The Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs have pledged to strengthen collaboration in addressing youth unemployment, gender inequality, poverty and social challenges through coordinated programmes and policy implementation. Speaking during an inter-ministerial meeting, Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, said the two ministries share a common mandate of serving communities and improving the welfare of citizens, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Minister Motshegwa who was accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretary Governance Ms Baipelelang Photlokwe and Deputy Permanent Secretary – Social Development Kabo Diamond Moseki, noted that the revised Revised Rural Development Policy, 2025 recently approved by the previous Parliament contains significant youth empowerment components aimed at addressing unemployment and inequality. He said it is imperative that the two Ministries align programmes and interventions to maximise impact at community level.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to review the Bogosi Act to expand the role of traditional leaders in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and other social ills. Traditional leaders, he said, have an important role to play in strengthening moral values and social cohesion.
On her part Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, explained that the restructuring of government ministries presented an opportunity to establish a more strategic and structured partnership.
Tribal administrations are also developing a moral code framework, with input expected from the Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs. Minister Motshegwa described the engagement as long overdue, stressing the need for stronger coordination among ministries that serve the same beneficiary groups through village-level leadership structures and local governance systems.
On her part Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo, explained that the restructuring of government ministries presented an opportunity to establish a more strategic and structured partnership. She said the ministry aims to mainstream youth and gender issues across government programmes to ensure young people and women are better positioned to access economic opportunities. Minister Chombo outlined key areas of collaboration, including women’s economic empowerment, increased participation of women in politics, and the pursuit of gender equality legislation. She also called for data sharing on programmes such as Ikageng to enable evidence-based decision-making and better understand the needs of women and vulnerable communities.
On youth development, Minister Chombo highlighted the Youth Development Fund (YDF), implemented in partnership with UNICEF, as a targeted intervention for rural youth. She said mentorship, coaching and skills development initiatives would be strengthened through partnerships with local government structures and the Botswana Association of Local Authorities (BALA), while improved data sharing would help identify opportunities, address challenges and prevent duplication of benefits. Minister Chombo was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Ms Natasha Rampa, Director Gender Affairs Onneetse Makhumalo, Director Extension Services Mr Imon Bogosi , Acting Director Youth Mr Kristian Mmusi and Transformation Coordinator Mr Emmanuel Otukile.
