One of the world’s poorest countries at independence, Botswana has made great strides in economic development. Now categorized as a middle income country, it has utilized its diamond wealth to invest in education, health care and transportation networks. The gains that have been made in the past forty years, however, are under serious threat due to the country’s high rate of HIV infection. With more than 1 in 3 Botswana between the ages of 15 and 49 HIV positive, the epidemic impacts all aspects of society – diminishing the workforce, orphaning children and overwhelming the health care system.
Since independence in 1966, Botswana has been a stable multi-party democracy governed continuously by the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). In the last election, held in October 2004, the BDP won 44 of 57 elected seats in the National Assembly led by President Festus Mogae. Four additional Members of Parliament sit in the National Assembly appointed by the ruling party. A House of Chiefs provides representation to traditional leaders from the nation's major tribes. Chiefs of the Barolong, Bangwato, Balete, Batlokwa, Bakwena, Bakgatla, Bangwaketse and Batawana are represented in addition to 4 elected members from the North East, Chobe, Kgalagadi and Ghanzi districts and 3 members elected by the other 12.
There are a number of opposition parties and dissenting voices are heard and visible in the media. Elections in the country are reported to meet international standards of free and fair elections, though there were some complaints made by opposition members about unequal access to state-owned television during the campaigning process in the last election. Concerns have also been raised within the academic community about the method of succession, as new leaders within the BDP are usually brought in between rather than at the time of elections.
There is a vibrant community of civil society organizations, many of whom are grouped under the umbrella Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations. Although civil society is quite active, vocal criticism of the government is relatively rare. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for non-governmental organizations to obtain international funding, due to the departure of donors as a result of the country’s ranking as a middle income country.
Botswana has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world, second only to Swaziland. It is estimated that as many as 37% of Batswana between the ages of 15 and 49 are HIV infected. In recognition of the broad-reaching impact of HIV, the government initiated a multi-sectoral approach identifying the effects of the virus in different areas of life and society. The National AIDS Council is headed by the President, indicating strong political will. In cooperation with international donors the country has also put in place a network of free voluntary testing and counseling centers, a prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) program, and a national anti-retroviral (ARV) program to provide HIV positive citizens with access to life prolonging medication. In January 2004 Botswana became the first country to introduce routine testing into all health facilities. Botswana prides itself on its HIV program, as reflected in the title of a high level government presentation at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto “Botswana: high prevalence, highest response.”
Despite many positive developments Botswana continues to face challenges both in the equitable and effective delivery of prevention and treatment services, and in slowing the number of new infections. Although the number of people testing has increased since routine testing came into effect, the lack of qualitative data has raised concerns about informed consent. Education and awareness campaigns are widespread but neglect related topics such as domestic violence and transmission through stigmatized behavior, including sex between men and sex work.
Individuals able to afford private practitioners are often better able to access care in a timely manner than those dependent on the public system. Public facilities are frequently overburdened and many people either do not seek or are not able to access care until they are seriously ill. Marginalized groups, including remote area dwellers and undocumented migrants, face further barriers in accessing treatment. HIV has seriously impacted on family structures and it is not uncommon for children to raise siblings after the death of their parents. The burden of care usually falls on women, even when both partners are ill.
The virus has also highlighted problems in the area of inheritance, where vulnerable women or children often face ‘property grabbing’ after the death of a spouse or parent. Despite the high prevalence rate, there remains a lack of legal protection from discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived HIV status that continues to occur. There have been a number of reports, and several court cases involving job loss as a result of HIV status or the refusal to take an HIV test.
Botswana is generally considered to have a good human rights record. A stable government and the absence of civil war or violent repression means that the country has been spared the large-scale human rights abuses that have plagued other countries in the region.
The country maintains the death penalty and has reportedly executed 38 people since independence. In some of these instances concerns have been raised about the fairness of the trial and the lack of notification to family and legal counsel prior to execution. Corporal punishment, in the form of lashings across the buttocks, is administered in customary courts called kgotlas.
Violence against women and children is widespread throughout the country. High numbers of rapes are reported and spousal killings, locally termed ‘passion killings’ appear to be on the increase. There is no law explicitly prohibiting domestic violence or marital rape. In a move seen as controversial, ‘marital power’ was abolished in common law marriages in late 2004, making men and women joint heads of households.
Violence by law enforcement officials has been reported on arrest, particularly with reference to Basarwa charged with poaching, and in detention. Prison conditions are reportedly poor and overcrowding is common. The provision of condoms in prison is not permitted due to the criminalization of same sex sexual activity. There have been reports of both consensual and non-consensual sex within prison as well as concerns about HIV transmission.
