The Hope Newspaper Botswana

15/12/2025

𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐊𝐔 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐒

The Tcheku Community Trust has formally written to the Okavango District Commissioner seeking administrative intervention over what it describes as continued interference in the Trust’s internal governance and community affairs.

The letter, dated 3 December 2025, was authored and signed by the Trust current chairperson, Rapelang Ramoruti, and addressed to the District Commissioner, William Keareng, in his capacity as both District Commissioner and Chairperson of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

According to the correspondence seen by The Hope Newspaper Botswana, the dispute stems from a terminated investment relationship between the Tcheku Community Trust and Old Man’s Pan (Pty) Ltd. The Trust states that the business relationship was severed in March 2024, after which legal proceedings followed regarding wildlife quota utilisation.

The High Court reportedly dismissed an application seeking to interdict the Trust from utilising its quota. Following this, the Trust entered into a new five-year investment agreement with DK Superior (Pty) Ltd, with the quota reportedly sold for BWP 1.5 million, paid in full. While appeals and arbitration processes linked to the earlier dispute remain before the courts, the Trust maintains that its governance and investment decisions were lawfully concluded.

In the letter, Ramoruti alleges that Old Man's Pan's Leon Kachelhoffer has continued to involve himself in the internal affairs of the Trust and its beneficiary communities of Tobera, Kaputura and Kyecia, despite his disputed investment status. The Trust Chairperson claims that Kachelhoffer facilitated and sponsored meetings outside the Trust’s constitutional framework, mobilised a group described as a “concerned group,” and supported efforts aimed at destabilising the lawfully elected Trust board.

The correspondence further refers to events earlier in 2025 in which an alternative board was purportedly elected at a meeting allegedly facilitated by Kachelhoffer. The Trust states that the courts later nullified those actions and reinstated the lawful board in a judgment delivered in June 2025.

Following the election of a new Trust board on 4 September 2025, the Trust alleges renewed destabilisation efforts, including attempts to convene an unlawful Special General Meeting and incidents at Shakawe Police Station involving members of the concerned group. The letter also references a meeting held on 26 November 2025 at Tobera, convened by TAC and attended by UNDP representatives, which was allegedly disrupted. According to the Trust, police intervention was required after tensions escalated.

Meanwhile, Ramoruti has formally requested that the District Commissioner intervene to caution Kachelhoffer against further involvement in Trust affairs and to protect the authority of the democratically elected board. The Trust argues that continued interference threatens community cohesion, governance stability and development initiatives meant to benefit local residents.

The Hope Newspaper Botswana has relied on documentary evidence provided by a close source. Some matters referenced remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings. The newspaper will continue to seek responses from Old Man’s Pan (Pty) Ltd, Leon Kachelhoffer, and relevant authorities in the interest of balanced reporting.

15/12/2025

𝐁𝐂𝐏 𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐌 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐒𝐋𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐒

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has welcomed the release of the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results, while cautioning that the marginal gains recorded mask a deeper and persistent crisis of educational inequality in the country.

Speaking in a statement, the BCP Shadow Minister for Child Welfare, Basic and Higher Education, Caterpillar Kainangura Hikuama, congratulated the 52,766 learners who sat for the examinations, as well as teachers, parents, guardians and school leaders whose commitment contributed to the outcomes.

According to the Botswana Examination Council (BEC), 74.1 percent of candidates attained Grade C or better in 2025, a slight improvement from 73.3 percent in 2024. There was also a modest increase in learners achieving Grade B or better, suggesting incremental progress at the upper end of performance. However, the BCP stressed that these figures point more to stagnation than transformation, particularly when examining the limited growth in top-tier Grade A results.

The party warned that a high pass rate should not be confused with educational excellence, questioning whether Botswana’s education system is adequately preparing learners to compete globally. Hikuama noted that, as in previous years, the results reveal persistent disparities between urban and rural schools, a concentration of high achievement in private and English-medium institutions, and continued underperformance in remote and historically marginalised regions. This, he argued, contradicts the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.

The BCP further highlighted the crisis of infrastructure and teacher morale, pointing to dilapidated classrooms, overcrowding and demoralised educators as symptoms of prolonged underinvestment and austerity in the education sector. The party called on government to release detailed, disaggregated performance data to allow for transparent assessment of regional inequalities.

As an alternative, the BCP proposed a comprehensive reform agenda, including a national audit of primary school infrastructure, targeted teacher specialisation and incentive programmes for remote areas, and the establishment of a PSLE Remedial Fund to support struggling learners through after-school and holiday programmes. The party also advocated for comprehensive learner report cards to guide interventions as pupils transition to secondary education.

In conclusion, the BCP described the PSLE results as a reflection of national priorities and called on the Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, to present a clear, time-bound PSLE remediation and equity plan within 14 days. The party reaffirmed its commitment to an education system that guarantees every Motswana child access to quality, equitable and world-class education.

14/12/2025

14/12/2025

𝐓𝐓𝐉𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐔𝐍

TTjet Stable successfully hosted the prestigious Premier Champions Cup 2025 at Ma sa Racing Park in Maun, attracting hundreds of spectators from across the country and reaffirming the event’s place as one of Botswana’s leading horse racing spectacles.

