Mmegi

Key oversights, insufficiently addressed issues in Budget Speech

Setting policy: Gaolathe PIC KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Setting policy: Gaolathe PIC KENNEDY RAMOKONE

The 2025/2026 Budget Speech delivered by Botswana’s Minister of Finance, Ndaba Gaolathe, outlines a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the country’s economic challenges and setting the stage for long-term growth.

The speech highlights several positive developments, including the successful renegotiation of the diamond agreement with De Beers, which is expected to bolster Botswana’s position in the global diamond market.

Additionally, the government’s commitment to diversifying the economy through investments in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy is commendable. The proposed increase in old age pensions and the introduction of a targeted monthly allowance for newborns are also steps in the right direction, reflecting a focus on social welfare and inclusivity.

Editor's Comment
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...

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