Introduction to Contemporary Africa. History Essay

INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY AFRICA
Project Country: Botswana
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STEP 1 : COLONIAL HISTORY AND POLITICAL CONTEXT
Basic Information
Prior to its independence, Botswana was known as Bechuanaland. The capital city of Botswana is Gaborone. When they gained their independence, they did not change the name of capital city but instead it was moved from Mafeking to Gaborone. Botswana is a landlocked country located in South west of Africa situated on a latitude of 22° 20' 34.23" S and longitude of 24° 41' 13.58" E. Botswana has two separate topographical regions, eastern region is mountainous and grassland while the western region is lie on swampy area and semi-arid Kalahari Desert which dominates most parts of the country.
COLONIAL HISTORY OF BOTSWANA.
Impacts of Colonialism on:
1 Local Structures.
Chiefs were the rulers of Tswana tribes and they enjoyed broad powers. They could make final decisions upon consulting a traditional assembly (kgotla). Upon colonialism, local structures were not altered though their roles changed slightly. They still presided over local courts but British would administer criminal cases. There was introduction of hut tax and chiefs became tax collectors. This resulted in people resistance hence causing constraints to the rule.
2 Social and cultural institutions
Land ownership and control vested in the hands of chief (kgosi) who was the custodian and trustee of communal land. During colonial period, the British took their land and forced to work hence forceful slaveries. Various ethnic groups in Botswana allowed polygamy but upon colonialism men were only allowed to marry one wife. Gender roles also changed as men and women could do similar tasks unlike pre-colonial period where roles were based on gender. Inheritance prior colonialism varied between Tswana tradition and property were only allocated to sons. Upon colonialism things changed and daughters and widows were allowed to inherit properties
3 Religious practices
Traditional religion in Botswana focused on ancestral beneficence. There existed cults who performed religious practices. Upon colonialism, missionaries spread Christianity and they were forced to embrace Christianity and abandon their practices.
4 Economy
British introduced hut tax which didn’t depend on ability to pay but rather cash payments. Since most families could not afford to pay tax, they were forced to sell their livestock cheaply to pay.
CATALYSTS TO BOTSWANA INDEPENDENCE
Two major political parties were formed in the run up to the independence of Botswana and played a crucial role in the struggle for independence.
1 Formation of the Botswana People party (BPP)
It was the first mass political party to be formed. It aggressively called for national self-determination, ending racism, and removal of communal representation in LEGCO. it called for independence through one man one vote elections. It later collapsed due to internal feuds
2 Formation of the Botswana Democratic party (BDP)
This is the party which led Botswana to gain independence. It articulated for one man one vote elections which was key for self-government. In 1964, British announce one man one vote elections which was determinant whether they will gain independence or not. BDP was much prepared and it won the elections. In 1965, self-government which was gateway to independence was launched.
INDEPENDENCE OF BOTSWANA
Botswana gained independence on 30th September 1966 under the leadership of Seretse Khama. Independence Day is a day marked patriotic celebrations. It takes place every year with a special event organized where political class use this event to praise the national heritage (Nengwekhulu, R. 1979).
CURRENT POLITICAL CONTEXT
Political system in the country has not changed since independence. The country practices multi-party democracy and presidential system of government. Over the past two decades post-independence, they were changes in the leadership whereby upon death of Seretse Khama he was replaced by Quett Masire in 1980. Botswana democratic party has been in power since independence with the current leader being his excellency Mokgweetsi Eric. The country practices multi-party democracy, the main political parties are: Botswana Democratic party, Botswana National Front, Alliance for Progressives, Botswana Congress party and Umbrella Democratic Party (Nengwekhulu, R. 1979).
GENERAL ELECTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
They held 11th general election on October 2019 whereby Mokgweetsi Eric Masisi of Botswana Democratic Party won and he is the current head of state. After the election, the opposition party Umbrella Democratic Change party and others united and challenged the results in court. They believed that the election was full of malpractices but election observers and media had a different opinion. Election observers which include media, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union lauded the electoral process as being transparent. The next general election will be held on October 2024. Medial plays a vital role in the country by providing information to the public. Public media is controlled by gov...