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Botswana’s substantial investment and expansion in its railway network will help unlock economic opportunities by connecting landlocked resources to regional, international and coastal markets.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Rakops on Thursday, Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang said such a move would accord the country an opportunity to transform into a regional logistics hub.

Furthermore, Mr Atamelang who is also Member of Parliament for Boteti East said the move would boost mining, agricultural, and commercial trade. To this end, he said major rail infrastructure projects that would be done under the National Development Plan (NDP)12 would be focusing on regional connectivity, coal exports and diversifying trade routes.

Such projects include, among others, a link between Mmamabula and Lephalale in South Africa, Mosetse via Kazungula en route to Livingstone in Zambia; the Trans-Kalahari Railway from Gobabis in Namibia and the Zimbabwe-Mozambique corridor.

Elaborating on the rail projects, which offer a lifeline for Botswana’s economy by creating a vital artery to both domestic and export markets, Mr Atamelang stated that the Mmamabula-Lephalale rail line would link Botswana’s coal-rich Mmamabula to South Africa’s Lephalale area, unlock coal reserves, and facilitate trade.

As for Mosetse-Kazungula rail project, he said the initiative aimed to connect markets to the North-South corridor, significantly reducing transit times for goods and providing a boost to agricultural hubs such as the Pandamatenga farms.

Furthermore, he underscored that the Trans-Kalahari Rail Project, which was a massive initiative, aimed to create a shorter and more efficient route for international trade.

“The Zimbabwe-Beira-Machipanda line connection would link Botswana to a new deepwater port in Techobanine in Mozambique mainly for transporting. The same would also link Zimbabwe to Beira,” he said.

He thus urged constituents to tap into opportunities that would be presented by projects and better their lives. Also, Mr Atamelang spoke of the need to build roads in production zones, citing industrial parks, manufacturing hubs, special economic zones, cattle-posts and ploughing fields, emphatically pointing out that such was critical for the creation of efficient supply chains and resultant growth of the economy.

Furthermore, he relayed that the ministry was also pondering on the use of soil stabilisation technology and technique that elongated the life-span of a road from five to 16 years without routine maintenance.

“Tarmac road is very expensive with only a kilometre road stretch costing P9 million while a gravel road done through soil stabilisation technology only cost P300 000,” he said

Former RB2 presenter, Tebogo ‘Lady of Soul’ Ragontse has emphasised the power of belief and resilience in overcoming life’s challenges.

Now, visually impaired, Ragontse highlighted the need to carry others along in one’s success and to ride on difficult situati ons, rather than succumbing to pressure.

Ragontse said this during the International Women’s Day, hosted by Avani Gaborone Resort and Casino in partnership with Mosha Spa on March 6.

Sharing her story of loss, losing sight and personal growth, Ragontse, who got married in 2013, thought she had life figured out, only for her envisaged future to get shuttered overnight, as her husband passed on the same year, leaving her with a child to raise alone.

“I questioned God why was this happening to me, how am I going to live and what am I going to do alone, but God had his plans,” Ragontse said.

 Three years later, while still healing and finding her strength, Lady of Soul lost her sight. By then, she did not know why she lost her sight.

 “I got blind because I was stressed. I was depressed because I could not handle everything and it was eating me from the inside. I thought I was tough, because women we say we are tough, but we are not,” she said. Despite her condition, she said she soldiered on and managed to raise her child alone.

She said after losing her sight, she stopped working at RB2 and later decided to go return to radio.

However, she did not stay long, as she decided to go for further studies.

She went on to study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasti ng and Journalism at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.

She said she knew it was not going to be easy, but with the good systems at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, she managed and completed her four-year studies before securing a job at Debswana

While at the university she became the Student Representative Council president for students living with disabilities.

Ragontse therefore encouraged other women to cry if they had to, ask for help and share with other people they trusted, if they were not happy.

“Keeping quite will kill one slowly from the inside. I thought I was strong, you could not see it on the outside, but it was damaging me inside. Damaging me to a point where it took my sight, because that was the easiest thing to take. Imagine if it took my life,” she said.

