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Title: Background Note: Botswana
PA
Source: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public
Affairs
Description: Historical, Political and Economic Overviews of the
Countries of the World
Date: Feb, 15 19932/15/93
Category: Country Data
Region: Subsaharan Africa
Country: Botswana
Subject: Travel, History, International Organizations,
Trade/Economics, Military Affairs, Cultural Exchange,
State Department
[TEXT]
Official Name:
Republic of Botswana
PROFILE
Geography
Area:
600,372 sq. km. (231,804 sq. mi.), about the size of
Texas.
Cities:
Capital--Gaborone (pronounced Ha-bo-ro-neh, pop.
134,000). Other towns--Francistown (65,000), Selebi-Phikwe
(40,000), Molepolole (37,000), Serowe (27,000), Maun (27,000),
Lobatse (26,000), Palapye (17,000), Jwaneng (11,000), Tlokweng
(12,000).
Terrain:
Desert and savanna.
Climate:
Mostly subtropical.
People
Nationality:
Noun and adjective--Motswana (sing.),
Batswana (pl.).
Population (1991):
1.3 million.
Annual growth rate (1991):
3%.
Ethnic groups:
Tswana 55-60%; Kalanga 25-30%;
Kgalagadi; Herero; Basarwa ("Bushmen"); Khoi ("Hottentots"); whites
5%.
Religions:
Christianity 60%, indigenous beliefs 40%.
Languages:
English (official), Setswana.
Education:
Attendance--93%. Adult literacy (1990, ages
15 and over)--23%.
Health (1991):
Infant mortality rate--43/1,000. Life
expectancy--60 years.
Work force (1991):
223,000 in formal sector.
Government
Type:
Republic, parliamentary democracy.
Constitution:
March 1965.
Independence:
September 30, 1966.
Branches:
Executive--president (chief of state and head of
government), cabinet. Legislative--popularly elected National
Assembly; advisory House of Chiefs. Judicial--High Court, Court of
Appeal, local and customary courts.
Administrative subdivisions:
5 town councils and 10
district councils.
Main political parties:
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),
Botswana National Front (BNF), Botswana Independence Party (BIP),
Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), Botswana Freedom Party (BFP).
Suffrage:
Universal adult.
Flag:
Blue field with horizontal, white-edged black band in
the center.
Economy
GDP (1991):
$3 billion.
Annual growth rate (1991):
9%.
Per capita GDP (1991):
$2,500.
Natural resources:
Diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, soda
ash, salt, gold, potash.
Agriculture (3% of GDP):
Livestock, sorghum, white maize,
millet, cowpeas, beans.
Industry:
Types--mining (45% of GDP): diamonds, copper,
nickel, coal; beef; textiles; tourism.
Trade (1991):
Exports--$1.7 billion: diamonds, nickel,
copper, meat products, hides and skins, textiles. Partners--
Switzerland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, European countries. Imports-
-$1.6 billion: machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods,
food, chemicals, minerals, fuels. Major suppliers--South Africa,
Zimbabwe, US, EC countries.
Annual avg. economic aid received:
$220 million.
PEOPLE AND HISTORY
Most Batswana live in the eastern part of the country, 50% within
100 kilometers of Gaborone. The nomadic population is about
10,000, and 15,000 Batswana work in neighboring African countries,
mainly South Africa. Prior to European contact, the population of
what is now Botswana lived as herders and farmers or as hunters
and gatherers under tribal rule. European, especially English,
missionaries arrived in the early 1800s, and David Livingstone
traversed the country.
In the late 19th century, hostilities broke out between the Batswana
and Boer settlers from the Transvaal. After appeals by the
Batswana for assistance, the British Government in 1885 put
"Bechuanaland" under its protection. The northern territory
remained under direct British administration and is today's
Botswana, but the southern territory became part of the Cape Colony
and is now part of the Cape Province of South Africa; the majority of
Setswana-speaking people live in the "independent" homeland of
Bophuthatswana, across the border in South Africa. Despite South
African pressure, inhabitants of the Bechuanaland Protectorate,
Basutoland (now Lesotho), and Swaziland in 1909 asked for and
received British assurances that they would not be included in the
proposed Union of South Africa.
An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal
government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory
councils representing Africans and Europeans. Proclamations in
1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African
advisory council was formed in 1951. The 1961 constitution
established a consultative legislative council.
In June 1964, Britain accepted pluralistic proposals for self-
government. The seat of government was moved to Gaborone in
February 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general
elections and to independence in September 1966. An independence
leader was elected as the first president, re-elected twice, and died
in office in 1980. The presidency passed to the sitting vice
president, who was elected in his own right in 1984 and re-elected
in 1989.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
Botswana has a flourishing, multiparty, constitutional democracy.
Each of the elections since independence has been freely and fairly
contested and has been held on schedule. The country's small white
minority and other minorities participate freely in the political
process. There are eight political parties. In 1989, the Botswana
Democratic Party (BDP) won 31 of 34 National Assembly seats and
the Botswana National Front (BNF) won 3. Opposition parties, with
popular strength in urban areas, have moved toward a common front.
