Botswana Minute.
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 13 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Politics

Saleshando denies involvement in government audit investigation

The News

A forensic audit commissioned by the UDC government for P57 million identified more than 80 current and former senior officials and 150 contractors, suppliers, and counterparties for special investigation, according to a summary report received by President Duma Boko.

Why it matters

A forensic audit identifying over 80 senior officials and 150 contractors for investigation signals major government accountability probes under the new administration.

13 May 2026 · Mmegi

Politics

  1. Saleshando denies involvement in government audit investigation

    A forensic audit commissioned by the UDC government for P57 million identified more than 80 current and former senior officials and 150 contractors, suppliers, and counterparties for special investigation, according to a summary report received by President Duma Boko.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. BCP calls for public release of audit report findings

    The Botswana Congress Party, through Saleshando, has demanded the release of an audit report, arguing that Batswana deserve full transparency since taxpayers funded the audit.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Courts across Botswana struggle with paper shortage crisis

    Botswana's courts are reportedly struggling with basic consumables including paper, toner, and ink cartridges, prompting the Law Society to coordinate donations while the government pursues a costly Constitutional Court referendum.

    13 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  4. Former President Mogae upheld rule of law

    An obituary for former president Dr Festus Mogae, who passed away last Friday, recalls his approach to governance as a legalist who resisted international pressure, public sympathy, and political pressure in making tough decisions backed by law. The article highlights his refusal to grant clemency to South African Marietta Bosch, who was convicted of murder and executed at Gaborone Maximum Prison on March 31, 2001, despite international outcry.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  5. Botswana mourns former President Festus Mogae's death

    Former President Dr Festus Mogae has died, prompting widespread national tributes to his legacy as an economist and leader of Botswana's response to HIV and AIDS. Political leaders across the spectrum have praised his humility, economic stewardship, and democratic leadership during a defining period in the nation's history.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  6. Late President Festus Mogae honored as pragmatic liberal leader

    The article reflects on the late Festus Mogae's presidency and leadership, noting his distinctive liberal values and commitment to combating HIV/AIDS as an existential crisis. From 2000 to 2014, he chaired the National AIDS Council and oversaw a rollout of antiretroviral therapies that became a global benchmark, extending hundreds of thousands of lives and nearly eliminating mother-to-child transmission.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  7. Public pays respects to former President Festus Mogae

    Hundreds of Batswana lined up at Parliament Building on Wednesday to pay their last respects to former President Dr Festus Mogae, whose body lay in state. Acting President Ndaba Gaolathe, Mogae's widow Barbara, and other dignitaries were among those who paid their respects.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  8. Bakwena Regent praises late President Mogae's character

    Former Bakwena Regent Kgosikwena Sebele has praised the late former President Dr Festus Mogae as an impartial and loving person who was a close friend and played a major role in his life. Sebele recalled that Mogae's presidency faced the challenge of combating the HIV and AIDS pandemic, and that he travelled with the President across the country appealing to citizens to fight the disease.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  9. Generation Z eschews conventional political channels in Botswana

    Botswana's new generation, known as Generation Z or Ma 2k, disregards conventional channels of political engagement, in contrast to previous generations who waited five years between elections to voice dissent.

    23 hours ago · Mmegi

  10. Generation Z rejects traditional five-year protest cycle

    In Botswana, citizens historically deferred expressing dissent until elections five years later, but Generation Z (Ma 2k) has abandoned these conventional channels of engagement and now protests government decisions outside the electoral cycle.

    20 hours ago · Mmegi

Business

  1. Cresta Botsalo Hotel transitions to Botsalo Hotel May 2026

    Effective May 31, 2026, Cresta will hand over operations of the Botsalo Hotel property to the Botsalo-Nsunge family, the owners. The hotel will operate under the new name while maintaining continuity in services, with all existing bookings honoured.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Air Botswana received over half billion pula support

    A Parliamentary Committee heard that Air Botswana received government support exceeding half a billion pula between December 2021 and December 2025, alongside additional bailouts and unused loans. Peak revenue reached P330 million at end of 2024, with the highest net loss at P230 million, prompting the General Manager to describe the airline as "a cash-losing machine."

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Huawei pledges support for Botswana digital transformation

    Huawei Botswana's managing director said the company supports digital transformation through network infrastructure, cloud platforms, and skills development, and that the next phase requires a shift toward intelligence, innovation, and data use. He stressed that successful transformation depends on partnerships between government, the private sector, academic institutions, and technology providers, with particular emphasis on youth empowerment and digital skills development.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Liquid Intelligent Technologies launches Secure360 cyber security service

    Liquid Intelligent Technologies has expanded its services in Botswana with Secure360, an integrated cyber security framework that combines local service delivery with continental-scale infrastructure and global technology partnerships to provide enterprise-grade cloud and digital security capabilities. The expansion marks a decade of operations by the company in the country.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  5. BDC's P6 billion asset book yields under one percent return

    The Botswana Development Corporation revealed that its P6 billion asset book generates about P50 million in predictable cash annually, a conversion rate of less than one percent, indicating the corporation's assets are underperforming relative to investment and risk.

