Botswana Minute.
Friday, 28 August 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 28 August 2026
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Botswanan press · Person

Dithapelo Keorapetse

Also known as: Mr Keorapetse · National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse · Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse · Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse · Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse

Speaker of the National Assembly championing parliamentary independence, democratic reforms, and strengthened oversight of government.

2026-05-052026-08-28

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    Speaking at the official welcoming ceremony of the Team Botswana following participation at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday in Gaborone, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse said champions were defined by how they respond to setbacks Despite traveling to

    Invest in local talent to drive excellence -Keorapetse
  3. Daily News Botswana

    The premiere, attended by President Advocate Duma Boko, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, Leader of the Opposition and Maun North legislator, Mr Dumelang Saleshando as well as conservationists, traditional leaders,

    Batho Ba Metsi honours Okavango Delta custodians
  4. July 2026
  5. The Botswana Gazette

    A clash has erupted between Opposition Leader Dumelang Saleshando and Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse over a proposed Bill seeking to scrap constituency allowances for the President, Speaker and Specially Elected MPs BONGANI MALUNGA A dispute has erupted bet

    Saleshando, Speaker Clash Over Constituency Allowances
  6. Weekend Post

    Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, has made parliamentary independence the cornerstone of his tenure, unveiling a bold vision to transform Botswana’s legislature into a stronger, better-resourced, and more autonomous institution.

    Keorapetse’s Legacy Bid: An Independent Parliament
  7. The Botswana Gazette

    Former Speaker Phandu Skelemani has urged President Boko, his Cabinet and legislators to back Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse’s push for an independent Parliament to strengthen Botswana’s democracy SESUPO RANTSIMAKO Former Speaker of the National Assembly Phandu Skelemani has thrown

    Skelemani Urges Executive to Back Speaker’s Agenda
  8. Mmegi

    Speaking during the first-ever occasion of the official opening of the third meeting of the second session of the 13th Parliament, Keorapetse said special rights and privileges protect MPs from undue external pressure, but challenges remain.“Beyond their tenure, many politicians

    MPs struggle to find jobs after Parley
  9. Mmegi

    Speaking yesterday during a ceremony Botswana has never held before, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse and Leader of Opposition (LoO) Dumelang Saleshando hailed the rationale of the official opening of Parliament’s Legislative business being the third mee

    Parley steps out of the Executive's shadow
  10. Daily News Botswana

    Speaking at the inaugural official opening of the Third Meeting of the Second Session of the 13th Parliament in Gaborone on Monday, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said, as guardians of the Constitution, MPs should be stewards of public trust and servants of the people.

    Speaker urges MPs to rise above partisanship
  11. Daily News Botswana

    Parliament of Botswana operates under financial constraints, which limit Members of Parliament (MPs) ability to serve citizens effectively, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse has said.

    Parliament under -resourced
  12. Daily News Botswana

    Delivering his remarks to mark the historic event yesterday, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said the initiative aimed to affirm Parliament’s core role in law making and its accountability to the electorate.

    Parliament To Prioritise Legislative Work

Thursday 6 August

  1. Invest in local talent, strengthen systems—Keorapetse

    Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse urged stakeholders to protect and invest in local sporting talent and strengthen foundational systems for high-performance excellence, following Team Botswana's medal-less return from the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    6 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 5 August

  1. Documentary honours lives of Okavango Delta custodians

    A new documentary film, "Batho Ba Metsi: A Journey to Meet the People of the Water," directed by Moabi Mogorosi, features the lives, resilience, challenges and traditions of people living in the Okavango Delta. The filmmaker said the project aims to preserve Botswana's heritage and give voice to the delta's residents, with plans to air the film on National Geographic and at film festivals.

    5 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 27 July

  1. Saleshando and Speaker clash over constituency allowances Bill

    Opposition Leader Dumelang Saleshando and Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse have clashed over a proposed Bill to scrap constituency allowances for the President, Speaker, and Specially Elected MPs.

    27 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Wednesday 22 July

  1. Speaker Keorapetse champions Parliament independence as defining legacy

    Speaker of the National Assembly Dithapelo Keorapetse has made parliamentary independence his tenure's cornerstone, arguing that Botswana's legislature must evolve into a truly autonomous co-equal branch of government capable of lawmaking, executive scrutiny, and citizen representation without institutional dependence on the executive. The speech was delivered at Parliament's inaugural formal ceremony dedicated to launching its legislative agenda—a historic break from tradition marking the first such ceremony since independence.

    22 July 2026 · Weekend Post

Monday 20 July

  1. Former Speaker backs current Speaker's independence campaign

    Former Speaker Phandu Skelemani has urged President Boko, his Cabinet and legislators to support Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse's push for an independent Parliament to strengthen Botswana's democracy.

