Author: Daily News

Mannathoko Junior Secondary School learners marched in unison from their classrooms to the kgotla, their voices carrying the weight of a hard-won triumph to celebrate a remarkable turnaround in the 2025 Junior Certificate Examinations that has seen the school leapfrog from the middle of the pack to the very top of the Serowe District.
Just a year ago, the mood at Mannathoko JSS was sombre, with a pass rate of 46 per cent. However, in the 2025 junior certificate examinations, the school defied expectations by soaring to a 56 per cent pass rate.
This leap did not just make them the best in the district, but placed them eighth in the Central Region and 25th out of 220 schools nationwide.
For a school facing uphill battles, these numbers are more than just statistics, they represent a reclaimed future for the 107 learners now eligible for senior secondary education.
Addressing a triumphant crowd at the packed Mannathoko kgotla, the deputy school head, Mr Gagosepe Olebile credited the community, speaking of the ‘three-legged pot’, a delicate balance between teachers, parents and learners.
“Despite the obstacles, our teachers remained committed,” Mr Olebile said, but also thanked parents for their consistent presence at PTA meetings.
He school head, Mr Ontiretse Lekoba echoed the same sentiment, saying the results were a measurable improvement born from disciplined learners and engaged stakeholders.
What makes Mannathoko JSS’s rise truly remarkable is the backdrop against which it occurred. While the results are shining, the school’s infrastructure is not. Mr Lekoba decried the dilapidated state of the school, citing lack of resources, crumbling buildings and persistent plague of vandalism.
Beyond the physical walls, the school has also had to battle social ills. Bullying and substance abuse have cast shadows over the hallways.
Furthermore, Mr Lekoba highlighted a growing crisis in teacher morale. Many educators have remained in the same positions for years without promotion, a stagnation that threatens to dampen the very dedication that produced these results.
Mr Lekoba also noted that the shift away from corporal punishment had placed a burden on teachers to find new ways to maintain discipline.
The story of Mannathoko JSS is one of a ‘diamond in the rough.’ As the victory songs faded at the kgotla, teachers, parents, learners and the community remained hopeful that if Mannathoko JSS can achieve these results under the current conditions, one can only imagine what they might achieve with the support and infrastructure they truly deserve.

The push for a cleaner Maun gained momentum on Friday as North West District Council (NWDC) launched the #KeepMaunClean campaign, linking environmental responsibility to tourism growth, business appeal and community pride.
Community members, local leaders and volunteers fanned out across selected areas of Maun to clear litter and restore public spaces, reinforcing the idea that environmental responsibility begins at the community level before it becomes national policy.
The campaign aligns with a directive introduced by the President of Botswana, which designates the second Saturday of every month as a national clean-up day aimed at fostering a culture of shared responsibility across the country.
Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo, who delivered welcoming remarks during the launch, urged residents to fully embrace the initiative, describing cleanliness as both a civic duty and an economic asset that enhances Maun’s appeal as a tourism destination while attracting customers to local businesses.
For his part, Deputy District Commissioner, Mr Ramogapi Gaborekwe described the campaign as a practical step towards building disciplined and responsible communities, stressing that cleanliness should be embedded in everyday behavior rather than treated as a once-off event.
“Cleaning our environment should not come as a directive from leaders or council, rather it should start from an individual,” he said.
North West District Council chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng echoed the call for collective ownership, noting that lasting change begins at the household level and naturally extends to workplaces and ultimately public spaces.
“If we take care of our immediate surroundings, Maun as a whole will reflect that effort,” he said.
Maun resident, Ms Gaone Bontsinyane expressed optimism that sustained participation by all will see Maun set an example for other towns, demonstrating that consistent community action can deliver visible and lasting results.
Beyond litter collection, the #KeepMaunClean campaign positions cleanliness as a long-term mindset, linking environmental stewardship to public health, tourism growth, and community pride.

Botswana has long struggled with a high unemployment rate, particularly affecting the youth, especially graduates who had high hopes after obtaining their qualifications. Although various youth programmes and self-empowerment initiatives were launched, the sounds of unemployment still echoed throughout the nation.

As survival skills became essential, the concept of hustling increased on the streets, with many engaging in selling items like ice cream, popcorn, and snacks at roadside stalls, as well as perfumes and other goods around offices.

