Botswana Minute.
Sunday, 23 August 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Sunday, 23 August 2026
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Botswanan press · Organization

Parliament

Also known as: Parliamentary · General Assembly · the National Assembly

Botswana's legislative body that receives government policy presentations, evaluates reforms, and votes on bills and budget proposals.

2026-04-222026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. July 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    The Leader of Opposition (LOO), Mr Dumelang Saleshando has called for strengthening of Parliament to ensure it becomes inclusive and reflects the vital role that both government and opposition play in democracy.Speaking at the inaugural official opening of the Third Meeting of th

    Saleshando calls for inclusive Parliament
  3. Daily News Botswana

    The inaugural official opening of the 3rd Meeting of the Second Session of the 13th Parliament marked the transition from routine Parliamentary activities to the critical phase where substantive legislature work is prioritised.

    Parliament To Prioritise Legislative Work
  4. Botswana Sunday Standard

    With a single statutory instrument, provisions that Parliament had consciously deferred were removed from the law books of Botswana.

    Rectification or Reform? The SI 41 of 2026 Precedent
  5. June 2026
  6. Mmegi

    conomic Crime Act and create a new institution, the Independent Anti-Corruption Agency.Speaking during the national dialogue on illicit financial flows recently, DCEC representative Lentswe Motshoganetsi said a Bill outlining the changes is expected to be tabled before Parliament

    DCEC set for major transformation
  7. Mmegi

    Appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week, Bayford revealed that while government has already complied with a court ordered apology to Motsepe-Radebe, it is not prepared to accept the quantum of damages now being pursued.“We are still on the legal co

    Gov’t to fight Motsepe’s R80M legal fees claim
  8. Weekend Post

    The Ntlo Ya Dikgosi, an advisory body to Botswana’s Parliament, occupies a unique position in the country’s governance.

    Dikgosi caught up in metamodernism
  9. Mmegi

    Lucas made the remarks while giving an overview during a meeting in which the Office of the Ombudsman appeared before a Parliamentary committee to account for its operations.He said Parliament remains concerned about weaknesses in financial controls across government institutions

    PAC raises concerns over counterfeit medicines, expired drugs
  10. Botswana Sunday Standard

    With a single statutory instrument, provisions that Parliament had consciously deferred were removed from the law books of Botswana.

    Rectification or Reform? The SI 41 of 2026 Precedent
  11. Daily News Botswana

    He said the main reason for the farmers to find themselves trapped in the deep ends emanated from government’s delay in eliminating the BMC monopoly despite the policy having been repealed by Parliament in 2019.

    Ghanzi Farmers Plead For Delivery Of Promises
  12. Weekend Post

    Botswana is poised to undertake a significant transformation in its fight against corruption as the government prepares to introduce a new Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament this July.

    Minister proposes sweeping anti-corruption reforms with new DCEC overhaul

Thursday 20 August

  1. Government to form special team to investigate forensic audit findings

    During a parliamentary response, Minister Mohwasa revealed that the government will establish an independent special team—rather than relying on existing investigative bodies—to act on findings from a forensic audit commissioned to expose corruption over the last decade.

    20 August 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Government presents TVET policy aligned with Vision 2036

    The Minister for Higher Education has presented the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Policy to Parliament, aiming to align education with labour market demands and industry needs while developing skills for both existing and future jobs. The policy supports Vision 2036, the National Development Plan 12, and Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on cultivating an innovative, entrepreneurial generation and building a productive, adaptable workforce in response to technological advancements.

    20 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Salakae resigns from Cabinet over court matter

    Salakae announced his immediate resignation from Cabinet in Parliament to deal with a legal matter requiring his court attendance on August 28, stating he has no ill will against the DCEC.

    18 August 2026 · Mmegi

  2. President commits to dedicated gender-based violence funding

    The Government of Botswana has committed to setting aside funds for the national response to gender-based violence, with the President directing that resources be submitted for Cabinet consideration. An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been tasked with preparing a properly costed proposal to ensure coordinated, multi-sector implementation.

