Botswana

Diamonds Amid Change: Botswana's Strategic Turn Picture this: Botswana, a country globally renowned for its shimmering gems, is setting its eyes on the younger elite of America. What draws them? The timeless allure of natural diamonds — a pledge of authenticity against an ever-increasing tide of lab-grown imitations. Does this endeavor sound ambitious? That's because it is, and Botswana is leveraging the prowess of social media to make it happen. In today’s digital age, platforms like…

In a significant move to honor the historical legacy and contributions of marginalized groups, a new inscription in the lxam language has been etched into the façade of Rhodes House at Oxford University. This endeavor acknowledges the tribulations and relentless labor of those whose hardships ultimately contributed to Cecil Rhodes’ immense wealth. The lxam inscription was skillfully crafted by Fergus Wessel, a stone mason hailing from the UK, whose work is steeped in the traditions of the English Arts and Crafts movement.…

This past weekend marked a significant shift in Botswana's political landscape as Duma Boko took the oath of office as the country's new president. This transition follows what many analysts are calling an unexpected defeat for the long-standing ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). Yusuf Bangura from The Premium Times raises an intriguing question: Why did the once-dominant BDP, often regarded as a political powerhouse, falter in this election? The outcome has left political strategists and citizens alike…

The recent inauguration of Botswana's new president marks a significant shift in the nation's political landscape, following an election that concluded almost six decades of governance by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). This transition of power, characterized by its swift nature, has inspired both hope and speculation among citizens and political analysts alike. “Change is always a double-edged sword, isn’t it?” remarked a local political commentator while reflecting on the recent developments. With the BDP's extended…

As the countdown to the election day in Botswana approaches its final stretch, political parties are intensifying their efforts to captivate voters with their manifestos. According to political commentator Kitso Morekisi, the presidential race is wide open. This sentiment resonates as international observers have landed to oversee the electoral proceedings leading up to the general election scheduled for October 30. Recently, VOA highlighted an issue that arose during the early voting process—ballot papers ran out due to…

The High Court of Botswana has officially ruled that four out of five presidential hopefuls possess the necessary backing to vie for the nation's highest office, as stipulated by law. Among these contenders is Mokgweetsi Masisi, who is eyeing a second term in the presidency. Joining Masisi in this political contest are Duma Boko, the head of the opposition coalition known as the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC); Dumelang Saleshando, representing the Botswana Congress Party (BCP); and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana…

In an unexpected turn of events, former President Ian Khama has returned to Botswana after almost three years spent in voluntary exile. His comeback comes at a tumultuous time, as he confronts a staggering 14 charges, including unlawful firearm possession and allegations of money laundering. Khama, who now heads a splinter opposition party known as the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), staunchly refutes these accusations. He maintains that they are rooted in political vendettas rather than factual misconduct. Khama’s…

A 1098-carat diamond was discovered this week in Botswana, in the Jwaneng mine, located a few dozen kilometers from Gaborone, in the southeastern part of the country. It is the third largest known diamond in history. On Wednesday, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi was able to hold in his hands a transparent stone the size of…

Quick deployment of three,000 troops in northern Mozambique to combat terrorism is one among the avenues talked about in a leaked report that needs to be mentioned at a rare summit in SADC, the improvement neighborhood. Africa, scheduled for 28 and 29 April. Regional army response after jihadist assaults on the town of Palma in late March within the province of Cabo Delgado. Since then, the safety…

If the Covid-19 pandemic had ended the 2020 elephant looking season, the 2021 version opened on Tuesday, April 6, in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. The trophy is nearly 300 elephants that hunters from Europe and the USA will strive to kill. That is the primary full looking season in Botswana, a rustic house to 130,000 pachyderms - the most important contingent on the earth - since a ban was lifted…