    23 hours ago · Mmegi

  6. Botswana Development Corporation's P6 billion assets yield minimal returns

    The Botswana Development Corporation revealed that its asset book of about P6 billion generates approximately P50 million in predictable cash, a conversion rate of under one percent, indicating the Corporation's assets are underperforming.

    20 hours ago · Mmegi

Society

  1. Ministry halts exam over leak allegations at teacher colleges

    The Ministry of Higher Education has halted an examination at Tlokweng College of Education and Serowe College of Education following leak allegations, with investigations underway, according to the acting director of Teacher Training and Development.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Police investigate alleged rape of teenager in Mogoditshane

    Mogoditshane police are investigating an alleged rape involving a teenager. A 22-year-old man residing in the same yard as the victim allegedly destroyed a padlock on the teenager's house to gain entry while the victim's mother was out selling food.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Dibete police investigate death on farmland

    A farm worker in Dibete found a man dead in a tent after he had not been seen for some time in the morning. The worker reported the incident to police.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  4. Man killed in hit-and-run near Mahalapye

    Police received a report of a fatal hit-and-run incident near the Kwape cattle post, about two kilometres from Mahalapyle, at around 8pm on Sunday.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

Culture

  1. Panel discussions celebrate woman writer's resilience and growth

    Three panel discussions led by family members and close friends shared personal stories and reflections celebrating the resilience and growth of a woman and writer.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  2. 70s and 80s disco party to celebrate Grand Palm's 30-year milestone

    A disco party in Gaborone will celebrate timeless music and culture from the 70s and 80s with a special 90s element to commemorate Grand Palm Hotel Casino Convention Resort's 30-year milestone. The event will feature Brothers of Peace and Oskido, along with local DJs including Lefatshe, Mimi, Bat's Matash, Frostbite, and Jam-N-l.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Psalms' debut short film explores relationship collapse

    A short film called "With U" premiered at Alliance Française, showcasing an emotionally charged story centred on a young couple navigating the collapse of their relationship, exploring themes of love, resentment, miscommunication, and victimhood.

    13 May 2026 · Mmegi

Sport

  1. Botswana to host 25th African Senior Athletics Championships 2028

    Botswana has confirmed it will host the 25th African Senior Athletics Championships in 2028. BAA chief executive officer Mabua Mabua expressed confidence that lessons from the World Relays and existing infrastructure will help the country stage the event successfully.

    11 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

  2. Orange FA Cup semi-finals scheduled at National Stadium

    The Orange FA Cup semi-finals will take place at the National Stadium in Gaborone on Saturday, 16 May 2026, after the matches were moved from Francistown.

    11 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

  3. Botswana hosts World Tennis Tour event through May

    The Botswana Tennis Association is calling on the public to support the ongoing World Tennis Tour M15/W15 at the National Tennis Centre until 23 May, citing its impact on players and national development.

    13 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  4. Chakanyuka earns first WTA career point in Gaborone

    Botswana tennis player Chelsea Chakanyuka earned her first career WTA point at the World Tennis Tour M15/W15 event in Gaborone, reflecting on her breakthrough moment.

    20 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

  5. BOSMA to host regional softball masters tournament June 2026

    The Botswana Softball Masters Association will host a three-day international masters softball tournament in Jwaneng from 14–16 June 2026, bringing veteran teams from Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa together for competition focused on sport, unity, and regional camaraderie.

    20 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette

World & Region

  1. Xi rejects "Thucydides Trap" in China-U.S. relations framework

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has rejected the notion of a "Thucydides Trap" between China and the United States, stating that such a trap does not exist but could be created by repeated strategic miscalculations. Xi has emphasized that avoiding such miscalculations requires candid dialogue on key issues, particularly Taiwan and trade.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  2. Xi uses maritime metaphor for managing China-U.S. relations

    President Xi Jinping has used a maritime metaphor to describe how China-U.S. relations should navigate uncertainty, ahead of a state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to China from May 13 to 15.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Opinion

  1. Former President Mogae practised cautious, measured business approach

    Charles Tibone, a longtime business associate of the late former president Festus Mogae, recounted that Mogae was a conservative economist who carefully assessed risk, picked ventures deliberately in listed businesses subject to governance scrutiny, and advised young entrepreneurs to prioritise steady, sustainable outcomes over high-risk ventures.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  2. Reflection on Festus Mogae's political legacy and opposition critique

    An opinion piece examines Festus Mogae's role in Botswana politics from the perspective of early 1990s opposition figures who viewed him as representing an establishment they considered cautious and elitist, amid political tensions over inequality, land allocation, and governance issues including the National Development Bank crisis.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

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