Human Rights Day 10 December 2024. Botswana.
Duma Gideon Boko. A Victory for Human Rights.
Today, on Human Rights Day, the soul of Gaoberekwe Pitseng will finally rest in perfect peace, laid to rest in his ancestral home Central Kalahari Game Reserve. In our culture, the right to be buried in one's ancestral land is both sacred and universal, it should never be denied to anyone.
Meeting with our people in the CKGR today was bittersweet. A decision so clear and fundamental was unnecessarily delayed, reflecting a past disregard for human rights. This moment serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of upholding dignity and respect for all individuals.
Our government remains committed to placing human rights at the core of its policies and ensuring that such justices are never repeated.
Today, human rights prevailed, and both the family and the nation can finally be at peace.
May Gaoberekwe's Soul Rest in Peace.

The 2nd Republic of Botswana. Started after elections of 30 October 2024.
President Duma Gideon Boko, during his address at the funeral of Mr. Gaoberekwe Pitseng today, summarized the abuse suffered by the Basarwa (San, Bushmen) under the previous government, including its judiciary.
President Boko declared an end to the human rights violations against the Basarwa and all people in Botswana. He further stated that the highest court in the land, the Court of Appeal, and its judges, are responsible for perpetuating human rights violations through judgments that lack humanity and compassion for marginalized individuals,
President Boko vowed to address the situation with urgency.

Pitseng's long journey to final resting place.

Mmegi 22 November 2024 Tsaone Basimanebotlhe Staff writer

After more than two years in a mortuary, the late Pitseng Gaoberekwe, a historic figure, is finally set to be laid to rest. On Tuesday, President Duma Boko announced that the government would honour Gaoberekwe’s wishes by burying him in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), specifically in Metsiamanong, on December 10, 2024. This decision comes after a prolonged and contentious battle between his family and the government over his burial site, the CKGR.

December 2024. New government shows respect for all Botswanans, including the Bushmen.

Quotation from article in Mmegi.

"The President further said even as Butale, as Minister focuses internationally, he must understand that the international role is fed from within. “What we do here, what we do to our people, what we do to the indigenous people, those people from the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve ( CKGR), what we do to others across the country is what will make their life difficult or easy.”

Referring to the issue concerning Pitseng Gaoberekwe, the Mosarwa man who has been in a Ghanzi morgue since December 2021, President Boko said his government is not going to justify the failure to burry a human being at his natural habitat where he has desired to be buried simply because he belongs to a particular ethnic group."

The elections were won by UDC Umbrella Democratic Change. With 34 seats (provisional result) they have the majority. The voting was peaceful. Ex-President Masisi and Vice President Tsogwane have accepted the result.

After the elections.

UDC popularity faces mounting challenges in the five-year term-BMI
11th November 2024
ByArnold Letsholo

Global research firm Business Monitor International (BMI) says despite the new administration’s strong mandate, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) faces mounting long-term challenges which could hurt its popularity throughout the five-year term.

Sunday Standard reported 21 October 2024: "In an unprecedented move, government has withdrawn more than P2,5 billion from the budget approved by Parliament for the financial year 2024/2025.

This has had a ripple effect throughout the government enclave and beyond after P2 6665 851 880 was taken back from the money that had been allocated to parastatals and government departments."

The elections were won by UDC Umbrella Democratic Change. With 34 seats (provisional result) they have the majority. The voting was peaceful. Ex-President Masisi and Vice President Tsogwane have accepted the result.

After President Masisi had accused ex-President Ian Khama of bewitching him with muti (traditional medicine), and the Red Cross announced that it would have first aid kits ready at all polling stations in Botswana on election day (October 30, 2024) to treat the wounded, I was done reading Botswana newspapers for a while. Maybe I might start again mid-November and hopefully be able to report in this journal that Masisi's accusation and the Red Cross's announcement are both a case of Botswana humor.

AU slams Botswana over child murders.

9 September 2024 Khonani Ontbetse

The African Union (AU) has sharply criticized Botswana for what it views as inadequate measures to protect children from rising cases of murder and fatal road accidents.

The African Union’s Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child indicated in a report released recently that its rebuke came in response to increasing concerns over the safety of minors, with particular emphasis on the deaths of children in the country.

The AU’s Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child acknowledged Botswana’s legal framework for the protection of children but highlighted the pressing need for more effective measures. “The Committee appreciates that under the Children’s Act (2009) and other laws, a child in the State Party cannot be sentenced to death, nor can they be sentenced to life imprisonment,” the AU stated. However, it expressed deep concern about the rising number of child fatalities, particularly as a result of murder and road accidents. The Committee also recommended that Botswana ensures that specific measures are in place to effectively protect children’s rights before, during and after the election periods (including, among others, during the election campaigns and electoral process.) (The election period is in 2024 during the months of August until the national election on October 30.)

