Botswana is a country located in Southern Africa. It is approximately twice the size of Arizona and borders South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Learn more about this African nation by reading this article. You’ll find information about the location, culture, and political system of this unique country. You’ll also discover how to travel to this fascinating country.
Information about Botswana
The landlocked country of Botswana in Southern Africa is home to a contrasting landscape, characterized by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. Seasonal floods transform the Delta into a lush animal habitat. Visitors can experience this contrast by visiting the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, home to numerous animals, including giraffes, hyenas, wild dogs, and cheetahs.
The Batswana court system is based on customary and Roman-Dutch law. The court system is run by magistrates, but most Batswana choose to present their cases at the dikgotla, a community council where decisions are made based on the opinions of respected community members. Both systems allow for appeals of decisions. Common court cases include theft, and street youth are a particular problem.
Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa with borders with South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Zambia. The country is roughly the size of France. Two-thirds of the land is arid desert, and the country has little water. Its annual rainfall varies from less than ten inches in the southwest to 25 inches in the northeast. Extensive droughts can occur during the year.
During the British colonial period, Botswana was known as Bechuanaland. Upon independence in 1966, it was given its current name, Botswana. Since then, it has had civilian leadership and has experienced significant capital investment. As a result, it has a comparatively stable economy compared to other countries in Africa. The Botswana Democratic Party has won every election since independence, and President Ian Khama was re-elected for a second term in 2014. The country has a thriving tourism industry, thanks to the conservation practices that have led to the growth of lions, buffaloes, and elephants.
Botswana is home to many people from different ethnic groups. The majority population is Tswana, but the country is also home to BaKalanga and the San, two major minority groups. About 10,000 of the population still follow their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle. The Cuando River flows through the country, connecting it to Namibia and Angola. The river’s diverse ecosystem is characterized by caves and rock art. The Tsodilo Hills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many caves and rock art. The Chapman’s Baobab is another iconic landmark of the region.
Location
Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Its landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, which transforms into a lush animal habitat during the seasonal floods. The landscape is home to many different animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs. You’ll be sure to see a variety of these animals on your trip to Botswana.
The country is divided into nine districts and 28 sub-districts. Approximately five percent of the country is freehold land, and twenty-five percent is state or tribal land. The remainder is grazing land. Grazing land is not allocated to individuals, but is available to groups through registered wells. Tribal grazing land is allocated in fifty-year leases.
The Molopo River forms the border between Botswana and South Africa. The country’s highest point is the Tsodilo Hills, at 1,489 meters. Botswana is divided into 17 administrative districts, consisting of seven urban districts and ten rural ones. The latter are further divided into sub-districts, with the Central District being the largest and most populous district. Its capital city, Gaborone, is located in the Central District.
Botswana is located in southern Africa, and is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Its 582,000-square-kilometer land area is surrounded by other countries – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia – a mere hundred meters away.
In the country, Batswana follow customary law and a Roman-Dutch court system. Although there are magistrates’ courts, most Batswana prefer to bring cases to their village dikgotla, where the decision is based on the views of respected community members. Both systems allow appeals. Many of the most common court cases involve theft and street youths.
Culture
The culture of Botswana is based on ubuntu, a Setswana word that means “our good.” The word expresses the idea that humans aren’t individual, but collective beings. This is reflected in the society’s emphasis on collective decision making and respect for elders. The people of Botswana also maintain their traditional town councils, or kgotla, where community members meet to share opinions and express their views on issues.
The country has produced many famous people, ranging from athletes to writers and activists. Thomas Thou was a famous academic and historian who represented Botswana at the United Nations. He also studied at several US colleges. Unity Dow, an aspiring writer and human rights activist, is another notable name in Botswana. She was interested in writing and social justice from an early age.
The Batswana have a traditional ‘cult of family’ that places the importance of family and community over individual achievement. The family unit is centered around the father, who is respected and revered by the family. In contrast, western cultures place more importance on the individual than on the group.
Botswana’s cuisine is rich in traditional recipes, incorporating local ingredients. One dish that is uniquely Botswana is seswaa, a thick porridge prepared by men. It is cooked for hours in a special pot and is traditionally served for important celebrations. It is usually accompanied by a stew of meat and vegetables.
The Batswana court system is based on customary law and Roman-Dutch law. While magistrates’ courts are held in English, most Batswana prefer to bring cases to the dikgotla, where the decisions are made by community elders. In both systems, cases can be appealed. The courts deal with a variety of issues, such as theft.
Political system
Botswana’s political system is based on a constitution that defines three branches of government. While the functions of the executive, judiciary, and parliament overlap, they serve distinct functions and have a bearing on effective checks and balances. Both the executive and the parliament are composed of members selected from parliament and bound by a notion of collective responsibility.
The government of Botswana is committed to transforming its political and economic systems, but has only achieved modest success in this regard. The government has faced challenges such as low productivity and inadequate implementation capacity. The government has also struggled to diversify the economy, privatize state assets, and create employment.
In October 2019, the country held its 12th general election. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won all 12 elections. Its vote share rose from 47% in the previous elections to 53% in the current one. International observers said the elections were free and fair. However, the opposition claimed that the elections were rigged and challenged the results in court.
There is no history of major or protracted conflicts in Botswana. There is a strong “kgotla” culture that promotes consensus-building, and a high level of general apathy among the population. However, there has been some tension between the government and the San minority group. Although the constitution does not explicitly prohibit discrimination, political leaders have shown little willingness to exploit ethnic prejudices to their advantage.
While democratic institutions are still functioning, there are concerns over the future of democracy in the country. After the October 2019 elections, the ruling party was able to sustain its parliamentary majority. The opposition was skeptical of the results and attempted to register a number of electoral petitions in court, but without success. The absence of judicial independence is one of the most significant political challenges in Botswana.
Health care
Health care in Botswana is generally good, with many government and private health facilities. Expatriates living in Botswana should carry medical insurance proof when visiting private facilities. Private hospitals generally offer better quality care than public hospitals. However, if you need emergency treatment, you will probably have to travel to neighboring Johannesburg. In these circumstances, it is advisable to get an international health insurance plan that covers evacuation abroad.
The government provides about eighty percent of the health care budget in Botswana, putting it in line with other emerging market countries. The government also invests in expanding access to health care and has implemented a publicly funded primary healthcare model. The country’s population is over 2.25 million and most households live within eight kilometers of a health facility.
Despite its small size, Botswana still has a high need for good health care. The country’s maternal mortality rate has gotten better in the past few years, with the rate dropping from 151.6 per 100,000 live births in 2016 to thirteen3.7 in 2018. Furthermore, 99.8% of all births have occurred in a hospital staffed by a skilled health worker.
The Ministry of Health oversees the country’s health services. It formulates health policies and regulations and collaborates with stakeholders to provide quality health care. The ministry provides primary health care through the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs). These teams operate health facilities, health posts, and mobile clinics in each district. They also provide community-based preventative and promotional health services.
The public health care system in Botswana focuses on disease prevention and treatment. Around one-quarter of adults in Botswana are infected with HIV/AIDS. To combat this epidemic, the government has launched a national antiretroviral treatment (ARV) program. The program provides free care to those living with HIV/AIDS.
