Features :: Mmegi Online

Friday, May 01, 2026

How the Diacore Gaborone Marathon is helping feed Botswana’s children

Fresh off a highly successful 2026 edition held on 26 April, the Diacore Gaborone Marathon has once again demonstrated why it remains one of Botswana’s most significant sporting events. This year’s race drew nearly 11,000 participants, alongside hundreds of volunteers, partners and supporters, reinforcing its status as a flagship occasion on the national calendar.

staff writer | 01 May 2026

On the go: The Diacore Gaborone Marathon 2025

Heart of the matter: Natural diamonds have demonstrably been transformation for Botswana PIC: LUCARA

It’s not blood diamonds, it’s diamonds for good

In 2006 Leonardo de Caprio starred in the popular “blood diamonds” movie, igniting what would become an inflection point in the perception of natural diamonds. What was meant to tell a story of conflict and exploitation in some parts of Africa quickly morphed into a challenge that continues to weigh down the diamond industry, writes TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

Lewanika Timothy | 01 May 2026

Presiding: Kebonang PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

Landmark ruling tightens DNA testing standards in inheritance disputes

A recent High Court judgment by Justice Dr Zeinub Kebonang has set a significant precedent in Botswana’s family and succession law, sharply limiting the circumstances under which courts will compel DNA testing in disputes over paternity and inheritance.

staff writer | 24 April 2026

Flying the flag: Increasing numbers of global events are being hosted in Botswana PIC: EMMANUEL SIWAWA

Let’s fully exploit benefits of hosting major international events

Over the past few years, Botswana has increasingly positioned itself as a host of major international events across sectors such as tourism, investment and trade, arts, and, more recently, sports.

Thuso Palai | 28 April 2026

Adding lustre: Boko and Kenewendo unveiled the diamond-embedded medals on Monday PIC: WORLD RELAYS

The natural nexus of God-given gifts

Ahead of the World Relays, the country’s elite athletes are gathered in camp on the diamond soils of Letlhakane. The diamond-embedded medals on offer also show off the country’s world-renowned tourism. God-given gifts are shining for the world in the Diamond Jubilee year, writes MBONGENI MGUNI

Mbongeni Mguni | 24 April 2026

Under the radar: The San community continues to bear the brunt of poverty and lack in the country

How land, jobs and water decide which children starve

In the Boteti region, the fight against child malnutrition has a face and it is overwhelmingly the San. Behind the statistics of a UNICEF, Japan & Red Cross programme is a family of 22 living in one yard and children whose only shot at growth comes from a feeding scheme. NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE writes

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | 24 April 2026

Joint effort: Boko hailed the groundbreaking as an example of closing the gap between intent and execution

From Oman with love

With the president of Oman’s $53 billion sovereign wealth fund in the audience on Thursday, President Duma Boko celebrated a major economic win and spoke of sleepless nights, hard travail in clinching the massive energy deal. He also berated ‘naysayers, doomwatchers’. MBONGENI MGUNI writes

Mbongeni Mguni | 17 April 2026

Everyday scenes: Casablanca was calm and carefree, despite the conflict raging elsewhere in the Middle East

A journey through North Africa in uncertain times

For years, I had longed to visit Morocco and Egypt to experience their ancient history. But when the opportunity finally came, it arrived at the wrong time.

Pauline Dikuelo | 17 April 2026

Lihle (right) met with the High Commission of South Africa, Thaninga Shope-Soumah in Gaborone

Teen visionary Lihle takes Pan-African youth mission to Botswana

At just 18, Bhaswelihle 'Lihle' Zilwa is fast emerging as one of Africa’s most inspiring young voices. From publishing a motivational book at 14 to founding an academic club at 13, the South African teenager is now driving a bold continental initiative, called the 100K Teens Challenge, aimed at inspiring and impacting 100,000 young people across Africa.

Pini Bothoko | 17 April 2026

Heavy lifters: Consumers of alcohol boosted Sechaba’s revenues despite tightening economic conditions

Booze economy going strong despite tight budgets

In a tightening economy where households are trimming budgets and businesses are feeling the squeeze, one sector won’t succumb to the downturn and that is the booze economy. Recent official figures from producers showed strong sales year on year, writes TIMOTHY LEWANIKA

Lewanika Timothy | 10 April 2026

BBS confident of scaling greater heights

Mbongeni Mguni | 10 April 2026

Inside the plan to turn Air Botswana around

Mbongeni Mguni | 03 April 2026

Industry players push against Botswana Oil import quota

Mbongeni Mguni,Pauline Dikuelo | 03 April 2026

The Yin Yang of Mogoditshane's economic boom

Lewanika Timothy | 03 April 2026

A surprise sparkle for diamonds

Mbongeni Mguni | 03 April 2026

Why steady, asset-backed businesses matter in uncertain times

COMFORT RANKGOMO | 27 March 2026

Milestone: The CCA secured a historic cartel settlement at the Competition Tribunal yesterday PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

CCA settles with Hollard; case proceeds vs BIC, Old Mutual

The Competition and Consumer Authority (CCA) today brings a legal suit against Botswana Insurance Company and Old Mutual for allegedly participating in a long-running scheme to impose mark-ups on spare parts, dictate labour costs to auto-body repairers and force repairers to buy parts only from their preferred suppliers.

Botswana pins economic hopes on new commercial court

In a bid to move Botswana’s investment climate and clear congested civil cases rolls, the Judiciary has established a specialised commercial court.

World Relays ticket sales in late surge

What began as a slow and uncertain ticket rollout for the 2026 World Athletics Relays has turned into a late surge, with sections of the National Stadium sold out or nearing maximum sale, and others steadily filling up as the event draws near.

Prosecution looms as forensic audit flags 80 senior officials

Despite not naming any individuals or entities in the summary of the forensic audit, the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, says prosecutions will be the defining outcome of the much-anticipated investigation

Every drop: The WUC is owed hundreds of millions of Pula in arrears

Auditor General flags P105m billing errors at WUC

The Auditor General (AG) has uncovered at least P105 million in billing irregularities at the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), confirming long-standing concerns raised by customers over unusually high and inaccurate water bills.

Ready to go: Part of the relay team that will represent Botswana PIC: BAA

Sport hits pause for World Relays

Local sporting activities will come to a near standstill this weekend as Botswana shifts its full focus to World Athletics Relays 2026, the biggest athletics spectacle ever staged on home soil. From Saturday to Sunday, the National Stadium will be the centre of global attention, with the country hosting athletes in a competition that now stands above every previous international event staged locally in both scale and prestige. In a show of alignment, local sporting codes have deliberately stepped aside to allow athletics to take the spotlight.

US, Jamaica stars absent, but the show rumbles on

As the Debswana World Relays show rolls into action at the National Stadium tomorrow, top track stars from the United States of America (USA) and Jamaica will be missing. The two countries have some of the world's top rated relay teams, and in particular, the local fans were anticipating an exciting duel between Botswana and America's 4x400m men's relay teams.

Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

The Monitor Editor | 05 May 2026

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