AGP Executive Report

Wildlife & Culture in Conservation: A new conservation framework looks at how wildlife-human relationships shift through animal community changes, human views, daily practices, and the rules people make—highlighting how “coexistence” is never static. Botswana Youth Mental Health: CHOP researchers report promise for Botswana’s youth-led Safe Haven model, using peer facilitators to support teens with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety, or substance use. Polio Protection Drive: Botswana’s four-day polio vaccine drops campaign runs June 8–11 with house-to-house visits and sites nationwide to protect the country’s polio-free status. GBV Numbers Stay High: Botswana recorded 7,517 GBV cases Jan–Mar 2026, including high counts of rape and defilement, with officials urging stronger action. School Sports Crisis: BNOC warns the lack of organized school sports threatens Botswana’s future talent pipeline and calls for urgent revival. Cultural Tourism in Ngamiland: Cresta Riley’s highlights the 2026 Ngamiland Cultural Festival as a platform for heritage, local talent, and tourism growth. Indigenous Knowledge & Youth: SASDO shares youth workshops on traditional knowledge and practical skills, aiming to keep Indigenous voices central while building livelihoods. Botswana Football Funding Woes: The collapse of several clubs points to a fragile, short-term football economy where passion often outpaces sustainable planning.

Polio Prevention Drive: Botswana health authorities kick off a four-day, house-to-house polio vaccination campaign (June 8–11) to protect children and keep the country polio-free, urging parents and guardians to cooperate. Youth Mental Health: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report promise for a youth-led mental health support model in Botswana, using trained youth facilitators to reach underserved adolescents, including those living with HIV. Education & Jobs: The Higher Education Ministry flags graduate unemployment, pointing to a skills mismatch between what tertiary institutions produce and what industry needs. School Sports Alarm: The Botswana National Olympic Committee warns that the lack of organized school sports is a “national crisis,” risking an entire generation of athletes and calling for urgent revival. Cultural Tourism Spotlight: Cresta Riley’s reinforces its role in Botswana’s heritage tourism through the Ngamiland Cultural Festival, highlighting local talent, traditions, music, dance, and community participation. GBV Numbers: Botswana records 7,517 gender-based violence cases in the first quarter of 2026, with rape and defilement figures still alarmingly high, as reported to parliament. TVET Partnerships: Government explores how private education and training providers can help drive the TVET revolution, addressing capacity limits in public colleges and brigades. Indigenous Knowledge & Youth: SASDO shares youth empowerment work with workshops on traditional knowledge, leadership, and modern skills, alongside artisan training and cultural preservation.

Youth Mental Health in Botswana: Researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia report that a youth-led “Safe Haven” approach shows promise for teens and young adults in Botswana, especially underserved groups and young people living with HIV, using trained youth facilitators and problem-solving therapy. Cultural Tourism in Ngamiland: Cresta Riley’s says it’s strengthening Botswana’s cultural tourism after successfully hosting the 2026 Ngamiland Cultural Festival, spotlighting local talent in music, dance, cuisine and heritage. School Sports Alarm: Botswana’s BNOC warns that the lack of organized school sports is becoming a “national crisis,” risking the loss of a generation of athletes and calling for urgent revival of school-based programmes. TVET and Skills for Jobs: Botswana’s Higher Education Ministry says graduate unemployment is driven by a skills mismatch between what tertiary institutions produce and what industry needs. Indigenous Youth Empowerment: SASDO highlights youth workshops on Traditional Knowledge, leadership and modern skills, plus artisan training and arts-and-crafts support across Botswana’s region. GBV Numbers Stay High: Botswana recorded over 7,500 gender-based violence cases in the first quarter of 2026, with rape and defilement figures remaining alarmingly elevated. Desert Bush Walk Returns: Botswana’s 10th anniversary Desert Bush Walk in Jwaneng (honouring Queen ‘Masenate) is set for July, with a theme linking sports and tourism to health, culture and sustainable development.

Botswana in the spotlight amid Gulf tensions: A U.S. strike hit a Botswana-flagged oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, while Kuwait International Airport was struck by Iranian missiles, killing one and injuring 63—raising fresh questions about civilian infrastructure and regional diplomacy. Migration and everyday life: South Africa’s Ramaphosa faced criticism for a diplomatic response that failed to calm anti-immigrant anger ahead of a June 30 ultimatum, as protests and populist politics keep migration in the headlines. Culture & tourism: Cresta Riley’s reaffirmed its cultural tourism role after the 2026 Ngamiland Cultural Festival, spotlighting local music, dance, cuisine and heritage. Sport, youth, and opportunity: Botswana’s school sports “crisis” drew alarm from the BNOC, while the Higher Education Ministry flagged a skills mismatch driving graduate unemployment. Community and wellbeing: GBV remains a major emergency, with 7,500+ cases recorded in early 2026. Football economics: Botswana’s club closures show how passion can collapse under unstable funding and short-term sponsorship. Education pathways: Private providers are being positioned to help drive Botswana’s TVET push as public colleges face capacity limits. Athletics legacy: Isaac Makwala’s foundation is set to launch in Gaborone to use sport for youth development, mentorship and social impact.

