LAP OF LUXURY
Despite previous denials that her office was undergoing renovations, newly surfaced images reveal a refreshed and modernized workspace for the Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka.
In January, the minister publicly dismissed allegations that she was spending ministry resources on a luxury office revamp while schools across Botswana suffered.
Now, shocking new images leaked to The Midweek Sun paint a damning picture, and it is not of a classroom.
The leaked photos, verified by credible sources, show the Minister’s office transformed into a corporate-style executive suite, complete with designer fittings, custom ceilings, plush furniture, and most controversially, a fully tiled glass shower installed within her private ministerial suite.
When The Midweek Sun broke the story in January this year, the Minister went on the defensive, accusing the publication of spreading lies and tarnishing her name.
She insisted the claims were baseless. But, five months later, the story changed. Her office confirmed that they have renovated the minister's office.
'The renovations started on the 14th February 2025 through to the 25th March 2025, The renovations included preparing walls for painting, removal of the existing toilet and installing a new one and an emergency shower, wall tiles, removal of the suspended ceiling and replacing it with a new one, and replacing old cabinets.'
The ministry revealed that the total cost of the renovations was P170 000 and the budget used was from the recurrent budget for maintenance of government buildings.
Asked about the installation of a shower in a government office and if that was standard practice across government ministries, the ministry said it was an enhancement as part of health and safety management for any eventuality that may require the Minister to refresh while in the office, and the original design provided for it.
Meanwhile, the country’s public education system remains in deep crisis. Across Botswana, children are going hungry in schools, classrooms are overcrowded, and school infrastructure is falling apart.
Teachers complain of being overworked, underpaid, and operating in environments that would make quality education nearly impossible.
They say the development feels like betrayal given that there are students that still learn under trees, sit on broken furniture, share torn textbooks, while the Minister installed showers in her office.
In some of the country's schools, including those within the Greater Gaborone area, pupils brave the winter cold in classrooms with no windows, doors, or heating.
Basic teaching materials are scarce. Feeding is also inconsistent, and students are often returned home early because of hunger, which disrupts learning.
'The office was never maintained since construction in 1993/94, and it was dilapidated with leakages on the ceiling; therefore, it was long overdue for maintenance. The maintenance was prioritised because the office was not habitable and posed a health risk to the minister, ' the Ministry said.
Kgafela-Mokoka was appointed minister after the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) assumed power in November 2024. Before her appointment, former Education Minister Douglas Letsholathebe had been using the same office.