Legislator

Shaping Policy and Governance

Unity Dow’s legislative career reflects her deep commitment to advancing policies that improve lives, protect rights, and foster progress. As a member of Botswana’s Parliament and an active participant in international parliamentary bodies, she has been at the forefront of shaping governance for a better future.

Member of Parliament

Unity Dow is a member of the 13th Parliament for the Kgatleng West Constituency. This is Unity Dow’s third term as a member of Parliament. She is one of six women in a 67 member Parliament. Unity Dow has served as the Minister of Education, Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Kgatleng West Constituency

Kgatleng West Constituency (KWC) is made up of the Western part of Mochudi, the A1 Highway villages of Bokaa, Morwa, Pilane, Rasesa, Artesia, Leshibitse and the rural villages of Dikgonnye, Budungwane and Kgomodiatshaba. KWC borders Gaborone, the Capital City of Botswana, and is accessible through a dual carriage-highway which connects it to the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. The Cape to Cairo railway line traverses the length of KWC.

The population of the KWC is 34,000.

KWC Resources:
Commercial and Development Opportunities

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standby Force Military Regional Logistics Depot

This is a multi-million US dollar development, which broke ground on 14 December 2024. It is located in Rasesa Village.

Land

Most of the major KWC villages are located alongside the A1, the main road artery which runs from the South African Border in the south to the Zimbabwean border in the north. Additionally, KWC land is suitable for pastoral, arable and renewable energy farming.

Privately Held Farmland

KWC has one of the largest concentrations of operating farms in Botswana and is supported by significant underground water wells. The potential for partnerships to develop this area into a significant sustainable farming hub is yet to be fully tapped.

Water

KWC is home to underground aquifers, the largest of which, Masama Wells Project, is one of the significant water sources for the south eastern part of Botswana.

Sun

Most parts of Botswana receive on average over 300 days of sunlight per year. The solar energy potential in KWC is ripe for development, given its proximity to the capital city and the high tension power distribution lines run parallel to the A1.

Coal

KWC is home to the Mmamantswe Coal Deposits, containing an estimated 700-900 tons. These have not yet been exploited.

Protected Forestland

The Dikgonnye-Budungwane-Kgomodiatshaba corridor boasts mature Marekhuri (Tamboti) trees. These rare hardwood trees are protected and are highly valued for luxury furniture. The trees’ chemical properties are yet to be researched and exploited.

Matsieng Footprints

This National Monument consists of a sandstone slab pierced by two deep holes and engravings. Legend says that the first ancestor of the Batswana, Matsieng – a giant, one-legged man, climbed out of one of the holes, followed by his people, domestic animals, and wildlife.

Slate Deposits

Leshibitse is home to significant untapped slate deposits.

Parliamentary Questions and Motions

Unity Dow’s Parliamentary questions and motions are centred around issues of land and water rights, equity and inclusion, empowerment of small businesses and gender equality.

National Parliamentary Committees

Unity Dow serves on the following Parliamentary Committees.

Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and Security Committee
Governance & Oversight Committee
National Assembly Staff Committee
Parliamentary Caucus on Women Committee

Parliamentary Committees fall under the Legislative arm of government, the other two arms being the Executive and the Judiciary. The Parliamentary committee (PCs) are set up by law to provide oversight over the executive arm of government. The primary function of all PCs is to hold the government to account and to promote and ensure compliance with laws, policies and commitments made by the executive to the people of Botswana.

Unity Dow is the Chair and the only female member of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and Security Committee. She is also the only female member of the Governance & Oversight Committee.

International Parliamentary Bodies

Unity Dow is a member of the following Inter-Parliamentary Bodies. Inter-Parliamentary Bodies are forums at which members of Parliament meet to communicate and collaborate around issues inter alia of peace, good governance, democracy, trade and the environment. The guiding principles of these bodies are to further the creation of a more just and inclusive world community.

The African, Caribbean and Pacific States-European Union (ACP-EU) Joint Parliamentary Body
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA)
Climate Parliament
Global Equality Caucus