A Brunch That Asked Big Questions

In a room filled with powerful voices and uncomfortable truths, the first-ever Basadi Brunch Dialogue hosted byGabz FMsparked bold conversations about gender-based violence, economic justice and women’s leadership — proving that sometimes the most serious national debates can begin over brunch But over the weekend at Avani Resort inGaborone, the inaugural Basadi Brunch Dialogue turned the table into something far more powerful: a platform for the conversations Botswana often avoids. Hosted byGabz FM, the gathering brought policymakers, activists, leaders and partners into one room to wrestle with some of the country’s most complex questions — from gender-based violence to women’s political power. “If you listen to the radio, you’ll find that we initiate stories that nobody wants to talk about, don’t want to just report, but we also want to find a way forward, ideas and solutions,” explained Gabz FM Head of NewsRorisang Mogojwe.

The brunch dialogue, she said, was designed to do exactly that. The first panel tackled a question that hit the room like a reality check:Should Botswana’s new GBV Bill address economic gender justice? The answer from the panel was clear — a resounding yes.

Because for many women, leaving abusive relationships is not just emotional. It’s economic. Helen Pushie Manyeneng, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Women, said empowerment is central to ending the cycle. “Empowering women economically is not just a goal; it is a necessity for breaking cycles of violence.” Leadership, according toGosupamang Tapiwa Masie, CEO of the Special Economic Zones Authority, must translate into real access.