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. July 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, has called on Members of Parliament to continuously strengthen their knowledge, skills and ethical leadership, saying an effective legislature is central to good governance and national development.

    Speaker calls effective legislature
  3. Daily News Botswana

    e in attendance were Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe, former president Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his wife Neo, former vice president Slumber Tsogwane, Leader of the Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando and wife, Dineo as well as Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse

    Boko urges Batswana to uphold legacy
  4. June 2026
  5. Daily News Botswana

    Delivering a keynote address during a three-day Parliament’s Budgetary Engagement and Oversight of Public Enterprises workshop in Gaborone, on Wednesday, the National Assembly speaker, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said the current parliament occupied a unique place in Botswana’s histo

    Speaker implores Parliament to drive reforms
  6. May 2026
  7. Daily News Botswana

    ntry's landmarks after Dr Mogae and consider creating a national heroes burial park, disclosing that his administration had started internal debates on these matters towards the end of their term in office. ‎ ‎For his part, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse

    Mogae Embodied Botswana Values - Masisi
  8. Daily News Botswana

    Acting President, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe, Dr Mogae’s wife, former First Lady, Ms Barbara Mogae and family, as well as the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse were among the first dignitaries to file past the body of former President, lifeless, yet appearing elegan

    Public Bids Mogae Adieu
  9. Daily News Botswana

    He was joined by Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, Commissioner of Police Dinah Marathe and Chief Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe, alongside other Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, senior government officials and members of the public.

    Gaolathe Leads Nation in Mourning
  10. The Botswana Gazette

    National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse is set to headline EHCC’s fourth Corporate Governance Summit, where governance architecture and accountability will take center stage GAZETTE REPORTER Exclusive Human Capital Consultancy will host its fourth Corporate Governance Summ

    Botswana Governance Summit Takes Shape
  11. Daily News Botswana

    Public expectations are high for Parliament and other government institutions to deliver the change voters demanded at the polls, National Assembly Speaker, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, said Friday.

    Public expectations for Parliament high
  12. Weekend Post

    The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) is preparing to formally engage the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dithapelo Keorapetse, expressing growing concern about the underperformance of parliamentary committees.

    BCP raises alarm over dysfunctional Parliamentary Committees to Speaker

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