… Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Jacob Kelebeng, announced the allocation last week, saying government had set aside P23 million to commemorate the country’s diamond jubilee of independence. …
… Addressing a media briefing in Gaborone yesterday, Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said this year’s Independence celebrations would provide opportunities for the creative sector to participate and benefit from the national programme. …
The Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, has appointed a new board for the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC), dissolving the previous one appointed by his predecessor, Tumiso Rakgare. …
… Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, commended the initiative, describing music as a pathway to discipline with immense power to help young people discover and develop their talents, build confidence and express themselves creatively. …
… The Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng was among the dignitaries. The evening was spiced with a lot of giveaways during a quiz section focusing on the game and commercial bank's services. …
… In response to growing pressure, Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng broke a prolonged silence to explain the government’s deliberate decision to refrain from commenting on the matter. …
… Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, will officiate at the foundation’s launch, which is expected to attract stakeholders from the sporting fraternity, government, the corporate sector and the wider community. …
A high-level sports delegation from Botswana, led by Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng has concluded a successful working visit to Belgrade on a strategic fact-finding mission. …
Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng told the Dithubaruba Cultural Festival in Molepolole that culture is the foundation for a dynamic creative economy and national identity. He praised the Ntsweng Heritage Hub as a strategic cultural resource and permanent cultural precinct aligned with government efforts to revitalise cultural infrastructure and build sustainable cultural tourism destinations.
Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng told the Dithubaruba Cultural Festival in Molepolole that culture is the foundation for a dynamic creative economy and national identity. He praised the Ntsweng Heritage Hub as a strategic cultural resource and permanent cultural precinct aligned with government efforts to revitalise cultural infrastructure and build sustainable cultural tourism destinations.
The Dithubaruba Cultural Festival, held at Ntsweng Museum in Molepolole, will feature about 40 traditional groups performing dance, music, poetry, and crafts for 24 hours. The event also welcomes Bakwena and Tswana groups from South Africa, including first-time performers and renowned cultural icons.
Botswana is launching the Ballin N Da Bush Safari Classic, a three-day international basketball tournament with a $100,000 prize purse, as part of an effort to establish itself as a regional sports hub and basketball destination. The event, scheduled for Sept. 28–30 at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena, is one of the most lucrative basketball tournaments on the African continent and will attract top clubs from Africa and Europe.
Moshupa stadium officially opened last Friday to provide local athletes with first-class facilities and support grassroots sports development at district level. The Minister of Sport and Arts said the facility fulfils a decades-long vision and represents government's strategic intent to provide safe, competitive playing fields across the country.
The Minister of Sport and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, emphasised government's commitment to nurturing local athletic talent, citing the upcoming IBO All Africa Championship bout between Botswana's Kutlwano Ogaketse and South Africa's Aphiwe Mboyiya on September 18 in Gaborone as an example of multi-stakeholder collaboration in sport.
A documentary produced by Okavango Diamond Company and The Nkashi Trust premiered, showcasing the lives and challenges of Okavango communities whose existence is tied to the delta. The premiere was attended by President Duma Boko and Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng.
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.
Sport and Arts Minister Jacob Kelebeng told 25 Botswanan athletes representing the country at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow to win with humility and integrity, emphasizing clean sport, fair play, and conduct as ambassadors reflecting Botho values.
Botswana's 25 athletes competing in five sports—athletics, boxing, swimming, lawn bowls, and judo—will leave for a training camp in Scotland on July 13, ahead of the Commonwealth Games (July 23–August 2). Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng urged the team to compete with integrity, discipline, and humility.
First Lady Kaone Boko unveiled a newly refurbished Dutlwe monument on July 9, a permanent memorial and road safety hub honouring nine Matsha College learners who died in a 2015 open-truck accident. The First Lady stated the memorial is intended to honour the victims, bring solace to families, and serve as a reminder for safer roads while challenging government to improve road conditions and infrastructure.
Botswana's government has earmarked P23 million for the country's diamond jubilee Independence celebrations, announced by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, a decision drawing public debate amid economic slowdown and medicine shortages in public hospitals.
Government has set aside P23 million for Botswana's 60th Independence celebrations, which will feature the creative sector prominently through cultural performances, artistic showcases, sporting events, and heritage exhibitions across the country and at the Main Mall on September 30.
At the inaugural Business of Sport Summit, Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng said Botswana should view sport as a strategic economic sector capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and driving national development, rather than only as recreation or competition.
The Minister of Sport and Arts has appointed a new 11-member board for the Botswana National Sport Commission, led by Goitseone Gadifele, General Manager of Jwaneng Mine, for a four-year term. The appointment reflects the government's aim to bring corporate leadership to sport administration amid financial pressures on national federations.
The government has restarted choral music competitions for state and private primary and secondary schools this academic year as part of its strategy to promote arts and culture, support a STEAM-based education system, address learner indiscipline, and strengthen school excellence and national identity.
FNB hosted a watch party for the World Cup opener, which ended 2-0 with three red cards. The event brought together clients, stakeholders, and media, including Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng, and featured giveaways during a quiz.
The High Court scheduled an August 10 hearing in a doping investigation involving four Botswana track athletes after confusion over an earlier court date sparked public criticism and allegations of judicial misconduct. Justice Itumeleng Segopolo used an emergency session to clarify the postponement and defend the court's integrity.
Athletics legend Isaac Makwala has established the Isaac Makwala Foundation, to be officially launched on 19 June at the Gaborone International Convention Centre. The foundation aims to preserve his legacy and create opportunities for young people through sport development, education, mentorship, youth empowerment and social impact programmes.
Minister Jacob Kelebeng said international regulations under the World Anti-Doping Code prohibit government interference in active anti-doping cases, warning that violations could result in Botswana being barred from hosting international events, athletes competing under a neutral flag, and the national anthem not being played at podiums.
A Botswana sports delegation led by Minister Jacob Kelebeng visited Belgrade to study Serbia's elite athletic systems and advance bilateral sports and culture partnerships. The two countries agreed to formalise their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding, with discussions focusing on infrastructure development, sports science, and school and club-based sports models.
The Botswana National Sport Commission awards will recognise athletes, coaches and administrators for strong performances across sporting codes in regional and international competitions. Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng described it as a fruitful year, with athletes securing qualifications and success in major international events.
O-Green, an Omani renewable energy company developing a 500 MW solar-plus-battery project in Maun, has become a sponsor of the World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026. The company will provide refreshment stands, smart watches, and branding materials for the event, and plans to offer sponsorship contracts and Garmin smartwatches to top-performing Botswana team athletes.