Land sector marred by corruption, poor governance – Dikoloti
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday October 20, 2025 06:05
In his address during the recent Land Pitso, Dikoloti stated that the above-mentioned feedback is consistently echoed by citizens during kgotla meetings and office visits.
To address the issues, the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) will present a report, prompting reflection and action.
Dikoloti emphasised that the integrity of the land administration system is crucial to the government's credibility. 'Corruption and unethical practices undermine public confidence and rob citizens of opportunities that this government is committed to creating,' he noted.
He also said that a plenary will brainstorm solutions to combat these challenges and ensure a more transparent and accountable land administration system. Dikoloti also stated that these social dialogues are intended to provide a bridge for collaboration between the government, the private sector, communities, and a space for advocacy to influence reforms that strengthen land governance and equitable access.
Dikoloti added that land is the foundation of human identity, the bedrock of economic activities, and the provider of livelihoods. He stated that the history of any nation, society, community, and individuals is linked to land. 'Every sector, from agriculture and tourism to housing and infrastructure, mining, and commerce, depends on how effectively we plan, allocate, use, and protect this limited and valuable resource,' continued Dikoloti.
Additionally, he indicated that as the population grows and development pressures increase, the need to manage land efficiently, equitably, sustainably, and ethically has never been more urgent than now. He said that, to that end, improved access to land for farming activities and enhanced land-use planning to promote optimal use of the land are key reforms in their discourse.
These include promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, backyard gardens, and rainwater harvesting practices, he added. Dikoloti also said that there is a legitimate call to expedite land allocation and move from land possession to land productivity. He stated that every hectare of agricultural land must contribute to their national goal of food security and sovereignty.
He also said that land hoarding must be addressed, and those in possession should be guided on how they can derive value from the land resource in situations where they are not directly involved in production.
Dikoloti further said that the Land Pitso is taking place at a critical point when their nation is faced with economic challenges. He stated that the theme, 'Shifting lenses: Land for economic transformation,' calls for new pathways for the land sector to contribute meaningfully towards economic revival and transformation.
He explained that the theme connects well with critical reforms introduced in land management, especially the registration of customary grants, which, beyond providing certainty of tenure through Secure Land Tenure (SLT), was expected to unlock the economic potential of rural land masses, improve production, and reignite the rural real estate industry.
Dikoloti acknowledged that the implementation of these reforms has not progressed as expected, especially the issuance of SLTs, which stands at a mere 2%. He also said that there is a need for urgent action to improve the process of land registration and issuance of titles.
On another note, Dikoloti stated that tourism is one of Botswana's most successful economic sectors, built on the country's pristine landscapes and unique cultural heritage. However, he highlighted that access to land for high-value tourism is a pressing issue that requires national attention. He said that this has come with challenges relating to pressure on the very same resource that we are supposed to protect.
The concept of high-value, low-volume tourism must be understood and accepted by all, he added. He stated that while everyone must and should be a beneficiary of tourism products, they cannot all be land rights holders, as there are value chains within the sector.
'With all these, our discourse must focus on ensuring that our land allocation and leasing systems promote inclusive tourism development where citizens, communities, and investors all have equitable opportunities to benefit from the land's scenic and cultural value and, at the same time, encourage sustainable land management practices that preserve biodiversity and heritage,' he added.
Dikoloti stated that the true value of land extends beyond its market price. It lies in its productive ability over generations, social assets, and environmental functions, he added. He said that unlocking this value requires deliberate actions and robust methodologies that recognize value beyond the selling price of willing seller-willing buyer transactions.