Politics of Botswana
Encyclopedia
Politics of Botswana takes place in a framework of a parliamentary
representative democratic
republic
, whereby the President of Botswana is both head of state
and head of government
, and of a multi-party system
. Executive power
is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government
and the Parliament of Botswana
. Since independence the party system has been dominated by the Botswana Democratic Party
(BDP), which has never lost power since independence. The Judiciary
is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Botswana
is formally a multiparty constitutional democracy. Each of the elections since independence in September 1966 has been freely and fairly contested and has been held on schedule. The country's small white minority and other minorities participate freely in the political process. There are two main rival parties and a number of smaller parties. Some argue that the openness of the country's political system has been a significant factor in Botswana's stability and economic growth. General elections are held at least every 5 years.
There are 57 parliamentary constituencies
in Botswana.
The advisory House of Chiefs represents the eight principal subgroups of the Batswana people, and four other members are elected by the subchiefs of four of the districts. A draft of any National Assembly bill of tribal concern must be referred to the House of Chiefs for advisory opinion. Chiefs and other leaders preside over customary, traditional courts, though all persons have the right to request that their case be considered under the formal British-based legal system.
A possible cultural explanation for Botswana's democracy lies in Setswana traditions, exemplified by the Kgotla
, or village council, in which the powers of traditional leaders are limited by custom and law.
Source: http://www.botswanaembassy.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,print,0&cntnt01articleid=17&cntnt01showtemplate=false&cntnt01returnid=77
(indigenous tribal population). The government's policies for remote area dwellers continue to spark controversy and may be revised in response to domestic and donor concerns.
Judgments of the Botswana Court of Appeal
Judgments of the Botswana High Court
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Parliamentary system
A parliamentary system is a system of government in which the ministers of the executive branch get their democratic legitimacy from the legislature and are accountable to that body, such that the executive and legislative branches are intertwined....
representative democratic
Representative democracy
Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principle of elected individuals representing the people, as opposed to autocracy and direct democracy...
republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
, whereby the President of Botswana is both head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
and head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
, and of a multi-party system
Multi-party system
A multi-party system is a system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition, e.g.The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in the United Kingdom formed in 2010. The effective number of parties in a multi-party system is normally...
. Executive power
Executive Power
Executive Power is Vince Flynn's fifth novel, and the fourth to feature Mitch Rapp, an American agent that works for the CIA as an operative for a covert counter terrorism unit called the "Orion Team."-Plot summary:...
is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
and the Parliament of Botswana
Parliament of Botswana
The Parliament of Botswana consists of the President and the National Assembly. In contrast to other Parliamentary systems, the Parliament elects the President directly for a set five year term of office. There are no term limits...
. Since independence the party system has been dominated by the Botswana Democratic Party
Botswana Democratic Party
The Botswana Democratic Party is the governing conservative party in Botswana. Its chairman is Daniel Kwelagobe.BDP was shaped by Sir Seretse Khama, who is celebrated for nurturing the economic and political success of Botswana. The party's base is in the traditional Setswana communities, and it...
(BDP), which has never lost power since independence. The Judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
is formally a multiparty constitutional democracy. Each of the elections since independence in September 1966 has been freely and fairly contested and has been held on schedule. The country's small white minority and other minorities participate freely in the political process. There are two main rival parties and a number of smaller parties. Some argue that the openness of the country's political system has been a significant factor in Botswana's stability and economic growth. General elections are held at least every 5 years.
Legislative branch
The National Assembly has 57 elected and 4 appointed members http://www.bartleby.com/151/fields/59.html; it is expanded following each census (every 10 years). Parliament elects the state president.There are 57 parliamentary constituencies
Parliamentary constituencies of Botswana
Botswana is divided into fifty-seven parliamentary constituencies. The constituencies were last updated in 2002.-List of constituencies:-External links:* *...
in Botswana.
