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Botswana

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Botswana. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Gaborone

Head of State

President Mokgweetsi Masisi

Head of Government

President Mokgweetsi Masisi

Chinese Premier Li Qiang (fourth left) poses with African and other G20 leaders, in Johannesburg on November 22. He has said Beijing is willing to work with South Africa to promote the early implementation of zero-tariff treatment for its goods. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China promised zero tariffs for Africa. Why is South Africa missing out?

Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia also miss out on duty-free treatment over fellow trade bloc member eSwatini’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

7 Dec 2025 - 4:32PMvideocam

Africa

Wildly different: Botswana and Namibia offer contrasting safari experiences

14 Nov 2025 - 10:00AM

World Athletics Championships

Tokyo world championships: Tebogo’s legs to ‘do the talking’ in Lyles showdown

9 Sep 2025 - 9:00PM

Middle East

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

4 Sep 2025 - 3:17PMvideocam

A labourer carries a sack of ore at the Rubaya coltan mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo on March 24. Photo: Reuters

China-Africa relations

Is this the copper century? China moves to shore up supplies from Africa

African copper is crucial for China as the West restricts supplies, notably from Canada, analyst says.

2 Jul 2025 - 2:00PMvideocam

Animals

Zimbabwe to cull elephants and distribute meat to people

The move seeks to ease the ballooning population of the animals – the African nation has the second most elephants in the world.

4 Jun 2025 - 2:51AM

China-Africa relations

China still leads the pack in Africa’s critical minerals race as US falls behind

Beijing has spent years – and billions – investing in Africa’s mining sector, and it is now paying off, experts say.

12 Mar 2025 - 11:16PMvideocam

China has spent billions investing in African critical minerals, such as this copper and cobalt mine in the DRC, leaving the US in its dust in the global rare earths race. Photo: AFP

Business of climate change

China miners accelerate overseas buying spree

Last month, MMG said it would buy British miner Anglo American’s nickel business in Brazil.

6 Mar 2025 - 10:20PMvideocam

Celebrity children

Who are Julian Assange’s children – Daniel, Gabriel and Max?

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finally free to be a normal dad after he pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law, returning home to Australia last week – here’s what we know about his family

8 Jul 2024 - 1:21PM

China-Africa relations

Chinese firm to acquire Zambian copper mine amid African minerals buying spree

With more African mines being bought by Chinese firms, Beijing is positioning itself to lead the green energy revolution.

1 Jul 2024 - 4:06PMvideocam

Chinese company JCHX is close to finalising a deal to buy an 80 per cent stake in Lubambe copper mine in Zambia. Photo: Lubambe Copper Mine

Tourism

World’s longest walk? 24,262km from South Africa to China

Russ Cook’s epic run across the length of Africa inspired Post Magazine to try devising the world’s longest walk. Here’s the result, including what to see on the way and countries to avoid.

14 May 2024 - 4:15PM

A hiker looks out at mountains on the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Photo: Shutterstock

Style Edit

Style Edit: De Beers’ new campaign, Unveiling The Extraordinary

In 6 chapters it tells the story of finding, cutting and setting the precious stones to turn them into finished pieces of jewellery

13 May 2024 - 10:00AM

South Africa

South Africa bus crash kills 45 Easter pilgrims, transport ministry says

Seriously injured 8-year-old child is sole survivor after bus plunged off bridge and caught fire in province of Limpopo. President Ramaphosa earlier appealed to South Africans to take care when travelling.

29 Mar 2024 - 8:00AM

China-Africa relations

Green energy powers China’s investment boom in Africa after pandemic

Race for minerals vital for renewable energy drives rise in Chinese investments and construction deals in Africa.

16 Feb 2024 - 9:00AMvideocam

Last year saw an increase in Chinese construction contracts and investments in Africa, signalling a recovery from the pandemic-led slowdown. Photo: AFP

Obituaries

Namibia president and anti-apartheid activist Hage Geingob dies age 82

Geingob maintained close ties with the US and other Western countries but also forged a warm relationship with China. He had been receiving treatment for cancer.

5 Feb 2024 - 3:53AM

Namibia’s President Hage Geingob died on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong ‘aims to increase flight links to more belt and road countries’

Airport Authority chairman Jack So tells aviation symposium that city hopes to increase flight links beyond 40 belt and road countries already covered.

14 Dec 2023 - 8:25PM

North Korea

North Korea’s thwarted smugglers lay bare abusable UN sanctions regime

Japanese police raided a used-car showroom in Chiba recently on suspicion it had attempted to transfer a US$68,000 Lexus to North Korea, according to reports.

