Botswana Minute.
Saturday, 17 October 2026
Botswana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Saturday, 17 October 2026
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Botswanan press · Person

Seretse Khama

Also known as: Sir Seretse Khama · Sir Seretse · founding President Sir Seretse Khama · Prime Minister Sir Seretse Khama

Seretse Khama — founding president of Botswana, whose policies on non-racialism, education, and economic management guided the nation's transformation from one of the poorest countries to a fastest-growing economy.

2026-05-152026-10-17

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. October 2026
  2. Daily News Botswana

    … Born and raised in Gangwaketse, he received his early education in Kanye before advancing to Tiger Kloof in Vryburg, South Africa – the same institution attended by Dr Gaositwe Chiepe and Sir Seretse Khama before they proceeded to the University of Fort Hare. …

    Kanye A cradle of Botswana Independence story
  3. Daily News Botswana

    … Mr Nkwane credited Botswana’s early leadership, particularly founding President Sir Seretse Khama and former President Sir Ketumile Masire, for placing emphasis on the health and welfare of citizens. …

    Nkwane reflects on six decades of healthcare transformation
  4. Daily News Botswana

    … don Missionary Society (LMS) and the white business community may have actively favoured and facilitated the creation of the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP) specifically to neutralise the BPP’s radical momentum,” Mr Garechaba shared. “The founding president, Sir Seretse Khama …

    BPP Party that birthed nation
  5. Daily News Botswana

    … The parade also recreated the historic handover, featuring Prime Minister Sir Seretse Khama, Queen’s Commissioner Sir Hugh Selby Norman-Walker and Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent, representing the British Crown. …

    Botswana relives 1966 at Diamond Jubilee
  6. September 2026
  7. Daily News Botswana

    … Under the visionary guidance of founding President Sir Seretse Khama, the newly born republic rolled up its sleeves. …

    Botswana celebrates Olympic journey
  8. Daily News Botswana

    … He further mentioned that they had presented the Khama III Museum in Serowe with a Ukrainian-minted commemorative coin bearing the image of Botswana’s first President, Sir Seretse Khama and that a commemorative plaque of Sir Seretse also existed in Kramatorst, Ukraine. …

    Botswana and Ukraine toast to strong relations
  9. August 2026
  10. Daily News Botswana

    … The production echoes the famous words of Botswana’s founding president, Sir Seretse Khama ‘A nation without culture is like a nation without a soul.’ Bringing a showcase of this scale to life requires immense heart and hustle. …

    Mophato celebrates 15th anniversary
  11. Daily News Botswana

    … On September 6, 1974, founding President Sir Seretse Khama announced the decision to withdraw from the Rand Monetary Area. …

    Kanye to host Pula Day commemoration
  12. July 2026
  13. Daily News Botswana

    Braving the cold bite of a July morning, multitudes gathered at the GaMmangwato Royal Kgotla to celebrate the life of Sir Seretse Khama, a humble servant of the Batswana people. …

    GaMmangwato pays tribute to Sir Seretse enduring
  14. Daily News Botswana

    Braving the cold bite of a July morning, multitudes gathered at the GaMmangwato Royal Kgotla to celebrate the life of Sir Seretse Khama, a humble servant of the Batswana people. …

    GaMmangwato pays tribute to Sir Seretse enduring legacy
Politics

Kanye's role as cradle of Botswana independence story

The News

Kanye, traditional capital of the Bangwaketse, significantly contributed to Botswana's journey toward independence through its political leaders and role as a centre of Tswana chiefly authority and early nationalist activity. Kgosi Bathoen II, a businessman, kgosi and politician, played a pivotal role in building the Bangwaketse tribe before 1966 through initiatives including constructing the Mmakgodumo Dam and promoting skills acquisition.

8 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 8 October

  1. Kanye's role as cradle of Botswana independence story

    Kanye, traditional capital of the Bangwaketse, significantly contributed to Botswana's journey toward independence through its political leaders and role as a centre of Tswana chiefly authority and early nationalist activity. Kgosi Bathoen II, a businessman, kgosi and politician, played a pivotal role in building the Bangwaketse tribe before 1966 through initiatives including constructing the Mmakgodumo Dam and promoting skills acquisition.

    8 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 7 October

  1. Retired nurse reflects on Botswana's six-decade health transformation

    William Nkwane, a retired registered nurse with over 45 years in the health sector, reflects on Botswana's evolution from limited healthcare infrastructure at independence to an extensive network of clinics, hospitals, and trained professionals, drawing on his career spanning remote areas and mining hospitals.

