The government has officially entered negotiations with Google, TikTok, and Meta (Facebook & Instagram) to enable monetization of local content, meaning Batswana could soon start earning money from their videos, posts, and digital work—just like creators from other countries.

The announcement was made by Minister of Sports and Arts, Hon. Jacob Kelebeng, at the Youth Pitso - L.E.A.D Forum under the theme "My Voice Matters."

"WE WANT THE YOUTH TO MAKE MONEY!"

Speaking passionately at the forum, Kelebeng made it clear that his ministry is pushing for local content creators to finally be recognized and rewarded for their work.

"We want the youth of Botswana to benefit from their content, make money, and earn a living from these platforms," he declared.

Kelebeng revealed that this initiative has been in the works since last year, shortly after he took office. He dismissed claims that monetization is a complex process, stating that it only requires the right paperwork, legal frameworks, and strong political will!

WILL THE WAIT FINALLY BE OVER?

For years, Batswana content creators have cried out over being denied access to monetization features on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, while their peers in other countries cash in on views, likes, and engagement.

Many have lost hope, with some even relocating to other countries just to access monetization. But now, Kelebeng assures the nation that change is on the horizon.

"I promise to do my best and support the youth to make this happen," he vowed, though he acknowledged that the process may take time.

TIME TO TURN WORDS INTO ACTION!

With thousands of young digital entrepreneurs eager to profit from their hard work, all eyes are now on the government to seal the deal and finally unlock Botswana’s digital economy.

Is the issue rooted in the system that civil servants operate in or is it the civil servants and perhaps the culture fostered in these institutions? Please discuss and if possible, share your personal experiences.

Hello,

Please is there flight from Windhoek to Gaborone, please what are the schedules?

How do I make reservation?

Thanks in advance

We are visiting Africa from 13th-31st March. We will be based out of Cape Town but want to do wildlife tour for 5 days with Maun as the hub. Can anyone recommend where to go; what to see and a local tour company that can arrange it for us. We want authentic and are to camp and go off the beaten track in order to achieve it. Thanks in advance.

Especially being a land locked country I’m just wondering what people from Botswana think on how or why Botswana has succeeded so much

What silly superstions where you told as a child that you still believe or practice even today out of habit? Eish mine has to be spitting on my pee after urinating, we where told that witches would collect the pee if you didn't spit on it 🤣🤣🤣

So, I’m german, and my bf is from Botswana, and his birthday is coming up and I want to cook him something from his homeland. He’s here to study, so I don’t have any contact to his family, so I can’t ask them. Any recommendations on what to make him?

The recent shift in American foreign policy, marked by reduced or eliminated aid to certain countries, has significant implications for Botswana. If American aid to Botswana were to end, it could lead to several challenges. What do you think this means for Botswana? Do you think this could create stronger push for self-sufficiency and the development of domestic solutions? On the other hand, it might challenge Botswana’s ability to address pressing social and economic issues effectively without external support. Your thoughts?

Hello everyone !

I am starting a series of articles on medium and the first one is about Botswana. It’s about its culture a bit of history and the Olympics. I don’t have any contact with anyone from Botswana so I am reaching out to any volunteers here willing to review my article and share with me if the content is inaccurate / doesn’t represent Botswana / is missing key elements.

Thank you for your time reading this message.

Hi all! Currently planning a summer 2025 trip with friends. We would like to visit the beautiful country of Botswana, see the local fauna via safaris and finish our trip at Vic Falls.

Do you have any recommendation regarding the best parks and the best safari providers? How many days should a trip like this last?

Thanks!

Hi, guys. I came into Bots with my vehicle from Zambia and was given a 30 day permit. I might stay alittle longer and was planning on extending my permit. However BURS seems abit adamant about giving me the extension. I have a week before it expires. Would it be a good idea to drive to the SA boarder, get to the nearest town and then drive back in to get the extension?

I am planning on driving from Maun to Livingstone (and back!). I assume the right route is the A3 to Nata and then the A33 to the bridge and then across to Livingstone. Are the roads good? is a 4x4 recommended? Any recommendations for things to do/see on the route? Thanks

I have a question as to what you think Duma bokos government is going to prioritise (besides making hemp growing legal) what the plan is for ndp 12 since it seems from the minister of energy that a large portion of it will be dedicated to increasing electricity supply(imo this is good since investors need steady electricity) and is it realistic to say there are investors who want to come and invest in the company since he also stated that any red tape is being handled and that a nanotechnology company was being talked to or am I just yapping?