BDP orders re-run in three constituencies

6 September 2024 Sharon Mathala
Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) Central Committee has ordered a re-run in three constituencies, following appeals that were lodged by losing contestants.

According to the party, there will be re-runs in Goodhope/Mmathethe, Okavango West and Tati West. The contentious Goodhope/Mmathethe will see two Cabinet ministers, Peggy Serame and Edwin Dikoloti, face off again. Okavango West and Tati West will also go for a re-run, this was confirmed to Mmegi Online by BDP secretary-general, Kavis Kario. In July, the ruling party conducted its Bulela Ditswe primaries that were marred by controversies. Several of the contestants who lost in the primary election raised objections including Finance minister Serame, who declared she did not accept the results following her defeat to Dikoloti

First read 4 September 2024.

Sunday Standard published on 14 August 2024: Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame, has addressed concerns regarding the state of the country's public finances, particularly the sharp decline in the Government Investment Account (GIA). The statement, delivered on Monday, aimed to clarify the financial situation and dispel what she called "circulating misinformation".

Serame began her address by providing a historical context to the current financial situation, referencing the 2008/2009 global financial crisis as a significant turning point. During this period, she told parliament, Botswana’s economy was severely impacted, leading the government to deplete fiscal savings and seek substantial budget support from institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), which provided USD 1.5 billion (P20.31 billion) to help stabilize the economy.

After reading this, I admired Peggy Serame for her courage in speaking out about these facts. I could see that President Masisi would take this as a slap on the wrist for his plans to extravagantly expand pension benefits for ex-presidents and their families.

"A proposed Bill that will see extra benefits for a former president and his children is on the cards. However, if public opinion is anything to go by, the Bill will not see the light of the day as it has already been labelled ‘outrageous’ by different members of the society. The same will also apply to the former vice president and their spouse and children.

“The object of the Bill is to amend Section 2 of the Presidents (Pensions and Retirements Benefits) by inserting the definition of dependent child in the section,” reads the Bill. The Bill further suggests that spouses of former presidents should also benefit from the president’s pensions and retirement benefits post-presidency. Further, it alludes that even if the former president passes on, their children and partners should continue receiving the welfare from the retirement benefits.

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Dithapelo Keorapetse, says “daylight robbery” is what the two Bills really are. He states that the proposed law for the President’s retirement package is a clear sign that “President Masisi’s greed is on steroids and that he has absolutely no iota of decency.”

“The law must be rejected as it is embarrassing, unreasonable and a huge cost to taxpayers. Batswana cannot pay for the President, his spouse upon his demise and then an unlimited number of children born in and out of wedlock and those that are adopted. It is simply wrong! President Masisi has long re-purposed the State to suit his own interests and those of his family and business associates,” he said." End of quotation.

Civil Society threatens court action over constitution amendment

Friday, April 19, 2024 | 420 Views | Innocent Selatlhwa
Opposition to the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is growing with at least 44 civil society organisations, united under the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), prepared to take legal action if President Mokgweetsi Masisi ignores their plea to withdraw the Bill.

Led by the Constitutional Review Task Team, the organisations have criticised the Bill for failing to address key reform issues crucial for democracy, fundamental rights protection, and institutional independence in Botswana. The task team chairperson, Morena Monganja, highlighted concerns regarding the lack of public engagement in the amendment process, which they argue was largely controlled by the president and his advisors.

Despite widespread criticism, the Bill proceeded, prompting the civil society to demand its immediate withdrawal and review. Instead, they advocate for a more inclusive and participatory constitution-building process, stressing the importance of public consultation and adherence to democratic principles.

BOCONGO chairperson, Olebile Machete, expressed disappointment over the lack of a people-centred approach despite initial assurances from government officials. Legal action and continued engagement with stakeholders are on the horizon as civil society strives to advocate for a Constitution that reflects the will and aspirations of the people of Botswana.

The 2023 annual reports of SEMK Botswana have not yet been written, something has not yet been written in the journal for some time. The reason is that a Botswanan student is staying with us for a period of three months, between her high school final exams and a choice for a possible further study at a university.

Wagner 2. Read first 8 February 2024.

The Wagner group also plunders the Central African Republic, Sudan, Madagscar and The Sahel.

Wagner has a new name tag but still plunders Africa’s minerals (dailymaverick.co.za)

DOGS OF WAR ANALYSIS Wagner has a new name tag but still plunders Africa’s minerals
The Russian mercenary group gets mines in return for propping up autocratic leaders.