Botswana is considered to have a relatively free privately-owned press, while the state media is restricted to some extent. In the past some journalists have been assaulted or faced threats due to negative reports regarding the government. Despite the general lack of censorship or restriction on the private media, however, media reports often lack substantive critical analysis. It is common to see speeches and press releases reprinted word for word. Some newspapers solicit payment from organizations in exchange for extensive coverage of events.
The country has one government run television station although South African satellite television is also available to subscribers. There are 2 FM commercial stations in Gaborone, and Radio Botswana 1 and 2 operating on multiple AM, FM and shortwave frequencies throughout the country. There are at least 1,600 internet hosts. Cell phone usage is widespread with more than 823,000 cell phones in use in Botswana, more than six times the number of landlines.
Freedom of expression, while generally respected, was called into question in early 2005 with the ordered deportation of Ken Good, a foreign professor of Political Science at the University of Botswana, allegedly for writing a paper critical of the government’s method of succession. Mr. Good was deported on 31 May 2005 immediately following a High Court ruling upholding the deportation order issued by President Festus Mogae in February 2005. According to Botswana law the government was not obliged to give the reason for the deportation. Mr. Good lodged an appeal but this was dismissed.
In 2002, some Gana and Gwi peoples, a marginalized group also termed collectively as Basarwa, San or Bushmen, were relocated from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) to new villages bordering that territory. The relocation led to the longest court case in Botswana's history and a highly polarized and publicized dispute between the Government of Botswana, international non-governmental organization Survival International (SI) and local organizations. SI claimed that the Gana and Gwi were forcibly removed in order to make way for diamond and other mineral exploration. The government denied this claim, emphasizing the public ownership of Botswana's mineral wealth and highlighting improved access to services such as water, education and health care in the new villages. Some local organizations questioned SI's methods and approach.
A court case was initiated in 2002, and following several delays and a successful appeal, a final verdict was reached in December 2006. The court found the eviction from the CKGR to be "unlawful and unconstitutional," with one judge stating that the rules prohibiting hunting, farming and livestock were "condeming the residents of the CKGR to death by starvation." The government has stated that it does not intend to appeal and has already begun implementing the decision. The country had been criticised by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for its treatment of indigenous and minority groups.
Botswana houses approximately 3,000 refugees, primarily from Angola, Namibia and Somalia. Most live at the Dukwe Refugee camp in eastern Botswana though smaller numbers study, work or have settled in other parts of the country. Botswana is a party to the Refugee Convention and is currently involved in the facilitation of the voluntary return of refugees to Angola.
A large number of Zimbabweans also live in Botswana, many of them residing illegally and working to earn stronger currency to send back to relatives. In 2004 approximately 4,800 Zimbabweans were returned to Zimbabwe each month. The government has built a series of electric fences along the border to deter migrants. Round ups, road blocks and identity checks are not uncommon.
With the Kalahari Desert at its heart and less than 1% arable land, Botswana is a dry country with a limited supply of fresh water and drought as its most frequent environmental disaster. The value of this scarce resource is evident in the naming of the currency, pula (rain). Ironically, intense rainfall, when it occurs, can result in environmental and public health problems. In early 2006, heavy rainfall caused flooding, damaged the structural integrity of a water reservoir in the south of the country and was linked to a diarrhea outbreak which led to the death of more than 65 children. Less than 1% of the land is arable, making large scale agriculture impossible in most areas.
Electricity is imported from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa as well as locally supplied from a coal-fired power station which produces carbon dioxide and sulfur emissions. Local environmental organizations focus on waste reduction and management, sustainable harvesting, recycling and environmentally-friendly income generation projects, among others. Botswana is a party to the Kyoto Protocol and a number of other environmental treaties.
Botswana has a diamond-driven economy. It is estimated that diamonds provide up to 75% of the country’s export income and approximately half of the government revenue. Although, a leading diamond producer, Botswana does not cut, polish or refine diamonds for the retail market. This is unfortunate as it denies Botswana to develop a skilled labor force in this area, and to increase its financial benefit from its leading natural resource. In addition to diamonds, the country also exports copper, nickel and soda ash.
Despite mineral wealth, estimates place unemployment at as high as 40%, considerably higher than official statistics. Tourism, subsistence farming and cattle raising are other important elements of the economy. With the exception of meat, most food products are imported. The vast majority of commercial goods are imported, predominantly from South Africa. Local shopping is similarly dominated by South African retail outlets.