GBV Crisis in Focus: Botswana recorded 7,517 gender-based violence cases from January to March 2026, with rape and defilement figures still alarmingly high, as the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs briefed Parliament. TVET Push: Higher Education officials say graduate unemployment is driven by a skills mismatch between what tertiary institutions produce and what industry needs, renewing calls to align training with jobs. Skills & Trade Link-Up: Isabela (Philippines) is exploring a Botswana partnership on trade, workforce development and agriculture, with emphasis on industry-relevant training and beef export opportunities. Conservation & Tourism: Goo-Moremi Resort received giraffe tracking equipment to strengthen monitoring and visitor education, building on last year’s giraffe translocation. Culture Revival: Ghanzi leaders are urging government support to revive the Kuru Dance Festival, arguing it protects San heritage while boosting tourism and local income. Sports Giving Back: Isaac Makwala launched plans for a foundation to use sport for youth empowerment, education and mentorship, with an official launch set for 19 June. Desert Bush Walk: Botswana’s 10th anniversary Desert Bush Walk in Jwaneng will honour Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Seeiso and spotlight sports and tourism for community development.

TVET Push: Botswana’s Higher Education Minister visited Gaborone Institute of Professional Studies (GIPS), spotlighting how private education and training providers could help drive the TVET revolution as public colleges face capacity limits. Sports for Change: Athletics legend Isaac Makwala is set to launch the Isaac Makwala Foundation in Gaborone on 19 June, using sport for youth empowerment, education, mentorship and community impact. Conservation & Tourism: Goo-Moremi Resort received giraffe tracking equipment from Save Giraffes Now to strengthen monitoring and visitor education, building on last year’s giraffe translocation. Cultural Revival: Ghanzi leaders are calling for the return of the Kuru Dance Festival, arguing it’s vital for San cultural preservation, tourism and local livelihoods. Rights & Belonging: A Botswana-focused piece marks the formal repeal of LGBTQI+ criminal provisions, stressing how the change can improve mental health and civic participation.

Botswana Culture & Lifestyle: Sport & youth giving back: Athletics legend Isaac Makwala is set to launch the Isaac Makwala Foundation in Gaborone on 19 June, using sport for mentorship, education, youth empowerment and community programmes. Wildlife & eco-tourism: Goo-Moremi Resort in Botswana received new giraffe tracking equipment from Save Giraffes Now to boost monitoring and visitor learning, building on last year’s giraffe translocation. Culture revival: In Ghanzi, leaders are pushing to bring back the Kuru Dance Festival, arguing it protects San heritage while supporting tourism and local livelihoods. Arts & exchange: The “Chinese Bridge” primary school competition wrapped up in Gaborone, with students showcasing language, speeches and performances as part of people-to-people cultural ties. Health & policy: Botswana is urged to fast-track tobacco control regulations as new reporting warns of growing industry influence. Community & inclusion: Media practitioners are called to humanise LGBTQI+ stories, and a legal repeal is framed as a major step for dignity and safety.

Cultural Heritage & Tourism: Ghanzi leaders are calling for the revival of the Kuru Dance Festival, saying the 2023 pause has hurt San cultural visibility, tourism and local income. Wildlife & Eco-tourism: Goo-Moremi Resort received new giraffe tracking equipment from Save Giraffes Now to boost monitoring and visitor learning, building on last year’s giraffe translocation. Digital Inclusion: A Botswana-linked report highlights how telecoms can better serve persons with disabilities, pointing to lessons from Safaricom and Vodacom on accessible services. Creative Economy: Botswana’s broadcasting officials warn that piracy and unregulated AI could erode Botswana’s cultural identity and creators’ livelihoods, urging stronger protections. LGBTQI+ Rights & Media: A Botswana workshop focused on sensitising media practitioners to humanise LGBTQI+ stories, building on recent legal progress. Youth & Women Empowerment: A new oil-and-gas skills programme aims to train youth, women and citizen-owned enterprises for opportunities across the value chain. Conservation & Community: Shoprite Market Day gave community gardeners in Botswana and the region retail access, shifting small growers toward independent income.

