20 Nov 2025

The ongoing National Security Strategy (NSS) survey will lay the foundation for the formulation of a coordinated and inclusive framework to address evolving security challenges.

In an interview in Francistown on Monday, communications specialist for the NSS Mr Ofentse Thwabi highlighted that the survey, which is progressing well, is crucial for Botswana for several reasons.

Mr Thwabi said further to it addressing the country’s evolving security needs, it would also enhance citizen safety and well-being by focusing on both state and human-centric security needs.

He explained that the survey would also enable proactive management of threats such as drug trafficking, ensuring the country’s resilience and sustainability. 

Mr Thwabi further indicated that the exercise of drawing up the NSS dates back to the previous administration, and the new human rights-centric government was keen on its implementation.

He explained that countries with national security strategies in place enjoy peaceful and harmonious living and that every nation needs its own blueprint to secure its people in a world that was becoming an increasingly unsafe. 

He appealed to residents to participate in the ongoing survey, stating that their participation would help in identifying areas prone to insecurity and economic threats.

“Their participation will help identify what the main threats to the economy of the country are. Therefore, we appeal to all to assist and cooperate with our teams so that we come up with tangible results,” he added.

Mr Thwabi expects that having the NSS in place will make Botswana a secure and safe nation.The development of Botswana’s first-ever NSS marks a historic milestone in the country’s efforts to safeguard national interests and enhance citizen well-being, creating a forward-looking framework to address evolving domestic, regional, and global security challenges.

It integrates both state-centric and human-centric security perspectives and adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

The baseline survey started from October 31 and will end on December 31, targeting approximately 3,362 households across Botswana in two phases, one targeting districts outside Greater Gaborone and another focusing on those within Greater Gaborone. 

The concerns of Batswana regarding national security will be revealed upon completion of the survey, Mr Thwabi said. ENDS