Colonization in Botswana
The Impact of Colonization in the Country of Botswana
Botswana’s peaceful transition to independence was unique and historical on the continent of Africa; yet Botswana’s road to a stabilized government and economic success lack perfection. Unlike any other country in Africa, Botswana applied for their independence from the British and their request was accepted. Simultaneously the British became the protectorate over Botswana territory at the request of the Tswana chiefs. According to Gretchen Bauer and Scott Taylor, “an informal protectorate relationship was secured between the Tswana chiefs and the British government in Cape Town, and in 1885 this agreement was formalized and Bechuanaland made a ‘crown colony for the British” (Bauer and Scott 85). A peaceful colonization led to many benefits for the country of Botswana such as, a stabilized government, a prospering economy, a growing education system, and governmental assistance for the fight against HIV/AIDS. On the other hand, Botswana’s people have sacrificed their political voice within their own country as a result of this protectorate agreement. Although Botswana’s parallel political system allows the House of Chiefs to serve as an advisory board, and the indigenous to rule the local government, the ultimate power lies within the hands of the executive branch which is governed my modern laws. Botswana’s independence led to the organization of the state and the country’s first President, Seretse Khama. The Constitution of Botswana awarded power over both state and government to the President, it appointed “a unicameral legislature, a National Assembly based on the Westminster parliamentary system” (Bauer and Scott 88), as well as, secured a place for the House of Chiefs in the executive branch of the government, yet the chiefs lacked ruling power. More importantly the Constitution asserted that the judiciary system in Botswana reserved the power to enforce and interpret the civil rights of the Botswana
Botswana’s peaceful transition to independence was unique and historical on the continent of Africa; yet Botswana’s road to a stabilized government and economic success lack perfection. Unlike any other country in Africa, Botswana applied for their independence from the British and their request was accepted. Simultaneously the British became the protectorate over Botswana territory at the request of the Tswana chiefs. According to Gretchen Bauer and Scott Taylor, “an informal protectorate relationship was secured between the Tswana chiefs and the British government in Cape Town, and in 1885 this agreement was formalized and Bechuanaland made a ‘crown colony for the British” (Bauer and Scott 85). A peaceful colonization led to many benefits for the country of Botswana such as, a stabilized government, a prospering economy, a growing education system, and governmental assistance for the fight against HIV/AIDS. On the other hand, Botswana’s people have sacrificed their political voice within their own country as a result of this protectorate agreement. Although Botswana’s parallel political system allows the House of Chiefs to serve as an advisory board, and the indigenous to rule the local government, the ultimate power lies within the hands of the executive branch which is governed my modern laws. Botswana’s independence led to the organization of the state and the country’s first President, Seretse Khama. The Constitution of Botswana awarded power over both state and government to the President, it appointed “a unicameral legislature, a National Assembly based on the Westminster parliamentary system” (Bauer and Scott 88), as well as, secured a place for the House of Chiefs in the executive branch of the government, yet the chiefs lacked ruling power. More importantly the Constitution asserted that the judiciary system in Botswana reserved the power to enforce and interpret the civil rights of the Botswana
Cited: Bauer, Gretchen, and Taylor Scott D. Politics in Southern Africa: State & Society in Transition. Boulder, CO: Rienner, 2005. Molokomme, Athaliah. “Caught between Indigenous Law abs State Law: The Strategies of Mothers in Maintenance Cases in Bangwakete Villiage.” Law and Anthropology: International Yearbook for Legal Anthropology Cambridge, MA vol7.7 (1994): 23-61. Print. U.S. Department Of State. “2008 Human Rights Report: Botswana.” www.state.gov Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Febuary 25, 2009. web. April 29,2009. Physicians for Human Right. www.physiciansforhumanrights.org Epidemic of Inequality: Women’s Rights and HIV/AIDS in Botswana & Swaziland. Cambridge: Masschusetts, 2007.web.