Category: Sunday Standard

According to a brief issued by the Botswana Police Service (BPS), fatal road traffic accidents increased by 60 percent during the period under review, rising from five to eight incidents between 2 April and 7 April 2026. In the same period, fatalities also rose from six to eight, despite a decline in the overall number of road traffic accidents nationwide. The police report details a complex picture of progress and deterioration. While total road traffic accidents dropped by 16 percent-from 202 cases in 2025 to 169 in 2026, serious injuries increased by 23 percent, from 13 to 16, and minor injuries more than doubled from 17 to 35.

In one particularly disturbing incident on 4 April 2026 in Mogoditshane, a 28-year-old Motswana man from Gaborone West was killed after being struck by a motorist while pushing his vehicle to a nearby fuel station. Police also confirmed that four pedestrians were fatally knocked down by motorists during the period. ‘Despite sustained efforts by the police and road safety stakeholders to raise awareness, road traffic accidents remain a significant concern in society,’ the BPS said. It notes that ‘These incidents continue to place a heavy burden on the lives of Batswana, often resulting in loss of life, injuries, and economic strain.’

The report attributes the persistent carnage on the roads to unsafe driving behaviour, including speeding, drunk driving, impatience, and the use of unroadworthy vehicles. Although some traffic offences declined such as speeding, which fell by 22 percent, and driving without a licence, which dropped by 17 percent other violations surged.

Drunk driving increased from 291 to 322 cases, while cellphone-related offences more than doubled from 91 to 216, signalling growing disregard for road safety laws. Other offences also rose from 3,779 to 3,944, reflecting a general persistence of non-compliance among motorists.

In total, 7,444 traffic offences were recorded during the Easter period, compared to 7,879 in the previous year, marking a 5.5 percent decrease. However, police warn that the marginal decline in offences has not translated into improved safety outcomes.

Beyond the roads, a trend is emerging in the country’s crime landscape: a sharp rise in violent offences against persons. Police data shows that offences against the person increased by 59 percent in 2026 compared to 2025, rising from 62 to 98 reported cases.

The most significant increases were recorded in threats to kill, which surged from 4 to 16 cases, a 300 percent rise followed by rape, which increased from 18 to 26 cases, and defilement, which rose from 7 to 13 cases. Murder cases also increased from 5 to 8, while unlawful wounding rose from 24 to 29. In a strongly worded assessment, the Botswana Police Service noted that ‘despite enhanced public education, offences relating to morality continue to be a major concern.’

Even more concerning is the high proportion of these crimes linked to gender-based violence (GBV). According to the police, 68.4 percent of all offences against persons in 2026 were GBV-related. Defilement and rape cases were recorded as being 100 percent GBV-related, while murder, threats to kill, and child negligence also showed high levels of gender-based dimensions.

‘Most offences against persons are gender-based violence related,’ the report states, underscoring what authorities describe as a deepening social crisis.

Property-related crimes showed a mixed trend. While total offences against property decreased from 109 to 76 cases-a 17 percent drop-specific categories such as robbery and housebreaking showed worrying increases. Robbery cases surged by 150 percent, rising from 4 to 10 incidents, while housebreaking and theft increased from 13 to 20 cases.

Breaking into motor vehicles also rose from 20 to 23 cases, suggesting opportunistic crime remains prevalent in urban centres. However, other categories such as burglary and theft, store breaking, and stock theft recorded declines.

The Botswana Police Service says these patterns highlight a dual reality: while some categories of crime are declining, violent and opportunistic crimes are becoming more pronounced.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Public Relations Officer Near Bagali acknowledged both progress and concern in the latest figures.

‘In conclusion, the 2026 Easter Holidays were generally peaceful across the country, although a few tragic incidents were recorded in which some people lost their lives,’ Bagali stated. ‘It is evident that a culture of violence is entrenched within communities, especially gender-based violence. This is justified by a number of murders, unlawful wounding, rape, and threats to kill cases recorded during the holidays.’

Security observers say the figures reflect a broader societal challenge that goes beyond policing and enforcement. While roadblocks, patrols, and awareness campaigns continue, behavioural change among motorists and communities remains limited.

The continued rise in GBV-related offences, in particular has raised alarm among stakeholders, with calls for stronger preventive interventions, community engagement and stricter enforcement of existing laws.

