26 Oct 2026

The Letsile Tebogo Charitable Foundation plans to establish a dedicated cancer clinic in Francistown in December to improve access to specialised healthcare for patients in northern Botswana.

Foundation founder and 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo made the announcement at the foundation’s Cancer Awareness Symposium in Gaborone on October 23, saying the initiative was prompted by the logistical and financial challenges faced by patients who travel long distances to Gaborone for specialised medical attention.

He said the facility would serve as a healthcare hub for people in the northern part of the country, reducing the burden of travelling to the capital for cancer-related services.

The proposed clinic is expected to help address geographical barriers to cancer care, particularly for patients and families who incur additional transport and accommodation costs while seeking treatment.

The initiative comes amid calls for stronger collaboration between government, charitable organisations and communities to improve cancer awareness, access to healthcare and support for those affected by the disease.

Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo, commended the foundation for its efforts to address cancer-related challenges, particularly barriers to accessing specialised healthcare.

Ms Kenewendo said initiatives aimed at bringing healthcare services closer to patients deserved national support, adding that responsibility for such efforts should extend beyond individual organisations.

“We will also find ways that we will support you in this endeavour to ensure that we rally behind you and this becomes a national project, a people’s project and not just your project,” she said.

She said improving cancer care required collaboration and a shared commitment to ensuring that patients received appropriate support throughout their treatment and recovery.

Ms Kenewendo also highlighted the importance of Botswana’s value of Botho, saying the country’s humanity was reflected in how people treated one another during difficult times.

She said national development should not be measured solely through economic growth, wealth accumulation and infrastructure, but also by the support extended to vulnerable members of society.

“Our development must have a human face, our prosperity must have a human purpose and our compassion must translate into action,” she said.

She noted that people affected by cancer needed an environment of care, attention, love and support to help them navigate the challenges associated with the disease.

Ms Kenewendo urged Batswana to stand together in supporting cancer patients, survivors, bereaved families and caregivers, emphasising that the fight against cancer required not only medical intervention but also compassion and sustained community involvement.

She said collective action was necessary to ensure that people affected by cancer received the care, dignity and encouragement  needed throughout their journey.

As part of its cancer awareness campaign, the foundation also held a marathon on Saturday in support of the fight against cancer.

The activities formed part of broader efforts to raise awareness of the disease and encourage collective participation in supporting cancer patients and improving access to care. ENDS