    18 August 2026 · Weekend Post

  3. Botswana maintains low debt despite recent public borrowing increase

    Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe rejected concerns about a debt crisis, stating that Botswana is not in debt distress and maintains one of the lowest debt-to-GDP ratios in Sub-Saharan Africa at about 29 percent of GDP in the 2025/26 fiscal year, a position more favorable than many regional neighbors.

    18 August 2026 · Weekend Post

  4. Opposition leader's electoral reform proposal rejected in Parliament

    MPs rejected a proposal by Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando for transparent ballot boxes and decentralized vote counting, prompting the Botswana Congress Party to stage a walkout. Saleshando has argued that such changes are essential to boost public trust in the election process and minimize disputes during counting.

    18 August 2026 · Weekend Post

  5. Government pursues electoral reform through multiparty engagement

    Government remains committed to electoral reform and has engaged political parties to submit proposals, with planned reforms including one-time voter registration, electronic voting and counting, ballot counting at polling stations, transparent ballot boxes, and legalised exit polling. A technical team will evaluate these reforms before presenting them to Parliament.

    18 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 17 August

  1. Government races to complete 400km route to end FMD crisis

    Minister of Lands and Agriculture Dr Dikoloti told Parliament that completing a 400km route could unlock international beef markets and reverse economic damage from prolonged livestock restrictions, urging farmers to exercise patience as the government works to end the foot-and-mouth disease crisis.

    17 August 2026 · Mmegi

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Finance Ministry seeks P85bn domestic bond ceiling

    The Ministry of Finance is seeking Parliament's approval to raise Botswana's domestic bond issuance ceiling to P85 billion, citing a global diamond market downturn that is squeezing government revenues and stating that the existing P55 billion programme is nearing exhaustion after years of heavy borrowing to finance widening budget deficits.

    12 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  2. Only three of 15 Boteti West primary schools have junior toilets

    Only three of Boteti West's 15 primary schools have purpose-built junior toilets, leaving reception class pupils in the remaining 12 schools sharing ablution facilities with older learners, despite government policy requiring age-appropriate sanitation, according to a parliamentary response by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

    12 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  3. Parliament opposes lowering gambling age from 21 to 18

    MPs have rejected a government proposal to lower the legal gambling age from 21 to 18, warning that it risks exposing teenagers to gambling at a time when gambling is already affecting households across the country.

    12 August 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

  4. El Niño forecast to dominate Botswana's rainfall season

    The Environment and Tourism Minister told Parliament that El Niño weather conditions are already present and forecast to strengthen during the southern hemisphere summer, expected to dominate the country's rainfall season from October 2026 to March 2027.

    12 August 2026 · Mmegi

Tuesday 11 August

  1. Bill amends crime proceeds law to meet international standards

    Justice Minister Nelson Ramaotwana presented the Proceeds and Instruments of Crime Amendment Bill 2026 in Parliament to address deficiencies in the current Act and ensure full compliance with international obligations, particularly Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards ahead of a mutual evaluation by the Eastern and Southern African Anti-Money Laundering Group.

    11 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Monday 10 August

  1. Government cuts spending to reduce budget deficit and debt

    The government is trimming the budget to slow borrowing and prevent a debt crisis, as public debt reached P92.7 billion and is expected to exceed P100 billion by year-end, representing about 44% of GDP. Finance authorities and the World Bank warn that slow economic growth and diamond sector uncertainty could trigger a debt crisis.

    10 August 2026 · Mmegi

Sunday 9 August

  1. Opposition accuses UDC of delaying party funding law implementation

    Opposition parties have accused the UDC government of lacking commitment to political party funding, arguing that the administration is using financial constraints to delay implementing a law passed by Parliament in 2024.

    9 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Friday 7 August

  1. Air Botswana fleet renewal struggles despite millions spent

    Only half of Air Botswana's six aircraft are operational despite P355.9 million spent on fleet renewal over five years, leaving the airline with persistent flight disruptions and losses unresolved.

    7 August 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Botswana commits P9M to host 2027 TAFISA World Congress

    The government has committed P9 million to host the 30th TAFISA World Congress in October 2027, defending the decision as a strategic investment aligned with efforts to position Botswana as a premier destination for international sporting events and support economic diversification.