12 Dec 2023 - 5:07PMvideocam

North Korea

North Korea may recall ambassador to Switzerland by year-end

Sources say ambassador Han Tae-song may have been involved in the illegal trade of elephant tusks and rhino horns through deals in four African countries.

9 Dec 2023 - 12:58AM

Han Tae-song, North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations, in Geneva in June 2022. Photo: AFP

Investing

Chinese miner MMG buys Botswana’s Khoemacau copper mine for US$1.9 billion

The metals miner said it had entered into a share purchase agreement worth US$1.88 billion to buy Canada-based Cuprous Capital, the parent company of the copper mine, amid a surge in demand for the metal needed in green energy transition.

21 Nov 2023 - 9:42AM

Luxury brands

5 new lifestyle finds that capture the wonder of nature

Designers draw on the beautiful sights and smells of our world to inspire jewellery by De Beers and Elhanati, placeholders from Buccellati, Diptyque candles and Korean brand Nonfiction’s perfumes

2 Nov 2023 - 5:44PM

Tourism

‘It was sensory overload’: how sober travel is driving a new tourism trend

Alcohol-free travel companies such as Hooked and We Love Lucid are catering to a growing sober tourism trend driven by travellers looking for deeper experiences unclouded by booze and hangovers.

30 Oct 2023 - 6:15PM

Darci Murray (left) is the founder of alcohol-free travel company Hooked, which arranges sober travel trips - a growing tourism trend. Photo: Darci Murray

High Jewellery

LVMH tests the market for lab-grown diamonds in luxury watches and jewellery

The luxury conglomerate is experimenting with including man-made stones in high-end watches and jewellery, but continues to focus on marketing natural diamonds, particularly through Tiffany & Co.

17 Oct 2023 - 3:00PM

Fred’s Force 10 high jewellery necklace, featuring the very first lab-grown blue diamond, the Audacious Blue. Photos: Fred

China-Africa relations

Why China’s focus on African food imports will not blur infrastructure outlook

New initiatives to boost Africa’s agricultural and industrial modernisation do not mean a shift away from infrastructure building but rather the launch of a parallel track, observers say.

8 Oct 2023 - 5:02PM

Explainers: Politics

Explainer | Not just Trump: these leaders also got into legal trouble

There is a long history of leaders prosecuted before, during and after holding power with representation across continents.

7 Aug 2023 - 12:52PM

Luxury travel

Where are the world’s richest travelling for summer holidays in 2023?

It’s all about privacy, seclusion, bespoke experiences and escaping the ‘hoi polloi’ … here’s where the world’s wealthiest holidaymakers are travelling this summer and why

4 Aug 2023 - 2:45PM

The world’s wealthiest travellers are looking to Greece, Italy and yacht experiences that guarantee privacy and seclusion. Photo: Shutterstock

Tourism

Why Bezos, Branson’s risky adventures aren’t what most wealthy tourists want

The likes of Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and OceanGate have made daring adventures available to the ultra-rich but, unlike Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, most wealthy travellers prefer exclusivity without the risk.

1 Jul 2023 - 5:15PM

Richard Branson likes to hang off skyscrapers, and his company Virgin Galactic takes the ultra rich to space. But these aren’t the preferences of your average wealthy traveler. Photo: Twitter / @richardbranson

Tourism

African wild dogs: a brief encounter with the elusive apex predators

Long misunderstood, African wild dogs are intelligent and highly social, and pose little risk to people. But, as usual, it is humans who have pushed these ‘heroes of the bush’ onto Botswana’s endangered list.

17 Jun 2023 - 1:15PM

China-Africa relations

Zimbabwe citrus firms gain access to China’s massive fresh food market

China lists 11 registered Zimbabwean citrus orchards and 6 citrus packing houses to export citrus to China, which may help bridge a gap in the Chinese market over summer

10 Jun 2023 - 6:00PMvideocam

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Botswana

China promised zero tariffs for Africa. Why is South Africa missing out?

Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia also miss out on duty-free treatment over fellow trade bloc member eSwatini’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Wildly different: Botswana and Namibia offer contrasting safari experiences

Tokyo world championships: Tebogo’s legs to ‘do the talking’ in Lyles showdown

Qatar joins Gulf neighbours in African funding game with US$103 billion pledge

Al-Mansour Holdings is looking to tap into six resource-rich sub-Saharan countries for minerals, oil and gas.

Is this the copper century? China moves to shore up supplies from Africa

African copper is crucial for China as the West restricts supplies, notably from Canada, analyst says.

Zimbabwe to cull elephants and distribute meat to people

The move seeks to ease the ballooning population of the animals – the African nation has the second most elephants in the world.

