The existence of a Constitutional Court will not only help develop Botswana’s constitutional democratic system but will also strengthen or enhance the judicial process.
Presenting a strong case for the establishment of a Constitutional Court before a full council session in Serowe on Monday, Assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Mr Augustine Nyatanga described the court as a specialised institution that interpret the nation’s constitution, ensuring laws and government actions align with fundamental principles, protecting human rights and upholding the rule of law.
Furthermore, he said the ongoing nationwide consultations spoke volumes on government’s commitment to embrace the ‘voice of the people’ and that the collective opinion of the majority held authority for issues pertaining to national interests.
To this end, Minister Nyatanga said there would be a referendum in the near future for the public to vote for or against the establishment of the Constitutional Court – an exercise that would determine whether Batswana want it or not.
He reiterated that government wanted the establishment of the Constitutional Court to deal with human rights issues, pointing everybody within the territory of Botswana should be free.
In addition, he said everybody in the country should be entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, including life, liberty, security, protection of the law and freedom of conscience, expression and assembly, regardless of race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed, or sex, hence the need to establish such a court.
“If we are not cognisant of people’s rights as the leadership, that might incite violence thus disturbing peace and threatening national security.”
He said the hierarchy of courts in Botswana was structured from the highest appellate authority, the Court of Appeal down to customary courts, adding the Court of Appeal was currently the highest in the country and is the final arbiter of all legal matters.
Therefore, he said there was a huge backlog of cases at the High Court, exceeding a thousand cases, thus necessitating the move to establish a Constitutional Court that would expedite the disposal of cases revolving around human rights.
He said the High Court had unlimited jurisdiction and therefore establishing a Constitutional Court would accord the country the opportunity to adequately deal with burning issues within a short space of time.
However, commenting on the Constitutional Court establishment, some councillors expressed divergent views, with most councillors giving its proposed introduction a thumbs up.
Councillor Kebakgale Kutuso of Kgosing ward wondered where government would get the money to fund the establishment of the court in an ailing economy.
Mr Kutuso said challenges in the health and education sectors were more pressing hence government should instead be channelling money towards the procurement of medicines and the renovation of dilapidated school infrastructure.
He was of the view that paying judges was expensive and thus implored government to prioritise needs, arguing there were more pressing issues than the Constitutional Court.
Councillor Nametso Senku of Mabeleapodi said the Constitutional Court was a good initiative but that its timing was off as there were more pressing issues at the moment that required attention.
He said considering the budgetary constraints, this was not the appropriate time to establish the Constitutional Court.
Author: Daily News
-
Constitutional Court Establishment Elicits Mixed Reactions
-
National Arts Council Botswana Appoints New Board Members
To strengthen strategic direction and oversight capacity, the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) has announced the appointment of its new council board members.
The board will be chaired by Prince Monna, with members;Tebogo Matebesi, Mpho Sebina, Gakeesi Tlhabiwe, Molatedi Kgotla, Vincent Rapoo, Kopano Mantswe, David Abram, Kesegofetse Oaitse and Njiramanda Mbewe. The members bring a wealth of expertise in arts and culture, creative industries, policy, governance and strategic development.
Commending the Council on the development and congratulating the newly appointed Board, creative industry advocate and brand manager Zenzele Hirschfeld said the sector was hopeful that the new Board would bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.
“As a sector, we have always emphasised the need for industry experts to lead the Council, as many challenges stem from a lack of governing policies and structures,” Hirschfeld said.
However, she raised concern over the gender composition of the Board. With two women and eight men, she noted that the sector needed to be more intentional about gender equality and balance in leadership positions.”
Meanwhile, creative industries consultant Seabelo Modibe challenged the new board to prioritise development and implementation of the Arts Council Regulations by December. He further urged the board to ensure the registration of the council’s affiliates by the same period and to convene inaugural annual general meeting by early to mid-2027.
“For me, your performance will be measured by these,” Modibe stated on his Facebook handle.
In a statement, NACB said the appointments reflected the council’s commitment to promoting excellence in the arts and culture sector, supporting creative development and advancing Botswana’s cultural agenda. Recently, the Council also appointed Gaokgakala Lemmenyane as its Chief Executive Officer. Lemmenyane is a seasoned arts administrator, cultural policy specialist and resource mobilisation strategist with over 15 years of leadership experience across the creative sector, academia, government and international institutions. -
Vendors to Form Bus Rank Association
Small businesses have joined efforts to turn Molepolole Bus Rank into a business and service hub. After lying ideal for almost a decade, the Molepolole Bus Rank was reopened for use in December 2025.
