18 Nov 2025

Since assuming the reigns of state power in 2024, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government has been working toward improving systems of governance for the benefit of the nation. 

This was said by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs and also Mmadinare legislator, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa when contributing to the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) debate on November 17.

Already, Mr Motshegwa said the government would lead a comprehensive review of the constitution in order to improve the country’s legal framework, ensure checks and balances, and that all were offered unalienable rights. 

He further said government would also work on legislation to strengthen the role and independence of oversight institutions such as Parliament, Ombudsman and the Directorate on Corruption of Economic Crime in order for them to provide necessary checks and balances. 

The government has also been working on the restoration of trust in the judicial system, and in better accountability and proper management of public finances, he said. 

Mr Motshegwa further said the government was keen to implement social protection measures, including increasing the old age pension allowance to P1,800, introducing a P300 child grant, as well as the construction of 100,000 affordable housing units through the Bonno National Housing Programme.

He also said a Community Based Natural Resource Management policy was being drafted, as well as a community empowerment programme to improve rural livelihoods. 

The minister added that there would also be a review of the destitute policy and the Remote Area Development Programme as well as the reformation of Village Development Committee guidelines to make them more efficient. 

Government has mobilised funds to finance investment projects that will create jobs and increase the nation’s revenue streams through the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme and National Development Plan (NDP) 12. 

For his part, Tonota MP, Mr Gaefele Sedombo, said he was pleased his constituency would have a new stadium as well as a proposed primary school in Tonota West. 

He lamented that Shashe River School was not in a good state and called on education authorities to work on refurbishing it, and for the board of governors structure to be reinstituted in schools to assist in addressing such issues. 

Mr Sedombo said Semotswane and Mandunyane also required a new school, which would also ensure better proximity for learners. While lauding the government for introducing the Bonno National Housing Programme, Mr Sedombo called for the speedy allocation of plots to permit people to qualify. 

Mr Sedombo also called for better internal roads, storm water drainage systems and better provision of potable water in the Tonota constituency. He stressed the need for a new primary hospital to be constructed in Tonota. 

Major General Pius Mokgware, for his part said, the proposed introduction of a 24-hour government would lead to better service delivery and job creation, which would stimulate the modernisation of Botswana’s economy. 

Maj. Gen. Mokgware, who is the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs and a specially elected MP, said the proposal pitched to the nation by President Advocate Duma Boko was a progressive measure. 

He said the introduction of the 24-hour economy would entail people working the same job on three, eight hour shifts, which would lead to more people being employed, and greater productivity as workers would not be tired of serving long overtime hours. 

This would also afford citizens better service delivery, as paying levies, acquiring or renewing licenses and other basic services would be availed timeously at different hours of the day. 

Already, he said the Government Accounting and Budgeting System had been operating more consistently and more efficiently. He also noted that there had been greater civil liberties since the UDC assumed power, saying there was greater freedom of speech since President Boko assumed the presidency. 

He however cautioned that the rise in stock theft posed a national security threat, and the state security organs should work toward addressing the issue and root out the criminal element within society. ENDS