09 Nov 2026

President Advocate Duma Boko has announced plans to return the 52,000 square kilometres of ancestral land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) to Indigenous communities.

Apprising the nation during the State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) in Gaborone on November 9, President Boko described the proposed restitution as the largest structured return of land rights to an Indigenous population within a protected area on the African continent.

He said the proposed restitution followed recommendations from an Inter-Ministerial Committee established in February 2025 to examine the human rights, living conditions and historical challenges affecting Indigenous communities in Botswana, including those residing in the CKGR.

He said he had received the committee’s report, which incorporated submissions from legal and human rights experts, conservation specialists and relevant institutions.

According to the President, the report focused on restitution interventions for Indigenous communities, alongside conservation programmes, with the proposed return of ancestral land forming a central component of the recommendations.

On child welfare, President Boko said the government had introduced a Child Support Grant of P300 per month for eligible infants during their first year of life.

He revealed that between July and October, an amount of P34.3 million had been disbursed under the programme, benefiting 16 501 infants.

He said the initiative was intended to ensure that children had access to care, dignity and opportunities from the earliest stages of life.

“Government is also working toward consolidating existing child protection legislation into a single legal framework, which is expected to be presented to Parliament in July 2027,” he said.

On education, President Boko reported that government increased tertiary student allowances from P1,900 to P2,200 in April.

“Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students also benefited from an increase in their allowances, which rose from P300 to P1,900 before being adjusted to P2,200,” he said.

He said government remained committed to fulfilling its promise to increase student allowances to P2,500, signaling that government was progressing toward delivering on the commitment.

In addressing the unemployment and decent work, President Boko said the Public Service Insourcing Programme, launched on April 1, , was projected to absorb approximately 9 380 Batswana into better-paying jobs.

He reported that 4 366 eligible temporary employees had already been absorbed into permanent positions under the initiative.

“The programme is intended to improve employment security while ensuring that more citizens benefit from better working conditions,” he said.

He noted that government had also made progress in addressing outstanding pension claims involving serving and former military personnel.

“As of October 30, 2026, a total of 5 277 claims out of 8 951 had been paid, as government continues to implement its commitment to resolve the long-standing pension concerns,” he said.

President Boko further highlighted progress under the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP), particularly its affirmative action initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities.

He said that in 2025, a total of 2 869 graduates secured permanent employment in key institutions, including the Botswana Defence Force, Botswana Police Service and Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

“In addition, more than 10 600 young people accessed temporary employment opportunities through the programme,” he said.

The initiatives, he said, were aimed at bridging socio-economic inequalities and expanding opportunities for people living in remote areas.

On housing, President Boko said the Bonno National Housing Programme had moved from policy development into implementation, with some completed houses already handed over to beneficiaries.

He said construction under the programme commenced in September, with 1 366 housing units earmarked for development.

Additionally, he said, 567 housing units, whose construction had previously started, had been completed and handed over for beneficial use in Palapye, Tsabong, Mabutsane, Rakops, Nata, Phakalane and Block 7 in Gaborone.

President Boko also announced that construction had commenced on the previously challenged Kgale 3 000 Housing Project, signaling renewed progress on the development. ENDS