She also cautioned women about competing with one another, saying everyone had a purpose in life.

She implored women to always pray and put God first in everything they did, saying it carried her through during challenges she faced.

Meanwhile, a Form Three learner at Maoka Junior Secondary School, Gayle Ngoni, who was one of the attendees, said while the day celebrated progress, she acknowledged challenges faced by the girl-child and recognised the collective benefit of supporting and empowering women and girls.

She advocated continuous support of women and girls as that could lead to stronger families, communities and societal advancement.

“Events like these are not only about celebrating women, but also about investing in the women of tomorrow,” said Avani Gaborone Resort and Casino public relations and marketing executive, Samantha Bogopa.

She said the day was about connection, inspiration and celebrating the strength that existed when women supported one another.

Held under the theme: Give to Gain, the International Women’s Day saw women and girls gathered in conversation, sharing life experiences and opening meaningful connections with the aim to uplift, inspire and support one another.

The fifth edition of the FNB Kazungula Bridge Marathon (KBM) that is scheduled to take place tomorrow will see runners traversing Kasane and ascending the majestic Kazungula Bridge.

In an interview, marathon’s founder and CEO, Obert Morgan stated that preparations were at their tail end and that athletes had also started arriving. Morgan said race packs had been delivered to participants unlike in the past where collection was done at the last minute.

He said a total of 3,500 runners had registered to compete in the marathon, a slight decline from the past races. This, he attributed to the financial constraints across government departments and parastatals, which had rendered ministries unable to field their employees for participation and exhibitions.

Morgan said SADC countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa as well as Kenya had fielded athletes while other participants would be from the US, Asia and Europe. He underscored that the marathon was a money spinner for the Chobe region, explaining that hotels and lodges were usually fully booked during the marathon weekend.

“The marathon gets businesses in Chobe excited as they get to make optimum profits and stimulate economic growth.”

Morgan said the 5km race had been by an 8km one, which would have athletes traverse over the Kazungula Bridge, giving them the feel of the bridge, something that was not part of the 5km race. Moreover, he said a 15km had been introduced in replacement of the 10km race in order to cut logistical arrangements brought about by numerous race distances.

He explained also that there would be a gala dinner on Saturday night to celebrate the five-year milestone. Morgan said the Local Organising Committee comprising government agencies and the private sector of the Chobe region was well prepared for the marathon.

He said the Department of Wildlife and National Parks would be conducting patrols, with its officers deployed at certain spots during the race to ensure that runners were protected from wildlife.

The founder said the weather forecast as provided by BITRI indicated that the weather would be pleasant with scattered thundershowers and clear skies expected on Saturday. He revealed that prize money for the race had been reduced this year due to economic constraints.

Morgan highlighted that Botswana Athletics Association as technical partners of the marathon, had marked and documented the route to ensure runners were directed accordingly. This, he said was to avoid a repeat of 2024 incidents where some athletes veered off the route and got lost.

A new chapter in Botswana’s urban housing story has unfolded with the launch of The Residency, a 135-unit residential development in Block 8, Gaborone, that blends modern design, infrastructure integration and a rent-to-own pathway aimed at expanding homeownership among young working Batswana.

More than a property unveiling, the launch signalled what stakeholders described as a replicable model of how disciplined institutional capital, strategic land use and coordinated infrastructure can translate national development ambitions into tangible community outcomes.

Developed by Letsema Property Fund in partnership with Messidor Investments, and working alongside Botswana Railways and the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF), The Residency offers a mix of modern studio pads, one-bedroom apartments, standard two-bedroom units and spacious two-bedroom deluxe apartments.

Entry-level monthly payments start from P3,500 under a rent-to-own model designed to ease the transition from tenancy to ownership.

Officiating at the launch in Gaborone, Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said the project reflects Botswana’s commitment to dignified housing, resilient infrastructure and water-smart urban planning.

“We gather not simply to unveil buildings, but to affirm Botswana’s commitment to building resilient communities anchored in policy, responsible investment, and secure water resources,” he said, linking the development to Vision 2036 and National Development Plan 12.

Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang underscored that housing delivery must go hand in hand with serviced land and connectivity. Roads, transport linkages and utility corridors, he said were what transform structures into functioning communities by reducing commuting costs and supporting local economic activity.

“Land without servicing is not development, and buildings without connectivity are not communities. The Residency’s design therefore, integrates accessibility, safety, and practical connectivity,” he said.

From the private sector, Messidor Investments Committee chairperson, Ms Charlotte Mathula described the project as evidence of what can be achieved when institutional capital aligned with national priorities. She said collaboration between the investment partners enabled a diversified unit mix and a structured rent-to-own pathway without compromising governance standards or financial discipline.

Messidor Investments executive director for portfolio management, Ms Una Munamati added that the development balanced commercial sustainability with measurable social impact. Beyond providing homes, she said the project had generated employment, transferred skills and stimulated local supply chains.

“We build developments that are commercially sound, well-governed, and responsive to real household needs,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the BPOPF Board of Trustees’ chairperson, Directorate of Public Service Management director, Ms Gaone Macholo said pension capital could play a transformative role in national development when deployed responsibly.

“Investment changes lives at scale only when land is activated and infrastructure connects people to opportunity,” she said, noting that the rent-to-own model supported wealth creation at household level while maintaining financial prudence.

Strategically located on land unlocked through institutional collaboration, The Residency illustrates how planning, policy and capital can converge to deliver liveable, connected neighbourhoods. Stakeholders expressed hope that similar projects could be replicated across the country, positioning housing not merely as a sectoral issue, but as a cornerstone of inclusive growth and long-term nation-building.

As the first residents prepare to move in, The Residency stands as a visible testament to a broader ambition: that when government, private investors and professional managers align their efforts, communities flourish, pension savings are productively invested, and Botswana’s vision for high-quality, inclusive urban living draws closer to reality. 

Pandamatenga commercial farmers have resumed ploughing operations following heavy downpours in January that left fields inaccessible and crops submerged in water.

In an interview, Pandamatenga Commercial Farmers Association executive member Mr Ryan Neal emphasised that this was a critical season to sustain national grain stability and financial viability for farmers.

Mr Neal stated that the fact that Pandamatenga was the primary source of grain production in Botswana compelled farmers to return to full operations in order to ensure a steady supply of harvest.

He indicated that it was essential for the soil conditions to continue to hold optimal soil moisture, adding that if the soils became waterlogged it would adversely affect the yields.

He assured that despite substantial damage to crops, farmers were working hard to ensure a good agricultural output. Mr Neal said the unprecedented flooding struck when only 8 500 hectares of a total 40 000 hectares project area had already been planted.

He remarked that assessments were still ongoing on farms that were affected by the floods with some farmers replanting the whole fields while some replanted certain portions.

“The biggest damage was the farms themselves suffering from top soil erosion, drainage damage, road damage as well as equipment damage and all of these damages are being assessed by insurance companies.”

Mr Neal pointed out that farming was a high risk undertaking requiring heavy capital investment, hence good yields were vital for farmers to remain solvent, and thereby retain their capacity to service bank loans. He pleaded with government to facilitate settlement of debts owed to farmers by BAMB as the 26 per cent debt was affecting their operations.

The farmer revealed that this year farmers were diverting from planting sorghum heavily and were gravitating towards increased sunflower planting in order to mitigate risks associated with delayed payments from BAMB.

He said farmers were flexible with their cropping plans, into which they easily incorporated high soil moisture crops like wheat, chickpeas, sunflower and mung beans.

Mr Neal acknowledged the critical role being played by the Pandamatenga commercial farms drainage system that was installed by government, noting that without it the floods would have left a total calamity.

