13 Nov 2025

Former journalist and communications consultant, Mr Spencer Mogapi, has emphasised the need for government to strengthen its communication strategies. 

In an interview post President Advocate Duma Boko’s State-of-the-Nation Address  Mr Mogapi said it was critical for the administration to take control of its messaging and deliver clear, consistent narratives directly to the public.

Mr Mogapi observed that although the country’s economic performance had been below expectations over the past year, there were positive developments that deserved greater visibility. Among these, he cited the government’s investments in green energy projects, many of which were yet to be publicised.

He said President Boko sought to instill hope among citizens amid economic challenges, presenting a vision for recovery. He particularly pointed out the revitalisation of the agricultural sector, which he identified as a key revenue source following the decline in diamond industry’s profitability.

Mr Mogapi also said the president’s plan to increase the national cattle herd was a vital initiative for strengthening Botswana’s agricultural sector. He also commended improvements in payment turnaround times at the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), which he stated had dropped to a week .

He argued that this could encourage farmers to return to BMC instead of selling to butcheries and feedlots, which had previously been preferred due to delayed payments. However, he warned that BMC must continue to reduce payment delays to regain farmers’ trust and business.

Turning to dairy production, Mr Mogapi welcomed government’s plan to import 1,000 Gilorando cattle from Brazil to boost milk production and promote skills transfer.  

He stressed the need for adequate land allocation to committed farmers to ensure sustainable practices, rather than continued reliance on subsidies that had yielded limited economic benefits. 

Regarding the HEMP production initiative scheduled to begin in December, Mr Mogapi acknowledged public skepticism over its success. Nonetheless, he appreciated that the required policies and land allocations had been finalised to support its launch.

On the mining front, Mr Mogapi highlighted President Boko’s interest in increasing Botswana’s stake in De Beers from 15 to 35 per cent, describing it as a strategic move to enhance the country’s control over diamond marketing and production.

He further praised government’s fiscal management efforts, noting a reduction in budget deficits due to spending control measures introduced by the Minister of Finance. These adjustments, he said, demonstrated a shift toward improved financial discipline.

He said while there were significant positive moves and initiatives by government, the effectiveness of its communication strategy appears to hinder public awareness and engagement. Bridging this gap, he said, would be essential to rebuild trust and strengthen citizen engagement. ENDS