4 NATION BUILDING

SETTLEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE AROUND 1820

Nation; people belonging to a certain country [citizens of a particular state who share common features
e.g. territory, language]

Patriotism; love for one’s country

Nationalism; a strong feeling or attachment towards a particular nation /country or group

Sovereignty; self ruling and having own territory; independent countries make their own decisions
about their nation’s affairs.

Multi ethnicity; nation or state comprising of many ethnic groups

Nation building: process of unifying many ethnic groups either through force, persuasion or trickery.

NB; Botswana uses persuasion i.e. constitutionally democracy as a way of nation building

Protectorate: being protected from external enemies by a more powerful country. Hence there is
minimal interference in the internal affairs of the colony/ local people

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REASONS FOR NATION BUILDING

1. Promote national unity as it encourages tolerance among people of different interests; be it

religious, ethnic groups or races .
2. Promote peaceful co-existence or prevent wars
3. Promote national conversion / cohesion such as use of national symbols to transform the
various ethnic groups or races into one people or nation.
4. Maintain law and order through different socialization processes that exists within our different
ethnic groups
5. Provide a sense of common destiny and direction such as the realization of our five national
principles like democracy and even the ‘5D’ concept for president Ian Khama
6. Speed up the pace of development as different groups work together for the betterment of
their country
7. Forges mutual trust by stopping hatred among people
8. Encourage good governance by instilling national pride and discouraging political instability

ORIGINS OF BATSWANA

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 1) Khoesan: believed to originate from East and Southern Africa. These are groups of people whose
language are dominated by a click sound and were pushed into present day Botswana by the Bantu
iron working communities. Khoesan are Stone Age communities.

2) European origins; e.g. English who came to Botswana as colonizers, hunter-traders, Christians,
various professionals [teachers, doctors]

3) Asian origins; e.g. Indians who come as traders.

5) Bantu speaking groups: this is the most dominant group in Botswana. They speak related
languages e.g. their word for person is Motho in Setswana, Umuntu in Ndebele and nthu in Kalanga.

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 Bantu groups originated from Cameroon - Nigeria region, and Bantu forest in West Africa.

MFECANE/DIFACANE WARS

The Nguni word ‘Mfecane’ is usually translated as the ‘crushing’. The equivalent word in Sotho Tswana
is ‘Difacane’ and it is usually translated as ‘scattering’. Mfecane/Difaqane was a series of terrible wars
that started among the northern Nguni peoples of south eastern Africa during the early nineteenth
century. This violent period took place between 1810 and 1830. During the 1820s and 1830s armies and
refugees from this wars spread warfare and destruction over large areas of Southern, Central and even
Eastern Africa.

Impacts of difacane wars

1. positive

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1. new military strategies for defense purposes were invented / practiced e.g use of guns bought
from European hunter – traders, settling on hill tops [ kanye , shoshong etc.] use of alliance
system( joined armies) to defend tswana kingdoms against amandebebele and kololo .
2. creation of strong tswana kingdoms e.g Batlokwa of Mantatis ,
3. use of social strategies / policies such as the kgamelo system to strengthen socio – political
bonds within groups
4. promoted inter-ethinic marriages especially in royal families e.g bakwena – Bangwato

1. negatives
1. loss of life e.g Makaba of bangwaketse as they either died during the battles or of
hunger
2. young batswana were captured to reinforce the victorious groups
3. loss of possessions / property such as livestock ,granary,shelter to the deafeted groups
4. great disturbances or displacement of tswana groups as they now found themselves
scattered in foreign territories
5. loss of cultural identity as defeated groups were adopted /assimilated to the winning
groups bakaa assimilated into ngwato
6. loss of powers or social status by the tswana Dikgosi as their people fled and reduced
their shere of influence e.g bakgatla ba ga mmanaana , babirwa of malema
7. decrease in population growth rate
8. interference in the socio economic life of batswana e.g stoppage of initiation schools as
more time spent in fighting

ROLE OF MULTI ETHNICITY IN NATION BUILDING IN BOTSWANA

Multi ethnicity: comprising of many ethnic groups. In Botswana focus is more on issues that bring
Batswana together than on those that divide them.

1. Multi ethnicity instills a sense of peaceful co- existence/ as different ethnic groups are able to
tolerate each other as one Botswana nation
2. Social harmony/unity: different ethnic groups are able to appreciate, tolerate each other and
work together towards achieving self reliance, democracy, Botho e.t.c.
3. National conversion/ cohesion; use of common identity/national identity in the form of national
symbols to cement bonds within different groups in botswana. [ie we are all Batswana
irrespective of cultural diversity, bonded by national symbols like language, flag, currency not
ethnicity like totem]
4. Maintenance of law and order in Botswana; different socialization process among these diverse
cultures / ethnic groups creates an upright moral nation e.g. disciplining wrong doers at ethnic
level translates to national level.

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5. Forges cultural identity/belongingness; identify ourselves as one because we share common
features e.g. territory, e.t.c. [People are able to learn other people’s culture]

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHY ‘KAGISANO’ IS A WAY OF SAYING MULTI
ETHNICITY IS ‘GOOD FOR DIVIDED WE FALL, UNITED WE STAND’

MULTI ETHNICITY AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

1. prevent wars [promote peaceful co- existence]. Organizations such as UN and SADC encourage
recognition of human rights which is central to sustenance of human life
2. All the socio economic or political assistance from international organizations brings
unity/tolerance to nations of the world.e.gCountries may send peacekeeping forces or financial
aid to other countries as a way of promoting solidarity to the citizens of the world. “One planet,
one people/nation is what to be realized by multi ethnicity at international level’.

BSA Company

British South Africa Company was formed by CJ Rhodes in 1889.It was a royal chartered company i.e. it
had special powers to own its police force, make land agreements (Concessions) in British controlled ar
Reasons why the company was a threat to the land of Batswana

The company wanted the British to hand over Bechuanaland protectorate to the BSAC rule (i.e. in 1895
that is 10 yrs after the declaration of 1885 protection). There were plans to annex / join the land of
Batswana to either the Cape or Southern Rhodesia once it was brought under BSAC rule

The BSAC was a threat as Batswana –

- feared that they would lose their land and independence (sovereignty) to the BSAC / CJ Rhodes rule. To
Batswana land was owned on communal basis therefore was not a saleable commodity but it was a sign
of power. This meant that if Bechuanaland was annexed to the Cape or Southern Rhodesia the Batswana
dikgosi would lose land and even power to the company rule.

- Tswana Christian leaders like Khama III, feared that the company would introduce liquor into their land

- Batswana Dikgosi did not want to experience BSAC’s harsh /cruel rule as experienced by the
Amandebele and the Shona of Southern Rhodesia. Batswana instead preferred to continue to enjoy
their autonomy as allowed by the British indirect rule system.

Reasons why the BSAC wanted to incorporate the land of Batswana

The British South Africa Company wanted to;

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- obtain cheap labour from Bechuanaland. Cheap laborers were needed as miners and farm assistants.
This would allow the company to make profits from the mines and farms.

- Cecil John Rhodes wanted extra land to settle European settlers who will take part in Agriculture
especially ranching.

- He also wanted land to build a railway line that would link the Cape to Southern Rhodesia, hence
Bechuanaland protectorate was strategically positioned to this effect

- Bechuanaland protectorate was strategically positioned for Rhodes’s future plans of attacking the
Boers of Transvaal. The protectorate would be used as a base for invading the Boers of Transvaal.

Why the idea of incorporation failed

i) Role of the Dikgosi against the idea of hand over to the BSAC rule

Batswana dikgosi acted in unity in refusing BSAC rule .

use of petitions; Dikgosi like Linchwe, Bathoen, Sebele and Khama wrote petitions to the then colonial
secretary, Joseph Chamberlain, strongly criticizing the planed move.

- 1895 England trip by the three Batswana Dikgosi i.e. Khama III, Bathoen and Sebele went to England to
go and protest the idea of incorporation into the BSAC rule (not to ask for protection)

- successful anti - BSAC rallies in England by tswana dikgosi as a way of seeking the support of British
public against the idea of BSAC incorporation. The Dikgosi, won the support of British citizens/ nationals
including the Temperance Movement i.e. a movement against liquor.

n.bThe support by the British nationals was enough to scare the British Prime Minister by then Joseph
Chamberlain not to hand the land of Batswana to the BSAC rule. Chamberlain feared his party would
lose elections if he acted against the will of British people

Role of missionaries in fighting BSAC proposed take over

- Acted as interpreters or adisors for the dikgosi Missionaries like John Mackenzie, Willoughby who were
vocal against liquor acted as Dikgosi advisors especially on political issues that resisted the idea of
incorporation.

- Missionary education which empowerered Batswana about the risks of accepting BSAC rule

- Missionaries acted as liaising officers (connected Dikgosi to the outside world) in seeking support for
international sympathizers . Missionaries like Reverend Willoughby organized the Dikgosi England trip
and even accompanied them to England

- Missionaries also wrote articles in newsletters that expressed Dikgosi feelings against the idea of
incorporation to the outside world

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The Jameson Raid 1895

The attack on the Boers of Transvaal by Jameson/ BSAC made Britain to change her mind and
not to hand the land of Batswana to BSAC rule. C Rhodes had attacked the Boers using
Bechuanaland protectorate without the knowledge of Britain, thus German blamed Britain for
allowing Rhodes to attack the Boers using the land of Batswana

Nb the idea of incorporation failed but Rhodes managed to build a railway line passing through the land
of Batswana in 1899

British protection in 1885

Events / processes leading to protection

- there was fear of the possible future re-occurrence of Mfecane wars so Batswana needed some kind of
life insurance in the form of British protection
- Continued Boer threats to the land of the Batswana. There was general fear even among the whites
who resided in Botswana that the Boers might expand into the land of the Batswana. This fear was
particularly confirmed after the defeat of Mzilikazi in 1837 when the Boers claimed that all Batswana
land was to be theirs. The establishment of the two Boer republics of Goshen and Stella land in1850s to
1863 made the Boer expansion to be more real and feared. So it was thought that the British could
protect the lands of Batswana from Boer expansion.

- The Sand River Convention 1852 in which the British agreed not sell guns to Africans (Batswana
included) made Batswana unsafe and exposed to external threats. Therefore Batswana needed a
powerful group that could protect them.

- The German occupation of South West Africa also made Batswana unsafe, as they feared the German
would expand into their land.

