Mass Media News

Author: Daily News

  • Traditional Affairs Tribunal to Resovle Bogosi Disputes

    Traditional Affairs Tribunal to Resovle Bogosi Disputes

    Government is planning to establish a traditional affairs tribunal via the reviewed Bogosi Act to bring greater clarity and stability to the Bogosi institution.

    The traditional affairs tribunal is expected to resolve chieftainship disputes and other relevant traditional matters.

    Speaking at a kgotla meeting in Mochudi on December 11, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the legislative review was necessary because the Bogosi institution had been marred by disputes, often stemming from lack of proper consultation between communities and royal houses.

    Mr Motshegwa said the review of the Bogosi and Customary Law Acts followed countrywide consultations, with most amendments based on the recommendations received.

    He indicated that the review aimed to profile the roles of Dikgosi and grade them to ensure that the structures were clearly defined and formally incorporated and defined the role of the royal house within the Bogosi Act as well as establish a defined structure for Dikgosi, complete with official titles

    He added that government’s goal was to create well-defined structures that minimised ambiguity and friction within the traditional leadership framework.

    Furthermore, the Minister commended the Bakgatla community for continuing to uphold their culture and encouraged them to keep instilling discipline through traditional institutions like initiation schools.

    On the other hand, Minister Motshegwa informed the Bakgatla community that government had officially dropped all charges previously levelled against their paramount chief, Kgosi Kgafela II.

    The landmark decision, he explained, followed key engagements between the ministry and the Bakgatla Deputy Chief, Kgosi Bana Sekai, regarding the circumstances surrounding Kgosi Kgafela II’s prolonged absence from the country.

    Mr Motshegwa also shared that during a recent meeting with Kgosi Kgafela II, he informed him that a Constitutional Review was underway and extended an invitation for him to participate in the national process.

    For his part, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana, assured Bakgatla that government was committed to peaceful relations with the tribe.

    Mr Ramaotwana said their Kgosi was free to come back home following the engagements and consultations that ultimately led to his flight

    “This has been a long journey, but it has finally been resolved,” he said.

    Members of the community expressed their delight over the news and welcomed the decision. However, they stressed that they still required assurance that their Kgosi would not be troubled upon his arrival back home, which they deemed a significant step toward healing historical rifts. 

  • Govt Advances Anti-GBV Legislation

    Govt Advances Anti-GBV Legislation

    The process of enacting the legal framework focused on combating gender-based violence (GBV) is ongoing, the Minister of Youth and Gender, Ms Lesego Chombo, has told the National Assembly.

    In a statement to mark the closure of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against GBV on Wednesday, Ms Chombo said broad consultations were ongoing to inform the piece of legislation the ministry was developing to combat GBV, which they planned to present to Parliament by July 2026.

    “A major pillar of our national response is the development of dedicated GBV legislation. I am pleased to report that the process is advancing steadily. The ministry has concluded its preliminary stakeholder analysis and is now drafting the Drafting Instructions that will be submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers,” said Ms Chombo.

    The consultations with various stakeholders including civil society organisations, ex-offenders, media practitioners, women’s leagues of political parties, legal experts and frontline responders among others, is to ensure the legislation is evidence-based, survivor-centred, and nationally owned, Ms Chombo said.

    “These engagements have deepened our understanding of lived realities of violence in Botswana and the breadth of issues the law must address. Survivors underscored the urgent need for; accessible legal aid, trauma informed psychosocial support and assistance extended to their family members,” she said.

    Ms Chombo added that persons with disabilities highlighted communication barriers at police stations, health facilities, and courts, calling for stronger inclusion frameworks and for Special Education to be fully integrated into the mainstream education system.

    She further revealed that the comprehensive review of the policy of the National Policy on Gender and Development was currently in its inception stage.

    The development of a Gender Strategy with World Bank Support, and the review of the National Strategy Towards Ending GBV are also ongoing, the minister said.

    Beyond legislation and policy framework, Ms Chombo said government was working to strengthen systems, communities and services, and extend early prevention efforts.

    She also outlined other measures including public education and community engagement, strengthening frontline responders, women economic empowerment, closing the digital gender divide and supporting shelters through subventions.

    Additionally, Ms Chombo said her ministry understood men and boys remain central to transforming harmful norms and preventing violence and as such were being engaged in the battle to combat GBV.

    Members of Parliament largely spoke in favour of these efforts.

    Chobe MP, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga, spoke of the need for psychosocial support and mental health training for women and children as a means to combat GBV.

