25 Mar 2026

For many Batswana, government assistance has long been a lifeline in times of hardship. Now, a new national push is seeking to transform that lifeline into a launchpad that helps citizens build sustainable livelihoods and regain economic independence.

At the centre of this shift is the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), a people-centred model that government says will empower communities to move beyond welfare support and into self-reliance.

Welcoming dignitaries during the National Dialogue on Sustainable Livelihoods Approach in Gaborone on March 24, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa described the approach as more than just policy, but about restoring dignity and unlocking potential.

“Communities must not only survive, they must thrive,” he said, emphasising the need to equip citizens with practical skills, opportunities and support systems that enable them to stand on their own.

The dialogue brought together voices from across Botswana, including government officials, development partners and community representatives from all 31 districts, each carrying stories of both struggle and resilience.

For many, the gathering was not just about policy discussions, but about finding real solutions to everyday challenges faced by ordinary people.

From rural villages to urban centres, unemployment, poverty and inequality continue to shape lives. The new approach, Minister Motshegwa said sought to change that narrative, by focusing on what people already had and building from there, being the skills, knowledge and local resources.

Under the SLA, he said communities would be supported to identify opportunities for income generation, strengthen local economies and reduce vulnerability to shocks such as droughts or economic downturns.

“It is a shift from short-term relief to long-term empowerment,” he said. Already, the minister said 106 Trainers of Trainers had been prepared to take the vision into communities, ‘working directly with families and local structures to turn ideas into action’.

Government, Mr Motshegwa said was also reforming village and ward development committees to ensure that developments were driven from the ground up.

Programmes like Ikageng, which have traditionally provided temporary relief, he said were now being aligned with the broader vision- offering not just work, but pathways to sustainable income and growth. The future of development in Botswana, the minister said lies in partnership, participation and possibility.

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of the initiative, urging participants to focus on practical solutions that would make a difference in people’s lives.

“This is about giving people the tools to change their own stories,” he added. ENDS