Category: Sunday Standard

Titans Softball Club wants to grow the sport big by taking it outside the usual cities into new areas.

The club plans to host the Makgadikgadi Grand Slam Series in Nata, near the Makgadikgadi Pans. The club hopes the event will help softball reach more people across Botswana.

Teams affiliated with Botswana Softball Association, both male and female, will be invited to take part in the tournament. The tournament is scheduled for the Independence holidays in September this year.

Historically, softball in Botswana is played in urban areas, especially in Gaborone, where there are better facilities and more support. This has made it difficult for the sport to grow in other parts of the country. Titans believes taking the game to Nata can help change that.

Nata is located along a busy road in the northeast known for its proximity to the Makgadikgadi area. The club believes this makes it an appropriate place to host a tournament that combines sport with travel. Players and supporters will not only watch games but also experience a different part of Botswana.

The club wants the Makgadikgadi Grand Slam Series to be more than just a normal tournament but the tournament of note. It plans to include activities that will attract fans and keep them engaged throughout the event. This includes proper scheduling, good facilities, and an organised match programme.

Gabantese said Titans is serious about delivering a professional event. She explained that the club is focusing on strong competition, good playing conditions, and smooth organisation. ‘We want to deliver a high-quality tournament that raises the standards locally,’ she said.

To make this happen, Titans has asked companies and partners to support the tournament. The club says it needs sponsorship to run the event properly and to make it attractive for both players and fans.

‘We are inviting sponsors and stakeholders to be part of this softball tournament,’ said the club’s secretary general, Atlang Gabantese.

She said the idea is to create a tournament that benefits all. Sponsors will get exposure for their brands while also helping to develop sport in the country. For Titans, the goal is to build something that can grow every year.

She added that sponsors will have many ways to be involved. These include branding at the venue, marketing opportunities, and digital promotion before and during the tournament. The club is also open to ideas that can improve the overall experience for players and fans.

For Titans, this tournament is not just about one event. It is part of a bigger plan to grow softball in Botswana and make it more popular. By moving games away from traditional centres, the club hopes to introduce the sport to people who have not had the chance to watch or play it before.

‘We see this tournament as an important step in growing softball beyond the traditional centres,’ Gabantese said.

However, the success of the event will depend on support. Without enough sponsorship, it will be difficult to organise the tournament at the level the club wants. At the same time, good planning and execution will be key to making sure the event runs smoothly.

Titans remain hopeful that businesses and partners will come on board. The club believes the Makgadikgadi Grand Slam Series has the potential to become a regular event and help build the sport in new areas. Depending on its success, the tournament could open the door for more events like this in the future. For now, Titans is focused on making the first edition a success and showing that softball can grow beyond the big cities.

The government has moved to draw a firm line between intelligence work and public procurement. Minister of State President Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament this week that the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Service (DIS) ‘has no legal authority to award, direct, or cancel procurement.’

Responding to a question from Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando, the Minister sought to address long standing concerns that the spy agency had strayed into government procurement decision making.

‘The Directorate of Intelligence and Security Service has no legal authority to award, direct, or cancel procurement,’ Mohwasa told Parliament. ‘It shares security related intelligence with procurement authorities, which make independent decisions.’

The response comes amid persistent allegations that the DIS had exerted undue influence over procurement processes under the previous government.

Mohwasa emphasised that procurement decisions rest solely with legally mandated bodies. ‘Institutions such as the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority retain full and independent decision making powers,’ he said. ‘Any allegations of improper influence can be reported to oversight authorities such as the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime.’

Saleshando had also asked whether courts had found the DIS to have acted outside its mandate. In response, Mohwasa said there is no centralised record of such judgments.

‘Providing a definitive figure would require an extensive case by case review,’ he said, adding that ‘adverse findings are taken seriously, and measures are taken to ensure compliance.’ On financial accountability, the Minister said the DIS operated without external audit from its establishment in 2008 until 2018, when it opened its books to the Auditor General. ‘Oversight structures are now operational, except for the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security, which is expected to become operational soon,’ he said.

Regarding the agency’s broader role, Mohwasa said the DIS contributes intelligence to financial investigations where national security is implicated. On the Bank of Botswana matter, he said ‘a holistic examination is underway.’

He added that updates on administrative, institutional and oversight reforms would be tabled before the Parliamentary Committee on Intelligence and Security once it is fully operational.