    Mr Mapulanga said government should scale down on exuberant commemorations which at times had too much fanfare that derails from the massaging.

    Maun West legislator, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, said the state should pay greater attention to cyber crime and GBV that occurred through digital platforms particularly with the use of social media pseudo accounts by perpetrators.

  • Digital Violense Needs Shared Responsibility

    Digital Violense Needs Shared Responsibility

    The Parliamentary Caucus on Women has been informed that many people are unknowingly committing cyber offences by sharing harmful online content.

    Director of the Gender and Child Protection Branch in the Botswana Police Service, Senior Assistant Commissioner Goitseone Ngono, told a caucus panel discussion in Gaborone on Monday that some users ‘innocently share content, unaware that so doing is a criminal offence.’

    The shared content, she said called for stronger prevention and public education on digital gender-based violence (GBV).

    “There is a need to educate and create awareness for all members of the community to be well informed,” Ms Ngono said.

    While noting that the police appreciated the opportunities offered by the digital space, she said some users “glorify and validate its negativity,” and urged that online platforms be used constructively “to mediate or create awareness that builds peace.”

    Ms Ngono said offences registered by the police included child pornography, cyberstalking and defamation of character. Most victims of cybercrime were women and children, though men were also affected.

    In 2024, Ms Ngono said that six per cent of GBV victims were males, indicating that men were also coming forward to report GBV. She noted that the police were finding ways to channel and prioritise resources to combat GBV and officers were trained to identify and address GBV, with documented standard operating procedures in place. 

    Ms Ngono highlighted that over 2 000 digitally facilitated GBV reports had been processed, most resulting from ignorance. She mentioned that many GBV cases were assault-related, like unlawful wounding. Out of 2 248 reported GBV offences in 2024, only 575 were confirmed to be GBV-related. Additionally, of the 337 murder cases registered that year, 172 were GBV-related.

    The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus for Women, Ms Helen Manyeneng, stated that digital violence against women and girls was destructive. She described digital violence as invisible, occurring in the digital space, and emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to combat it, as many lives and opportunities were lost due to such violence.

    Ms Manyeneng pointed out that while digital spaces offered educational opportunities, perpetrators of GBV often exploit women seeking these opportunities. She warned that digital violence could affect individuals, even leading to suicide.

    Therefore, she urged parents to monitor their children’s activities in the digital realm to mitigate potential harm. 

    Mr Arnold Somolekae, President of the Gaborone West Customary Court, attributed digital violence to unemployment and an unstable economy, noting that many young girls were lured into prostitution through digital platforms with false promises of employment. He called for interventions to hold these perpetrators accountable.

    Renowned lawyer Mr Uyapo Ndadi stressed the need for the government to establish women’s shelters across the country for the safety of GBV victims. 

    While Ms Lydia Mafhoko-Ditsa of UN Women Botswana reported that a UN study indicated that 67 per cent of women experienced digital violence through miscommunication, while 73 per cent of journalists were also victims. She revealed that 300 million children had been affected by online exploitation in the past two years, noting that while these statistics were alarming, many cases go unreported.

    Ms Mafhoko-Ditsa advocated for learning from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, where community capacity enhancement helped eliminate harmful cultural practices. 

    She also emphasised the importance of assessing the economic impact of GBV, pointing out that the European Union spends €329 billion annually to address it, raising the question of what this means for Botswana’s national economic situation. 

    “We need to analyse the cost implications of GBV,” she said.

  • Government Embrace Inclusive Agricultural Systems

    Government Embrace Inclusive Agricultural Systems

    The Government is steadfast in creating inclusive agricultural systems that ensure equal access to opportunities and resources for all citizens, particularly women and young people. 

    This commitment was highlighted during the official opening of the 6th Steering Committee meeting for the Improving Agricultural Resilience to Salinity through Development and Promotion of Pro-Poor Technologies (RESADE) at the Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC) on Tuesday.

    Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, emphasised that President Advocate Duma Boko had unequivocally stated the need for modernisation in the agricultural sector to ensure the nation produced sufficient food. “Our agricultural vision aims to foster a climate-resilient, technology-driven and inclusive agricultural sector that empowers our farmers and secures our nation’s food future,” Dr Dikoloti said.

    He expressed gratitude to development partners, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), for the support and investments that bolster Botswana’s commitment to a sustainable agricultural economy. 

