In a curious turn of events, Botswana asked Chinese diplomats last week to call off a scheduled press conference to brief the media on the outcome of the disputed South China Sea case that was before the International Arbitration.

As evidence that it has turned a Bushmen pressure group into an extension of the civil service, the government has not only hired the leader and chief campaigner of the First Peoples of the Kalahari (FPK) but has also co-opted two other members into the Central Kgalagadi Game Reserve Consultative Community.

The Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) has launched an extensive investigating into the controversial Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) tenders.

This follows a number of complaints that the scheme, widely believed to be President Khama’s brain child is riddled with corruption.

A Chinese company with deep roots in Botswana has won a lucrative multi-million pula contract for a mega construction project, easily outbidding six local and five foreign competitors.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications says the government has allayed fears over the Spaghetti or interchange junction in Francistown. Speculation has been rife among the residents of Francistown and on social media that the project – the first of its kind in Botswana, has been abandoned by government due to shortage of land and space.

BancABC Botswana Managing Director (MD) Jito Kurian is said to be leaving the employ of the bank end of July this year. Sources within the banking industry said this week that Kurian’s extended employment contract is coming to an end and has not been renewed. 

Bona Life Chief Executive Officer Regina Vaka-Sikalesele, who is also former Chairperson at the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), once said in an interview that the behaviors of individuals in a country form the manner in which the economy operates. This economy comprises of different individuals across the districts and major towns and cities of the country.

Conservation agriculture is one of the measures Botswana is adopting as an adaptation measure against climate change. The Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Crop Production has been promoting the ‘smart agriculture model ‘throughout the country and this is slowly taking shape. 

Chobe Land Board Chairperson, Nelson Masule says they are currently facing a number of challenges in undertaking the Kazungula Re-Development Plan. The idea behind this project is to give Kazungula - which is a tourist destination, a face-lift by relocating some of the plots and properties in the area.