Botswana Minute.
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 21 May 2026
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Archive Minute from Thursday, 21 May 2026
Politics

Pule reflects on facing opposition parties in Parliament now

The News

Maverick politician Pule, who leads the BDP minority in Parliament, describes facing former government opponents who are now in power. Pule notes that in the same parliamentary session, current Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi was similarly isolated within his party when the BDP dominated.

Why it matters

Pule's reflection on BDP's new minority status in Parliament illustrates the historic power shift under the new government.

21 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Politics

  1. Pule reflects on facing opposition parties in Parliament now

    Maverick politician Pule, who leads the BDP minority in Parliament, describes facing former government opponents who are now in power. Pule notes that in the same parliamentary session, current Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi was similarly isolated within his party when the BDP dominated.

    21 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Botswana and South Africa hold sixth bilateral commission talks

    The 6th Session of the Bi-National Commission between Botswana and South Africa began in Gaborone, led by Presidents Duma Boko and Cyril Ramaphosa, to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in trade, investment, health, security and infrastructure development.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Business

  1. Bank of Botswana warns fiscal strain threatens private sector credit

    The Bank of Botswana has warned that worsening fiscal position and rising government borrowing could drain liquidity from the financial system and squeeze credit to businesses, amid weak growth, rising inflation, and an expanding government financing gap.

    21 May 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

  2. F&G Botswana launches flavour enhancer for SADC expansion

    F&G Botswana has launched Ethyl Maltol flavour enhancer in Francistown in collaboration with BITC and plans to expand into the SADC market, targeting countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and South Africa. The product is intended for use in foods such as bread, cakes, biscuits, and beverages, with the company citing Botswana's strategic position in the region as advantageous for market access.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Mining & Energy

  1. Diamond slump continues to hamper Botswana's economic growth

    The Bank of Botswana attributes the country's weak economic growth to weak global demand for diamonds, shifting consumer preferences, and slow progress in economic diversification, underscoring Botswana's dependence on diamond exports.

    21 May 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Agriculture & Land

  1. Regional cooperation needed to fight Southern Africa FMD crisis

    A Botswana minister said stronger regional cooperation is needed to combat an escalating Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Southern Africa that has disrupted livestock trade and threatened livelihoods, highlighting the failure of isolated national responses to the transboundary disease.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Society

  1. Defence lawyer claims coercion in Tlotso Karema murder case

    Zimbabwe immigrant Lovemore Sithole's attorney told Gaborone High Court that his client was coerced by police into confessing to the 2022 murder of seven-year-old Tlotso Karema, alleging Sithole was forced to undress, dressed in refuse bags, and suffocated at Sejelo Police Station before making a confession statement.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. WUC terminates P40 million Semolo water treatment project

    The Water Utilities Corporation has terminated the P40 million Semolo water treatment project, which was intended to supply potable water to six villages, citing contractor incompetence. The project was terminated last December, and the corporation said it could not restart work this year but would budget afresh for the next financial year.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Culture

  1. Nhabe Museum celebrates three decades of heritage preservation

    The Nhabe Museum, operating since April 1996 as a repository of authentic artefacts, oral history and local art for Ngamiland communities, will mark its 30-year anniversary on June 6 with the theme "A Critical Space for Safeguarding Knowledge and Celebrating Cultural Diversity."

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Artist Totang Motoloki transforms discarded metal into art

    At the National Museum's Art Gallery in Gaborone, artist Totang Motoloki is turning discarded metal and abandoned fragments into emotional, rebellious art that challenges audiences to reconsider what society discards.

    21 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  3. Loretta Mekgwe revives Botswana's folktales as contemporary storytelling

    Loretta Mekgwe is bringing Botswana's folktales back into prominence as emotionally resonant stories capable of competing with global fantasy franchises, countering shrinking attention spans in the digital age.

    21 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  4. Immersive diamond exhibition debuts at Frieze New York

    An immersive installation exploring cultural symbolism and mythology surrounding natural diamonds, inspired by Botswana, was presented at Frieze New York alongside a cocktail reception.

    21 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  5. Veteran actress Kgomotso Tshwenyego dies; remembered for community work

    Botswana mourns the death of Kgomotso Tshwenyego, a veteran actress, author, media personality and social entrepreneur whose work in entertainment and community development left a lasting impact across the country.

    21 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Sport

  1. Botswana sprinters compete at Xiamen Diamond League

    Botswana's Collen Kebinatshipi and Bayapo Ndori will compete in the 400 metres at Saturday's Xiamen Diamond League meeting against international competitors, following their recent relay gold at the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone. Letsile Tebogo is also set to compete at the meeting.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Sports official warns against excessive AFCON bid costs

    Khan told BNSC secretariat heads to avoid the P60 million spending on a bid book that occurred during a previous AFCON bid compilation, citing the need to prioritize resources elsewhere such as school books.

    21 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. BFA foreign players quota decision denies clarity

    BFA national executive member Bathusi Rathari said the decision to cut foreign players will be implemented next season, but BFL chairperson Sipho Showa called it an error on the BFA's part.

    21 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  4. Jwaneng to host regional softball tournament May 14-16

    The Botswana Softball Masters Association will host an international masters softball tournament in Jwaneng from May 14 to 16, bringing together teams from Botswana, South Africa, and Lesotho. The event is expected to stimulate the local economy and further establish Botswana as a regional sporting hub.

    21 May 2026 · Weekend Post →

  5. Betway sponsors Clash of Legends football tournament with P1.5 million

    Betway has sponsored the fourth edition of Clash of the Legends with P1.5 million, to be held on June 20 at the National Stadium featuring Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Township Rollers, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The tournament aims to support retired football legends facing hardship after their careers end.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  6. Dinare and Enesia meet in Premier League playoff decider

    Dinare FC and Enesia FC will play the second leg of the promotional playoffs at Francistown City Council stadium on Sunday, with Dinare holding a 4-2 advantage from the first leg. Dinare's general manager said the team would approach the match with caution despite their lead.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tourism & Environment

  1. Makgadikgadi Salt Pan Challenge blends racing, music, dance

    The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan Challenge combines horse racing, music, Boro dance, and Botswana's largest salt pans into a cultural event that activates the landscape while respecting local people and the ecosystem.

    21 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

World & Region

  1. India sees critical moment for Africa partnership, forum chief says

    Ahead of the Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, India's High Commissioner to Botswana said the summit comes when developing countries face challenges from geopolitical tensions, climate change, inflation, food insecurity, and disruptions in global trade and energy supply chains. He emphasized that trusted partnerships based on mutual respect and cooperation are increasingly important amid global uncertainty and transition.

    21 May 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Xi hosts Putin for tea, agrees on treaty extension

    Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for tea at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday evening, concluding Putin's 25th visit to China. The two leaders agreed to further extend the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents on economy, trade, media and education.

    21 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Opinion

  1. Wine journey from simple taste to deeper understanding

    Phenyo Motlhagodi explores how wine evolves from an easy, agreeable beverage into a language of memory, mood and discovery, tracing the quiet moment when appreciation deepens.

    21 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

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