It is understood that as Botswana grapples with these troubling statistics, the Easter holiday period has once again exposed the fragility of public safety and the persistence of violence in everyday life. Despite isolated improvements in compliance and reduced accident numbers, the overall picture is one of a society struggling to contain both road carnage and interpersonal violence.

Observers are also of the view that the data is a warning sign that Botswana’s safety challenges are becoming more complex, more entrenched and increasingly rooted in social behaviour as much as in law enforcement gaps.

As Botswana moves toward National Health Insurance under what I have termed Duma Care, global lessons especially from the United States’ Affordable Care Act suggest a simple but critical truth: financing reform cannot succeed without a strong primary health care foundation. This builds directly on my 29 March 2026 article, ‘Duma Care: Can National Health Insurance Deliver Without Strong Primary Health Care in Botswana,’ which raised the foundational question of system readiness. In the weeks ahead, this forms part of a broader series examining comparative NHI pathways drawing on Rwanda and Thailand, while engaging critically with South Africa and Ghana.

A fortnight ago, I argued that National Health Insurance (NHI), as framed through Duma Care, cannot succeed without a strong primary health care (PHC) foundation. That argument has since sparked reflection and debate. It is therefore important to go a step further not to retreat, but to clarify. It is necessary to explain why the comparison with Obamacare matters, and what Botswana can learn not as imitation, but as guidance.

The comparison is not about copying the United States. It is about understanding how politically visible health reforms behave when they meet real systems. That is where the story of Obamacare becomes instructive.

What Was Obamacare, really?

To fully appreciate the logic of the Affordable Care Act, it must be situated within its historical trajectory. The U.S. had, by 1965, already established significant public insurance programs: Medicare and Medicaid. While these initiatives broadened healthcare availability for seniors and those with limited means, a substantial number of working-age Americans remained uninsured.

Consequently, the system was characterized by fragmentation, offering only incomplete coverage rather than a unified solution. In the USA, the Affordable Care Act aimed to fix the problems in the existing health care system , rather than completely changing it.

The aim was clear: expand insurance coverage, reduce the number of people without it, lower healthcare costs, and establish essential protections for consumers.

It operated within a pre-existing framework, one defined by robust private insurance, cutting-edge hospitals, and a well-established regulatory apparatus.

Through insurance marketplaces, subsidies, Medicaid expansion, and protections against exclusion, it extended access within a functioning though unequal system.

Why That Design Matters?

The design of Obamacare reflected the system it entered. The United States already had service delivery infrastructure. The problem was not availability, but access. Institutional capacity also existed. Health Insurance markets and regulatory systems were already functional. Reform could therefore build rather than create.

Political factors also influenced the model’s development. Because a fully public system wasn’t feasible, a hybrid approach was chosen, combining public oversight with private service delivery.

Duma Care in Context

Botswana’s starting point is different. Duma Care is taking shape within a system that’s largely funded by public money, even as financial strains grow. National Health Accounts and recent budgets reveal that the government is still the primary source of funding. However, the available financial resources are shrinking, partly due to slower diamond revenues and the need to address other pressing needs.

Recent system shocks have made these pressures visible. The 2025 medicines crisis exposed vulnerabilities in procurement, financing flows, and coordination. Primary health care remains under-resourced relative to hospital-based care, while governance arrangements continue to evolve.

This is not a criticism. It is a reality. And it matters because NHI is not simply about mobilising funds; it is about how those funds move through a system that must already deliver care consistently. At this point, the comparison with Obamacare becomes a diagnostic tool.

At the same time, discussions around new financing instruments including proposals linked to a national fund managed through structures such as the Botswana Development Corporation add complexity. While resource mobilisation is necessary, the creation of parallel funding streams without integration risks fragmentation. International experience shows that multiple pools without unified governance can weaken accountability rather than strengthen efficiency. The question is therefore not whether to innovate, but whether new mechanisms are fully aligned within a coherent system.

The Core Difference

The distinction is simple but profound. Obamacare expanded access within a system that was already functioning. Duma Care is being introduced into a system still adjusting to fiscal and operational pressures.

In the United States, the central question was how to make care affordable. In Botswana, the question must first be whether the system can deliver care reliably before financing expands. Without that assurance, reform risks amplifying existing weaknesses.

