Opinion Analysis :: Mmegi Online

Friday, January 09, 2026

How to make 2026 the year of job creation

Most Batswana would acknowledge that 2025 was a very difficult year for the economy. It was characterised by reduced government spending and reduction in GPOs because of the dismal state of the country’s finances.

Mphoeng Mphoeng | 09 January 2026

Sharing insights: Mphoeng

A letter to President Boko: Ongoing harassment, targeting, and denial of justice

Your Excellency,I write to you as a citizen who has endured persistent harassment, intimidation, and coordinated attacks that make it impossible to believe that things in our country have truly changed. Despite promises of reform and justice, I continue to face organised persecution that violates both my rights and my dignity.

Kevin Tiro | 09 January 2026

The newsroom’s assessment of the UDC gov’t in 2025

As we step into the second year of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in power, Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE engages the newsroom in debating the performance of the UDC-led government in the year 2025 and the expectations in 2026

Ryder Gabathuse | 09 January 2026

Freedom of expression not freedom from responsibility

South Africa’s use of social media to expose crime and demand accountability stands in stark contrast to Botswana’s recent drift towards online hostility, misinformation and personal attacks. The divergence highlights a crisis in local citizen journalism and the urgent need to restore ethical, verified public discourse as the country enters 2026 - writes THOMAS THOS NKHOMA*

THOMAS NKHOMA | 09 January 2026

Legilalators' ratings : According to Mmegi newsroom

As the 13th parliament draws to an end, Mmegi newsroom rated our parliamentarians based on attendance, motions, bills, questions and engagement. According to the newsroom, the best performing MP of the SONA session is a tie between Mother of the House, Hon Dr Unity Dow, Hon Palelo Motaosane and Hon Taolo Lucas.

Staff Writers | 19 December 2025

Botswana caught napping as the world fights information disorders

While the global battle against misinformation gathers momentum, Botswana’s sluggish response exposes a concerning lack of urgency in protecting the information ecosystem. Against this backdrop, claims that the media are “peddling fake news” are not only concerning but deeply instructive, writes THOMAS THOS NKHOMA*

THOMAS NKHOMA | 19 December 2025

From debate to digital warfare: Botswana’s crisis of democratic discourse

What is emerging is not merely the circulation of misinformation but the normalisation of epistemic hostility and escalating refusal to engage with alternative interpretations, however well-grounded they may be, as senior officials increasingly enter digital debates with the same immediacy, emotion and partisanship as ordinary citizens. Writes THOMAS THOS NKHOMA

THOMAS NKHOMA | 12 December 2025

UDC's ministers and senior officials have been more accessible to the media PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO

UDC’s position on media

There have recently been a number of claims that the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is intolerant of the media. Many such claims cite exchanges between President Duma Boko and the media at recent press conferences.

DR PATRICK MOLUTSI | 12 December 2025

Your child has been diagnosed with autism. In an ideal Africa, what should happen next?

Your child has been diagnosed with autism. You have just received the news that your daughter or son is “on the spectrum.” In an ideal world, the next question for you, your family, your doctor – and your government – would be simple: What happens now?

Ntibinyane Ntibinyane | 28 November 2025

Autism isn’t the problem, stigma is

In this article, NTIBINYANE NTIBINYANE* argues that autism is not a defect but a difference, and that stigma, not autism, limits children’s lives. He calls for clearer public understanding, culturally grounded support, trained teachers, and national policies that shift responsibility from families alone to society as a whole

Ntibinyane Ntibinyane | 05 December 2025

Did the UDC rig Kgalagadi South by-election?

Bugalo Chilume | 28 November 2025

Urgent need for Botswana, other African countries to develop a national autism strategy

Ntibinyane Ntibinyane | 21 November 2025

Democracy is fragile, media must wake up

THOMAS NKHOMA | 21 November 2025

SA’s pushback against big tech: Lessons for Botswana media

Kabo Ramasia | 21 November 2025

Reforming the Constitution in a developing country: How mismanaging Constitutional reforms led to electoral loss in Botswana-Part II

ZIBANI MAUNDENI,,BATLANG SEABO,LETSHWITI TUTWANE | 14 November 2025

To De Beers or not to De Beers Part 2: An investment analyst perspective

Mphoeng Mphoeng | 14 November 2025

Homesoils: Tsodilo is hunting for rare earths and critical minerals in the north-west PIC: TSODILORESOURCES.COM

Canadian firm uncovers “significant” critical minerals in north-west Botswana

Canadian minerals firm, Tsodilo Resources, reports that it has discovered “significant critical minerals and rare earth element mineralisation” in its prospecting licence in north-western Botswana.

ABSA call centre manager & Co granted bail

Village Senior Magistrate Tshepo Thedi has granted bail to ABSA call centre manager Tebogo Nthibo, 32, who is accused of swindling a customer out of P702,036.07 alongside his co-accused Leatile Motshabi, 35. The two are granted bail at P10,000 each.

ABSA call centre manager & Co have a case to answer- Court

The Village Magistrate Court has dismissed a preliminary objection raised by accused persons in the ‘ABSA fraud matter’, ruling that the charge sheet, though imperfect, sufficiently identifies the offence alleged and is not vague as argued by the defence.

Court temporarily halts Mzwinila assets seizure

The Gaborone High Court yesterday ruled that the Office of the Receiver must temporarily halt its ongoing asset seizure of former Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Dr. Kefentse Mzwinila.

Teenage girl ends life using school belt

Goodhope police are investigating a suspected suicide incident that occurred at Motlobo village, in which a 17-year-old girl was found dead.

Boko's 'holidays' extremely distasteful – BCP

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Secretary-General (SG) Goretetse Kekgonegile has condemned President Duma Boko’s two recent holidays, one overseas and another in South Africa, describing them as “extremely distasteful”.

BALANCING ACT: Gaolathe is due to deliver the budget speech next month

Budget to feature additional austerity measures

Vice President and Finance Minister, Ndaba Gaolathe, says the upcoming 2026-2027 budget will feature additional measures to “drastically reduce the growth of recurrent expenditure,” in order to stabilise the country’s finances.

Ramogapi & Co should clear the Bonno confusion

According to a report elsewhere in this publication, various district councils announced that a one-bedroom home now costs over P130,000 more, a near-unthinkable 32% increase. This isn't just a minor adjustment, but a devastating blow to the dream of affordable home ownership for ordinary citizens.What is most alarming is not just the scale of the increase, but the profound confusion it has exposed. Minister Ramogapi has publicly...

The Monitor Editor | 13 January 2026

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