However, small businesses and the local transport operators are still in doubt that the infrastructure will boost their businesses due to a number of shortcomings, primarily shortage of customers.
Their fear is that the bus rank was located in isolation, far from the village centre where people flock to source household amenities and other services from government departments.
In an effort to push for government to establish offices at the bus rank offering daily services, some hawkers are on the verge of registering an association; the Molepolole Bus Rank Association, primarily to advocate for the bus rank to be turned into a business and essential services hub.
The chairperson of the proposed association, Mr Godfrey Ramokhaneng, a cobbler operating from one of the stalls, is among the few small business owner who, despite challenges, have remained at the bus rank since its establishment.
“Eight days after the bus rank was reopened we met as bus rank vendors to form an association that will serve as a mouthpiece for all vendors around the bus rank,” said Mr Ramokhaneng.
He said the association would serve as a mouth piece for the small businesses, public transport operators and all others including government offices doing business at the bus rank.
Mr Ramokhaneng said the aim of forming an association was to revive commercial activity at the bus rank, which had previously been forced to shut down after businesses and public transport operators abandoned it due to low patronage linked to its isolation location.
He said apart from a small number of commuters to nearby areas, there were no businesses or services in its surrounding to attract movement of people that could ultimately turn into customers for their businesses.
Mr Ramokhaneng said the only way to inject life at the bus rank was to associate, join hands as businesses, collaborate with all other private, government and council stakeholders.
He said businesses that were currently operational at the bus rank, included street vendors and public transport operators.
He said the association would also be a burden reliever to the council in terms of cost sharing especially on matters that included the maintenance of the premises and other billings.
Mr Ramokhaneng said the association would encourage businesses at the bus rank to play a part in its maintenance adding that the Public Private Partnership model must be engaged to establish businesses such as a shopping mall to boost life at the bus rank.
He said through an association it would be easy to convince and lure service providers to establish offices or hold public activities at the bus rank.
He added that working together would also assist businesses in sharing ideas and business experiences that would help them sustain and grow. One of the vendors at the bus rank, Ms Tinge Kgosiesele was equally convinced that the bus rank in its current status was not conducive to sustain small businesses.
“For a small business to thrive it must be strategically located along side major businesses such as a shopping complex, where it would easily be located by customers.”
Kgosiesele said her stall had been operating at the bus rank since 2018, but at one point was forced to relocate to where the makeshift bus rank was located in pursuit of customers.
However, she was hopeful that the association would bring life to the bus rank. Ms Agnes Seroojane said the initial opening of the bus rank had brought hope to their businesses as some government department such as bye-law and transport had relocated some of the their services to the bus rank.
However, Ms Seroojane said their stay was short lived as they abandoned the bus rank, derailing efforts of turning the bus rank into a business and service hub. Mr Eric Sefanyetso, one of the long distance public transporters in the Takatokwane-Molepolole road said the Molepolole bus rank was in isolate location and mostly used by long distances buses.
“We cannot refuse to utilise the facility. We are appealing to government to provide services and other social amenities that will attract the local people to take public transport to the rank. The only transport currently utilising bus rank are long distance transporters,” he said.
Mr Sefanyetso said local taxis were limited at the bus rank as they only target the few passengers who were arriving at the bus rank.
He said the movement at the bus rank was only of the few that were travelling to various destinations, while the locals had no business of going to the bus rank as all the services and other businesses of their daily interest were located far from the bus rank.
Meanwhile, Kweneng District Council Chairman, Mr Ontefetse Rankhibidu said efforts were ongoing to resuscitate life a the bus rank. Mr Rankhibidu said negotiations with some council and government departments and other service providers were ongoing and they promised that they would provide service points at the bus rank.
He added that the idea was for other offices to permanently establish at the bus rank, a move that would sustain small businesses and other activities. -
Police Ramp up Fight Against Crime
In a region where rivers flood roads, wildlife blocks access routes and some communities located hours away from the nearest police station, responding to crime on time becomes a challenge.
This is the reality that prompted government to launch the Botswana Police Service Air Unit in Maun, to serve the vast and complex North West region.
The air unit launched during a ceremony officiated by the Minister for State President, Defence and Security in Maun on Thursday, marks a strategic shift in how law enforcement will operate across Ngamiland and Chobe defined not only by distance, but by water channels, dense vegetation and protected wildlife zones that often make ground patrols slow or impossible.
Rather than being a symbolic unveiling of aircraft and equipment, the initiative is a deliberate response to long-standing operational gaps that have limited police reach, delayed emergency responses and constrained border and wildlife-related policing in the region.
