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| Credit: Chris Worden |
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Botswana is a democratic republic, having general elections based on universal franchise and being fought by eight registered political parties. The main party is the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP which has held power since independence. The BDP advocates non-racism, a mixed economy and democracy. The main opposition party is the Botswana National Front (BNF) which supports land reform and accelerated industrialisation. Botswana is very proud that it has no political prisoners and possesses a constitution that guarantees freedom of speech, worship and association.
The economy at present is based on a free market system with state intervention in key areas. Education is free for all and starts at six years of age. Seven out of ten children attend secondary school and Botswana has a university as well as teacher training colleges and vocational centres. Health facilities reach 90% of the population; this is achieved with mobile health centres as an additional service to town and village centres. |
The legal system operates under a basic system of Roman-Dutch law comprised of Magistrate Courts, the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Numerous Customary Courts, particularly in rural areas, are presided over by Tribal Authorities and hear cases related to customary (tribal) law.
After an unsteady economic beginning, Botswana now has one of the most stable currencies in Africa. This is largely due to the discovery of huge reserves of diamonds and copper-nickel shortly after independence. The other major earners of foreign currency are beef, textiles, and of course tourism. 95% of Botswana produced beef is for the export market and the European Community has a trade agreement for the purchase of this produce. A free-range lifestyle and a ban on injected hormones means that Botswana beef is of a very high quality.
Forty percent of formal employment in Northern Botswana is provided by tourism which is by far the most sustainable of Botswana's industries.
The country has adopted a carefully controlled approach, keeping infra-structural development at a relatively low level, and aiming for a high cost, low-density product. Botswana has set aside an impressive 17% of its' land to Game reserves and National Parks, with a further 20% being designated as Wildlife Management Areas. With luck and diligent implementation of their unique approach Botswana will be able to avoid the problems of mass tourism which affect other African destinations, and the delicate habitats which attract so many visitors each year will remain unspoilt.