    7 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 6 October

  1. BPP party history: formed in 1960, not 1965

    The Botswana People's Party (BPP) was founded in 1960 by Kgalemang Motsete, Phillip Matante, and Motsamai Mpho, not 1965 as textbooks claim. Though it did not participate in independence, the BPP was the first to petition Britain for Botswana's self-rule, with Matante lobbying the Queen and international forums in London and New York.

    6 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 1 October

  1. Botswana marks Diamond Jubilee with stadium celebration

    Botswana celebrated its Diamond Jubilee pre-Independence at the National Stadium on Tuesday night with performances from police and prison service bands, speeches from dignitaries including President Duma Boko, Mozambique President Daniel Chapo, and a fireworks display. The event, themed Building Resilience, Driving Prosperity, drew large crowds despite cold drizzle.

    1 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 24 September

  1. Botswana marks first Olympic participation in 1980 Moscow

    Botswana sent seven track athletes to the 1980 Moscow Olympics, their first time competing on the Olympic stage. The article chronicles this milestone and the nation's journey from post-independence nation-building under President Seretse Khama to sporting achievement.

    24 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 1 September

  1. Botswana celebrates Ukraine independence, launches artistic exhibition

    Botswana marked 35 years of Ukraine's independence at an event in Gaborone where the Assistant Minister for State President, Defence and Security affirmed Botswana's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while launching a two-week artistic exhibition titled "Resilience: The Unbreakable Human Spirit" featuring collaboration between Batswana and Ukrainian artists.

    1 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 28 August

  1. Mophato Dance Theatre marks 15-year milestone with CHABA

    Mophato Dance Theatre, which has spent 15 years blending Botswana's heritage with contemporary dance and performing on global stages, is staging a production titled CHABA from September 1 to 5 to celebrate the milestone ahead of Botswana's 60th Independence anniversary. The self-funded show, with a budget between P400,000 and P500,000, relies on ticket sales to sustain its operations.

    28 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Kanye to host Pula Day commemoration marking fifty years

    Kanye will host a Pula Day commemoration on August 24 under the theme "Pula le Thebe: Shielding Wealth, Nurturing Inclusive Growth," marking fifty years since Botswana introduced its national currency on August 23, 1976, after withdrawing from the Rand Monetary Area in 1974.

    18 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 3 July

  1. GaMmangwato community honors legacy of Sir Seretse Khama

    Multitudes gathered at the GaMmangwato Royal Kgotla to celebrate the life of Sir Seretse Khama. Former diplomat and Cabinet Minister Charles Tibone eulogized him as a humble servant whose humility contributed to Botswana's transformation from one of the poorest countries to one of the fastest-growing economies.

    3 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 2 July

  1. GaMmangwato community honors Sir Seretse Khama's legacy

    Multitudes gathered at the GaMmangwato Royal Kgotla to celebrate the life of Sir Seretse Khama. Former diplomat Charles Tibone eulogized the founder as a humble servant whose humility enabled Botswana's growth from one of the poorest countries to one of the fastest-growing economies.

    2 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  2. Ukraine honours Sir Seretse Khama with commemorative coin

    Ukraine has launched a gold-plated commemorative coin to honour Botswana's founding president Sir Seretse Khama, presented by the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Khama III Memorial Museum. The coin symbolises friendship and mutual respect, and incorporates a traditional wildflower design to represent Botswana's flora and fauna.

    2 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

  3. 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 →

Monday 1 June

  1. Musician Nchunga releases tribute single for late president Mogae

    Musician and attorney Nchunga Nchunga has released "Re tla mo gopola" (We will remember him), a tribute single to the late former president Dr Festus Mogae, recorded in Setswana, Herero, Ndebele, English and Sesubiya. Nchunga said he composed the song to celebrate Mogae's legacy, particularly his leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and released it before the burial so Batswana could enjoy it as they celebrated the former president's life.

    1 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 25 May

  1. Mogae exemplified intellectual democracy in Botswana

    An opinion piece characterizes former president Mogae as an intellectual democrat—a rare head of state whose high intelligence and educational credentials did not lead him to authoritarianism or arrogance, distinguishing him from many leaders across the continent who have failed the democratic test despite their learning.

    25 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Friday 15 May

  1. Mogae was principled SADC leader, says Chissano

    Former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano delivered a eulogy at the State Memorial Service for former Botswana President Festus Mogae, describing him as a principled leader and "one of the architects of stability in Southern Africa" who provided wise counsel in regional deliberations.

    15 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Seretse Khama — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute