Botswana Minute.
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
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Botswanan press · Place

Gaborone

2026-04-212026-06-17
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  2. The Botswana Gazette

    Botswana tennis player Chelsea Chakanyuka speaks on her breakthrough moment after earning her first career WTA point at the World Tennis Tour M15/W15 event in Gaborone, describing a hard-fought win, home advantage, and her development journey in the United States GAZETTE REPORTER …

    Chakanyuka Reflects on First WTA Point

  3. Mmegi

    … merging technologies. “Huawei’s approach is to support this transition through integrated solutions across 5G, cloud computing, data centres, cybersecurity, digital power, and industry-specific applications,” Zhang told delegates at the recent Huawei ICT Congress 2026 in Gaborone …

    Huawei commits to supporting Botswana's digital transformation

  4. Former President Mogae dies after leading AIDS response

    1. Daily News Botswana

      … On March 31, 2001, Bosch was executed at Gaborone Maximum Prison, despite pressure from Amnesty International, the South African Human Rights Commission, and Ditshwanelo Centre for Human Rights. …

      UNBENDING Mogae Rule of Law

    2. Weekend Post

      … Mogae, who died on May 8, 2026, had been hospitalized in the capital city of Gaborone after falling ill in April. …

      Festus Mogae passes on: 1939 – 2026

  5. Weekend Post

    The 2026 World Athletics Relays, recently held in Gaborone, Botswana, have emerged as a landmark event not only in the world of sports but also as a significant economic catalyst for the host nation. …

    $10 million from World Relays – the breakdown

  6. Mmegi

    The announcement was made during the 45th Botswana National Sport Awards held on Saturday at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, The strategic shift forms part of a broader decentralisation drive aimed at making sports recognition more inclusive and accessible across th …

    BNSC awards ceremony heads out of Gaborone

  7. Daily News Botswana

    … President Boko said Botswana recently hosted the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26, where several records were broken. …

    Sport Unifying Force

  8. Daily News Botswana

    … As you know I am chairperson of the AIDS Council, remain engaged in various local and international charitable institutions and I am Patron of the Botswana Society for the Deaf, running centres in Gaborone and Francistown. …

    The Witty and Humorous Mogae

  9. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … It is among many initiatives the team leadership have embarked on since taking over the reigns at the embattled Gaborone outfit. …

    Has Rollers Found its Blue Magic to Success?

  10. Botswana Sunday Standard

    … The campaign was introduced in Gaborone on April 27 and is expected to raise awareness about violence against children, encourage reporting of abuse cases and support institutions that work directly with vulnerable children. …

    Batanani Walk Takes Stand Against Child Abuse
Business

University of Botswana drives innovation through UniPod hub

The News

University of Botswana's Innovation Pod (UniPod), supported by the UN Development Programme, hosts startups and innovation programs using advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters. The facility aims to bridge academic research and commercial enterprise while supporting Botswana's shift toward a knowledge-based economy.

Why it matters

University of Botswana's UniPod innovation hub supports the country's strategic shift toward a knowledge-based economy through startup acceleration and research commercialisation.

22 hours ago · Weekend Post →

Yesterday

  1. University of Botswana drives innovation through UniPod hub

    University of Botswana's Innovation Pod (UniPod), supported by the UN Development Programme, hosts startups and innovation programs using advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters. The facility aims to bridge academic research and commercial enterprise while supporting Botswana's shift toward a knowledge-based economy.

    22 hours ago · Weekend Post →

  2. Matakule qualifies for World Athletics U20 Championships

    Wazha Matakule of Lions Dean Athletics Club qualified for the World Athletics U20 Championships by clocking 21.24 in the 200-metre race at a Sua Pan Athletics Club meet, beating the qualifying standard of 21.25. He had previously secured a qualifying time of 10.49 in the 100-metre at the SACA Championships in Mauritius.

    16 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 15 June

  1. LEGABIBO seeks to join court case on same-sex marriage

    The rights organisation LEGABIBO has applied to the Gaborone High Court to join proceedings in a case brought by applicants challenging the Department of Civil and National Registration's refusal to publish banns for a same-sex marriage, with the department having cited lack of legal support for the marriage arrangement.

