Botswana climate reporting gets boost as two join MESHA fellowship
staff writer | Monday September 21, 2026 10:27
The cohort is the second for the year-long climate change media fellowship implemented under the Action Research to Enhance Effective Coverage of Climate Change Issues in Africa (ARECCCA) project, with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Eastern and Southern Africa Office, based in Nairobi.
During the year-long engagement, MESHA will facilitate logistical facilitation and research mentorship to participants enabling their story production. Fellows will be required to identify and pitch two key projects to work on throughout the year in phases. The rigorous assessment process required applicants to submit previous climate stories that demonstrated conformity with MESHA’s requirements for reporting climate change through a gender lens.
Two of the nine fellows are from Botswana, where the fellowship comes as the country is currently engaged in a series of high-level leadership dialogues feeding into ongoing nationwide stakeholder conversations on long-term planning and sustainable development. The talks are held under the custodianship of the National Planning Commission, bringing together the University of Botswana through its research and academic grounding, and the Transition Think Tank (4T), which contributes policy advisory and resource mobilisation capacity, with a focus on climate, energy and economic transition in Africa and the Global South.
Some of the climate-focused gender articles to be developed from Botswana during the fellowship will explore adaptation and experimentation with horticultural products that have year-round demand but seasonal production.
One of the Botswana fellows, Baboki Kayawe, said the story is rooted in the country’s limited food sufficiency as evidenced by a high import bill on fruits and vegetables and the need to explore adaptive horticulture practices.
“As a climate and development journalist, I view climate change as a stress multiplier, particularly for countries with limited domestic food production. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the importance of building resilient and self-sufficient food systems. “This particular story is worth telling as Botswana continues to spend heavily on imported fruits and vegetables. This kind of adaptive and innovative agricultural practice does not only complement initiatives like The Long View explained above, it responds to sustained market demand while exploring the potential for year-round local production, with implications for food security, employment and climate resilience,” said Kayawe.
During the fellows’ onboarding session recently, MESHA Chief Executive Officer Aghan Daniel said the nine fellows had demonstrated experience covering climate change and other environmental topics, as well as an understanding of issues related to gender equality and social inclusion.
He said the fellows had further demonstrated a deep understanding of the nexus between climate change and vulnerable groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities.
For her part, Angela Baiya, Communications and Knowledge Lead at the IDRC Eastern and Southern Africa Office in Nairobi, said during the virtual event that the Centre was pleased with MESHA’s work in implementing the first year of the research project.
She congratulated the nine media fellows and said IDRC looked forward to reading their stories and hearing about their experiences in the field.
“We look forward to yet another year of resounding success and wish the Fellows a great time with MESHA,” she added.
Altogether, the current cohort consists of Asha Bekidusa and Ruth Keah from Kenya; Anthony Lacomec from Uganda; Calvin Manika and Fairness Moyana from Zimbabwe; Irene Shone and Baboki Kayawe from Botswana; Ndama Nakashole from Namibia; and Janvier Barhahiga from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Each fellow will spend prolonged periods with sources and communities during field tours in an attempt to gain trust and tell authentic, solutions-based climate change stories as part of the action research.
A researcher, gender expert and supporting editor will work with each of the media fellows throughout the fellowship.