The advisory House of Chiefs represents the eight principal subgroups of the Batswana people, and four other members are elected by the subchiefs of four of the districts. A draft of any National Assembly bill of tribal concern must be referred to the House of Chiefs for advisory opinion. Chiefs and other leaders preside over customary, traditional courts, though all persons have the right to request that their case be considered under the formal British-based legal system.
A possible cultural explanation for Botswana's democracy lies in Setswana traditions, exemplified by the Kgotla
Kgotla
A kgotla is a public meeting, community council or traditional law court of a Botswana village. It is usually headed by the village chief or headman, and community decisions are always arrived at by consensus. Anyone at all is allowed to speak, and no one may interrupt while someone is "having...
, or village council, in which the powers of traditional leaders are limited by custom and law.
Current Cabinet
Botswana's cabinet is headed by the President, who is also head of government.| Office | Incumbent |
|---|---|
| President | Ian Khama Ian Khama Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama is a Botswana politician who has been the President of Botswana since 2008; he is also the Paramount Chief of the Bamangwato tribe... |
| Vice president Vice-President of Botswana The Vice-President of Botswana is the second-highest executive official in the Government of Botswana.-List of Vice-Presidents of Botswana:-See also:*Botswana**Heads of state of Botswana**Heads of government of Botswana... |
Mompati Merafhe Mompati Merafhe Lt. Gen. Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe is a Botswana politician, currently serving as Vice-President. He is a retired Lieutenant-General and was Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 2008.-Biography:... |
| Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration | Lesego Motsumi Lesego Motsumi Lesego Motsumi is a politician from Botswana. Motsumi was the Minister of Health until November 2004, when she became the Minister of Works and Transport. In the 2008 cabinet reshuffle, held upon the appointment of new president Ian Khama, Motsumi reverted back to her old post as Minister of... |
| Minister of Local Government | Lebonamang Mokalake |
| Minister of Trade and Industry | Baledzi Gaolathe |
| Minister of Finance and Development Planning | Kenneth Matambo |
| Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture | Shaw Kgathi Shaw Kgathi Shaw Kgathi is a Botswana politician. In 2009 he was elected as the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture. He is a member of Parliament of Botswana and represents Bobirwa.... |
| Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources | Ponatshego Kedikilwe Ponatshego Kedikilwe Ponatshego Kedikilwe is a Botswana politician and member of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. He has served as the Minister of Mineral Energy and Water Resources and MP for Mmadinare.-References:*... |
| Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology | Johnnie Swartz |
| Minister of Defence, Justice and Security | Dikgakgamatso Seretse |
| Minister of Agriculture | Christian De Graaf |
| Minister of Works and Transport | Frank Ramsden |
| Minister of Labour and Home Affairs | Peter Siele |
| Minister of Health | John Seakgosing |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation | Phandu Skelemani Phandu Skelemani Phandu Tombola Chaka Skelemani is a Botswana politician of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party , currently serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs... |
| Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism | Onkokame Mokaila |
| Minister of Education and Skills Development | Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is a Motswana journalist and politician representing the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. She was appointed to the National Assembly of Botswana in 1999 as one of the four specially selected members and was re-elected in 2004 general elections.Venson-Moitoi was the Minister... |
| Minister of Lands and Housing | Nonofo Molefhi |
Source: http://www.botswanaembassy.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,print,0&cntnt01articleid=17&cntnt01showtemplate=false&cntnt01returnid=77
Local government
Local government is administered by nine district councils and five town councils. District commissioners have executive authority and are appointed by the central government and assisted by elected and nominated district councilors and district development committees. There has been ongoing debate about the political, social, and economic marginalization of the SanBushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
(indigenous tribal population). The government's policies for remote area dwellers continue to spark controversy and may be revised in response to domestic and donor concerns.
Political parties and elections
Judicial branch
Botswana's High Court has general civil and criminal jurisdiction. Judges are appointed by the president and may be removed only for cause and after a hearing. The constitution has a code of fundamental human rights enforced by the courts, and Botswana has a good human rights record.Judgments of the Botswana Court of Appeal
Judgments of the Botswana High Court
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCtInternational Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WT