    20 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Parliament establishes credit society to aid ex-MPs

    Parliament is establishing a credit and cooperative society (SACCOS) to assist MPs and ex-MPs struggling with employability and insufficient retirement benefits after leaving office, with support from the Botswana Savings and Credit Cooperative Association.

    14 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Parliament holds first official legislative opening ceremony

    The Speaker of the National Assembly and Leader of Opposition hailed Botswana's inaugural official opening of Parliament's Legislative business as an institutional statement that the legislature should be a co-equal and operationally independent branch of government, not subordinate to the Executive.

    14 July 2026 · Mmegi

  3. Speaker urges Parliament to prioritize national interest over partisanship

    The Speaker of the National Assembly called on MPs to rise above partisanship in service of the nation, act as guardians of the Constitution and stewards of public trust, and view parliamentary scrutiny of budgets and spending as patriotic accountability rather than obstruction.

    14 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  4. Parliament funding at 0.2% of national budget, Speaker warns

    The Speaker of the National Assembly says Parliament operates under financial constraints that limit MPs' ability to serve citizens effectively. Parliament's proposed recurrent budget is P206 million (0.2% of the total national budget) and development budget is P8 million (0.03% of the development allocation) for the 2026/2027 financial year.

    14 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 13 July

  1. Parliament shifts focus to legislative work and transparency

    The Speaker of the National Assembly opened the 3rd Meeting of the Second Session of the 13th Parliament, emphasizing Parliament's core role in law-making, executive oversight, and accountability to the electorate. He outlined a vision for an independent, inclusive institution that strengthens public engagement through open committee hearings and promotes citizen participation in governance.

    13 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Speaker urges MPs to strengthen knowledge and ethical leadership

    Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse called on Members of Parliament to continuously strengthen their knowledge, skills and ethical leadership, saying an effective legislature is central to good governance. He said Parliament should embrace technological innovation, including artificial intelligence, to improve its functions.

    7 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Thursday 2 July

  1. Boko urges Batswana to uphold Seretse Khama's legacy

    President Duma Boko, speaking at Sir Seretse Khama Day commemoration, called on Batswana to draw inspiration from the founding president's vision, humility and commitment to democracy, describing his policies on non-racialism, education, economic management and political tolerance as foundational to modern Botswana.

    2 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Thursday 11 June

  1. Speaker urges Parliament to deepen democracy and reform

    Botswana's National Assembly speaker told the 13th parliament to drive meaningful reforms, strengthen democratic governance, and restore public trust in institutions following the country's first change of government. He stressed that democracy requires accountability and that parliamentary committees are key instruments for holding the executive and public institutions responsible.

    11 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Friday 15 May

  1. Masisi praises Mogae as embodiment of Botswana values

    Former President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, speaking at the State Memorial Service for late former President Dr Festus Mogae, described him as a genuine democrat and patriot whose conduct embodied Botswana values. Masisi highlighted Mogae's role as a transformative leader who shaped the nation's economic trajectory, including championing diamond beneficiation and relocating diamond valuing and sorting from London to Gaborone.

    15 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Public pays respects to former President Festus Mogae

    Hundreds of Batswana lined up at Parliament Building on Wednesday to pay their last respects to former President Dr Festus Mogae, whose body lay in state. Acting President Ndaba Gaolathe, Mogae's widow Barbara, and other dignitaries were among those who paid their respects.

    13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Acting President leads national mourning for former President Mogae

    Acting President Ndaba Gaolathe and other senior leaders signed the book of condolences for former President Dr Festus Mogae at Parliament, as the nation mourns the statesman who is remembered for his contributions to Botswana's economic growth, democratic governance and international stability. Dr Mogae died on May 8 and will be laid to rest on May 16.

    12 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 11 May

  1. National Assembly Speaker to headline corporate governance summit

    National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse will headline Exclusive Human Capital Consultancy's fourth Corporate Governance Summit on May 21 and 22 at Phakalane Golf Estate, which will focus on governance architecture and accountability and bring together business leaders and policymakers.

    11 May 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  2. Parliament must deliver voter-demanded change, speaker says

    National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse said public expectations are high for Parliament and government institutions to deliver on voters' demands for law reform, policy reform, representation and economic transformation. He noted that Parliament has adopted a National Development Plan and economic transformation plan, and called for democratic institutions to become more independent, well-resourced and empowered.

    11 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 5 May

  1. BCP raises concerns over parliamentary committees' failed meetings

    The Botswana Congress Party is formally engaging the Speaker of the National Assembly over the underperformance of parliamentary committees, noting that several committees did not meet regularly during the past financial year, which the party says has hampered Parliament's constitutional role in scrutinizing government activities and holding the Executive accountable.

    5 May 2026 · Weekend Post

Dithapelo Keorapetse — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute