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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ministry of Water and Human Settlement on Friday unveiled 10 investors who will partner with government for the Bonno National Housing programme in Kgatleng District.

The programme is aimed at providing accessible and affordable housing for citizens across various income brackets.

Unveiling the investors in Mochudi recently, Assistant Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Motsamai Motsamai said government, through the national transformation agenda, prioritised private sector led investments.

He said such partnerships contributed to economic growth and well-being of the society. Conversely, he also said the initiative would further empower artisans by improving their skills in construction.

He commended investors for their trust and commitment to the vision, adding that building 100 000 housing units was such an ambitious initiative that needed the support of all.

Furthermore, Mr Motsamai commended Kgatleng District for responding swiftly to the programme by availing land and further implored district authorities to support the investors.

He said the housing units would provide decent and affordable housing for low income residents, adding that owning a home restored one’s dignity and offered some form of security especially for people who had always longed to own decent homes.

Meanwhile, Kgatleng Land Board acting deputy secretary, Mr Neo Rakodu said the 10 investors would construct housing units in all the three constituencies of Kgatleng Central, Kgatleng West and Kgatleng East covering 73 hectares of land for constructing a total of 1 162 plots.

He said Kgatleng District was ready for such developments and that the district had set up a team that would facilitate the investors.

Mr Rakodu said there were some negligible challenges in some parts of the district, but noted that overall, the programme was progressing well, with some plans approved, while some would be approved by November 20.

Bakgatla Deputy Chief Kgosi Bana Sekai commended government for ensuring that Kgatleng was not left out while specially elected councillor, Ms Kentse Mollentze said Bakgatla were ready for the housing units that would give the district a facelift.

She assured the investors of unwavering support from the district authorities and that they would ensure that hired artisans provided good workmanship.