Weathering the Storm: Botswana's Culture of Care

Authors

Lengwe-Katembula Mwansa, University of Botswana
Gloria Jacques, University of Botswana

Keywords

Botswana, poverty, democracy, Africa, youth, diamonds, economy, unemployment, HIV, AIDS

Abstract

Botswana, a semi-desert southern African state ranked among the poorest in the world in the 1960s and 1970s, has emerged as an upper middle income country in the new millennium and a beacon of democracy and good governance on the continent and in the world. Since the discovery of diamonds, Botswana has prudently utilized the ensuing wealth to improve the lives of her citizens. Through a succession of National Development Plans the state has provided social services that have addressed many of the needs of the population. This trend has continued into the challenging era of the world economic crisis of 2008-2009 that culminated in global financial meltdown. The country has weathered the storm but continues to face several challenges including unemployment, drought, economic diversification, an on-going HIV and AIDS-related crisis, and the restraints of a commodity-based economy. However, with a resilience which has characterized its post-independence performance, Botswana continues to display an aspect of African stoicism and care that defines this environmentally compromised land.

Recommended Citation

Mwansa, Lengwe-Katembula and Jacques, Gloria (2014) "Weathering the Storm: Botswana's Culture of Care," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 41: Iss. 2, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3953
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol41/iss2/8