Botswana: avoiding the resource curse Flashcards
Describe how the UK used to treat Botswana
Saw it as irrelevant country. Spending totaled 140k per year, only valued it as a road to the interior.
When did Botswana reach independence?
- Without difficulty, UK ready to let go. At the time, it had 22 university grads, one railway, 8km of paved road, no power grid and no sewage system.
Describe the diamond production.
Botswana has ranked no1 for three decades for produced value in diamonds (2-4B annually). This is done mainly together with De Beers, JV. Botswana produces ~25% of the world’s diamonds.
Describe the kgotla system used by the Tswana tribes?
This is where they put tribe heads together to solve personal disputes, financial decisions etc - done in an enclosured surrounded by rhino/cattle skulls on fence posts. Quote: ‘the highest form of war is dialogue’ is a Tswana saying. They don’t believe in the ‘big man style’ of leadership.
Explain: who is Seretse Khama? How did he rule?
Seretse Khama studied in the UK, and had a white wife. He returned to govern Botswana, and did so through the kgotla. Masire was one of his most important men; both were known to be uncorruptible.
What is the Dutch Disease?
Huge mineral findings -> exports rise -> currency rises -> other industries (e.g. agriculture) suffers. Botswana managed this by creating it’s own currency (pula) and the corresponding exchange rate.
What is the new challenge for Botswana?
Diamonds are not forever -> transitioning from a resource economy to something else. They have successfully divested into high-end tourism, and have some services (which you cannot export).
Who is Ian Khama?
Current president. Not great, think-skinned. General.
