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Friday, May 15, 2026

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA), Never Tshabang, has conveyed heartfelt condolences to the nation following the passing of former President Festus Mogae, who died last Friday morning at the age of 86.

correspondent | 15 May 2026

Ncojane P1.5 billion water tender blocked despite CoA approval

A 100%-citizen-owned Tawana joint venture won the P1.5-billion Ncojane water tender twice. But just when they thought it was over, the Ministry of Water and Human Settlements, the DCEC and the PPRA now stand accused of obstructing the very court order that vindicated it.

Innocent Selatlhwa | 15 May 2026

Mogae's homestead at Botalaote ward in Serowe.PIC.MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Mogae legacy unites Serowe community

As many remember Festus Mogae as a respected former president, to his family, he was much more: a devoted father, a loving mentor, and a man who cherished unity. He believed in the power of family gatherings, in uplifting the lives of those around him, and in maintaining strong bonds across generations.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 15 May 2026

Mogae is believed to have played a major role in Serowe. PICS MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Serowe honours Mogae

For the people of Serowe, the arrival of the late former President, Festus Mogae’s body for public viewing has stirred a unique blend of solemnity and joy. In particular, the village leadership and residents welcomed the moment with heartfelt pride, seeing it as a special opportunity to honour one of their own who left an indelible mark on Botswana.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 15 May 2026

Reflection on Mogae: Power, the politics that built Botswana

There was a time in Botswana politics when the late former president Festus Gontebanye Mogae was not admired in opposition circles. In the trenches of the Botswana National Front (BNF) where many of us cut our political teeth, he represented the face of an establishment we believed was too cautious, too elitist and too distant from the lived realities of ordinary people.

Moeti Mohwasa | 15 May 2026

Mogae’s stoic fight for natural diamonds

For nearly two decades, whenever the global diamond industry came under attack, one voice repeatedly emerged from Botswana to defend it with calm precision and moral clarity. That voice belonged to Festus Gontebanye Mogae.

Lewanika Timothy | 15 May 2026

Pragmatic and point-blank economics

A classic neoliberal who disdained an oversized government. A cool, calm mind during the greatest era of mineral revenues in the country’s history. A strong-headed negotiator who stared down apartheid SACU ‘bullies’. An institution-builder from Independence. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

Mbongeni Mguni | 15 May 2026

Then cub reporter Masego Pilane and Nkhoma interviewing Mogae on his 65th birthday

Walking with president Mogae: Memories of a statesman who carried power lightly

There are assignments in journalism that become more than routine professional duties. They become front-row seats to history. For me, one of those assignments was covering former President Festus Mogae.

Thomas Nkhoma | 15 May 2026

Mogae’s rare tolerance for media

Unlike many heads of State around the world who often view the media as an enemy, former Botswana president Festus Mogae stood out as a rare leader who embraced the press rather than suppressing it. Throughout his presidency from 1998 to 2008, Mogae cultivated a relationship with journalists that was built on tolerance, openness and mutual respect, even during moments when the media strongly criticised him and his government.

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | 15 May 2026

President Mogae was a pragmatic leader. PIC PHATSIMO KAPENG

Remembering the great Lefesto: Anecdotes of a millennial

Former president Festus Mogae passed on a few months before Botswana celebrates its 60 years of independence. In this personal essay, KELETSO THOBEGA goes down memory lane to the early days in her hometown, Lobatse, which is celebrating its 127th anniversary, and remembers Mogae’s legacy.

Keletso Thobega | 15 May 2026

Mogae: The disinclined Statesman

Ryder Gabathuse,Dolly Byrone Thebe | 15 May 2026

Hunt for Ramhago murder suspects 11 months on

Pini Bothoko | 12 May 2026

Ministry stops exam over leak allegations

Pini Bothoko | 12 May 2026

I'm not implicated in the audit – Saleshando

Larona Makhaiza | 12 May 2026

BCP demands release of audit names, entities

Lewanika Timothy | 12 May 2026

Mogoditshane police investigate teen rape

Pini Bothoko | 12 May 2026

Lives continue to be lost on Botswana’s roads almost daily.PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Reckless driving culture fuels Botswana’s road safety crisis

The culture of recklessness on Botswana’s roads, characterised by speeding, impaired driving, and disregard for traffic laws, continues to fuel the country’s growing road safety crisis.

Appearing before a Parliamentary Committee this week, Mosinyi said Air Botswana has been a cash-losing machine. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Air Botswana’s missing millions

The curtain behind the national carrier's deepening financial losses has been lifted, revealing systemic and horrifying occurrences of poor governance and poor financial management that have eaten into the airline's books.

BAMB is facing growing scrutiny following a series of alarming audit findings that expose failures in financial accountability PIC: BAMB

BAMB under fire over unaccounted P196m COVID-19 funds

The Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board (BAMB) is facing growing scrutiny following a series of alarming audit findings that expose failures in financial accountability, governance and oversight involving hundreds of millions of Pula in public funds.

Rapoo said only the affected examination had been suspended at Tlokweng College of Education, PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Ministry stops exam over leak allegations

An investigation is ongoing at Tlokweng College of Education after it emerged that a Special Education examination paper was allegedly leaked.

Audit flags Boko’s preferred direct tendering

Although President Duma Boko insists on direct tendering, the recently released summary of the national forensic audit flags the government’s repeated use of non-competitive procurement, including overuse of direct awards, emergency procurement and restricted methods.

I'm not implicated in the audit – Saleshando

Leader of Opposition (LoO) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president Dumelang Saleshando has expressed immense confidence that his name will not appear anywhere in the forensic audit, maintaining that he has nothing to hide nor any fear.

The Livestock Support Scheme was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Non-Citizens benefit unfairly from livestock support scheme

A government livestock support initiative introduced to cushion farmers against the effects of drought has come under scrutiny after an audit revealed that non-citizens, companies, and non-compliant retailers improperly benefited from the programme, contrary to established guidelines.

Academic cheating must be rooted out

If the allegations are proved, the educator in question stole not only an exam but also the future of honest students who studied hard.The Ministry of Higher Education acted correctly by suspending the Special Education paper at both Tlokweng and Serowe colleges, as reported elsewhere in this edition.Yet stopping one examination is a short-term fix for a problem that is spreading dangerously across the country.The 2025 Botswana General...

The Monitor Editor | 12 May 2026

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Remembering the great Lefesto: Anecdotes of a millennial

Mogae: The disinclined Statesman

Hunt for Ramhago murder suspects 11 months on

Ministry stops exam over leak allegations

I'm not implicated in the audit – Saleshando

BCP demands release of audit names, entities

Mogoditshane police investigate teen rape

Reckless driving culture fuels Botswana’s road safety crisis

Air Botswana’s missing millions

BAMB under fire over unaccounted P196m COVID-19 funds

Ministry stops exam over leak allegations

Audit flags Boko’s preferred direct tendering

I'm not implicated in the audit – Saleshando

Non-Citizens benefit unfairly from livestock support scheme

Academic cheating must be rooted out