The openness of the country's political system has been a significant
factor in Botswana's stability and economic growth. General
elections are held at least every 5 years. The next national election
is in 1994.
The president has executive power and is chosen by national election
for a 5-year term. The cabinet is presidentially selected from the
National Assembly; it consists of a vice president and a flexible
number (currently 12) of ministers. The National Assembly has 34
elected and 4 appointed members; it will be expanded as a result of
the 1991 census. The advisory House of Chiefs represents
permanently the eight principal sub-groups of the Batswana tribe,
and four other members are elected by the sub-chiefs of four of the
districts. A draft of any National Assembly bill of tribal concern
must be referred to the House of Chiefs.
Chiefs and other leaders preside over courts of local custom and
enforce traditional law. The roots of Botswana's democracy lie in
Tswana traditions, exemplified by the Kgotla, or village council, in
which the powers of traditional leaders were limited by custom and
law. Botswana's High Court has general civil and criminal
jurisdiction. Judges are presidentially appointed and may be
removed only for cause and after a hearing. The constitution has a
code of fundamental human rights enforced by the courts, and
Botswana has a good human rights record.
Local government is administered by 10 district councils and 5 town
councils. District commissioners have executive authority and are
appointed by the central government and assisted by elected and
nominated district councilors and district development committees.
There has been much debate about the marginalization of the
minority Basarwa (Bushmen), and the government's development
program for remote area dwellers is undergoing review.
Although there is a government-owned newspaper and the
government operates the only national radio network, there is an
active, independent press. Foreign publications are readily
available.
Principal Government Officials
President--Sir Ketumile Masire
Vice President--Festus G. Mogae
Ambassador to the United States-- B. Kingsley Sebele
Ambassador to the United Nations-- L. J. M. J. Legwaila
Botswana maintains an embassy at 3400 International Drive NW,
Suite 7-M, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-244-4990; FAX 202-
244-4164). Its mission to the United Nations is at 103 E. 37th
Street, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-889-2277; FAX 212-725-
5061).
ECONOMY
Since independence, Botswana has had an impressive economic
growth rate, reaching 9% in 1991. Recently, the government has
maintained budget surpluses and substantial foreign exchange
reserves. This record is a result of earnings from diamond mining,
considerable international grant and loan aid, and prudent fiscal
policy and economic management.
Mining. Two large mining companies, Debeers Botswana Mining
(Debswana) and Bamangwato Concessions, Ltd. (BCL), both partly
government-owned, operate mining facilities in the eastern and
central regions of the country.
Since the early 1980s, the country has become the world's largest
producer of quality diamonds. Three large diamond mines have
opened since independence. DeBeers prospectors discovered
diamonds in northern Botswana in the early 1970s. The first mine
began production at Orapa in 1972, followed by the smaller mine at
Lethlakane. What has become the single richest diamond mine in the
world opened in Jwaneng in 1982. Botswana produced a total of 17.4
million carats of diamonds from the three Debswana mines in 1991.
BCL, which operates a copper-nickel mine at Selebi-Phikwe,
produced 48,300 tons of copper-nickel alloy for export in 1991.
Botswana's major coal mine at Morupule had a 1991 output of
783,900 tons. Production and sale of soda ash from the Sua Pan
operation in 1991 were below expectations due to technical
problems, with only 62,000 tons produced (of a target 130,000) and
only 32,000 sold. A small gold mine began production in 1992.
Possible petroleum and natural gas deposits are being studied for
exploitation.
Agriculture.
More than two-thirds of the population live in
rural areas and are largely dependent on subsistence crop and
livestock farming. Although agriculture meets only 50% of food
needs and contributes just 3% to GDP, it employs 80% of Batswana.
Cattle raising historically dominated Botswana's economy and social
structure. The national cattle stock fell from more than 3 million
head at the onset of the 1981-86 drought to 2.3 mil-lion, was
gradually rebuilt, then fell again due to drought in 1991-92. The
Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) is government owned. It operates
the largest African slaughterhouse--and some smaller ones--and is
Africa's largest meat exporter.
Private Sector Development and Foreign Investment.
Botswana seeks to diversify its economy to reduce dependence on
earnings from mineral exports, which are expected to begin leveling
off. It emphasizes private sector development and foreign
investment for much-needed managerial and technical expertise.
Two important sectors are light manufacturing and tourism.
National parks and wildlife areas--more than 17% of Botswana's
land--offer potential for tourism development.
US investment in Botswana is growing. In 1987, two American
companies, H.J. Heinz and Colgate-Palmolive, set up facilities.
Phelps-Dodge has bought into the nickel-copper mine at Selebi-
Phikwe, and a Sheraton Hotel opened in Gaborone in 1991. A Lobatse
brick-making plant in which Interkiln has major equity started up in
1992, and Lazare-Kaplan began a diamond-cutting and -polishing
operation in Molepolole.
Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU).
Because of history
and geography, Botswana long has had strong economic ties to South
Africa. The Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU)--Botswana,
Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, and South Africa--dates from the 1910
formation of the Union of South Africa. Under this agreement, South
Africa levies and collects most of the customs, sales, and excise
duties for the four countries, paying out a share of the collections to
each based on their proportion of imports. Imports from outside the
customs area are subject to common tariff rates and regulations.
The customs agreement was renegotiated in 1989, and Botswana's
share of revenue increased from $1.7 million in 1968 to almost $500
million in 1991, accounting for 25% of government revenues.
Botswana's currency--the pula--is fully convertible and is valued
against a basket of currencies heavily weighted toward the South
African rand.
Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Gaborone
is host to the 10-nation Southern Africa Development Community
(SADC). Like its predecessor, the 9-nation SADCC (Southern Africa
Development Coordination Conference) organized in 1980, member
nations seek to accelerate regional economic growth and reduce
their economic dependence on South Africa. Because the region is so
dependent on South Africa's transport and communications network
for imports and exports, the focus of SADC efforts has been the
development of shorter and cheaper alternates, although its location
makes this of limited relevance to Botswana.
Transportation and Communications.
Botswana has about
1,500 mi. of tarred roads, 950 mi. of engineered gravel roads, and
3,450 mi. of earth and sand roads. An "inner circle" highway
connecting major towns and district capitals is being paved. The
all-weather Trans-Kalahari Highway will soon stretch to the
Atlantic coast at Walvis Bay. A rail line links major population
centers to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Botswana depends on South
Africa for more than 85% of its imports and transshipments and for
beef and copper-nickel alloy export. Botswana has nine paved
airfields and direct-dial telephone service; direct-dial access is
being extended to remote rural areas.
DEFENSE
The president is commander in chief of the Botswana Defense Force
(BDF). A defense council is presidentially appointed. The BDF was
formed in 1977 in response to the Rhodesian conflict and raids into
Botswana. It has 6,500 members, 280 in the air wing.
Botswana is modernizing and expanding the BDF and acquiring air
defense and anti-tank weapons. The United States provides the most
military aid--more than $30 million to date. About 500 BDF
personnel have received training in the United States.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Botswana recognizes the importance of South Africa as the largest
and most developed state in the region and maintains a range of
diplomatic, economic (see "Economy"), and other relations with that
country. Much foreign investment in Botswana is South African.
Nonetheless, Botswana opposes apartheid in South Africa and does
not recognize its "independent homelands."
Botswana has formal diplomatic relations with most African
countries and many European nations and Arab countries. Most
ambassadors accredited to Botswana reside in Harare, Zimbabwe, or
in Lusaka, Zambia. Botswana receives multilateral and bilateral aid
from many sources.
Botswana is a member of numerous international organizations,
including the United Nations, and generally follows a nonaligned
policy in international forums, voting with its African colleagues on
most matters.
US-BOTSWANA RELATIONS
The United States considers Botswana a force for stability in
turbulent Southern Africa. The Peace Corps program has 150
volunteers, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID)
mission provides development assistance and food aid. The US has
an investment guarantee agreement with the government and
encourages private sector growth in Botswana and expansion of US
investment and trade.
In FY 1992, total US aid was almost $28 million. US assistance has
emphasized education and training in Botswana and abroad, including
under-graduate and graduate study in the US. The United States
operates a major Voice of America relay station in Botswana
serving most of Africa and reaching the Middle East and into the
Indian Ocean.
Principal US Officials
Ambassador--David Passage
Deputy Chief of Mission--Jimmy Kolker
USAID Mission Director--Howard R. Handler
Public Affairs Officer--Alice C. Lemaistre
Peace Corps Director--Maureen Carroll
Office of Military Cooperation--Maj. Gary Walker
The US embassy is on Embassy Drive off Khama Crescent--PO Box
90, Gaborone (tel. 353-982; FAX 356-947). USIS is at the embassy.
USAID is in Barclays House, on Khama Crescent--PO Box 2427,
Gaborone. Peace Corps is at 133 Independence Ave.--PO Box 93,
Gaborone. VOA Botswana Relay Station's address is Private Bag 38,
Selebi-Phikwe.
TRAVEL NOTES:
Customs:
US citizens do not need visas to enter Botswana.
They may stay up to 90 days without a residence permit.
Health:
Tap water is potable in major towns. Due to
schistosomiasis risks, seek advice before swimming in lakes or
rivers. During the summer months in the south and year-round in the
north, malaria prevention is recommended.
Transportation:
Botswana is served by Air Botswana,
British Airways, UTA, Comair, Zambia Airways, and Air Zimbabwe.
Rental cars are available in major towns. Traffic moves on the left.
Accommodations:
Hotel facilities are comfortable in all
major towns.
HOW TO ORDER BACKGROUND NOTES IN PAPER
Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of
Public Affairs -- Office of Public Communication -- Washington, DC
-- February 1993 -- Managing Editor: Peter A. Knecht -- Editor:
Marilyn J. Bremner
Department of State Publication 8046
Background Notes Series -- This material is in the public domain and
may be reprinted without permission; citation of this source is
appreciated.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, US Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. (###)