Features :: Mmegi Online

Friday, January 23, 2026

NDP 12 and its associated BETP require the greatest injection ever of private capital in the country’s history, running into hundreds of billions of Pula. One small piece is missing and necessary to gain investors’ confidence, writes MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 23 January 2026

Driving growth: The private sector is taking a greater role in delivering public works PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Tricky numbers: Gaolathe has said he wants to see a greater focus on capital investments and cutbacks on the recurrent budget PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Budget slowdown focuses on the wrong numbers

Budget outturn figures show that government has managed to restrain spending from P97.6 billion to P77.9 billion in 2025-26, with the adjustment falling most heavily on the development budget. While this headline reduction may suggest fiscal discipline, a closer look at the numbers reveals a worrying trend, writes TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

Lewanika Timothy | 23 January 2026

Basic needs: Quality nutrition is a perennial challenge throughout Africa PEOPLESIMAGES.COM

The right to food: Botswana’s unfulfilled promise

The country is debating the establishment of a Constitutional Court. Others want the right to health included in the Constitution, given the ongoing crisis. Mothers, meanwhile, are struggling just to simply feed their children. NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE writes

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 23 January 2026

Decisions: Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, examines a natural diamond at a local cutting and polishing firm. Botswana wants a greater hold of the diamond pipeline PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

De Beers or the copper century?

Are Botswana and De Beers truly meant for each other? The government's push to acquire a majority stake in De Beers from Anglo American suggests it believes they are. A long-shared history, however, can romanticize what is ultimately a financial decision that needs a clear-eyed assessment of price and risk.

KAI XUE | 16 January 2026

New pathways: Standard Ones had their first day of school this week PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Letter to the Class of 2026

To the class of 2026, thank God you are finally here.

Laone Choeunyane | 16 January 2026

Entertainment?: Hundreds of eyes tune into see the violence and vulgarity. In doing so, they reward and encourage more of the same behaviour PIC: NKAFU.ORG

Love, likes and toxicity

They go live almost instinctively as if reaching for the phone is part of the argument itself. Within minutes, Facebook timelines across Botswana light up, hundreds of thousands watching the insults. Conflict and violence become entertainment. SHARON MATHALA argues that the couple is a mirror of society’s own fascination with the material

Sharon Mathala | 16 January 2026

Institutional impact: Standard Chartered shaped the banking sector and the broader financial system over the decades

End of the titans’ era in banking

Having existed together from the dawn of the country’s banking sector, in what one expert called “a comfortable duopoly,” Standard Chartered this week announced its exit, six years after Barclays left. MBONGENI MGUNI writes as a new era beckons

Mbongeni Mguni | 16 January 2026

In the mix: Never Satane (black) coming from behind to claim his rightful position during the Mopako Ranch horse race in Kanaku PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG.

Never Satane: The unstoppable Tswana stallion of Kanaku

In the wild heart of Kanaku, near Mabutsane, a legend gallops - Never Satane, the Tswana stallion that refuses to be tamed. NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE writes

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 09 January 2026

Measured steps: Some progress has been noted in global healthcare, although COVID-19 was a major setback
PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Four years from deadline, the world is just one-third into SDG targets

The bold Sustainable Development Goals promised peace and prosperity. Four years until their 2030 deadline, the world’s countries have only achieved a third of targets and a quarter are actually regressing. MBONGENI MGUNI writes on the challenge

Mbongeni Mguni | 09 January 2026

BETP’s moment of truth

Botswana more than ever needs to diversify its economy. It needs projects that do not merely recycle existing value, but fundamentally alter the nation’s economic fabric from a consumption-based model to one anchored in production, value creation and, ultimately, export competitiveness.

Bone Prince Lekgotla | 19 December 2025

The global pandemic of shortening attention spans

Mbongeni Mguni | 19 December 2025

Protect your heart this festive season - El-Halabi

Baboki Kayawe | 19 December 2025

Reflections of a ‘judicial priest’

Oarabile Mosikare | 19 December 2025

My unforgettable Swaneng Hill challenge

Mompoloki Rankgate | 12 December 2025

Alarm raised to rescue Gopong Primary School pupils

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 16 December 2025

On the trail of Mandela’s long walk

Mbongeni Mguni | 12 December 2025

Montsosa axed from Masaasele after gagged Con Court show

Radio Botswana (RB1) broadcaster Letumile Lets Montsosa has reportedly been removed from the Masaasele morning programme following a tightly controlled broadcast focusing on the Constitutional Court.

Malema stands accused of raping a UB student (name withheld), then 18 at the time, on January 9, 2024.

Defence objects psychologist's testimony in UB rape case

In a rape case involving a former University of Botswana lecturer and Botswana Congress Party member, Brothers Malema, the defence is contesting the admission of an expert clinical psychologist as a witness, describing the move as an ambush.

Teen boy charged with 'murdering' mob member

A case involving a 'vigilante' police officer who allegedly mobilized a mob to assault a group of suspected thieves took a new twist this week when a 17-year-old boy was charged with murder.

With bars operating until 6 am and almost every village had night entertainment, FILE PIC

Festive 'lala vuka' saved youth's lives – Marathe

Police have described the temporary extension of liquor trading hours during the 2025–2026 festive season as a commendable move, saying it helped reduce incidents of drunken driving as revellers were able to access entertainment closer to their homes.

Excitement is building for the The Race Africa Gaborone CBD 2026 Circuit. The event is expected to transform Gaborone lifestyle scene and boost tourism

Posh G2 Series to spice up Gabz’ lifestyle scene

The Gaborone CBD streets will transform into an epicenter of vibrant activity when the Posh G2 Posh Series (Race Africa Gaborone CBD 2026 Circuit), a street racing event finally takes in May.

Khama persistently hunts for Magosi’s 'scalp'

Former president Ian Khama, who now sits at Ntlo ya Dikgosi as Kgosi Khama IV of Ga-Mmangwato, will not rest until the Director-General of the Directorate on Intelligence and Security (DIS) Peter Magosi, loses his job.

Woman kills brother in Paje murder-suicide

A 24-year-old woman allegedly killed her 28-year-old half-brother before taking her own life in Paje village, Rasesinyi ward, on Tuesday.

Child protection needs more than prevailing laws

The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...

The Monitor Editor | 27 January 2026

Features

Explore

More