The championship brought together elite Tswana and Thoroughbred horses, blending high-level sport with culture and community celebration. The event was officially opened by the Acting Honourable Minister of Sports and Arts, Lesego Chombo, whose presence signalled growing government recognition of horse racing as an important contributor to sports development, tourism, and youth engagement.

The day’s headline performance belonged to Silver Sky, owned by Gothophemang Alone of Takatokwane village, who claimed the main race victory and pocketed the top prize of P35,000.00. Silver Sky further asserted its dominance by securing another win in the gruelling 2400m Thoroughbred race, emerging as the standout horse of the championship.

Several other races delivered thrilling competition, with impressive performances across Tswana Grade 1 and Grade 2 categories as well as Thoroughbred races over various distances. Horses such as Magic Hunter, Salamina, Equery, Captain TT, Memory, and Gangster Boy thrilled the crowd, reflecting the growing depth, professionalism, and competitiveness of horse racing in Botswana.

The TTjet Champions Cup traces its origins to a vision by TTjet Stable to establish a professionally run, transparent, and inclusive racing championship that would elevate horse racing standards in Botswana. Initially launched as a modest local competition serving stables, the Cup featured limited race categories and modest prize money.

Despite these humble beginnings, it quickly gained respect for its fairness, organisation, and commitment to excellence. A defining feature of the Cup has been its inclusive racing structure, accommodating both Tswana Grade 1 and Grade 2 horses alongside Thoroughbreds.
This approach preserve Botswana’s rich equestrian heritage while opening doors to modern Thoroughbred competition, creating a unique platform where tradition and progress coexist. Over the years, growing popularity led to expanded race programmes, increased prize money, and stronger competition.

Winning the TTjet Champions Cup gradually became a mark of prestige, often propelling horses and stables onto the national stage. The move to host the event consistently at Ma sa Racing Park in Maun marked a major milestone, strengthening the town’s reputation as a rising hub for elite horse racing.

Today, the TTjet Champions Cup stands as a symbol of progress, unity, and professionalism in Botswana horse racing, continuing to inspire emerging talent, unite communities, and secure its legacy for generations to come.

14/12/2025

𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐖𝐄

Celebrate the festive season in style with an unforgettable House Boat Cruise experience in Shakawe!

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13/12/2025

𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐁𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 – 𝐁𝐎𝐁𝐈 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐄

𝑩𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

(𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀) - National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has shared his views on the role of Uganda’s security forces and the state of governance as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.

Speaking on recent developments, Bobi Wine expressed concern that the Ugandan state appears to place greater financial value on weapons than on the welfare of the men and women in uniform. He noted that a single firearm carried by security personnel is estimated to cost about US$2,000, while many police and soldiers alike reportedly earn approximately UGX 14,000 per month. According to him, this imbalance highlights the need for improved conditions and better remuneration for security officers.

Using a reflective analogy, Bobi Wine stated that “guns are weapons of destruction, while humans are weapons of construction,” emphasizing that people, not force, are the true foundation of national development and stability. He encouraged a shift toward approaches that prioritise dialogue, respect for human rights and democratic principles.

The opposition leader also appealed to members of the security services to act in the best interests of the nation. He urged them to uphold the Constitution and to focus on their responsibility of protecting citizens, particularly during the sensitive pre-election period.

Bobi Wine further called for unity and professionalism within the security sector, stressing that soldiers and police officers are first and foremost citizens whose actions contribute to the country’s long-term peace and cohesion.

The Ugandan government has consistently maintained that security agencies operate within the law to preserve peace and order. However, as the 2026 elections approach, public discussions around governance, accountability and the role of security forces continue to feature prominently in national discourse.

With political activities expected to intensify, voices from across the political spectrum are calling for calm, tolerance and respect for democratic values to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.

12/12/2025

𝐁𝐅𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄-𝐀𝐅𝐂𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐒 𝐙𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐎 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Botswana Football Association (BFA) Chief Executive Officer, Mfolo Edwin Mfolo, has unveiled a comprehensive preparatory programme for the national football team, the Zebras, ahead of the highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Speaking during a media briefing, Mfolo confirmed that the Zebras will participate in four international friendly matches, a strategic move aimed at sharpening the team’s competitive edge before the continental showpiece.

According to Mfolo, Botswana will face Tunisia, Comoros, as well as two Tunisian club sides, one from the top-flight league and another competing in the lower division. These friendly fixtures are regarded as crucial tests designed to expose the squad to diverse playing styles, tactical pressures, and high-intensity match conditions.

“These games are important for assessing our readiness and giving the technical team a chance to fine-tune combinations,” Mfolo said, adding that the opponents were selected to simulate the calibre of competition expected at AFCON.

The Zebras are expected to join the rest of the AFCON-bound teams in Rabat, Morocco on 19 December 2025, where they will enter a pre-tournament camp. The early arrival is intended to help the team acclimatize to North African conditions while completing final tactical sessions under an intensive training programme.

