Botswana Minute.
Thursday, 7 May 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 7 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Thursday, 7 May 2026
Politics

Assistant Minister Hunyepa: political activist with trade union roots

The News

Mmegi profiles the Assistant Minister of Basic Education and Child Welfare, tracing his background in opposition politics and trade unionism, noting his family history of BPP membership and his path through college student activism to partisan party politics.

Why it matters

An in-depth profile of Assistant Minister Hunyepa's political journey through activism and trade unionism offers insight into current leadership backgrounds.

7 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Politics

  1. Assistant Minister Hunyepa: political activist with trade union roots

    Mmegi profiles the Assistant Minister of Basic Education and Child Welfare, tracing his background in opposition politics and trade unionism, noting his family history of BPP membership and his path through college student activism to partisan party politics.

    7 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Mining & Energy

  1. Kagame concludes Botswana visit with Diamond Trading Company tour

    Rwanda President Paul Kagame's two-day state visit ended with a tour of the Diamond Trading Company Botswana, highlighting partnership between the nations on mining, sustainability, and innovation. Acting Minerals and Energy Minister Wynter Mmolotsi praised Rwanda's position as Africa's largest tungsten and top tantalum producer, and noted shared ambitions between Botswana and Rwanda in formalising and modernising the mining sector.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Society

  1. Gaolathe hosts wellness session on mind-body connection

    A two-hour health and wellness build-up session at Gaolathe explored how thought patterns contribute to illness and wellness, featuring presentations from healthcare practitioners, a physiologist, a mind education expert, a marriage officer, and a dietitian. The event served as a precursor to a main Health and Wellness Expo scheduled for May 16, 2026.

    7 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. EH Construction/Lucara Botswana donates to Mmatshumu Primary School

    EH Construction/Lucara Botswana made a donation to Mmatshumu Primary School on May 6 aimed at improving learning conditions for students and teachers by replacing old furniture and teaching materials with updated resources including whiteboards.

    7 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. Man pleads guilty to raping septuagenarian in Otse

    A 22-year-old man from Otse village pleaded guilty to a single count of rape before Senior Magistrate Venetia Moruakgomo. He is accused of sexually violating a septuagenarian on May 4, 2026, at Ditswaaladi cattlepost in the Central Administrative District.

    7 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Culture

  1. Poeticblood builds emotional universe through poetry

    Dr Lame Pusetso, known as Poeticblood, has spent 13 years lending her voice to other people's stages, and is now building her own emotional universe through poetry with Setinkane, one poem and one truth at a time.

    7 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  2. Botswana's Diary34 womenswear label blends nostalgia and modern luxury

    Botswana's new womenswear label Diary34 is turning nostalgia into luxury and quiet femininity into fashion, operating in contrast to brands that rely on neon drops and fast-expiring micro-trends.

    7 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  3. Between U & I event brings food, fashion to Mokolodi

    Between U & I hosted a cultural dinner gathering at Mokolodi Nature Reserve featuring food, fashion, and connection.

    7 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  4. Ramotswa brass band performs at World Athletics Relays

    A brass band from Ramotswa provided cultural entertainment in Gaborone before the Debswana World Athletics Relays, turning the city into a street party ahead of the athletic competition.

    7 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Sport

  1. SuperSport to broadcast major sporting finals throughout May

    SuperSport is launching a "Month of Mayhem" in May featuring live broadcasts of major sporting finals and league conclusions across football, rugby, tennis, and golf, including the CAF Champions League Final and European football competition.

    7 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Botswana receives global praise for World Athletics Relays

    Botswana hosted the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 on May 2-3, earning international acclaim for its organisation, atmosphere, and hospitality. The event featured diamond-encrusted medals and saw Botswana win the men's 4x400m relay, with the nation's performance described as a world-class spectacle by athletes, fans, diplomats and sports personalities.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. 2027 Dakar Rally to feature record-breaking 8,390km route

    The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally, scheduled for January 1–15, 2027, in Saudi Arabia will feature a record-breaking 8,390km route, the longest in the event's history. Botswana's Ross Branch, who attended the official route unveiling in Paris, described the stages as exceptionally long and said he is preparing with his team Hero MotoSports Rally Team.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  4. Gaborone hosts first ITF World Tennis Tour events

    Botswana will host the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour Men's and Women's 15k events at the National Tennis Centre from May 11–13, with over 300 men and 200 women from countries including the United States, France, China and Australia having submitted entries. The Botswana Tennis Association vice president described the international interest as validation of the nation's reputation for peace, security and world-class hospitality.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  5. Botswana Basketball League delays season start to May 15

    The Botswana Basketball League postponed its season opener from May 8 to May 15 due to logistical challenges in both divisions and the need for team compliance with regulatory requirements. The BBA president said the league had achieved nearly 95 per cent compliance with CIPA and Registry of Societies regulations before resuming play.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  6. Orapa to host 2026 Botswana Bowling National Championships

    The Botswana Bowling Association National Championships will follow its established five-club rotation system, with Orapa hosting the 2026 edition.

    7 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  7. BNSC awards celebrate Botswana's successful sporting year

    The Botswana National Sport Commission awards will recognise athletes, coaches and administrators for strong performances across sporting codes in regional and international competitions. Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng described it as a fruitful year, with athletes securing qualifications and success in major international events.

    7 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

World & Region

  1. Botswana and Rwanda sign agreements, cement diplomatic ties

    Heads of state Advocate Duma Boko and Paul Kagame signed Memoranda of Understanding on Wednesday, with both countries committing to practical cooperation in areas including air connectivity, visa facilitation, and double taxation avoidance. Kagame praised Botswana's management of natural resources and investments in pharmaceutical capacity.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Botswana reaffirms commitment to deeper trade ties with Rwanda

    During a state visit by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, President Boko expressed Botswana's desire to increase trade volume and investment flows with Rwanda, and to pioneer innovative approaches to economic diplomacy that could serve as an example to other nations.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Opinion

  1. Red Cross neutrality perceived as undermining state sovereignty

    The ICRC's humanitarian dialogue with armed groups is increasingly viewed by governments as circumventing national sovereignty. The ICRC maintains contact with around 383 groups of "humanitarian concern"—including insurgent, separatist and jihadist structures—across more than 60 countries affecting some 204 million people.

    7 May 2026 · Mmegi →

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