Constitutional Politics in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe’s CAB3 debate is being framed as a coordinated Zanu-PF push to extend presidential and parliamentary terms, shift presidential elections to a parliamentary vote, and reshape independent commissions—critics warn it concentrates power while supporters say it stabilises development. Migration & Public Protest in South Africa: As xenophobic tensions and marches over undocumented migrants intensify, South Africa weighs arrests of alleged instigators and a wider diplomatic response, with officials calling it no longer just domestic politics but a security and foreign-relations issue. Botswana Creative Economy: Botswana warns that unregulated AI and piracy could erode the creative sector and cultural identity, urging stronger protections so local stories and creators keep earning. LGBTQI+ Rights in Botswana: Botswana’s formal repeal of colonial-era criminal provisions is highlighted as a major mental-health and belonging milestone after court wins, with media sensitisation also urged to humanise LGBTQI+ stories. Culture & Tourism: Ghanzi leaders call to revive the Kuru Dance Festival to protect San heritage and boost tourism and local income. Wildlife & Conservation: Goo-Moremi Resort receives giraffe tracking equipment to strengthen monitoring and visitor education. Digital Inclusion: A look at how telecoms like Safaricom and Vodacom can improve access for persons with disabilities.

LGBTQI+ Rights in Botswana: Botswana formally repealed colonial-era criminal provisions that had long signalled LGBTQI+ people were “criminals,” aligning written law with constitutional dignity and opening safer paths for reporting violence, accessing healthcare, and belonging. Creative Economy Protection: A Gaborone media workshop warned that piracy and unregulated AI could erode Botswana’s cultural identity and livelihoods, urging stronger intellectual property protections and fair value for local stories. Youth & Women in Oil & Gas: Botswana launched a programme to train youth, women and citizen-owned enterprises for opportunities across the oil and gas value chain, positioning Batswana to benefit from emerging industries. Culture & Learning Exchange: The “Chinese Bridge” primary school competition in Gaborone showcased Chinese language and talent, strengthening people-to-people ties through school partnerships and performances. Arts, Sport & Community: The “Final Stroke” live-painting campaign is set for an auction supporting visual artists and linking sport, culture and tourism around the Debswana World Athletics Relays. Food & Livelihoods: Shoprite’s Market Day gave community gardeners from Botswana and the region retail access, helping small-scale producers move from aid to independent sales.

Cultural Exchange & Youth: Botswana students took part in the “Chinese Bridge” competition in Gaborone, mixing Chinese language, speeches and performances to build people-to-people ties. Creative Economy Protection: Botswana’s broadcasting officials warned that piracy and unregulated AI could erode cultural identity and livelihoods, urging stronger safeguards for local creators. Women & Youth in Energy: A new programme launched to train youth, women and citizen-owned firms for opportunities across the oil and gas value chain, positioning Batswana for future jobs beyond diamonds. LGBTQI+ Media Sensitisation: Media practitioners were urged to humanise LGBTQI+ stories, with training focused on responsible coverage after legal progress. Community Food & Retail Access: Shoprite Market Day gave community gardeners from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa direct shop access, shifting them from aid to independent producers. Regional Sports & Gender Equality: The ANOCA Zone VI Gender Equality and Diversity Forum opened in Victoria Falls, spotlighting women’s leadership, safe sport and athlete welfare. Culture & Heritage in Motion: A Miss Universe Zimbabwe team with Botswana delegates visited Zimbabwe’s Baradzanwa Cultural Village, celebrating traditions, food and storytelling.

Chinese Bridge in Gaborone: The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Show for Primary School Students wrapped up in Botswana’s capital, with writing, speeches and performances spotlighting Chinese language learning and people-to-people exchange. Creative Economy Under Threat: Botswana’s broadcasting officials warn that piracy and unregulated AI could erode the creative sector and cultural identity, urging stronger protections for local creators. LGBTQI+ Media Training: Media practitioners were urged to humanise LGBTQI+ stories, with sensitisation training aimed at improving how communities are portrayed after legal progress. Youth and Women in Energy: A new programme links youth, women and citizen-owned enterprises to oil-and-gas opportunities, positioning Batswana for future sector growth. Sustainability Leadership: Treehaus Institute and Cambridge’s sustainability leadership arm partner to bring advanced training and networks to Botswana and the region. Market Access for Gardeners: Shoprite’s Market Day gave community gardeners retail access after retail skills training, turning growers into independent producers. Church Blessings: Elder Gong shared the meaning of “Pula a e ne” (“let it rain”) as a message of shared blessings and renewal.