- the German / Boer expansion into Botswana would interfere with the British interest like the road to
north

Missionaries who worked among the Batswana also wanted protection so that the Boers would not
interfere with their missionary work. Most Boers hated LMS missionaries because they taught Africans
such skills as reading and writing. The missionaries also opposed slavery and maintained that people
were equal before God.

- The British protection was also needed to ensure the safety of the British citizens living among the
Batswana especially after the death of Christopher bethel a british citizen living among batswana. These
included the hunters, traders, and even the missionaries themselves.

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The declaration of Protectorate in 1885

In 1885 General Charles Warren declared protectorate over the land of Batswana. Protection came in
two phases /parts:

3. Phase / stage I covered all areas under British Bechuanaland including Goshen and Stella land up
to the tropic of Capricorn. Mainly because the British wanted to remove the Boers of Goshen
and Stella land
4. Phase /stage II: Came in the early 1890,s as a way of preventing the possible German expansion
into the land of Batswana

Reasons why Batswana needed British protection

Batswana wanted to preserve /protect their, power, freedom of speech, settlements, livestock, lives etc

- Wanted protection against continued Boer threats on the land of Batswana. The threats were:

1. Continued Boer attacks on Barolong, Bangwaketse, Bakwena as proven by the Battles of Dimawe
and Kolobeng in 1852
2. Continued Boer interests on Bangwato land because of discovery of Tati Gold Fields
3. Creation of 2 Boer states of Goshen and Stellaland which was seen as move towards the Boer
take over Batswanaland
4. The occupation of SW Africa (Namibia) by the Germans put fear into Batswana. They thought
from there the Germans would expand into their land

Batswana did not want history to repeat itself by suffering the same painful experiences of Mfecane
wars (inter ethnic wars of Southern Africa)

Role of missionaries in preserving the land of Batswana

Missionaries like James Read, Robert Moffat, D Livingstone e.g. taught Batswana how to read and
write through mission education so as to make them aware of the events happening in and around
them (knowledge is power). This prepared the Batswana to be literate to understand concessions
least they sign away land of the Batswana like King Lobengula did among the Amandebele.

The missionaries also acted as advisors to the Dikgosi. Some missionaries like John Mackenzie
advised the Dikgosi to seek protection from Britain for the Boers were disturbing their missionary
work

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 Missionaries were actively involved in the process of request for British protection. In 1878
Mackenzie started to press the British government to the Batswana from the encroachment of the
Transvaal Boers but failed. In 1882 he went to England where with the assistance of the LMS he
toured the country to solicit for support for the protection of the land of the Batswana. The
missionaries also acted as translators, information disseminators and journalists to communicate to
the outside world

Missionaries spread the gospel which also led to a moral upright and law abiding nation. This helped
Batswana to be responsible citizens and thus ensured safety of the society.

Missionaries also acted as different professionals in the society. Missionaries like David Livingston as
medical doctors, teacher, thereby improving the socio-economic lives of Batswana

Role of Batswana Dikgosi in preserving the land of Batswana

Batswana formed alliances to defend themselves against external enemies like Boers and Ndebele.
At the battle of Dimawe the Bakwena were assisted by the Bangwaketse, Bakgatla and others
against the Boers.

The Batswana Dikgosi acquired guns from European Hunter-Traders for defense purposes especially
against the Boers. By 1852 the Batswana had acquired so many guns that the Bangwaketse and the
Bakwena came to be recognized as some of the most powerful groups in Botswana.

The Dikgosi also introduced new military strategies like settling on top of hills. This, combined with
the possession of guns, strengthened their kingdoms as a result they were joined by weaker
kingdoms.

The Dikgosi allowed establishment of mission schools for the purposes of being up to date with
world issues. Besides, mission stations became centers for learning and also havens for the
underprivileged and the abused people in the society.

The Dikgosi requested for British protection against external threats like the Amandebele, Boers,
and the Germans. The British protection was very important in that it provided security for the land
of the Batswana. It can be argued that without such protection aggressive groups like the Boers
would have taken the land of the Batswana to establish their farms.

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 The three Dikgosi who went to England in 1895 to protest against the idea of incorporation into
BSAC rule played a very important role in preserving the land of the Batswana. Their protest in
England saved the land of the Batswana from colonization by Rhodes.

Why Britain at first refused to give Batswana protection

It was very expensive to govern and run oversea empires. The British’s foreign policy therefore by then
was bent on spending less money in running her overseas territories like Botswana.

Bechuanaland by then had no economic benefits. The people living in Bechuanaland were very poor
therefore could not provide market for European made goods. The country was seen as a desert that
could not provide profitable raw materials needed in British industries.

The British policy of less interference in African affairs/cultures; therefore protection would violate this
principle

There was no need to give protection as there were plans to incorporate the land of Batswana either to
the Southern Rhodesia or Union of South Africa

Why Britain later changed her mind and gave Batswana protection

The British citizens living in Botswana were no longer safe as proved by death of Christopher Bethel who
was killed by the Boers. People like Mackenzie then used this murder to justify the necessity for the
British to take over the area before it was grabbed by the Boers.

