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Tuesday, 27 October 2026
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Botswanan press · Person

Wynter Mmolotsi

Also known as: Mr Mmolotsi · Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi · Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi · Minister Mmolotsi · Minister Wynter Mmolotsi

Environment and Tourism Minister defending wildlife conservation policies balancing elephant protection with community safety and economic benefits.

2026-04-232026-10-27
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In coverage

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  1. October 2026

  2. Botswana Sunday Standard

    Sunday Standard Mmolotsi defends elephant policy after independence cull backlash The minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi has defended the country’s approach to wildlife conservation, arguing that protecting elephants must also deliver economic benefits to rural c …

    Mmolotsi defends elephant policy after independence cull backlash

  3. The Botswana Gazette

    Minister Wynter Mmolotsi has defended Botswana’s wildlife management policy amid criticism of an Independence Day elephant hunt, insisting conservation must account for community safety and livelihoods. …

    Mmolotsi Rejects Elephant Elimination Claims

  4. Weekend Post

    … The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi, was unmoved. In his own letter, routed through the Bangwato Tribal Administration, he warned bluntly that “Kgosi Khama does not have the authority to reverse or alter any decision made by the Government.” The chief was fre …

    When the giants turn deadly

  5. Mmegi

    … In a strongly worded letter dated September 29, Environment and Tourism Minister, Wynter Mmolotsi told Khama that while he is free to give cattle to his tribe, he had no authority to interfere with government’s decision to offer elephants to people of Serowe District. …

    Conservationist Khama, gov’t lock horns

  6. Mmegi

    The issue has attracted renewed attention following a letter dated September 29, 2026, from Minister of Environment and Tourism, Wynter Mmolotsi to Kgosi Ian Khama of the Bangwato Tribal Administration in Serowe.In the letter, Mmolotsi confirmed that the elephants would be given …

    Serowe district consults tribe over elephants

  7. Daily News Botswana

    Botswana is in the process of developing a Samora Machel Museum restaurant earmarked to serve Setswana and Portuguese cuisines, Minister of Environment and Tourism Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has said. …

    Chapo visits Samora Machel Museum
  8. September 2026

  9. Daily News Botswana

    Botswana is in the process of developing a Samora Machel Museum restaurant earmarked to sell Setswana and Portuguese cuisine, Minister of Environment and Tourism Mr Wynter Mmolotsi has said. …

    Samora machel Museum restaurant development underway

  10. Mmegi

    … Speaking on Sunday during the commemoration of World Tourism Day at the Three Dikgosi Monument, Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi said the occasion was particularly significant because it coincided with Botswana’s Diamond Jubilee. …

    Tourism takes centre stage at 60

  11. Daily News Botswana

    … Addressing a kgotla meeting at Phillip Matante East ward in his constituency on Tuesday, Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi attributed the recovery to a number of factors, among them increased diamond sales. …

    Botswana economy on recovery path
  12. August 2026

  13. Weekend Post

    … Wynter Mmolotsi, Botswana’s Minister of Environment and Tourism, has sounded the alarm about what lies ahead: soaring temperatures, diminishing water supplies, increased wildfire risks, and devastating impacts on wildlife populations. …

    Africa faces $20 Billion hit as super El Niño threatens drought, wildfires
Tourism & Environment

Mmolotsi defends elephant culling and conservation approach

The News

Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi defended the country's approach to wildlife conservation, arguing that protecting elephants must also deliver economic benefits to rural communities, following backlash over elephant killings during independence celebrations. Mmolotsi said conservation record must be measured not only by wildlife numbers but also by the country's ability to protect people living alongside animals.

19 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Monday 19 October

  1. Mmolotsi defends elephant culling and conservation approach

    Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi defended the country's approach to wildlife conservation, arguing that protecting elephants must also deliver economic benefits to rural communities, following backlash over elephant killings during independence celebrations. Mmolotsi said conservation record must be measured not only by wildlife numbers but also by the country's ability to protect people living alongside animals.

    19 October 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Thursday 15 October

  1. Mmolotsi defends wildlife policy amid elephant hunt criticism

    Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi has rejected claims that Botswana's wildlife management policies aim to eliminate elephants, defending conservation efforts that account for community safety and livelihoods.

    15 October 2026 · The Botswana Gazette →

Monday 12 October

  1. Elephants killed 26 of 48 wildlife deaths in five years

    Ministry of Environment and Tourism data shows that between 2021 and 2025, wild animals killed 48 people and injured 79 others in Botswana, with elephants responsible for 26 deaths—more than half of all fatalities and more than all other dangerous species combined. Elephants have a notably higher death-to-injury ratio than other wildlife, killing 26 while injuring only 13.

    12 October 2026 · Weekend Post →

Friday 2 October

  1. Khama opposes elephant hunting licences for independence celebrations

    Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi has told Khama in a strongly worded letter that the government's decision to offer elephants to people of Serowe District is not subject to his authority to reverse. The clash reflects tension between Khama's conservationist philosophy and the government's position that wildlife can be sustainably utilised to benefit communities, following the government's decision to issue complimentary hunting licences for 23 elephants across eight districts as part of Botswana's 60th Independence celebrations.

    2 October 2026 · Mmegi →

  2. Serowe district to receive elephants via ministerial licence

    The Minister of Environment and Tourism has confirmed that elephants will be issued to Serowe District through a ministerial licence, as part of the country's 60th independence celebrations and the government's wildlife utilisation policy.

    2 October 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 1 October

  1. Samora Machel Museum restaurant planned in Lobatse

    Botswana is developing a restaurant at the Samora Machel Museum in Peleng, Lobatse, to serve Setswana and Portuguese cuisines. Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi announced this during a visit by Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo, highlighting the museum's role in Southern African liberation history and the enduring friendship between the two nations.

