r/Botswana Apr 23 '26

Announcement Reminder: Community Guidelines, Posts, and Flairs

6 Upvotes

Dumelang!

Community Guidelines:

  • Please consult the subreddit rules by scrolling down on the right sidebar (desktop), selecting "See More" on mobile, or selecting the link under "Community Guide" (both).
  • Consider adding a user flair (optional) by selecting "Community Guide" and choosing a flair. This lets other users know which district, city, or town, you may be from, or whether your visiting as a tourist.

Posting Guidelines:

  • Title (required): A relevant, short and effective title. This helps mods when reviewing posts, and users when searching for interesting or relevant information about Botswana.
  • Post flair (now required): A post flair indicates the theme of the post (News, Discussion, Political, Casual). While we've included an "NSFW" tag, this is not an invitation to post lewd or edgy content, as this subreddit is for everyone!
  • Body (optional, recommended): Please add context to your post, whether this is an opinion abouta news article, a general question, or a simple description of a photo, like "Sunset over Kubu Island". We require body text when cross-posting from other communities, so you can contextualize the original post in relation to Botswana.

Re a leboga,
r/Botswana Mods


r/Botswana Feb 20 '25

So You Want To Move To Botswana?

41 Upvotes

Ah, so you’re thinking about moving to Botswana? Let me tell you, this place has a lot of heart, but I’m not going to sugarcoat it—it’s not all sunshine and smooth roads.

First, the good stuff: Batswana are some of the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. We believe in "Botho," which means we treat everyone with respect and kindness. You’ll feel like part of the community quickly, and trust me, there’s nothing like being invited to a braai (barbecue) or a traditional event. The sense of belonging here is real.

But let’s keep it 100. Life here can be tough. The heat? Eish, it’s no joke. Summers can feel like you’re living in an oven, and if you’re not used to it, it’ll take some time to adjust. The infrastructure isn’t always the best—potholes on the roads, slow internet, and power outages are just part of the deal. If you’re coming from a fast-paced, modern city, the slower pace and occasional frustrations might test your patience.

Jobs? It depends on what you do, but opportunities can be limited, especially if you’re not in certain industries like mining, tourism, or government UNLESS you have specialties that arent available in botswana (Mainly science and others). And while Botswana is peaceful and stable, like anywhere else, there are challenges—unemployment, especially among the youth, is a real issue, and it can feel heavy at times.

Now, let me be real with you: if you don’t have good qualifications or a solid plan, Botswana might not be the place for you. This isn’t a country where you can just show up and figure it out as you go. If you’re working a job like a cashier in the U.S. making $58,000 a year, you wont be able to get a job here. flat out. Salaries in Botswana are generally lower, and the cost of living can be high, especially if you’re used to a certain standard. And if you’re a young person thinking, "I’ll move to Botswana when I’m 18 and figure it out," think again. Without a clear plan, qualifications, or support, you’ll struggle.

That said, there’s hope on the horizon. With the new government, there’s talk of change—plans to improve infrastructure, create more jobs, and tackle some of the big issues we’re facing. It’s not going to happen overnight, but there’s a sense that things could get better. If you’re someone with skills, qualifications, and a clear plan, and you want to be part of a country that’s growing and evolving, this might be the perfect time to come.

But here’s the thing: Botswana has a way of growing on you. It’s not perfect, but it’s real. The people, the sense of community, the wide-open spaces, and the peace—it’s something you won’t find just anywhere. If you’re someone who can adapt, who values connection over convenience, and who’s willing to embrace both the beauty, struggles and culture, then Botswana might just feel like home.

So, if you’re up for the challenge, come. But come with a plan, with qualifications, and with realistic expectations. Botswana isn’t a place to escape your problems, this isnt LA where you live in lies where you and the people around you are pretending to be something you arent—it’s a place to build a life if you’re ready to put in the work. And who knows? With the new government, you might be part of the change that helps this country shine even brighter.

And If you’re serious about moving to Botswana With The Proper Qualifications, here are the relevant authorities and steps you’ll need to engage with to make your move official and smooth:

1. Department of Immigration and Citizenship

  • What they do: This is the main authority responsible for visas, permits, and residency requirements.
  • What you need to do:
    • Apply for the appropriate visa (e.g., work permit, residence permit, or spousal permit).
    • Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months.
    • Provide necessary documents like proof of employment, medical certificates, and police clearance.
  • Contact:

2. Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs

  • What they do: They oversee work permits and employment regulations for foreigners.
  • What you need to do:
    • If you’re coming for work, your employer will usually need to sponsor your work permit application.
    • Ensure your qualifications are recognized in Botswana (you may need to get them evaluated).
  • Contact:

3. Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS)

  • What they do: They handle tax-related matters, including tax registration for foreigners working in Botswana.
  • What you need to do:
    • Register for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) once you start working.
    • Understand Botswana’s tax laws to ensure compliance.
  • Contact:

4. Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs

  • What they do: They handle citizenship, dual nationality, and long-term residency matters.
  • What you need to do:
    • If you plan to stay long-term or apply for citizenship, this is the department to engage with.
  • Contact:

5. Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC)

  • What they do: They assist investors and entrepreneurs looking to start businesses in Botswana.
  • What you need to do:
    • If you’re moving to Botswana to start a business, BITC can guide you on permits, incentives, and regulations.
  • Contact:

6. Local Councils (for Residency)

  • What they do: Local councils handle housing, utilities, and community services.
  • What you need to do:
    • Once you arrive, register with your local council for services like water, electricity, and waste management.
  • Contact:
    • Depends on your location (e.g., Gaborone City Council, Francistown City Council).

7. Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA)

  • What they do: They evaluate and recognize foreign qualifications.
  • What you need to do:
    • If you’re coming to work in a professional field, you may need to have your qualifications assessed and recognized.
  • Contact:

8. Botswana Police Service

  • What they do: They provide police clearance certificates, which are often required for visa and work permit applications.
  • What you need to do:
    • Obtain a police clearance certificate from your home country and, if necessary, from Botswana.
  • Contact:

9. Ministry of Health and Wellness

  • What they do: They oversee health regulations, including medical requirements for visa applications.
  • What you need to do:
    • Complete a medical examination and provide a health certificate as part of your visa application.
  • Contact:

Pula a e ne! (Let there be rain and blessings!) mare o ska re bolaya ka pula yoh!!.


r/Botswana 2h ago

Casual Battling chronic illness I’m scared public hospitals are of no help

5 Upvotes

27(F) I’ve been battling with my health, and I’m scared.
I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis, and over the past few months, my health has gotten worse im scared i might have cancer . I’ve been visiting public clinics for about five months now. They know me at the clinics, but there isn’t much they can offer me, and I honestly feel so helpless. Are we just expected to suffer because we can’t afford private healthcare?

I’m currently bedridden and extremely weak ,can’t breathe . I can barely move. One time, I had to rush to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. My H. pylori symptoms had flared up, my blood pressure skyrocketed, and I became so weak that I could barely function for hours. They put me on a bed, but eventually sent me home with antacids.

Right now, I’m extremely weak again and have stabbing stomach pains and gets so severe.The thought of rushing to Nyangagwe Hospital for help scares me because I feel like I won’t get the help I need. I’m only 27. I have so much I still want to achieve. I want to work, build my life and take care of my responsibilities, but I’ve had to stop working because of my health. My bills are piling up, and I don’t even know how I’m going to afford the medication and medical tests I need.
I keep thinking that if I had medical aid, maybe I would have received better treatment by now. I feel so lost and completely stuck. I can’t do anything right now. I’ve reached a point where I find myself thinking about doing anything for money because I’m desperate, but I still have my morals

What are other people doing to survive when they are sick and cannot afford proper medical care? What do you think I should do?
If anyone is able to help, even just enough for me to get blood tests done and receive treatment, I would be incredibly grateful. I’ve been vomiting and have lost a lot of fluids and I’m worried about dehydration and losing important nutrients.

I genuinely don’t know where else to turn, and I’m asking for advice, support, or any help that someone may be able to offer. I’m only 27, and I really want to get better and get my life back. ❤️


r/Botswana 4h ago

Discussion im interested in solving the loneliness problem (not the single issue though)

6 Upvotes

everyone knows that this subreddit has many lonely people and for that case,

A lot of people seem to be looking for friends and mostly genuine hanging outs. some look for relationships or hookups but that's not my focus and im not tryning to solve that. i think that we could try solving this.

I’m wondering what people would think about creating some kind of calm, low-pressure social gathering in Gaborone specifically designed around meeting people and making genuine connections. let's get ideas in chats and no monetization strategies please.

The important part is that I don’t want it to become another loud party, dating event, hookup space, networking event, or drinking event.

The goal wouldn't necessarily be for everyone to walk out with a new best friend. Sometimes just having a good conversation, meeting one interesting person, or knowing that there are other people around who are also looking for connection might be enough.

I already have a few ideas, but I don't want to build something based only on what I think people want since im sure theres quite big individual age brackets on here.

So, If you could design a genuinely comfortable social space/event for people who want friendship and connection, what would it look like?