    4 August 2026 · Weekend Post

Monday 3 August

  1. Vice President warns P4.1bn social spending would worsen fiscal deficit

    Vice President and Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe cautioned in Parliament that Botswana's fragile economic recovery cannot sustain the Umbrella for Democratic Change's proposed P4.1 billion annual increase in social spending, which includes higher allowances for Ipelegeng workers, Village Development Committees, and tertiary students, plus extending old-age pensions to citizens aged 60 to 64, without worsening the fiscal deficit and increasing public debt.

    3 August 2026 · Weekend Post

Wednesday 29 July

  1. Poultry industry achieves self-sufficiency in meat and eggs

    Parliament was informed that Botswana's poultry industry has achieved self-sufficiency in chicken meat and eggs and is preparing to enter export markets, with the industry's value expected to grow from P3.5 billion to P10 billion by 2030.

    29 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Thursday 23 July

  1. ILES hosts conference to prepare implementation of new labour law

    ILES is hosting its fifth conference to prepare employers, employees, government and stakeholders for Botswana's new Employment and Labour Relations Act, which has passed Parliament and received presidential assent. The conference, themed "Turning Law into Practice: Implementing the Employment and Labour Relations Act in a Digital and Transforming Economy," is intended to ensure a seamless transition to the new legislation.

    23 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Parliament's health committee examines medicine shortages and expired drugs

    Botswana's medicine crisis came under scrutiny at a Public Accounts Committee hearing, with MPs and health officials trading blame over shortages and expired drugs.

    23 July 2026 · The Botswana Gazette

  3. SKMTH to continue billing medical aid according to approved tariffs

    The Assistant Minister of Health told Parliament that public patients at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital (SKMTH) covered by medical aid will continue to have their medical aid billed according to agreed tariffs, as part of Cabinet-approved transition arrangements following the hospital's conversion from a public company to a public hospital.

    23 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Wednesday 22 July

  1. 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

Tuesday 21 July

  1. Four opposition MPs seek court condonation for missed expense returns

    Four opposition Members of Parliament have approached the High Court seeking condonation for failing to submit mandatory election expense returns, raising doubts about the legal status of legislators who may have continued sitting and voting in Parliament despite being disqualified under the Electoral Act.

    21 July 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard

Thursday 16 July

  1. Kedikilwe reluctant candidate persuaded by constituents in 2009

    Kedikilwe recounts how constituents convinced him to stand as their ward candidate in the 2009 General Election at Palamaokuwe, initially resisting the offer because he wished to focus on his businesses, but agreeing after party elders and the community promised to conduct house-to-house campaigns and secure victory.

    16 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Government uses supply tenders to empower citizens

    Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi told Parliament that government reserves procurement schemes for citizens and citizen contractors, and mandates a 50 per cent discount on tender document purchases and contractor registration fees for 100 per cent youth-owned businesses, to drive citizen economic empowerment and job creation.

    16 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  3. Local authorities assessed twice yearly on four key perspectives

    The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs uses the Balanced Scorecard methodology to assess local authorities twice a year across four perspectives: delivery of core products and services, efficiency of internal processes, institutional capacity, and ability to generate and manage revenue. Each authority is assessed individually based on its unique circumstances and socio-economic environment rather than compared against others.

    16 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

  4. Government employs 253 retired officers on contract

    Government has 253 retired employees currently employed on contract in the public service, down from 309 appointed since January 2024. The contracts, ranging from 24–36 months, fill gaps in specialized and critical skills including medical specialists, engineers, legal experts, and ambassadors.

    16 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Parliament establishes credit society to aid ex-MPs

    Parliament is establishing a credit and cooperative society (SACCOS) to assist MPs and ex-MPs struggling with employability and insufficient retirement benefits after leaving office, with support from the Botswana Savings and Credit Cooperative Association.

    14 July 2026 · Mmegi

  2. Parliamentary leader advocates constructive debate for citizens' benefit

    The Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, told Parliament that a high-performing legislature is measured not just by bills passed but by legislation quality, oversight effectiveness, and public trust. He called for constructive debates during the winter session, emphasizing that every debate and law should serve to improve the lives of Batswana and that lawmakers should work as a unit to advance citizens' interests, regardless of their political affiliations.

    14 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana

Parliament — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute