Bakgatla Royal Brothers Clash

Tensions are rising among the Bakgatla Ba Ga Mmanaana tribal chiefs, as Acting Kgosi Oscar Mosielele contemplates legal action against his older brother and substantive Kgosi, Kgabosetso Mosielele, over the multi-million Pula Ipelego Trust. At a kgotla meeting on Friday, Kgosi Oscar revealed that former President Mokgweetsi Masisi has driven a wedge between him and Kgosi Kgabosetso, shaking the foundations of the royal court and dividing the Mosielele ruling house all the way down to...

Kesitilwe nominated for iGaming AFRIKA Choice – Person of the Year award

In the bustling world of African iGaming, where innovation meets opportunity, one name has emerged as a beacon for the continent’s rapidly evolving digital betting landscape: Peter Emolemo Kesitilwe. His nomination for the prestigious “iGaming AFRIKA Choice – Person of the Year (Male)” award at the upcoming 2026 iGaming AFRIKA Summit Awards is not just a personal accolade, it’s a reflection of the transformative impact he has had on the African iGaming sector. This award,...

Letlole La Rona Reports 7% Revenue Growth and 97% Occupancy as Portfolio Fundamentals Hold

Revenue increased by 7% to P106.9 million (Dec 2024: P100.2 million) Occupancy levels remained strong at 97%, with collection rates at 97% Net fair value loss of P4.5 million Profit before tax decreased to P40.6 million (Dec 2024: P82.6 million) Interim distribution of 4.40 thebe per linked unit (Dec 2024: 6.31 thebe), reflecting a more conservative capital allocation approach Letlole La Rona Limited (“LLR” or “the Group”) has announced its unaudited financial results for the...

Botswana faces rising debt challenges amid fluctuating revenues

Botswana is confronting growing fiscal challenges as rising public debt, a widening budget deficit, and soaring household borrowing put increasing strain on the country’s economy. The nation’s heavy dependence on diamond revenues, primarily from Debswana, has left government finances vulnerable to global market swings, pushing the government to rely more on borrowing to fund its operations. This has tightened both public and household balance sheets, raising alarm among policymakers and international observers alike. Projections for...

University of Botswana Green Campus Transformation

The University of Botswana (UB) is making a bold leap toward environmental leadership, unveiling an ambitious Green Campus Programme that could redefine sustainability across the African continent. In a sweeping initiative that spans water conservation, waste recycling, and solar energy deployment, UB is positioning itself not just as an academic institution but as a living laboratory for green innovation. This is no mere token effort; it’s poised to save millions in utility costs while drastically...

Inside Botswana’s Prison System: 22 Facilities Housing 4,457 Inmates

Botswana’s prison service currently manages 22 facilities, including a center for illegal immigrants, with an official capacity of 4,337 inmates. This information was disclosed this week in Parliament by Nelson Ramaotwana, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, during his committee of supply presentation for the Botswana Prison Service (BPS). As of March 18, 2026, the prison population stood at 4,457, including two children accompanying their mothers, Mr. Ramaotwana revealed. This number exceeds the authorized...

Gaolathe’s 60% debt ceiling:  Saleshando implacable

As 2026 unfolds, Botswana’s storied economic stability is under unprecedented strain, laying bare a clash of visions within its political elite over how to navigate mounting financial pressures. A recent parliamentary battle over raising Botswana’s debt ceiling from 40 percent to 60 percent of GDP has exposed stark disagreements between the government, led by Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe, and the opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP), headed by Dumelang Saleshando. This debate...

BDC vows to rewrite Botswana’s economic script

Botswana is rewriting its economic script, and at the heart of this transformation is the Botswana Development Corporation Limited (BDC), under the stewardship of its relatively new Managing Director, Oteng Keabetswe. The contrast between past and present could not be starker. Historically, the BDC managed a portfolio of around P5 billion, which yielded a modest P50 million in revenue. Today, just seven months into Keabetswe’s leadership, the corporation has injected P550 million into strategic investments,...

Air Botswana suspends regional routes, focuses on tourism revival

Air Botswana has suspended three regional routes in response to mounting financial losses, as the government seeks to stabilize the national carrier. The airline reported a substantial revenue shortfall over a nine-month period, prompting urgent restructuring efforts. Officials describe the move as part of a broader strategy to strengthen both the aviation sector and tourism industry. The airline has discontinued flights connecting Gaborone with Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, Gaborone with Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International...

The Court of Appeal has delivered a landmark ruling, upholding the death sentences for three inmates – Ernest Legwale, Thato Tsametse, and Elijah William – ordering them to hang until death. Meanwhile, in a contrasting twist, the appeal of Rivers Kekana, another death row inmate, was successful, granting him reprieve from the hangman’s noose. Ernest Legwale’s case is steeped in a grim narrative of mistaken identity and dark beliefs in witchcraft. Convicted for the murder...