Sunday Standard A “Holy” spirited conversation with a Catholic Bishop-elect The Head of the Catholic Church Pope Leo XIV has surprised Lawrence Ofentse Pheto (50) with grace, gratitude and humility to serve as Bishop of Francistown. …
… For instance, last week, Mophato Private Primary School held its in-house sports competition in Francistown as part of its ongoing talent development program.me Deputy Principal, Kabelo Maule said sports have always been part of the school’s curriculum. …
The Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service (BPS) and Botswana Prisons Service (BPS) traded their operational gear for sport jerseys on Friday, joining forces for the annual Joint Law Enforcement Games in Francistown. …
As inflation continues to push up the costs of goods and services, informal traders in Francistown say they are a facing increasing pressure in keeping their businesses afloat. …
… The contested ruling was issued by former High Court judge Zeinub Kebonang, who barred Deputy Sheriff Bathusi Billy from proceeding with the sales of properties in Gaborone and Francistown. …
Sunday Standard FCC needs over P330 million to revive infrastructure Francistown City Council(FCC) is currently in dire need of an estimated P335 million to revive its crumbling infrastructure. …
… Taking the stand today before Senior Magistrate Tshepo Thedi, the 18-year-Malibela said his suspicions started when he moved to the complainant’s house with her mother (names withheld). “Mojadigo was my pastor at Divine Anointing International Church in Francistown and when I pas …
The President of the All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises honoured President Advocate Duma Boko with the UbuntuSusu Continental SME Billion Fund recognition at the Trade Up North 10th Anniversary in Francistown, acknowledging his commitment to growing SMEs and creating an enabling environment for small businesses in Botswana. AAASME has established the $1.4 billion UbuntuSusu Continental SMEs Fund to assist SMEs in Africa to access finance, presenting Botswana's local SMEs an opportunity to tap into continental financing, markets and partnerships.
The President of the All Africa Association for Small and Medium Enterprises honoured President Advocate Duma Boko with the UbuntuSusu Continental SME Billion Fund recognition at the Trade Up North 10th Anniversary in Francistown, acknowledging his commitment to growing SMEs and creating an enabling environment for small businesses in Botswana. AAASME has established the $1.4 billion UbuntuSusu Continental SMEs Fund to assist SMEs in Africa to access finance, presenting Botswana's local SMEs an opportunity to tap into continental financing, markets and partnerships.
At a BPP leadership forum in Francistown, Molapise said the party's participation in the UDC remains critical, and that all affiliate parties should evaluate their contribution to the coalition, recommend policy changes, and review policies that are not delivering for citizens while maintaining their own organisational strength and political identity.
Motshidisi Mposa, a 26-year-old artist from Marapong now based in Palapye, has built a brand centred around expressive artwork, crocheting and portraiture. Starting as a young drawer at primary school and later painting from his early teens, Mposa now creates portraits for homes, lodges, hotels and corporate offices, and recently sold major works to the Botswana Unifi.
President Advocate Duma Boko said approximately 81,000 Batswana are living with non-communicable diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, and cervical cancer, with rising cases compounded by drug shortages in public health facilities that government is working to resolve.
BPP president Motlatsi Molapisi has confirmed that Francistown East MP Tiroeaone Ntsima remains a member in good standing, dismissing speculation that he was leaving to join another party. Molapisi also expressed concern about the party's weak organisational structures and condemned character assassination among members.
Botswana Oil's Francistown fuel depot expansion is at 88 percent progress against a projected 97 percent by August 2026, running behind the original October 2026 completion target set when the P1.1 billion project began in October 2022. Phase one, comprising road loading and off-loading gantry, has been operational since 2024.
The Trade Up North B2B procurement platform, now in its 10th year, connects SMEs with SADC buyers and features curated "Deal Rooms" arranging meetings between suppliers and procurement leaders from major companies and government ministries. The 2026 fair will take place in Francistown at Cresta Marang Gardens.
Botswana's premier B2B procurement platform connects SMEs with SADC buyers through curated "Deal Rooms" featuring pre-scheduled meetings with procurement leaders from major companies and government ministries. The fair, now in its tenth year, takes place in Francistown and aims to drive local content and regional integration.
The Botswana People's Party will hold its Second leadership forum this Saturday in Francistown to assess progress, strengthen internal structures and align the organisation with its strategic priorities as the country approaches the electoral cycle. The forum will review implementation of resolutions from the first forum held two months ago and strengthen leadership cohesion.
The HSNV-sponsored Tati River Pre-Season Tournament, a one-day competition, will kick off the new Botswana Premier League season on August 8 in Francistown, aiming to boost business activity in the country's second city.
CEO Africa Roundtable founder Kenias Mafukidze announced commitments to establish an investment desk, deliver three bankable flagship projects by 2027, and bring annual CEO delegations to Botswana, as part of a vision to help double the economy from $20 billion to $40 billion by 2036 through diversification away from raw commodity exports toward high-value industries including digital innovation, renewable energy, agro-processing, and tourism.
