2022 in Botswana explained

See also: 2022 in Southern Africa.

Botswana continued to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, including the discovery of the COVID-19 variant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5, with COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed in October. Continued disputes took place regarding the Botswana–Namibia border, though an open border was established in September. The rivalry between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama escalated in 2022, accelerated by firearms charges against Khama and a warrant for his arrest. The government also saw controversy for its support of bills that would grant it additional espionage powers and regulate journalists.

Incumbents

• President: Mokgweetsi Masisi
• Vice President: Slumber Tsogwane
• Speaker of the National Assembly: Phandu Skelemani
• Chief Justice of Botswana: Terence Rannowane

Ongoing

• 2020–2022 Botswana elephant die offs
• COVID-19 pandemic in Botswana
• COVID-19 vaccination in Botswana

Events

January

• 3–12 January – President Masisi goes into isolation after testing positive for asymptomatic COVID-19.^[1]
• 11 January – South African singer Makhadzi announces a one-woman show in Botswana with proceeds going to the country, prompting controversy in her home province of Limpopo.^[2]
• 12 January – Botswana Diamonds reports that kimberlite found in its South African Thorny River project exceeds expectations, causing its stock to rise by 19%.^[3]
• 18 January – The government of Botswana begins distributing COVID-19 booster vaccines.^[4]
• 20 January – Members of the Botswana Defence Force are absolved of the killings of Namibian citizens on the Botswana–Namibia border, further challenging relations between the two countries.^[5]
• 24 January
  • President Masisi meets with representatives of the LGBT community to express his intention to enforce the decriminalisation of homosexuality.^[6]
  • The High Court of Botswana upholds the exclusive license of Fresh Standard to cultivate cannabis, ruling that it was improperly withdrawn.^[7]

February

• 1 February
  • The Parliament of Botswana unanimously approves the Virtual Assets Bill to regulate cryptocurrency.^[8]
  • Vast Resources pulls out of a deal to purchase Ghaghoo diamond mine from Gem Diamonds.^[9]
• 4 February – The government amends a pending espionage bill to prohibit the tapping of private conversations amid controversy.^[10]
• 14 February – Botswana introduces a vaccine mandate for all travellers to the country. The mandate will be repealed the following month.^[11]
• 23 February – A shootout occurs in Gaborone when the Botswana Police Service engages a gang of armoured car robbers, killing nine of the 11 assailants.^[12]

March

• 21 March – Tshekedi Khama II and Anthony Khama, brothers of former president Ian Khama, are arrested by the Directorate of Intelligence Service, intensifying the rivalry between former President Khama and incumbent President Masisi.^[13] Keabetswe Makgophe, Commissioner of the Botswana Police Service, is also arrested.^[14]

April

• April
  • A trophy hunter kills one of Botswana's largest elephants.^[15]
  • A court refuses a request to let a deceased man be buried in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.^[16] His body will be held in the funeral parlour indefinitely as the dispute continues.^[17]
• 4 April – Botho Bayendi is appointed CEO of the Botswana National Olympic Committee.^[18]
• 10 April – Umbrella for Democratic Change opposition candidate Mankie Sekete wins a by-election for the Bophirima ward.^[19]
• 11 April – The COVID-19 variant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 is discovered in Botswana.^[20]
• 16 April – An internet hoax leads to the false belief that Botswana had its first ever snowfall.^[21]
• 20 April – The Botswana Media Freedom Committee is formed.^[22]
• 21 April – Former President Khama is summoned before court for illegal position of firearms.^[23]

May

• 16 May – Botswana's state oil company declares its intention to build a $2.5 billion coal power plant.^[24]
• 21 May – Two people are killed in an accident at a copper and silver mine.^[25]

June

• 1 June – Andrew Motsomi is appointed managing director of Debswana.^[26]
• 24 June – The Botswana National Olympic Committee launches the Sport for Life youth sports program.^[27]

July

• July
  • Virologist Madisa Mine announces that Botswana has met the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 95-95-95 goals at the 24th International AIDS Conference.^[28]
  • Botswana Diamonds begins drilling at the Thorny River project.^[29]
• 12 July – Runner Nijel Amos is suspended from world championship events after a drug test returns positive.^[30]

August

• August
  • Caprivi Concerned Group brings President Masisi and Defence Chief Placid Segokgo to the International Criminal Court regarding the killings of four Namibian men on the Botswana–Namibia border.^[31]
  • Botswana halts beef exports amid an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.^[32]
• 3 August – Botswana's value-added tax is temporarily decreased from 14% to 12%.^[33]

September

• September – Parliament authorises the creation of a statutory media board to regulate journalists.^[34]
• 9 September – The Botswana–Namibia border becomes an open border.^[35]