In some areas, traditional practices like ‘go tshwarwa ga phane,’ once solely performed by the elderly, saw an influx of young people participating.

The number of young Batswana working as house helpers or maids roles commonly done by foreigners also rose significantly. These changes emerged from rising living costs and the burdens placed on parents, leading many to adopt hustling as a necessary means of survival.

In response to the government’s call for collaboration from the private sector to tackle this pressing issue, Choppies, a major retail chain with about 107 stores nationwide and over 13 000 employees mostly youth, women, and individuals with disabilities stepped up significantly.

The recent opening of a store in Francistown at Gerald Estates brought hope to individuals like Ms Bomo Reetsang, who was offered a cashier position, which felt like a beacon of hope during difficult times.

Ms Reetsang, a 34-year-old mother of four, had endured 15 years of struggle filled with side jobs and waiting for her chance to break through. Balancing multiple jobs like doing laundry for cash and selling phane made life challenging. However, her new role at Choppies promises to ease her burdens and ensure her family’s needs will be met consistently.

With this job opportunity Ms Reetsang will now have a steady income, which will enable her to provide for her kids, and now has a place of work which has put an end to her wandering about everyday in search of odd jobs. It is a chance to breathe easier while building a better future.

Ms Reetsang aims to enhance her financial skills and make wise use of her salary while avoiding unnecessary expenditures.

“I plan to utilise metshelo wisely. It will help me manage my responsibilities. I intend to save so that I won’t face difficulties during tough times,” she shared.

To maintain her job security, she prioritises excellent customer service. She is committed to ensuring that customers leave Choppies satisfied and eager to return.
“It’s crucial to keep our customers happy. As an employee, I must treat them well and ensure they receive appropriate assistance during their shopping experience,” she expressed joyfully.

Grateful for her opportunity, Ms Reetsang encourages her colleagues to uphold high customer service standards. “Given the high unemployment rate, I believe that anyone granted such an opportunity must take their job seriously and fulfil their responsibilities diligently,” she emphasised.

For those still seeking employment, Ms Reetsang believes that delays do not equate to denial.

“Keep pushing forward, continue with side jobs instead of sitting idle. God has a good plan for all of us; it may take time but eventually your opportunity will come. I am currently celebrating my chance with Choppies after so many years,” she advised kindly.

For 21-year-old Mr Nchidzi Motswaiso, receiving a position as a trolley marshal is an incredible development in his life.

Having depended on his mother and siblings until now, Mr Motswaiso is excited about being able to buy things for himself, which brings him immense pride.

“My mother and siblings have been very supportive. I am truly grateful to Choppies for this opportunity; it’s my time to become independent,” he said with a smile.

Despite his youth, Mr Motswaiso has ambitious plans for the future. “With the salary I will earn, my goal is to continue my studies. This job is very important for me and will be incredibly beneficial,” he explained.

Choppies Gerald Estates was officially inaugurated by Francistown West Member of Parliament Mr Ignitius Moswaane on January 30.

The store has created 70 job opportunities primarily for residents of Francistown. The establishment is expected to provide community benefits by enhancing convenience and accessibility for local residents’ daily needs.

Two previous Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks, one in 2013 and another in 2022, left Ms Rebecca Dube of Jackalas No. 1 devastated and almost pushed her back into poverty.

She had started to record some steady growth in her cattle farming venture, but the depopulation of Zone 6b that followed both outbreaks set her back many steps.

The confirmation of the current wave of FMD in the area brought to the surface unpleasant memories, dimming a light in her soul that had begun to shine ever-so-brightly. The 63-year-old Ms Dube did not want to yet again relive her two previous experiences. Fear and despondency set in, and the light in her threatened to flicker out.

The announcement that followed that this time around the area would not be depopulated jolted her back to life, instantly taking off her shoulders the heavy load that was weighing her down just moments earlier.

“I am elated because this time around I am not going to lose my cattle,” Ms Dube said in an interview, explaining that losing the high quality breed of cattle that she had received during the 2022 re-stocking exercise would send her to an early grave.

The fact that her cows will be calving for the first time since she received them would have made losing them a truly heart-wrenching experience.

