Botswana Minute.
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
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Archive Minute from Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Politics

UDC's Tshere re-elected with record 73% vote share

The News

Politician Tshere was re-elected with 73% of the vote and a 58-percentage-point margin of victory, the highest vote share and margin attained by a non-BDP candidate in Botswana's electoral history. The UDC recorded a substantial 21-percentage-point increase in its vote share compared to the 2019 election.

Why it matters

UDC's historic 73% vote share represents a watershed moment in Botswana's electoral politics and signals sustained momentum away from the BDP.

3 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Politics

  1. UDC's Tshere re-elected with record 73% vote share

    Politician Tshere was re-elected with 73% of the vote and a 58-percentage-point margin of victory, the highest vote share and margin attained by a non-BDP candidate in Botswana's electoral history. The UDC recorded a substantial 21-percentage-point increase in its vote share compared to the 2019 election.

    3 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. DPP Orders Open Inquest Into Retshepile Tshedu's Death

    The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that an open inquest be held into the death of Retshepile Tshedu, following the completion of investigations and submission of the case docket. An independent magistrate will examine the evidence to determine whether a prima facie case exists and whether criminal charges should be recommended.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Business

  1. Labour market conditions deteriorate amid diamond sector downturn

    Researchers at the Bank of Botswana warn that labour market conditions have likely deteriorated further after two consecutive years of economic contraction, with modest employment gains in early 2024 expected to have been wiped out by private sector weakness. The prolonged downturn in the diamond industry, which remains central to Botswana's economy, is spilling over into the broader labour market.

    3 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Letshego seeks shareholder approval for P840m exit deal

    Letshego will seek shareholder approval on June 19 to sell five loss-making subsidiaries in Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda to Axian Digital Venture Holding and Management Limited. The sale, valued at P840 million, allows Letshego to refocus on operations in Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Kenya.

    3 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  3. BVI production delays cost Botswana export earnings

    Production interruptions at the Botswana Vaccine Institute may have cost Botswana millions of pula in export earnings after South Africa sourced Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines from Argentina instead.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Society

  1. Skills shortage threatens Botswana's foreign investment plans

    Government considers critical skills shortages one of the biggest obstacles to national development and attracting foreign investment. The Ministry of Higher Education permanent secretary said the disconnect between graduate qualifications and industry needs discourages investors, particularly in mining, despite growing numbers of unemployed graduates.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Hunyepa addresses teacher transfers, promotions, student discipline issues

    Speaking to staff at four Tati West schools, Mr Hunyepa highlighted escalating challenges including school authorities refusing to approve negotiated teacher swaps, a lack of promotions with thousands of teachers stuck at C1 salary scale for years, and parental failures in child discipline that burden teachers with stress and behavioral problems.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. Serowe District holds wellness event promoting employee health

    A Wellness Day in Serowe District featured a 7km run and emphasized employee welfare as key to workplace productivity. District leaders urged supervisors to prioritize employee well-being, healthy lifestyles, and mental health practices to counter non-communicable diseases and workplace stress.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  4. Restitution cases of Kgosi and Maswabi remain unresolved

    Despite court orders and reported settlement efforts, restitution cases involving the late Isaac Kgosi's estate and Welheminah Maswabi remain unresolved, with implementation stalled.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  5. Ombudsman to brief nation on Ministry of Health response

    Ombudsman Stephen Tiroyakgosi says he will soon brief the nation on the government's response to the health crisis once commitments from the Ministry of Health have been consolidated.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  6. Police warn spreaders of fake news face criminal prosecution

    The Botswana Police Service has warned against the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media, cautioning that those who create or share false information could face criminal prosecution.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  7. First Lady warns of neglect toward boy child, mental health

    Botswana's First Lady Kaone Boko has called for increased focus on empowering the boy child, cautioning that neglect could lead to future social instability, violence, and marginalisation. She made the remarks at a UNICEF Botswana CEOs Council for Child Rights Forum in Gaborone.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  8. DPP orders open inquest into Tshepi Tshedu death

    The Directorate of Public Prosecutions has ordered an open inquest into the death of 13-year-old Retshepile "Tshepi" Tshedu, following months of public pressure for answers, the Minister for State President, Defence and Security announced.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Culture

  1. Miss World Botswana 2026 wears traditional Nama attire

    Miss World Botswana 2026 Ruth Thomas was dressed in traditional Nama attire by community members in Lokgwabe as part of activities leading up to the Macheng Bushfire Festival, showcasing cultural exchange and appreciation.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Sport

  1. Botswana track athletes' doping case set for August 10

    High Court Judge Justice Itumeleng Segopolo has confirmed that the legal case involving four provisionally banned Botswana track athletes will be heard on August 10, following an emergency hearing to address confusion after the case was omitted from the official court roll in June.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

World & Region

  1. Botswana president praises Belgium relations since 1975

    President Duma Boko hailed Botswana and Belgium's long-standing partnership during a farewell meeting with outgoing Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen, highlighting cooperation in the diamond industry, agriculture, and educational exchanges between the two countries. Boko commended Belgium's support for local diamond value addition and noted the twinning arrangement between Francistown and Genk.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Opinion

  1. Public relations field faces credibility crisis

    An opinion piece argues that the PR industry has a trust problem partly of its own making, particularly around perceptions that PR exists to distort truth and obscure consequences rather than communicate honestly.

    3 June 2026 · Mmegi →

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