Far from the battlefields of the Middle East, Botswana is already counting the cost.

‘The conflict’s ripple effects – energy, freight and fertiliser are already transmitting into Botswana through higher fuel and import costs,’ says Taimur Khilji, an economist with the United Nations in Botswana. His recent presentation warns that the shock is not theoretical: it is already feeding into prices, trade and household welfare.

At the centre of the disruption lies the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Ship traffic has fallen by roughly 97 percent since late February, severely constraining global energy flows. The result has been a sharp rise in oil and gas prices, with Brent crude climbing by about 27 percent in early March.

Botswana’s vulnerability is structural. The country imports all its fuel and about half its electricity, while more than 60 percent of its goods pass through South Africa. This leaves it acutely exposed to global price shocks.

The transmission is swift. Fuel costs push up transport prices, which account for nearly a quarter of the consumer basket. Food and housing costs follow, amplified by rising fertilizer and freight prices. Inflation, in short, becomes broad-based.

The shock comes at a difficult moment. Botswana’s economy has already contracted and unemployment remains high, particularly among the youth. A prolonged war could deepen fiscal pressures, widen the trade deficit and dampen diamond demand.

As Khilji notes, the burden will not be evenly shared. Low-income households those spending the largest share on food and transport stand to bear the brunt of a crisis that began thousands of kilometres away.

Sechaba Brewery Holdings Limited has delivered what may be the closest thing to good news in Botswana’s current economic mood: people are still drinking.

Through a cautionary statement published on X-News, Sechaba Brewery Holdings Limited said profit before tax for the year ended December 31 is expected to rise between 12 percent and 22 percent, an increase of between P41 million and P75 million from the P339 million recorded in 2024.

In a year where diamonds have lost some sparkle and liquidity has been tighter than a bar tab at month-end, Sechaba’s performance suggests that when times get tough, consumers do not necessarily cut back, they simply reprioritise.

The company credited the improved outlook to stronger contributions from associate companies, a polite corporate way of saying its underlying beer business did the heavy lifting. In Botswana’s economic hierarchy, beverages appear to be holding their ground better than luxury exports.

While detailed numbers remain pending, the update points to steady demand in fast-moving consumer goods, particularly those that come chilled and preferably in multiples.

Investors will now be watching whether this growth was driven by higher volumes, firmer pricing, or simply more ‘strategic hydration’ across the economy.

Sechaba said full audited results will be released by March 31, when the market will get a clearer view of margins, dividends and whether this momentum can be sustained.

For now, shareholders are advised to trade cautiously though the company’s outlook may already have given them something to toast to.

In an economy under pressure, Sechaba’s message is clear: resilience sometimes comes bottled.

Botswana is stepping up efforts to secure duty-free access for its rough diamonds into the United States, signalling it will not retreat from its push to cut tariffs from 15 percent to zero despite a shifting global trade landscape.

Minerals and Energy Minister Bogolo Kenewendo said government remains committed to removing the levy entirely, after successfully negotiating it down from 37 percent last year. ‘We will continue our efforts until there are no tariffs imposed,’ she said, describing the move as critical to restoring competitiveness in Botswana’s diamond sector.

The tariff was introduced in April 2025 under a reciprocal trade framework targeting countries with perceived imbalances. Following diplomatic engagement , the rate was reduced to 15 percent in August, with further proposals now under consideration by Washington.

Officials say negotiations remain ongoing, with Botswana opting for a measured approach rather than reactive policy shifts. Naledi Madala, a senior policy adviser at the Ministry of Finance, said government would prioritise long-term economic strategy over short-term responses to global trade volatility.

The stakes are high. While Botswana’s direct exports to the US are limited, the country sits at the centre of the global diamond supply chain. The US accounts for more than half of global diamond demand, with Botswana’s stones typically cut and polished in hubs such as India, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium before reaching American consumers.

That pipeline is now under strain. Tariffs on key processing centres including India and the UAE are adding friction to an already weak market, compounding pressure from subdued global demand.

Botswana’s lucrative beef export market has suffered another blow after the European Union (EU) joined the United Kingdom in imposing restrictions on imports of fresh bovine meat from the country following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

In a new directive, the European Commission amended its regulations to suspend the entry of fresh meat consignments from parts of Botswana previously authorised to export to the EU.

