Botswana, Gaborone

Botswana

Botswana is a completely landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa in the south, Namibia in the north and west, Zimbabwe in the northeast, and a controversial Zambian border in the north, where both countries flank the Zambezi river.

Botswana enjoys a reputation as being one of the most successful African countries since the start of the post-colonial era. A few reasons for this claim include continued political stability in the country since 1966 independence as evidenced by decades of democratic representative rule; steady strong economic growth as evidenced by having the highest GDP (PPP) in Africa after Equatorial Guinea; and low level of corruption, earning the country the highest rating of any African country on the Transparency International ranking.

The story of Botswana begins in prehistoric times with the Khoisan people, hunter-gatherer "bush men," who have inhabited the area for thousands of years since around 20 000 BC. The migration of the more sophisticated Bantu peoples originally from current day West Africa to this area occurred around the start of the common era, leading to the marginalization of the original inhabitants and establishment of Bantu kingdoms. This migration was mentioned in the Angola post, and will be repeatedly mentioned in relation to other southern African countries. The Bantu-origin Tswana people formed several powerful kingdoms, centered in eastern parts of current-day Botswana. These kingdoms extended into the Kalahari desert, current-day Namibia and South Africa; the Tswana became the dominant ethnic group. Tswana kingdoms flourished in relative peace well into the late 18th century, when there were battles with neighboring empires over raids for slaves and other goods. Due to its inland location, significant European involvement in the area did not begin until the 19th century. Around this time there was increasing trade between the Tswana and the Cape Colony to the south, which was under European control since their arrival in the mid-17th century.

During the Scramble for Africa, Germany laid claim to the areas west of the Tswana territories, while the British, who controlled Cape Colony, claimed the Tswana territories as inroads to access areas of Zimbabwe and Zambia where they had interests. The Tswana area and other nearby kingdoms were named Bechuanaland. Bechuana was derived from the European pronunciation of Batswana; as is typical in Bantu languages, the Tswana people are called Batswana (singular- Motswana). Bechuanaland became an official British Protectorate in 1885 when the area came under threat from nearby kingdoms and from the Boers. The Boers were European descendants from the Cape Colony who despised the British colonial rule and formed a breakaway independent state. A compromise in the early 2oth century led to the formation of a self-governing state, Union of South Africa, which comprised the Cape Colony, Boer controlled areas, German controlled current-day Namibia and the southern areas Bechuanaland. The northern areas remained under British control; which represent present day Botswana. As a result of these boundaries, majority of peoples of Tswana origin actually reside in South Africa not Botswana.

Bechuanaland remained under British control until the 1960's wave of independence of former British colonies led to general elections and eventual independence in September 1966. Seretse Khama became the first president of a newly named Botswana. The prospects for the newly formed country were bleak as they were saddled with a dearth of infrastructure, mounting debt and an unfortunate geography, being trapped between then Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa, both not attaining independence till much later. Seretse was re-elected twice to the post; his good governance, anti-corruption measures and infrastructure investment are generally regarded as responsible for transforming Botswana's economy. It is also generally agreed that there have been regular transparent democratic elections since independence.

Botswana's economy is primarily driven by the mining industry. The country is the world's largest producer of gem diamonds, as well as engages significant activities with other minerals including copper, nickel and gold. Moreover, majority of the populations still live in rural areas and derive their source of livelihood from agriculture. Most of the landscape in the western and central parts of the country is desert, leaving only eastern areas for farming; these eastern areas are much more densely populated. In addition, in more recent times tourism is becoming a greater contributor to Botswana's economy. Large areas or pristine nature have been made into national reserves, the most popular of which is Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

However, HIV/AIDS remains a major problem in Botswana. Current statistics place the prevalence rates at over 20%, making Botswana one of the worst hit countries in the world. The government has done tremendous amount of work in efforts to control the epidemic as the country has some of the most extensive treatment and prevention programs. Nevertheless, the strain on human resources, health infrastructure and the economy have been significant and are expected to continue into the foreseeable future.

Botswana has undoubtedly displayed spectacular progress since independence. The Botswana model is proof that wealth from mineral resources do (and should) not necessarily always invite the company of insatiable greed and mismanagement.

Timeline of significant events.

10 000- 20 000 BC- Khoisan people begin living in Southern Africa
200 BC - 100 CE- Arrival of Bantu peoples
1200 - 1400- Establishment of Tswana Kingdoms
1800's- Arrival of the Europeans to Tswana areas
1867- Gold mining begins
1885- British Protectorate of Bechuanaland is established
1910- Union of South Africa is formed and south Tswana areas is incorporated into union.
1950- Seretse, then a chief of Ngwato, a major Tswana kingdom is deposed by the British and exiled primarily for his interracial marriage.
1959- Copper mining begins
1961- Seretse forms nationalist democratic party
1965- Seretse's party wins election and he becomes prime minister
1965- Gaborone is established as capital
1966- Independence from the British, change of name to Botswana and Seretse becomes President
1967- Diamonds discovered
1980- Seretse suffering from cancer dies in office, after being re-elected twice, vice-president Quett Masire takes over office
1995- Government relocates "Bushmen" from ancestral lands in Kalahari reserves
1997- Constitutional amendment to limit presidential terms to two 5-year terms.
1998- Masire retires from office of president after two re-elections and Festus Mogae becomes president
2000- date- continued HIV/AIDS problem
2006- Bushmen win legal battle against government to remain in ancestral lands
2008- Ian Khama, son of the first president, becomes president, while former president Festus Mogae wins $5 million prize- established to reward good governance in Africa.

Other Facts- 2008 estimates

Population: 1.8 million, 35.2% are less than 14, and the median age is 21.2
Life expectancy: 50.2. M- 51.2, F- 49.0
Literacy rate: 81.2% (2003 estimate)
HIV prevalence- 24% (2006 estimate)
Ethnic groups: Tswana 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, others 7%
Languages: English (official), Setswana, Kalanga, Sekgalagadi
Economy: GDP (PPP): $15 800. GDP real growth rate: 5.2%.
Cities: Gabarone- capital and largest city, Maun, Francistown, Kanye
Currency: Pula (BWP)
Internet TLD: .bw

Sources and for more information

Wikipedia: Botswana, Bechuanaland
CIA World factbook: Botswana
Infoplease: Botswana
Botswana History Page
BBC Timeline: Botswana