Youth, women in energy: Botswana is positioning young people and women for oil and gas opportunities through a new skills-and-enterprise programme launched with partners including BA ISAGO University and Botswana Oil Limited, aiming to move citizens into emerging value chains. LGBTQI+ media push: LEGABIBO trained media practitioners to humanise LGBTQI+ stories, arguing that stronger, more responsible coverage helps democracy and reduces harmful stereotypes. Women miners connect: ZASWMA highlighted regional momentum for women in mining, including participation in WiMBO’s Pitso conference in Gaborone under a “women transforming the mining value chain” theme. Community gardens go retail: Southern Africa Market Day opened Shoprite/Checkers shelves to nearly 60 community gardeners from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, with retail training helping small producers sell directly. Sport & culture spotlight: The “Final Stroke” live-painting campaign is set for a premium auction at the National Museum, blending visual arts with the legacy of the Debswana World Athletics Relays. Albinism awareness: A new piece marks international awareness and advocacy around albinism, focusing on rights, stigma and safety.

Gulf Conflict Impact: Kuwait International Airport was hit in an Iranian missile and drone attack, killing one Indian national and injuring 63, with Terminal 1 damaged and flights suspended as officials assess the damage. Diplomacy Under Strain: Kuwait expelled two Iranian diplomats after the strike, while the US and Iran traded “self-defense” strikes in the Strait of Hormuz region, keeping ceasefire talks fragile. Regional Sports & Gender: The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee hosted the ANOCA Zone VI Gender Equality and Diversity Forum in Victoria Falls, bringing together Southern African Olympic bodies to push safer sport, women’s leadership, and safeguarding. Women in Mining (Botswana link): Zimbabwe’s ZASWMA joined the Women in Mining Botswana Organisation (WiMBO) Pitso conference in Gaborone, focusing on women transforming the mining value chain. Mental Health & Boys: Botswana’s First Lady Kaone Boko urged stronger support for the boy child, warning that neglect and “stoicism culture” can fuel future instability and poor mental health. Culture & Learning: A Curiosity Cube™ mobile science lab brought hands-on STEM activities to learners in Zambia, highlighting regional science engagement.

Women in Mining & Empowerment: ZASWMA is using regional links to push women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale mining, including participation in WiMBO’s Pitso conference in Gaborone under “Unearthing Excellence.” Gender Equality in Sport: ZOC is hosting the ANOCA Zone VI Gender Equality and Diversity Forum in Victoria Falls, bringing together Southern African Olympic committees to tackle leadership, safeguarding, funding, and athlete welfare. Child Rights & Mental Health: Botswana’s First Lady Kaone Boko urged stronger support for the boy child alongside girls’ empowerment, while nurses warned against “stoicism culture” that keeps men from seeking mental health help. Democracy Debate (Regional): A Zimbabwe constitutional amendment bill sparked fresh arguments about presidential election systems, with comparisons drawn to Botswana’s stability. Gulf Conflict Spillover: US-Iran strikes and Iranian attacks hit Kuwait’s airport (one dead, 63 injured) and Bahrain, while a Botswana-flagged tanker was disabled near the Strait of Hormuz—raising fresh concerns for regional safety and travel. Craft & Business Culture: KGK Group highlights a 120+ year heritage in gems and jewellery, framing its “mines to brands” model as a legacy-driven approach.

Gender & Sport: Zimbabwe Olympic Committee is hosting the ANOCA Zone VI Gender Equality and Diversity Forum in Victoria Falls, with Botswana among 10 represented countries, focusing on women in leadership, coaching, safe sport, safeguarding, funding, athlete welfare (including maternity rights), and tackling online abuse. Health & Rights: Albinism awareness coverage highlights inherited conditions, lifelong vision challenges, higher skin cancer risk, and stigma—plus calls for stronger protection against myths and violence. Child Wellbeing: Botswana’s First Lady Kaone Boko urged stronger support for the boy child at a UNICEF forum in Gaborone, warning that neglect and “stoicism culture” can fuel future instability and poor mental health outcomes for boys. STEM for Youth: Zambia’s Curiosity Cube™ mobile lab brought hands-on science to hundreds of learners, linking classroom experiments to real STEM careers. LGBTQ Travel Safety: A 2026 LGBTQ Risk Map flags worsening overseas conditions in several countries and notes high-risk areas in parts of the Middle East and North Africa. Culture & Identity: A feature on Gqom credits community-led creativity and local networks for the genre’s global rise. Regional Security Spillover: US-Iran tensions continue to flare across the Gulf, including a deadly Kuwait airport strike and renewed missile and drone exchanges.