Botswana aims to become a global hub for sports, culture and the creative industries, an environment where talent thrives and sustainable economic prosperity is realised, says the Minister of Sport and Arts, Mr Jacob Kelebeng. 

Presenting the 2026/27 budget proposals for the ministry, Minister Kelebeng stated that the upcoming financial year would prioritise sector sustainability, stakeholder partnerships, cultural heritage preservation, growth of the creative industries and sport tourism. 

The minister noted that several pieces of legislation would be amended to support such goals, key among themwas the Anti-Doping Bill, which advocated for clean sport and the Botswana National Sport Commission Act, which aimed to promote commercialisation, integrity, professionalism and inclusivity while correcting historical imbalances in development. 

Furthermore, he said the Cinematography Act, intended to modernise the creative sector, would be presented during the current sitting of Parliament. 

Upon its enactment, he said government would establish the National Film Commission to foster a local filming culture. 

“This will enable the regulation, professionalisation and commercialisation of film production, distribution and exhibition, thereby stimulating economic activity and enhancing employment opportunities across the creative sector value chain,” Minister Kelebeng said. 

Meanwhile, the minister highlighted some of the country’s achievements during the 2025/26 financial year, amongst them becoming the first African country to win Gold medal in the 400mx4 relay at the World Athletics Championships. 

“Our athletes also won bronze medals at the World Relays and World Athletics Para Championships,” he said, adding the country also dominated in the Athletics Junior Under 18 and Under 20 Confederation of African Athletics Championships. 

The country also showed growth in Lawn Tennis, with the men’s team winning the Davis Cup Africa Group V gaining promotion to the Davis Cup Africa Group IV. 

The women’s team also did well in the Billie Jean King Cup finishing 3^rd after losing to Morocco and Kenya in the promotional playoffs, he said. 

Ntungamili Raguin at the age of 17 entered the global competition when he made it into the main draw of Grand Slam for boy’s single event at the just ended 2026 Australian Open Junior Tennis Championship where he reached top 16. 

The men and women national football teams also participated at the Africa Cup of Nations and WAFCON respectively. 

Minister Kelebeng said during 2025/26 financial year, his ministry administered P3.7 million to assist Non-profit Governmental Sport Organisations for supporting the Ministry in the delivery of sport programmes and projects that are aligned to the Ministry’s strategies to grow sport and stimulate recreation through community sport programmes. 

Talking about arts and culture, the minister said 10 472 artistes participated in the National Arts Festival and P17,668,859 was spent as prize money to artistes, for engagement of creative practitioners, as well as service providers across all constituencies. 

“Regrettably, due to the current financial constraints facing the country, National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB) was unable to hold the Regional Festival and National Carnival,” he said. 

Minister Kelebeng said 57 applicants were funded at a total amount of P4 million out of which 35 have been successfully implemented and 22 were still on-going. 

The minister said the District Film Development and Mentorship Programme had commissioned eight full-length films at a total cost of P2.9 million. 

He further said the ministry planned to expand NowTV by relaunching it on the Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) and satellite platforms through local and regional carriers. The minister said P23 million had been earmarked for acquisition of content from 34 producers. 

Subsequently, Parliament approved P595 million as recurrent and P122,350,000 for development budget for the next financial year. ENDS