    The primary objective of the RESADE initiative is to enhance food security and alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers, with a focus on women and youth. Dr Dikoloti highlighted that the project, implemented by the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) in collaboration with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), leverages science, innovation, and community collaboration to achieve its goals.

    The RESADE initiative aligns with the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), which emphasises productive agriculture, value chains and rural industrialisation. Dr Dikoloti said collaboration between RESADE teams and NARDI was vital for enhancing Botswana’s competitiveness and positioning the nation as a leader in climate-smart agriculture.

    He reaffirmed government’s commitment to skill development, technological advancement, innovation, and research aimed at increasing productivity and fostering sustainable livelihoods.

    Dr Viviane Filippe, a representative of IFAD, discussed key interventions of the RESADE project in Botswana and other participating countries, highlighting efforts to manage and adapt to salinity. 

    “The project aims to improve food security, agricultural productivity, and the incomes of smallholder farmers affected by salinity,” she stated, adding that the introduction of salt-tolerant crops and improved water management practices is part of IFAD’s broader strategy to enhance climate resilience.

  • Bobirwa Farmers Brace for Lemang Dijo Rollout

    Bobirwa Farmers Brace for Lemang Dijo Rollout

    Across Bobirwa District, a mix of anxious hope and quiet fear hangs in the air. Subsistence farmers – young and old – are watching the skies and their phones with equal intensity, waiting for two lifelines: the long-awaited rains and the text message alerting them that their Lemang Dijo subsidised packages have arrived.

    For many, the anticipation is sharpened by uncertainty. They hope the rains will continue long enough for successful planting, yet dread that heavy downpours could render their clay-rich fields inaccessible to tractors and animal draught power.

    As of December 8, 6 733 subsistence farmers had registered for the Lemang Dijo programme in Bobirwa, with 168 already receiving e-vouchers. But those issued with vouchers report a common frustration: the absence of seeds at designated agro-dealers, a delay they fear could undermine government’s intention of ensuring timely planting.

    While most farmers are clear on the crop production element, many remain unsure about the programme’s integrated beekeeping requirement. Only a handful of those interviewed understood the role of bees in pollination, while others admitted to fear or confusion -particularly about handling the insects.

    The programme guidelines explain that bees pollinate about 90 crops, increasing yields by up to 30 percent per hectare, with the beehive e-voucher capped at P1 500.Yet 72-year-old Ms Tshokolo Baruti of Mmasenana lands in Semolale is skeptical.

    “Jaanong dinotshi tsone ke le mosadi?” she asked rhetorically, wondering how a woman her age could cope with bees. Still, she remains committed to planting as soon as she receives her seeds, fertiliser and other inputs — and hopes the forecasted rains will find her field already ploughed.

    The programme has also drawn interest from young farmers, including those familiar with earlier schemes such as ISPAAD and Temo-Letlotlo. Mr Letso Oleteng, 20, of Magaleng lands in Sefophe, is still waiting to redeem his 100 percent subsidy for tillage, seeds, pesticides, shelling and threshing – all covered under a P2 900 per hectare e-voucher. Currently in Gaborone, he says one phone call will put him on the next bus home. Unlike some, he accessed the guidelines on social media and believes the beekeeping component makes economic sense.

    Other farmers, such as Mr Kebalepile Mzila of Mahibitswane lands in Tobane, were unable to source seeds after being turned away from BAMB in Selebi-Phikwe. Mzila, who previously learned beekeeping through ISPAAD, has already planted four hectares and awaits inputs for his Lemang Dijo plot.

    At Phokoje lands in Mmadinare, 71-year-old Mr Boikaego Kangangwana is energised by the new programme, although he depends on tractor owners and worries about delayed assistance. He notes that when he plants on time, his fields typically produce a bumper harvest.

    Not all farmers are enthusiastic about the compulsory beekeeping element. Ms Maretha Mokgathane of Keisane lands, Bobonong, said farmers were advised to “go home and reconsider” their stance. She admits she did not fully understand the requirement and will be planting maize instead of her usual beans. Similarly, 39-year-old Ms Refilwe Madema of Mabolwe rushed to register after learning she had missed a kgotla meeting. She has since been approved for the programme and, like others, is waiting for seeds but remains uncertain about the bee component.

    District agronomist Ms Keakabetse Phalaagae acknowledged both the knowledge gaps and logistical setbacks. She assured farmers that no one will receive beehives without proper training, noting that issuance will only begin next season after compulsory introductory courses. She also confirmed delays in seed and fertiliser supply, explaining that designated suppliers had not completed registration at ministry headquarters during the first week of December.

