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  • Choirs Bring Festive Cheer

    Choirs Bring Festive Cheer

    A staple festive season fare particularly in the southern parts of the country, dikhwaere traditional music choirs have brought delight to cultural enthusiasts over the holidays.

    In the outskirts of Mochudi over Boxing Day, local ensemble Badiragatsi hosted Mokwepa Choir of Molepolole, a Super League clash of titans.

    Dikhwaere tunes and specially choreographed dance sequences were dished out by the two choirs immaculately dressed in their respective tunics.

    While both Kgatleng and Kweneng have strong dikhwaere culture spanning decades, it was still somewhat of a surprise to witness the visitors Mokwepa have a slight edge over their Mochudi hosts.

    “We founded this choir in 2010 when the government started promoting artistic competitions and we assembled it from mostly unemployed youth in Molepolole at the time,” Isaiah Lejone, Mokwepa manager revealed in an interview.

    They have grown in leaps and bounds since. At their fourth attempt, Mokwepa this year won the Ma48 Choir competition, and their growth and dynamism was further laid bare on Boxing Day.

    “When we started, we largely sang in the Kweneng District but we then developed a partnership with Bodiakhudu Choir from Kgatleng. We later got admitted to the Kgatleng Super League and we have challenged different choirs over the past five years,” he said.

    A Badiragatsi Choir representative said their choir, founded on June 16, 2012 had also grown in stature, first competing in the lower category before being admitted to the Super League.

    While car parking had proved a challenge for the multitudes that turned up, he nonetheless said their preparations to host their visitors and the crowd had overall been smooth.

    On December 30, from 10pm until the next morning, Badiragatsi will visit Molepolole for the return fixture at the Mokwepa Grounds along the Lephephe road, the entrance charge being P30.

  • Ramoreboli Hopeful Ahead of Benin Clash

    Ramoreboli Hopeful Ahead of Benin Clash

    After losing 3-0 against Senegal in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco on Tuesday, Botswana will take on Benin on Saturday. 

    The match will be played at the Stade Annexe Olympique Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

    Benin also lost their opening match 1-0 against The Democratic Republic of Congo, which means that both sides will be fighting to register their first victory.

    Botswana head coach, Morena Ramoreboli was however hopeful that his charges would turn the corner against the Cheetahs, who were ranked 20th in Africa, while the Zebras were number 42.

    Ramoreboli had promised to make a couple of tactical changes, saying they would be having more numbers in attack looking to create and score goals. 

    The South African born coach is of the view that they were on the right track and they just needed to improve concentration during the match.

     “This is the right platform for us to promote the talent we have in Botswana, and try to say to the world, here is the talent let us see how best we can develop these talent,” Ramoreboli said.

    He said the match would not be easy and the Zebras would need to change situations, force things, and be ready to work hard. 

    He said the players would also need to put pressure on themselves to win, especially at the AFCON stage where they knew that there were people profiling and analysing their performances. 

    “We also need to be honest, it is not easy to erase any bad results or defeat, in the minds of the players. They will want to do well and they always put themselves under pressure so that they can also be counted amongst the best,” he said. 

  • Christmas Joy as Princess Marina Delivers 21 Babies

    Christmas Joy as Princess Marina Delivers 21 Babies

    Christmas Day brought more than festive cheer at Princess Marina Hospital maternity ward, as 21 babies were born.

    The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nursing Superintendent, Ms Cecilia Mooketsi said the hospital welcomed 12 baby boys and nine girls on the day, making it a memorable Christmas for families and health workers alike.

    She praised the commitment of nurses and midwives who worked through out the holidays, noting that while many were celebrating with their families, maternity staff were on duty to safely usher in new life. 

    Among the new mothers was Ms Goitseone Baipoledi, who delivered her second child shortly after lunchtime. Holding her newborn, she described the birth as the greatest Christmas gift, saying the moment brought joy and gratitude to her family.

  • Khama Gifts Children

    Khama Gifts Children

    Kgosi Khama IV of Bangwato on Christmas Day gifted children with hampers at his home in Serowe. 

