Features :: Mmegi Online

Monday, August 08, 2022

A familiar uncertainty sets over the economy

Debswana, the country’s main economic actor, is on track to break a six-year record in sales, while government reserves and the budget are also shaking off the COVID-19 slump. However, as has so often happened in recent years, dark clouds are gathering on the horizon, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 08 August 2022

Hard times: The economy suffered its deepest contraction since Independence in 2020 when COVID-19 hit PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Shaping narratives: Anti-hunting lobbyists often target their campaigns around dissuading tourists from travelling to countries whose conservation policies they oppose

Propaganda drums beat louder as CITES’ summit nears

Information wars between pro and anti-hunting lobbyists, scientists and governments are peaking ahead of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species’ key meeting in November. Southern Africa and Botswana in particular, as host to the world’s largest elephant numbers, is again at the centre of the firestorm, reports Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 29 July 2022

Heart of the matter: Pelaelo and his senior management expect
the new Act to boost the bank's activities PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

New BoB Act: Inside the Ts and Cs

Legislators on Monday passed the most comprehensive amendments to the Bank of Botswana Act in 26 years, providing protection from influence, tightening borrowing to government, clarifying its priorities and improving governance structures, among others. Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI secured audience with top Bank officials on the changes

Mbongeni Mguni | 29 July 2022

Mega project: The Chobe-Zambezi water transfer scheme has a component that will supply the Pandamatenga farms area and boost the country’s food production and security PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Clouds hang over govt’s pursuit of PPP billions

Government has officially invited private capital to help finance the upcoming NDP 12 which kicks off next April, saying its ability to keep funding public works is weakening. Already ministries have been asked to compile their proposed projects but as Staff Writer MBONGENI MGUNI notes, tough challenges await

Mbongeni Mguni | 22 July 2022

Step by step: Participants during the walk

Makgadikgadi YCare walk: Tough but therapeutic

The Makgadikgadi YCare walk which started 17 years ago with the mandate of raising funds for different charitable organisations across the country, remains one of the most therapeutic but difficult walks available locally. Mmegi Correspondent, LESEDI MKHUTSHWA was among those walking recently

Lesedi Mkhutshwa | 22 July 2022

When children terrorise villagers

The African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” is to some extent still relevant. The import of this adage is that the “village” should provide a safe and healthy environment where children are given the security they need to develop and flourish, and to be able to realise their hopes. But what about if some children break the trust by terrorising the very same villagers that nurtured them? Where must a delicate balance of the law be struck between their interests and other competing interests? Mmegi Correspondent LEBOGANG MOSIKARE asks following the appearance of two minors at the High Court

Lebogang Mosikare | 22 July 2022

Hitting back: Kemarskiy in his interview with Mmegi this week PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Russian ambassador: Don’t blame us for food, fuel price crisis

With food and fuel prices spiralling in Botswana and across the world, much of the blame has been laid at Russia’s feet for its invasion of Ukraine which kicked off turmoil in a world already weakened by COVID-19. Answering questions from Mmegi Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI, Moscow’s man in Gaborone, Ambassador Andrey Kemarskiy, says nothing could be further from the truth

Mbongeni Mguni | 15 July 2022

Shiny stones: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February has set of demands for greater censure at the KP level

Abusive nonsense: Alrosa chief’s explosive Kasane speech

At a meeting of global diamond body, the Kimberley Process, in Kasane last month, Russian representatives faced off against pressure for Moscow’s diamonds to be sanctioned for the Ukraine invasion.

Mbongeni Mguni | 15 July 2022

Head to head: Banda’s board fired Okai (right) in May. The former chair and two other board members resigned before the recent AGM under pressure from shareholders

Déjà vu for Letshego as old troubles resurface

In 2019, Letshego shareholders watched as an exodus of executives and disagreements over strategy wiped P2 billion off the company’s market value. The microlender has rallied since then, but again faces familiar turbulence, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 08 July 2022

Unimpressed: Yoboue had strong words for the Kimberley Process’ closing ceremony PIC: KPCS.ORG

Consensus paralysis: KP faces rocky road to reforms

Having failed to agree on debating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after a four-hour stand-off in Kasane last week, Kimberley Process members are now focussed on reforming the global conflict diamonds body. However, the same consensus requirement that foiled the Russia debate is set to complicate negotiations on the reforms, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 04 July 2022

Sir Seretse Khama: The man of the people

Tshwarelo Hosia | 01 July 2022

One-sided match against inflation reaches injury time

Mbongeni Mguni | 24 June 2022

Controversial “spy bill” stokes rare public debate on civic surveillance

Mbongeni Mguni | 24 June 2022

Battlelines drawn ahead of Letshego AGM

Mbongeni Mguni | 17 June 2022

Pressure piles on Russia ahead of Kasane meeting

Mbongeni Mguni | 17 June 2022

Tears of a fatherless child

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 17 June 2022

On the move: Makwala was told to leave the Athletes Village

BNOC attempts to evict Makwala

Attempts by the Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC) to evict 400m runner, Isaac Makwala from the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village in Birmingham this week, hit a brick wall.

Accused persons: The men implicated in the murder of Kopong teacher

Traditional doctor distances herself from murder

The fourth accused person in the gruesome murder of a teacher who was recently butchered at Kopong shocked multitudes who had thronged the Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court by distancing herself from the incident.

Seratiwa Tebogo (Mother) and her son Letsile Tebogo PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

Kanye: The village that bore Botswana a world champion

KANYE: It is a village famous for giving Botswana its second president in the late Sir Ketumile Masire. Now, Kanye has returned to gift Botswana the world’s fastest U-20 runner in rising global star, Letsile Tebogo.

'My husband never consulted traditional doctors'

Member of Parliament (MP) for Lobatse, Thapelo Matsheka’s spouse has refuted damning allegations made by the State that her husband consulted with numerous traditional doctors to avoid being arrested in relation to Tlotso Karema’s murder.

Panelists during this year’s Multichoice Botswana content Showcase event PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Multichoice slashes prices

MultiChoice Botswana has announced a decrease in prices in line with government’s recent Value Added Tax (VAT) reduction.

BURS case opens can of worms

The criminal case involving the alleged loss of millions of pula from the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) is opening a can of worms.

Matsheka’s short-lived political career

Since former minister of finance and current Member of Parliament (MP) for Lobatse, Dr Thapelo Matsheka was relegated from presiding over the country’s coffers to a junior minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Matsheka has been trying to stand his ground and fight political wars. But in the latest development, his remarkable powers of political survival have finally run out, Staffers MOMPATI TLHANKANE and TSAONE BASIMANEBOTLHE trace his short-lived political career

Let the law take its course

When the news broke, a fierce debate ensued. While some members of the public believe that the law should take its cause, there is a section of the population that believes the move to detain the MP is politically motivated.Matsheka has been in the custody of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security since August 2 and the warrant of arrest was allegedly obtained on August 4, two days later.The issue of alleged ritual murders has never been an...

The Monitor Editor | 08 August 2022

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