Botswana Minute.
Monday, 18 May 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 18 May 2026
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Politics

BNPC faces leadership vacuum and funding challenges

The News

The Botswana National Productivity Centre's acting Executive Director told Parliament's Standing Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises that the organisation has operated for years in an unstable environment marked by repeated reform attempts, leadership instability, and lack of oversight structures.

Why it matters

BNPC's persistent leadership vacuum and funding challenges reflect broader governance weaknesses in state enterprises.

12 hours ago · Mmegi →

Politics

  1. BNPC faces leadership vacuum and funding challenges

    The Botswana National Productivity Centre's acting Executive Director told Parliament's Standing Committee on Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises that the organisation has operated for years in an unstable environment marked by repeated reform attempts, leadership instability, and lack of oversight structures.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. Government rejects union calls to ban King Mswati III

    Trade unions have called for King Mswati III to be barred from Botswana, citing poor labour practices and concerns that his entry would damage the country's image as a defender of democracy and human rights in the region. The government has rejected these calls.

    4 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette →

  3. Mogae's legacy of debate and good governance merits protection

    Botswana's third president, Festus Mogae, who died recently, was known as a fierce intellectual debater who would engage in spirited arguments to advance his viewpoints.

    4 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  4. Former president Festus Mogae dies at age 86

    Festus Gontebanye Mogae, who served as Botswana's president for two terms starting in 1998, has died at age 86. The article traces his political ascent from Finance Minister through a 1992 land inquiry report that forced Vice President Peter Mmusi's resignation, creating the vacancy that elevated Mogae to the vice presidency under Sir Ketumile Masire.

    4 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Business

  1. BPC management says tariff structure unsustainable despite operational progress

    BPC told a parliamentary committee this week that while it has made measurable progress under its 2021 "Maduo 26" strategy, the current electricity tariff structure is no longer financially sustainable as costs continue to rise.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. First Capital Bank sponsors Women Evolve 2026 event

    First Capital Bank partnered as official financial sponsor for the Women Evolve event, a platform for women entrepreneurs, professionals, business leaders and aspiring innovators themed around women's role in business and leadership. The bank highlighted the financial sector's recognition of women's importance in driving economic growth and business resilience.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi →

  3. BPC seeks tariff adjustment amid P3.5 billion creditor balance

    The Botswana Power Corporation has appealed to the government for urgent tariff adjustments, citing persistent net losses, tightening liquidity, and mounting cash flow constraints that have resulted in a creditor's balance of P3.5 billion.

    4 hours ago · The Botswana Gazette →

  4. Air Botswana board lacks quorum following recent resignations

    Air Botswana's newly appointed board is not quorate amid resignations. The airline's general manager says the airline has operated nearly six years without a stable governing structure, weakening oversight and disrupting operations at the national carrier.

    5 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Mining & Energy

  1. Boko sets 18-month deadline for Botswana nuclear reactors

    President Duma Boko has outlined plans for Botswana to move from uranium exploration to operational modular nuclear reactors within one and a half years amid global competition for uranium.

    5 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Agriculture & Land

  1. BAMB pursues P27 million debt from single grain company

    The Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board grapples with mounting debt, with only six percent reportedly recovered by February. Nearly P27 million of the outstanding debt is linked to a single company that collected grain from Pitshane silos without adequate guarantees or payment arrangements.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

Society

  1. Top referee provisionally charged with sexual misconduct

    A senior match official has been provisionally charged with sexual misconduct harassment following a complaint from fellow referee Lesang Tooto, a female official in Botswana. The disciplinary committee reviewed evidence and witness testimonies before laying charges.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. BTU defends Moriti insurance scheme for teacher protection

    The Botswana Teachers' Union (BTU) says the Moriti scheme, which launches this month, provides long-term protection for members against death, disability, critical illness and accidents, and that due process and consultations were conducted before implementation, though the union acknowledges some members have raised concerns about consultation and affordability.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  3. Medical supply shortage exposes nurses to patient abuse

    A shortage of medical supplies in healthcare facilities nationwide is exposing nurses and midwives to abuse from patients, as they are often the first point of contact and bear the anger and frustration of the public over circumstances beyond their control.

    5 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Culture

  1. Bodiragatsi Jwame, Lentswe Lame expands to support youth creatives

    A P2 million-backed partnership is repositioning the Bodiragatsi Jwame, Lentswe Lame initiative from a talent showcase into a broader development platform aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for young creatives in Botswana's creative industry through skills development, entrepreneurship, and long-term support.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. Mzansi Magic debuts drama series about a woman supporting her family

    Strings Attached, airing Mondays at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (Channel 161), follows a young woman who leaves school to support her family and attracts the attention of a wealthy and powerful man.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi →

Sport

  1. Desert Race returns to Gaborone after years in Jwaneng

    Botswana's iconic 1,000km off-road motorsport endurance race is relocating from Jwaneng to Gaborone, with organisers expecting the move to mark a bigger, louder, and more commercially powerful era for the event.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. Former Iran coach Amos refocuses on local talent development

    Amos, who was appointed Iran's middle-distance coach in October 2025 before departing, says he is realigning with his long-term coaching vision and priorities, citing achievements including international medals, national records, and athlete development during his tenure.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  3. Men's 4x400m relay team named Team of the Year

    Botswana's men's 4x400m relay team, fresh from a 2025 World Championship triumph, was crowned Team of the Year, while coach Chilume 'Chippa' Ntshwarang was recognised for guiding the unit to continued success in global athletics.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  4. 2026 FIFA World Cup to feature 48 nations on DStv

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the USA, Mexico and Canada, will feature 48 nations and will be broadcast live on DStv, with matches available anytime and anywhere.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi →

  5. 17-year-old Raguin loses professional tennis debut in Gaborone

    Ntungamili Raguin, 17, lost his first professional match at the ITF Gaborone M15 tournament, falling 7–5, 3–6, 5–7 to USA's Preston Brown. The youngster led 5–2 in the deciding set but attributed early nerves and fatigue to his inability to convert match points.

    4 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  6. Botswana gains experience at African Athletics Championships in Ghana

    Botswana's team management says the country's young athletes are gaining valuable experience competing at the ongoing African Athletics Championships in Ghana. As of Thursday, Botswana had secured two gold medals (Lee Eppie in the men's 400m and Kemorena Tisang in the men's 400m hurdles) and four silver medals, with the technical team having set an ambitious target of four gold medals.

    4 hours ago · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Opinion

  1. Botswana drifting from press freedom principles, Mmegi warns

    On World Press Freedom Day, Mmegi warns that Botswana is "quietly drifting away" from independent and pluralistic media principles, with the media environment increasingly reflecting "quiet return of media capture" despite optimism after the 2024 political transition.

    12 hours ago · Mmegi →

  2. Media must hold power accountable, independent journalism essential

    An opinion piece argues that media should maintain independence from power, fulfilling its role to scrutinize the powerful while supporting the vulnerable. The piece cites Botswana's media for reporting on public health supply shortages and deteriorating school infrastructure.

    6 hours ago · Mmegi →

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