09 Feb 2026

Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere, has pledged transparency as government moves forward with the landmark 2025 Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Addressing a recent kgotla meetingin Sefhophe, Minister Tshere responded to local concerns by promising that the path toward establishing a dedicated Constitutional Court would be paved with inclusive communication and timely updates.

“This commitment to openness aims to foster trust,” the minister told the residents and acknowledged that for a Constitutional Court to be truly legitimate, it must first be understood by the people it served.

Earlier, the atmosphere in Sefhophe was one of cautious hesitation rather than outright endorsement. Residents called for comprehensive public education, arguing that while the Bill represented a significant shift in the nation’s democratic architecture, many felt that they lacked the tools to interpret the proposed changes.

One resident, Mr Morgan Pilediwa emphasised the need for civic empowerment, noting that a Constitutional Court can only bolster the rights of Batswana if the average citizen undersood its mechanics.

“Lack of awareness shows a critical gap,” Mr Pilediwa stated, echoing a sentiment shared by many attendees. He argued that the current consultation phase was premature, adding, ‘you cannot consult the public until you have first enlightened them.”

Another resident, Mr Loeto Parati acknowledged the court as a cornerstone of democracy but questioned the timing of such a major transition.

He cautioned that government might be ‘focusing on the gavel when it should be focusing on the plow,’ suggesting that resources might be better directed toward fluctuating economic stability and pressing needs in healthcare and education.

Mr Parati warned that rushing the process could lead to uninformed choices that inadvertently damaged democratic values.

Financial transparency was also a key talking point. Mr Rebaphuti Somolekae called for a transparent breakdown of the potential costs associated with the new institution and its long-term impact on the country’s financial health.

Adding to the call for consistency, Mr Mogogi Gabonnelwe challenged proponents of the Bill to articulate the necessity of the court. 

As the kgotla concluded, the consensus among residents was that they were not ready to move forward until they were certain they were walking on solid and well-explained ground. BOPA