Features :: Mmegi Online

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The P40bn miracle hidden in the hills above Kanye

Just south of Kanye stands Kgwakgwe Hill, a historically important landmark steeped in mystery, culture and – according to the latest geological studies - at least $3 billion manganese riches. The company developing the mine expects to hit full production by 2026, transforming Kanye and surrounding areas, reports Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 28 March 2023

Historic: This particular shaft extends about 100 metres horizontally into Kgwakgwe Hill. Miners who operated there before 1957 and 1971, eventually abandoned the site as prices for the metal declined, while the shaft grew riskier due to the rudimentary mining methods being used PICS: MBONGENI MGUNI

Better days: BCL Mine’s smelter will likely be sold off piecemeal

A dimming copper dream suddenly burns bright

As local copper production bounces back from the meltdown in 2016, the new players have been reluctant to venture into the smelting activities made famous by BCL Mine’s chimney fumes. However, a study due by December could produce a refinery, a value-added step beyond smelting, reports Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 24 March 2023

Decisions due: The Finance Ministry will have the final say on whether pension fund withdrawals are extended for more categories of members

Pension withdrawal debate: NBFIRA focuses on old-age poverty

As the Finance Ministry finalises a study into possibly widening the categories of pension fund members who can prematurely withdraw from their savings, the key questions in the debate are: what is the purpose of a pension fund and when should it help the member? Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Mbongeni Mguni | 22 March 2023

Ratong Women Centre gives vulnerable women hope

Women are exposed to extreme poverty and abuse, face a greater burden of unpaid work, have fewer assets and resources, and earn less than men. This in many cases leads to women being vulnerable to abuse. Ratong Women Centre is fighting the situation, writes Mmegi Correspondent NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 17 March 2023

Celebrating: Local women came together on Wednesday to mark International Women’s Day PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

International Women’s Day: A call to unite

Women have being called to unite, support each other and get out of their comfort zones, to make deeper inroads into the male world of businesses, politics and careers. As Botswana joined the world in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) on Wednesday, everyone agreed that the dream to equality is still far away, reports Mmegi Correspondent, NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 10 March 2023

Still waiting: Lobatse has suffered industrial collapse in recent years, with several key businesses folding. The long-awaited Leather Park, planned since 2014, will be carried out under government’s new development manager model for major projects PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Inside the multipronged fight to boost implementation

The new National Planning Commission will next month officially kick off its mandate of boosting project implementation across government, a mammoth task as the Finance Ministry this week revealed that some ministries have spent just six percent of their development budgets for the year. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI reports

Mbongeni Mguni | 07 March 2023

Public works: Successfully delivering infrastructure projects opens up economic opportunities for citizens
PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

The difficulty of spending P13bn in a year

The mammoth P12.7 billion infrastructure budget proposed by Finance Minister, Peggy Serame and including long-awaited critical projects such as the Francistown-Nata corridor, is a much welcome development. The challenge now facing government is once again implementation, notes, Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 21 February 2023

Long term partners: Masisi and former De Beers CEO, Cleaver, have described the mining partnership as a ‘marriage’ PIC: DIAMOND DO GOOD

Acid test for 54-year old marriage

Signs of stress are emerging in the 54-year old partnership between government and De Beers, over how to share the diamond mining spoils going forward. After six years of talks, the diamond industry’s most secret and valuable agreement faces a few critical months, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 21 February 2023

Women raise voices in SADC wildlife management

JOHANNESBURG – Historically African women have been said to be reluctant to take up leadership roles in almost all walks of life, but the 21st Century has seen the emergence of...

EMMANUEL KORO* JOHANNESBURG: Historically African women have been said to be reluctant to take up leadership roles in almost all walks of life, but the 21st Century has seen the emergence of women leaders and voices in almost all sectors. In the SADC reg | 17 February 2023

Sour end: ISPAAD ended on a bitter note after a stalemate between tractor owners and government over tillage rates for this season. The row resulted in may tractor owners parking their vehicles and forcing farmers to pay out of pocket for diesel The total hectarage planted by communal farmers this season is thus expected to be noticeably lower than previous seasons PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

End of an era: ISPAAD expires after 14 years

“For me, ISPAAD was a waste of money. We gave funds to people and some of them still wound up going into Ipelegeng,” says Assistant Agriculture minister, Molebatsi Molebatsi

Mbongeni Mguni | 08 February 2023

Panda farmers look forward to bumper harvest

Mbongeni Mguni | 03 February 2023

Northern farmers bemoan delayed, erratic rainfall

Chakalisa Dube | 03 February 2023

Mid-season dry spell returns to haunt farmers

Mbongeni Mguni | 03 February 2023

Hoping against hope

Phatsimo Kapeng,Larona Makhaiza | 03 February 2023

Maseko murder: A fresh low for Eswatini

Mbongeni Mguni | 27 January 2023

EU chief hails partnership with Botswana

Mbongeni Mguni | 27 January 2023

The P40bn miracle hidden in the hills above Kanye

Mineworkers union wields knives at Lucara

Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) has resolved to defend its 50 members under the security department of Lucara Botswana against what they term systematic targeting by its Managing Director (MD).

Gov’t phases out Graduate scheme

Following rejection from youth graduates, government has taken a decision to phase out the Graduate Volunteer Scheme (GVS) first introduced in 2015.

Veggie ban bears fruit – Gov't

Government has revealed that due to the vegetable ban, local production of horticulture has increased from 36,244 tonnes to 45,221 tonnes, which is an increase of 25% while food imports, which vegetables are a part of, reduced significantly by at least 23.3%.

Shining bright: Lucara Diamonds keeps digging up huge stones at Karowe PIC: lucaradiamond.com

Lucara responds to BMWU allegations

PRESS STATEMENT: Lucara Botswana has over the last few weeks been engaging the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) on the organisational optimisation process currently undertaken by the company.

Guma finally leaves troubled BPF

Botswana Patriotic Front's (BPF) controversy-ridden Samson Moyo Guma has resigned from the party after a heated national executive (NEC) meeting. Mmegi Staffer SHARON MATHALA caught up with the political ‘nomad’ as he reveals deep intimate ‘secrets’ of the political space.

Man gets 15-year jail term for raping niece

FRANCISTOWN: A Serowe man convicted of raping his niece using violence was sentenced to 15 years in prison yesterday (Tuesday).

Doctor's orders can't be overemphasised

The walk serves to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of using treatment to manage seizure attacks.While many are aware that epilepsy is a medical condition that requires specialised care by health practitioners, there are those who, unfortunately, have other ideas about the condition and often deny their children medical care.These individuals usually associate the medical condition with witchcraft and demonic attacks, and choose to...

The Monitor Editor | 27 March 2023

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End of an era: ISPAAD expires after 14 years

Panda farmers look forward to bumper harvest

Northern farmers bemoan delayed, erratic rainfall

Mid-season dry spell returns to haunt farmers

Hoping against hope

Maseko murder: A fresh low for Eswatini

EU chief hails partnership with Botswana

The P40bn miracle hidden in the hills above Kanye

Mineworkers union wields knives at Lucara

Gov’t phases out Graduate scheme

Veggie ban bears fruit – Gov't

Lucara responds to BMWU allegations

Guma finally leaves troubled BPF

Man gets 15-year jail term for raping niece

Doctor's orders can't be overemphasised