… In his public lecture at the University of Botswana on 16th March 2026, Professor Tachilisa Badala Balule argued that a Constitutional Court is integral in that it protects the democratic system of government and culture of human rights; it controls the validity of legislation an …
… Coach Dipeba thanked the University of Botswana, where he had served long-term as a sports officer and elite head coach, for its foundational role in securing this opportunity. …
… To recognise a major philanthropic act of the Kengalogile family who gave a chunk of land to the University of Botswana(UB) to establish its Okavango Research Institute, the university management has pledged to name one of the institution’s buildings Kengalogile. …
… Leburu, 49, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Botswana, chose to follow his passion for music over a conventional engineering career. …
… Leburu, 49, a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Botswana, chose to follow his passion for music over a conventional engineering career. …
… Okavango Research Institute of University of Botswana, Professor Joseph Mbaiwa, said Botswana had taken an important step in developing a reliable evidence base for tourism planning, though the information already lagged behind the fast-changing nature of the industry. …
… The 2026 Gaborone Open Karate Championships attracted a record turnout of karatekas from across the world, who converged at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena for the prestigious annual tournament hosted by Botswana Hayashi-Ha over the…
… For his part, University of Botswana Vice Chancellor, Prof David Norris noted the stakeholders’ concerns and assured them that going forward, research findings must be shared. …
… legacy challenges , but I admire the way he’s dealing with the issues at the Ministry,” observes Segokgo.Segokgo and Kelebeng met during their formative phase of the opposition Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) when they were in student activism at the University of Botswana …
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.
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.
The University of Botswana will name one of its buildings after the Kengalogile family, who donated land for the establishment of the Okavango Research Institute. The pledge recognises the family's philanthropic contribution and their belief in education as an enduring investment.
Botswana national track and field coach Justice Dipeba has been awarded a scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Kentucky, where he will also work with the university's track and field programme. Dipeba, a former 1996 Olympic flagbearer, has coached Botswana sprinters including Isaac Makwala and Christine Botlogetswe.
Martin Sefako, a Gaborone-based hyperrealism artist trained in architecture, has earned recognition for graphite and charcoal portraits that combine emotional realism with conceptual storytelling, with social media expanding his reach beyond Botswana to international commissions and collaborations. Sefako aspires to showcase Botswana's art on global platforms while mentoring emerging artists, though he notes the sector faces challenges including limited funding and inadequate institutional support.
Family, friends, and Batswana across the country will attend a memorial service on Friday to celebrate the life of renowned guitarist Kabo Leburu, 49, a University of Botswana mechanical engineering graduate who chose music over a conventional engineering career and was known for his innovative guitar work.
Family, friends and Batswana will gather Friday at Peleng Community Hall in Lobatse for a memorial service to celebrate the life and legacy of renowned guitarist Kabo Leburu, a 49-year-old mechanical engineering graduate who chose music over a conventional career and worked with both local and international artists.
Tourism experts have called for Botswana to produce more timely and comprehensive tourism statistics to enable informed decision-making and investment planning. The call was made during the launch of Botswana's first Tourism Satellite Account covering 2019 to 2024, where stakeholders noted that while the TSA is an important step, many countries generate tourism statistics quarterly or every two months to respond quickly to emerging trends.
The 2026 Gaborone Open Karate Championships drew a record turnout of more than 600 karatekas from across the world to compete at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena in this prestigious annual tournament hosted by Botswana Hayashi-Ha.
Stakeholders at a recent ORI and And Beyond partnership signing argued that a fresh economic valuation study of the Okavango Delta is needed, noting the delta is an evolving ecosystem and updated research could support conservation financing, guide development, and inform policy.
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.
Organisers of the 16th Gabs Open International Karate Championships say the tournament has potential to become one of the continent's premier karate competitions. The World Karate Federation-sanctioned event attracted over 600 youth, cadet and elite karatekas from the region and beyond, including competitors from South Africa, Oman, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and interest from European nations, the United States, and North Africa.
The 22nd Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) Games kicked off at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena, featuring regional university athletes competing in a week of sporting events across Southern Africa.
The 5 thebe coin, once essential for daily transactions, faces questions about its continued relevance as prices rise and digital payments grow. An economist notes the coin has lost purchasing power but still serves a role in pricing and change-making in cash-based environments.
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.