October

• October – Botswana and Namibia come to an agreement on the extradition of prisoners.^[36]
• 18 October – Botswana removes its COVID-19 restrictions for international travellers.^[37]
• 24–26 October – The 2022 African Tourism Leadership Forum is held in Gaborone.^[38]
• 31 October – Tsodilo Resources files a lawsuit against the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology, and Energy Security in a dispute over license renewal.^[39]

November

• 3 November – The main generation unit of the Botswana Power Corporation fails, prompting national energy supply cuts.^[40]
• 4 November – President Masisi receives Saudi adviser Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Qattan in Gaborone.^[41]
• 11 November – Orange S.A. launches a 5G network in Botswana, the first such network in Africa.^[42]
• 29 November – The first combat death of a Botswana soldier in the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado occurs.^[43]

December

• December – An arrest warrant for illegal position of firearms is issued against former President Ian Khama and other former government officials.^[44]

Deaths

• 16 January – Kathleen Nono Kgafela, 79, Bakgatla queen mother.^[45]
• 19 January – Polino Baleja, drummer; heart failure.^[46]
• February – Kgosi Maburu, 33, musician; complications from brain surgery.^[47]
• 4 March – Tumelo Mafoko, 44, musician.^[48]
• May – Jaqueline Tebogo Khama, 72, daughter of President Seretse Khama and sister of President Ian Khama.^[49]
• 2 May – Reuben Ketlhoilwe, 60, Moselepula ward councillor; illness.^[50]

