Blog

Drugs availability in the district remains a challenge in Francistown.
Addressing the session of Francistown City Council this week, Mayor Mr Gaone Majere said the average availability of vital drugs for October 2025 were recorded at 73 per cent, with essential drugs at 69 per cent while necessary drugs stood at eight per cent.
As for non-drugs, he said stood at 86 per cent adding that overall, the district’s average drug availability stood at 77 per cent, falling short of the 97 per cent target.
Furthermore, Mr Majere shared that as of December 1, 2025, the availability of Antiretrovirals (ARVs) was at 73 per cent adding that Anti-Retroviral Therapy services were provided at 15 out of the 17 facilities.
He explained that the Primary Health Care (PHC) continues to adopt micro-procurement methods for acquiring drugs and non-drugs while awaiting supplies from Central Medical Stores.
He therefore informed councilors that Francistown City Council assumed responsibility for Primary Health Care in April 2025, a process that was generally seamless.
He said that currently, the Primary Health Care Department was operating with 16 doctors covering 17 clinics within the city, of which four clinics were providing 24 hour service;  Area W Clinic covered by five doctors on shifts, Donga Clinic covered by three doctors on-call.
However, he said Jubilee and Gerald Clinics were without a resident doctor, but covered on a rotational basis.
In addition, Mr Majere said due to shortage of personnel, some clinics were not covered by doctors adding that some clinics were in bad state.
Such clinics, he said included Gerald Clinic which its maternity wing has structural defects posing a danger to both staff and clients, resulting in management taking the decision to relocate  maternity services to Donga clinic to give way for maintenance.
Furthermore, the mayor explained that a number of tuberculosis patients were facing Multi Drug resistance.
To this end, he said there were nine such patients who received support in the form of food rations and were monitored through smear microscopy procedures.
He also said the hospital recently marked the inauguration of newly updated paediatric theatre, courtesy of Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) from Britain.
He said the theatre was the first space in the hospital dedicated solely to surgical procedures for paediatric patients.
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to Kids OR for their outstanding initiative. This facility is not just a room with equipment, it is a critical infrastructure for a healthier, more inclusive future for our children,” said Mr Majere.
The mayor also informed Councilors about the President’s National Clean-Up Campaign dedicated for every second Saturday of each month.
He said the community and leadership-led initiative emphasised the responsibility of every community member, including businesses and institutions, to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings.
“In response to this national call, the district leadership, along with all stakeholders, launched the initiative on December 12, 2025 to fully mobilise the communities of Francistown,” he said. 

