No more free help from burdened gov’t

Friday, October 03, 2025 | 760 Views |

Boko addressing UDC members PICS: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

With a significant proportion of the population relying on social protection, the government plans to move away from giving people free assistance as it seeks to reduce public spending pressure.

Under the National Development Plan 12 draft, which will be considered by Parliament at a special meeting from October 13 to November 7, the government is worried that Batswana’s heavy dependence on such programmes raises concerns about their long-term financial sustainability.

Reportedly, out of a national population of 2.3 million, a total of 1.6 million individuals benefit from various social protection programmes across ministries.

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

Boko

Africa Magic Sets ‘Hello Future Me’ Premiere, Sequel to ‘Dear Future Me’ for August 31

correspondent | 8 h ago

This Women’s Month, SuperSport Puts Women at the Heart of the Sporting Story

correspondent | 1d ago

Swiping values continue weak

Mbongeni Mguni | 9 h ago

Selefu

joey kambai | 1d ago

'Cooler box' murder accused cries foul over legal representation

Larona Makhaiza | 1d ago

Clash of Champions: PSG and Aston Villa Set for Historic Super Cup Showdown

correspondent | 1d ago

La Liga Returns: New Season, New Challenges

correspondent | 1d ago

Fire in the sky, misery on the ground

Mbongeni Mguni | 07 Aug 2026

Violence doesn't solve anything!

Our weekly edition carries painful articles of people being murdered. Whilst some are classified as Gender Based Violence (GBV), there are still a large percentage of murder cases, which often happen at drinking spots, after people are heavily intoxicated. We have in the past carried articles where an individual was murdered because they refused to give someone a cigarette, and sadly this is where we are at now!In this very edition, there is an...

The Monitor Editor | 11 August 2026

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.

No more free help from burdened gov’t

With a significant proportion of the population relying on social protection, the government plans to move away from giving people free assistance as it seeks to reduce public spending pressure.

Explore

More

Africa Magic Sets ‘Hello Future Me’ Premiere, Sequel to ‘Dear Future Me’ for August 31

This Women’s Month, SuperSport Puts Women at the Heart of the Sporting Story

Swiping values continue weak

Selefu

'Cooler box' murder accused cries foul over legal representation

Clash of Champions: PSG and Aston Villa Set for Historic Super Cup Showdown

La Liga Returns: New Season, New Challenges

Fire in the sky, misery on the ground

Violence doesn't solve anything!