Sunday Standard Retail and Industrial markets pump up Botswana’s real estate game The Real Estate Institute of Botswana (REIB) has reported a notable recovery in the real estate market this year, driven primarily by vibrant activity in the industrial and retail sectors. According to REIB President Chanda Masendu Kusane, the market is witnessing increased transactions and purchases, with the Botswana Public Officers Fund emerging as a significant player. .ihc-locker-wrap{} There’s more to this story But to keep reading, we need you to subscribe. Investigative journalism is an indispensable part of a healthy society, but it’s also expensive to produce. We are reliant on subscriptions to fund our work, and while you can enjoy most of our stories for free, a small number of premium features are reserved for subscribers. You can subscribe for one week, a month or a full year – the choice is yours. Save 77% on an...

Sunday Standard Informal sector gives Govt’s tax plan a firm ‘No Way’—BOISA puts foot down The Botswana Informal Sector Association (BOISA) has firmly rejected the government’s proposed plan to integrate the informal sector into the tax system, which aims to boost the country’s tax revenues. .ihc-locker-wrap{} There’s more to this story But to keep reading, we need you to subscribe. Investigative journalism is an indispensable part of a healthy society, but it’s also expensive to produce. We are reliant on subscriptions to fund our work, and while you can enjoy most of our stories for free, a small number of premium features are reserved for subscribers. You can subscribe for one week, a month or a full year – the choice is yours. Save 77% on an annual subscription. Click here to find out how. Existing subscribers can log in to keep reading here. jQuery(document).ready( function(){ jQuery(‘#iump_login_username’).on(‘blur’, function(){ ihcCheckLoginField(‘log’, ‘Please...

The feel-good factor was sky high at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport on Friday (September 6th) as Air Botswana unveiled the first of its four new aircrafts. Christened ‘Kalahari’, the exciting Embraer E175 arrival has a capacity for 88 passengers and is expected to be used primarily for the Gaborone-Maun and Maun-Johannesburg routes. According to information online, the plane is especially popular with regional airlines in the United States and is produced by the same manufacturer that makes the E170. The aircraft is known for it’s unique angled wing-tips. Speaking at the special welcome ceremony for the new bird, Air Botswana Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lulu Ratsebotsa promised this was just the start. “My mandate from the ministry was to procure four aircraft; the first one is here. Two more are already paid for, and I’m in the market for the fourth,” revealed Ratsebotsa. All along, Air Botswana has been...

Sunday Standard BPC boosts national power grid with a sunny 1 MW move in Shakawe  Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) this week marked a significant milestone with the official launch of its 1 Megawatt (MW) solar plant. This plant, delivered by independent power producer Sturdee Energy, is part of the broader Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) aimed at diversifying and strengthening the country’s energy portfolio. .ihc-locker-wrap{} There’s more to this story But to keep reading, we need you to subscribe. Investigative journalism is an indispensable part of a healthy society, but it’s also expensive to produce. We are reliant on subscriptions to fund our work, and while you can enjoy most of our stories for free, a small number of premium features are reserved for subscribers. You can subscribe for one week, a month or a full year – the choice is yours. Save 77% on an annual subscription. Click here to...

Nineteen (19) years after it was first published, Dr. One Pearl Matlapeng’s debut novel, ‘Phuduhudu Gae Tlhatlhelwe’ is set for the small screen. The popular book, which has been part of the secondary school Setswana curriculum for years, will be adapted into a 26-episode television series. For 37-year-old Matlapeng, it is a moment she has dreamt about since penning the masterpiece in 2005. “I had always wanted to turn this novel into a TV drama. I even recruited actors, and we rehearsed, hoping one day our dream would come true. We never lost heart!” the celebrated author told Voice Entertainment this week, adding her perseverance was rewarded when she secured funding from CIPA. “We got so blessed when our proposal got approved. We thank God,” said Matlapeng, who intends to sell the series internationally, eying platforms like Netflix, Mzansi Magic or SABC. “We are hoping to sell outside the country...

State-owned Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) is exploring floating solar projects at its major dams as part of a broader innovation strategy to address high operational costs and low revenues. Recently, WUC issued a tender for a feasibility study to evaluate the installation of floating solar plants at several dams, including the Gaborone, Bokaa, Lotsane, Letsibogo, and Dikgatlhong dams, with the Dikgatlhong and Gaborone dams being the largest in Botswana. This initiative follows WUC’s announcement in July of a smart prepaid metering solution project, aimed at improving efficiency and customer experience. The smart metres, which can handle both pre-payment and post-payment options, are expected to cost approximately P1.5 billion and will be rolled out over six months in Gaborone and surrounding areas. Three suppliers have been chosen to execute the project. The move towards floating solar projects aligns with the government’s push for clean energy, as outlined in the Integrated Resource...

Meet Bellindah Lokose, a 22-year-old dance sensation from Metsimotlhabe who’s setting the stage on fire with her electrifying performances. Whether she’s dancing alongside top Botswana artists like Vee Mampeezy and Han-C or captivating audiences with her group, The Choreographers-BW, Bellindah always leaves a lasting impression. From conquering stage fright to becoming a crowd favorite, her journey into the world of dance is nothing short of inspiring. In this exclusive Q&A, Bellindah shares the highs and lows of her dancing career, her inspirations, and what keeps her moving to the beat. What got you into dancing, and how did you discover your love for it? I used to have stage fright and lacked confidence, but then I met Han-C, I’m so thankful to him. He’s always supported me. Every time we had a gig, he would motivate me before the performance, saying, “Masbello, don’t be scared, you’ve got this. Go and...

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Twenty new villages in the Boteti District are set to be electrified soon, with an additional extension of electricity networks planned across 92 villages throughout the country. The total cost for electrifying the 20 villages is estimated at P209,275,950.96, while the extension of the network to the 92 villages will amount to P286,241,230.90. This ambitious project, spanning the financial year 2024/25 and extending into 2025, marks a significant step towards improving the quality of life for residents in these rural areas. During the official launch of the 2024/25 Rural Electrification Project held last Wednesday (September 11th) in Khwee Village, it was announced that the electrification of Khwee will be completed by March 2025. The remaining 19 villages are expected to have electricity by March 2026. The villages benefiting from this initiative include Khwee, Kuke, Qabo, Mogobewakgomo, Inalegolo, Ditshukudu, Losilakgokong, Maratswaane, Gamononyane, Tshwaane, Kaudwane, Mahotshwane, Thankane, Kanuku, Somelo, Gani, Tobera, Tsodilo,...

Sunday Standard Inflation creeps up to 3.9% in August Botswana’s annual inflation rate nudged up to 3.9 percent in August 2024, rising from 3.7 percent in July, according to the latest data from Statistics Botswana. The biggest culprit? The transport sector, which single-handedly added 1.5 percentage points to the overall inflation rate, largely due to fluctuations in fuel prices that have had a ripple effect across the economy. .ihc-locker-wrap{} There’s more to this story But to keep reading, we need you to subscribe. Investigative journalism is an indispensable part of a healthy society, but it’s also expensive to produce. We are reliant on subscriptions to fund our work, and while you can enjoy most of our stories for free, a small number of premium features are reserved for subscribers. You can subscribe for one week, a month or a full year – the choice is yours. Save 77% on an...