But she is happy that a decision has been taken to vaccinate cattle in Zone 6b and not to depopulate the area like it has been done before.

This decision has encouraged Ms Dube to hold on to cattle farming; an undertaking that has already started paying off handsomely, in the process allowing her to improve her life.

Ms Dube, whose love for cattle rearing starting at childhood, has so far used proceeds from cattle sales to buy a vehicle and to adequately provide for her family.

The journey of keeping cattle commenced in earnest in 2008 when she started raising funds through selling firewood and through weeding ploughing fields at a fee. She would save part of the income and buy one cow at a time.

Ms Dube was now on course to realise her dream of using cattle rearing as a ladder to sustainable wealth creation.

“I love cattle because to the ordinary Motswana they represent a bank. The Setswana proverb that says Ka e tlhoka ka tlhoka boroko, ka e rua le gone ka bo tlhoka signififies how valuable cattle are to a person like myself,” she said.

The drive to raise money for buying cattle continued and along the way it paid dividend as she managed to collect P3 500 to purchase her first cow.

Ms Dube looks back with pride to the time she bought her first cow.

“After buying that cow, which then gave me a calf, I continued selling firewood and soon managed to buy another cow.”

“It was a dream come true for me,” she stated.

The two cows became a huge motivation for Ms Dube to keep going and she has not looked back since in spite of the re-occurrence of FMD in Zone 6b.

Principal technical officer at the Department of Veterinary Services Mr Millan James confirmed in an interview that Zone 6b will not be depopulated but cattle will instead be vaccinated to avoid subjecting farmers to the distress they had gone through with the previous outbreaks.

Surveillance and vaccination will continue for some time, and could result in the area being declared a Red Zone, similar to Okavango and Chobe regions.

The move has given farmers the much-needed reprieve and Ms Dube could not be happier.

Botswana is set to take centre stage as the host of the All-Africa Senior Championships, marking the country’s triumphant return to the continental stage.
The six-day tournament begins on February 9 and runs through February 14 to end the long period of absence for the local squad.
The last time the Botswana badminton team competed in the event was in 2013, when it was hosted in South Africa. Since then, financial constraints have forced players to remain on the sidelines as spectators.
Now, by serving as the host nation, Botswana has paved the way for a major competitive comeback.
To ensure that they make a statement on home soil, the national team recently completed an intensive training camp in India and returned home yesterday.
Meanwhile, the tournament is a cornerstone of the badminton calendar, drawing entries from 21 countries, including powerhouses like Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.
Other participating countries include Algeria, Botswana (host), Burundi, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Morocco, Mauritius, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The championship will feature the continent’s elite talent competing in both individual and team categories.
Under the tutelage of coaches Oreeditse Thela and Keita Fukuda, athletes who will represent the nation include Tefo Kabomo, Godknows Ketlhabanetswe, Tshepo Perekisi, Tumelo Moilwa and Tsamorena Kgosidialwa in the men’s team.
The women’s squad comprises Keletso Ntebela, Tsholofelo Willie, Tebogo Ndzinge and Tessa Kabelo.
In an interview, Botswana Badminton Association (BBA) president, Modisaotsile Badubi confirmed that the tournament was sanctioned by both the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA).
Badubi said he was happy to have been given the opportunity to host, noting that the event allowed Botswana to showcase its infrastructure, hospitality and sporting passion.

Approximately 700 cattle in Jackalas No.1 in the North East District are expected to be vaccinated for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) through the two-day mass vaccination exercise, as government moves to contain the outbreak in the area.

According to Principal Technical Officer in the Department of Veterinary Services, Mr Millan James, booster jabs would follow after 14 days, with continued surveillance for clinical signs set to be carried out on the livestock.

Zone 6B will remain a Red Zone, while another booster vaccination will be done towards the end of the year, he added.

Meanwhile, government has set aside P97 million for vaccination, maintenance of cordon fences and manpower deployment to fight FMD.

Additionally, the government has put in place measures to control the spread of the disease, including strict quarantine protocols, restrictions on livestock movement, and awareness campaigns for farmers.

Meanwhile, transportation, movement or slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals, including for personal consumption or social events (such as weddings, funerals and megoga) is prohibited countrywide except in Zones 1 (Chobe) and 2 (Ngamiland).