Under its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, the sinister Russian Wagner Group of mercenaries has for years plundered African mineral resources in several countries in exchange for ruthless protection of autocratic governments against their military, commercial and political foes.

Wagner has also clearly been a proxy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, pursuing his foreign policy in Africa – mainly by countering Western influence.

Prigozhin’s death in a plane crash northwest of Moscow on 23 August last year – very likely an assassination by Putin in retaliation for a failed mutiny from Ukraine in June – has changed the dynamics but not the basic game plan.

Wagner, the mercenary outfit at the core of the Wagner Group, which comprised several companies mainly in the mining field, has been brought under tighter Russian military intelligence control and is now called Africa Corps. Some mining operations continue, apparently under Prigozhin’s old Concord holding company.

Centuries-old practice of corporal punishment in schools to end this year | Sunday Standard

Centuries-old practice of corporal punishment in schools to end this year. 4 February 2024 Sunday Standard Reporter.

On account of an apparent administrative delay, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development didn’t bring an amendment bill to the Education and Training Act during the last sitting of parliament as had been indicated by a minister. However, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, that bill is on the way and when this year ends, the centuries-old practice of corporal punishment in schools will have ended.

Way before the arrival of missionaries and their schools and at least among the ethnically Tswana, corporal punishment was par for the course in initiation schools. Some missionaries write about witnessing the merciless and often unprovoked beating of initiates at bogwera – male initiation school. Where it was unprovoked, this beating was not meant to punish the subjects but to toughen them up. As late as the early 1970s, part of the graduation ceremony for Bakgatla young men returning from the bush entailed lining up in rows upon rows and being caned on the bare back. It was a point of pride for graduates being caned in this manner to not once flinch or scream out in pain. End of quotation. The Tswana have learned something from the San after all. Well done!

On 29 June 2016 I wrote in this journal: "It is already bad enough that animals like elephants, rhinoceroses and the likes are being killed to use parts for traditional (not useful) medicine, or for other absurd rituals. But people too are still victim of these practices for rituals. At the moment a man is in court in Botswana because he has murdered a woman. He has admitted this and explained what he did with some parts of the body. This is too gruesome to repeat. An honorable task for the government to inform people that this is not the way to treat ones fellow-men." It is now 8 years later and still not certain that these killings have stopped.

Is Debswana deliberately sitting on UB (University Botswana) report not to compensate Basarwa (San). 1 February 2024. Obusitse Kologwe

Over 300 Basarwa (San) families, who were relocated from Orapa, Letlhakane, and Damtshaa areas as early as the 1970s to make way for Debswana mining activities in Orapa and Letlhakane, are currently in limbo following the decision by the mining company to commission a report to verify their compensation claims over relocation.

Read the whole article via de link: Is Debswana deliberately sitting on UB report not to compensate Basarwa | Sunday Standard

Read January 1, 2 and 3 first.

After reading the Botswana book "The screaming of the innocent", published in 2002, I think I understand why Batswana don't really answer my questions about Botswana, people and culture. The book is about a ritual murder. The story has similarities with the ritual murder in 1994. The book clearly describes why these types of murders have not yet been solved. The perpetrators have so much power that people who are (in)voluntarily involved do not dare to say anything. So it is particularly brave that there are now protests against it. I have not heard/read anything about protests against discriminations against the San.

The Dutch government would do well to take note of this culture of fear in Botswana when discussing the Africa strategy 2023 - 2032 and to assume that the government and related influential people will be in the top of the line for skimming off financial support.

Vegetable shortage in Botswana. Helppppp!!! The guests in the Okavango Lodges will have to do without cucumber, lettuce, asparagus and red peppers!!

Sunday Standard reported: "As the government expands its vegetable import ban to include more items, the shortage list is getting longer. The ban has been expanded to include vegetables like cucumber, lettuce, asparagus and red pepper. Those vegetables are now hard to come by, even in big supermarkets with well-established supply chains. A chef at a luxury holiday resort in the Okavango Delta that hosts Hollywood A-listers says that since the beginning of this month, her resort has been struggling to get asparagus and red pepper. This is in addition to other vegetables on the original list whose supply has been erratic.

Import bans on certain types of vegetables is a long-standing government policy but in 2022 such policy assumed new stringency. The Ministry of Agriculture imposed an import ban on 16 types of vegetables and announced that the list of items on the list will keep growing. While some have alleged underhanded political intrigue, the official purpose of the ban is to stimulate domestic production, bolster food security and economically empower citizens.

Read first 6 January.

