Case study 9: Internal migration in Botswana

Question 1

What is the main type of internal migration in Botswana?

Answer 1

Rural to urban:

1964: 1% lived in towns
2011: 61% lived in towns.

Question 2

What are the push factors of rural to urban migration in Botswana?

Answer 2

Mechanisation; rural unemployment; poverty = migration.
Lack of services; high infant mortality+ water borne diseases like cholera = migration.
Lack of education (schools) and other services (shops…)

Question 3

What are the pull factors of rural to urban migration in Botswana?

Answer 3

Gaborone (capital city): employment+higher education. e.g Botswana’s University
Young men migrate to urban areas; only elderly remain in rural.

Question 4

What is the challenges of rural to urban migration in Botswana?

Answer 4

‘Bright light syndrome’: Migrants receive low quality jobs and therefore settle in squatter settlements (Old Nadeli)

Question 5

PSD for internal migration in Botswana

Answer 5

Old Nadeli squatter settlement

Botswana’s University, Gaborone.