The Boers and the Germans continued to disturb British interests particularly hunter-trader activities,
missionary work and most importantly the road to the north. It was then believed that this interference
could be curbed through protection

Increased rivalry between Boers and Britain in southern Africa: protection was a move to drive off the
Boers of Stella land and Goshen

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The meaning of protection:

1. To Batswana: being protected by the British against external enemies like the Boers, Germans
and no internal interference
2. To the British: protecting British interests like road to the north, hunter-traders e.g. not
Batswana

Response of Batswana Dikgosi towards the declaration of protection

When Charles Warren announced British had decided to protect Batswana. Batswana Dikgosi like Sebele
received the message with mixed feelings.

Protection had come when they no longer needed it. ALL Batswana Dikgosi except Khama III were
doubtful, didn’t like the idea of protection. They accepted only because they feared the British might use
force to impose protection on them.

When they final accepted they laid down conditions that Britain must not interfere with their internal
affairs

Why the dikgosi were not happy about the Protection

They were not consulted, and their views taken aboard before the declaration by Charles Warren

Some dikgosi like Sebele, Bathoen were highly suspicious and strongly questioned the sincerity / honesty
of granting protection over Bechuanaland. They felt it was interference with their independence and
powers

Some Dikgosi did not understand the whole meaning of protection ‘what is protection’ Bakwena leader
asked

Batswana were left with many unanswered questions as protection came when the Amandebele, Boers,
Germans were no longer a threat

In Botswana indirect rule system (system of rul ing Batswana through their Dikgosi was used by the
British. Tswana land was divided into tribal reserves / African areas, crown lands /blocks European areas,

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state land. This division of Tswana land proved to be a thorny issue to minority groups e.g. Bakgatla ba-
ga Mmanaana, Babirwa of Malema Bakalanga as they found themselves having no recognized land
/Dikgosi e.t.c

Up to this day colonial legacy still exist. In fact indirect rule was a divide and rule strategy used by the
British to rule Batswana in a weakened state

Bechuanaland on the road to independence

1934 proclamations

The 1934 proclamations were introduced by the then resident commissioner Charles Rey. He felt that
the Dikgosi were too powerful to be controlled by the colonial administration. Evidence which showed
that the Dikgosi were too powerful included the following:

1. Phineas Mctonish incident of the 1933 in which Tshekedi Khama sentenced McIntosh to flogging

2. The 1933 Pim report which recommended that the powers of the Dikgosi be reduced through
the introduction of the NAP and NTP

BGC

1934 Native Administration Proclamation

1. The Native Administration Proclamation reduced the powers of Dikgosi by forcing/making them
to obey the Resident Commissioner as he could suspend, banish, and or appoint Dikgosi a
position that was hereditary or one assumed at birth.

2. The Native Administration Proclamation undermined the Kgotla as a political, social and judicial
institution by introducing the Tribal Council which assisted Dikgosi in ruling as permission was
sought from the colonial administration in order to make important decisions like collecting tax.

1934 Native Tribunal Proclamations

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1. The judicial position of Dikgosi was limited only to customary courts where they were expected
to keep records of cases they tried so that they can be presented to an authority above them for
consideration which undermined their positon as Chief Judges.

2. The Native Tribunal Proclamation reduced the powers of Dikgosi by barring them from trying
cases involving Europeans, and serious crimes and relegated them to keeping court records.

3. The Native Tribunal Proclamation reduced the powers of the Kgotla by establishing new law
courts where magistrates were appointed to preside over cases handled at tribunals whose
judgements were appealed to the Resident Commissioner.

ADVISORY COUNCILS

All advisory councils did not have any meaningful powers i.e. their main role was to advice the colonial
Govt, not to make laws

1. African Advisory council

The African Advisory Council was formed in 1920. The Council comprised of educated people like
Kgosi Isang Pilane who wanted to take part in the governing of their own country. Unfortunately the
council had no meaningful powers except allowing active participation in speaking for the interest of
Batswana with one voice/pressing for development

2. It was a strong council, which unified Batswana together, promoted the spirit of nationalism
that is having a collective effort for what is best for the nation. It became a forum for criticizing
the colonial Govt

3. It sensitized the colonial Govt that it had to rule them democratically

4. It was a good platform for political education, which gave Batswana confidence to fight for
independence.

5. Advocated for economic developments e.g. establishment of the 1940 Lobatse Abattoir

6. It refined Batswana nationalists who later changed the status quo (from colonial rule to
independence, advisory council to political parties)

7. The advisory council opposed the incorporation into the union of South Africa in 1910. Also
opposed the discriminatory laws in the protectorate

ii) Joint Advisory Council

The Joint Advisory council was seen as a body that promoted racial harmony between Africans and
Europeans in the Protectorate through equal representation.

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 1. The Joint council offered a better place where the Africans’ viewpoint could be heard by
the colonial Govt. The Africans used this body to demand more say in the running of the
Protectorate affairs.

2. It improved trust between the two groups (African and Europeans) towards a common
goal i.e. request for independence. Over and above, the two groups worked together
towards the creation of non-racial society

3. The JAC members were to later become the members of LEGCO and thereby training
them as future leaders

4. It influenced all major decisions which affected all Batswana

8. The Legislative Council

the general feeling among the Africans that a LEGCO would prevent the incorporation of
Bechuanaland in to South Africa.. The main functions of the LGCO were a follows;

1. Made laws that prepared the country for self–rule/ independence

2. Served as a forum for discussion of socio –economic political development and the
future of Bechuanaland

3. Formed the basis of organized nationalism (not limited to reforms within the colonial
arrangement but to total independence)

Contribution of colonialism to Early Nationalist Movements

Colonialism: act of ruling or control by a foreign power: politically, economically and socially.

