𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐌 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐊 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃-𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆

The 2026 Mascom Batanani Walk, held today (08/08/2026) in Francistown under the theme “Step Up for Child Safety,” has strengthened the partnership between the Botswana Police Service (BPS),

The 2026 Mascom Batanani Walk, held today (08/08/2026) in Francistown under the theme “Step Up for Child Safety,” has strengthened the partnership between the Botswana Police Service (BPS), the Private Sector and communities in protecting children from abuse and violence. Led by the First Lady of the Republic of Botswana and Chief Walker, Ms Kaone Tumalano Boko, the walk raised funds to support BPS child-protection initiatives, particularly the establishment and strengthening of Child-Friendly Centres. The First Lady’s participation reinforced her advocacy for the welfare and protection of children through initiatives such as the Mpepu Programme, which places emphasis on early childhood development and child protection. First Lady Boko called for stronger families, safer communities and systems that place the best interests, dignity and wellbeing of children at the centre of intervention. She stressed her Office’s commitment to the welfare of children, encouraging the private sector and the community to engage them in campaigns that raises funds for the upliftment of the wellbeing of the children. She further encouraged members of the public to contribute whatever little they could offer to help the police and other stakeholders who are championing the rights of children. Speaking at the event, Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Dinah Marathe described the walk as more than a community event, saying it represented a national declaration that protecting children is a shared responsibility. She highlighted the BPS’s continued efforts to strengthen its response to crimes against children through specialised investigations, victim-support services, Child-Friendly Centres and community prevention programmes. Commissioner Marathe noted that children continue to face threats including abuse, neglect, trafficking and online sexual exploitation. She said the BPS’s adoption of a Trauma-Informed Policing Model seeks to ensure that children and other victims are treated with compassion, professionalism and dignity from their first interaction with police. She expressed gratitude to Mascom Wireless Botswana for choosing BPS child-protection initiatives as the beneficiary of this year’s walk, noting that the contribution will help create safer spaces where vulnerable children can speak about abuse and access appropriate support. She also thanked the thousands of community members, businesses and partners who supported the initiative, stressing that child protection cannot be left to the police alone. Mascom CEO Ms Dzene Makhwade-Seboni said the Batanani Walk embodies unity and collective action, with this year’s focus on creating safer environments for children and supporting child-friendly policing. She said Mascom’s contribution would assist in establishing more Child-Friendly Centres at Police Stations. Giving a vote of thanks, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship and Francistown East Member of Parliament, Honourable Tiroeaone Ntsima, described the walk as a demonstration of compassion, partnership and corporate citizenship. He emphasised that families, communities, Government and other stakeholders all have a role to play in protecting children, adding that investing in child protection is an investment in Botswana’s future.