Botswana Minute.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Gaborone—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Archive Minute from Thursday, 18 June 2026
Politics

IEC warns low voter turnout undermines democratic legitimacy

The News

The Independent Electoral Commission secretary told Parliament that low citizen voter turnout in general and bye elections poses a direct challenge to democratic legitimacy. He cited 52 per cent turnout in the 2024 general elections, and declining participation in recent bye-elections (66 per cent in Chobe Enclave, 64 per cent in Kgalagadi South), warning that voter participation is essential to effective democratic representation.

Why it matters

IEC warning of low voter turnout (52 per cent in 2024 general elections) directly challenges the legitimacy of democratic representation in Botswana.

18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Politics

  1. IEC warns low voter turnout undermines democratic legitimacy

    The Independent Electoral Commission secretary told Parliament that low citizen voter turnout in general and bye elections poses a direct challenge to democratic legitimacy. He cited 52 per cent turnout in the 2024 general elections, and declining participation in recent bye-elections (66 per cent in Chobe Enclave, 64 per cent in Kgalagadi South), warning that voter participation is essential to effective democratic representation.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Palapye Council leadership dispute escalates to High Court

    A BPF councillor is challenging Minister Motshegwa's decision to reinstate a UDC councillor who had been removed through a motion of no confidence as Palapye District Council chairperson, with the dispute now before the High Court.

    18 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Business

  1. Kgotla Origins Farm hosts third camping and business expo

    Kgotla Origins Farm in Gamodubu will host the Kgotla Campers Lunch and Business Expo on Saturday, an annual event that has expanded from camping tourism focus to include business networking, product exhibitions, and activities such as market day, off-road challenges, horse riding, and entertainment.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Puma Energy reaffirms support for Botswana aviation sector

    Puma Energy Botswana has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to supporting Botswana's aviation sector, noting that reliable aviation infrastructure and fuel supply strengthen air connectivity, tourism, trade and economic development. The company's General Manager highlighted that improved air access supports Botswana's tourism and broader economic growth agenda.

    18 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. BERA shuts six fuel stations for safety and environmental violations

    Botswana's Energy Regulatory Authority has temporarily closed six filling stations, including Engen in Tlokweng and Shell outlets in Sikwane and Lobatse, for failing to meet regulatory and safety requirements such as environmental protection, functional oil-water separators, fire protection systems, and leak monitoring wells.

    18 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Mining & Energy

  1. Botswana pursues water transfer and hydro project with Lesotho

    Botswana is pursuing a proposed water transfer project with Lesotho involving construction of Magaleng Dam to supply water over approximately 700km, with plans to build a five-megawatt hydro power station to address water scarcity and energy needs. President Advocate Duma Boko announced the initiative during the inaugural Botswana-Lesotho Bi-National Commission ceremony, alongside a donation of 100,000 doses of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine to Lesotho.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Botswana, Lesotho seek mineral beneficiation and value-added partnerships

    Lesotho Prime Minister Samuel Matekane called for stronger cooperation between Botswana and Lesotho in transforming the mining sector through value addition, saying mineral potential lies beyond extraction. He identified opportunities for collaboration in diamond cutting, polishing, jewellery manufacturing, mining governance and technology transfer, and proposed leveraging their combined strengths in industrialisation, agriculture, trade and investment to build integrated value chains.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Society

  1. First Lady Calls for Safe, Playful Environment for Children

    First Lady Kaone Boko joined children from different Gaborone schools to commemorate International Day of Play, urging parents, caregivers, and stakeholders to create homes and environments where children are encouraged to learn, play, explore and imagine.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Botswanan founder walks Africa to raise GBV awareness

    Kamogelo Molatlhwa, founder of the Historic Walk initiative, plans to walk approximately 11,149 kilometres from Cape Town to Cairo starting October 1, 2026, to raise continental awareness about gender-based violence and unite governments, communities, and citizens in confronting the crisis.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. Kweneng learners mark Day of African Child with water focus

    Learners and community members in Kweneng commemorated the Day of the African Child on June 16, honouring the 1976 South African learners' protests. Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education Nono Kgafela-Mokoka delivered remarks emphasising that access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a legal obligation and right, not optional charity.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  4. UNICEF warns of medicine shortages, declining immunisation in Botswana

    UNICEF has warned that children in Botswana are increasingly affected by a strained health system marked by medicine shortages, declining immunisation coverage and widening inequalities.

    18 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Culture

  1. Motitinti's spoken word artistry preserves Setswana oral traditions

    Dikeletso Nkgaswa, known as Motitinti, is a spoken-word poet whose Setswana performances use vivid imagery and rhythmic language to engage audiences and preserve oral traditions. His poetry journey began in Standard Three at Tshekedi Primary School in 1994, when a schoolteacher encouraged him to perform a Setswana recitation.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Kele Megano: Cook, DJ, creator performing across continents

    Kele Megano is a multifaceted artist who cooks, creates, DJs, and performs across continents, driven by restless ambition and a refusal to limit herself.

    18 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  3. BOMU Awards return with new category and eligibility questions

    After a year's hiatus, the BOMU Awards returned with nominations and a viral songs category, but sparked discussion about membership requirements and who qualifies to participate.

    18 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Sport

  1. Gaborone United to hold memorial service for Dlamini

    Gaborone United will hold a memorial service for Dlamini, a former left back credited with convincing the club's current director Nicolas Zakhem to invest 21 years ago. Dlamini, aged 60, will be laid to rest at Phomolong Cemetery on Saturday.

    18 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. 312 African chess players compete in Jwaneng championship

    The 2026 African Individual Chess Championship, running in Jwaneng from June 18–27, has attracted 312 players from 17 African countries competing in open and women's sections. Botswana's 12-member team includes titled players Providence Oatlhotse and Onkemetse Francis, along with rising Candidate Masters.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. Sports development clinic camp launching in Tonota June 20

    Yun Jenius Academie will host its first sports development clinic camp at Shashe River School in Tonota on June 20, bringing together close to 150 young athletes from Tonota and surrounding areas for talent identification, coaching across multiple sports codes, and life skills training.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  4. Former players stage charity exhibition match

    Former players from Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Township Rollers, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates will compete in a charity exhibition match at the National Stadium on June 20, reigniting historic rivalries for bragging rights and charitable purposes.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  5. Nine countries confirm participation at 2026 CUCSA Games

    Botswana will host the 2026 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Associations Games from June 28 to July 5, with delegations from Angola, Lesotho, eSwatini, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The regional tournament will feature eight sporting codes including athletics, basketball, chess, football, volleyball, netball, tennis and table tennis.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

World & Region

  1. LESABO water transfer project to bolster Botswana water security

    President Advocate Duma Boko said the proposed Lesotho-South Africa-Botswana water transfer project would strengthen Botswana's long-term water security, support industrial development, and enhance regional integration. Boko highlighted the project as an opportunity to address water scarcity and support sustainable solutions while deepening cooperation between the two nations across energy, trade, agriculture, and other sectors.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Botswana, Lesotho commit to bilateral cooperation framework

    The heads of government of Botswana and Lesotho concluded the inaugural Botswana-Lesotho Bi-National Commission in Gaborone on June 19, identifying trade and investment, energy, water, agriculture and livestock, tourism, sport, culture and creative industries as key sectors for collaboration based on shared history and cultural ties.

    18 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Botswana Minute