“Massive erosion occurred on farming areas and unfortunately the bridge along the A33 highway has insufficient capacity to handle that much water and it became a wall blocking the flood waters.”

He suggested that during road repairs, the bridge be elevated to allow excess water to be released from the farms.

President Advocate Duma Boko and his Zambian counterpart Mr Hakainde Hichilema are expected to launch the Kazungula Bridge Authority, a key milestone for regional integration, on Tuesday.

This launch is subsequent to bilateral talks over the years which resulted with an agreement reached for the authority to be housed in Botswana, with the Chief Executive Officer coming from Zambia.

The launch reaffirms commitment made by the two Heads of State at the inaugural session of Botswana- Zambia Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Lusaka last year, where they underscored a paramount resolve to see the authority fully operational.

Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Tiro Kganela said in an interview that the authority would manage operations of the Kazungula One Stop Border Post (OSBP) and further position both countries as global competitors in investment and trade.

The Kazungula OSBP is port of choice for many travellers and truckers doing businesses across the SADC region, he said, pointing out that the authority would unlock more opportunities for Botswana, Zambia and beyond.

Furthermore, he emphasised that the KBA would harmonise customs and immigration operations between the two nations to ensure seamless and efficient movement of people and goods. The spokesperson said Botswana and Zambia have enjoyed a mutual friendship anchored on a shared democratic values and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

Mr Kganela stated that Botswana and Zambia collaborated in a number of initiatives and shared excellent bilateral relations anchored by long standing historical bonds of solidarity and common cultural heritage.

He said the Kazungula Bridge had significantly contributed to the economies of the member states and promoted trade in the region since its commissioning in May 2021, adding that the KBA would catapult these accomplishments. Mr Kganela also remarked that the technical components of the KBA operationalisation, legal frameworks, and procedures would be divulged at the launch by the two leaders.

He said the authority was a beacon for the people of Botswana and Zambia not just for stimulating economy but also for creating jobs for the people. Botswana and Zambia will hold bilateral ministerial meetings and authority board meetings in Kasane on Monday ahead of the launch.

A rise of five per cent in road traffic fatalities compared to the 2.6 per cent recorded in 2024 has become a growing concern, with young people accounting for a significant proportion of those losing their lives in crashes.

Speaking during the 52nd Botswana Police Senior Officers Annual Conference this morning, Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe, said data showed that alcohol use contributed to the increase in number of road accidents. She further noted that investigations into most of the accidents pointed to human error as the primary cause, underscoring the need for behavioural change among road users.

Ms Marathe called for a robust law enforcement, intensified road safety education, and stronger engagement with stakeholders to implement effective measures aimed at reducing accidents and saving lives.

The conference, held at Botswana Police College in Otse, has brought together senior officers to reflect on policing strategies and public safety challenges.

Thirty-eight (38) confirmed cases of Malaria were registered in the North West District between November 2025 and January 2026, with one casualty recorded.

According to North West District Council (NWDC) Deputy Council Secretary for Primary Health, Dr Sandra Maripe- Ebutswe, the rising number of Malaria cases signals a pressing public health concern, and underscores seriousness of the outbreak in the district.

He said nine villages in the district have already been affected, with Botshabelo and Moeti wards in Maun among the hardest hit areas during the current peak.

Authorities in the NWD have expressed growing concern about the nearly 1,000 households that have refused indoor spraying meant to control the disease, despite the seriousness of the situation.

Dr Maripe- Ebutswe pointed out that 964 residents refused indoor residual spraying (IRS) – a preventative method considered one of the most effective tools in controlling Malaria transmission – between October and December.

“People are refusing to open up their houses for the IRS and it is very concerning as cases continue to rise especially during this rainy season,” she said.

She also said health teams encountered operational setbacks, with 2,590 residents absent when spraying teams arrived and 1,013 houses found locked and inaccessible, significantly slowing containment efforts.

IRS involves spraying the inside walls of homes with insecticide to kill mosquitoes that transmit Malaria, effectively reducing infection rates within households and across communities.

