"We must invest in climate research tailored to Botswana’s ecosystems, access to affordable climate insurance products, subsidies and incentives for adopting climate-smart technologies, training and extension services focused on resilience and sustainability."

"The government is committed to ensuring that services arrive where people are located, wherever they are in Botswana. Construction of this road would not only ease movement but would also go a long way in attracting businesses to this area."

"Most culprits are well known in their communities, and we should consider introducing a compensation plan to motivate informers and also create employment in the local communities."

"Performance of the BDP in the 2024 general elections was a disaster."

"A lot needs to be done to turn around the fortunes of a party that now holds only four parliamentary seats."

"We must select candidates based on merit and expertise rather than personal connections."

"Winning back key constituencies like Maun will be crucial to our comeback strategy."

"We must invest in digital infrastructure, skills development and accessible broadband networks. The recent passing of the Data Protection (Amendment) Act is a positive step towards establishing a secure and open digital market."

"We must enhance financial support by intergrating business development hubs and incubation centres and business accelerations programmes."

"We must embrace the paradigm shift that positions innovation and entrepreneurship at the forefront of economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic."

"I am happy to announce that the Leather Park Project has been included in the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) and will be implemented through the Development Manager Model. The project will be completed in the last quarter of financial year 2024/2025."

"Second and third phases which are the intermediate and final phases of this project will be implemented within the Lobatse Special Economic Zone site: otherwise referred to as the Meat and Leather City."

"Three citizen owned companies were awarded the de-bushing works tender and completed the work in June 2023. In July 2023, two other citizen owned contractors were awarded a tender for fencing the Leather Park site."

"The companies are expected to complete the works in December 2023, after which other construction works will follow. The Government has been worried about the delays in implementation. To correct, the project is among those prioritised in the TNDP."

"All those Ngamiland farmers who are owed, and whose money is due or overdue for payment will be paid without fail by next week."

"We will do our very best to ensure that the bottlenecks, which we have experienced with the sale of meat products derived from cattle slaughtered in Maun are overcome."

"By their nature, cull/aged cows cannot achieve the same efficiencies (both carcass weight gains for a better market price) as weaner-cattle, which attract premium prices in the EU market."

"When we had trouble with our boilers, in Lobatse–it was decided to route non-EU eligible cattle from the green zones to the Maun abattoir – to allow Lobatse to focus on EU slaughter. The Maun abattoir could carry the load but had been under-utilised. Accordingly, and to protect the wider beef market and to assist as many farmers as possible, using the extra abattoir capacity in Maun was the only viable avenue to effectively accommodating both non-EU slaughter from Ngamiland as well as those routed from the green zones."

"Their performance has reaffirmed Botswana’s national pride and sealed the spirit of Botho and unison amongst the citizens."

"Letsile has proven himself to be a persuasive athlete. His remarkable performance, winning gold and silver medals on track is a testament to his hard work, perseverance and exceptional skill."

"I therefore encourage Batswana, especially the youth to invest in sport and enjoy its benefits."

"It will substantiate existing laws and be a stepping stone to curbing and reducing disputes."

"This bill allows employees to appreciate their rights better, and thereby, contract regulation becomes a necessity."

"Contracts regulation will assist with achieving fair bargaining conditions between employers and workers."

"There are some Batswana, involving the blind among others. It is therefore my request that we need to soften and have the bills written in Setswana and even in Braille."

"Unfortunately, the demo plant has been running from South Africa and the reasons given are not convincing hence a call for the relocation."

"We had neglected vocational training, now we realise it can help to create employment for our youths."

"We are building a Botswana that will be a global hub for sports, culture and the creative industries."

"Artists are businesses. They must be recognised and supported as such."

"We must take full advantage of digital marketplaces, streaming services, and international festivals."

"Our artists should not be limited by geography."

"We must build an ecosystem where Botswana’s stories are told by Batswana, produced by Batswana, and exported to the world."

"This will not be a talk shop."

"The feedback from today’s discussions will be taken seriously, and we will report back soon."

"We have realised that local athletes experience breakdowns after winning and getting money."

"Some derail and use money unwisely."

"We need to engage athletes and national sporting associations on welfare issues and take this matter very seriously."

"This is not just about managing money,” Kelebeng added. “It’s about creating a support system that helps athletes build sustainable futures. We want to ensure that their success doesn’t end on the field."

"We have said that high-class facilities are needed."

"On facilities, this new government intends to construct infrastructure that will enable us to compete with other countries."

"This is about setting the stage for consistent excellence in sports."

"There is a policy as to how we incentivize our athletes or sporting codes. So what we will do is to look at the policy but currently the policy is under review because we are not just looking at short term but the long term."

"So we have a policy that guides us at what to do when athletes have performed like this on these stages for different sports."

"We are happy with how the athletes performed at Tokyo. We really believe in them and now we are expecting more from these kids to do well. We are really happy."

"I spoke to them. We had to wait for the event (World Relays) to pass. It was not about payments, but more to do with their welfare. They are concerned that they are not getting the attention they deserve when it comes to preparations. Payments also come late. We promised that we are going to improve our communication."

"It is in athletics where we do well. We ask, what can we do to improve their performance? What can we do in terms of how we do our things? I spoke to the boys when we were in China, but some were already taking part in their respective races. I managed to speak to their (Olympics) captain (Boitumelo) Masilo."

"We are still with the entire team, but I know their problems and internally we are working towards addressing that. We need to achieve a common goal. It is not about who is right or who is wrong."

"We must never allow such incidents to repeat again as they destabilise. We are hosting the World Relays next year as well as the Grand Prix again. We need to protect our record."

"What I am going to do, very soon, I am going to meet representatives of all sport association. We need to address all welfare issues."

"We want these associations to be professional, manage things well and not damage the confidence that the private sector has. I am going to talk to these associations very soon. We are addressing all the problems and I hope once we meet with the associations, they will understand the vision that we have for our sport."