It is precisely when financing ambition outpaces system readiness that reform begins to encounter friction sometimes quietly, sometimes visibly.

Global experience reinforces this point. Ghana expanded coverage but later faced payment delays and sustainability pressures. South Africa continues to grapple with governance and institutional readiness. Zimbabwe’s fragmented financing weakened coordination. These are not failures of ambition. They are reminders that financing reform cannot substitute for system capacity.

Why Primary Health Care Must Come First?

This brings us to the central issue. Primary health care is not peripheral. It is the foundation.

When primary healthcare works well, patients receive timely care, chronic illnesses are managed, and hospitals are less likely to be overwhelmed.

This approach also helps control expenses, resulting in more consistent care.

Where PHC is weak, the opposite occurs: bypassing, congestion, rising costs, and fragmentation.

Countries such as Thailand and Rwanda succeeded because they invested in PHC before expanding insurance. Their reforms were sequenced.

Botswana’s healthcare system illustrates the consequences of imbalance. The situation at Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital shows how tertiary facilities can become overburdened when primary care and referral systems aren’t working well.

These facilities, instead of just being specialized centers, are also responsible for managing conditions that should have been treated earlier. This situation increases costs and puts a strain on the healthcare system.

The issue is not the existence of advanced care, but the order in which system capacity is built.

Is Botswana Ready for NHI?

This is where honesty is required. Botswana has important strengths: a history of public investment, a functioning private sector, and strong political commitment to universal health coverage.

However, there are also clear constraints. Fiscal pressures are increasing. Supply chains have shown fragility. Primary health care remains uneven. Governance systems are still consolidating.

These conditions suggest that while the direction of reform is correct, sequencing matters. Botswana might not be quite prepared for a nationwide rollout of the National Health Insurance scheme as it stands.

This is not a rejection of reform. It is a call for alignment between ambition and readiness.

If Duma Care is to succeed, reform must strengthen the system rather than stretch it.This requires prioritising primary health care, improving governance clarity, and stabilising financing and procurement systems. These are not delays. They are prerequisites.

International experience shows that when these foundations are in place, financing reforms can deliver. Without them, even well-designed policies struggle.

Lessons from Obamacare

There are still lessons Botswana can draw. Political leadership matters. Communication and honesty matters. Equity must remain central. Reform can be incremental.

Most importantly, Obamacare did not attempt to fix everything at once. It expanded coverage within a system already capable of delivering care. That sequencing made it possible.

Duma Care is a powerful and necessary idea. It speaks to fairness, dignity, and the right to health. But systems are not built on vision alone. They are built on capacity, coordination, and trust.

The comparison with Obamacare is not about imitation. It is about fit. Botswana now stands at a critical moment. It can implement NHI in a way that is both effective and sustainable.

The question is not whether to move forward. It is how to move forward wisely. The risk is not that Botswana is moving in the wrong direction, but that it may be moving faster than the system can sustain. In health systems, pace without preparation often comes at a cost.

The author has training and experience in global health policy and financing. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Botswana and completed an MSc in Global Health Policy and Management as a Fulbright Scholar in Boston, United States, where health care financing formed a core area of study, including the Affordable Care Act, National Health Accounts, and health systems strengthening. He also served as a Global Health Fellow at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He holds a PhD in Health Policy and Systems Research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and is affiliated with the University of Botswana. He also served as a volunteer on the 2012 United States presidential election campaign team of Barack Obama, supporting community mobilisation efforts in New Hampshire.

Mochudi Centre Chiefs has suspended five players after they took part in a tournament over the Easter holidays without the club’s approval – an act widely condemned as disrespectful to professional football and the integrity of the game.

The suspended players are Benson Mangolo, Shanganani Ngada, Monty Enosa, Laone Petros, and Brian Tafhi. The players are under professional contracts and their appearances in social Easter tournaments are said to be a breach of Chiefs’ internal regulations.

Sources within the club say management was left with no choice but to act decisively, stressing that discipline and professionalism remain non-negotiable at Chiefs. The decision sends a strong message not only to the individuals involved, but also to the rest of the squad and the broader football community.

Unlike many teams in the league that struggle financially, Chiefs is regarded as one of the most stable clubs. Players are reportedly paid on time and provided with necessary support to focus fully on their football careers. As such, the five players’ actions are not only disappointing, but are also a clear disregard for the standards expected at the highest level of the game.