    To ease the backlog, the crop production office began collecting fertilisers from Francistown on December 10 using its only functioning truck. The department currently has just two working vehicles, even though officers must verify fields before payments to service providers can be authorised.

    The district office has requested funds from programme headquarters to hire casual labourers and repair additional vehicles borrowed from the district commissioner’s office.

    Lemang Dijo is an output-based agro-ecological programme designed to strengthen household food security and correct structural weaknesses that limited earlier initiatives. For now, the farmers of Bobirwa wait – for the rains, for the seeds, and for the message that will signal their turn.

  • Maphucheka Champion of Charity

    Maphucheka Champion of Charity

    At just 37 years old, Ms Kelly Maphucheka is passionately working to reshape the concept of purpose.

    Approaching the age of 40, a time often said to mark the beginning of a new chapter in life, this dedicated philanthropist and human rights advocate from Tatisiding is already making a remarkable impact in the lives of those in need.

    As a mother of three lively boys, two twins and their younger sibling, Ms Maphucheka’s journey reflects her steadfast commitment to service and community upliftment.

    With a robust record of charitable efforts in Francistown, Ms Maphucheka serves as an inspiring figure in her community.

    She has successfully collaborated with various local businesses, including My Spar, Fours, Sefalana, Coca-Cola, Global Lubricants and Debonairs, to make a tangible difference.

    Through these partnerships, she has been able to provide vital support to children at the Lephoi Centre, delivering necessities such as school uniforms, bags, shoes and sanitary products thanks to contributions from African Child at Work, a South African charity.

    Her philanthropic activities go even further, she has organised festive Christmas parties, distributed meals, including soup and bread, to vulnerable children and played a crucial role in a fundraising dinner for the Francistown SOS Children’s Village during a time of dwindling international support.

    Her passion for compassion towards the less privileged was born out of her own experiences growing up in the Mmoroso ward of Tatisiding.

    Ms Maphucheka recalls being deeply touched by families in her neighbourhoods who went to bed without a single meal and she began to ponder the plight of children in those families.

    “My family was not that poor and we lived a good life like anybody else as my father was working, but what touched me a lot were those that did not have anything,” she said.

    This early empathy for the struggles of others has driven her to address food insecurity and empower children in need.

    “I started all of this as an individual, fuelled by a deep sense of passion,” Ms Maphucheka noted, underscoring her personal dedication.

    However, she quickly recognised that her vision required more than individual efforts.

    In 2023, she founded the Feed a Child Movement, a structured platform to facilitate her charitable initiatives.

    “It all began during the SOS fundraising dinner, I realised I needed an organised entity to help advance my mission,” she explained.

    With a background in journalism and a deep awareness of the struggles faced by  families, Ms Maphucheka has channelled her passion into addressing food insecurity and empowering children in need.

    Her approach goes beyond immediate aid, she is nurturing skills and talents to help children not just survive, but also thrive.

    Through Feed A Child, which she established in 2023, Ms Maphucheka is providing food assistance while also focusing on holistic

    Although still in the registration process, the movement has expanded its focus to include skill development and talent nurturing across various sectors, especially agriculture, which plays a crucial role in Botswana’s rural economy.

    “Feed a Child is about far more than just providing meals, it is about fostering skills and talents to bring about sustainable change,” Ms Maphucheka said.

    Her vision is to cultivate world changers and critical thinkers who will emerge as agents of transformation in their communities.

    Despite some misconceptions surrounding her work, she remains committed to sharing credible stories that resonate with the mission.

    With the assistance of business consultants and a global agricultural network, Ms Maphucheka is developing proposals and innovative outreach ideas, inviting others to join her impactful journey.

    “What is in it for you is the very same network,” she said, encouraging collaboration.

    As she pushes towards the official registration of the Feed a Child Movement, Ms Maphucheka’s aspirations are set to elevate.

    With ambitions to extend her work throughout Botswana, her vision is both simple and profound.

    “We are training world changers and critical thinkers, and this is just the beginning. Through Feed a Child, we aim to nurture talents, empower communities and cultivate a legacy of hope and resilience for generations to come,” she said.

    Her efforts are a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and those familiar with her work say she was creating a more holistic approach to aid, empowering children to become agents of change in their own right.

    With plans to register Feed A Child and expand its reach across Botswana, Ms Maphucheka is eager to involve more community members and organisations in her mission.

    Her work highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling challenges that government support alone cannot address.

