03 Aug 2026

Despite available social protection programmes, government is concerned by prevailing state of poverty in the country, says Chief of Staff, Dr Oupa Tsheko.

Such he said, resulted in President Advocate Duma Boko setting up a task force on Social Protection Programme to assess challenges of poverty in the country and formulate a policy and framework on social protection.

Addressing Okavango District leadership recently, Dr Oupa Tsheko, who is the chairperson of the task force said some Batswana were still living in abject poverty regardless of government’s commitment.

He said government had numerous social protection services supported by access to free fundamental rights of free education and health.

Therefore, Dr Tsheko said the task force was reviewing existing social protection rogrammes to come up with specific interventions to avoid a one size fits all approach and ensure alignment of existing interventions.

He said poverty was a challenge, putting economic pressure on government.

“The government of Botswana is spending about four per cent of GDP in social protection services which is one of the largest expenditure in the world,” he said.

He said the figure was casting doubt on whether people who benefited from such programmes ever graduated and fend for themselves.

Dr Tsheko said future plan was to have an integrated database for all social protection programmes beneficiaries, have their track record and guard against double dipping.

He said the ongoing consultations would help the task force appreciate unique challenges affecting people in different districts and inform relevant sustainable livelihoods programmes.

Okavango District Council (ODC) acting chief social and Community Development Officer (S&CD), Ms Tebogo Letshabamang said despite prevailing and challenging levels of poverty, the district had some success stories which may help in sustaining livelihoods through necessary support.

She said the district had 16 community trusts that generated income through multiple streams.

Ms Letshabamang said properly management community trusts had the potential to help alleviate poverty.

Okavango District commissioner, Mr William Keareng said some regulations hampered sustainable livelihoods.

For instance, he said farmers in Okavango were currently disadvantaged by the school feeding programme.

He said the farmers produced millet and cow peas, while the school meal plan wanted sorghum and beans.

Therefore, Mr Keareng said the schools meal plan must be reviewed to benefit farmers as well as support cultural practices and lifestyle of the community. ENDS