Local football commentator Jimmy George said the incident reflects poorly on the sport. ‘It is disrespectful to football and very bad for the league. The team did well by suspending them, and the league should also take firm action against the five players,’ he said.

George further explained that participating in social tournaments undermines the elite league, especially when players are well compensated compared to others in less stable teams.

‘It is unnecessary,’ a source close to the club added. ‘When you are treated as a professional and paid well, you are expected to act like one. Playing in unsanctioned social tournaments not only exposes players to injury risks, but also undermines the authority of the club.’

Indeed, participation in informal competitions carries serious risks. Clubs invest heavily in their players, both financially and physically. Any injury picked up outside official matches or training sessions can disrupt team plans and impact performance in key fixtures. For a club like Centre Chiefs, which prides itself on structure and ambition, such behaviour is unacceptable.

The Easter tournament reportedly attracted players from various levels, including amateurs and semi-professionals. However, for contracted Premier League players, taking part without approval is widely seen as a violation of professional ethics and a lack of respect for the sport.

Football analysts say the incident highlights a growing concern within the local game – the blurred line between social football and professional responsibility. While love for the game may drive players to participate in community events, there must be clear boundaries at the professional level.

‘Professional players must understand that their careers come first,’ one analyst noted. ‘You cannot mix professional obligations with social tournaments without consequences. It disrespects the game, the club, and the league.’

For the suspended players, the consequences could extend beyond missing matches. Their actions risk damaging their reputation among supporters, teammates, and management. Rebuilding that trust will require discipline, accountability, and consistent performance upon their return.

Centre Chiefs, meanwhile, will hope the incident serves as a lesson rather than a long-term setback. The club remains focused on its season objectives and is determined to uphold high standards both on and off the pitch.

As Botswana football continues to grow, incidents like this underline the importance of professionalism in protecting the image of the game. At Centre Chiefs, the message is clear: being a professional footballer is a privilege – and failing to respect that is, ultimately, disrespecting football itself.

The much publicised US$12 billion investment deal between Botswana and Qatar’s Al Mansour Holdings is, in reality, just a pledge. This emerged in Parliament last week after Leader of Opposition Dumelang Saleshando asked Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe for clarity on progress since the agreement was signed in August 2025.

At the time, the deal was framed as a transformative injection into an economy facing slowing growth due to heavy dependence on poorly performing diamonds. There were promised investments spanning energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and tourism. Nearly eight months later, however, the government’s own update suggests the headline figure remains aspirational.

Gaolathe told Parliament that the agreement does not constitute a binding financial commitment. Instead, it is a statement of intent by Al Mansour Holdings to invest only in projects that meet strict commercial thresholds. ‘The agreement represents a commitment or pledge,’ the Minister said, adding that any funding would depend on projects advancing from concept to feasibility and ultimately to bankability.

In effect, the burden has shifted to Botswana to produce investment ready proposals.

The Botswana Development Corporation (BDC), positioned as the deal’s central vehicle, has already submitted 21 project proposals to the Qatari firm as of 25 September 2025. These span sectors including logistics, cybersecurity and defence. Months later, there is still no feedback.

Announced by President Duma Boko as one of the largest foreign investment commitments in the country’s history, the deal was presented as a cornerstone of efforts to stabilize and diversify the economy.

The government’s urgency is rooted in deepening structural pressures. A downturn in the global diamond market, long the backbone of the economy, has triggered contractions in growth and exposed the risks of over reliance on a single commodity.

Diamonds account for a substantial share of exports and government revenue, leaving public finances vulnerable to shifts in global demand. Yet the structure of the agreement tells a more cautious tale. Signed as a memorandum of understanding between Al Mansour Holdings and the BDC, the deal effectively establishes a pipeline of potential investments rather than a guaranteed capital injection.

This model, common in large scale international investment frameworks, allows investors to commit in principle while retaining discretion based on project viability. In practice, however, it often leads to prolonged timelines, particularly where projects must still be developed from early stage concepts.

The government’s latest response confirms Botswana remains at the start of that process. The 21 submitted proposals must still undergo feasibility studies, financial structuring and risk assessment before they can be deemed bankable. Only then would Al Mansour Holdings consider deploying capital.

Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) reported a sharply wider half-year loss, as rising impairments, falling loan income and higher funding costs exposed growing strain in its core lending operations.

The state-owned investor posted a group loss of P144.9 million for the six months to December 31, compared with P34 million a year earlier, while total income fell 11 percent to P207.9 million. Operating loss widened to P126.6 million from P27.6 million, signalling a marked deterioration in underlying performance.

A significant portion of the pressure came from expected credit losses, which climbed to P77.5 million from P27.5 million. BDC attributed the spike to a reassessment of credit risk on a single investment exposure under restructuring, highlighting the concentration risk within its portfolio.

At the same time, interest income from loans, a key earnings driver, more than halved to P46.8 million from P113.2 million, reflecting weaker asset performance and reduced cash generation. Finance costs rose to P103.7 million, as the corporation drew down additional funding to support investment activity, further squeezing margins.

Operating expenses increased modestly, with administrative costs rising 9 percent, partly due to ramp-up costs linked to strategic projects including Lobatse Clay Works and Milk Valley.

The balance sheet points to a business leaning more heavily on debt to fund growth. Borrowings increased following a $20 million facility drawdown, while equity declined 3 percent due to cumulative losses. Total assets rose slightly, supported by higher cash balances from undrawn funds parked in interest-bearing instruments.

BDC is now pursuing a one-year turnaround plan focused on capital raising, asset recovery and new investments, as it seeks to reposition itself into a more catalytic investment vehicle ahead of its next strategy cycle.

Top seven (7) in Africa, seventy (70) in the world and COSAFA champions by 2036. That is Botswana Football Association (BFA)’s dream for the country’s senior football national team, the Zebras.

Leading to that, the BFA wants a competitive Zebras that will not wait more than a decade again to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals. The team has to qualify for Afcon and reach COSAFA finals by 2032.

Though admirable, the ambitious vision is bold and difficult, yet not impossible to achieve. As it is, the current senior national team, which did duty at the last Afcon is aging. The team has an average age of 30 years. Fourteen players, making the majority of team, are aged 30-years and above.

Of the remaining twelve, eight are aged between 27 and 29-years. The remaining four players are aged 25-years and under. These are Losika Rathukudu (20), Monty Enosa (22), Tebogo Kopelang (23) and Thabo Maponda (25).

While the BFA’s vision is to have a winning Zebras in ten years, the reality they have to live with is that the current team has short legs to run on. Even four years, let alone two years, is too long to keep the current team as it is. A fusion of new blood is needed quickly to keep it competitive and make the football mad nation happy.

As such, the BFA does not have the luxury of time to develop. Their success in office is closely tied to the Zebras’ performances. Waiting a decade, when the BFA strategic framework 2036 matures to have a competitive national team, is not an option for them.

With this in mind, the BFA has a two-pronged approach to achieve its vision. The long-term approach is to develop young talents aged between twelve (12) and seventeen (17) years for the national team. These players will be aged between 22-years and 27-years and be at their prime in 2036. This is expected to start soon.

The second approach, which is already underway, is to fast track the development of some young talent which can be infused into the Zebras setup. During the recent Mukuru Four Nations tournament, the Zebras fielded a youthful team as part of this plan. As expected, from the Afcon 2025 team, only Kopelang, Enosa and Ratshukudu made it into the that team.

While the team that played in the Mukuru four nations tournament dished out some impressive performances, they are not regular players at team level. They have spent more time on the substitutes’ bench than on the field of play. This has, and continues to hamper their growth and delay their progression to the national team.

This is exacerbated by the absence of development leagues, where they would normally be expected to gain game time and continue their growth. To address this particular problem, new play rules and regulations have been formulated to give the young players much needed game time.

In the coming season, teams in all BFA governed leagues, including the FNB Botswana Premiership, will be compelled to have youth players in their lineups. This is the BFA’s attempt to ensure young players get much needed game time to fast track their development.

According to the new BFA Play Rules and Regulations, it will be mandatory for all clubs to have youth players in their starting line-ups. Premier League teams will have a minimum of ‘three (3) U23 players and minimum two (2) U20 players in the starting eleven.’

