Category: Feature

For people born with variations in sex characteristics, commonly referred to as intersex, life in Botswana is often marked by an everyday fight for recognition, dignity and equality.

As the nation debates the establishment of a Constitutional Court, the stakes for intersex persons are especially high. For them, this is not just a legal reform discussion, but a matter of validation, protection and the fundamental right to exist without fear of discrimination.

Meet Kagiso Bannye, 42, whose life reflects the challenges faced by those living between rigid gender classifications. Born with ambiguous sex characteristics, Bannye’s journey has been shaped by early medical interventions, including genital surgery, bureaucratic barriers and persistent social exclusion.

The genesis of Bannye’s troubles traces back to birth, where he could not ordinarily be identified as a boy or a girl. Bannye is among members of the Rainbow Identity Association, an organisation advocating for the rights and recognition of intersex persons. Their experiences point to a broader systemic problem, one that demands urgent attention.

“The challenge in Botswana is that when a child is born, they are assigned either male or female. We are saying that we are intersex individuals belonging to neither category; we should be assigned zero or three,” Bannye said.

This lack of legal recognition often results in confusion and humiliation when accessing basic services at hospitals, police stations and immigration offices. Growing up, Bannye’s birth certificate identified him as female, despite his masculine appearance.

“Sometimes you are forced to undress to prove who you are,” he said. “In some offices, they even call others to come and look at your nakedness.”

Bannye believes constitutional reform could offer protection by formally recognising intersex persons and allowing appropriate gender markers. When the then Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng, tabled the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill No. 4 of 2024, which sought to prohibit discrimination against intersex persons and people with disabilities, Bannye and others felt hopeful. That hope was short-lived.

The Bill was rejected after strong opposition, particularly from a coalition of churches. Some Members of Parliament even called for the word ‘intersex’ to be removed from the proposed amendments. Bannye said much of the resistance stems from confusion.

“People think intersex means same-sex,” he said.

Thus, Bannye believed clearing the confusion and misunderstanding could somehow tip the scale in their favour hence acceptance. The misunderstanding and confusion are captured by the Centre For Human Rights study on the human rights situation of intersex persons in Africa, which notes that people confuse intersex persons with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons.

The centre said intersex related to biological sex characteristics, while lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities concern sexual orientation and gender identity.

Although the initial constitutional amendment bill’s rejection left Bannye and the intersex community feeling disenfranchised and vulnerable to discrimination, the currently debated Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2025, tabled last year by Minister for State President, Defence and Security Mr Moeti Mohwasa aimed at establishing a Constitutional Court, could be their hope for inclusivity and asserting their rights.

He believed the court could become a critical platform for intersex persons to assert their rights.

“The starting point is legal gender recognition. That would allow intersex people to change their gender marker and live with dignity.”

Weighing into the debate, an attorney, Mr Mboki Chilisa, Managing Partner at Collins Chilisa Consultants, noted that a Constitutional Court dealt with human rights and constitutional issues, thus promoting constitutionalism, strengthening institutions and democracy, and helping realise aspirations as set up by the Constitution.

Mr Chilisa further noted that specialised jurists would be better equipped to address complex human-rights cases involving marginalised groups. As consultations on the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill of 2025 continue across the country, intersex persons like Bannye are watching closely, hopeful that this time, the law will finally see them.

A paediatric surgeon based at Life Gaborone Private Hospital, Dr Kutlo Motlhobogwa, said the condition commonly referred to as intersex was medically known as Disorders of Sexual Differentiation (DSD). He explained that children born with DSD had chromosomes, gonads or genitals that did not fit the typical binary definition of male or female.

Dr Motlhobogwa noted that DSD was a complex medical condition that required careful attention and affected many children and families across the country.

“It is important to understand that it is sexual differentiation,” he said, explaining that all humans initially developed similarly in the womb, but biological processes later differentiate them into male or female. 

However, disruptions in this process can result in intersex conditions. Dr Motlhobogwa, who runs Bana Kerona Pediatric Surgeon, further said many children experienced this condition, adding that it was often easier to manage in girls than in boys.

He said surgical interventions could help achieve normal appearance and function, while stressing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving medical professionals, psychologists, families and society in supporting affected children.

Seating in a bubble bathtub for a woman may seem romantic and relaxing, a moment of calm after a long day, surrounded by warm water and fragrant foam.

But that soothing foam bath can sometimes disrupt the vagina’s natural balance, creating conditions that may lead to bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common vaginal conditions affecting women, yet it remains widely misunderstood. 

Dr Muzaffar Hossain, a general medical practitioner in Gaborone, warns that everyday habits, hygiene practices and underlying health conditions could quietly disrupt the natural balance of vaginal bacteria, opening the door to infection. In a recent interview, Dr Hussain explained that BV was not caused by a single germ, but rather by an imbalance involving multiple organisms. 