Dr Maripe- Ebutswe stressed that Malaria control depended on collective responsibility, warning that refusal to allow spraying weakened community-wide protection

“Spraying is a protective measure for families and neighbours alike, and without cooperation, the disease continues to circulate,” she said.

Rural areas remain heavily targeted for spraying due to their vulnerability to mosquito breeding, particularly during the rainy season when stagnant water increases transmission risks.

The Okavango Delta region, characterised by wetlands which naturally attracts mosquito populations, remains another area of concern. Around 2,031 mosquito nets have been distributed to camps in the region to reduce exposure.

To strengthen the response, nurses are being flown in to provide medical attention and support early treatment among communities in the delta, a crucial step in preventing severe illness and fatalities.

Dr Maripe- Ebutswe further urged households to maintain clean environments, eliminate stagnant water, and consistently use mosquito nets. She said hygiene and environmental management played a vital role in reducing mosquito breeding.

With one life already lost and dozens infected, district authorities warned that continued resistance to IRS spraying could allow the disease to spread further, placing more vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly and children, at risk.

NWDC is therefore appealing to communities to grant spraying teams access to their homes, saying cooperation was a critical line of defence in preventing more deaths and bringing the outbreak under control. 

Livestock products such as UHT milk, pasteurised milk, sour milk and some cooked products are not affected by the movement restrictions on products from cloven hooved animals due to the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Botswana.

According to the National coordinator of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Dr Bernard Mbeha, moving the mentioned products across FMD control zones is not a violation of the current restrictions imposed by government last month.

“Basically, the restrictions cover cloven hooved animals, products from those animals like skins, hides, fresh milk, meat, bones, cattle feed, and dikgole as they have the potential of spreading the disease,” Dr Mbeha told the North East District Council (NEDC) special meeting on Friday.

Dr Mbeha also shed light on donkey meat, saying it could not be moved through zones because of the lengthy process of verifying through testing whether it was indeed donkey meat.

Dr Mbeha said people have also asked whether firewood, thatching grass, sand, gravel and other aggregates were also not affected by the restrictions. He however said those items could not transmit the FMD virus, since it only survived for about three minutes outside the body of an animal, and were therefore not affected by the restrictions.

He said restrictions and checks at disease control checkpoints would remain heavier in Zones 6b, 3c, 3b, 6a and Zone 7, where searching and fumigation were being conducted rigorously to prevent the possible spread of FMD to disease-free areas.

“The controls are concentrated mainly on zones in the North East District and in Bobonong, Tonota, Tutume, Nata and the rest of the Zones 6 up to Thalamabele Gate,” he said.

Dr Mbeha stressed that the whole country was still locked because some animals were still moving from Zone 6b, where FMD outbreak was detected, to other parts of the country.

“These includes Masunga, Tutume, Lobatse, Palapye, Letlhakane and Selebi Phikwe,” he said, explaining that the Department of Veterinary Services was still tracing the livestock in question to examine it for possible FMD infection.

He highlighted that the examination of animals that have been moved into Zone 6a was yet to be conducted as farmers were reluctant to bring their animals over, adding that their lack of cooperation delayed the process which was targeted for completion last week.

He nonetheless stated that once the process was eventually completed, the Director of Veterinary Services would make a decision regarding whether the movement restrictions could be relaxed.

He however said surveillance exercise would continue in Zone 3b, 3c, 6a, 6b and Zone 7 to try and determine how far the disease had spread.

On the other hand, he updated the meeting about vaccination of cattle, saying at Zone 6b covering the Matsiloje area, the turnout for vaccination was low with 4,000 of the expected about 6,000 cattle having been vaccinated.

He said after the completion of the primary vaccination, a booster vaccination would follow after 28 days to ensure that the disease was exterminated.

Themashanga councillor Mr Kudzani Tobokwani called for the education of officers manning the disease control gates on items prohibited to cross from FMD suspected zones, as they disallowed and confiscated items not covered by the restrictions such as peanuts and ice-cream.