    15 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Businesses urged to embrace neurodiversity for innovation

    At a strategic human resources conference in Gaborone, Lyra Botswana's managing director Dr Onalethata Johnson urged companies to recognise and support neurodivergent employees, including those with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, saying neurodiversity inclusion is a business imperative that can boost productivity and innovation.

    15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. Botswana explores opening diplomatic mission in Russia

    Botswana is considering establishing a diplomatic mission in Russia, building on a 56-year consular relationship. The International Relations Minister cited mutual cooperation in technical skills, trade, and investment as key drivers for strengthening bilateral ties.

    15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  4. Botswana marks 41 years since South African Defence Force raid

    A BOPA reporter reflects on personal memories of the June 14, 1985 South African Defence Force raid on Gaborone, an event that changed Botswana and whose impact still resonates for those who lived through it.

    15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  5. June 1985 South African raid killed 12 in Gaborone

    On June 14, 1985, Operation Plecksy—a cross-border raid by the South African Defence Force hunting anti-apartheid activists—killed at least 12 people in Gaborone's Bontleng neighbourhood. The Botswana Defence Force's restrained response in the hours that followed is credited with preventing escalation to full-scale war.

    15 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Vice President highlights air connectivity for economic growth

    Vice President Ndaba Gaolathe said at the AviaDev Africa conference opening in Gaborone that air connectivity is central to Botswana's economic diversification under the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan and participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, with the country aiming to position itself as a regional transport hub and trade corridor.

    11 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. 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 →

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Government securing months of medicines via emergency procurement

    Health Minister Stephen Modise announced that government is addressing medicine shortages through emergency procurement measures, including six to 12 months' worth of supplies from the IDA Foundation and seven months' worth from the United Arab Emirates, with additional consignments arriving in coming weeks.

    10 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 9 June

  1. Farouk Ismail Group donates P70,000 medication to Athlone Hospital

    Farouk Ismail Group (Pty) Ltd donated P70,000 worth of medication for managing high blood pressure, hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes to Athlone Hospital in Lobatse. The donation, part of the company's community support initiatives, was received gratefully by hospital staff during a handover ceremony on Tuesday.

    9 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. ODC expands diamond operations to India amid transparency questions

    Botswana's state-owned Okavango Diamond Company has extended operations into India, holding rough diamond viewing sessions in Mumbai at the Bharat Diamond Bourse Complex. The move has raised questions about the company's presence in the Indian diamond hub and why operational details remain undisclosed.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Botswana art auction and exhibition set for June 2026

    CityFan Live, a Botswana-grown creative movement, is preparing "The Final Stroke" Premium Art Auction and Exhibition scheduled for 30 June 2026 at the Botswana National Museum to celebrate the country's creative spirit, empower artists, and support children living with disability.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  4. Court of Appeal to hear FNBB appeal in Guma Moyo property dispute

    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.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  5. Sports summit planned to boost Botswana's sports economy sector

    A Business of Sport Summit scheduled for June 25–26, 2026 at Gaborone International Convention Centre aims to align sport and creative industries with government's ambition to increase their contribution to GDP. Founder Bonni Dintwa stated that while sport is a multi-billion-dollar industry globally and across Africa, Botswana has not fully unlocked the economic opportunities within the sector and that government policies are needed to attract more funding into sport.

    9 June 2026 · Mmegi →

  6. BPS denies elite crime unit shutdown amid scaling-back reports

    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.

    9 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  7. Former Police Commissioner Simon Hirschfeld laid to rest

    Simon Hirschfeld, Botswana's first Motswana Police Commissioner who served 39 years in law enforcement and spent 24 years leading the Botswana Police Service, was buried at Phomolong Memorial Park in Gaborone with a traditional police funeral ceremony.

    9 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  8. Harvard Health Partnership praised for HIV and COVID research

    President Duma Boko congratulated the Botswana Harvard Health Partnership for their significant role in breakthrough HIV prevention research and the discovery of the Omicron COVID variant in 2021. The partnership's executive director noted their contributions to Botswana's public health milestones and their participation in landmark studies that shaped local and international HIV treatment and prevention guidelines.

