Mbongeni Mguni

Botswana

Journalist at Mmegi

Journalist @MmegiOnline, Hendrix, Redding et al. Hubby to @thapelomatlhaku 😘. Opinions are my own. RTs, Likes ≠ endorsements

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Articles

Boko named on Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025

1 week ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

President Duma Boko has been named one of the leaders on the Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025 list, being recognised for leading the seismic change last year that brought Botswana’s first change in political power since Independence in 1966. The Time’s list includes leaders, artists, icons, titans, pioneers and innovators from across the globe who are driving change across the world.
Now US tariffs - Will diamonds ever catch a break?

1 week ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

The long-awaited recovery in diamonds has received yet another knock, this time from uncertainty, that archenemy of business stability. The US imposed, then paused major global tariffs, decisions whose impact the diamond world is still studying. MBONGENI MGUNI writes Debswana executives have a phrase they often apply to situations similar to the one the industry is facing from the recent announcement of global tariffs by the United States: VUCA.
Thought by thought, idea by idea: NDP12 ‘think-show’ kicks off

1 week ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

The National Planning Commission has kicked off a nationwide consultation for the NDP12, ahead of its November 1 start. Minister for State President, Moeti Mohwasa, has urged Batswana to think big and dream for the country’s future MBONGENI MGUNI & INNOCENT SELATLHWA report Between now and September, the National Planning Commission will tour the country, gathering views on what should be included in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP12).
Copper exports shoot above P10bn

1 week ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

The country’s exports of copper passed P10 billion last year for the first time in history, as stronger production and higher prices helped national revenues in the midst of the diamond slump. Copper mines in the country exported P7 billion worth of the base metal in 2023, up from P4 billion in 2022. Recent Bank of Botswana figures show the extent to which both rising copper prices on the global market and improving local production, have helped the local economy.
Moody’s affirms Botswana’s ratings, downgrades outlook

1 week ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

Moody’s has become the second agency in as many months to affirm the country’s high sovereign credit ratings, but downgrade the outlook from stable to negative – the latest indicator of the diamond slump on the local economy. Moody’s weekend decision follows a similar assessment by S&P Global Ratings last month. Moody’s and S&P are two of the three main credit ratings agencies whose opinions determine government’s cost of borrowing, as well as the country’s attractiveness to investors.
BPC crisis: Cold, dark winter beckons

2 weeks ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

Autumn is settling in and will soon give way to winter, the period with the country’s highest electricity demand. The Botswana Power Corporation has precious little time to settle its precarious affairs at Morupule B and avert a cold, dark season. MBONGENI MGUNI writes The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) faces a dicey period in the next few weeks as autumn approaches winter, the period in which the country’s demand for electricity peaks.
I swam with the sharks

2 weeks ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

DURBAN: It was an early Sunday morning when I woke at 4:30am, my heart already racing in anticipation of the day’s adventure. By 5:30am, our group of twelve had gathered at the hotel reception at Premier Hotel Cutty Shark Scottburgh, buzzing with excitement as we prepared for shark cage diving 15 minutes’ drive from the hotel, a challenge that promised both thrill and an intimate encounter with nature’s most fearsome predators.
The good times pass Mupane by

2 weeks ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

Like someone bedridden while their peers party, Mupane Gold Mine lies dormant while prices of the precious metal reached a historical high on Tuesday. While the good times roll for others, mineworkers are demanding P49 million dues, writes MBONGENI MGUNI writes Gold prices reached $3,167.84 an ounce on Wednesday, the highest ever for the precious metal.
Dark times

2 weeks ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

Minerals and Energy minister, Bogolo Kenewendo, is due to meet with South African officials on Thursday after electricity import costs ballooned by more than 145%, worsening the power crisis the country has been battling since March 22. Kenewendo is hoping to secure a stable agreement for 200MW at better tariffs, which would add to the improving generation coming out of Morupule B and other diesel and solar production to ease the current crisis by weekend.
Banks rake in record profits

2 weeks ago | mmegi.bw | Mbongeni Mguni

The country’s commercial banks raked in P4.1 billion in after-tax profits last year – the highest in history – despite two reductions in interest rates and a contraction in the economy. Figures from the Bank of Botswana made available this week, show that the commercial banks powered to net interest incomes of P7.5 billion last year, from P6.4 billion in 2023, helping the after-tax profits to a 30% year-on-year increase.