    Kgosi Khama, who is also the former president, traditionally donates Christmas gifts to children in Serowe and surrounding villages demonstrating the love for the children. 

    The gesture is an annual event that his family has carried on for decades.

    Appreciating the gifts, Ms Wame Letlhare, whose children received gifts, commended Kgosi Khama for his continuous efforts in demonstrating love to the children through donations for decades.

  • Gaborone Bar Patrons Welcome ‘LALAVOKA’

    Gaborone Bar Patrons Welcome ‘LALAVOKA’

    Patrons of bar outlets around Gaborone have expressed gratitude to the government for increasing liqour licence trading operating hours over the festive season.

    The Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship recently announced an extension of liquor trading hours over the festive season, permitting bars to operate from 10am until 6am, what alcohol clients term ‘lalavoka’ in local parlance.

    The Daily News spent the early morning of Christmas Day observing the situation at  outlets in the vicinity of Gaborone and patrons largely expressed positive sentiments.

    A patron in Mogoditshane said throughout the Christmas Eve night into the morning of Christmas Day, scores of people had been imbibing and listening to music at the Tsabong complex, in an orderly manner.

    Another person said business was likely to boom for bars but expressed the concern that nightclubs might struggle to gain clients over the festive season, as people may prefer to buy liquor at a cheaper price in bars.

    Similar sentiments were expressed by bar employees and patrons at Gaborone’s Phase 2, Block 5 and Block 6 precincts. 

    They said there had not been any incidents of disorderly conduct often associated with long hours of alcohol consumption.

  • Four Appear for Stock Theft

    Four Appear for Stock Theft

    Nonofo Joseph, Simisane Outule, Boitse Nchime and Obakeng Modise on Wednesday appeared before Principal Magistrate Tebogo Nthuli of Francistown Magistrate Court for a single charge of stock theft.

    The four were arrested by police on December 23 near Gerald Estate railway line after they were found skinning five beasts, valued at P37 000, belonging to Ms Girly Moyo of Chadibe.

    The police said the accused allegedly used wire snares to trap the animals before killing them.

    The fifth accused in the case is still at large.

    The accused will appear again on January 29.

  • Tlokweng Border Officials Warn Travellers over Child Documentation

    Tlokweng Border Officials Warn Travellers over Child Documentation

    As the festive travel season reaches its peak, Tlokweng Border Post officials are raising the alarm over a recurring issue of parents attempting to cross the border with children without the required birth certificates or parental affidavits.

    According to Immigration administration officer, Mr Emmanuel Lephirimile, a significant surge in movement began the week of December 13, largely driven by families travelling for holiday shopping.

    However, many travellers are arriving at the gates unprepared.

    Mr Lephirimile explained that a passport alone was not enough for minors.

    Under current regulations, any child under the age of 18 must travel with a valid passport and an unabridged birth certificate.

    “In the absence of one parent, we require an affidavit from the absent parent, along with a copy of their Omang (identity card), authorising the other parent to travel with the child. Even when a relative, such as an uncle, travels with the child, both parents must provide authorised affidavits granting permission,” he said.

    Officials noted that many parents, both mothers and fathers, were found lacking the necessary paperwork.

    Many mistakenly believed that their physical presence or verbal confirmation of parenthood would be sufficient to clear immigration.

    The documentation rules also apply to birth certificates that do not list a father’s name.

    In such cases, the mother is the sole legal guardian, however, if the father intends to travel with the child alone, the mother must still provide an affidavit authorising the trip.

    Beyond missing certificates, immigration officers are grappling with a spike in damaged or expired travel documents.

    Mr Lephirimile noted that broken pages, water-soaked covers and expired passports were common sights during the holiday rush.

    “We often see people reach the border only to realise their passport has already expired,” he said.

    While the department may occasionally consider the urgency of travel, they maintain strict standards for those heading beyond neighbouring borders.

    Mr Lephirimile reminded citizens that while High Commissions and Embassies can facilitate certain travel documents, they were not always a quick fix for a damaged passport at the border. Travellers are urged to inspect their documents weeks before their departure date to avoid being turned away. 