    9 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  9. Botswana bids to host regional anti-money laundering academy

    Botswana is seeking to host the Eastern and Southern African Anti-Money Laundering Group's Regional Training Academy in Gaborone, positioning itself as a regional leader in combating financial crime. Through the Institute for Combating Illicit Flow of Funds, the academy would serve as a centre of excellence for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing training across the region.

    9 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 8 June

  1. Minister hails New Botswana City as economic diversification step

    The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship said the groundbreaking of New Botswana City demonstrates Botswana's commitment to economic diversification, industrialisation, and competing in the global economy, noting that the project aligns with Vision 2036 and the Economic Transformation Programme.

    8 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Sunday 7 June

  1. Mining sector leaders gather to discuss transformation and investment

    Botswana's mining sector leaders will convene in Gaborone in late June to discuss investment, beneficiation, and industry leadership as the sector positions itself for transformation amid rising global demand for critical minerals.

    7 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Gaborone mayor to address lockout allegations over furniture bill

    Gaborone City Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng expressed shock at reports of allegedly locking out senior council officials from their offices over a disputed furniture bill near P1 million, but declined further comment pending a full address.

    4 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  2. Food vendors in Botswana switch to cheaper fuel alternatives

    Street food vendors in Gaborone and Molepolole are shifting from cooking gas to charcoal and firewood to reduce expenses and protect profit margins, though they face ongoing conflicts with local authorities over safety regulations and undefined legal status.

    4 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. SADC operationalises anti-money laundering and terrorism financing committee

    The Southern African Development Community has operationalised its AML/CFT committee to combat money laundering and terrorism financing in the region. Acting Finance Minister Wynter Mmolotsi told the committee's fifth meeting in Gaborone that member states face structural vulnerabilities including import dependence and limited economic diversification, which the region must address through strengthened collaboration.

    4 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. First Lady warns of neglect toward boy child, mental health

    Botswana's First Lady Kaone Boko has called for increased focus on empowering the boy child, cautioning that neglect could lead to future social instability, violence, and marginalisation. She made the remarks at a UNICEF Botswana CEOs Council for Child Rights Forum in Gaborone.

    3 June 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

  2. Skills shortage threatens Botswana's foreign investment plans

    Government considers critical skills shortages one of the biggest obstacles to national development and attracting foreign investment. The Ministry of Higher Education permanent secretary said the disconnect between graduate qualifications and industry needs discourages investors, particularly in mining, despite growing numbers of unemployed graduates.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. Botswana president praises Belgium relations since 1975

    President Duma Boko hailed Botswana and Belgium's long-standing partnership during a farewell meeting with outgoing Belgian Ambassador Paul Jansen, highlighting cooperation in the diamond industry, agriculture, and educational exchanges between the two countries. Boko commended Belgium's support for local diamond value addition and noted the twinning arrangement between Francistown and Genk.

    3 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Botswana urged to implement tobacco control act regulations

    A new report launched in Botswana warned of rising tobacco and nicotine industry influence, particularly targeting young people through vaping, and called for urgent finalisation and implementation of regulations under the Tobacco Control Act (2021). The 2025 Botswana Tobacco Industry Interference Index Report noted Botswana's global leadership in tobacco control while highlighting the need to operationalise existing legislation.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  2. Government plans new anti-corruption bill and DCEC independence

    Botswana's government plans to introduce a new Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament in July and grant the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime full operational independence, according to the Minister for State President, Defence and Security. The reforms aim to bolster accountability, restore public trust, and elevate governance standards.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

  3. Minister Ramaotwana awaits decision on six Mexican fugitives' extradition

    Justice Minister Nelson Ramaotwana has yet to decide whether to extradite six Mexican fugitives arrested nearly six months ago to Mozambique, where they face drug-related and organized crime charges. The delay reflects broader regional concerns over cross-border drug trafficking and organized crime networks operating in Botswana.

    2 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Gaborone — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute