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Republic of Botswana

History

Government Observers

Country Facts

Chairman's Statement:

The high quality of diamonds found in Botswana results from their purity and beautiful form. As a result, more than 70 % of the diamonds produced in this southern African nation are of gem quality.

Botswana is the third largest producer of diamonds. Kimberlite deposits were discovered there between 1967 and 1973. The Orapa pipe, found in 1967, is the second largest economic kimberlite pipe in the world and produces about 5.5 million carats annually. The Jwaneng pipe was discovered in 1973 under the sands of the Kalahari Desert. With over 10 million carats produced each year, it was the second most productive mine for weight of diamonds and first for currency value. Two smaller pipes, Letlhakane 1 and 2, were discovered in 1968.

Botswana's diamond reserves are immense and as a result the country is the largest exporter of gemstone diamonds in the world.

During Europe's partition of the African continent in 1885 the British crown declared its power over Bechuanaland (modern-day Botswana). The colony's largest group of indigenous inhabitants, the Tswana, however, resisted the increased encroachment on their rights and land. In 1952, Bechuanaland's formal nationalist struggle began to take root. In 1960, the Bechuanaland People's Party was established and two years later, the Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP) was founded. In 1966, Bechuanaland achieved full independence and changed its name to Botswana. The BDP renamed itself the Botswana Democratic Party and was elected into power, with Seretse Khama serving as the nation's first president.

Botswana's first five years of independence were characterized by continued economic dependence on Britain. The discovery, however, of diamonds at Orapa in the Central region allowed Botswana to witness tremendous economic development. It has used profits from its extensive mineral wealth to extend basic social services to its population and to improve the quality of the infrastructure used for mining development. More recently, Botswana's economy has received a boost from the growth of its manufacturing industry, which produces vehicles and foodstuffs for the South African market.

Botswana's progressive economic stability has and continues to be complemented by its post-independence history of political stability. When Seretse Khama died in 1980, his long-time deputy and vice-president Quett Masire succeeded him as president. Masire held the presidency until 1998 when he retired and was replaced by his vice-president Festus Mogae, who is still in power. The BDP has remained Botswana's strongest political party. Botswana has also been a strategic actor in the political developments of the larger southern African region. Its role in the resolution of the Rhodesian war, which resulted in Zimbabwe's independence, and its foundational role in the development of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) are just two of the outstanding contributions this key African nation has made to the overall improvement of the continent.

President: His Excellency Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources / Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) : Gabaake G. GABAAKE

Director of Mines : Mr. Ribson C. GABONOWE

Ministry Of Mineral Resources And Water Affairs

P.O. Box 0018

Private Bag 0049

Gaborone, Botswana

Telephone: +267 36 04600

Fax: +267 37 2738

Population: 2,029,307

Capital: Gaborone

Major languages: English (Official language), Setswana

Major religions: Christianity, Indigenous Belief Systems

Life expectancy: 49 years

Monetary unit: 1 Pula = 100 thebe

Main exports: Diamonds, copper, nickel, beef

Average annual income: US $3,300

Internet domain: .bw

International dialing code: +267