The government has been accused of flouting the rule of law and deliberately delaying payment of millions of pula owed to 32 judge drivers over unpaid standby allowances. The judge drivers have accused the Attorney General's Chambers of attempting to evade its financial obligations despite a court award.
Botswana Oil Limited's P1 billion expansion of the Francistown fuel depot is 88 percent complete and on track for completion in April 2027. The project will add 60 million litres of storage capacity to the existing 38 million litres, significantly increasing the nation's strategic fuel storage and energy security.
Francistown-born artist 'Artistic Bale' has developed a body of work linking contemporary African identity with environmental awareness, merging fine art with conservation through projects including Blue Tapestry. He turned professional during the 2020 pandemic lockdown and now divides his creative practice between Gaborone and Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
Recent court audits in Francistown and Maun have revealed a disturbing pattern of sexual offences forming a significant portion of court dockets, prompting warnings that Botswana is facing a pandemic of sexual violence despite years of public campaigns and tougher laws.
A northbound bus carrying 45 passengers from Gaborone to Francistown struck a cow at approximately 1930pm, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn. All nine fatalities, including the driver, were declared dead on arrival at Palapye Primary Hospital, while the remaining passengers received treatment for serious injuries.
The Chinese Embassy donated medical equipment worth P180,000 to Botswana's Ministry of Health to strengthen healthcare capacity, including monitors, defibrillators, and syringe pumps. The donation was announced during ceremonies for the 17th and 18th China Medical Teams, alongside new health cooperation initiatives including a hospital partnership and cataract surgery project.
Shumba Energy Limited has begun construction on the Tati Solar project, a 100-megawatt facility near Francistown expected to supply electricity domestically and export energy across Southern Africa via the Southern African Power Pool, targeting commercial operation by 2027 with over P1 billion in investment.
17-year-old Ntungamili Raguin lost in qualifying at the J300 Roehampton Championships but achieved Botswana's first-ever international match win on grass with a comeback victory over the United States' Agassi Rusher. He now targets the Wimbledon Junior Championships qualifiers scheduled for July 2–3 in London.
Falcon Metal Resources Botswana announced a major gold discovery in February on a tenement near Francistown, with laboratory tests confirming high-grade gold at concentrations of 17.88 grams per ton. The company, partnered with Australia's Jacaranda Natural Resources, is conducting further verification with samples being tested in South Africa.
Youth athletes from different sporting codes attended a one-day Sports Exchange Development Coaching Clinic at Shashe River School in Tonota, where coaches and athletes shared experiences to develop sport collectively. Organizers said the clinic aimed to identify and nurture talent across various disciplines and expressed hope that future editions would attract more sporting codes and sponsorship.
Lawrence Ofentse Pheto has been appointed Bishop of Francistown by Pope Leo XIV. His episcopal ordination will be presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Botswana on 27 June.
Regions submitted lists of required sports equipment to the Ministry of Sport and Arts in early 2025, but have not yet received feedback on their requests. The North East Regional Director of Operations cited the high volume of nationwide requests as a strain on government finances and noted uncertainty about whether school sports will follow the previous calendar.
The Botswana Defence Force, Police Service, and Prisons Service competed in the annual Joint Law Enforcement Games in Francistown on Friday to strengthen collaboration and unity. The BDF won the overall championship, followed by police in second place and prisons in third.
Informal traders in Francistown say rising inflation, higher purchase prices, increased transportation costs, and Pula depreciation are eating into their profits and forcing them to raise selling prices, which has reduced customer demand and slowed business growth.
The Court of Appeal will hear an appeal on June 19, 2026, brought by First National Bank Botswana and two others challenging a High Court ruling that halted the sale of properties linked to businessman Samson Guma Moyo in an effort by FNBB to recover debts related to United Refineries Botswana Holdings. The central legal issue is whether a creditor may proceed against sureties or guarantors while the principal debtor company remains under judicial management.
The Botswana Police Service has rejected claims that the City Police Unit (CPU), launched in December 2023, has been suspended, though sources say the government has quietly scaled back the initiative since the UDC took office in 2024, citing resource shortages and a reported shift toward the Safer City Project.
Francistown City Council requires an estimated P335 million to revive crumbling infrastructure, with damage to roads and other facilities worsened by heavy rains between February and April 2026.
A witness told Village Magistrate's Court that Mojadigo, currently serving a 20-year rape sentence, inappropriately touched a teenage girl, caressing her breasts and thighs during visits to a mission house in Francistown. Mojadigo is now on trial for this alleged assault on the minor.
Novice hiker Carla Verdiane fell on a steep descent during the Bikwe Hike over the weekend but finished the event with medical support and encouragement from safety volunteers, demonstrating hiking's power as a mental reset that helps participants overcome self-doubt and psychological barriers.