Mfolo expressed deep appreciation to corporate partners, notably Orange Botswana and St Louis, for committing essential financial support toward the Zebras’ AFCON journey. He emphasized that among other sponsors, Orange Botswana contributed P150 000 while St Louis poppes out P250 000, adding that the national team will receive 100% of the sponsorship contributions.

In addition to sponsor support, Botswana is also set to benefit from CAF’s prize-money structure, which allocates financial rewards to all participating teams. Mfolo highlighted that the Zebras will receive 50% of the prize money earned from the US 5000 AFCON group-stage price money, a significant incentive for performance.

Meanwhile, CAF has announced a USD 32 million prize pool for AFCON 2025, with amounts ranging from USD 500,000 for teams finishing fourth in their groups to USD 7 million for the eventual champions. This structure ensures that even teams exiting early receive meaningful financial returns, strengthening the value of taking part and boosting federations’ developmental capacities.

With preparations intensifying and support growing, Mfolo expressed optimism that the Zebras will represent Botswana with determination, pride and competitive spirit at Africa’s biggest football stage.

11/12/2025

𝟒𝐌 𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 – 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐀

Discover comfort and true Okavango hospitality at 4M Guest House in Seronga. Conveniently located and designed for travellers seeking peace, cleanliness and quality service, 4M Guest House offers spacious rooms, a homely atmosphere and warm customer care.

Whether you are visiting Seronga for business, tourism or family activities, our guest house provides a relaxing environment with easy access to key village attractions and the gateway to the Okavango Delta.

Enjoy reliable service, privacy and great value throughout your stay.
For bookings and enquiries, contact +267 75185515 / 73828093 / 73178995.

10/12/2025

𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇: 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐊𝐆𝐎𝐒𝐈 𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐙𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐈 𝐌𝐀𝐄𝐙𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐘

A full interview with retired Kgosi Maeze Bayei Maeze in Seronga offers a powerful and intimate look into his life of service. In the conversation, Kgosi Maeze traces his journey from an ordinary citizen to a committed civil servant, and ultimately to his nearly three-decade reign as Kgosi of Seronga.

He speaks candidly about the challenges, triumphs, and defining moments that shaped his leadership. The interview captures his passion for unity, community development, and cultural preservation. As Seronga celebrates his legacy, Kgosi Maeze’s reflections stand as a testament to humility, resilience, and devoted service.

09/12/2025

𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍: 𝟏𝟐 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀’𝐒 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄

Are you ready for the African showpiece - 12 days to go before the kickoff of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 — the stage is set, the groups are drawn, and the countdown to Africa’s biggest football showpiece begins.

08/12/2025

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 Mis Jay Tsipah Phuthologo, Senyemba Thebisa, Direpang Segosebe, Caroline Lekorwe, Olathile Thatayotlhe, Antony Timothy, Fly Moyenga, Thato Kwelagobe, Velast BW, Cecioesi Oesi, Bizzah M Mabusa, KgosiHero Huku, Niko Mayavero, Torry Cee, Keabetswe Kb Zingoro II, Thomas Kaumbo, Kaputeni BW Ngaka

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

08/12/2025

𝐍𝐖𝐃𝐂 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

● 𝑫𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔.

● 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔, 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 “𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒚” 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕.

● 𝑴𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍, 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒔, 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊-𝒑𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆.

𝐁𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐅𝐅 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑
𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳@𝘺𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘰.𝘤𝘰𝘮

(𝐌𝐀𝐔𝐍) – North West District Council (NWDC) Chairperson Itumeleng Kelebetseng, in his full council address on Monday, reflected on the district’s 2025 achievements and outlined strategic priorities for 2026.

Kelebetseng acknowledged the dedication of council members, staff, and stakeholders, noting significant progress across infrastructure, health, social development, and environmental initiatives. He highlighted the introduction of drone-assisted medicine delivery, a pioneering program launched by President Duma Boko, as a major step in bridging healthcare gaps in remote communities.

The Chairperson also noted strengthened stakeholder engagement through service delivery outreach to villages such as Somelo, Komana, and Toteng, and the cultivation of international partnerships, including collaborations with the People’s Republic of China to boost tourism and cultural exchange.

Key civic and social programs, including Cancer Awareness Month and the Kareng Sports Festival, were celebrated for fostering community cohesion and inspiring youth participation. On economic development, NWDC is finalizing a five-year Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy for 2026–2030.

Infrastructure improvements are underway despite persistent challenges. Road maintenance, graveling, asphalt overlays, and the installation of solar-powered streetlights are expected to enhance safety and stimulate economic activity. The “Green City” initiative for Maun continues to advance, alongside youth empowerment, volunteerism programs, and public health priorities such as malaria control, staffing at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital, and improved access to essential medicines.

Council programs also focus on education, waste management, anti-poaching initiatives, and water supply improvements. Governance, peace, and security efforts report mixed trends in crime, livestock theft, and road safety, with ongoing collaboration between communities and law enforcement.

Concluding his address, Kelebetseng called for unity, integrity, and proactive citizen engagement, emphasizing the need for a sustainable, inclusive, and forward-looking North West District