Category: Sunday Standard

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.

Botswana’s economy shrank sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025, weighed down by a steep contraction in the mining sector, even as agriculture and several non-mining industries showed resilience.

Latest figures indicate that real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 5.4 percent during the quarter under review, a deeper decline compared to the 1.9 percent contraction recorded in the same period in 2024. On a quarter-to-quarter basis, the economy declined even more sharply by 11.4 percent, underscoring mounting economic pressures.

The downturn was largely driven by significant declines in key sectors, particularly Mining and Quarrying, which plummeted by 47.0 percent. The sector’s collapse was primarily attributed to a 54.6 percent drop in diamond production, alongside declines in coal and soda ash output, which fell by 13.3 percent and 8.2 percent, respectively.

Other sectors also recorded contractions, with Construction shrinking by 2.3 percent, while Water and Electricity declined by 1.3 percent, reflecting reduced domestic electricity generation and imports.

Despite the overall economic downturn, agriculture emerged as a bright spot in the economy with the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector expanding by 4.2 percent which is a significant turnaround from the 1.9 percent contraction recorded a year earlier. Growth in the sector was largely driven by a 5.7 percent increase in livestock farming, supported by a dramatic 193.2 percent surge in cattle deliveries to the Botswana Meat Commission.

In terms of sectoral contribution to GDP, Public Administration and Defence remained the largest contributor at 18.2 percent, followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade at 13.2 percent, Construction at 12.1 percent, and Mining and Quarrying at 6.8 percent, reflecting the latter’s diminished role during the quarter.

The Wholesale and Retail Trade sector grew modestly by 4.1 percent, although this represented a slowdown from 7.8 percent growth in the previous year. Similarly, Accommodation and Food Services posted a slight improvement, growing by 3.8 percent, supported by gains in both accommodation and food services activities.

In the utilities sector, electricity output declined by 5.0 percent, reversing a strong 78.1 percent growth recorded a year earlier. This was largely due to reductions in both domestic electricity generation (down 11.6 percent) and imports (down 12.1 percent). In contrast, the water subsector grew by 5.8 percent, offering a partial offset.

The Afcon Morocco 2025 has come and gone. It had taken Botswana more than a decade to qualify since they made their maiden appearance at Afcon 2012.

As was the case back then, Botswana came unstuck from their recent AFCON outing. The chasm between the country’s players and their counterparts from the rest of Africa was too wide to fathom.

Ranked as the lowest among the whole lot, the Zebras lived to that billing. No win or draw, seven goals conceded, no goals scored and not surprisingly, the first team on the plane back home. This was another chastening experience.

But unlike in the aftermath of her similarly chastening experiences of 2012, valuable lessons, hard as they may be, were learnt. From the ashes of the Afcon Morocco 2025, Botswana, like a phoenix, plans to rise.

No longer willing to wait another decade to qualify and ‘just participate,’ the Botswana Football Association Technical Development Committee (BFA TDC) has come up with a plan.

That plan comes in the form of a visionary strategy known as the BFA Strategic Framework 2036. The ten-year strategic framework was presented to the BFA National Executive Committee (BFA NEC) for adoption during its meeting at Cresta Thapama in Francistown this past weekend.

The presentation was made by two of the country’s experienced coaches and administrators, Dr Daniel Tau and Sikalame ‘Six’ Keatlholetswe. The two were accompanied by BFA Technical Director Kaelo ‘Wire’ Kaelo and BFA vice president technical Tebogo ‘Tico’ Kamati.

As a BFA NEC member at the helm of technical department, Kamati says the framework is ‘a 10-Year Long-Term Athlete Development Plan, guided by a clearly defined Botswana Football DNA.’

The framework is expected to be implemented in ‘manageable four-year cycles,’ and implemented through annual operational plans. The process of implementation is expected to start immediately. The initial process, which is the revision of the BFA strategy by the TDC, will commence this month.

Speaking to Sunday Standard Sports on the sidelines of the BFA NEC meeting, Tau and Keatlholetswe described the strategy as one that ‘will guide all BFA operations for the next ten years.’ It is expected to also create a clearly defined Botswana Football DNA.’

‘We are talking about a vision for football in the country. And the important thing is that we want this vision for football to be aligned to the national vision. This is why we are now talking about a ten-year strategic framework,’ Tau says.

This alignment with Botswana’s Vision 2036, is particularly in context of the country’s ambition of building ‘a high-income economy supported by stronger institutions, human capital development, youth opportunity, national pride and international competitiveness.’

‘We want to align to the national vision so that when Botswana evaluates itself in 2036 with regards to where they are with the high-income status they want, football should say we contributed we have contributed in this manner.’

‘During these ten years, we want to see ourselves develop players who will of course excel in football, but at the same time should be able to trade their talent by playing in lucrative leagues globally as professional players,’ Tau explains.

To ensure there are yardsticks to measure success, the strategic framework will have Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and high-level targets. At the end of the ten years vision in 2036, the Zebras and the Mares should be champions at COSAFA level.

In terms of continental and world level rankings, the Zebras should be in the top ten (10) in CAF rankings and top sixty (60) in the world, while the Mares should be top seven (7) in Africa and top seventy (70) in the World.

Enroute to those lofty rankings, it is envisaged for both the Zebras and the Mares to be semi-finalists at COSAFA level in 2028 and finalists by 2032. In terms of rankings, the Zebras should be in the top twenty (20) in Africa and top 100 in the world by 2028, while achieving a top fifteen (15) ranking in Africa and top eighty (80) in the world by 2032.

The Mares on the other hand will be expected to be in the top twenty (20) in Africa and top 120 in the world by 2028, and be in the top ten (10) in Africa and top ninety (90) in the world by 2032.

To achieve this, both Tau and Keatlholetswe say there will be a need for continuity irrespective of who assumes the leadership at BFA. As such, they believe that with the strategic framework in place, whoever assumes the BFA office will work towards achieving the vision instead of tearing down everything to start his or her own new vision.

While not entirely taking football politics out of football development, it is envisaged that the strategic framework will minimise its interference. ‘Just like with the national Vision 2036, whoever comes will work towards achieving the vision of this strategic framework. It will only be reviewed when it reaches its maturity, thus ensuring continuity.’

As this is a long-term vision, the development of players who will help achieve this mainly targets talented players between the ages of 12 years and under 17 years. These players will be expected to be aged between 22 years and 26 years and in their prime when the vision ends in 2036.

‘To achieve this, we want to find that one generational talent who can make the country and the world stand up. Unfortunately, no one knows where that player is. So, we will have to spread our net wide across the country and find the player because if we miss them, it will take many more years to find another.’

‘All these things that we do. This strategic framework as well as everything that it entails, is all working towards finding that generational talent wherever it may be,’ Keatlholetswe explains.

Tau and Keatlholetswe say the country should never wait more than a decade to qualify for another AFCON. As such, the strategic framework will ensure the country has a holistic approach towards achieving this.

Botswana’s energy regulator moved to steady public anxiety after reports of a steep electricity price increase triggered concern among households and businesses already grappling with rising costs. In a statement dated April 1, the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) said claims that electricity tariffs for the 2026/27 financial year had been increased by 46% were premature and unfounded.

‘It has come to our knowledge that there are reports circulating, especially on social media, that the 2026/27 electricity tariffs have been adjusted upward by 46%,’ the Authority said, signalling growing sensitivity around energy pricing in the southern African nation.

The regulator emphasised that no final determination has been made on an application submitted by Botswana Power Corporation (BPC), the state-owned utility. ‘The public is informed that a decision has NOT yet been taken on the tariff application by BPC,’ BERA said, adding that it is still reviewing stakeholder input following public hearings held on February 10.

The clarification highlights the delicate balance policymakers face as they weigh cost-reflective tariffs against affordability concerns in an economy where electricity remains a critical input for both industry and households. A sharp increase, if approved, could ripple through inflation, affecting everything from manufacturing to food prices.

BERA sought to reassure consumers that the process remains ongoing and consultative. ‘The Authority is still assessing this application taking into account the submissions made by stakeholders,’ it said. While the denial may cool immediate fears, it underscores that a significant tariff adjustment is still under consideration. The regulator said it would communicate the outcome through official channels ‘once a decision has been taken,’ leaving markets and consumers watching closely for the next move.

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.