Public security remains central to national development, peace and stability form the foundation upon which tourism, trade and community livelihoods depend, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said during the launch.
He said the North West region, as a major contributor to Botswana’s economy through tourism and conservation, required policing solutions that matched its unique terrain.
While acknowledging the current economic pressures, he said the air unit would begin operations with one aircraft, with plans to expand the fleet when fiscal conditions improved.
The long-term vision includes the integration of drone technology and decentralisation of air policing services to other strategic parts of the country.
Mr Mohwasa further stressed that the introduction of air-based policing was part of a broader government commitment to bringing services closer to communities, improving emergency response times, strengthening border security and enhancing crime prevention efforts in areas previously constrained by geography.
For the Botswana Police Service, the Maun air unit is not new ground, but an expansion of a journey that began in Gaborone in 2008 with limited resources and nationwide responsibility.
Commissioner of Police, Ms Dinah Marathe explained that centralising air operations in the capital had placed immense strain on personnel, equipment and response times, particularly for northern districts.
She noted that the opening of a Francistown-based air office in 2012 helped ease some pressure but still left the North West underserved due to distance and terrain.
The Maun unit, she said, directly addressed that gap by positioning aerial resources closer to areas where they were most needed.
Ms Marathe highlighted that crime trends in the North West had generally declined in recent years, particularly property-related offences.
However, she cautioned that stock theft, cross-border crime, illegal immigration, missing persons in forests and drowning incidents in major rivers continued to pose serious challenges that required faster detection and response capabilities.
“The ability to respond swiftly can make the difference between prevention and loss,” she said, adding that air mobility would significantly strengthen surveillance, search-and-rescue operations and rapid deployment during emergencies.
Ms Marathe also underscored the importance of community involvement, reiterating that policing could not succeed in isolation.
She stressed the importance of partnerships with local communities, crime prevention committees and other security agencies, even with the improvement of technology and resources.
For his part, Member of Parliament for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile, welcomed the development, describing it as a practical solution to the realities of policing in the Okavango and surrounding areas.
He said aerial transport would allow the police to reach places that were otherwise inaccessible, ensuring cases were handled promptly and reducing delays that often compromised investigations.
Mr Kegonegile said the unit would not only strengthen law enforcement but also reassure communities that government was actively responding to their security concerns.
Beyond crime prevention, the launch of the air unit also comes amid renewed calls for collective action against persistent social challenges, including Gender-Based Violence, drug abuse and fraud targeting the elderly, particularly pensioners.
Communities have been urged to support law enforcement efforts while also addressing these issues at household and community level.
As Botswana continues to explore technology and innovation to diversify its economy and improve service delivery, the Maun air unit represents a broader shift in thinking, one that recognises that geography should not determine access to safety.
-
BoMRA Warns Against Use of Unregistered Herbal Medicines
Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) has issued a warning against the unregulated sale and use of herbal medicines, particularly those sold on the streets and through social media platforms.
In an interview with the authority’s public relations officer, Mr Israel Kgosidiile, said BoMRA acknowledged that some members of the public might resort to herbal or traditional remedies when conventional medicines were unavailable.
He stressed that such products must always meet standards of safety, quality and efficacy before being used.
“BoMRA recognises that limited access to conventional medicines may lead some patients to seek alternative options, including herbal remedies, however, reliance on unregulated products poses significant health risks and should not be viewed as a safe substitute for regulated medical treatment,” said Mr Kgosidiile.
He noted that herbal medicines, while often regarded as natural, were not automatically safe, adding that products imported into Botswana must be registered or authorised by BoMRA before they could be distributed or sold.
Mr Kgosidiile confirmed that BoMRA regulated herbal medicines under the Medicines and Related Substances Act of 2013 and its accompanying regulations of 2019.
He pointed out that the authority oversaw registration, licensing, product evaluation, labeling and post-market surveillance, adding that herbal products sold without authorisation were considered illegal.
“The sale of herbal medicines on the streets or through social media platforms without BoMRA authorisation is unlawful, medicines can only be sold through licensed and approved premises and by authorised persons,” he said.
Mr Kgosidiile therefore, said BoMRA expressed concern over the proliferation of herbal products advertised on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, adding that many of those products, the authority warned, were of unknown origin, lacked proper labeling, and made unverified therapeutic claims.
“We strongly warn the public against purchasing medicines through social media, such products are often unsafe, counterfeit or contaminated. Members of the public should only obtain medicines from licensed pharmacies and authorised outlets,” Mr Kgosidiile warned.
