25 Jun 2026

In a move to strengthen accountability, oversight and improve efficiencies, the National Assembly shall robustly engage with the civil Society and forge partnerships with relevant stakeholders to shape a high performing Parliament. 

Addressing a Bridging the Gap-Joint Oversight workshop organised by Parliament in partnership with Botswana Centre for Public Integrity and Friedrich- Ebert Stiftung (FES) in Lobatse on Tuesday, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said their intention was to transform into a high performing parliament that was well capacitated, well resourced, and able to provide effective oversight.

The workshop follows a successful official launch of Bridging the Gap-Joint Oversight project on April 23, an initiative which seeks to strengthen collaboration between Parliament and civil society organisations in promoting governance, public participation and effective oversight.

However, Mr Keorapetse said the National Assembly vision was to build an open Parliament that was accessible, responsive, participatory, and citizen-centred, emphasising that at the heart of the vision was the belief that a stronger democracy was achieved when citizens were not merely observers of governance but rather active participants.

He said the National Assembly was on course in implementing reforms to bring Parliament closer to the people.

“One of the reforms that we have instituted is that we have a dedicated channel so that all our Parliamentary committee proceedings are broadcasted on Botswana Television channel 2, and different online platforms. The intension is to have a dedicated channel on both television and radio,” he said.

In addition, he highlighted that there were ongoing institutional reforms which included review of the Standing Orders and that work continued regarding the Parliament Act Bill with the intention to strengthen Parliament as an institution, support greater efficiency, inclusiveness and public participation. 

Mr Keorapetse said citizens were increasingly demanding greater participation, transparency, accountability and responsiveness from public institutions around the world and Botswana was no exception hence the need to strengthen oversight and remain closely connected to the people working with the civil society to strengthen participation, transparency and democratic accountability. He said in the past the civil society and Parliament were not well connected except in some few instances adding that it was pertinent to engage thoroughly in matters of policy legislation and formulation as they brought valuable insights from the grassroots, perspectives, experiences and concerns that might otherwise go unheard.  

Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Botswana and Southern African Development Community, Mr Catalin Gherman said the EU remained committed to supporting Botswana Parliament and the civil society through initiatives that strengthened public engagement. 

The aim, he said was to move beyond short term interactions and support consistent and structured collaboration between Parliament and the civil society for the reason that strong governance required strong institutions and an engaged citizenry.  He thus pledged EU’s support for the Bridging the Gap- Joint Oversight Clinic project which will carry out consultations and review findings and thereafter develop a joint action plan to ensure that governance served Batswana.  

The resident representative of Friedrich –Ebert –Stiftung, Mr Thilo Schöne underscored that the project presented a pivotal moment in strengthening oversight and civic engagement. 

“Batswana have brought about change in 2024 for the first time in 58 years. They want to see the fruits to harvest and new ones to be sowed. They want to eat those fruits,” he said. 

Parliament and civic community engagement, he said was critical to tackle social ills which included gender-based violence, climate change induced droughts followed by floods destructions amongst others at policy and legislation level, adding that oversight lapses could also lead to increased corruption cases.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Gabriel Malebang noted that the project presented an opportunity to examine existing mechanisms of engagement between Parliament and the civil society and to identify practical ways of strengthening them for the benefit of democracy.

Furthermore, Dr Malebang said the initiative advanced the shared goals of accountability, transparency, public participation, and democratic governance and therefore not only supported the ongoing evolution of Botswana’s democracy but also contributed meaningfully to the legacy and aspirations of six decades of Botswana’s parliamentary governance. ends