  • Bakhurutshe Women Celebrate Christmas in Style

    Bakhurutshe Women Celebrate Christmas in Style

    Some Bakhurutshe women on December 23 came together to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas, spreading joy and warmth to all.

    Hosted by Mohumagadi Koontse Radipitse, wife of Kgosi Bokamoso Radipitse, the Christmas party was a vibrant showcase of love, compassion and sisterhood.

    Under the theme: Mosadi wa Tsholofelo (Luke 1:45), the women gathered at the Talk of the Village gardens in Tonota, dressed in festive attire and Christmas hats, radiating happiness and hope.

    Mohumagadi Radipitse shared that the event aimed to recognise women as pillars of the nation, deserving of love, respect and celebration.

    Mohumagadi Radipitse announced that the event would be an annual tradition, with next year’s celebration expected to be even more spectacular.

    Motivational speakers, including Ms Kgalalelo Mashane, encouraged the women to support and uplift each other, embracing their inner strength and potential.

    “Let us be the women spoken of in Luke 1:45, filled with faith and purpose,” she said. 

  • Ramoreboli Takes Positives From Senegal Defeat

    Ramoreboli Takes Positives From Senegal Defeat


    Despite losing 3-0 to Senegal in their opening TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D clash on December 23 evening, the senior national football team, Zebras head coach Morena Ramoreboli saw some positives from the team’s performance.

    Ramoreboli said after the match that they were many positives, given that they were able to deal with some elements properly, especially when Senegal was looking to attack through the central space.

    He said the Zebras were stubborn in dealing with that aspect and managed to close spaces in the middle.

    “We never allowed them to play in the central corridor, secondly we dealt so well with their threat especially with set-pieces, which is one area where Senegal has been causing threat in many matches,” he said.

    Zebras goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko was called on to make many saves, and according to the South African-born coach, they only conceded goals at moments when the players’ concentration dropped.

    He said the first goal scored by Nicolas Jacksonin the 39th minute came at a time when they should have concentrated, but they made a mistake by not adequately dealing with the outside space. Senegal played and cross into the penalty area Jackson tapped in from close range.

    Ramoreboli was of the view that they could have done better with the second goal by bypassing the second line and playing to the last line.

    “But we choose to play through, and Senegal pressed Tumisang Orebonye, won the ball and scored. The last goal it is us trying to get a goal by pushing numbers but they played quickly on the side, got the cross and netted the third goal,” he said.

    In that regard, the Zebras coach said those were lessons, and although they did not start the tournament well.

    “But we can only take the positives out of this game as we go to the next match against Benin, who have also lost their match, and it means that it is going to be a tough one, but we have to make sure that we organise ourselves properly, dust ourselves and get the result,” he said.

    The Zebras will take on Benin on December 27 at the Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah, in Rabat, Morocco.

  • Local and International Stars to Thrill at Gaabo Motho

    Local and International Stars to Thrill at Gaabo Motho

    A star-studded lineup of musicians is expected to thrill revellers at the 10th Gaabo Motho Music Festival to be held at Dladleng Recreational Park in Moshupa on December 24.

    The show will have the likes of Vee Mampeezy, Franco, Lioness Ratang, Culture Spears, T.H.A.B.O, April Gates and others, while international acts include Shandesh, Msaki, Zee Nxumalo, Nkosazana, Professor, Jazz World & Thukuthela, and Sannere.

    The festival will be hosted by MC Msato.

    In an interview, Gaabo Motho Music Festival head of marketing and public relations, Mabitso Kesenye, said this year’s edition promised a thrilling experience, with a powerful lineup of both international and local artistes.

    Kesenye said they would offer DJs and upcoming artistes from Moshupa and surrounding areas, the opportunity to perform with top class sound and lighting.  

     “We want to give local talent a professional platform before a lively and supportive crowd,” he said.

    He said the festival had remained true to its roots by keeping the same date and venue, adding that Dladleng Recreational Park was spacious enough to accommodate both attendees and their vehicles.

    He promised that security had been tightened, saying they had partnered with a professional security company and installed CCTV cameras around the venue to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.

    Also, he said early bird tickets had sold out and warned against buying tickets from unauthorised sellers.