He confirmed that the authority had put in place various enforcement measures to protect the public, including market surveillance, product sampling and the seizure of illegal items while sellers found in violation of the law might face closure of their premises, prosecution or other penalties.
While BoMRA’s main mandate is regulation, it works closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to support medicine availability within the national health supply chain, reaffirming that patient safety remains a top priority.
“Natural does not mean safe, the public should only use medicines, whether herbal or conventional, that have been approved by BoMRA and obtained through legal channels,” said Mr Kgosidiile.
He therefore, encouraged the public to report any suspected illegal sales of medicines and to always seek professional medical advice before using any herbal or traditional remedies.
-
Medicine Supply Shows Steady Improvement
The public health sector is gradually recovering from severe medicine shortages that led to the declaration of a state of public health emergency in August 2025 by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko.
The Ministry of Health’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Mompoloki Lekoto, said sustained local and international procurement efforts have resulted in frequent deliveries, significantly improving medicine availability across public health facilities, although full stabilisation had not yet been achieved.
Mr Lekoto said current, stocks covered a broad range of medicines required for both acute and chronic care.
“These include intravenous fluids, anti-diarrhoeal medicines, antibiotics, anaesthetic agents for surgical theatres, antihypertensives, anti-diabetic medicines, dialysis supplies for kidney disease, as well as cancer and blood disorder treatments and other biological products,” he said.
He added that laboratory reagents, imaging supplies and diagnostic tests were also being prioritised to ensure comprehensive patient care. Mr Lekoto noted that while shortages affected most medicine categories in recent months, availability had improved significantly due to donations and emergency procurements.
“Cancer and blood disorder medicines have been secured through large orders expected to last more than 12 months,” he said, adding that suture supplies had also been restored following the delivery of six months’ stock.
Mr Lekoto said the ministry continued to rely on targeted micro-procurement for products that remained unstable or required special ordering.
Meanwhile, medicine distribution remains nationwide, with all districts and health facilities receiving deliveries twice a month. He explained that the system allowed for regular replenishment, although special-order products may take longer to reach facilities.
Mr Lekoto said Central Medical Stores continued to manage a wide range of therapeutic products that required constant monitoring and routine restocking to maintain optimal levels.
In some cases, he said temporary rationing across districts was implemented while awaiting larger consignments, with procurement focused on life-saving and essential medicines.
He identified financial constraints as the primary driver of the recent shortages, which limited procurement quantities, adding that rising costs of medical products at local and regional levels further compounded the challenge.
Mr Lekoto assured patients that continued improvement in medicine availability was expected over the next one to two months as additional consignments arrived.
He said where specific medicines remained unavailable, healthcare providers were using therapeutically interchangeable alternatives and redistributing surplus stock within the ministry’s system.
“Clinicians are providing tailored guidance to patients with chronic conditions, including access to special-order mechanisms when necessary,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr Lekoto said government was pursuing long-term strategies to strengthen medicine supply security.
“These include exploring pooled procurement arrangements at regional and international levels, government-to-government supply agreements, re-engagement with local suppliers and legislative reforms to ensure transparent procurement and prevent price gouging,” he said.
He added that plans were also underway to facilitate primary pharmaceutical manufacturing within the country.
Furthermore, Mr Lekoto said the transformation of Central Medical Stores under the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme was expected to enhance capacity, governance and efficiency through digitalisation and end-to-end supply chain visibility.
He said the ministry anticipated adopting advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, alongside broader reforms such as the rollout of National Health Insurance.
Regional collaboration through SADC pooled procurement initiatives and regulatory harmonisation under the ZAZIBONA framework is also expected to improve pricing and availability, particularly given Botswana’s relatively small population.
The Ministry of Health has expressed confidence that the comprehensive measures being implemented will result in a sustainable and efficient medicine supply system that delivers value for money and reliable access to essential healthcare for all Batswana
-
Burundi First Lady Returns Home
Burundi First Lady Madame Angeline Ndayishimiye Ndayubaha returns home after completing her two day working day.
Ms Ndayubahau engaged with First Lady Ms Kaone Boko on possibilities of collaboration through the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).
The OAFLAD new Strategic Framework 2025-2030 has four strategic pillars of priority: health, education, gender-based violence (GBV), and women’s economic empowerment (WEE) which reflect the organisation’s commitment to addressing the most pressing issues facing children, youth and women.
-
Kearoma Rantao Releases GBV Single Keledi Marameng
Jazz sensation Kearoma Rantao has released a stirring single aimed at raising awareness and combating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Titled Keledi Marameng, the soulful track produced by Bangu, is a call to action against the escalating GBV crisis affecting households across Botswana.