Government has introduced a draft Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) policy for public consideration and endorsement signaling, commitment to safeguarding a vital aspect of national heritage.
The draft policy aims to embed IKS fully into sustainable development planning and key features include integrating IKS into the national education system, preserving cultural diversity, and creating an enabling environment for its development and transformation.
Speaking at a consultative meeting in Gaborone on Tuesday, deputy permanent secretary for Communications and Innovation, Ms Lesego Thamae called on stakeholders to provide comprehensive input to help shape the direction of IKS development.
She stressed that collaborative effort was essential to ensure the policy remained inclusive, relevant and responsive to the needs of the people noting that the current momentum for economic transformation presented a strategic opportunity to integrate indigenous knowledge into broader national development frameworks.
She also pointed out that the recent approval of two key blueprints, the National Development Plan and the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan, aimed to diversify the economy, foster social development, and enhance safety and security.
Within this context, Ms Thamae explained that the IKS was recognised as a vital resource capable of supporting industry growth, social cohesion, and good governance, particularly in rural communities.
She further elaborated that the ministry viewed IKS as a crucial asset for realising both social and economic aspirations.
Government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment through responsive policies and legal frameworks was reiterated, with focus on empowering communities to acquire relevant skills and knowledge.
“This approach aims to enable communities to achieve sustainable livelihoods, preserve their cultures, and develop innovative solutions that support inclusive, resilient, and culturally sensitive economies.”
Ms Thamae stressed the importance of equipping communities with IKS-related skills to build human capital and foster equitable collaboration among IKS holders, scientists, and development practitioners.
These strategies are intended to serve as platforms to promote cultural diversity and social justice as fundamental elements of sustainable development.
She acknowledged that the efforts were pertinent in the context of the digital revolution which presented both opportunities and challenges for IKS transformation.
Highlighting the role of digital technologies, she noted that they could significantly aid in documenting, preserving, and archiving IKS.
However, Ms Thamae warned that software development and digital platforms must be rooted in IKS principles to prevent misuse, biopiracy, and exploitation.
Ms Thamae underscored that safeguarding IKS resources was a collective responsibility indicating such resources were not only vital for social cohesion but also served as strategic assets that gave Botswana a competitive edge in an increasingly connected world.
She explained how IKS supported sustainable development through ecological stewardship, resource management, and community resilience especially in addressing challenges such as food security, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Establishing the value chains, she said, could generate new industries, business models, and sources of raw materials, ultimately reducing rural-urban migration and creating employment opportunities in rural areas.
Addressing the intergenerational transfer of IKS, she called for sustainable approaches to documenting and transmitting traditional knowledge, languages, and practices.
She pointed out that globalisation and technological advances posed risks of cultural erosion, but deliberate efforts to preserve authenticity and cultural context could mitigate the threats.
In his welcome remarks, acting director of the Department of Research and Knowledge Business, Mr Abraham Mathodi highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge to Botswana’s national identity.
He described it as the bedrock of the country’s culture, values, and traditional practices, playing a vital role in shaping how communities interacted with the environment, managed natural resources, and address health and well-being.
Mr Mathodi stressed that passing wisdom from one generation to the next was central to maintaining Botswana’s cultural heritage.
As the country continued its journey of modernisation, he warned against losing this invaluable asset. Indigenous knowledge, he explained, was not only a cultural treasure but a key resource for sustainable development, ecological stewardship, and social cohesion. 

The adage that a picture is worth a thousand words aptly describes the newly launched photo-book on President Duma Boko, titled That’s My Boy.
Compiled by renowned photographer, Monirul Bhuiyan, the book captures defining moments of President Boko’s political journey from his election as leader of the Botswana National Front (BNF) in 2010 to his assumption of the country’s highest office.
Through a compelling visual narrative, Bhuiyan traces Boko’s path from early political aspirations to the historic night of November 1, 2024, when he was elected Botswana’s sixth president.
The images highlight the power of grassroots activism and the perseverance that underpinned the journey.
Structured chronologically, the book moves from the trenches of political struggle to the Office of the President.
Beyond recording milestones, it offers insight into the President’s thinking, his policy perspectives, political life and vision for a renewed Botswana.
Themes of hope and unity are woven throughout, particularly in photographs from the formative days of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), where Boko is seen alongside the late Gomolemo Motswaledi, founder of the Botswana Movement for Democracy.
The collection also reflects on the presidency itself, capturing campaign trails and rallies that culminated in the UDC’s 2024 victory, as well as intimate moments from the transfer of power and inauguration. Other images show the President during UDC parliamentary caucus meetings, State-of-the-Nation Addresses and debates, offering the public a window into his reflections as he confronts economic challenges.
Overall, the book underscores President Boko’s conviction that democracy is not bestowed from above but built collectively, day by day.
It presents a portrait of how an ordinary citizen can rise to the nation’s highest elected office.
Speaking at the launch, President Boko said he was deeply moved by the book produced under his name.
“This photo-book takes me back to a time many remember, the days when I stood in opposition, when the road was uncertain and the weight of resistance was heavy,” he said.
The images, he added, captured moments of struggle, sacrifice, doubt and unwavering hope, and honour those who believed even when belief was costly.
Referring to photographs from a court case questioning his BNF membership, he said the book was an emotional roller coaster.
“Those were gloomy days in my political career,” he said, explaining that his membership should never have been in doubt, having been raised in the party tradition by his father and mentored by Kenneth Koma.
He recalled contesting for a BNF central committee position in Kanye, where he lost the international affairs portfolio to Calmon Mogalakwe, further affirming his longstanding party involvement.
President Boko said the book also reflected moments of betrayal and hardship, experiences that shaped his resilience.
He emphasised that his story was not one of inherited privilege but of hope, tenacity and a desire to serve the nation.
“For many, I am evidence that one can reach the stars without being born with a silver spoon,” he said, adding that childhood hardships should never be seen as barriers.
While he values a life away from the limelight, President Boko acknowledged that public scrutiny had followed him from an early age.
He commended Bhuiyan for documenting the journey ‘not for glory, but for truth’.
For his part, Bhuiyan said the project was undertaken for posterity.
“For a newspaper, you are taking pictures to go along with a story or the news of the day, but the mission of this project was to document the presidency for history.” he said.
He noted that the images captured a range of emotions from triumphant political moments to sombre and deeply human experiences. 

