Botswana - Society

Population: 1,906,000 (2008); 60% lives in urban areas; growth 3.3% p.a. 1970–90 and 1.9% p.a. 1990–2006, with rapid growth in urban areas; birth rate (2006) 25 per 1,000 people (51 in 1970); life expectancy 50 years, down from a peak of 63 years in the early 1990s, as a result of AIDS (52 in 1970). Around 90% of the people are of Setswana-speaking origin and most of the rest of Kalanga-speaking origin. Bushmen (i.e. San or Basarwa), Herero, Mbukushu, Yei and Mazezuru, whites and others constitute the balance.

Religion: Most people are Christians or hold traditional beliefs. Traditional religions incorporate some Christian practices.

Language: Setswana is the national language; English is an official language.

Media: The constitution provides for freedom of expression and Botswana’s media has a long tradition of lively public debate. Since press circulation is limited to urban areas, radio is an important medium for those who have difficulty accessing printed information. Radio Botswana is state run, and broadcasts in Setswana and English. The BBC World Service is available on an FM relay.

The government-owned Daily News is published in English and Setswana, and Mmegi is an independent daily. There are several privately owned weeklies including The Botswana Gazette (Wednesday, since 1985), Botswana Guardian (weekend) and The Midweek Sun.

Botswana Television was launched in 2000.

There are 44 TV sets (2003), 47 personal computers (2004) and 53 internet users (2007) per 1,000 people.

Education: Public spending on education was 9.7% of GDP in 2006. There are ten years of compulsory education starting at age six. Net enrolment ratios are 85% for primary and 60% for secondary (2005). The pupil–teacher ratio for primary is 25:1 and for secondary, 14:1 (2005). The private sector provides about one-third of secondary places. The school year starts in January. The Brigades movement, now established throughout the Commonwealth, was founded in Serowe by Patrick van Rensburg to provide vocational training in skilled trades for early school-leavers.

About 5% of the relevant age group is enrolled in tertiary education (2005). There are about 30 vocational and technical training centres, four teacher training colleges, two colleges of education and one university. The Institute of Development Management accepts students from throughout the region. Illiteracy among people age 15–24 is 5.9% (2007).

Health: There are some 30 hospitals and more than 500 clinics and health centres. Malaria is endemic in northern Botswana. 96% of the population uses an improved drinking water source and 47% have access to adequate sanitation facilities (2006). Infant mortality was 90 per 1,000 live births in 2006, having risen sharply since the late 1990s due to AIDS (118 in 1960). At the end of 2005, 24% of people age 15 and over were HIV positive. Full AIDS control and prevention programmes are now in place.

Communications: Country code 267. There are very few public phone boxes. Mobile coverage is average, and internet connections are available in resorts and large cities. Gaborone and Maun have a number of internet cafes. Post offices can be found in all towns and in the larger villages.

There are 73 main telephone lines and 758 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people (2007).

Public holidays: New Year (two days), Labour Day (early May), Sir Seretse Khama Day (1 July), President’s Day (two days around 15 July), Botswana Day (two days around 30 September), Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Ascension Day.