The crisis gripping Botswana’s beef industry has shaken a cornerstone of the nation’s economy to its core, yet from the turmoil emerges a beacon of hope and transformation. In January 2025, the detection of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a cattle herd in Botswana’s Zone 6b triggered ripples that reached far beyond farms and ranches. By early 2026, the European Union had suspended Botswana’s beef export authorizations across multiple zones, effectively shutting off access...
Botswana’s beef export industry, long a cornerstone of the nation’s economy and global reputation, now faces a dire test. Since the first detection of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in April 2026 at the Ramatlabama Artificial Insemination and Training Centre, the outbreak has spiraled rapidly, with 159 confirmed cases spreading across the Good Hope district to cattle handling facilities and feedlots near Lobatse. This viral incursion threatens to unravel decades of painstaking efforts to maintain...
The world turns on the axis of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, fields collectively known as STEM. These disciplines are the engines behind everything from the smartphones in our pockets to the complex systems that manage healthcare, energy, and infrastructure worldwide. Yet, as we stand on the brink of an era dominated by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change, a pressing question emerges: Are we educating tomorrow’s STEM professionals to meet the challenges of the...
On the cusp of Emergency Medicine Day on May 27, the spotlight falls on a specialty that is quietly reshaping healthcare delivery worldwide, emergency medicine. St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada is underscoring the critical role emergency medicine specialists play in managing the unpredictable, high-stakes environment of emergency care. This specialty, often called the “ultimate medical generalist,” demands a rare blend of rapid decision-making, clinical versatility, and emotional resilience. As healthcare systems...
South Africa and Botswana are poised to sign a landmark agreement to safeguard water quality and combat aquatic invasive species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin. The pact, anticipated during the 6th Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission in Gaborone, underscores deepening scientific collaboration on shared transboundary water resources. Officials say the agreement will enhance ecosystem monitoring, protect biodiversity, and bolster climate resilience across one of Southern Africa’s most vital river systems. Pemmy Majodina...
For years, Rose Seretse stood at the center of Botswana’s most politically sensitive corruption investigations, probing powerful figures, scrutinizing the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), and exposing allegations of graft and abuse to the public. Now, the former director general of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has earned one of Africa’s highest honors in the fight against corruption, becoming the first Motswana recognized by the Commonwealth Regional Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa...
A P1.57 billion water supply project meant to serve villages in Kgalagadi and Ghanzi has encountered another legal setback. Tawana JV, the consortium awarded the contract after a protracted court battle, has formally rejected a recent Letter of Acceptance from the Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, calling it invalid and legally non-compliant. Following a Court of Appeal ruling on March 27, 2026, which confirmed Tawana JV, a 100% citizen-owned joint venture made up of...
Reports reaching the WeekendPost newsroom reveal that an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Zone 11 has disrupted the rollout of Phase I of the Milk Valley Expansion Project in Lobatse. The outbreak has led to a temporary suspension of the importation of 1,000 heifers from Brazil, which were expected to significantly boost local milk production capacity. This setback comes at a critical moment as Botswana intensifies efforts to reduce its dependence on...
Former President Ian Khama is gearing up for what could become one of Botswana’s most politically sensitive public inquiries in recent memory. He plans to mobilize former cabinet ministers and senior government officials to defend the decision to close BCL Mine, as President Duma Boko’s administration moves forward with a Judicial Commission of Inquiry. Nearly a decade after the collapse of BCL Mine sent shockwaves through Selebi-Phikwe, the debate over whether the government made the...
A new global study on sexual harassment in the media industry has uncovered a troubling reality inside newsrooms worldwide: sexual harassment remains widespread, deeply underreported, and often ignored by media organizations themselves. Released in partnership with [partners], the 2025 report draws on responses from more than 2,800 media professionals across 21 countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Arab region, and Ukraine. The findings reveal that nearly one in three media workers have experienced some form...
