Ministers under the microscope as Parliament breaks Parliament will go into recess this week with a mixed scorecard for Cabinet, as some ministers rise to the occasion while others continue to struggle under the weight of expectation. Phenyo Butale has brought a distinctive blend of principle and pragmatism to Botswana’s foreign affairs agenda. So far, the approach appears steady.
His ambition to position Botswana as a more assertive player on the global stage is well founded. Under the UDC government, Botswana has shown a clear-eyed understanding of geopolitical shifts, including the risks posed by a possible return of Donald Trump to the White House and an increasingly multipolar world shaped by the EU, Russia, China and India. Butale is determined to attract investment despite these uncertainties, with a particular focus on opening new markets in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
The task ahead is formidable. Time will tell whether he can also persuade the United Kingdom to soften its immigration stance towards Botswana. Since his appointment, he has also brought a sharp emphasis on Economic Diplomacy as his ministry’s contribution to the UDC government’s transformation agenda.
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Pursuant to this, he has led a number of charm offensive missions to various countries and his exploits have been impressive, leading to some of the investors he courted, signing MOUs with the Government of Botswana. Moeti Mohwasa- Minister of State President, Defence and Security Truth be told, Mohwasa has emerged as the de facto vice president—ever present, calculating and cautious.
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