Engage for Change Stepping Stones International and SAPST are working together to promote good governance in Botswana by strengthening CSOs’ capacity to engage with policymakers and parliaments. The aim is to increase CSO participation in parliamentary processes and enhance the understanding of decision-makers to create a conducive environment for working with CSOs READ MORE CSO STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS SIDA Global CSO Strengthening Programme SAPST is promoting…
Our Strategic Approach
At SAPST, we work to build a democratic culture that thrives on inclusion, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. By focusing on empowering parliaments, promoting research-driven lawmaking, and facilitating open dialogue, our approach ensures that governance is transparent, participatory, and capable of addressing the pressing issues faced by Southern African countries today. 1. Capacity Building Empowering Legislators to Lead with Confidence At SAPST, we believe that strong…
Advancing Gender Equality and Social Justice in Legislation
Promoting gender equality and social inclusion is at the core of SAPST’s mission. We work to ensure that marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, are represented in governance and that their voices shape the policies that affect their lives. Through our advocacy programs, SAPST supports the formation of parliamentary caucuses dedicated to promoting the rights of marginalized communities. These caucuses work to…
Empowering Institutions with Rigorous, Data-Driven Research
In today’s complex governance landscape, effective decision-making requires access to reliable, evidence-based insights. At SAPST, our research programs are designed to provide parliaments and other governance bodies with the data, analysis, and recommendations they need to develop policies that are grounded in reality and tailored to the challenges they face. We collaborate with academic institutions, civil society organizations, and policy experts to conduct research that…
Creating Spaces for Inclusive Dialogue and Effective Collaboration
Governance is most effective when it is participatory and collaborative. At SAPST, we recognize that the voices of all stakeholders—parliamentarians, civil society, government agencies, and citizens—must be heard and engaged in shaping policies and laws. Through our convening initiatives, we provide spaces where these groups can come together to discuss key legislative issues, governance challenges, and social justice priorities. Our convening programs help bridge the…
Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in Public Spending
Effective public finance management (PFM) is essential for ensuring that government resources are used efficiently and for the public good. SAPST works to strengthen parliamentary oversight of public finances by building the capacity of MPs and parliamentary committees to monitor government expenditures, scrutinize budget proposals, and assess the impact of fiscal policies. We collaborate closely with the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), providing technical support and training…
The National Assembly continued with sitting this week.
On Tuesday, 23 February, the Speaker of Parliament Hon Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda swore in new Members of Parliament nominated by the MDC-T party to fill the vacancies that occurred among the Party-List Members of the National Assembly following the recall of Members by the MDC-T. The following MPs were sworn in under Proportional Representation: 1. Hon. Nomvula Mguni, Bulawayo Metropolitan Province; 2. Judith Chimwanza, Manicaland Province;…
MPs urge Government to adequately fund the Education sector
Members of Parliament have implored Government to adequately fund the education sector and look into the welfare of teachers to ensure improved results of learners. They said this after the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon. Caine Mathema, tabled a Ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday on the 2020 Grade Seven Examination results. The results indicated poor performance by students compared to previous years.…
Report on Response to GBV during the COVID-19 Lockdown
Women Affairs, Community and Smes Development Committee Chairperson, Hon Chido Madiwa (Mutasa North ZANU PF) on Tuesday tabled a report in Parliament to ascertain the level of service delivery to survivors of Gender Based Violence by the Government at safe shelters and One Stop Centres, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The specific objectives of the inquiry that was conducted in the country’s five provinces included: To ascertain the…
Parliament and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission meet
In an effort to foster engagement between Parliament and Independent Commissions, SAPST facilitated a workshop between the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. This is in line with SAPST’s programme that supports meetings between independent commissions supporting democracy and human rights and relevant portfolio committees to discuss topical issues that fall within the purview of those commissions. The…