Botswana Overview

Economy

Diamonds in Botswana

When Botswana gained independence in 1966, it was still one of the poorest countries in the world. But when diamonds were found in the country as early as 1967, the people – compared to the rest of Africa – were doing better. Botswana is one of the richer African countries today.

The diamond mines are therefore important for Botswana’s economy. Gold was also found. The country exports these minerals, largely to Europe. Botswana is among the countries that export the most diamonds in the world. Other mineral resources such as nickel, copper or cobalt are also important export goods. In the meantime, the diamonds are not only mined in Botswana, but also processed further.

Agriculture and industry

Many people work in agriculture in Botswana. They breed animals and grow corn or millet. However, the yields keep falling because it often gets very hot and dry and the harvests suffer as a result.

Pick-ups and smaller trucks are also produced in the country. There is a close connection with South Africa. Botswana has merged with South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland to form the South African Customs Union.

Tourism is growing in Botswana

Important sources of income for the country are also the tourists who visit Botswana because of the rich flora and fauna. That is why the state is doing a lot to protect the country’s nature. 40 out of 100 inhabitants in the north of the country work in the field of tourism, which is constantly developing. Above all, Botswana relies on sustainable tourism that protects the environment. There are many companies here that are dedicated to exactly this topic and those who want to travel sustainably can find many travel destinations in Botswana.

Children and School

Do children go to school in Botswana?

In Botswana, children from the age of six go to primary school, which is called Primary School there. After seven years they go to the Junior Secondary School ” and at the end they have to take an exam. Then they are around 15 years old. The secondary school is then the Senior Secondary School”, where a degree is obtained that is roughly equivalent to our Abitur corresponds.

In Botswana, schooling is only compulsory for the first seven years of school. The problem is that children in remote areas of the country are often unable to attend secondary schools. However, nine out of ten children go to primary school and learn to read and write. The primary school is free of charge. That is why many people in Botswana can read and write. For more articles on Botswana and Africa, please visit topb2bwebsites.

Eating in Botswana

What do you eat in Botswana?

The people of Botswana particularly enjoy eating beef and chicken. There is also rice and vegetables. Often a kind of stew is cooked from the ingredients. Corn porridge, which is a staple food in many African kitchens, is also typical. Beans are also a popular food.

What is the national dish in Botswana called?

The national dish of Botswana is called seswaa. Traditionally, this is what men prepare. Seswaa is made of meat and meat is a precious food. The meat, usually beef or goat meat, is cooked in a traditional saucepan. Add to that just water and salt. The meat has to stew in its own juice for two hours, then you serve the popular corn porridge and a vegetable called Morogo. This tastes a bit like our spinach.

Another traditional dish in Botswana is called Bogobe. This is a corn or millet porridge that is prepared with water or milk. This is combined sweet or salty.

Worms to eat

You probably rarely have worms on the table in your home. But worms are a specialty in the countries of southern Africa. Children especially like to eat mopane worms, which are not, strictly speaking, worms but caterpillars of blue and green color. If they weren’t eaten, butterflies would come out in the end.

By the way, these caterpillars are very healthy. Children also collect these, they are everywhere. The caterpillars are freed from the shell and left to dry. Sometimes the caterpillars are also smoked. You can keep them, especially for the times when nature otherwise produces little to eat. The caterpillars contain proteins and calcium, which is essential for building bones.

The preparation methods are varied. They are boiled or fried, seasoned, served with spices or various sauces. For us Europeans this may take some getting used to, but we also eat snails, which are considered a delicacy for gourmets, so why not caterpillars too?