For other leagues, First Division League teams will be expected to have ‘minimum two (5) U23 players and minimum three (3) U20 players in the starting eleven,’ Regional Division One teams will have ‘minimum five (5) U20 players and minimum two (2) U17 players in the starting eleven’ and lower Regional League teams will have ‘minimum six (6) U20 players and minimum two (2) U17 players in the starting eleven.’

According to the BFA, these regulations, which come into effect on the 01st of June 2026 are mandatory. ‘A club that fails to meet the minimum starting line-up requirements shall be deemed non-compliant, and the matter shall be treated as an ineligible team selection breach,’ the regulations state.

The regulations further say teams are obliged to give the youth players in the starting line-up minutes. ‘A club shall not circumvent this Article by listing youth players in the starting line-up without intent to play them meaningfully,’ the rules state.

According to the BFA, the purpose of mandatory youth playing minutes ‘is to prevent token compliance and ensure meaningful development exposure.’ ‘Each club shall ensure that at least two (2) of its starting U20 players complete a minimum of forty-five (45) minutes of playing time each in the match.’

‘For avoidance of doubt, the obligation in Article 25.2.2 is satisfied only where: a) the player remains on the field for at least forty-five (45) minutes of match time; or b) the player is substituted due to verified injury, verified concussion protocol, or verified goalkeeper substitution necessity, recorded by the referee and match commissioner.’

‘Substituting a mandatory U20 player within the first forty-five (45) minutes for tactical reasons, time wasting, or token compliance is prohibited and constitutes a breach,’ the new rules state.

They go on to state that ‘where a club starts the required U20 players, but removes them early without permitted grounds, the club shall be deemed to have failed both the development requirement and the participation requirement, and sporting consequences shall apply.’

Where a mandatory U20 player is substituted before forty-five (45) minutes due to injury, the club will be expected to ‘replace that player with another eligible U20 player where available’ and ‘maintain at least the minimum number of U20 players on the field for the remainder of the match, unless additional injuries make this impossible.’

Under the new regulations, ‘sporting consequences,’ for failing to adhere to the rules ‘shall include forfeiture of the match, unless these Regulations expressly provide an alternative outcome or the competent authority determines otherwise on exceptional grounds.’

‘Without prejudice to the BFA disciplinary procedures, the Competition Organiser shall apply sporting consequences in accordance with a published sporting consequences matrix approved by the BFA NEC.’

Commenting on the new regulations in a post-match interview during the recent Mukuru Four Nations tournament, Zebras head coach Morena Ramoreboli said it is a welcome development.

‘It will help us because if these players at their age can play regularly, then we are able to build a strong national team. Secondly, if we are to follow trends and may be policies from other countries, you will realise that in South Africa, they have an under 23 players playing full time in the first division.’

‘It has helped to develop players for the premier league. And there is also the DStv Diski Challenge league. It helps a lot in terms of producing the under 23s, under 21s for clubs that need those players. There’s ABC Motsepe league that also has a policy of making sure that there is age restriction.’

‘So, with us, we have neighbours who are doing something in terms of may be cheating development and it is working for them. We can easily pick it and put it in place and it will work for us. For me, I think it will benefit us a lot.’

‘I think having a policy that will also be emphasising more on development will help us because it means these young boys will get competition playing regularly and it will help us. If it can be done properly, then we are good to go,’ the Zebras gaffer said.

The Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) has released the 2025 Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) results, presenting a portrait of an education system that is managing to carry most students across the finish line, while struggling to produce high-performing candidates.

At first glance, the data points to stability. ‘Among all the Grades awarded this year, 95.65% were Grade G or Better,’ the council said, suggesting that the overwhelming majority of candidates are meeting the minimum threshold. Similarly, ‘the proportion of Grades at E or Better is 78.68%,’ indicating that most students are achieving what policymakers would consider functional pass levels. But the distribution thins sharply at the top.

Only ‘37.07%’ of candidates achieved a C or better, and a mere ‘3.01%’ reached Grade A or better, a figure that underscores a narrow pipeline of top academic performers. In systems analysis terms, Botswana’s secondary education outcomes appear bottom-heavy as they are strong at ensuring baseline competency, but weak in cultivating excellence.