The move follows confirmation of FMD outbreaks in cattle establishments in the North-East District. The development raised fears that the disease could spread and threaten the bloc’s animal health systems.

According to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/451, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure due to the risk of the disease entering the European Union through imported meat.

‘The entry into the Union of consignments of fresh meat of certain ungulates from the veterinary disease control zone 3c in Botswana should no longer be authorised,’ the EU states.

Botswana first notified international animal health bodies on January 28 about a suspected outbreak of the disease in cattle, which was confirmed a day later. Additional outbreaks were later detected in five more cattle establishments in the same region.

Four of those outbreaks occurred within veterinary disease control zone 3c which is an area that had previously been cleared to export beef to the EU.

The suspension effectively removes that zone from the list of areas allowed to send fresh meat to the European market.

The EU’s decision comes just weeks after the United Kingdom imposed similar restrictions.

The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced in February that imports of fresh bovine meat processed on or after December 30, 2025 from Botswana would be temporarily restricted until the extent of the outbreak becomes clear.

The UK warned that the decision was necessary to protect Britain’s livestock sector.

‘Until the extent of the outbreak of disease in Botswana is clarified, imports into Great Britain of fresh bovine meat processed on or after 30 December 2025 from Botswana should be temporarily restricted,’ Defra said in a notification to veterinary authorities.

The restrictions also apply to meat shipped from Botswana but dispatched from cold storage facilities in neighbouring South Africa.

It is understood that Botswana’s beef industry, long regarded as one of the country’s key agricultural export sectors, has historically relied heavily on the European market, where its beef enjoys preferential access under trade agreements.

The EU said the amendments to its import rules were implemented with urgency due to the evolving epidemiological situation in Botswana.

The measures were adopted following consultations with the bloc’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.

Reports indicate that Botswana is now under pressure to contain the outbreak quickly in order to restore export access to one of their most important international markets.

Sunday Standard open source investigation has revealed that when Botswana goes to the 2029 general election, the country’s youth electorate will be the largest in history, and the fate of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government may hinge on whether young people can find work.

During the election campaign, the UDC pledged to create 100, 000 jobs within its first 12 months in office and between 450,000 and 500,000 jobs within five years. So far, the first year target has not been achieved, putting pressure on the government to meet the five-year goals before voters go to the polls in 43 months.

By 2029, between 91, 000 and 139, 000 youth voters could be unemployed, depending on whether the UDC government delivers its job creation promises. That represents 21-32 percent of the youth electorate, a group that could decisively swing the election.

According to preliminary results from the Statistics Botswana 2024/25 Multi Topic Household Survey, unemployment among youth aged 15-35 is already 28.9 percent, with young women hardest hit at 30.7 percent. National unemployment stands at 21 percent. The survey revealed that unemployment among people aged 15 and above has increased from 17.6 percent in 2015/16 to 21 percent in 2024/25.

While the increase appears modest, the numbers reveal a structural shift in Botswana’s labour market. Over the past decade, Botswana’s population grew 14.2 percent ro 2.37 million. The labour force grew 21.7 percent and employment increased 16.7 percent. This means jobs are being created, but not fast enough to keep up with the number of people entering the labour market.

If current trends continue and the UDC fails to meet its job creation targets, youth unemployment could rise to 32 percent. About 139, 000 youth voters could be unemployed, representing 32 percent of the youth electorate. National unemployment could climb to 22-23 percent. This scenario would create a large economically frustrated youth voting bloc that could swing the election against government. This would mirror the conditions that contributed to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) losing in 2024.

In 2024, youth aged 18-35 made up about 32 percent of registered voters and projections indicate that by 2029 they are expected to make up roughly 35-38 percent of registered voters. Many of them will be first-time voters entering the electorate for the first time.

In raw numbers, in 2024 about 370,000 youth voters were registered. By 2029, roughly 420, 000 – 450,000 new young voters could enter the electorate. This means the youth vote alone could be enough to swing the election.

If the definition of youth is extended to 18-39, they made up around 45 percent of registered voters in 2024 and the figure is expected to go up to 48 percent by 2029. So if you include up to 39, roughly half the electorate will be youth.

