth representation and participation in decision making,” he said.

Meanwhile, University of Botswana law student, Ms Rorisang Morwaeng, said a Constitution must evolve with the society it governs.

“Over the next 50 years, Botswana will face new challenges such as technological advancements, economic shifts, climate pressures and changing social values,” she said.

Ms Morwaeng said the establishment of the concourt was important as it would give the judiciary full independence of their duties.

“The President will be able to be held accountable by the judiciary and they will be the rulers before a President is appointed like during the general elections,” she said.

However, Ms Morwaeng said she would like to see stronger protection for youth participation, improved accountability for leaders and expanded rights in areas such as digital privacy and environmental protection in the Constitution.

Looking ahead, she said she hoped to see a Botswana that was inclusive, innovative and equitable, where young people were active participants.

However, not all young voices are in favour of establishing a constitutional court.

Ms Diamanté Merafhe, a third-year law student at Ba Isago University, argued that the focus should instead be on comprehensive constitutional reform.

“It is important to fix our judicial system instead of protecting the inherent flaws and strengthening the weakness,” she said.

For Ms Merafhe, constitutional reform must go beyond institutional changes to address the lived realities of vulnerable groups.

She said there was a need for specialised structures to support orphans and victims of abuse, as well as greater emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment. In her view, equipping young people with financial and economic literacy was just as critical as legal reform in preparing them for the future.

The campaign on cervical cancer screening has been viewed as a positive drive toward early detection and successful treatment.
The Chairperson of Kgatleng District Council, Mr Thabo Komane said a landmark achievement for the current quarter was on the Women’s Cancer Screening Campaign, conducted from January 29 to February 12, 2026, in which 1 002 women across the district were screened for cervical cancer.
“Early detection saves lives, and this campaign is a statement of our commitment to women’s health. We are also monitoring Polio preparedness following warnings from the Ministry of Health regarding outbreaks in neighbouring Namibia and Zambia. A national supplementary immunisation exercise is being planned, and our district is already conducting support and mentorship visits to all health facilities in readiness,” said Mr Komane.
Addressing a full council meeting on Monday, Mr Komane added that the situation on health services still remained fragile, though availability of pharmaceutical items had noticeably improved.
He said Deborah Retief Memorial (DRM)Hospital has received a main supply order from Central Medical Stores (CMS) on February 19, containing lifesaving drugs and medicines which included but not limited to non-drugs, stitches, antipsychotics, and IV antibiotics.
“DRM Hospital is relatively stable in oral medications for chronic and infectious diseases, including ARVs, malaria, and vaccines. While availability fluctuates, our pharmacy team is proactively buffering stock within the district as well as bartering with neighbouring districts,” said Mr Komane.
However, he said the situation of primary healthcare services in the district was a concern as at January 31, 2026 availability of drugs and non-drugs items in the district stood at 52 per cent, far below the national target of 90 per cent.
“This situation is concerning. Continued gaps in supply puts our services at risk and lower the quality of care we give. That is why we must watch supplies closely and have strong backup plans to protect our people. Our mobile clinic coverage now stands at 75 per cent for the period April to December 2025, following the allocation of a dedicated vehicle. Every medical area now has its own dedicated medical officer, ensuring continuity of care. The Men’s Clinic at Boseja 2, launched on November 21 2025, is already bearing fruit through early detection of men’s health issues,” added Mr Komane.
On social and community development, Mr Komane said a total of 4 576 individuals were registered, from which 1 970 were destitute persons, 1 708 needy students, 558 orphans, 20 persons in Community Home Based Care and 320 children in need of protection.
He added that child protection issues demanded urgency. Mr Komane said the quarter has seen 146 cases of defilement, 64 cases of rape, 34 cases of child ill-treatment and 378 family welfare cases, from which 275 affecting females and 103 males. He said the statistics were not just numbers, as they demonstrated children who were affected. “Our caseworkers will be trained on an evidence-based model of child abuse therapy that targets behavioural change in perpetrators and provides therapeutic support for affected children,” he said.
Mr Komane said through stakeholders’ engagement, vulnerable families not enrolled in formal programmes had received in kind and cash donations from private partners. He said through such collaborations, FNBB supported Khurutshe Primary School by providing hostel equipment and supplies worth P97 000.
Additionally, he said the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) has deepened its partnership with Oliphant Drift community through Adopted Village Extension Programme (AVEP).
He said AVEP was a flagship initiative of the BUAN Extension Strategy Framework, designed to strengthen the linkages between BUAN, the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture and local communities.
“It aims to translate agricultural research and innovations into practical solutions for farmers while providing BUAN students with field-based learning experiences. They recently conducted research and met Kgatleng leadership and Oliphant Drift community in February 2026 to share their baseline research findings and allow meaningful engagement and contributions to the projects decision making process. This provides an opportunity to inform and guide future project decisions and planning process,” said Mr Komane.