Trials bedevilling Kgalagadi South
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday November 14, 2025 11:03
The vast constituency, one of Botswana’s most underdeveloped regions, continues to struggle with high unemployment, water shortage, and weak service delivery. These issues have left many questioning whether the current government will finally bring the development they have long been promised.
For years, joblessness has remained the constituency’s most pressing concern.
Many residents, both young and old, have depended on the government’s Ipelegeng programme for income and survival. The initiative, once a lifeline for families in rural areas, has been hampered by financial constraints in recent months, thus reducing its reach and leaving many without work.
As a result, frustration is mounting amongst those who relied on the programme to make ends meet. With the polls approaching this weekend, calls for its restoration have grown louder, and candidates are being urged to prioritise it in their manifestos.
Beyond employment challenges, agriculture remains central to the livelihoods of many in Kgalagadi South.
The constituency has a proud history of cattle farming, with residents long known for their dedication to livestock production. In past decades, the area was one of Botswana’s notable cattle-producing regions.
Yet, prolonged droughts, poor access to water, and limited government support have eroded that legacy. During the funeral of the former Member of Parliament, Dr. Micus Chimbombi, this year, many villagers renewed their appeal for the government's intervention in agriculture.
They emphasised the need for investment in water infrastructure, improved veterinary services, and policies that can help them restore the once-thriving cattle industry.
For most residents, the revival of agriculture represents hope for economic stability and self-reliance. Healthcare has also become a major concern across the constituency. Like in many parts of the country, Kgalagadi South has been hit by the nationwide shortage of medicines in clinics and hospitals.
Residents report frequent stockouts forcing patients to travel long distances or purchase medication from private pharmacies they can barely afford. Health workers have voiced concern that the shortages are undermining service delivery and public confidence in the system.
For many voters, access to consistent healthcare has become a decisive issue as they consider who to support in the upcoming election. Equally troubling is the ongoing water crisis. Several villages across Kgalagadi South continue to experience severe water shortages, relying heavily on the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) to deliver water by trucks.
However, deliveries are often delayed due to vehicle breakdowns or logistical challenges, leaving some communities without water for days.
The erratic supply has made daily life difficult, it has affected livestock farming as well, and increased public frustration. Many residents argue that a reliable and sustainable water system should be one of the next government’s top priorities. Kgalagadi South has a population of 35,531 and covers an area of 59,330 km². Politically, the constituency has 20 council wards.
Kgalagadi South is among the largest and most geographically dispersed constituencies in Botswana. Some wards are located more than 200 kilometres apart, making service delivery and political campaigning both expensive and logistically complex. This vastness has often left remote villages feeling isolated and neglected, a sentiment that could influence voter turnout and decisions at the ballot box.
During the 2024 campaign season, opposition parties, particularly the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), pledged to tackle unemployment, improve infrastructure, and strengthen public services if elected. Residents are now watching closely to see which party offers realistic and actionable plans. Many say they have grown tired of political promises that never materialise.
“We have been hearing the same promises for years, but our lives have not changed,” said a resident of Tsabong. “This time, we will vote for leaders who can deliver, not just talk,” the resident said. For most voters, the election is not just a political event but a test of trust, an opportunity to decide whether the government has listened to their concerns.
Across the villages of Kgalagadi South, conversations are filled with cautious optimism and lingering doubt. Some believe that development will finally reach their doorstep, while others fear that history will repeat itself and the constituency will remain forgotten after the polls close.
Political observers note that Kgalagadi South could serve as a reflection of the broader national mood, particularly among rural voters who feel left behind by Botswana’s uneven development. If turnout is strong, it may signal a shift in expectations among citizens who have grown increasingly impatient with the slow pace of progress. As Saturday draws near, candidates are making their final appeals, promising to bring jobs, water, and better services to the constituency. Yet, for many residents, the decision has already been made in their hearts based not on rhetoric, but on lived experience.