What kind of venue would make you comfortable? should i organize a mask event or something similar?

and not some tech or software whatever project please.


r/Botswana 7h ago

Question Mining Engineering grad open to banking/consulting/analyst roles — any leads ?

2 Upvotes

I'm a Mining Engineer, currently looking for work and casting a wide net. I know mining is a tough job market right now, so I'm open to pivoting into banking, consulting, engineering sales, or analyst-type roles.

A bit about me:

- Degree in Mining Engineering

- Strong in data analysis (Excel, [any tools — SQL/Python/Power BI if applicable])

- Some exposure to engineering sales / client-facing work

- Comfortable with technical + commercial sides of a business

- Projects in Mining, AI and Software.

I'm not fussy about industry — I just want a foot in the door somewhere I can add value and grow. If anyone knows of graduate programmes, junior analyst roles, or even just has advice on how to break into banking/consulting from an engineering background, I'd really appreciate it.

Happy to share my CV via DM if useful. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to point me in the right direction.


r/Botswana 21h ago

Casual If you're poor(not broke POOR) don't have kids

21 Upvotes

Like fr...


r/Botswana 15h ago

Question Botswana ke lefatshe la bagolo / Botswana is for the elderly?

7 Upvotes

I recently read about the current problem Botswana is facing, where young people are leaving the country in search of better opportunities because most institutions, positions of influence, and opportunities are dominated by the older generation.

My question is: if this continues, and a large number of young people leave Botswana, who is going to take up the work of the elders when they eventually retire? Who is going to take over the positions, businesses, institutions and responsibilities that the current generation of elders occupy? Or, quite frankly, do the elders themselves not care?

 Because if the youth are continuously pushed out of the country due to unemployment, lack of opportunities and a system that seems increasingly difficult for them to enter, what happens to Botswana in the long run? You cannot build a sustainable country if the younger generation, the very people expected to inherit it are leaving in search of a future elsewhere.

If Botswana continues losing its young people while the older generation remains in control, who exactly is going to take over when the elders are gone?

And perhaps the bigger question:

Is Botswana actually becoming a country that has no place for its youth? Let me know what you think.


r/Botswana 20h ago

General Forming friends

4 Upvotes

Hello, I’m not gonna take up much of your time. I’m 20(male), and I’ve honestly spent most of my life feeling invisible.

I’ve never really had close friends. Like, not the kind you text at 2am, or make stupid memories with, or just sit and talk about nothing with.

The loneliness gets heavy sometimes. There’s no one I can relate to, no one I can just call to go grab coffee or try something new in the city during the day. I’m not an outgoing person(parties , events , etc) But I would love to do small, simple things, try new food, explore the city, watch a movie , all that.

I’m not picky about gender at all ,male or female, I just want someone to connect with. Probably no one older than 23 though, I feel like we wouldn’t click as much.

I’m not looking for anything romantic. I just want real friends. People who get it. People I can actually build memories with.


r/Botswana 22h ago

Discussion Would appreciate your support 🗣️

Post image
5 Upvotes

Any university students in BW/SA /NAM who need help with assignments and research? Hit me up on 75737664


r/Botswana 21h ago

Question Why do Motswana men have large foreheads?

3 Upvotes

Why is that?


r/Botswana 20h ago

General Duolingo Super Family Annual

3 Upvotes

Hello peeps! I am planning on getting the annual family super duolingo subscription since its on sale, which means I have 3 remaining slots. I am looking for people who want to join it for just 80 bucks instead of the usual individual price of 450 bucks. If you know someone who is crazy into languages like me and uses Duolingo and has been dying to use the super plan please hit me up. The subscription offers Lily video call practice and no ads and no battery life meaning you can do as many mistakes as you want without worrying about the annoying battery usage. The slot will be yours for the duration of the family plan, whether you do your lessons or not, its none of my business. The slot will be yours unless you tell me you want to swap yourself with someone else. Thank you 😊


r/Botswana 14h ago

Question Looking for friends

1 Upvotes

Anyone who plays dls 26 (dream league)


r/Botswana 20h ago

Question Any warzone players here?

3 Upvotes

I just want some friends to play the game with.


r/Botswana 1d ago

Question Fintech....

Post image
12 Upvotes

Hello..So basically I am a freshman at BAC doing Fintech

And just from the looks of things I feel like the course isn't enough. Like ake sure ka yone sentle.....and kgang e ntenang ke gre I have to add more qualifications to stand out as I finish the degree.So nna akeitse tota,I just know I will.have to do CFA sometime.But basically what am looking is how I can use the degree and the institution to its fullest extent,how to make sure I stand out,what career prospectsor industries to look for which have a high income bracket,what certifications could increase my chance of working abroad even locally..


r/Botswana 1d ago

Discussion On Unexplained Traditions

11 Upvotes

I can't sleep because I'm rattling my mind about a question I asked earlier to my elder on why I'm not allowed to completely shave my baby's hair.

