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
A time for celebration musn't become a time for fear

In one incident, a young woman awoke in a guesthouse with no memory of how she got there, feeling 'violated' by a man she called a friend. In another case, a 22-year-old was brutally raped whilst walking home with friends in the early hours. And, most heartbreakingly, a 16-year-old girl is at the centre of a defilement case after failing to return home.As we approach the festive season, a time meant for joy and community, these stories...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up