20 Mar 2025

Government is committed to providing decent and affordable housing to Batswana, as espoused by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Officially launching Bonno National Housing Programme in Mabutsane yesterday, the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi said the commitment called for collaboration with other stakeholders in government and the private sector.

He said the overall objective was to destigmatise low-income housing and make it more inclusive. The minister said the revamped programme provided beneficiaries with a variety of house plans to choose from with provision for future extension.

He said the improved plans designed to meet new trends, were subject to review every three years. “We intend to do total quality management on the programme,” he said.

Mr Ramogapi said even though the government had set a 100 000 housing units targets in five years, his ministry was working round the clock to deliver the target in three years.

“Where there is a will, there is a way. We have a dream and we are intentional that come what may, we will deliver these 100 000 houses,” he said.

Subsequently, Mr Ramogapi called on stakeholders such as landboards and councils to support such initiatives to ensure effectiveness. He said landboards should expedite plot allocations to enable more people to own decent houses.

He also explained that the revamped programme was not only for government employees, but instead was meant to benefit other low-income earners who had proof of income.

While he acknowledged that the Bonno National Housing Programme was still evolving, he said in addition to giving people access to home loans, the long-term plans also entailed allowing tenants to buy houses with rentals through the rent-to-buy option.

He said plans were underway to secure plots in various areas across the country towards construction of houses enmasse for rent-to-buy options. He noted that this would promote home ownership and dignified lives for Botswana across the country.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, Ms Bonolo Khumotaka said the inclusive housing programme would give all Batswana an opportunity to own decent and affordable houses. He said the initiative would benefit both rural and urban areas.

“The objective is to improve our guidelines to ensure that every Motswana has decent accommodation that suits their budget wherever they are. The programme will be enrolled throughout the country to benefit those in small and big villages as well as urban areas,” she said.

A beneficiary of the revamped programme, Mr Keikotetse Raposo commended the government for the improvements, which he said would benefit more people. He said as a low-income earner, he was elated for the opportunity to build his family a decent house before his retirement.

He also implored other beneficiaries not to abuse such noble programmes and ensure they took care of the houses.

While he appreciated the government’s efforts to provide a variety of house plans to choose from, Member of Parliament for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Mr Omphemetse Kwapa said the same should be extended to destitute housing programme.

He also said they should be given the liberty to choose the paint colours for their houses, thereby reducing the stigma attached to these houses as well as promoting dignity for the beneficiaries. ENDS