The structural changes to the examination system further complicate interpretation. Education officials have urged caution in interpreting the figures. ‘Because of the significant changes in the assessment structure, comparison of performance with previous cohorts is not relevant,’ the council noted, pointing to the rollout of Botswana Senior Secondary Education subjects, which now make up more than half of the 46 subjects offered. The shift marks a transition year, complicating direct historical comparisons.

Even so, elite performance remains exceptionally rare. The criteria for distinction, at least six A* grades, was met by just ‘eleven (11)’ candidates nationwide, drawn from seven centres. The top-performing student recorded ‘7A*, 2A, and 2C from a total of 11 syllabuses*,’ a strong individual outcome that contrasts sharply with the broader cohort’s distribution.

From a participation standpoint, the candidate pool shrank slightly. A total of 35,366 candidates sat for the exams, down 4.2% from 2024. Female candidates continued to dominate, accounting for 59.18% of entries, compared with 40.82% male. a persistent gender imbalance that may have longer-term labour market implications.

Education experts say the results are best described as mixed, leaning structurally weak at the top end. On the positive side, Botswana’s education system is achieving mass inclusion and minimum competency. A 95.65% rate at Grade G or better suggests limited outright failure, which is critical for social stability and basic workforce readiness.

However, the low proportion of high grades signals a deeper systemic issue. With only 3.01% of candidates attaining A-level performance, the system is producing too few students equipped for competitive tertiary education pathways, particularly in high-skill fields such as STEM, finance, and technology.

World Relays local organising committee has received a major boost ahead of a historic global event. Stanbic Bank Botswana has pledged P5 million to support the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 2026. It is the first time the country and Africa will host the competition, and the funding signals strong backing from the private sector.

The financial support comes just weeks before the event, which is scheduled for May 2-3 at the National Stadium in Gaborone. The relays will attract top athletes from around the world, putting Botswana in the international spotlight.

Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng, said the event is a defining moment for the country. He noted that hosting a global athletics competition requires strong partnerships, proper planning and serious investment. He said the support from Stanbic shows confidence in Botswana’s ability to deliver a successful event.

‘This is Botswana’s time to shine,’ Kelebeng said. ‘We all have a role to play in making this event a success.’

Stanbic Bank Botswana says its P5 million contribution is about more than just sport. The bank believes events like the World Athletics Relays bring real benefits to the country. These include job creation, tourism growth and increased global visibility.

Chief Executive Chose Modise said sport has the power to unite people and create opportunities. He added that the bank is proud to be part of a historic moment for Botswana.

‘Sport brings people together and builds national pride,’ said Modise. ‘We want to help deliver an event that the country will be proud of for years.’

The World Athletics Relays is expected to draw athletes, officials and fans from different parts of the world. Hotels, transport services and local businesses are likely to benefit from the increased activity. The event also gives local athletes a rare chance to compete at home against some of the best in the world.

Stanbic’s involvement in sport is not new. The bank has supported several sporting events and teams over the years. These include the Nomads Nationals cricket tournament, Township Rollers Football Club and the Gaborone Marathon. It is also the sponsor of the Stanbic Bank Gaborone Golf Club.

This latest investment is seen as a continuation of that support. The bank says it is committed to helping develop local talent and growing sport in communities across the country.

Head of Brand and Marketing Stephanie Sandridge said Botswana has always produced strong athletes. She believes hosting the relays will inspire young people and open new opportunities.

‘Now the world will come to us,’ she said. ‘This is a big moment for Botswana, and we are proud to be part of it.’

The local organising committee is working with government and international partners to prepare for the event. Preparations include upgrading facilities, planning logistics and ensuring security for athletes and visitors.

The National Stadium is expected to be the centre of activity during the two-day competition. Fans will have the chance to watch high-level relay races, including Olympic-style events that test speed, teamwork and precision.

For Botswana, the relays are more than just a sporting event. They are a chance to show the country’s ability to host world-class competitions. It is also an opportunity to build a lasting legacy in sport and infrastructure.

As the countdown begins, excitement is building among sports fans and athletes. With strong backing from both government and the private sector, expectations are high.

Stanbic Bank Botswana’s P5 million pledge has set the tone. Now all eyes are on Gaborone as it prepares to welcome the world.

Government’s flagship labour-based relief programme, Ipelegeng, set to transform from a purely welfare-based intervention to promoting skills development appears to have undergone a change in name only. A document seen by Sunday Standard shows that key conditions among them wages and working hours have remain unchanged. This has raised questions about whether the reform is more cosmetic than substantive.

