Botswana OrientationBotswana OrientationWelcomeWelcome

Botswana-UPenn Partnership Botswana-UPenn Partnership Mission Mission

To help build capacity in:Clinical CareEducationResearch

Population 1.8 million

► Land-locked countryLand-locked country► Size of Texas / FranceSize of Texas / France► The Tropic of Capricorn The Tropic of Capricorn

runs through it. runs through it. ► Kalahari Desert Kalahari Desert

occupies 87% of the occupies 87% of the territory.territory.

► Also home to the only Also home to the only inland delta in the inland delta in the world, the Okavango.world, the Okavango.

ClimateClimate► Semiarid / Seems like ArizonaSemiarid / Seems like Arizona► Cool winters (June-August) Cool winters (June-August)

Average daily temps of 41 – 66F (but can be colder at night) Average daily temps of 41 – 66F (but can be colder at night) ► Hot summers (December-February)Hot summers (December-February)

Average daily temps of 71 - 91F (but can be hotter and Average daily temps of 71 - 91F (but can be hotter and most buildings to not have AC)most buildings to not have AC)

► Rainy season during summer has intense rain and Rainy season during summer has intense rain and thunderstorms. thunderstorms.

LanguageLanguage► English is the official language.English is the official language.► Setswana used by the very young and the very Setswana used by the very young and the very

old.old.►Other languages include Khoisan languages Other languages include Khoisan languages

(“click languages” of the San and Kalanga in (“click languages” of the San and Kalanga in the norththe north

►G is nearly always pronounced as H and TH as G is nearly always pronounced as H and TH as T and E is rarely silent.T and E is rarely silent. Gaborone pronounced “Ha-bor-ron-ee”Gaborone pronounced “Ha-bor-ron-ee”

► The people of Botswana are called “Batswana.”The people of Botswana are called “Batswana.”►One person from Botswana is called a One person from Botswana is called a

“Motswana.”“Motswana.”

Greetings Are Very Important Greetings Are Very Important ► ““Dumela Rra”Dumela Rra”► ““Dumela Mma”Dumela Mma”► ““Le Kae”Le Kae”

How are you? How are you? ► ““Re Teng”Re Teng”

We are well. (Use of We are well. (Use of plural shows plural shows respect.)respect.)

KgotlaKgotla► public meeting, public meeting,

community council community council or traditional law or traditional law courtcourt

► headed by the headed by the village chief or village chief or headmanheadman

► anyone is allowed anyone is allowed to speak, and no to speak, and no one may interruptone may interrupt

► one of the world’s one of the world’s oldest democraciesoldest democracies

ReligionReligion► 70% are Christian70% are Christian► 7% have indigenous 7% have indigenous

beliefsbeliefs► 20% have no religion20% have no religion► Many Batswana mix Many Batswana mix

some African Traditional some African Traditional Religious or Badimo Religious or Badimo beliefs into their beliefs into their religious practices (e.g. religious practices (e.g. consulting medicine consulting medicine men for advice). men for advice).

Political HistoryPolitical History► British colony known as British colony known as

the Bechuanaland the Bechuanaland Protectorate (Protectorate (1885-1885-19661966). ).

► Obtained independence Obtained independence in 1966.in 1966.

► Longest continuous Longest continuous multiparty democracy in multiparty democracy in Africa with 4 Africa with 4 democratically elected democratically elected presidents:presidents: Seretse KhamaSeretse Khama Ketumile MasireKetumile Masire Festus MogaeFestus Mogae Ian KhamaIan Khama

DiamondsDiamonds► In 1967, diamonds In 1967, diamonds

were discovered in were discovered in OrapaOrapa

►Debswana, largest Debswana, largest mining company, 50% mining company, 50% owned by the owned by the government and 50% government and 50% owned by DeBeers, owned by DeBeers, generates half of all generates half of all government revenuesgovernment revenues

EconomyEconomy► Mining: Diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, methane gasMining: Diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, methane gas

Diamond mining accounts for >1/3 of the GDP and 75% of Diamond mining accounts for >1/3 of the GDP and 75% of export earnings. export earnings.

Jwaneng diamond mine is the richest diamond mine in the Jwaneng diamond mine is the richest diamond mine in the worldworld

► Tourism Tourism Tsodilo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Chobe Tsodilo Hills (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Chobe

elephants, Victoria Falls, Okavangoelephants, Victoria Falls, Okavango Large nature preserves & good conservation practicesLarge nature preserves & good conservation practices Expensive park admission fees and geared towards high-Expensive park admission fees and geared towards high-

end tourism including big game hunting on private reservesend tourism including big game hunting on private reserves► Cattle / BeefCattle / Beef

Tsodilo HillsTsodilo Hills

CowsCows► Cattle posts are Cattle posts are

located at bore located at bore holesholes

► Cattle not fencedCattle not fenced► A small second A small second

house / hut / trailer house / hut / trailer is located thereis located there

► Cattle often Cattle often overseen by a overseen by a herder (herder (modisamodisa) )

Other Things to NoteOther Things to Note► Time - they use a 24 Time - they use a 24

hour clock (1730 = hour clock (1730 = 5:30 PM)5:30 PM)

► They Drive on the They Drive on the LEFT!!LEFT!!