Nationalism is a strong feeling or attachment to a particular group

9. Colonialism promoted formation of political organizations or parties for more organized

resistance and struggles for independence by different African groups. Some of the groups
included “Sons of the Soil / Bechuanaland” in South Africa.

10. Colonialism promoted patriotism, which became a driving force in urging Batswana to demand
active participation and representation in the governing of the protectorate

11. led to formation of civil associations such as the Bechuanaland teachers association whose aim
was to oppose the colonial governmentfor falure to development the protectorate .

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12. created a good platform for a national council to govern the country through leadership of
educated people such as Simon Ratshosa

13. broadened batswana scope / knowledge to global politics by increased interaction involvement
in world events; i.e Migrant labour system which exposed Batswana like Mpho Motsamai, P.G
Matante to African politics thereby leading to formation of political parties in Botswana or even
Participation in the World War II widened the scope and horizon of some Batswana hence used
those experiences to demand independence.

14. Missionary or colonial education gave rise to educated/ intellectuals, Motsete, Matante, Seretse
Khama, Simon Ratshosa who gathered and further conscientised Batswana on the need to
struggle for their freedom and independence.

NB; The native proclamations of 1943, the idea of incorporation into the union of
South Africa 1910 and the transfer plan of the protectorate to the BSAC rule or
order in council 1890/91 were some of the British colonial changes disliked by
Batswana. Batswana felt that these changes were harshly imposed on them and
were discriminative, oppressive and depriving them of their land resources, rights
and freedom. As a counter active response the different Botswana ethnic groups
found themselves having to fight/oppose one common enemy, which is British,
colonial government

CONTRIBUTION OF NATIONALISM TO NATION BUILDING

Most African states lost their independence with the arrival of colonialism. In
most cases Africans were treated unequally by the colonizers. They were
subjugated to a position of second class citizenry. More often than not
economic, political and even social development never took place in the
colonized territories.

15. increased the desire to take political control from the colonizers and be independent. It is this
nationalism that made people aware of their rights, freedoms, and justice hence motivated
them to struggle for democracy, justice and even liberation.

16. Nationalism also politically educates the citizens of a nation in making them respect the
country’s symbol, national flag, and safe guard national security.

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17. Nationalism encourages a sense of collective or mutual trust and oneness, tolerance and
thereby forming favorable grounds for uniting people of different ethnicity and religions. This
unity in diversity brings stability and social harmony, to a nation

18. . Through nationalism the nation generates a common goal, purpose and destiny for all
members of the nation, for example some Batswana defending Basarwa through the survival
international.

19. Nationalism is able to guide, direct the citizen’s energies, attention and efforts towards what
brings them together rather than splitting them e.g. defending their country against enemies
e.g. the Boers, Second World War. [It helps shape the attitudes and behaviour of people]

SUMMARY
1. Nationalism is the driving force in building nations, integrity and development

2. The determination by citizens for the social, economic and political development and the nation
survival is centered on nationalism.

CONTRIBUTION OF BOTSWANA S NATIONAL PRINCIPLE IN NATION BUILDING

BOTHO

1. Through respect there will be reduced conflict thus bringing people together

2. All the positive attitudes, traditions, values/norms will be observed by individuals and in a way
this builds a nation. By vision 2016 Botswana would be a democratic, compassionate, just,
moral, ethical, tolerant and caring nation in the global community.

3. Socialization; promote the principle of a morally upright nation [maintenance of law and order]

4. Promotes love and peaceful coexistence

DEMOCRACY

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1. It ensures participation of people in the governance of the country at different levels e.g.
councilors, Members of Parliament

2. Allows multi partism, free and fair elections that enable people to elect the government and
representatives of their choice

3. Allows consultation, transparency and accountability by all citizens on national issues.

4. There is freedom of movement of people that also brings people together as they can visit each
other whenever they wish.

DEVELOPMENT

1. Mobilization or availing all the country’s resources and distributing them to people on an equal
basis to improve national lifestyle.

2. Ensures training of a skilled dedicated workforce and management teams for effective service
delivery to all citizens

3. Promote development, investment policies or strategies best suited for the country’s economic
development

SELF RELIANCE
1. Promote socio economic, economic, political independence of individuals by allowing them to
produce their basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter to reduce poverty.

2. Individuals being self sufficient in their needs and also reduces social ills like crime, prostitution
and promote peace in the country.

3. Emphasizes on economic diversification for sustainable growth/citizen economic empowerment

by allowing people to share their skills in performing national projects e.g Ub , Moeng

IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL SYMBOLS IN NATION BUILDING

1. Communicate important messages about Botswana s history and aspirations or about
industrialization as envisaged by the cog wheels [coat of arms], cattle horn [national currency]

2. Gives Batswana a sense of national identity or act as a sign of self rule [independence]

3. Act as a unifying factor to the nation, thereby instilling a sense of national pride.

4. Advertise the country internationally through the use of such symbols

VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN NATION BUILDING

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 GOVERNMENT

1. Makes laws that maintain peace and order and prohibits acts that destabilize the country e.g.
crime, discrimination of any kind e.t.c.