China still leads the pack in Africa’s critical minerals race as US falls behind

Beijing has spent years – and billions – investing in Africa’s mining sector, and it is now paying off, experts say.

China miners accelerate overseas buying spree

Last month, MMG said it would buy British miner Anglo American’s nickel business in Brazil.

Who are Julian Assange’s children – Daniel, Gabriel and Max?

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finally free to be a normal dad after he pleaded guilty to violating US espionage law, returning home to Australia last week – here’s what we know about his family

Chinese firm to acquire Zambian copper mine amid African minerals buying spree

With more African mines being bought by Chinese firms, Beijing is positioning itself to lead the green energy revolution.

World’s longest walk? 24,262km from South Africa to China

Russ Cook’s epic run across the length of Africa inspired Post Magazine to try devising the world’s longest walk. Here’s the result, including what to see on the way and countries to avoid.

Style Edit: De Beers’ new campaign, Unveiling The Extraordinary

In 6 chapters it tells the story of finding, cutting and setting the precious stones to turn them into finished pieces of jewellery

South Africa bus crash kills 45 Easter pilgrims, transport ministry says

Seriously injured 8-year-old child is sole survivor after bus plunged off bridge and caught fire in province of Limpopo. President Ramaphosa earlier appealed to South Africans to take care when travelling.

Green energy powers China’s investment boom in Africa after pandemic

Race for minerals vital for renewable energy drives rise in Chinese investments and construction deals in Africa.

Namibia president and anti-apartheid activist Hage Geingob dies age 82

Geingob maintained close ties with the US and other Western countries but also forged a warm relationship with China. He had been receiving treatment for cancer.

Hong Kong ‘aims to increase flight links to more belt and road countries’

Airport Authority chairman Jack So tells aviation symposium that city hopes to increase flight links beyond 40 belt and road countries already covered.

North Korea’s thwarted smugglers lay bare abusable UN sanctions regime

Japanese police raided a used-car showroom in Chiba recently on suspicion it had attempted to transfer a US$68,000 Lexus to North Korea, according to reports.

North Korea may recall ambassador to Switzerland by year-end

Sources say ambassador Han Tae-song may have been involved in the illegal trade of elephant tusks and rhino horns through deals in four African countries.

Chinese miner MMG buys Botswana’s Khoemacau copper mine for US$1.9 billion

The metals miner said it had entered into a share purchase agreement worth US$1.88 billion to buy Canada-based Cuprous Capital, the parent company of the copper mine, amid a surge in demand for the metal needed in green energy transition.

5 new lifestyle finds that capture the wonder of nature

Designers draw on the beautiful sights and smells of our world to inspire jewellery by De Beers and Elhanati, placeholders from Buccellati, Diptyque candles and Korean brand Nonfiction’s perfumes

‘It was sensory overload’: how sober travel is driving a new tourism trend

Alcohol-free travel companies such as Hooked and We Love Lucid are catering to a growing sober tourism trend driven by travellers looking for deeper experiences unclouded by booze and hangovers.

LVMH tests the market for lab-grown diamonds in luxury watches and jewellery

The luxury conglomerate is experimenting with including man-made stones in high-end watches and jewellery, but continues to focus on marketing natural diamonds, particularly through Tiffany & Co.

Why China’s focus on African food imports will not blur infrastructure outlook

New initiatives to boost Africa’s agricultural and industrial modernisation do not mean a shift away from infrastructure building but rather the launch of a parallel track, observers say.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Not just Trump: these leaders also got into legal trouble

There is a long history of leaders prosecuted before, during and after holding power with representation across continents.

Where are the world’s richest travelling for summer holidays in 2023?

It’s all about privacy, seclusion, bespoke experiences and escaping the ‘hoi polloi’ … here’s where the world’s wealthiest holidaymakers are travelling this summer and why

Why Bezos, Branson’s risky adventures aren’t what most wealthy tourists want

The likes of Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and OceanGate have made daring adventures available to the ultra-rich but, unlike Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, most wealthy travellers prefer exclusivity without the risk.

African wild dogs: a brief encounter with the elusive apex predators

Long misunderstood, African wild dogs are intelligent and highly social, and pose little risk to people. But, as usual, it is humans who have pushed these ‘heroes of the bush’ onto Botswana’s endangered list.

Zimbabwe citrus firms gain access to China’s massive fresh food market

China lists 11 registered Zimbabwean citrus orchards and 6 citrus packing houses to export citrus to China, which may help bridge a gap in the Chinese market over summer

Explainer | Not just Trump: these leaders also got into legal trouble