BOTSWANA’S new president, Duma Boko, has laid out an ambitious roadmap to steer the nation away from its heavy reliance on diamonds. In his first State of the Nation Address on Tuesday, Boko announced plans to diversify the economy by developing industries such as medical cannabis, renewable energy, and technology. ‘The decline in diamond revenues … Read more
BOTSWANA’S newly elected President, Duma Boko, has pledged an uncompromising fight against corruption, warning that all those found guilty will face severe consequences. Speaking during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone, Boko underscored the importance of safeguarding public resources for the benefit of the nation. ‘We must protect public resources at … Read more
FOR the first time in Botswana’s 58-year history, power has transitioned from the long-reigning Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) to the opposition, with Duma Boko, a seasoned human rights lawyer, emerging as the nation’s new leader. The historic victory marks a significant political shift as Boko, leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), takes the presidency after … Read more
BOTSWANA has witnessed a seismic political shift as voters rejected the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) after 58 years in power, paving the way for the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) to take the reins. As of Friday morning, the BDP had secured just four parliamentary seats, while the UDC, led by former human rights lawyer … Read more
BOTSWANA went to the polls on Wednesday to decide if the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed since independence from Britain in 1966, will continue its 58-year rule. President Mokgweetsi Masisi, seeking a final five-year term, faces increased opposition as the nation confronts high unemployment and a struggling diamond-dependent economy. Masisi, 63, a former high school … Read more
ON October 30, Botswana heads to the polls in a national election with President Mokgweetsi Masisi widely expected to win a second term. Masisi, the leader of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), has held power since 2018, and his party has governed the country since independence from Britain in 1966. In this … Read more
INTERNATIONAL election observers have started arriving in Botswana to monitor the nation’s general election, scheduled for October 30. On Tuesday, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) officially launched its observer mission, calling for peaceful and democratic elections. The SADC mission is led by Mizengo Pinda, former prime minister of Tanzania. He emphasised that the mission … Read more
BOTSWANA has awarded Canadian firm Giyani Metals a 15-year mining licence to produce battery-grade manganese, marking a significant milestone for the country’s mining sector. The Kgwakwe Hill (K.Hill) project will process manganese oxide into high-purity manganese sulphate, a critical component in electric vehicle batteries. With China controlling 90 percent of the global supply, this project … Read more
FORMER Botswana president Ian Khama made his first court appearance on Friday after returning from three years in exile to face charges of illegal firearm possession and receiving stolen property. The court had previously issued two arrest warrants against Khama for failing to respond to the charges in April 2022. These warrants were suspended … Read more
LUCARA Diamond Corp, a Canadian mining company, announced the discovery of a colossal 2,492 carat diamond at its Karowe mine in Botswana, marking one of the largest diamonds ever unearthed. The company did not specify the gem quality of the stone but confirmed that its size places it as the second-largest rough diamond ever discovered. … Read more