Governance of Land and Natural Resources for Sustainable Development in Botswana: Blessing or Curse?

Patricia M. Makepe, University of Botswana
David Sebudubudu, University of Botswana
Keratilwe Bodilenyane, University of Botswana
Kgomotso Montsi, University of Botswana

Abstract

Realising sustainable development is a major challenge for most African states. Economic development in most African countries is largely centred on the exploitation of natural resources, particularly minerals. Rather than facilitate development, the exploitation of natural resources in most countries, has been a source of adverse outcomes. That is, natural resources led to ‘the resource curse’, owing in part to bad leadership and governance. Through good leadership and governance, Botswana emerged differently. The country transformed itself to a middle income status through the prudent exploitation and management of mineral resources; making Botswana one of the few resource rich countries to avoid ‘the resource curse’. Yet, the sole reliance on one non-renewable resource is risky as evidenced by the recent global financial crisis. Sustainable development necessitates greater emphasis on renewable resources whose exploitation and management require a different strategy to drive development forward. The paper identifies leadership and governance amongst the central tenets to Botswana’s development success story. It argues that, for the last four decades the leadership and governance strategy served the country well, given the context of the time. Going forward, an enhanced leadership and governance strategy is necessary to successfully exploit and manage the country’s resources for the benefit of all. In conclusion, African states need to review the role of leadership and governance in order to realize sustainable development.

 

Governance of Land and Natural Resources for Sustainable Development in Botswana: Blessing or Curse?

Realising sustainable development is a major challenge for most African states. Economic development in most African countries is largely centred on the exploitation of natural resources, particularly minerals. Rather than facilitate development, the exploitation of natural resources in most countries, has been a source of adverse outcomes. That is, natural resources led to ‘the resource curse’, owing in part to bad leadership and governance. Through good leadership and governance, Botswana emerged differently. The country transformed itself to a middle income status through the prudent exploitation and management of mineral resources; making Botswana one of the few resource rich countries to avoid ‘the resource curse’. Yet, the sole reliance on one non-renewable resource is risky as evidenced by the recent global financial crisis. Sustainable development necessitates greater emphasis on renewable resources whose exploitation and management require a different strategy to drive development forward. The paper identifies leadership and governance amongst the central tenets to Botswana’s development success story. It argues that, for the last four decades the leadership and governance strategy served the country well, given the context of the time. Going forward, an enhanced leadership and governance strategy is necessary to successfully exploit and manage the country’s resources for the benefit of all. In conclusion, African states need to review the role of leadership and governance in order to realize sustainable development.