In a circular dated March 26, 2026, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, directed all council secretaries, town clerks and tribal administrators to submit project proposals for implementation under the revamped programme for the 2026/2027 financial year.

The directive follows earlier communications dated March 11, 2026, on the ministry’s development budget and December 15, 2025, which approved the transformation of Ipelegeng into Ikageng.

Despite the rebranding, core features of the programme remain intact. The circular states that the programme allowance will remain at P817.00 for labourers and P901.00 for supervisors, while working hours will continue at six hours per day.

‘The current number of beneficiaries (quota) will still be observed as employment targets,’ reads the Savingram. It added that districts must focus on creating sustainable opportunities within those limits.

The ministry has, however, introduced structural adjustments, including the scrapping of monthly worker rotation. Participants will now remain engaged for the duration of specific projects which is a shift the ministry says is meant to improve efficiency and accountability.

The programme’s transformation was first revealed by Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, who told Parliament in October 2025 that reforms were already underway. ‘The transformation of Ipelegeng programme from a purely welfare-based intervention to promoting skills development is in full swing,’ said Motshegwa.

He emphasised that the restructured programme aims to move beyond short-term relief. ‘The Ipelegeng programme remains one of the most recognisable pillars of our social protection system, providing immediate relief and income support to vulnerable citizens across the country. To this end, we are undertaking a comprehensive transformation of the programme for it to promote productivity and pathways to sustainable livelihoods,’ he said while presenting the Social Protection Chapter of the draft National Development Plan 12.

‘These reforms are about restoring dignity and enhancing self-reliance,’ he said, adding that the goal is to ensure public works contribute meaningfully to both social protection and national development. It is understood that as the Ikageng programme rolls out, the unchanged wages and conditions are likely to fuel debate over whether the reform represents genuine transformation or simply a change in name.

Accessing basic public services such as medical care and police assistance is becoming increasingly difficult for citizens in Botswana, a new Afrobarometer report has revealed.

The study, titled ‘Inadequate access and corruption mark public service delivery for many Africans,’ paints a troubling picture of growing barriers to essential services with Botswana showing notable declines in key areas.

According to the survey, 44 percent of Batswana who sought medical care said it was difficult to obtain while half (50 percent) reported challenges in accessing police assistance.

‘Only about half of those who sought services say it was easy to obtain medical care or police assistance,’ the report notes.

More worrying for Botswana is the direction of change. The report indicates that difficulty in accessing medical care has worsened over time, while challenges in obtaining police assistance have also increased significantly.

Between 2014/2015 and 2024/2025, Botswana recorded a 12 percentage point increase in difficulty accessing medical care and a 16-point rise in challenges in securing police assistance signalling a clear deterioration in service delivery.

This aligns with the broader continental pattern, where Afrobarometer found that ‘obtaining public services appears to have become more difficult’ over the past decade.

Sixty six percent of respondents reported visiting a public health facility in the past year, while 31 percent sought police assistance which is among the highest rates on the continent. ‘Health, security, and other public services dominate citizens’ agenda for needed government action,’ the report states.

The report further highlights that poorer citizens are disproportionately affected, with economically disadvantaged groups significantly more likely to report difficulties in accessing both health care and police services.

Beyond access challenges, corruption continues to plague service delivery. Across Africa, 36 percent of respondents who sought police assistance said they had to pay a bribe, while 22 percent reported paying for medical care.

The survey shows that difficulty in accessing police assistance has increased by 16 percentage points over the past decade while access to medical care worsened by 12 points. Only identity document services showed improvement becoming easier to access by 7 percentage points.

Despite these access challenges, Botswana stands out as one of Africa’s least corrupt countries when it comes to public service delivery.

The report states: ‘We see the best performance on this critical indicator in Botswana, Cabo Verde, and Seychelles-all with 10% or less on all four types of services.’

In Botswana, only 10 percent of citizens reported paying a bribe to avoid problems with police, while just 5 percent paid bribes for police assistance or identity documents, and a mere 2 percent for medical care.

This places Botswana among the continent’s top performers, especially when compared to countries like Liberia, where 74 percent of respondents reported paying bribes to police.