News reports
Order a long-term news report on Francistown
Every mention in the Botswanan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Mmegi
Anyone who has tried to export from Francistown or bring machinery in through Tlokweng knows the routine: phone calls, queues, a good deal of guessing, and days gone before a single product has moved.The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) developed the Botswana Trade Por …
Where traders go for answers: Inside the Botswana Trade PortalMmegi
Sponsored by Mighty Infinite Services, the tournament brings together club Singles champions from the reigning five sides of Jwaneng, Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, and Orapa, in both the men’s and women’s categories. …
Greens ready as bowlers brace for Orapa MastersDaily News Botswana
… He said proceeds would go toward Tebogo’s desire to establish a clinic in Francistown. …
Tebogo marathon commemorates Breast Cancer AwarenessDaily News Botswana
… The donation, which was handed over on October 21, is proceeds from the BET267 Walala Wasala charity tournament which was held in Francistown in August, featuring four northern teams, Enesia FC, TAFIC FC, Tonota FC and Orapa United. …
BET267 donates P200000 to Nyangabgwe hospitalMmegi
… However, The Monitor has learnt that the incident follows an alleged assault on the man's wife in Francistown, where he reportedly assaulted her before fleeing to his home village. …
Man found hanging from tree in MaitengweWeekend Post
… A further P4.9 million write-down was taken on completed housing inventories in Francistown. …
BHC Claws Back to ProfitMmegi
Speaking at the National Business Conference in Francistown earlier today, BERA CEO, Never Tshabang, said the amendments are due to be discussed in the upcoming November sitting of Parliament.The recognition of independent transmission providers comes as the country’s boosts its …
BERA Act amendments to boost transmission investmentWeekend Post
… The contracted quantities, worth roughly 18.8 million pula abroad, allegedly re-entered the country only to be dressed up as home-grown: at a Francistown plant, the files claim, containers were repackaged and their stickers swapped to satisfy the “made in Botswana” clause. …
Allegations of corruption against former CEDA CEO Thabo ThamaneDaily News Botswana
… The match was played before a good number of supporters at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, who cheered the home side from the first whistle to the last. …
Tonota FC maintains top spotDaily News Botswana
… Botswana Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre (BGVSC) board chairperson, Dr Khumoetsile Mapitse said the centre previously accommodated 18 people in Gaborone and 12 in Francistown, giving it a combined capacity of 30. …
Japan boosts GBV fight with shelter expansionThe Botswana Investment and Trade Centre developed the Botswana Trade Portal to reduce bureaucratic delays in importing and exporting. The platform centralizes import and export procedures, regulatory requirements, tariffs, duties, documentation, and standards in one location, and includes a Trade Facilitation Enquiry Point where traders can seek assistance.
13 hours ago · Mmegi →
The Botswana Investment and Trade Centre developed the Botswana Trade Portal to reduce bureaucratic delays in importing and exporting. The platform centralizes import and export procedures, regulatory requirements, tariffs, duties, documentation, and standards in one location, and includes a Trade Facilitation Enquiry Point where traders can seek assistance.
13 hours ago · Mmegi →
The Orapa Masters brings together club singles champions from five Botswanan regions, the national singles champions, defending Masters champions, and national youth champions in men's and women's categories. BBA secretary-general Edwin Nyoka said some players may be fatigued from recent competitions, though others are expected to bring competitive edge from international engagements.
23 October 2026 · Mmegi →
The Letsile Tebogo Charitable Foundation will hold its first marathon on October 24, preceded by a Cancer Awareness Symposium at The Grand Palm Hotel, with proceeds directed toward establishing a clinic in Francistown to care for people living with breast cancer. The foundation, established after Tebogo's mother died of cancer, will feature guest athletes from Botswana, South Africa, and Kenya.
22 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
BET267 has handed over P200,000 to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital's children's ward, proceeds from the Walala Wasala charity football tournament held in Francistown in August. The funds will be used to improve the paediatric unit and support families during difficult moments.
22 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Police in Tutume received a report at around 1:53am of a man found hanging from a tree in Maitengwe. According to reports, the incident followed an alleged assault on the man's wife in Francistown; he reportedly believed she had died after the assault and then drove to his home village in Maitengwe, where he was later found hanging. His wife is reportedly hospitalized, and investigations remain ongoing.
20 October 2026 · Mmegi →
The state developer posted a P49.6 million profit for the year ended 31 March 2026, reversing a P104.6 million loss the prior year, but the recovery was driven primarily by P95.6 million in gains from the sale of investment properties; core operating income fell by more than two-fifths.
20 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
BERA CEO Never Tshabang said amendments to the BERA Act, to be discussed in Parliament's November sitting, will recognise independent transmission providers as the country boosts electricity generation through various ongoing and planned projects.
19 October 2026 · Mmegi →
Investigation dockets from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime allege that Thabo Thamane, who led the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency for more than a decade from 2011, presided over a pattern of alleged abuse, conflict of interest, and misappropriated millions. Most allegations remain untested in court and several dockets are still open or await prosecutor decisions.
19 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
Tonota FC defeated Police XI 2-0 to remain atop the FNB Premiership table, extending their unbeaten run to six matches with four wins and two draws for 14 points. Goals from Motsholetsi Sikele and Emmanuel Timu secured the victory at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.
19 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The Embassy of Japan has handed over four newly constructed studio units to the Botswana Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre to expand shelter capacity. The project, delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs, aims to provide safer accommodation for survivors and their families.
19 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Reverend Felicia Ramaribana has been elected president of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa at the church's assembly in Swakopmund, Namibia, becoming the first woman from the Synod of Botswana to lead the regional denomination and the second woman to hold the UCCSA presidency in its history.
