10 Jul 2025

The Bonno National Housing Programme is set to revolutionise access to affordable yet dignified housing for many deserving Batswana.

President Advocate Duma Boko’s launch of the programme in Palapye on Tuesday coincided with smaller, yet equally significant launches at district level with the North East District performing its own.

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n Tatisiding, Thamani Shabani reports that Kgosi Simon Nkgageng of Tatisiding acknowledged the positive impact that will come with the construction of 30 housing units in his village under the Bonno National Housing Programme, saying with the village gradually becoming a preferable residential area due to the increased demand for accommodation in nearby Francistown, it is set to transform the village into an emerging accommodation hub.

Kgosi Nkgageng said in addition to bringing a fresh look to the village once the housing units were completed, the project’s implementation stage carried potential to attract investment and generate the much-needed employment opportunities for local residents.

Due to the growing housing shortage and lengthy waiting lists for residential plots, he was optimistic that the Bonno National Housing Programme would help alleviate the crisis and reduce waiting times for housing in the village.

North East District Council deputy chairperson, Mr Keoagile Gola said Tatisiding was selected due to its proximity to Francistown, making it an ideal spill-over location for the city.

Mr Gola urged the contractor to complete the project on time and within budget, whilst also calling on residents to actively participate in the monitoring and supervision of the construction process to ensure quality and durability, especially against weather conditions.

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n Maun, Esther Mmolai reports that Assistant Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Motsamai Motsamai said through the programme, government was laying a foundation for a future of dignity, prosperity and inclusion for every Motswana.

Speaking at the project site, where the Ohanja Estate, a 55-unit housing complex will be built, Mr Motsamai said the development represented dreams of families who will soon call the place home.

Located in Matlapana, the project aligned perfectly with government’s commitment to providing safe and affordable housing.

“This is not just a housing project, it is a nation building initiative driven by our collective desire to ensure that no Motswana is left behind in the trudge towards housing development in Botswana. Our vision simple, yet powerful, is to enable every Motswana especially the low to middle income earners, ability to access and ultimately own a decent home,” he emphasised.

Mr Motsamai said through the project, government was building safe havens where children would dream, elders would rest while families thrived. 

He reiterated that the initiative will reduce the national housing backlog, which has burdened too many of people for too long, by providing quality, affordable and dignified homes that uplifted livelihoods.

Speaking in respect to the Tati Siding and Maun projects, Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) officials hailed the Bonno National Housing Programme.

In Tati Siding, project leader, Ms Samantha Chabata said the initiative represented a significant milestone in the national effort to provide descent shelter to Batswana.

She emphasised that housing was a basic human need that the project will address.

According to Ms Chabata, the 30 units will comprise 15 two-bedroom houses and 15 three-bedroom houses.

The project she said, will be executed by Obakeng Construction, a 100 per cent citizen-owned company and will create approximately 50 direct jobs within the locality.

Ms Chabata added that the development was expected to stimulate local economic empowerment and growth and deliver sustainable housing solution for civil servants and ordinary citizens alike.

In Maun, head of facilities management Mr Benjamin Olebile said Ohanja Estate was an important milestone in the collective pursuit to provide inclusive, affordable and dignified shelter for all Batswana.

He said the project was a tangible response to the call to action on the accelerated delivery of housing units in Botswana, a deliberate investment in housing and infrastructure development that supported livelihoods, stability and economic mobility.

To ensure optimal participation of citizen contractors, he said the 55 units have been unbundled into packages awarded to different citizen contractors. 

“The contracts have been awarded to 100 per cent citizen-owned contractors with the requisite experience and expertise to carry out the works. The project is expected to create approximately 100 jobs in Maun,” said Mr Olebile.

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n Ghanzi, Malebogo Lekula reports that Morama Ward councillor, Mr Sergeant Lefoko, said that the programme addressed item 11 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which challenged governments to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

He said the 61 000 units launch was a starting point toward the attainment of 100 000 houses that government targeted in a period of two years.

Mr Lefoko therefore called for stakeholder collaboration for the initiative to achieve its intended purpose.

He said Ghanzi District would benefit from it as it promoted the socio-economic status of communities through employment opportunities.

Mr Lefoko implored community members to use the programme to uplift their livelihoods.

Kgosi Annah Rankho of Ghanzi encouraged residents to share the information with others so that many could benefit.

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n Pitseng, Marvin Motlhabane reports that the community gathered at Ms Ntebogang Kokome’s residence to celebrate the groundbreaking programme, where Moshupa District Council chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe announced that Ms Kokome’s house was one of the six planned for construction during the 2025/26 financial year.

He explained that four additional houses would be constructed in Moshupa, while two would be built in Pitseng, completing the targeted six homes.

Mr Sethibe stated the programme’s dual impact, stating that it would stimulate foreign direct investment and create employment opportunities, while facilitating skill transfer to the local populace. 

He said the two main arrangements of the programme, a turnkey model, where the house was handed over to the owner upon completion, and a home improvement scheme intended to assist citizens in finishing their buildings hence encouraged residents to familiarise themselves with the eligibility criteria established for applicants.

Mr Sethibe advised Ms Kokome, as one of the first beneficiaries, to cherish the opportunity provided by government, urging her to not abandon the property as had been the trend with other government housing beneficiaries. 

He suggested renting the house should she need to relocate.

Quoting Hebrews 3:4, Mr Sethibe remarked, “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything,” reinforcing the notion that the Bonno National Housing Programme was a divine project worthy of appreciation and gratitude.

Ms Ntebogang Kokome expressed her heartfelt appreciation and stated that the house budgeted at P90 000 came with a monthly fee of P375, which was manageable even for those relying on casual jobs.

Moshupa District Council, principal technical officer, Mr Thatayaone Dintwe, shared the house design, which included a single bedroom, an open-plan kitchen, bathroom and a veranda. ENDS