The 2005 Independence Day ceremony in Gaborone.

Happy birthday Botswana!
This year the country celebrates the 40th anniversary of its independence from the UK with optimism, as it looks back on its achievements

When tourists visit the famous gorge in the Tuli Block area of Botswana, they are directed to ask the waterfall god for permission to see the site. Legend has it that if you go without divine consent the land might dry up. Botswana has sought similar co-operation between its people and its neighbours throughout its history to increase its growth and economy. Possessing a tradition of racial tolerance combined with a government focused on strong social development and commercial advancement, it is internationally hailed as the “shining star” of the African continent. September 30th marks the 40th Anniversary of Botswana's independence from the UK, in 1966, and a new chapter in its economic and social progress.

Claimed as a British protectorate in 1885, the Republic of Botswana had already experienced an influx of emigrating tribes from surrounding areas and the country's demographic make-up is still formed by groups such as the famous San people. Incorporated into South Africa in 1910, Botswana ended this association after the former’s adoption of apartheid in 1948. This led to the independence of the region in 1966 and the formation of a republic, as the population consisted of various indigenous tribes. Rather than being a reason for conflict, this diversity fostered a peaceful existence, Botswana's inhabitants using Setswana and English as their main languages. Such a friendly beginning has resulted in good relationships with surrounding African countries, including South Africa, as well as creating a stable government. Governing the country since its independence, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has instilled a zero tolerance policy on corruption coupled with sound financial policies, due largely to the current president’s previous post as minister of finance. President Festus Gontebanye Mogae has also put the country at the forefront of HIV/AIDS research as they confront the problem with aggressive social programmes that recognise the problem instead of attempting to hide it. There are also many programmes in place that provide free health care to the entire population.

	Festus Mogae President of Botswana
	‘A Foreign Direct Investment Strategy is to be completed by the end of this financial year’
	Baledzi Gaolathe Minister of Finance and Development planning
	‘We want to establish a healthy environment for Botswana’s exchange rate’
	Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba CEO of Bedia
	‘We will take your hand and walk you through the process’

All of this has been made possible by an economy largely based on a very important gem which Botswana mines more of, in terms of value, than any other country: diamonds. Integrating the potential of the stone into the government's plans has facilitated the creation of a stable economy in a part of the world where most countries are unable to do so. Investment in free education, roads and healthcare has kept the country ahead of many of its competitors. Current problems regarding energy production and water shortages are being addressed as Botswana moves from a dependency on other countries to a relationship based on an interchange of resources. However, many challenges that face Botswana have more to do with their dependency on the same source that has caused their stability. The Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority (BEDIA) is working on attracting new investment, therefore adding to and diversifying the existing economy. The CEO of BEDIA, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba states, “BEDIA is a friend to the investor. We are the ones who will take your hand and walk you through the process of making sure that you get all your permits, operational requirements and even your factory space from where you can operate.” Their up-front policy always helps companies make offsite decisions by handing them all the information they need. They are convinced that Botswana’s positive experience will bring in the variety of business needed to strengthen the economy.

Diversity is the key word in the country’s commerce and has resulted in the government's development of a revolutionary plan called Vision 2016. Anxious for the economy to diversify, Baledzi Gaolathe, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, believes the plan will help the average growth rate of 5.5 per cent to increase to 6.3 per cent, which in turn will help the government to meet the goals outlined in the plan. As for the recent change in the value of the local currency, the pula, the minister explains, “We wanted to establish a healthy environment to make Botswana’s exchange rate competitive and to enable those who produce within the country to have possibilities for export”. The plan also calls for investigation into several sectors for which the country is ripe: information technology, financial services, call centres, agriculture, tourism and mining are just some of the businesses being focused upon. Tourism is seen as a special project as it ensures the protection of natural resources and areas unique to the region such as the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert. HIV/AIDS is also extensively addressed in the plan as it is one of the most serious and pressing challenges the government has to confront.

There is no doubt that economic survival is based on diversity, but like the waterfall, maintaining traditions and having faith in the government creates resources, which ensures that home-grown talent will never dry up.

	Gaborone has one of the fastest growing and most vibrant economies of any city in the world.

Botswana at a glance

• Area: 226,152 square miles,
36 per cent belongs to the system of Natural Parks and Protected Game Reserves.

• Population: 1,639,833 million (2006 est.), the majority of whom reside in rural areas and belong to various indigenous tribes.

• Capital City: Gaborone, population 208,411 (2005 est.), centre of trade and industry as well as current developments in the country’s commerce.

• Languages: English and Setswana as well as various tribal languages.

• Government: Parliamentary Republic. Parliament is responsible for selecting the serving president.

• Currency: Pula (indigenous word for rain).

• Industries: Diamond mining, tourism, financial services, agriculture, information technology, telecommunications and service related industries.

• Press: Radio has the largest audience, followed by printed press and television. Many villages are very isolated and receive little or no regular delivery service.