The Government of Botswana has unveiled a series of new social welfare initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of its citizens, with implementation scheduled to begin in 2025.
Key initiatives include a monthly allowance for newborn babies, free sanitary pads for female students, and an increase in the Old Age Pension, also known as the Tandabala Allowance.
On 10th February 2025, during the presentation of the 2025/2026 budget, Botswana’s Vice President and Minister of Finance, Mr Ndaba N. Gaolathe, announced that newborn babies would be entitled to a monthly allowance of P300 until they reach one year old. “We are also proposing a targeted monthly allowance of P300 for newborn babies until they turn one year old,” he stated, although details regarding the exact start date of the allowance have yet to be confirmed.
In an effort to promote dignity and equality in education, Mr Gaolathe also revealed plans to provide free sanitary pads to female students. “Additionally, we will be proposing the provision of free sanitary pads to female students, ensuring that dignity and essential needs are upheld across different segments of our population,” he explained.
Furthermore, the government has announced an increase in the Tandabala Allowance, which supports elderly citizens. Starting in April 2025, the allowance will rise from P830 to P1,400. Mr Gaolathe expressed the government’s commitment to caring for its most vulnerable members: “Mr Speaker, the true measure of a society lies in how it cares for its most vulnerable members, reflecting its collective humanity and sense of justice. While fiscal constraints limit substantial increases in social welfare programmes, we remain resolutely committed to inclusiveness and the well-being of our citizens. With this in mind, we propose an increase of the Old Age Pension (Tandabala Allowance) from P830 to P1,400 effective 1st April 2025.”
These initiatives are a testament to the government’s dedication to inclusivity and its determination to allocate resources to the most deserving members of society, even amid fiscal challenges.