    Ms Maphucheka invited individuals and businesses to join her cause. She urged people to volunteer their time to help with programmes that feed, nurture and develop the talents of children in the community, believing that every hour counted is making a difference.

    She said donations of food supplies, educational materials, or other resources were also welcomed, as every contribution directly impacted the lives of vulnerable children.

    She encouraged the use of social media and community platforms to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these children and the work that Feed A Child was doing, noting that amplifying the message could drive more support to the cause. 

  • Moshupa A10 Bridge Remains Closed Until 2027

    Moshupa A10 Bridge Remains Closed Until 2027

    Moshupa A10 Bridge, a vital transport link in southern Botswana, will remain closed for an additional 16 to 20 months, with completion scheduled between March and July, 2027. 

    The bridge has been closed for more than a year due to structural failure, forcing motorists onto lengthy detours that have severely disrupted local trade, travel and public transport operations. 

    In an interview, acting chief public relations officer at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Moemedi Matsoga, explained that reconstruction of the bridge’s embankment retaining walls was halted in November 2024 after contractors encountered a high underground water table. 

    Mr Matsoga said the original plan to restore the embankment to its previous condition carried a high risk of future failure. Consequently, he said the existing contract was terminated in November 2024 to allow for a complete redesign and a new tender process. 

    He added that a tender for consultancy services, which detailed investigations, design and construction supervision, was initially advertised, with consultants shortlisted on October 8, 2025 and the tender scheduled to close on October 22, 2025. 

    However, he said the process was cancelled due to procedural errors. He said a new selective tender was approved on October 21, 2025 and revised documents were resubmitted for vetting on October 27, 2025. 

    He further said the ministry was currently awaiting confirmation of the new tender timetable, including site visits and submission deadlines. 

    Once appointed, Mr Matsoga said consultants would begin detailed investigations and remedial design work, where the project would proceed in two phases, including a three-month design phase followed by a 13-month construction phase, depending on the final design recommendations. 

    Mr Matsoga emphasised that apart from the earlier tender cancellation, there were no major constraints at present. He said tender documents for the design phase were undergoing final vetting and would soon be issued to shortlisted bidders. 

    In the meantime, he said motorists were advised to continue using alternative routes, including the Mogobane-Ranaka Road or through Moshupa village. 

    Meanwhile, the prolonged delay has sparked widespread frustration among residents and businesses in the Southern District, who have urged the ministry to explore temporary bypass solutions. 

    The ministry has assured the public that no shortcuts would be taken, stressing that a durable, long-term solution was the priority. 

    Bus Operators Association chairperson, Mr Tirafalo Mponang, expressed disappointment at the latest extension, saying the new mid-2027 target had placed members in an impossible position. 

    Mr Mponang said local operators in Moshupa had already lost substantial revenue because long-distance buses, now diverted through the village, were picking up passengers who would normally use their services. 

    “We had been patiently waiting for the bridge to reopen. This latest postponement has left us at a crossroads once again,” he said. 

    On other issues, Moshupa council chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe, announced that the internal village bridge, which collapsed earlier this year, would soon be reconstructed. 

    Mr Sethibe said the council had secured funds from the road levy fund for the project and, given the approaching rainy season, had awarded the tender through an emergency procurement process. 

    He confirmed that with the reconstruction work at tendering stage, the bridge was expected to start soon. 

  • Child-Friendly Environment Key to Healing Process

    Child-Friendly Environment Key to Healing Process

    Sekgoma Memorial Hospital Advisory Committee in Serowe has refurbished children’s playground to expedite healing and recovery.

    Speaking during a handover ceremony of the facility to Sekgoma Memorial Hospital recently, Chief Registered Nurse Ms Mmabotswana Ramotlhala said the aim was to provide joy and comfort for hospitalised children, which were considered essential in the healing process.

    She said the importance of allowing hospitalised children to experience play and fresh air outside the limits of hospital walls could not be overemphasised.

    She observed that the bright colours and the chance to play outdoors provided patients with comfort and happiness, essential for their psychological and physical recovery.

    “Kids often feel homesick, and being restricted to hospital walls intensifies the anxiety that they already experience. The playground acts as a re-charge area; patients will certainly value the time they spend there, where happiness and laughter are sure to be found during their hospital stay,” she said.

    Chairperson of the Hospital Advisory Committee from Basimane boo Rra Boiditswe,Kgosi Kgalemo Nthutang,  commended the contributions of everyone engaged in the project, highlighting that the playground was renovated primarily due to its previous condition, which prevented patients from using it.