Rantao, who is widely recognised not only for her powerful vocals but also for her advocacy against GBV, said the song serves both as a eulogy for victims of violence and a desperate appeal for societal change.
In an interview, Rantao said artists often poured their hearts into music that speaks for the voiceless, but such messages were frequently sidelined in favour of more commercially popular content.
“Keledi Marameng is a powerful blend of modern soul and a national cry for justice,” she said”, appealing to radio stations and DJs to give the song airplay.
She said this is not just a song, but a call for change that needs to be heard.
“We are in a national pandemic of GBV, and we cannot afford to let music that addresses it be silenced by the noise of the charts,” she said.
With haunting melodies that amplify silenced voices, Keledi Marameng, which translates to Tears on the Cheeks is a raw and heart-wrenching response to the national GBV epidemic.
The song opens with the poignant line, “Ngwana o batla letsele, mmagwe o mo lebitleng” (The child seeks its mother’s breast, but she is in the grave), immediately setting a sombre and reflective tone.
Rantao said she is not focused on releasing a full album at the moment, having observed that listeners tend to engage more with individual singles.
Since the release of her 2024 Extended Play (EP), Ina Lebe Kearoma, she has adopted a strategy of releasing music consistently throughout the year to ensure each track receives the attention it deserves. Keledi Marameng is available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
-
Mophato Prepare for Camping
The registration for GaNgwaketse mophato initiation exercise will start in March.
The aim of the exercise is to instill positivity and transform such behaviours into disciplined adulthood through cultural teachings. Addressing a kgotla meeting recently, Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse said this year, mophato initiation would include a camping experience aimed at youth aged 1996 to 2000.
Kgosi Malope II emphasised the importance of registering those within this age group to facilitate accurate record-keeping. He also urged the community to contribute food for the duration of the camp.
“Mophato initiation exercise aims to instill discipline, respect, and responsibility, preparing our youth for adulthood,” Kgosi Malope stated.
He added that the training not only strengthens community bonds but also teaches collective problem-solving and reinforces cultural identity. He expressed concern over the increasing incidents of gender-based violence related murder cases in Kanye.
He further raised alarm about the escalating cases of inheritance disputes, where surviving relatives often sold properties against the wishes of the deceased’s children.
Former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Peter Siele, praised the launch of mophato. He however raised concern over increasing femicides incidents as a result of violence (GBV) and highlighted those involved were often cohabiting couples.
He called upon Kgosi Malope II to raise the issue at Ntlo Ya Dikgosi and to collaborate with the University of Botswana to investigate the root causes.
Community member Tebogo Babuile also voiced her concerns, noting that women were often the primary victims of these violent acts.
Still at the meeting, Kgosi Malope II announced that the Dikgafela cultural festival, which aims to strengthen cultural ties and address critical social issues within the community, will be held in August 21 withh delivery of harvest and September 25 whe re traditional beer will be displayed at main kgotla.
-
Mogoditshane Primary Welcomes 120 Learners Despite Capacity Strain
As Standard One learners across the country reported for their first day of school on January 13, Mogoditshane Primary School experienced a familiar first-day rush, welcoming 120 new learners and their parents.
Of the new intake, 60 learners were enrolled in reception, while another 60 began Standard One, joining an existing learner population of 1,026.
The school atmosphere was marked by excitement and nervous anticipation among both returning and first-time learners, while some parents lingered anxiously, hoping their children would secure placement at the school.
With only five primary schools serving Mogoditshane amid the urban village’s rapidly growing population, estimated at about 88,000 people according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census access to school placements remains a persistent challenge.
“There are still many children on the waiting list dating back to 2024,” said Mogoditshane Primary School head, Mr Samuel Setuke.
He explained that although the school was originally designed to accommodate 801 pupils, enrolment rose to 1,126 last year, including 100 Standard 7 learners who completed their studies.
This year, the learner population has further increased to 1,146.
Mr Setuke outlined several challenges facing the school, including dilapidated classroom furniture, a situation worsened by the shift system, which resulted in furniture being used throughout the day.
He also cited a high learner-teacher ratio, limited resources such as stationery, occasional food shortages and financial constraints affecting the procurement of teaching materials, including Breakthrough, a teaching strategy used to help Standard One learners develop Setswana word recognition skills.
Despite these challenges, Mr Setuke expressed optimism, noting that teachers were ready to deliver quality education.
He added that the school had strengthened partnerships with parents, who had agreed to contribute P20 toward stationery to help ease resource shortages.