Ndp 12 electricity supply : https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14sUNgbswi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Nanotechnology discussion: https://www.facebook.com/share/1L5P7feecx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I'm writing on behalf of my mother in law, who stays in Tonota. This year she sent her little niece to the primary school close by, John Phooko school, and she was told there is no chair for children. A lot of parent have had to buy plastic chairs from the chinese stores. One classroom has 62 children, that's two class groups sharing a room. Apart from that she was complaining of having to buy a whole ream of paper and notebooks, plus Tissue paper rolls that teachers are not giving to the children, instead they are using themselves. There is no update on availability of books, maybe the books will be available by mid year.

To our new leadership, can we help these schools. A mme government schools are not given money to buy TP and to maintain clean toilets in 2025?

Thank you.

I'm from India and I've been looking at UoBs grad school MPhil PhD programmes mostly in the area of Psychology and Mental Health. So far, from what I've seen, the faculty profiles are quite decent but I'm concerned if the country has any opportunities at the highest level in academics. My research tells me that after South Africa and Egypt, the institutes in Botswana are among the best in Africa. The currency is far stronger than the one in India, and UoB is ranked higher than a lot of Indian public and private universities, globally. Would anyone advice studying in Botswana?

(Copy Paste from r/photography)

The other day I was taking fit pics (non-commercial) against the Underground Parking Wall with my camera and tripod.

The security guard saw this and called me to their headquarters where my equipment was confiscated until I payed a fee of P500.

I acknowledge that the mall is private property but my problem is there was no indication of the fee on the signs prohibiting cameras, as well as any prior warning from the security guards.

I requested policy documents to where the fee is indicated but they couldn't produce any on the spot and told me they would email it to me on Monday? Its Sunday right now and all this happened on Friday.

I payed for the fee but I am not going to let this slide so easily.

Who is in the wrong here? What should I do?

Edit 1: For everyone asking me where I live, I live in Botswana. I have a history of psychosis so it's easy for me to get paranoid, sorry.

They have replied to my email requesting policy documentation with indication of the associated fees. They have provided no official documents thus far and have only further assured me that the fee for photography is P500 with the commercial fee being P1600.

They have told me my receipt is ready for collection though.

Hello all!

I am wondering if any English books have been translated into Setswana? As an English-speaker trying to learn Tswana, I thought it might help me to read something side-by-side in both languages. Any book will do, although a classic like Moby Dick would be ideal

With the rising unemployment rate in Botswana, many young people are frustrated and desperate, competing for temporary jobs and internships. Meanwhile, other unemployed graduates, who have been jobless for years, feel overlooked, creating a sense of inequality as the government focuses primarily on the youth. Do you think that the government should collaborate with diverse stakeholders in the economy beyond its own structures to help address this challenge? What are your thoughts? What strategies can be implemented to address unemployment in the country?

It points to market frictions; a lack of regional integration and credit; declining foreign investment; and limited infrastructure and electricity supply while mentioning Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, and a few other bright spots.

Overall, I think it did a decent job of providing an overview of African growth and development, with implications both for business and policy. However, I wish it spoke more to trade (both within and beyond the continent). And I wish it also had an article on differences between various countries in Africa.

Even though I am not a regular Economist reader, I very much enjoyed reading this report because of my interest in Africa.

Does this report ring true for Botswana as well? Anything to add? I'd love to hear people's opinions.

https://www.economist.com/special-report/2025-01-11

Can anyone enlighten me on how this can impact Botswana the Organizations/government schemes that might be impacted

Hello everyone! I will travel to southern Africa this year in a converted vehicle. I wanted to buy a 4x4 either in South Africa or in Botswana because I saw that it was also possible. I am French, I have a valid passport and a budget of 10,000-12,000 euros. Is it possible to buy a converted 4x4 as a tourist? Have you already done it? Do you have addresses? How does it work for the administrative side, I really can't wait to discover these countries, it looks incredible. Thank you very much 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Hello there, I live in Romania and I am looking to get a 10 pula banknote for my collection. The issue is that I can't find it at any currency exchange shop in my country. Could someone help me with this? I can pay if anyone is willing to mail it to me.

Citizens (informal sector) expect services even though they are not paying income tax .Why is it hard with complying with tax requirements if you fall within the taxable bracket

’𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐒𝐇𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐊𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐎 𝐓𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐈 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐏𝐔𝐒𝐎 𝐊𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐊𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐄’’‘’Re tshwanetse re hokotse dituelo tse re dinelang badirelapuso kana re hokotse dipalo tsa bone kana re hokotse madi a re a neelang council kana di parastatal.’’

We should cut the salaries we pay to government employees or retrench public servants or Shorten/ Scrimp councils or parastatals.’’ - Walter Matekane -Ministry of Finance