Hello my name is Kumisso.  Welcome to Botswana!

Botswana is a multi party republic. We believe in having an equal say.  I am proud of my country, especially because of our long-held belief in democracy.

I have some interesting facts about my country to share.  See for yourself what life is like in Botswana.

People & Culture

A modern system?

Botswana has long practised democracy in its communities. Traditional towns and villages have a kgotla, a meeting place where everybody can have their say and decisions are taken by consensus.

Marimba

Botswana’s traditional sounds

Meet Andrew, who’s a very passionate music teacher.  He teaches children traditional music and they seem to have fun. Take a look and find out what a Marimba is.

My home

I don’t like chillies

Thabang, one of Kumisso’s assistant chief reporters, shows you where he lives and points out the chilli plants his SOS mother likes to cook with.

Botswana Map

Explore Botswana

Find out more about some of Botswana’s key attractions, such as the Okavando Delta as well as other areas of interest including Botswana’s capital city, Gaborone.

Poverty & Healthcare

The first African country to…

With a quarter of adults infected by HIV/AIDS, Botswana became the first African country to provide free universal antiretroviral treatment. This has saved thousands and will continue to save many more.

Standards of living

Brewing beer to make a living

There is a big divide between the rich and poor in Botswana.  Have a look at the houses in the rich district and compare them to where Granny lives.  Kumiso meets Granny, who brews beer to make a living.  She doesn’t have much – but does she seem happy?

Tourism & Communications

Unspoilt beauty

Botswana’s tourism industry focuses on the luxury/exclusive safari market and nearly 40 percent of its land is under wildlife protection.

Welcome to Botswana

Hello my name is Kumisso.  Welcome to Botswana

Botswana is a multiparty republic and we believe in having an equal say. I am proud of my country, especially because of our long-held belief in democracy.

I have some interesting facts about my country to share. See for yourself what life is like in Botswana.

Economy & Industry

Rising through the ranks

With the discovery of diamonds, Botswana went from one of the world’s poorest countries to becoming a middle-income nation. But the diamonds will not last forever. What else does the country have to offer?

Dating and marriage

Education first

Watch Offana squirm as he answers questions about dating, getting married and having a family.  But he has his feet firmly on the ground – education comes first.

Climate

Africa is a massive continent, with a range of climates. Some regions are hot and dry, like the Sahara, Kalahari and Namib deserts. Other parts are wet or covered in tropical rainforest. Conditions also vary by altitude, from the dry salt pans of the Danakil Depression (one of the lowest points on earth) to the snowcaps (at certain times) of the highest mountains. Weather-wise, Africa has it all!

State of Children

Around one in six children born in sub-Saharan Africa don't live to see their fifth birthday and life can be tough for those who do.

What are the common challenges facing African children and how do their lives compare with those of children in the UK?

Development

‘People are the real wealth of a nation.’ This is the belief of the United Nations, whose Millenium Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of millions.

It helps when nations are peaceful, stable and growing economically. But even where the poorest countries focus on health, education and creating fairer societies, more Africans have the chance of a better life.

Famine & Agriculture

A quarter of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished and famines can impact whole regions.

Land is available to grow more food locally. But investment is needed in  technologies such as irrigation, for land to be used effectively. Farmers must also adapt to climate change if they are to feed the continent's rising population.

Foods

Africa has some of the most distinctive cuisines and flavours in the world. Food varies widely, but there are commonalities across regions. Depending on what's grown locally, dishes are also influenced by the traders, immigrants and rulers who settled across the continent. Arab, Asian and European elements blend in with traditional African cooking.

Games & Sports

Africa is home to arguably the oldest-recorded games and sports. While some are only known through archeology, modern-day games and sports such as Mancala/Mankala and Nubian wrestling are very much alive today.

Of course, new sports have come along to claim the attention of Africans. You may have heard of one - it's called football.

Health

Africa has a high number of communicable diseases, which place a huge burden on healthcare systems. The vast majority of malaria cases and HIV/AIDS-related deaths occur in Africa; these two diseases currently represent the greatest threats.

With low investment in healthcare and a severe shortage of medical staff, many countries struggle to meet the health needs of their people.

War and Empire

The first humans are thought to have lived in Africa and powerful African empires formed from the medieval age onwards.

However, today's African nations were shaped by the European powers who colonised this vast continent. Having gained their independence, many African countries are still coming to terms with the legacy left by their colonisers.

Kgotla – a meeting place

A mixed bag

A Kgotla is a traditional meeting place (similar to a court) where decisions are made in the local community. Marriages also take place here, as well as punishments.

A very multi-functional place, wouldn’t you say!

Poverty

Across the rest of the world, absolute poverty has halved over recent decades, but in Africa it has barely fallen.

About two-fifths of the population of sub-Saharan Africa survive week by week on what someone in the UK earns from just one hour's work on the minimum wage.

Bushmen of Botswana

Fighting for a tradition

There is not much hope for the Bushmen of Botswana, who are being forced to abandon their traditional way of living. Increasingly isolated, what does their future hold?

Climate & Agriculture

Clear skies and soaring temperatures

With its sub-tropical ‘desert’ climate, temperatures in Botswana are hot in the daytime and cold at night and the country has little rainfall.

Geography & Wildlife

There’s something in the water

Botswana is home to hundreds of different animal and bird species and its unspoilt land is the envy of many.  Discover why……. and what animals you might find lurking in the Okavango Delta.

Education & Jobs

A true pioneer

Patrick van Rensburg was an educationalist and anti-apartheid campaigner. He pioneered a school programme which combines academic and vocational learning.

Facts & Figures

A small population

1.98 million people live in a country with an area of over 500,000 square kilometres

Filming in Botswana

'Riri's Life' and 'Rude Boy'

Two teams of children at the SOS Children’s Village in Botswana worked with professional film makers to create their very own feature film.  See what they came up with…

Food & Daily life

Tradition of beer with modern living

As the economy modernises, life in Botswana is changing and many people are moving to the towns and cities. Some things remain the same though, such as the appreciation of a good local beer.

History & Politics

Multiparty republic

Today, Botswana is a multiparty republic, which was not always the case.  Find out more about Botswana’s history and visionary leadership.

AfricaFacts & FiguresPoverty & HealthcareFood & Daily lifeBushmen of BotswanaPeople & CultureGeography & WildlifeClimate & AgricultureStandards of livingKgotla – a meeting placeWelcome to BotswanaMarimbaEconomy & IndustryDating and marriageEducation & JobsFilming in BotswanaHistory & PoliticsMy homeBotswana MapTourism & Communications