10 Jun 2025

Just a year shy of retirement from his job as a driver for Mabutsane District Council Social and Community Development section, Mr Keikotletse Raposo will go down in Botswana’s history books as the first beneficiary of the revamped low income housing, Bonno National Housing Programme.

As the first applicant in the list for the old Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) Turnkey component, Mr Raposo was fortunate to be nominated for the piloting project during the launch of the programme in Mabutsane on March 20.  The launch paved way for the government’s plan to construct 100 000 housing units in three years, which will be offered to the citizenry through various components of the programme. The objective is to provide decent and affordable accommodation to low income earners.

While visiting the project on Thursday, the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi lauded the contractor and other stakeholders for their dedication to the government’s vision.  However, he noted that the pilot project would be used as a yardstick for upcoming housing units, hence it was open for modification. 

“Since this is a pilot project, we have since realised that there are some minor things that need to be corrected, either on the current project or on others which will be constructed after this one,” he explained.

The minister also noted that the provided plans would be continually reviewed to keep up with emerging trends in the real estate market, the same way the old SHHA plans were modified to the current plans. He noted that the plans also had provision for extension in future, hence the high ceilings. He further reiterated the government’s plan to construct 1 000 targeted houses in each constituency, to alleviate accommodation shortage in various places across Botswana.

However, for Mr Raposo, the programme was introduced at a time when he did not have the means to build his family a house. Originally from Khonkhwa in Mabutsane District, the idea of owning a modern house seemed far-fetched owing to financial constraints. His plot was allocated in the early 2000s, and until recently, he had been hopeless.

“I am very happy about what the government is doing because I was long allocated this plot but I could not develop it. This is a good initiative especially for low income earners who do not have access to big loans,” said.

He appreciated the fact that he was allowed to make an alternative payment plan as he prepared to retire from the public service next year. From as low as P350 per month, the programme gives beneficiaries the opportunity to own decent accommodation which range from one to three-bedroom houses, with a variety of plans to choose from.

As the history maker, Mr Raposo’s house is expected to be complete by June 15, and officially be handed over to his family. Mabutsane District acting principal housing officer, Ms Gape Ntamba said the project was progressing well within its stipulated time frame. She said government had partnered with Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) as the implementing partner.

Meanwhile, applications for the 2025/2026 financial year Bonno D4 salary scale and below or equivalent are open in various councils across the country. The scheme is applicable to government, parastatals and private sector employees as well as self-employed citizens with a minimum annual income of P95 001, for either Turnkey or Home Improvement. ENDS