26 May 2026

Kgosi Shepard Pelaelo of Natale has called on government to ensure people living with disabilities are not left behind as it expands national network connectivity.

Speaking at the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day commemoration in Natale on May 23, Kgosi Pelaelo said the blind and those with hearing impairments often lacked privacy when using mobile devices because they must rely on others to access information. This, he said, denied them privacy others enjoyed in a digital society.

He urged government to factor in disabled persons when rolling out tech initiatives, noting that braille reading and writing systems remained costly and out of reach for many.

In response, Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere said the ministry was mandated to provide reliable, secure networks with inclusive access for every Motswana, including vulnerable groups.

This year’s theme: Digital Lifelines: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World, aligns with Botswana’s push for resilient systems, he said.

The Cybersecurity Act, enacted in November 2025, aims to protect users through secure systems.

Mr Tshere acknowledged that millions worldwide still lacked reliable internet, risking deeper inequality.

“If digital technologies are truly lifelines, then they must reach everyone, everywhere,” he said.

He said government was working to bridge the urban-rural digital divide under the Botswana Economic Transformation Plan.

Resilience, he added, required investment in inclusive infrastructure, digital literacy and affordability.

Mr Tshere also condemned theft of copper cables and communication equipment, saying it diverted funds from new projects to replace stolen infrastructure.

He appealed to citizens to help safeguard national infrastructure so services continued to reach communities effectively. ENDS