Friday, 28 August 2026

Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Friday, 28 August 2026

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Botswanan press · Organization

National Assembly

Botswana's legislative chamber, focused on lawmaking, executive scrutiny, and strengthening parliamentary independence under current Speaker Dithapelo Keorapetse.

2026-05-052026-08-28

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
11 MayDaily 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 high
5 MayWeekend 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 Speaker

Politics

President Boko says democracy entrenched despite fake news, economic pressures

The News

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 →

Yesterday

President Boko says democracy entrenched despite fake news, economic pressures
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 →

Tuesday 18 August

AG seeks directions in High Court over sodomy law removal
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 →
MPs criticize Speaker for delays in urgent motions and questions
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 →

Wednesday 12 August

Churches oppose legislator's motion to decriminalize sex work
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 →

Monday 27 July

Saleshando and Speaker clash over constituency allowances Bill
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 →
Butale sues Attorney General over Penal Code deletion procedure
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 →
Constitution Amendment Bill 2025 advances toward referendum on Constitutional Court
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 →

Wednesday 22 July

Speaker Keorapetse champions Parliament independence as defining legacy
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 →

Monday 20 July

Former Speaker backs current Speaker's independence campaign
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 →

Tuesday 14 July

Parliament holds first official legislative opening ceremony
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 →
Speaker urges Parliament to prioritize national interest over partisanship
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 →
Parliament funding at 0.2% of national budget, Speaker warns
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 →

Monday 13 July

Parliament shifts focus to legislative work and transparency
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 →

Tuesday 7 July

Kelebeng brings fresh parliamentary energy through sports and arts background
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 urges MPs to strengthen knowledge and ethical leadership
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 →

Thursday 2 July

Boko urges Batswana to uphold Seretse Khama's legacy
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 →

Thursday 11 June

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 →

Thursday 21 May

Pule reflects on facing opposition parties in Parliament now
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 →

Friday 15 May

Masisi praises Mogae as embodiment of Botswana values
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 →

Wednesday 13 May

Botswana mourns former President Festus Mogae's death
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 →

Monday 11 May

Parliament must deliver voter-demanded change, speaker says
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 →

Tuesday 5 May

BCP raises concerns over parliamentary committees' failed meetings
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 →