President Advocate Duma Boko met with residents of Monarch in Francistown yesterday during a meet and greet session, where he addressed concerns about the country’s economy, social welfare programmes, healthcare and employment opportunities. The gathering provided an opportunity for the President to engage directly with members of the community and offer updates on the government’s priorities. Speaking openly to residents, President Boko said he was well and wanted to meet people in person to hear their concerns and provide reassurance about the direction of the country. His visit reflected the government’s commitment to maintaining close communication with citizens during a period of economic and social challenges. The meeting also allowed residents to hear firsthand about the progress being made on key election promises and national development initiatives.
Addressing the state of Botswana’s economy, President Boko acknowledged that the country continues to face significant financial challenges. He explained that despite the difficult economic environment, the government remains committed to fulfilling the promises it made to Batswana. According to the President, the current economic conditions have affected the pace at which some commitments can be implemented, but they have not changed the government’s long-term objectives. He assured residents that careful planning and responsible financial management are being used to position the country for recovery. His message was intended to reinforce public confidence that the government remains focused on improving the lives of citizens despite present difficulties.
One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was the planned increase in the old age pension. President Boko reaffirmed that the government’s commitment to raising the pension to P1,800 remains unchanged. He explained that while economic pressures have delayed implementation, the promise will be honoured once the country’s financial situation improves. The President emphasized that supporting older citizens remains a priority because many pensioners depend on these monthly payments to meet their daily needs. His reassurance was welcomed by many residents who continue to look forward to the improvement in social support for senior citizens.
The President also provided an update on the government’s child support programme, which is expected to benefit many families across Botswana. He explained that the relevant ministry is continuing the registration process for mothers who qualify for the P300 child support grant. According to President Boko, officials are working to complete the registration exercise as quickly as possible while ensuring that eligible beneficiaries are properly captured in the system. He further assured residents that if the process takes longer than expected, beneficiaries will receive back pay for the period they were eligible. This commitment is intended to ensure that no qualifying family loses the financial support they are entitled to because of administrative delays.
Healthcare was another major topic discussed during the community engagement. President Boko acknowledged that Botswana’s health sector is facing serious challenges that have affected the availability of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. He explained that his administration inherited longstanding problems, including price fixing and corruption involving middlemen responsible for supplying medicines to government facilities. These issues, he said, have disrupted efficient procurement processes and contributed to shortages that have caused frustration for patients and healthcare workers alike. The President recognized the hardships experienced by communities and appealed for patience while government works to implement lasting reforms.
According to President Boko, addressing corruption and inefficiencies within the healthcare system is one of the government’s priorities. He said efforts are underway to improve procurement systems, strengthen accountability and ensure that medicines reach public health facilities without unnecessary delays or inflated costs. The President expressed confidence that these reforms will produce meaningful improvements in the near future. He assured residents that by next year, most of the major challenges affecting the health sector will have been resolved. This commitment reflects the government’s broader goal of restoring public confidence in Botswana’s healthcare services while improving access to quality medical care.
In addition to social welfare and healthcare, President Boko highlighted new employment opportunities that will be created through the Ikageng programme. He announced that 20 schools have been selected for maintenance under the initiative, which aims to improve educational infrastructure while creating jobs for local communities. Workers employed through the programme will receive P2,500, providing temporary income opportunities for many households. The maintenance projects are expected to create approximately 10,000 jobs in the communities where the selected schools are located. Beyond improving school facilities, the programme is designed to stimulate local economic activity by providing employment and supporting families during challenging economic times.
President Duma Boko’s meeting with residents of Monarch in Francistown demonstrated the government’s commitment to engaging directly with citizens while providing updates on important national priorities. Although Botswana continues to face economic and institutional challenges, the President reaffirmed that key promises relating to pensions, child support, healthcare and employment remain firmly on the government’s agenda. His assurances reflected confidence that ongoing reforms and economic recovery efforts will enable the government to deliver meaningful improvements in the lives of Batswana. The announcement of the Ikageng programme and continued progress on social support initiatives offered residents renewed hope for the future. As Botswana works to overcome current challenges, continued dialogue between government and communities will remain essential in building trust, promoting accountability and ensuring that national development benefits all citizens.