15 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Producer and DJ Way Kay is releasing a six-track EP called Woza Way Kay on October 9, featuring collaborations with Justin 99, ShaunStylist, Omit ST, Galectik and Sandza de Keyz, built around infectious rhythms and dancefloor energy rooted in Amapiano, Afro House and 3Step.
9 October 2026 · Mmegi →
Botswana and Mozambique have agreed to elevate their bilateral cooperation framework into a Binational Commission chaired by their respective presidents to deepen political relations and widen trade. The decision was announced by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo during a three-day state visit to Botswana hosted by President Duma Boko, with the new structure intended to enhance accountability and track implementation of bilateral agreements.
9 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
Dr Gloria Somolekae, Executive Director of the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis, said at the WeekendPost's Diamond Jubilee launch that Botswana's experts flagged the risks of leaning too heavily on a single mineral and the need to diversify years in advance, but the task now is to act on this advice.
8 October 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Water Utilities Corporation says routine testing shows treated water supplied to consumers meets drinking water quality standards, following a Ministry of Local Government report of 454 diarrhoea cases involving dehydration and eight deaths among children under five in Gaborone, Mahalapye, Boteti, Letlhakeng, Francistown and Palapye.
7 October 2026 · Mmegi →
The Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA) and Maikarabelo Movement signed a Memorandum of Understanding to focus on community stewardship, youth and women empowerment, and local economic development, with BALA president Molatedi Selala citing diamond market decline and the need to revive national principles of self-reliance and development.
7 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The Botswana People's Party (BPP) was founded in 1960 by Kgalemang Motsete, Phillip Matante, and Motsamai Mpho, not 1965 as textbooks claim. Though it did not participate in independence, the BPP was the first to petition Britain for Botswana's self-rule, with Matante lobbying the Queen and international forums in London and New York.
6 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The director of business services at Botswana Investment and Trade Centre said Maun's transformation into a world-class tourism city is possible while preserving its ecological heritage. He identified export opportunities in tourism, mining, aquaculture, aviation, hospitality, and the creative industries, urging local entrepreneurs to position themselves around the Khoemacau copper mining project.
5 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana's Brigade movement has evolved from community-driven education with production pilot projects in the 1960s into formalised, government-supported TVET institutions. The original philosophy combined classroom learning with practical work in trades like carpentry, welding and bricklaying, but over the years financial strain led the government to take over many brigade operations, shifting focus towards formal employment training rather than local cooperatives.
28 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Chebani, known in Francistown and Nshakazhogwe, has moved from the Botswana Congress Party to the BNF, an affiliate of the Umbrella for Democratic Change. He cited widespread corruption allegations associated with the BDP as his reason for departing, though he noted that only a section of ministers and public servants were involved in alleged wrongdoing.
25 September 2026 · Mmegi →
Mojadigo signalled plans to file a no-case-to-answer motion during cross-examination of the State's last witness, a retired police investigating officer, in a trial where he faces three counts of rape of a minor from Francistown in 2024.
24 September 2026 · Mmegi →
Botswana did not submit bid documents before CAF's deadline for a joint 2028 Africa Cup of Nations bid with South Africa and Zimbabwe, citing lack of funds, though football officials said no financial guarantees were required at this stage. The government decided hosting was not a priority, while football authorities view it as a missed opportunity since hosting burden would have been shared among three countries.
22 September 2026 · Mmegi →
Police stopped a vehicle travelling from Francistown to Palapye and found P141,000 in cash. The five occupants—a 27-year-old Motswana driver and four Zimbabwean passengers aged 20–33—were arrested after failing to account for the money; the Zimbabwean nationals also face charges for entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry.
22 September 2026 · Mmegi →
Lame Thomba, 12, won nine medals—four gold, four silver, and one bronze—at the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Swimming Championships in Gaborone, including a record-breaking swim in the 400m freestyle. She began swimming at age three and has risen from initial hesitation to become a rising force in African youth swimming.
22 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Absa Bank Botswana has partnered with Google and Visa to allow customers with compatible Android devices to digitize their debit and credit cards in Google Wallet, enabling contactless payments via phone tap at terminals, online, and in-app purchases without physical cards.
21 September 2026 · Weekend Post →
Government officials met with former BCL and Tati Nickel Mine workers to update them on outstanding ex-gratia benefits and the prolonged liquidation process. Tati Nickel Mining Company was liquidated in 2016 due to a slump in commodity prices, resulting in the loss of over 6,000 jobs alongside its parent company BCL Limited.
21 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Francistown City Council has confirmed that an old horticultural market facility near Fire Services is undergoing refurbishment with support from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency. The facility, unused for decades, is expected to become a trading hub where horticulture farmers can aggregate, store, and sell produce in bulk.
16 September 2026 · Mmegi →
Coach Chilume Ntshwarang attributes 22-year-old sprinter Kebinatshipi's undefeated 2026 men's 400m season to consistent execution of a plan developed after his World Athletics Championships gold medal in Tokyo, which emphasized competing like a world champion at every Diamond League meeting and setting records.
16 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The Botswana Telecommunications Corporation plans to transform the BTC Francistown Marathon into a premier international athletic fixture to attract elite runners, boost sports tourism, and stimulate the regional economy. Over five years, BTC has donated over P1.5 million to charitable entities, with P600,000 invested in community projects across the greater Francistown region addressing sport, education, youth development, health, environmental sustainability, and digital inclusion.
14 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
Botswana will celebrate 60 years of independence on September 30, marking the establishment of the Republic of Botswana in 1966. This year's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will be held at Gaborone Main Mall under the theme "Building Resilience, Driving Prosperity," with national and community events coordinated by a National Organising Committee and district-level committees.
10 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →