Botswana Speaks

Botswana Speaks is a parliamentary initiative aimed at enhancing democracy through public participation and policy dialogue.

Botswana Speaks is a parliamentary initiative aimed at enhancing democracy through public participation and policy dialogue. It is about enhancing the representative role of the Member of Parliament and building a responsive Parliament and Government for improved service delivery. It is about bringing all constituents onboard in an effort to enhance our traditional consultation systems (Kgotla meetings) while leveraging on new technologies. The platform, which is web-based and has a mobile application, will allow citizens to send messages directly via an online system using computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The messages are uploaded automatically into a tracker, and viewed regularly by the members of Parliament for response.

The Need for Botswana Speaks? A key observation is that beyond physical community meetings there is limited contact between constituents and their MPs. This can be due to a host of reasons like the vastness of the country as well as limited time for MPs to be in their respective constituencies and being able to actively engage with their constituents. Botswana Speaks will revolutionise the way MPs, Parliament and Government interact with citizens. What Botswana Speaks will do: • Increase citizen participation in the democratic process • Improve communication between Members of Parliament and Constituent. • Harness opportunities presented by the more than 100% mobile penetration in Botswana. • Increase uptake and use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT’s) in Botswana. Botswana Speaks will not replace the current Kgotla consultation process but rather enhance citizen consultation through adoption of ICTs.

The power to communicate with your MP 24/7, 365 The platform enables constituents to communicate with their MP’s 24/7, 365 and effectively capture and relay their suggestions and opinions on issues relating to service delivery and policy making amongst others, all at the click of a button on your computer or any smart mobile device.

Botswana Speaks is FREE!!! Use of the Botswana Speaks platform is simple and access is made easy whether you are at home, in the office or on the move. For those that do not have access to internet, you will be able to access Botswana Speaks for free at any of the Parliament constituency offices where there is a dedicated Botswana Speaks officer to assist the public with either registration or using the platform.

Mobile application Botswana Speaks has a mobile application downloadable from Apple Store. The mobile app has an offline functionality. The mobile application provides all services found on the website.

Botswana Speaks Constituency Officers All Parliament constituency offices across Botswana have a dedicated Botswana Speaks officer based at each office. The officers are extensively trained on Parliament functions and on using the Botswana Speaks platform and will be ready to address any queries should they arise and ensure that every constituent has access to the platform irrespective of their age, gender, religion and or political affiliation.