If the government successfully creates the promised 450,000 to 500,000 jobs by 2029, youth unemployment could fall to around 21 percent. About 91,000 youth voters could still be unemployed, representing 21 percent of the youth electorate. Total employment however, could rise to 1.25-1.30 million, dramatically reducing national unemployment. Although an estimated 91,000 youth voters would still be unemployed, the UDC would go to the 2029 election having delivered the largest job creation expansion in modern Botswana history.

The long-distance bus industry is facing renewed scrutiny after labour inspections uncovered widespread violations involving excessive working hours, unpaid overtime and denial of rest days for employees.

The issues surfaced in Parliament last week following a question by Maun East MP Goretetse Kekgonegile, who asked the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs to brief the House on labour conditions in the sector.

In response, the ministry acknowledged that it has not yet conducted comprehensive inspections across the entire long-distance bus sub-sector. Instead, authorities have relied largely on spot checks aimed at assessing compliance with labour laws.

Labour Minister Pius Mokgware said the inspections have revealed several recurring problems affecting workers in the industry. These include failure by employers to pay overtime, unauthorised salary deductions, denial of rest days and the requirement for employees to work extended hours that may lead to fatigue.

According to Mokgware, the problems reflect broader compliance challenges within parts of the transport sector.

Botswana’s Employment Act stipulates that employees should not work more than nine hours in a single day or exceed 45 hours in a five-day working week. Any additional hours must be compensated at an overtime rate equivalent to one and a half times the worker’s normal hourly wage.

Drivers in the long-distance bus industry are classified as skilled employees, meaning their remuneration is expected to reflect their level of responsibility, experience and technical ability.

Mokgware said disputes relating to working hours and pay have been recorded, with non-compliance attributed partly to misunderstanding of labour legislation and, in some instances, exploitative practices by employers. Government said labour reforms introduced under the Employment and Labour Relations Act of 2025 aim to strengthen worker protections and address concerns raised about working conditions in the sector.

Botswana’s unemployment rate has increased to 21 percent, reflecting continued pressure in the country’s labour market as more people enter the workforce.

Preliminary results from the 2024/25 Botswana Multi Topic Household Survey released by Statistics Botswana show that the unemployment rate among people aged 15 years and above has risen from 17.6 percent recorded in the 2015/16 survey.

The survey shows that while employment has grown over the past decade, the number of people looking for work has also increased.

Statistics Botswana estimates that the employed population rose to 804,663 in 2024/25, compared with 689,528 recorded in 2015/16.

During the same period, the labour force expanded to 1,018,099 people from 836,734 previously.

The survey also indicates that youth unemployment remains high. The unemployment rate among young people aged between 15 and 35 increased to 28.9 percent, compared with 25.1 percent recorded in 2015/16.

Young women recorded a higher unemployment rate of 30.7 percent while young men stood at 27.2 percent.

The report further shows that the country’s extended unemployment rate, which includes discouraged job seekers who are willing to work but are no longer actively searching, declined to 27.3 percent from 32.5 percent in the previous survey.

Statistics Botswana says the findings provide an early picture of labour market conditions and will help inform policy discussions around employment creation.

First Capital Bank Botswana has launched a new cross-border payments platform that will allow customers to receive money from across the Southern African Development Community region in real time, positioning the lender at the forefront of regional payments integration .

The service, known as Transactions Cleared on Immediate Basis (TCIB), enables instant, secure and lower-cost transfers for high-volume, low-value transactions. The bank said it is the first in Botswana to receive cross-border payments through the TCIB platform, marking a shift from traditional transfers that can take days to clear .

The rollout initially supports transfers from South Africa to Botswana through SendHome, and from Zimbabwe to Botswana via ZB Bank, with the system designed to accommodate multiple SADC currencies as participation expands.

Thatayaone Nicholas Matlapeng, Country Head of Retail Banking, said the solution is aligned with SADC governments’ push to strengthen regional payments integration and advance financial inclusion. By reducing settlement times and transaction costs, the platform is expected to benefit migrant workers, small traders and families who rely on frequent cross-border remittances .

First Capital Bank Botswana is part of FMBcapital Holdings Plc, a regional banking group with operations in five SADC markets and total assets of more than US$2 billion. Locally, the bank employs over 250 staff and serves more than 38,000 customers .

The introduction of TCIB adds competitive pressure in Botswana’s banking sector, where lenders are racing to modernise payments infrastructure amid growing demand for faster and more affordable digital transactions.