    1 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 30 September

  1. Samora Machel Museum restaurant development underway in Lobatse

    Botswana is developing a restaurant at the Samora Machel Museum in Lobatse to serve Portuguese and local Setswana cuisine, including shrimp and Seswaa dishes, Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi announced during a visit by Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo.

    30 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Tuesday 29 September

  1. Tourism spotlight during Botswana's 60th anniversary celebrations

    As Botswana marks its Diamond Jubilee, government departments and constituencies held pre-celebration activities including talent showcases and cultural performances. During World Tourism Day commemorations, the Minister of Environment and Tourism highlighted tourism's role in employment, foreign exchange generation, and community support as the country reflects on its 60-year journey.

    29 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Wednesday 2 September

  1. Botswana economy grows 3.5 per cent in first quarter 2025

    Botswana's economy registered 3.5 per cent growth in the first quarter of 2025, attributed to increased diamond sales and cost containment measures. The MP for Francistown South noted that diamond sales rose from P100 million in July 2024 to P300 million in July 2025, and highlighted that the country's foreign reserves stand at P51 billion.

    2 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 13 August

  1. Super El Niño threatens Africa with $10–20 billion economic damage

    Scientists forecast a "super" El Niño event in late 2026 will trigger higher temperatures and reduced rainfall across the Southern Hemisphere, potentially causing $10–20 billion in economic damages across Africa. Botswana faces particular risks including soaring temperatures, diminishing water supplies, increased wildfire risks, and impacts on wildlife populations, prompting the African Union Commission to urge member states to strengthen early warning systems.

    13 August 2026 · Weekend Post →

Wednesday 12 August

  1. 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 →

Monday 10 August

  1. Tonota FC win inaugural Tati River Cup against Nkana

    Tonota FC defeated Zambia's Nkana FC 2-1 in the final of the first edition of the Tati River Cup at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on Saturday. The home side came from behind after Nkana scored first, with goals from Arnold Mampori and Emmanuel Timu securing the trophy.

    10 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 6 August

  1. Francistown hosts inaugural Tati River Cup football tournament

    The inaugural Tati River Cup, a one-day pre-season football tournament, kicks off at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown. The tournament features four teams—Township Rollers, TAFIC FC, Tonota FC, and Nkana FC from Zambia—plus women's curtain-raiser matches, and aims to revive football in the Northern Region while boosting community development and local sport tourism.

    6 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 16 July

  1. 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 →

  2. Government commits to improve worker welfare amid economic constraints

    Government said it remains committed to improving the welfare, dignity and purchasing power of workers, particularly low-income earners, citing P542 million budgeted for the 2026/27 financial year. However, it said prevailing economic conditions do not yet support immediate implementation of a P4,000 minimum wage in the private sector, noting the economy contracted by 0.7 per cent in 2025 and a fiscal deficit of P26.35 billion was projected.

    16 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. Mmolotsi launches tourism satellite account and statistics system

    Environment and Tourism Minister Wynter Mmolotsi launched Botswana's Tourism Satellite Account, an internationally recognised UN and World Tourism Organization framework to measure tourism's contribution to GDP, employment and investment, along with the Tourism Statistics System (TSTATS) and mobile application to collect and share tourism data in real time.

    8 July 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 6 July

  1. Khama questions hunting quotas and community benefits

    In Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Khama pressed the Minister of Environment and Tourism on increased hunting quotas, how community benefits are measured and verified, and the approval of the NG13 hunting concession amid concerns about the operator.

    6 July 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Government reviews Tourism Act to create competitive, inclusive sector

    The government is overhauling the Tourism Act following adoption of the National Tourism Policy in 2021 and development of a 10-year National Tourism Strategy and Master Plan. Minister of Environment and Tourism Wynter Mmolotsi said the reform aims to create a modern, responsive legal framework for tourism development, with focus on an enabling business environment, destination marketing, and infrastructure improvements.

    30 June 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 4 June

  1. SADC operationalises anti-money laundering and terrorism financing committee

    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.

    4 June 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 21 May

  1. 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 →

Monday 18 May

  1. Botswana and South Africa launch Kgalagadi conservation initiative

    Botswana and South Africa have launched a cross-border conservation initiative to strengthen management of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and unlock tourism-led economic growth and community development. The project, supported by the European Union through the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Area Financing Facility and implemented in partnership with African Parks, reflects renewed commitment to biodiversity conservation and regional cooperation.

    18 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Thursday 7 May

  1. Kagame concludes Botswana visit with Diamond Trading Company tour

    Rwanda President Paul Kagame's two-day state visit ended with a tour of the Diamond Trading Company Botswana, highlighting partnership between the nations on mining, sustainability, and innovation. Acting Minerals and Energy Minister Wynter Mmolotsi praised Rwanda's position as Africa's largest tungsten and top tantalum producer, and noted shared ambitions between Botswana and Rwanda in formalising and modernising the mining sector.

    7 May 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Botswana targets 2.7m tourists and tourism as top GDP driver

    At a HATAB conference in Maun, the Minister of Environment and Tourism said Botswana aims to increase tourist arrivals to 2.7 million by 2033, extend average stay from 4.9 to 7.9 nights, and make tourism the top GDP contributor by 2030, under the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme.

    29 April 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 23 April

  1. World Bank identifies critical gaps in Botswana tourism sector

    A World Bank analysis commissioned by the government found that Botswana remains heavily dependent on high-end wildlife tourism, according to remarks by the Minister of Environment and Tourism at the 41st Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana conference.

    23 April 2026 · Mmegi →

Wynter Mmolotsi — Botswanan press coverage · Botswana Minute