Kutlo Motseta
19th December 2025
The Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs held a ‘Breakfast Meeting’ hosted by Minister, Ms. Lesego Chombo, who invited the creative industry to address the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV).
The Minister encouraged creatives to use their influential platforms to reduce GBV.
“There is no better partner than the creative sector,” said Chombo.
She said, “When having a bad day, I listen to music … when I need to uplift my mood, I watch something creative. The creative space holds so much power in our fight against GBV. We need to feed into love, unity and virtue … it’s important to raise awareness … show Batswana what we want to do … We believe that we ought to take multi-sector policy approach.”
She discussed societal attitudes and evolving cultural norms which are problematizing the fight against GBV, which has necessitated a multi-sector approach.
“Multi-sector approach from our government means destigmatizing mental health, emasculating toxic masculinity,” she said.
She encouraged men to drop their defensive guard and also encouraged the public to seek emotional support when in need.
“Who can I go and see when I am burdened with emotions? … especially men it’s okay to cry,” said Chombo.
The Minister recounted a conversation she had with Kgosi Ms. Mosadi Seboko of Ramotswa, who said gender inequality is not part of Setswana culture, but a result of evolving norms.
“To be honest [gender inequality] is not fully in our culture, it’s what people want our culture to be,” said Chombo.
The Ministry intends tackling gender inequality in the work place, through measures such as addressing unequal pay as gender affects workplace productivity.
The Minister cautioned that criminal cases spike during the festive season.
“January to February, shelters get filled because of festive period … during the 2024 festive season Botswana Police Services reported 60 cases. [This included] 19 murder cases and 13 cases of defilement,” said Chombo.
Relating in her previous capacity as Miss Africa Universe, she recognized the challenges celebrities face and implored the public to remember that social media influencers are human beings.
“As a creative you also suffer violence. I don’t think there are people who experience digital violence like creatives. We use our words recklessly it breaks confidence; it breaks homes.”
Mr. Nchunga Nchunga who is a creative artist and senior lawyer in the Ministry, further highlighted the importance of creatives in tackling GBV.
“It’s fair to say that it is reaching pandemic levels (GBV) … The creatives are all over Botswana …. They cover critical age groups. We cover a broader spectrum … If something is said by a famous person people will listen. Nobody is more suited to spread the message than creatives … ‘cause you have a following, you have influence. That message that you put in message can save somebody,” said Nchunga.
“Out of 2 500 musicians registered with CosBots, imagine if 50% said they were going to drop a [GBV] song for December, imagine what would happen,” he added
Mr. Nchunga was inspired to write a song – “Mosadi u fiwa lorato” – after he attended a work shop during which he spoke to a woman who was shot multiple times by her boyfriend in a murder suicide attempt. He left her for dead and thereafter killed himself.
“I told myself this is my contribution to GBV. Whatever gift you have use it to curb GBV,” said Nchunga.
Socia media influencer and Channel O presenter ‘Mdu Tha Party’ spoke about the negative impact of alcohol in Botswana.
“Our relationship in Botswana with alcohol … our relationship is a bit problematic. We know that alcohol reduces our inhibitions … it raises confidence … some people go looking for [sexual] partners at night,” he said.
‘Mdu Tha Party’ encouraged the public to drink responsibly and not use alcohol as an excuse to avoid GBV blameworthiness, whilst well knowing beforehand that it reduces sensibilities.
Miss World Botswana 2025, Ms. Ruth Thomas, noted that some people do not report GBV because it has become normalized in many homes. She implored the public to be careful when creating humour out of serious situations (through memes and the like), negating the seriousness of the social ill.
“We should be careful when we write … we should not take away the message [whilst messaging],” she said.
Other celebrities present included Ms. Mpho Sebina, Ms. Kedi Lezozo Molosiwa, Obsa Mokgapha, Lebo Speaks, Uncle X,Mma Boroso, Dj Thuli Thuli, Miss Culture Global Ms. Sebaga Manyapetsa and Thebe Malinga.
