The 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) concluded in Botswana, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss and promote intra-Africa travel and investment. The event featured dynamic sessions, awards recognizing industry leaders, and a youth innovation challenge empowering young entrepreneurs.
Botswana’s ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has launched its manifesto ahead of the general election later this year. The manifesto promises to create jobs, strengthen financial systems, and focus on democracy. The election will see President Mokgweetsi Masisi, seeking a second term, face off against opposition leaders Duma Boko and Dumelang Saleshando.
A massive diamond, the largest discovered in over a century, has been unearthed in Botswana. President Mokgweetsi Masisi showcased the fist-sized gem at a special ceremony, highlighting the significance of this discovery for the country’s mining industry.
Mashatu, located in Botswana’s Northern Tuli Game Reserve, is set to introduce a luxurious overnight photographic hideaway, the Lala Limpopo Sleepout Hide, opening this October. Designed in collaboration with C4 Photo Safaris, the hide seamlessly integrates into the landscape, offering a unique experience for wildlife photography enthusiasts.
Air Botswana is expanding its flight capacity to Cape Town, introducing a new route to Kasane and increasing frequencies to Gaborone and Maun. This move aims to enhance business and leisure travel between Botswana and Cape Town, boosting economic growth and tourism in both regions.
Botswana declared a national holiday to celebrate the return of sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who won the men’s 200m gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first African to achieve this feat. The country also secured a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay, bringing its total Olympic medal count to four.
The Paris 2024 Olympics concluded with a dazzling closing ceremony, leaving behind a legacy of thrilling sporting moments. Notably, four nations etched their names in history by securing their inaugural Olympic gold medals. Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred dominated the women’s 100 meters, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo claimed the men’s 200 meters, Dominica’s Thea LaFond triumphed in the triple jump, and Guatemala’s Adriana Ruano Oliva secured gold in the women’s trap event.
The United States defended their Olympic 4x400m relay title in dramatic fashion, with Rai Benjamin holding off Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo in a thrilling last-leg battle. The race set a new Olympic record, highlighting the incredible depth of the event.
Botswana’s Foreign Minister, Lemogang Kwape, has rejected a request from the UK to accept ‘unwanted immigrants’ as part of the controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda. Kwape stated that Botswana has its own immigration challenges to address and would not take in migrants from other countries. The UK has been criticized by human rights groups for the Rwanda plan, which has faced legal challenges and delays.