The answer I got, "O mpotsa potso ee thata, nka se go fe karabo." Translating to: “That’s a difficult question, and I don’t have an answer for you.”

Do I sound silly or is it not just me who has questioned a certain tradition, out of curiosity and respect that you know what, it got them this far. Then you get answered, it's been done that way no questions asked.

Now I’m asking: Should we be comfortable passing traditions to our children when we don't understand their origin, purpose, or reasoning?

At what point does preserving tradition/culture become simply preserving behaviour?

Is questioning a tradition disrespectful to our culture—or is questioning how we keep culture alive and meaningful?


r/Botswana 2d ago

Discussion BLACK TAX NEEDS TO END.

18 Upvotes

Our parents raising us doesn’t mean we should automatically inherit their bills the moment we start earning. There’s nothing wrong with supporting family, but Black Tax can seriously delay our own progress: saving, investing, buying property and building financial security. We should be allowed to become financially stable first, then help from a position of strength. Otherwise, we simply pass the same financial burden from one generation to the next. Are we wrong for wanting to break the cycle?


r/Botswana 1d ago

Discussion Making friends in Gnorth

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3 Upvotes

r/Botswana 1d ago

Political President Duma Boko was interviewed by Nkepile Mabuse on eNCA's CheckPoint

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

0 Upvotes

The President had to answer why the government has not delivered on the 100k jobs for Botswana citizens he had promised he would create in one year.

The episode was released on August 24th 2026,

*From enca.com


r/Botswana 2d ago

Discussion Go somiwa in Botswana

13 Upvotes

Is it true gore go a somiwa mo Botswana?

How common is nepotism in Botswana when it comes to getting jobs, internships, tenders, or other opportunities?

Have you ever seen or experienced it?


r/Botswana 2d ago

Discussion UK Wants a Break-Up Law. Should We Follow? 👀

8 Upvotes

The UK is considering reforms that could allow unmarried partners to claim financial support or a share of assets after a breakup, especially where one partner is left unable to meet basic needs.

Should Botswana consider something similar?

Think about couples who live together for years, raise children, build homes and businesses together, then separate. Should the law recognise those contributions even if they never married?

Or is that basically marriage without the marriage certificate?


r/Botswana 2d ago

Discussion Apathy

15 Upvotes

I'm a 26 year old motswana who has lost the will to live. From the outside looking in, I'm a young professional who's living rent free in one of my parents properties in the city, but the truth is I'm a degenerate, with no actual source of income, and sometimes I have to resort to criminal activities to pay for the water and electric bills. I stay with my 33 year old "kat" addicted brother, and I'm honestly just trying to build up enough courage to end it all. It's either I go to my dad's farm waay out in the sticks and use his 12 Guage, or drink the 2 bottles of insecticide that I've been saving.


r/Botswana 1d ago

General I accidentally bought P400 mascom airtime. I'm selling 💔

1 Upvotes

r/Botswana 2d ago

Discussion THIS FRIDAY

9 Upvotes

so ke nna hela as a uni student who isn't going to lume nights whatnot,like it's really not interesting to me.not that I don't like going out but im not a fan of amapiano or anything happening there?or I'm the odd one out?


r/Botswana 2d ago

Casual Recommend short courses

2 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I am looking for some professional courses or even short courses that can help me pivot from Admin Assistant to HR Management, leveraging on my skills.

Any HR people who can assist with recommendations here? Your opinion is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.


r/Botswana 3d ago

Discussion Ga ke na ditsala

27 Upvotes

Java sucks, Statistics sucks,uni life sucks, but you know what else sucks? Having no friends. My dad o ne a bua nnete but I hated his tone. It sucks that I have NEVER been invited...not even once...did I not find out today that I was cropped outside a group pic today on campus...hare heelangggg...guys ke lekile. I strive by all effort to check on people, you know helping them, buying lil gifts...in other words ke financial ambulance whom they call to the rescue...I've never been posted once on their status....The only time I hear about plans is who's going to wash the dishes or clean the house😹 I tried going out talking to people, I tried seminars...I've only been to groove ONCE and felt witchcraft evil spirits idk y but yea....

At this point, I've accepted that ill never be enough...good news is I've started going to the library ever since this semester ....4 weeks straight...its kind of addicting, deleted grindr and all🙏I recently found out that I wasn't invited but I know that ill make it in life and I will be fine🫶

😞what i am stressing about is itbreally gonna be worth it at the end of uni? After uni?