    “We recognised the playground as an area of focus, as its lack of use resulted in hospitalised children being confined to the children’s ward, where the concrete walls continually reminded them of their distance from home comforts, which can be depressing for young minds,” said Kgosi Nthutang.

    Kgosi Nthutang said they had engaged multiple stakeholders, including hospital staff, the community, and the private sector to offer support, leading to a playground that young patients would appreciate.

    He also pointed out that the project aimed to remind the community to support the government, mentioning that certain initiatives do not require significant funding and could be accomplished through cooperation between the government and its citizens.

  • District to Spend Over P21.3M for Internal Roads Projects

    District to Spend Over P21.3M for Internal Roads Projects

    Moshupa District Council has been allocated P21, 330 000 from the Road Levy Fund to complete critical internal roads projects and procure essential plant equipment.

    The announcement was made by council chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe, on Tuesday during the opening of the council meeting running from December 9 to 16.

    Mr Sethibe informed the meeting that tenders for emergency works on Madutlela Road and repairs to a damaged section of Maseetsele Road in Moshupa closed on December 5, 2025, and were currently under evaluation. He emphasised that completing Madutlela Road was particularly urgent as it would restore access for residents and revive businesses severely affected by the road’s deterioration.

    He added that the tender for culvert construction and road maintenance in Lekgolobotlo closed on December 4 and was also under evaluation. A tender for a culvert along Emang Junior School in Ntlhantlhe Village has been re-advertised and would close on December 18.

    Other upcoming tenders include the supply and installation of solar streetlights in Moshupa, closing December 12, 2025 and the procurement of an excavator, closing December 19, both aimed at strengthening the council’s maintenance capacity and advancing renewable energy objectives, he said.

    Construction of storm water drains and paving works in Mogonye is already underway, with physical progress at 15 percent.

    Mr Sethibe described the P21.3 million allocation as a sacred trust from the community and pledged rigorous oversight to ensure value for money and durable infrastructure.

    In Machana, he said four staff houses were under construction to replace the tents currently used to accommodate teachers. The project was being delivered through a public-private partnership with companies contracted by Debswana Mining Company under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Mr Sethibe expressed profound gratitude to Debswana for the initiative.

    The Chairperson highlighted continued success under the Bonno Housing Scheme, noting that the first house built under the programme in the district was handed over to a beneficiary in Pitseng in November 2025.

    Construction of additional units has now begun in Mogonye following a warm welcome by village leadership to the scheme’s investors.

    “From providing decent accommodation for our teachers to enabling home ownership for our citizens, we are building the foundations for a more stable and prosperous district,” Mr Sethibe said.

    He concluded that the combined efforts in roads, renewable energy, housing, and community infrastructure demonstrate a council that is actively delivering sustainable development on multiple fronts.

    Councillor Omphemetse Moleele of Sesung-Seherelela Ward commended the Chairperson’s comprehensive report on ongoing and planned projects. 

    However, he urged the council to prioritise support for community clusters rather than individual businesses, citing the example of the Motlopi Coffee project.

    Cllr Moleele highlighted the untapped potential of salt pans and water pans in his ward, which he believes could be developed into large-scale salt processing and tourism attractions to boost the district economy. 

  • Council and BHC Handover Bonno House

    Council and BHC Handover Bonno House

    Bonno Housing Programme is on track in realising its mandate of providing affordable and dignified housing to citizens. 

    Recently, Francistown City Council handed the first turnkey house at Gerald Estate  in Francistown West constituency. Speaking at the event Francistown Deputy Mayor, Uyapo Nyeku expressed gratitude towards all the stakeholders who were part of the completion of the first Bonno house in the city.

    Mr Nyeku said the government housing scheme brings dignity to the people, further congratulating the beneficiary, Ms Thokozani Tafa for being the first in the constituency to receive the Bonno house.

    BHC Project Quality Assurance Officer, Ms Lebogang Gaebolae said the project was delivered well within the stipulated time. She said construction began in August 2025 and completed in November 2025 which was within the four months of the project time frame.

    Ms Gaebolae said the cost of the house, a turnkey Type A, was around P234,000 and the beneficiary would pay P90,000. She said they worked well with other stakeholders to ensure the project ran smoothly and was completed on time.

    For her part, the beneficiary, Ms Tafa appreciated government for the Bonno Housing scheme which she said was important for providing affordable and dignified accommodation.