“Most of the time it is never enough to say it is just bacteria. It is usually a combination of different bacteria, sometimes candida yeast and occasionally other organisms. That is why we call it a syndromic condition,” Dr Hussain said.  

He said products such as scented soaps, bubble baths and vaginal douches could upset the delicate environment, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply while protective bacteria decline.  For many women, BV develops quietly, he said, adding that some experienced no symptoms at all, while others noticed a thin grey or white discharge, a strong fish-like odour, often more noticeable after sex, and itching or a burning sensation during urination. 

He was quick to say because the signs may be mild and could be confused with other conditions, hence many women delay seeking medical care, and BV frequently went undiagnosed. 

“People tend to associate vaginal infections with pain or intense discomfort but BV does not always present that way, so women may ignore it or self-treat without realising what is going on,” said Dr Husssain.

He clarified that BV was not classified as a sexually transmitted disease, but sexual activity could influence its occurrence and recurrence. 

“BV is acquired, not sexually transmitted in the strict sense. However, intimate contact can facilitate transfer, especially when one partner has recurrent infections.” 

Still, BV can affect women who are not sexually active, reinforcing that hygiene habits and product use also play a significant role. He said that explained why some women experienced repeated episodes even after treatment. 

According to Dr Hussain, BV symptoms could range from mild to disruptive. Some women report itching, abnormal discharge, burning during urination, lower abdominal pain, or reduced libido, while others experience no discomfort at all.

“In many cases, the only complaint is a strong, unpleasant odour. There may be no itching, no pain, just the smell. The discharge may appear thin and watery or thick and milky, often accompanied by a foul or fishy odour.”

Dr Hussain warned that certain lifestyle and hygiene practices could increase the risk of BV. Frequent bubble baths, inadequate genital drying, and tight or minimal underwear, particularly G-strings, can promote bacterial movement from the anal area to the front. 

“The distance is very short in women,” he explained, adding “G-strings allow bacteria to travel from back to front, increasing the risk of infection.” 

He advised washing the genital area with warm water, drying thoroughly, and avoiding underwear styles that encouraged bacterial transfer. Women with poorly controlled diabetes, weakened immunity, advanced age, or chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable. Because BV rarely involves a single organism, treatment often includes a combination of antibiotics, antifungal medication, and anti-inflammatory drugs. 

“You cannot always identify just one cause. That is why treatment is usually combined, to address all possibilities and relieve symptoms.” 

Dr Hussain emphasised the need for accurate public education and urged women to seek medical advice early rather than self-treat or ignore symptoms. 

“This is not about blame or shame. It is about understanding the body, maintaining hygiene, and getting proper treatment before the condition becomes recurrent or chronic.” 

Bacterial Vaginosis may not always announce itself loudly, but its impact can be profound. He said by understanding how everyday habits, from bubble baths to sexual practices, affected vaginal health, women could make informed choices and protect their well-being. 

“Open conversations and accurate information remain essential in bringing this common condition out of the shadows,’ Dr Husain said. 

Ms Semang Mang, (not real names) said she suffered from bacterial vaginosis (BV) without knowing what it was. 

“I initially felt that something was off, subtle discomfort that gradually turned into persistent symptoms I could no longer ignore. eventually, it began to affect my confidence, my workdays and even my sleep,” Ms Mang. 

“I felt embarrassed. It was taking over my daily life,” Ms Mang admitted. 

She explained that she felt ashamed to seek medical care, worried that the foul smell would imply promiscuity or some serious illness. Because of this fear, she first turned to traditional herbs for help. “I had never encountered anyone with such an awful smell, so I did not want to talk about it,” she said. 

“I carried a water bottle to wash my private parts whenever I used the bathroom, but after some time, the smell would return.” 

She admitted that she later resorted to using perfume on her body to mask the odour. However, the relief was only temporary.

“After some time, I could smell myself again and I knew it had come back,” she said. Eventually, I gathered the courage to visit a private gynaecologist. Within a week, I was clear, no smell and my confidence was back,” she recalled. 

Ms Mang called on both men and women to learn more about vaginal health, as understanding that vaginal health was about balance, not sterility, could help women make informed choices.  She also reiterated the importance of avoiding unnecessary douching, practicing safer sex and seeking medical advice as soon as symptoms appear. 

“In the end, bacterial vaginosis is not just a medical condition. It is a reminder that everyday health issues can carry significant consequences when ignored. Bringing BV into the spotlight may be one of the simplest ways to improve women’s health outcomes, one conversation at a time.” 

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.

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.

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. 

Twenty-eight-year-old Mr Boago Tsietsi was raised by his loving grandmother, Ms Obabaletse Malema in Ramokgonami after the demise of his mother. 