Notes and References

1. News: 2022-01-12 . Botswana's president ends isolation after asymptomatic COVID-19 . en . Reuters . 2023-01-27.
2. Web site: Gaanakgomo . Constance . 2022-01-12 . Makhadzi responds to criticism over Botswana show instead of having one back home . 2023-01-27 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.
3. Web site: 2022-01-12 . Botswana Diamonds shares shoot up on Thorny River potential . 2023-01-27 . Mining.com . en-US.
4. Web site: Ndebele . Lenin . 2022-01-26 . Botswana has stockpile of 3 million Covid-19 vaccines, starts offering booster jabs . 2023-01-27 . News24 . en-US.
5. Web site: Lute . Aubrey . 2022-01-31 . Namibia mulling action against Botswana over BDF inquest ruling . 2023-01-27 . Weekend Post . en-GB.
6. Web site: Riley . John . 2022-01-25 . Botswana's president promises to implement court ruling decriminalizing homosexuality . 2023-01-27 . Metro Weekly . en-US.
7. Web site: Ndebele . Lenin . 2022-01-24 . Botswana High Court upholds marijuana licence for single firm to produce cannabis for goods . 2023-01-27 . News24 . en-US.
8. News: Mguni . Mbongeni . 2022-02-02 . Botswana to Regulate Crypto That Was Feared Becoming 'Wild West' . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-01-27.
9. Web site: 2022-02-01 . Vast Resources pulls out of deal to buy Botswana's Ghaghoo diamond mine . 2023-01-27 . Mining.com . en-US.
10. Web site: Dube . Mqondisi . 2022-02-04 . Botswana Government Waters Down Phone Tapping Bill After Public Outcry . 2023-01-27 . VOA . en.
11. Web site: Dube . Mqondisi . 2022-03-20 . Botswana Drops Vaccine Mandate for Travelers . 2023-01-29 . VOA . en.
12. Web site: Ndebele . Lenin . SA man among 9 killed in shootout with Botswana police, following cash-in-transit robbery . 2023-01-30 . News24 . en-US.
13. Web site: Koboyatau . Tumelo . 2022-03-22 . Khama brothers arrested . 2023-01-29 . Weekend Post . en-GB.
14. Web site: 2022-03-28 . Makgophe's arrest an embarrassment . 2023-01-29 . Mmegi Online . en.
15. Web site: 2022-04-22 . Iconic Big Tusker Elephant Killed by Trophy Hunter in Botswana . 2023-01-29 . SAPeople . en-ZA.
16. Web site: Letswela . Kagiso . 2022-02-28 . Gov't fears backlash from CKGR burial saga . 2023-01-29 . Weekend Post . en-GB.
17. Web site: Basimanebotlhe . Tsaone . 2023-01-24 . Gaoberekwe's body still in morgue . 2023-01-29 . Mmegi Online . en.
18. Web site: Bila . Leticia . 2022-04-06 . Botswana National Olympic Committee appoints new chief executive . 2023-01-29 . www.insidethegames.biz.
19. Web site: Mosinyi . Thato . 2022-04-10 . UDC wins Bophirima ward . 2023-01-29 . Daily News Botswana.
20. Web site: 2022-04-14 . New COVID-19 variant detected in Botswana, Namibia busy doing genomic surveillance . 2023-01-29 . Namibia Economist . en-GB.
21. Web site: Dube . Tendai . 2022-04-26 . It was hail and not snow that coated parts of Botswana in April, weather experts said . 2023-01-29 . AFP Fact Check . en.
22. Web site: Mlilo . Portia . 2022-04-21 . Botswana Media Freedom Committee launched . 2023-01-29 . TheVoiceBW . en-US.
23. Web site: 2022-04-21 . Former Botswana president faces criminal charges . 2023-01-29 . Africanews . en.
24. News: 2022-05-16 . Botswana plans $2.5 bln coal-to-liquids plant to cut fuel imports . en . Reuters . 2023-01-29.
25. News: 2022-05-21 . Work suspended at Botswana's Khoemacau copper mine after accident kills two . en . Reuters . 2022-09-27.
26. Web site: 2022-06-08 . Debswana hopes new, outsider MD will bring the shine back to its diamond business . 2023-01-29 . Africa Intelligence . en.
27. Web site: Iveson . Ali . 2022-06-24 . Botswana NOC starts Sport for Life project with administrators' training course . 2023-01-29 . www.insidethegames.biz.
28. Web site: Haseltine . William A. . An End To HIV In Botswana, Why Can't We Accomplish The Same In The US? . 2023-01-30 . Forbes . en.
29. Web site: 2022-07-18 . Botswana Diamonds kicks off drilling at Thorny River's high-grade area . 2023-01-30 . Mining.com . en-US.
30. News: 2022-07-13 . Botswana's Amos suspended for doping ahead of World Championships . en . Reuters . 2023-01-30.
31. Web site: Tjitemisa . Kuzeeko . 2022-08-18 . Masisi reported to ICC over Nchindo killings . 2023-01-30 . New Era Live . en.
32. News: Mguni . Mbongeni . 2022-10-17 . Botswana Resumes Beef Exports to EU After Foot-and-Mouth Ban . en . Bloomberg . 2023-01-30.
33. Web site: 2022-08-09 . Of 14%, 12% & 0% VAT post 03.08.22 . 2023-01-30 . The Business Weekly & Review . en-US.
34. Web site: Harber . Anton . 2022-09-28 . Botswana Media Practitioner Act is a threat to freedom of the media . 2023-01-30 . Daily Maverick . en.
35. News: Williams . Chad . Namibia and Botswana to abolish the use of passports between the two countries . 2023-01-30 . www.iol.co.za . en.
36. Web site: 2022-10-28 . Namibia and Botswana agree to exchange prisoners . 2023-01-30 . The Namibian . en.
37. Web site: Botswana: Authorities remove COVID-19 entry restrictions as of Oct. 18 . 2023-01-30 . Crisis24 . en.
38. Web site: Obinna . Emelike . 2022-11-06 . African tourism on spotlight at ATLF 2022 . 2023-01-30 . Businessday NG . en-US.
39. Web site: Bulbulia . Tasneem . 2022-11-07 . Tsodilo initiates legal action against Botswana Ministry . 2023-01-30 . Mining Weekly . en.
40. News: Mguni . Mbongeni . 2022-11-04 . Power Cuts Hit Botswana After Main Generation Plant Fails . en . Bloomberg.com . 2023-01-30.
41. Web site: 2022-11-04 . Saudi minister meets with President of Botswana in Gaborone . 2023-01-30 . Arab News . en.
42. News: 2022-11-11 . Orange launches first African 5G network in Botswana . en . Reuters . 2023-01-30.
43. Web site: Bothoko . Pini . 2022-12-02 . Botswana records first combat death . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.
44. News: 2022-12-30 . Ian Khama: Botswana issues arrest warrant for former president . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-01-30.
45. Web site: Selatlhwa . Innocent . 2022-01-18 . Bakgatla queen mother passes on At 79 . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.
46. Web site: Kaelo . Goitsemodimo . 2022-01-23 . Showbiz industry pays tribute to late Polino . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.
47. Web site: Kaelo . Goitsemodimo . 2022-02-08 . Music industry mourns Kgosi Maburu . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.
48. Web site: Kaelo . Goitsemodimo . 2022-03-06 . Remembering the iconic late Mafoko . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.
49. Web site: Tlhankane . Mompati . 2022-05-24 . Khama family mourns eldest kin . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.
50. Web site: Mkhutshwa . Lesedi . 2022-05-09 . Tributes pour in for Ketlhoilwe . 2023-01-30 . Mmegi Online . en.