Malnutrition. In efforts to curb the problem government gives food hampers at clinics to supplement children’s diet but this is not effective as the foods are then consumed by the whole family.

“We are trying to address this at the clinic by giving children tsabana, cooking oil and beans but we are failing to achieve our goals because when parents take these foods, they consume it as the whole family and some sell them to buy alcohol.”

Tsabana is a supplementary feed for children uptill 5 years. Understandably the whole family shares this, when they are hungry.

This problem of parents neglecting their children because of alcoholism, resulting in malnutrition, is nothing new. in my search for Xwaa, years ago, I came in contact with Social Services in Gantsi. It was clear there were not enough Social Workers to support parents who could not take care of their children, let alone find out what the cause of their alcoholism was.

Malnutrition rife in Gantsi region. The Midweek Sun 20 Dec 2023 BY KEIKANTSE LESEMELA

Ghanzi District Health Management Team Coordinator, Dr Ketshabile Mosheti says malnutrition remains a major problem in the region resulting in the highest number of child mortality.

Speaking during the walk for Health Campaign organised by Sandfire, Dr Ketshabile revealed that they have been trying to address the malnutrition issue in D’Kar but are failing to achieve desired results because parents are challenged with several issues including lack of employment, low income, alcohol abuse and child neglect. She said there are 4 150 children under five years (in Botswana?) and majority of these children (more than 2 125?) are malnourished.

“The national prevalence for the Ministry of Health is 2.9 percent but Ghanzi district is more than 10 percent, way much higher,” she revealed, adding that currently this year, Ghanzi region has registered 40 deaths of children under five years due to diarrhoea caused by malnutrition.

Now I would like to know if most or all of these children are San children.

Read first January 1 and 2.

The question now is: are these types of murders still being committed in Botswana, or is the fear that it will happen still so great that people are convinced that it is happening. It is hoped that people are now convinced that something so gruesome is out of date. For those who still doubt this, below is a link to an event.

Murder of Segametsi Mogomotsi - Wikipedia

Read first 1 January 2024.

​Molepolole up in smoke

Friday, December 01, 2023 | 570 Views | Pini Bothoko
For years now, Molepolole, the home to Bakwena tribe, one of the major ethnic groups in Botswana, has never experienced quietness as it kept on trending across social media platforms following strings of horrible killings. Cases of missing people in Molepolole come a long way and some people have been missing for decades now and to date their family members are yet to find closure.

However, there have been myths surrounding the disappearance of people in Botswana and for what purpose. Every year the police record high numbers of people who go missing. Most of the people were found dead and suspected to have been killed. Historically, there is a belief that people are abducted, killed and their body parts removed for rituals. To date, residents of Molepolole are yet to find out who is or are really behind the abductions of people. But, enraged residents strongly believe there are killers popularly known as ‘Bo- rraboko’ in their midst. Villagers are of the view that these cases mainly spiral out of control towards general elections. (The next general elections are in 2024.)

They claim some politicians use people’s body parts for rituals to strengthen themselves ahead of elections, accusations that are yet to be proven. In the midst of the recent riots that left houses, the village Kgotla shelter and cemeteries burnt to ashes, one would say Molepolole needs a permanent solution to these recurring incidents. Dubbed the country’s crime capital across social media platforms, it was only a matter of time for Molepolole residents to explode in riots as the village has been struggling to contain escalating killings that have since been described as ‘ritual murders’. In the past, the police admitted that policing the area was not easy due to the recurring incidents. Last week, Molepolole came to a standstill as villagers ran amok burning houses, tyres, blocking the road following the suspected ritual murder of Phenyo Jakoba (35), a taxi driver who was found dead and his body badly decomposed with some body parts allegedly missing. The matter left the whole nation reeling in shock and calling for a solution to these cases. Sharing their concerns across social media platforms, Batswana are calling for an urgent permanent solution to these killings and challenging the police to be not taking the cases seriously in ensuring that at least missing people were found alive. Jakoba’s death sparked a vigilante attack after he was found dead and with his body badly decomposed recently at the Mosinki lands in the outskirts of the village with some body parts allegedly missing.

When I was in Botswana in 2018, someone told me that my bones and other body parts were very valuable because I am "white". Traders in muti (medicines to transfer a curse on someone, or to make a trade deal favorable, or to protect curses that others want to impose through muti) would like to use me, for my bones are worth more than those of dark-skinned people. The advice was not to go to the shops alone. I didn't pay any attention to this.

In 2019, I learned from a reliable source that in 1994, before starting a political career, a Botswanan had held a three-day meeting attended by Africa's best traditional "magic doctor" to give him protection against his opponents. Apparently he succeeded, because he now has a high position. I do not know if he still believes that magic is the reason for his success.

