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Features

Friday, July 04, 2025

Data protection as a compliance and risk imperative

In today’s world, information is power. But without protection, it's a liability, writes TAPOLOGO SELEKA*

TAPOLOGO SELEKA | 04 July 2025

Sharing insights: Seleka

How to talk to Trump, according to a key ally

With the threat of a 37% tariff being imposed on the country this month, President Duma Boko recently said he was eager to engage the U.S administration and vowed to secure mutual agreement. In Abuja last week, a long-time, key ally of Donald Trump offered lessons on how to speak with the U.S leader. MBONGENI MGUNI was in the audience

Mbongeni Mguni | 04 July 2025

Every-changing times: The ongoing revenue challenge facing government has led to tough decisions on students’ sponsorships PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Moment of truth for P3bn tertiary financing

As Botswana pumps another P3 billion into tertiary education this financial year, it is time the country ponders the uncomfortable questions about an entrenched culture of entitlement and whether its billion-pula student financing scheme is sustainable. Mmegi Staffer, TIMOTHY LEWANIKA writes

Lewanika Timothy | 04 July 2025

Done deal: Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, joined other diamond industry players for the landmark agreement in Luanda, Angola

Luanda Accord: Bold new step for natural diamonds

Botswana and several other African diamond producing nations as well as companies and industry bodies, last week signed a landmark agreement to jointly market natural diamonds. Natural Diamond Council CEO, David Kellie, speaks to MBONGENI MGUNI on the historic deal

Mbongeni Mguni | 27 June 2025

Duba Channel, which is a manmade channel from the Okavango River, is blamed by locals for causing a shift in the Okavango Delta waters PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

A shifting Okavango Delta: Jao/Boro channel dying

One of the three main distributaries of the Okavango Delta, the Jao/Boro system, is dying.

Thalefang Charles | 26 June 2025

Demanding change: Boko recently challenged accounting officers to change their operational paradigms PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Who failed Botswana — The technocrats or the system?

With emptying coffers, a bloated public sector, and an undiversified economy, Botswana finds itself at an economic crossroads. Despite decades of relative prosperity, the nation appears to have squandered its moment in the sun. The question now is where the blame truly lies: with the technocrats who have implemented policy, or with the economic system itself? TIMOTHY LEWANIKA writes

Lewanika Timothy | 20 June 2025

Anchoring hope: Kenewendo at the Future of Mining Summit PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Glimmers of hope in mining’s doom and gloom

Between multi-billion Pula expansions in copper and a P3 billion U.S government loan for the Kanye manganese project, mining is alive with hope. Even the troubled diamond sector received a timely boost this week from a landmark marketing deal. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

Mbongeni Mguni | 20 June 2025

Green deal: Debswana managing director, Andrew Motsomi and Botswana Power Corporation CEO, David Kgoboko recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the diamond company’s renewable energy programme PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Debswana’s carbon neutrality efforts gather pace

The country’s foremost miner, Debswana, is leading the industry in minimising its environmental impact through the adoption of renewables, electric vehicles and other technologies. As MBONGENI MGUNI reports, Debswana is well on its way to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030

Mbongeni Mguni | 13 June 2025

Biodiversity, water conservation, equity: Debswana and sustainability

For every hectare of land used for mining, Debswana has committed six hectares to conservation, a remarkable commitment by the country’s leading corporate citizen. Officials say other initiatives around water conservation as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are gathering momentum. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

Mbongeni Mguni | 13 June 2025

In the mix: Botswana is joining other partners for industry-marketing that will revive demand for natural diamonds PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Inside the fightback by natural diamonds

The Natural Diamond Council, the apex global body for marketing natural diamonds, has approached producer nations, including Botswana, to financially contribute to a massive campaign needed to boost demand next year. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

Mbongeni Mguni | 13 December 2024

Diamond downturn: Boko leads US charge to rally recovery

Mbongeni Mguni | 06 June 2025

How satellite connectivity is transforming Botswana’s remote communities

Odirile Tamajobe | 03 June 2025

Lessons from KwaZulu-Natal for Botswana’s tourism future

Sharon Mathala | 23 May 2025

Analysis paralysis and the approaching fiscal storm

Mbongeni Mguni | 23 May 2025

A P24bn budget miscalculation

Mbongeni Mguni,Lewanika Timothy | 23 May 2025

Budget crisis: The stress of not worrying

Mbongeni Mguni | 16 May 2025

Boko calls for compassionate discipline over corporal punishment in schools

President Duma Boko has expressed concern over the persistent use of corporal punishment in schools saying there are other ways to discipline learners.

Beans ‘spilt’ on Masisi, cronies

Everything that has a beginning has an end. This is borrowed from the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, which aptly says, “There is a day for everything”. Writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

Refurbished: National Stadium track during the FNB Golden Grand Prix. PIC: EMMANUEL SIWAWA

National Stadium’s P16m track to be re-done

The Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) has taken a decision to close the National Stadium until September to refurbish the track, which was re-laid recently.

Inside Boko’s struggle to dismantle Botswana’s deep state

When the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) was elected into office in October 2024, it assumed control of the Executive arm of government. However, nine months later, the new administration finds its reform ambitions entangled in the complex web of a public sector it did not create. The question now is whether wielding bureaucratic power alone is enough to remake a public sector when the engine of government suffers from inertia, asks Staffer, TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

Teen accused of stabbing boyfriend granted bail

A magistrate at the Extension II Magistrate Court has granted bail to a teenage girl who is facing charges of unlawful wounding.

Action: Semumu training one of the athletes

BAA urged to act on coach over doping

As doping cases continue to escalate in Botswana, Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) Zone IV manager, Andrew Kamanga has urged sterner action against a coach suspected to be involved in the practice.

Masisi and Khama used to be allies FILE PIC

Khama blames Masisi, Magosi for causing forensic audit

As the forensic audit team seeks to uncover corruption and identify responsible parties for legal action, former president Ian Khama has hinted that his successor, former president Mokgweetsi Masisi, and Director General (DG) of the Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS), Peter Magosi are the two main culprits who necessitated the audit.

No room for perjury

It seems some government accounting officers, sworn to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing else but the truth" before Almighty God, may have deliberately lied during the committee’s vital work. If proven, this is not merely unprofessional; it is perjury, a serious criminal offence and it strikes at the very heart of responsible government.The PAC’s role is fundamental. After each financial year, it painstakingly examines how public...

The Monitor Editor | 08 July 2025