North West district leadership and stakeholders have welcomed the Maun East Smart City concept, which aims to position the tourism town as the country’s premier eco-urban hub.

The initiative will require 139 hectares of land for smart, green mixed-use development.

The project, undertaken by Managed Portfolio Botswana, seeks to establish a resilient, green and smart city anchored on sustainability, digital innovation, nature-based tourism and inclusive economic growth.

Launching the concept in Maun on Tuesday, North West district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka said the Maun East Smart City concept reflected the collective commitment to sustainable development, inclusive growth and the intelligent use of technology to improve the quality of life for the people.

“Maun has long been recognised as the tourism gateway to the Okavango Delta and a centre of economic opportunity and with growth comes responsibility. Rapid urbanisation demands that we plan smarter, build resilient infrastructure, and ensure that development is orderly, efficient, and environmentally responsible. The Initiative responds directly to these needs,” Mr Waloka said.

Mr Waloka said the envisioned project would create a city environment that was safe, connected, environmentally conscious and economically vibrant, one that served not only present generations but also those yet to come.

Appreciating the landmark concept, he said it represented progress, innovation and a shared vision for the future of the district and nation at large.

The district commissioner further noted that the initiative would benefit the people of Maun through housing opportunities across all income levels, commercial activity, institutional services, jobs for youth and local contractors, investment stimulus pointing that when communities thrive, the district thrives and the nation prospers.

Mr Waloka pledged that the district administration would facilitate engagement, support regulatory compliance, ensure community interests were protected.

He further encouraged Managed Portfolio Botswana to maintain openness, transparency and stakeholder participation.

North West District Council chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng said the launch marked the beginning of a new chapter, one defined by innovation, sustainability and inclusive growth.

Maun, he said was a tourism destination, a gateway to natural heritage, to opportunity and to progress and with the smart city initiative.

As such, he reaffirmed their support to the project aimed at improving the quality of life for the people, creating jobs, empowering businesses and ensuring that development remains environmentally responsible.

The initiative, he said called for collaboration between the community, government, private sector and development partners and encouraged all to move forward with a shared sense of purpose, ensuring that no one was left behind as they build the city that was smart, resilient and people centred.

Batawana deputy chief, Kgosi Kealetile Moremi also hailed the initiative saying it came at an opportune time when the nation was guided by Vision 2036.

In addition, she said the project responded meaningfully to the vision, which promoted urban development infrastructure, economic opportunities and environmental responsibility.

As community traditional leaders, she said they recognised developments in the area which were well planned and sensitive to both communities and the environment.

For their part, some leaders also welcomed the project, saying it would elevate Maun’s status as it aimed to stimulate economic growth, expanded affordable housing, accelerated youth employment, strengthen small-medium enterprises capacity and positioned it as Botswana’s investment hub.