Research Library: Botswana
|
Map |
Country Information | Statistics | Web Resources |
| |
|
Last Updated Sep 29, 2009
Country Information
Government
- Botswana is a parliamentary republic with a president as both chief of state and head of government. The president is indirectly elected to serve a five-year term (eligible for a second term). The president appoints the vice president. There is a bicameral Parliament, which consists of the House of Chiefs and the National Assembly. The House of Chiefs is an advisory council and has 15 members. The National Assembly has 63 members of which 57 are elected by popular vote. Four members are appointed by the majority party and the two remaining members are the President and the Attorney General.
- President Seretse Khama Ian Khama is the son of the first president of Botswana, and took over the presidency in April 2008. He is viewed by some as authoritarian, and is not expected to change economic policy or political orientation. Presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 2009.
Political Stability
- Botswana considers itself to be the oldest African democracy on the continent, and it is also one of the most politically and economically stable countries in the world. It has had four decades of uninterrupted democratic leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment. Historically, Botswana has been a refuge for those escaping apartheid from South Africa. More recently, it has seen an increasing number of illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe, which has been suffering from a crippling economic crisis.
- At present, Botswana still maintains their flourishing multiparty constitutional democracy. However, around one-third of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS, which creates major economic and political problems for their society. The introduction of antiretroviral drugs, one of Africa's most advanced treatment programs, is helping this situation.
Current Government Policies
- Currently, the government is attempting to reduce economic dependence on diamonds by boosting local business and employment. They are also concerned with private sector development and foreign investment.
International Reputation
- Botswana is primarily concerned with economic and political integration in Southern Africa. More specifically, the government is promoting efforts to make the region self-policing in terms of preventative diplomacy, conflict resolution, and good governance. Botswana is a member of the United Nations and the African Union. It has also taken a key role in the South African Development Community (SADC) and hopes to make it an agent of change for development in Africa as well as a key player in ending the crisis in Zimbabwe.
Economics
- Botswana is known for having one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, transforming itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income economy with a great per capita GDP. Growth slowed in 2008 to below 5%. High rates of poverty and unemployment continue to raise concerns.
- Currently, the government recognizes that the problem of HIV/AIDS will continue to affect the economy. As a result, they are providing leadership and nationwide programs to combat the epidemic. Diamond mining is a major industry of Botswana, currently accounting for more than one-third of GDP and 70-80% of export earnings. The Diamond Trading Company of Botswana has begun a joint venture with De Beers. Tourism, based on safaris, has proved to be a significant source of income due to Botswana's reputation of having one of Africa's most extensive wilderness regions. Subsistence farming, financial services, and cattle farming are other key sources of income.
Foreign Aid
Statistics
Click on statistic name for source information.
Web Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
