26 Mar 2026

A quiet but determined conversation is gaining momentum across the country. From lecture halls to policy forums, young people are increasingly stepping forward, reflecting on what the country’s constitution means to them today and what it should become in the future. At the centre of these discussions is the proposed establishment of a Constitutional Court (ConCourt), a development some young voices see as a promising step toward strengthening democracy and safeguarding rights in a rapidly changing world.

In an interview with BOPA, a University of Botswana fourth year Economics student, Mr Abel Manyelesemane, said the constitution remained the foundation of the country’s democracy.

“It guarantees our rights and gives every Motswana confidence that they are protected under the law,” he said.

Mr Manyelesemane said as the country evolved, the Constitution must also be reviewed to reflect current realities. He highlighted the importance of strengthening legal institutions, noting that the establishment of a concourt could play a pivotal role in safeguarding citizens’ rights and enhancing accountability.

“A concourt would strengthen the protection of rights and improve accountability,” he said.

Adding to the discussion was Botswana Youth Ahead Organisation founder, Mr Keabetswe Sanao who said as a young person living in Botswana, the existence of a Constitution represented his rights, freedoms and how he could approach the future.

“Is it essential because its writes the story of how our country must be governed in such a way that everyone within our borders is protected,” he said.

As a human rights advocate, he was of the view that, “a concourt will guarantee that the human rights of Batswana are protected as we need a court that will only focus on the constitution. If we have a court that focuses on the Constitution and trying to solve the cases related to it, we will go somewhere as Botswana.”

Regarding changes he would like to see in the Constitution that would benefit future generations, Mr Sanao said more youth quotas and digital rights should be introduced.

“We want reserved seats for young people in Parliament and councils as this could strengthen youth representation and participation in decision making,” he said.

Meanwhile, University of Botswana law student, Ms Rorisang Morwaeng, said a Constitution must evolve with the society it governs.

“Over the next 50 years, Botswana will face new challenges such as technological advancements, economic shifts, climate pressures and changing social values,” she said.

Ms Morwaeng said the establishment of the concourt was important as it would give the judiciary full independence of their duties.

“The President will be able to be held accountable by the judiciary and they will be the rulers before a President is appointed like during the general elections,” she said.

However, Ms Morwaeng said she would like to see stronger protection for youth participation, improved accountability for leaders and expanded rights in areas such as digital privacy and environmental protection in the Constitution. Looking ahead, she said she hoped to see a Botswana that was inclusive, innovative and equitable, where young people were active participants.

However, not all young voices are in favour of establishing a constitutional court. Ms Diamanté Merafhe, a third-year law student at Ba Isago University, argued that the focus should instead be on comprehensive constitutional reform.

“It is important to fix our judicial system instead of protecting the inherent flaws and strengthening the weakness,” she said.

For Ms Merafhe, constitutional reform must go beyond institutional changes to address the lived realities of vulnerable groups. She said there was a need for specialised structures to support orphans and victims of abuse, as well as greater emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment. In her view, equipping young people with financial and economic literacy was just as critical as legal reform in preparing them for the future.

“Part of the purpose of the law is to address contemporary issues,” she said. “If the Constitution does not evolve, the law will not evolve.” ENDS