Botswana Minute

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—

Politics

Government shifts outsourced services back to direct management

The News

The government's insourcing policy aims to bring selected services previously outsourced to private companies back under direct state management to improve public service delivery, create stable jobs for citizens, and reduce reliance on private contractors. The policy was prompted by persistent challenges with outsourcing, including rising costs, poor accountability, and worker welfare concerns.

17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Politics

Government shifts outsourced services back to direct management
The government's insourcing policy aims to bring selected services previously outsourced to private companies back under direct state management to improve public service delivery, create stable jobs for citizens, and reduce reliance on private contractors. The policy was prompted by persistent challenges with outsourcing, including rising costs, poor accountability, and worker welfare concerns.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Business

Commercial bank credit growth slows to 2.6 percent
The Financial Stability Council reports that annual growth in commercial bank credit has declined to 2.6 percent in February 2026 from 5.8 percent a year earlier, as banks face liquidity pressures that have prompted some to pause lending and focus on balance sheet stability.
17 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Agriculture & Land

Selebi Phikwe citrus project expansion requires stakeholder consultation
The Minister for State, President, Defence and Security says proper consultations with relevant stakeholders will be undertaken before the Selebi Phikwe Citrus Project expands its operational land. The project currently employs more than 300 permanent staff and has contributed to job creation and economic diversification in the region.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Government deploys 1,050 workers to support FMD containment efforts
Botswana's Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has deployed 1,050 Ikageng Workers to support foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control activities across villages in Ramotswa, Good Hope, and Tsabong districts. The workers will assist in establishing a containment zone to isolate affected areas and protect the country's livestock industry and international trade status.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Ministry directs assessment of FMD-affected farmers and livestock households
The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has instructed District Councils in Foot and Mouth Disease affected areas to assess and register farming communities and livestock-dependent households impacted by the outbreak. The exercise aims to establish the scale of impact and build a database to guide government decisions on relief and support interventions.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Society

School Feeding Programme advances despite supplier delays
The School Feeding Programme is being implemented across Kanye District despite delays in food commodity supplies affecting schools and staff. All schools have received sorghum meal, milk, and tea, with some schools partially supplied beans and samp; the council received P6,531,500 in first-quarter funding to reinstate fruits and vegetables supply in Term 2.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Doctors warn government against claiming medicine crisis victory
The Botswana Doctors Union said stock-outs remain widespread, particularly in remote areas, and cautioned that public statements of progress risk eroding trust in the health system.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Culture

GIMC Afro Tech returns with focus on inclusivity
The Gaborone International Music and Culture Afro Tech event resumes on June 30 at the GICC marquee, featuring DJ Kabila and local DJs, with organizers emphasizing support for marginalised groups including women, youth, and disabled artists.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Sport

Bona Life renews sponsorship of Clash of Legends this weekend
Bona Life has renewed its title sponsorship of the 2026 Betway Clash of Legends, an event at the National Stadium bringing together former football greats from Township Rollers, Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to celebrate football heritage and community pride.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
BDF Karate Open Championships scheduled for June 2026
The Botswana Defence Force Karate Open Championships scheduled for 20 June 2026 aim to bring together karate athletes from across Botswana in a national competition focused on development, discipline, and performance.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
BDF hosts inaugural Botswana Karate Open in June
Botswana Defence Force will stage its inaugural Karate Open Championship on June 20 at the UB Indoor Sports Arena, open to all karate styles in the country and featuring athletes from BDF's seven karate clubs and other institutions nationwide across multiple age groups and categories.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana to host first-ever Billie Jean King Cup
Botswana will host the Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group from July 13 to 18, 2026, marking the country's first-ever hosting of the tournament. Organizers say the event is designed to leave a lasting impact on women's tennis, youth development and sports tourism.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →
Titans Women Win BSA Title, Earn European Cup Invitation
Titans Softball Club won the Botswana Softball Association Championship with a 7–0 final victory and secured an invitation to the Women's Softball European Cup, a milestone for the club and the sport in Botswana.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

World & Region

Boko calls for unified African response to Ebola outbreak
President Advocate Duma Boko called for urgent political, financial and technical support to contain the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, emphasizing that infectious diseases transcend borders and require collective action. Speaking at a June 16 virtual meeting, Boko stressed the importance of regional cooperation, protecting frontline health workers, and enhanced cross-border surveillance to respond to the outbreak, which has a joint preparedness and response plan valued at US$518 million.
17 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana rejects sanctuary role for South African xenophobia escapees
As a June 30 deadline approaches for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa, Botswana has stated it cannot become a sanctuary for foreigners fleeing attacks in South Africa, citing economic pressures and demands for jobs and social services from citizens.
17 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →