Botswana's legislative branch, where women hold 8.7% of seats following 2024 elections and which Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse is championing as an independent co-equal branch of government.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
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 reformsMmegi
“Can you imagine facing the same people who were against your party and government and now in power?” maverick politician Pule, who leads the minority party (BDP) with a deriding moniker of ‘Fours’ in Parliament, describes the atmosphere that prevails in the National Assembly.Pul …
Pule: Facing your nemesis on on the other side of the aisleDaily News Botswana
… t to name one of the country'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 …
Mogae Embodied Botswana Values - MasisiDaily News Botswana
… Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Margaret Nasha described the late former President as a distinguished democrat and statesman whose life was devoted to serving his country and its people citing that his presidency came at a defining time in the nation's history. …
Mogae was a Rare FindDaily 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 highWeekend 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 SpeakerBotswana's government has blamed the first-past-the-post electoral system for the country's low representation of women in Parliament, according to a National Report on the Maputo Protocol. Women occupied only 8.7 percent of National Assembly seats after the 2024 elections, with three of six women elected and three specially appointed.
27 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Botswana's government has blamed the first-past-the-post electoral system for the country's low representation of women in Parliament, according to a National Report on the Maputo Protocol. Women occupied only 8.7 percent of National Assembly seats after the 2024 elections, with three of six women elected and three specially appointed.
27 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
Unconfirmed allegations have emerged that Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo may be under investigation by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, reportedly concerning her role in De Beers negotiations and property acquisition in Phakalane. Kenewendo's office denied awareness of any investigation, and the DCEC has not publicly confirmed one.
14 September 2026 · Mmegi →
National Assembly Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse and Botswana Congress Party Vice President Unity Dow have questioned whether executions deter violent crime and whether the state should continue taking the lives of convicted offenders, calling for an "honest conversation" about capital punishment's purpose.
7 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →
The Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA) is consulting with pharmaceutical executives, device manufacturers, and industry lawyers to develop regulations for the Medicines and Related Substances Act, No. 29 of 2025, which passed Parliament in December but has not yet taken effect.
31 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
President Advocate Duma Boko told the outgoing EU Ambassador that Botswana's democratic credentials remain firmly rooted, though the country faces emerging challenges including fake news, migration driven by economic pressures, and coalition politics ahead of the 2029 elections. He noted the new administration inherited a collapsing economy and has worked to stabilize it over the last two years amid rising unemployment, higher cost of living, and a hostile geopolitical environment.
27 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
The Attorney General has formally approached the High Court seeking directions on how to proceed in a case challenging the administrative removal of sodomy laws. Biggie Ganda Butale, an attorney and President of the Botswana Republican Party, argues that the Attorney General overstepped his legal authority when issuing Statutory Instrument No. 41 of 2026, which removed provisions criminalizing "unnatural offences," despite courts having declared them unconstitutional in 2019 and 2021.
18 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
Lawmakers including Maun West MP Caterpillar Hikuama and Opposition Leader Dumelang Saleshando have raised concerns about the Speaker's office delaying processing of urgent questions, motions, and correspondence, with Hikuama accusing the speakership of obstructing agreed communication channels and Saleshando citing delayed responses that diminish urgency before Parliament can address issues.
18 August 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Christian body has declared firm opposition to a motion by Mogoditshane West legislator Galenawabo Lekau, calling it a "catastrophic misstep" that could expose vulnerable people to greater exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking. Lekau's motion asks government to repeal sections 155 and 156 of the Penal Code to protect human rights, curb gender-based violence, and strengthen public health interventions.
12 August 2026 · Mmegi →
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 →
Prominent attorney Biggie Ganda Butale has taken the Attorney General to the High Court, challenging the legality of a 2026 administrative order that removed the "unnatural offences" laws from Botswana's statute books without a final vote in Parliament. Butale argues the Statutory Instrument No. 41 of 2026 bypassed parliamentary authority, contending that only Parliament has the power to repeal laws under Section 86 of the Constitution.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, adopted by the National Assembly to establish a Constitutional Court, now awaits a referendum before presidential assent. Debate focuses on whether the timing is appropriate given the country's economic situation, with proponents arguing a dedicated court protects democratic governance and human rights by ensuring constitutional questions are properly determined.
27 July 2026 · Weekend Post →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
A fellow MP praises Minister Kelebeng for bringing youthful energy to Parliament and the sport and arts fraternity, crediting him with sponsoring three Bills including the Cinematography Bill, and overseeing the successful hosting of the World Relays. Kelebeng and his colleague met during opposition student activism at the University of Botswana.
7 July 2026 · Mmegi →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Maverick politician Pule, who leads the BDP minority in Parliament, describes facing former government opponents who are now in power. Pule notes that in the same parliamentary session, current Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi was similarly isolated within his party when the BDP dominated.
21 May 2026 · Mmegi →
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 →
Former President Dr Festus Mogae has died, prompting widespread national tributes to his legacy as an economist and leader of Botswana's response to HIV and AIDS. Political leaders across the spectrum have praised his humility, economic stewardship, and democratic leadership during a defining period in the nation's history.
13 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →
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 →
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 →