He was one-year-old at the time. Fast forward, Mr Tsietsi is currently a guidance and counseling teacher and lives openly about his HIV-positive status. He recently took to social media platforms to disclose his health status. 

This comes at the backdrop of a prolonged battle with emotions, self-rejection, and sometimes suicidal thoughts that made it difficult to accept his HIV status. Mr Tsietsi relays that ever since going public and posting about his HIV status on Instagram, many people, especially those within the age bracket of 20 to 35 year have started reaching out to him about their HIV status. 

“The fact that some people did not believe what I narrated concerning my HIV status led me to ask my Mama to make a full reference video to cater for the doubtful,” he said. 

The video is a testimony of how Mr Tsietsi ’s life has evolved over the years. It is a rare journey that many caregivers and few individuals born with HIV have not embarked on yet, to acknowledge and live openly with their positive status for fear of victimisation. “I started my antiretroviral (ART) medication at standard six,” he said adding that he only started learning about HIV/AIDS years later during school lessons. 

According to him, the lessons were delivered in a manner that instilled fear. “Obviously when taught about something as deadly and scary as it was purported, it sticks to your mind as a kid,” he said. 

Mr Tsietsi  recalls one time he and his ‘Mama’ visited the doctor in one of the regular checkups and was asked by the latter if he knew why he was taking HIV treatment. 

HIV was news to him, let alone his HIV status. His ‘Mama’ had never mentioned anything about this condition to him. “I told the doctor that I was not aware why I took the medication. “Ke ne ke itse gore, Olady ga a ise a mpolelele le fa e le sepe”, he said, literally translating, I knew that my mother had never mentioned anything to me. 

After the disclosure, the young Mr Tsietsi started looking at himself differently from the rest of his fellow classmates and friends. 

He wanted to quit taking the medication so that he could die quickly and save himself from the shame of the condition. 

In fact, while doing Form One, he fell sick to a point he could not even walk because he defaulted on the medication, a secret he kept to himself. 

“I took my ART tablets from the container and threw them away,” he said. He said his health situation cost him the opportunity to undergo circumcision. 

Although the officers could not properly communicate to him the reasons he could not undergo the operation at the time, he deciphered his status to be a blockage, a situation he said worsened his condition as his stress level hit an all-time high. 

He, however, persevered with his educational journey and managed to write his Form Five examinations. 

Although he appeared weak most of the time,he says did not like being pitied. h

is loving grandmother, Ms Obabaletse Malema in Ramokgonami after the demise of his mother. 

He was one-year-old at the time. Fast forward, Mr Tsietsi is currently a guidance and counseling teacher and lives openly about his HIV-positive status. He recently took to social media platforms to disclose his health status. 

This comes at the backdrop of a prolonged battle with emotions, self-rejection, and sometimes suicidal thoughts that made it difficult to accept his HIV status. Mr Tsietsi relays that ever since going public and posting about his HIV status on Instagram, many people, especially those within the age bracket of 20 to 35 year have started reaching out to him about their HIV status. 

“The fact that some people did not believe what I narrated concerning my HIV status led me to ask my Mama to make a full reference video to cater for the doubtful,” he said. 

The video is a testimony of how Mr Tsietsi ’s life has evolved over the years. It is a rare journey that many caregivers and few individuals born with HIV have not embarked on yet, to acknowledge and live openly with their positive status for fear of victimisation. “I started my antiretroviral (ART) medication at standard six,” he said adding that he only started learning about HIV/AIDS years later during school lessons. 

According to him, the lessons were delivered in a manner that instilled fear. “Obviously when taught about something as deadly and scary as it was purported, it sticks to your mind as a kid,” he said. 

Mr Tsietsi  recalls one time he and his ‘Mama’ visited the doctor in one of the regular checkups and was asked by the latter if he knew why he was taking HIV treatment. 

HIV was news to him, let alone his HIV status. His ‘Mama’ had never mentioned anything about this condition to him. “I told the doctor that I was not aware why I took the medication. “Ke ne ke itse gore, Olady ga a ise a mpolelele le fa e le sepe”, he said, literally translating, I knew that my mother had never mentioned anything to me. 

After the disclosure, the young Mr Tsietsi started looking at himself differently from the rest of his fellow classmates and friends. 

He wanted to quit taking the medication so that he could die quickly and save himself from the shame of the condition. 

In fact, while doing Form One, he fell sick to a point he could not even walk because he defaulted on the medication, a secret he kept to himself. 

“I took my ART tablets from the container and threw them away,” he said. He said his health situation cost him the opportunity to undergo circumcision. 

Although the officers could not properly communicate to him the reasons he could not undergo the operation at the time, he deciphered his status to be a blockage, a situation he said worsened his condition as his stress level hit an all-time high. 

He, however, persevered with his educational journey and managed to write his Form Five examinations. 

Although he appeared weak most of the time,he says did not like being pitied. Mr Tsietsi  feels strongly that children born with HIV should be told and taught about their health status from an early age and that secrecy has to be done away with for progress’s sake. 

Ms Malema is now breathing a sigh of relief to learn that her grandson has turned over a new leaf and is now an HIV/AIDS activist, giving others hope where there was despair. 

His message to those facing similar predicament like him is simple and crisp: take the medication prescribed by the doctors religiously and with passion to lead healthy and robust lives. 

‘Dijo batsadi!‘ A vendor’s voice cuts through the heat at Mahalapye Bus Rank, lifting a fast-food packet toward a waiting passenger as other hawkers climb aboard, singing out their pies and snacks with the easy poetry of survival.

Scenes like this greet countless travellers every December, marking the halfway heartbeat of the famed A1 Road. As the festive season settles over the country, the A1, beginning at Ramatlabama on the South African border and stretching 640 kilometres through Lobatse, Gaborone, Mahalapye, Palapye, Tonota and Francistown before reaching Ramokgwebana, becomes a living river of movement. Buses, trucks, taxis and family sedans pour into it, turning the road into a beehive of expectation. 

Confucius once observed that “roads were made for journeys, not destinations.” For Batswana, the A1 journey, whether by bus, combi or private car, has become inseparable from the national holiday ritual. Alongside its twin, the railway, the A1 has shaped not only mobility, but the growth of the villages, towns and small economies strung along its path. 

How It Began

The story of this route begins in the ambition of Cecil John Rhodes’ British South Africa Company (BSAC), founded in 1888 with its grand “Cape to Cairo” dream of linking British territories by road and rail. 

“The Three Dikgosi, Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen I, were initially opposed,” historian Dr Jeff Ramsay recalls. “But in 1895, once they secured assurance from Queen Victoria and Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain that Bechuanaland would not be handed over to Rhodes, they conceded to the building of the railway line.” 

A swathe of land along the eastern border, including Lobatse Block, Gaberones Block (today’s Gaborone) and the Tuli Block — was ceded to BSAC. Construction of the railway began at Mafikeng in December 1895, reaching Mochudi, then Palapye, before finally arriving in Bulawayo in 1897.

 “Before the rail and telegraph,” Dr Ramsay explains, “the road north from Mafikeng ran through Kanye, Moshupa and Molepolole to Shoshong. 

But with the arrival of the new infrastructure, the route from Lobatse to Francistown was improved and became the preferred path — first for ox wagons, and later for motor vehicles.” 

After independence, Botswana adopted the name A1 for this arterial road, echoing the British A1, the “Great North Road” from London to Edinburgh.

 At 660 kilometres, the British road is almost the same length as its Botswana counterpart. “Tarring was done in phases,” Dr Ramsay notes. 

“But even as gravel, the A1 was vital, a lifeline for commerce, for transporting goods, for linking markets and connecting communities.” 

A Road That Shaped Settlements

From the late 1890s, as the railway pushed northward, new sidings and settlements emerged: Pitsane, Pilane, Artesia, Mahalapye, Palapye Road (later modern Palapye), Serule, Foley Siding and Tati Siding. 

The A1 grew alongside the railway, binding these communities to the developing urban centres of Lobatse, Gaborone and Francistown, and linking Botswana to South Africa’s N18 and the broader Trans-Africa Highway, the modern, cooperative successor to Rhodes’ colonial dream. 

Villages like Mahalapye, Palapye and Tonota bear visible proof of how the A1 corridor fuels growth. Their rapid expansion and rising commercial profiles reflect the economic gravity of Botswana’s busiest road. And the A1 is not only a conduit for vehicles.It is a marketplace.

From Dibete traders selling herbal remedies, to Makoro vendors hawking groundnuts, watermelons and traditional broomsticks, to phane sellers in the North East, the A1 sustains a chain of small rural entrepreneurs who rely on its constant motion. 

A Road for the Future Today, the government plans to usher the A1 into a new era. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has announced a public-private partnership to upgrade the road to a dual carriageway. “A nine-month feasibility study began in August 2025, with completion expected by April 2026,” Minister Noah Salakae recently told Parliament. 

“Procuring a private partner should be completed by September 2026. Construction,  including toll plazas, is planned to begin before the end of the 2026/27 financial year, over an estimated 36 months.” 

A bright future awaits the country’s busiest corridor, a road that has carried commerce, memory, joy and, tragically, its share of loss. 

This December, as holiday travellers pack buses and pile into private cars, a trip along the A1 will once again be part of countless homecomings. For more than a century, this road has been the country’s spine. In its noise and nostalgia, its vendors and villages, its movement and meaning, the A1 remains a story of Botswana itself.