In any case, the fear of ritual killings still continues.

The summary of the Dutch Africa Strategy 2023-2032 states: "Collaboration with Africa will, more than was the case in the past, be shaped on an equal footing." Get about ten people together and ask them what this means. There is a good chance that all opinions on this matter will be different. I find it a confusing question. To start with: Is the comparison about a very long time ago? In a past when there was no equality at all? With a little creativity one can say that there is already quite a bit of equality between the Netherlands and Botswana.

Take the incomes of the Dutch Prime Minister and the President of Botswana, compared to the minimum wage in their country. Very roughly calculated (it is unknown to me which incomes are gross or net) the Botswana President earns "only" 5.5 times as much annually as the minimum wage in his country. The Dutch Prime Minister earns annually 7 times the minimum wage in the Netherlands. Doesn't make much difference. But, the Dutch King earns 31 times as much as the minimum wage. A President is actually a cross between a Prime Minister and a King. (A King is not elected, but a President is.) So this is comparing apples with pears.

On December 23, 2023, the newspaper Trouw reported: Poor. Free meals. The number of schools participating in the free school meals program for vulnerable students has risen to approximately 1,900. That is a quarter of all primary and secondary schools. In May, there were approximately 1,300 participating schools. The program was launched earlier this year; schools which have 30 percent or more of the students come from a low-income family can use it. The project is organized by the Red Cross and the Youth Education Fund. Botswana children in government schools have received one or two meals a day since 1966, even if that is sometimes only a bowl of boiled beans.

CKGR burial case 27 December 2023.

Mmegi published on 27 December 2023 the follow up on the burial case.

--Smith Moeti who is a cousin to Pitseng’s son, Lesiame Pitseng, told MmegiOnline that the burial ceremony did not proceed as planned because other family members were unavailable. He said a new date would be set as soon as the entire family is available to attend the burial ceremony.

“We had informed the funeral parlour about the intention to bury the deceased, and they invited us to come and discuss how the process could be carried out,” Moeti said. “They informed us that they would get the body ready for burial. “The other challenge we are facing is the vehicle that would be used to transport the body.”

Moeti said after Pitseng’s death, the government was determined to bury him in New Xade or any other area outside CKGR.

However the family has instead decided that Pitseng would be buried in Metsiamanong settlement inside the CKGR.--

Mmegi 15 December 2023. Tsaone Basimanebotlhe.
President Masisi assured into Parliament..

The financial perks of the highest office in the land have finally come to fruition. President Mokgweetsi Masisi will now receive a constituency allowance of P19,378 per month, pushing his monthly earnings to over P100,000 (with a salary increase of approximately P20,837. This adjustment will take effect in April 2024. (minimum salary 2023 is BWP 7,34 per hour, x 48 hours = BWP 342,32 per week )

“This development is the epitome of greed, consistent with the Masisi presidency. We saw this with the Banyana Farms issue and the animals he was awarded by the government for game farming,” he added. Saleshando proposed an amendment for the new clause to be removed, but the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) MPs refused.

Mfundisi believes that the new arrangement is not in the best interest of Botswana and its people. “This raises questions about the implications of this change and whether it is appropriate for the President to receive additional funding. The President only comes to Parliament when delivering speeches. He does not participate in debates and does not have a constituency to take care of,” Mfundisiaid.

Balala – the long-suffering tribe being shamed out of public visibility

10 December 2023 Sunday Standard Reporter

Can a tribe disappear while its members continue to exist in plain sight? The answer is yes if you are referring to Balala.

The product of admixture between Bakgalagadi and the !Xoo, a Bushman tribe, Balala are mostly found in the Kgalagadi, Gantsi and Southern districts in Botswana. Balala are also found in the North West and Northern Cape provinces in South Africa. Some western scholars who study Southern Africa’s so-called indigenous tribes have stated that Balala are “disappearing.” That is because very few of them – especially in the Southern District, freely identify as such nowadays.

Ordinarily, a story of this nature would quote some of its members and mention their names but this is no ordinary story. Concerted effort by Sunday Standard to interview Balala didn’t bear fruit because as someone put it, “nobody wants to identify as a Molala.” Some Balala live in Borolong villages but a Morolong who lives in the Goodhope area said that in extreme cases, one risks physical assault (“you can even get stabbed with a knife”) if, even in private conversation, refer to someone as a Molala. Part of the reason is that such descriptor is now used by some and is perceived as a slur. The strangest moment of the latter interaction was when the source “outed” someone who is quite well-known to people who follow the news.