Organisers of the CUCSA Games are in a last-minute push to raise additional funding after securing P500,000 from the Botswana National Sport Commission, P250,000 from BOTESSA, P100,000 from Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited, and P20,000 from Khumo Properties. BOTESSA president Keorapetse Setlhare said hosting an event of such magnitude requires significant resources, and preparations are in the final operational phase with accommodation arrangements at the University of Botswana complete.
Patikwane Junior Secondary School, located between Paje and Mabeleapudi and serving boarding learners from distant villages, faces severe infrastructure challenges including broken windows, missing doors, rusting beds without mattresses, and open sewage drains. The school is among the first 11 junior secondary schools selected for refurbishment.
Botswana will host the 2026 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Associations Games from June 28 to July 5, with delegations from Angola, Lesotho, eSwatini, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe competing in eight sporting codes. Local Organising Committee chairperson Keorapetse Setlhare said preparations were progressing smoothly with major logistical challenges addressed and venues across Gaborone fully prepared.
Sixty-four refugees were granted Botswana citizenship during a World Refugee Day commemoration, with the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs noting the act reflected the government's human rights commitment and that the new citizens left their countries due to harsh circumstances. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services said the decision unlocks opportunities for the refugees and represents progress toward their local integration.
Botswana will host the 2026 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Associations Games from June 28 to July 5, with delegations from Angola, Lesotho, eSwatini, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The regional tournament will feature eight sporting codes including athletics, basketball, chess, football, volleyball, netball, tennis and table tennis.
University of Botswana's Innovation Pod (UniPod), supported by the UN Development Programme, hosts startups and innovation programs using advanced technology like 3D printers and laser cutters. The facility aims to bridge academic research and commercial enterprise while supporting Botswana's shift toward a knowledge-based economy.
Wame Bodutu, an Afrocentric visual artist from Molepolole, has pursued art since primary school in 2008 and graduated from the University of Botswana with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2024. After mentorship from artists Bezuba Kaunda and Rodney Keitemoge, she has moved into mural painting and sold artworks, inspiring other women to pursue creative careers.
The University of Botswana Alumni Symposium 2026, themed "Architects of Transformation: Mobilizing Alumni Excellence for UB," brought together graduates, researchers, and corporate partners to strengthen institutional synergy and support national development agendas. Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris highlighted the university's four-decade role in national development and its 2020–2029 strategic plan focused on sustainable knowledge generation and modernized curriculum.
Botswana is seeking to host the Eastern and Southern African Anti-Money Laundering Group's Regional Training Academy in Gaborone, positioning itself as a regional leader in combating financial crime. Through the Institute for Combating Illicit Flow of Funds, the academy would serve as a centre of excellence for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing training across the region.
The Southern African Development Community has operationalised its AML/CFT committee to combat money laundering and terrorism financing in the region. Acting Finance Minister Wynter Mmolotsi told the committee's fifth meeting in Gaborone that member states face structural vulnerabilities including import dependence and limited economic diversification, which the region must address through strengthened collaboration.
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.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Broadcasting and Information Services Tshireletso Motlogelwa warned that piracy and unregulated artificial intelligence could threaten Botswana's cultural identity and economic future unless stronger protections for the creative industry are implemented. He urged Botswana to recognise creativity as a major driver of economic growth and employment, and to protect local creators from exploitation.
Foot and mouth disease detected in Botswana in January 2025 has led to suspension of beef export authorizations by the European Union, and the nation's loss of FMD-free status. The University of Botswana is described as developing a "quieter revolution" in response to the crisis, though specific details are cut off in the provided excerpt.
At a University of Botswana memorial service for former president Festus Mogae, speakers including David Magang and Dr. Nasha praised his 1998–2008 tenure for integrity, discipline, and sound public finances, contrasting his governance with perceived declines in standards since his departure.
An obituary for former president Dr Festus Mogae, who passed away last Friday, recalls his approach to governance as a legalist who resisted international pressure, public sympathy, and political pressure in making tough decisions backed by law. The article highlights his refusal to grant clemency to South African Marietta Bosch, who was convicted of murder and executed at Gaborone Maximum Prison on March 31, 2001, despite international outcry.
Gaborone hosted the 13th AFTRA conference and 15th Roundtable at the International Convention Centre, bringing together education leaders and policymakers under the theme "Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession: Implications for Africa" to explore approaches such as peer mentoring and professional learning communities aimed at strengthening education systems across the continent.