2. Promotion of human rights e.g Provide a free and fair justice system to offenders as a way of
allowing freedom of speech.

3. Implement sustainable development programmes that equally distribute resources to the

citizens in order to reduce poverty

4. Make laws that take aboard the interests of all its citizens like SPIL(Society for the Promotion of
Ikalanga Language), Pitso ya Batswana, Reteng, Kamanakao e.t.c

POLITICAL PARTIES

1. Act as checks and balances to the government of the day thus keeping the ruling party on its
toes

2. Prevents political instability, as the existing political parties will be facilitators of political
democracy or offer alternative government .

3. Shares ideas with the government of the day there by keeping the government in the right
direction

4. Facilitates political/voter education through campaign adverts

RELIGION

1. Emphasizes on good moral ethics about life issues e.g. discourage practices like discrimination of
any kind [gender, race, religion, ethnicity]

2. Cement the bond between groups of the same religion

3. Instill the spirit of religious appreciation or tolerance

WOMEN

4. Upbringing or socialization of children so as to make them responsible citizens

5. Nation building brings women to the forefront of handling national issues through gender
awareness programmes e.g. women find themselves as political leaders.

6. Participate in the socio economic uplifting of the country in their different professions.

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 BOGOSI

1. Enforces the customary law by punishing the offenders in the kgotla or advising people on
personal basis.

2. They preserve the nation’s customs and traditions through different socio economic political
functions e.g. letsema.

3. Act as role models to the local communities

CHALLENGES FACING THE PROCESS OF NATION BUILDING IN BOTSWANA

1. Unequal distribution of resources- this implies that resources are controlled by few people and
that developments are concentrated in certain region as opposed to others. This has the
potential to cause conflict and tear the nation apart thereby destroying the process of nation
building.

2. Unrecognizing [marginalisation] of other ethnic groups: the government is faced with a big task
of making sure that issues of ethnicity are eliminated so as to minimize ethnic tensions.

3. Nepotism/favoritism/corruption-it is common practice that certain individuals are hired not

according to qualifications but based on friendship and family ties or through other unlawful
practices hence this demoralizes the workforce or concerned stakeholders.

4. High illiteracy rates-Botswana has low literacy levels so it’s a challenge to bridge the gap
between the literate and illiterate as the illiterate will not catch up on national issues

5. HIV/Aids-a lot of Batswana are dying because of HIV/AIDS and this is draining out the
government’s funds

6. Continued threats from international organizations. SI continues to tarnish Botswana s

international image on allegations of the CKGR issue.

7. Weak opposition political parties- Botswana s political democracy will not improve so long as
opposition parties continue to lack coordination [splitting of opposition parties]

8. Gender issues

GLOBAL CHALLENGES FACING NATION BUILDING

1. Global warming

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2. Terrorism

3. Ozone depletion

4. Shortage of natural resources

5. Global markets

6. Dictatorial/undemocratic governance that marginalize their citizens

7. Continued military corps

NEGATIVE USES OF NATIONALISM IN AFRICA/GLOBAL

1. Apartheid policy in South Africa before 1994. the Boer minority government discriminated the
Africans, Indians e.t.c on the basis of colour, race in order to consolidate their power

2. Adolf Hitler s extreme right wing NAZI regime exterminated almost all the Jews in Germany
during the Second World War as a way of protecting the Aryan race.

3. Rwanda and Burundi ethnic conflicts-nationalism was used as a weapon of ethnic cleansing
between the Tutsis and the Hutus

Study questions

1. describe the origions of their ethnic groups and how they became
part of the nation of Botswana?

2. Analyse how the Mfecane conflicts affected the lives of batswana

3. Explain the importance of nation building

4. Examine challenges faced by botswana in nation building.

5. Explain how botswana’s national principles contribute to nation

building

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 REASONS FOR MIGRATION INTO EAST, CENRAL AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

The Bantu are believed to have originated in places around Nigeria and Cameroon. They then
migrated to other parts of the continent. The following are possible reasons behind the Bantu
migration.

Population explosion – Mixed farming as an economic activity ensured that the Bantu had a stable
source of food. This situation led to population growth and overcrowding which led to shortage of
land. Land was needed for settlement, arable farming and pastoral farming. Some groups might
have migrated elsewhere in search of unoccupied land.

Knowledge of iron working- The Bantu were metal workers who made and used metal tools for
agricultural , hunting and defense purposes. This meant that they were dependent on iron ore and
when iron ore got finished they moved to where they could find it. This encouraged migrations.

Disputes- Political disputes such as succession disputes might have led to some political contestants
from the royal families to lead their followers to where they could rule without any form of political
antagonism. Such disputes might have been frequent and were probably the main reason for the
migrations.

Diseases- Both human and animal diseases such as Malaria and Nagana might have forced the Bantu
out of their area of origins and also search for disease free areas. Such diseases were probably
common in mosquito and tsetse infested areas.

Natural disasters- Natural disasters such as floods and occasionally droughts might have played a
very important role in the Bantu migrations. Some groups probably migrated in search of better
areas.

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 Some migrated probably as a result of Trans-Sahara Slave Trade. Some probably migrate because
they were accused of sorcery and witchcraft hence they were traded to slave traders.

FECANE/DIFACANE WARS

The Nguni word ‘Mfecane’ is usually translated as the ‘crushing’. The equivalent word in Sotho Tswana
is ‘Difacane’ and it is usually translated as ‘scattering’. Mfecane/Difaqane was a series of terrible wars
that started among the northern Nguni peoples of south eastern Africa during the early nineteenth
century. This violent period took place between 1810 and 1830. During the 1820s and 1830s armies and
refugees from this wars spread warfare and destruction over large areas of Southern, Central and even
Eastern Africa.

The Mfecane/Difaqane started with the Ngwane-Ndwandwe war fought over ownership of the rich
agricultural valley of the Pongola River. The Ndwandwe won and Sobhuza 1 fled northwards into the
hills of present day Swaziland. Then Zwide clashed with Dingiswayo and the latter was defeated in an
ambush. With the fall of Dingiswayo the Mthethwa army fell apart. However the fallen kingdom was
quickly reorganized by Shaka the chief of the Zulu chiefdom. He built it into a formidable Zulu kingdom.
In 1818 Shaka clashed and defeated Zwide. With this victory Shaka was left in command of a vast region
from the Pongola in the north to the Tugela in the south.

THE CAUSES OF MFECANE/DIFAQANE

It is not known exactly what caused Mfecane/Difaqane. It is highly probable that number of factors
combined and caused these terrible wars.

The Madlatule drought Around 1802 disaster struck. The period of high rainfall stopped and for about
ten years there was prolonged drought. Crops failed and there was no pasture. This resulted in
widespread famine that came to be known as the Madlatule famine from the saying ‘makadle athule’
‘let him eat and be quiet. It is believed that this famine contributed to the outbreak of the Mfecane as
kingdoms started raiding one another for grain and cattle.

Over Population

Conducive factors like good rains, fertile soils, good pasture and healthy environment might have led to
increase in populations for both people and animals. Maize, originally a SouthAmerican crop was
introduced in the region by the Portuguese from Delagoa Bay. This made cultivation to be widespread
and therefore ensured surplus food supply which accelerated population growth along the Eastern
corridor. This population growth led to over population which caused competition between chiefdoms
for grazing and fertile lands. This in turn led to fighting and conquest in the Nguniland.

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Trade The desire among these rival kingdoms to control trade routes to Delagoa Bay to trade with the
Portuguese became a source of conflict. In addition, the desire to control the hunting grounds in order
to obtain hides and ivory for the Delagoa Bay trade caused conflict making war unavoidable. This was
because the kingdom that controlled the trade route, like Dingiswayo did, was able to enrich itself with
blankets, beads, iron tools and others.

Age regiment The bitter competition for fertile land caused political developments when clans united
into tribes, tribes into chiefdoms, and powerful leaders formed kingdoms. This political development
resulted in the emergence of the ‘Big Three’, that is the Ngwane kingdom under Sobhuza 1, the
Mthethwa kingdom under Dingiswayo and the Ndwandwe kingdom under Zwide. Later Shaka’s Zulu
kingdom emerged. All these kingdoms raised formidable armies through the age regiment system. The
possession of these armies encouraged these kingdoms to go to war for fertile land.

EFFECTS ON THE LAND OF BATSWANA

Positive effects;

Building of large Batswana villages The refugees from Mfecane carried the warfare beyond the
boundaries of the Nguniland. This affected the people living inland therefore defense for their territory
and people became a priority for the Dikgosi. As a result, weaker kingdoms were incorporated into
stronger kingdoms for protection. This marked the beginning of the process of nation building e.g.
Ngwato incorporated Bakaa into their kingdom.

The introduction of guns The Dikgosi recognized that in the future their merafe must be large and
armed with guns. According to Tlou and Campbell, the Dikgosi noticed the importance of guns when the
Bakololo were driven away when a few Griqua traders fired their guns into the village. They also
appreciated the use of guns in hunting for ivory and skins, to trade for more guns and for cattle. It is
against this background that the Dikgosi armed themselves with guns from the Griqua, Barolong and
white traders.

The use of mountain tops for defense Some of the Tswana communities used mountain tops to
organize defensive nation building for survival. Such military strategies assisted the Batswana to build
larger political units that lasted to date e.g. Molepolole, Kanye, Shoshong e.t.c.

Alliance were formed Alliances were formed between Tswana kingdoms like Bangwaketse, Bakwena,
Bangwato, Bakgatla, or Batawana, Wayei, Basubiya against external enemies like Bakololo of
Sebetwane. This increased a sense of togetherness which was very important for nation building.

The kgamelo system The Dikgosi used different methods to strengthen control and build their nations.
The Dikgosi like Khama iii and Kgari used Kgamelo system. The use of Kgamelo system created much
greater unity in the morafe which was very important for nation building.

Intermarriages across ethnic groups Intermarriages between different ethnic groups occurred. This
strengthened the kingdom. Tlou and Campbell has it that in about 1853, Ltsholathebe after persuading

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the Batawana who had remained on the Chobe River, brought with them some Bakololo and Balozi
families into which they had married thus strengthening the morafe. Also such marriages between royal
families were important in cementing ethnic relations for nation building.

Negative effects;

Loss of life Many people were killed during the wars trying to defend their kingdoms. This reduced
the populations of the Batswana greatly. Some people killed were chiefs. This left people with no
leadership for sometime.

Young able-bodied Batswana women and men were captured as a result Batswana kingdoms were
deprived of labour for the development of their kingdoms.

Batswana were dispossessed of their livestock and grain thereby leading to starvation e.g Ndebele
defeated the Kalanga between Zambezi and Motloutse River and then demanded tribute in the form
of grain and cattle. This impoverished the Bakalanga.

Forcible incorporation of the defeated Batswana resulted in detribalization. The policy of

assimilation as adopted by leaders like Khama iii had the effect of destroying tribal identity of the
defeated peoples. The Bakaa lost their cultural identity after being assimilated by the Bangwato.

Great disturbances resulted in displacement of Tswana kingdoms as many groups were driven off
their territories. This displacement and killings caused depopulation in certain areas.

Stoppage of initiation schools Initiation ceremonies were abolished due to constant fighting. It was
reasoned that the kingdoms might be attacked while young men and women are still at initiation
school. These young men and women were pressed into Mephato on long term basis to provide
security for the kingdom.

Reasons for formation of BSA COMPANY

The British South Africa Company was formed mainly for the operation of mining business in Southern
and Central Africa. For example the company operated and ran the Kimberly diamond mines in South
Africa.

The company was also interested in building and expanding British influence/empire from Cape to Cairo.
The British government favoured colonization through the use of a company because it was cheap and
easy. The British government did not want to spend a lot of money on poor territories like Bechuanaland
because it will be too expensive for them

The company was also going to be used to govern African countries on behave of the British
Government. Administration of some of the African countries was going to be too expensive thus the
British government the administration by the company for example the Cape Colony and Southern
Rhodesia.

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 Role of the Dikgosi against the idea of hand over to the BSAC rule

Batswana dikgosi acted in unity in refusing BSAC rule .In late June and July the Batswana Dikgosi like
Linchwe, Bathoen, Sebele and Khama wrote petitions to the then colonial secretary, Joseph
Chamberlain, strongly criticizing the planed move. They requested that their country should not be given
to the BSACo.

In 1895 three Batswana Dikgosi i.e. Khama III, Bathoen and Sebele went to England to go and protest the
idea of incorporation into the BSAC rule (not to ask for protection) While in Britain, the Dikgosi made the
following requests;

. that the protectorate should remain under the direct authority of the queen’s government in London,
and thus not be transferred to the BSACo.

. that their status as rulers should be preserved

. that their lands should not be sold

.that drinking liquor should be prohibited in their areas.

The three Dikgosi also campaigned / held rallies as a way of seeking the support of British public against
the idea of BSAC incorporation. The Dikgosi, won the support of British citizens/ nationals including the
Temperance Movement i.e. a movement against liquor. The support by the British nationals was enough
to scare the British Prime Minister by then Joseph Chamberlain not to hand the land of Batswana to the
BSAC rule. Chamberlain feared his party would lose elections if he acted against the will of British people

Role of missionaries in fighting BSAC proposed take over

Missionaries like Reverend Willoughby organized the Dikgosi England trip and even accompanied them
to England. Missionaries like John Mackenzie, Willoughby who were vocal against liquor acted as Dikgosi
advisors especially on political issues that resisted the idea of incorporation. Missionaries did not only
empower Batswana through missionary education but they also acted as liaising officers (connected
Dikgosi to the outside world) Missionaries also wrote articles in newsletters that expressed Dikgosi
feelings against the idea of incorporation to the outside world

The Jameson Raid 1895

The attack on the Boers of Transvaal by Jameson/ BSAC made Britain to change her mind and
not to hand the land of Batswana to BSAC rule. C Rhodes had attacked the Boers using
Bechuanaland protectorate without the knowledge of Britain, thus German blamed Britain for
allowing Rhodes to attack the Boers using the land of Batswana

Nb the idea of incorporation failed but Rhodes managed to build a railway line passing through the land
of Batswana in 1899.

British protection in 1885

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Events / processes leading to protection

The Mfecane wars had caused a lot of havoc among the Batswana societies. The refugees from these
wars had spread the warfare throughout Southern Africa and beyond. Therefore there was fear of the
possible future re-occurrence of Mfecane wars so Batswana needed some kind of life insurance in the
form of British protection
The Boers also continued to threaten the land of the Batswana. There was general fear even among the
whites who resided in Botswana that the Boers might expand into the land of the Batswana. This fear
was particularly confirmed after the defeat of Mzilikazi in 1837 when the Boers claimed that all
Batswana land was to be theirs. The establishment of the two Boer republics of Goshen and Stella land
in1850s to 1863 made the Boer expansion to be more real and feared. So it was thought that the British
could protect the lands of Batswana from Boer expansion.

The Sand River Convention 1852 in which the British agreed not sell guns to Africans (Batswana
included) made Batswana unsafe and exposed to external threats. Therefore Batswana needed a
powerful group that could protect them.

The German occupation of South West Africa also made Batswana unsafe, as they feared the German
would expand into their land. It was also feared that the German expansion into Botswana would
interfere with the British interest like the road to north

Missionaries who worked among the Batswana also wanted protection so that the Boers would not
interfere with their missionary work. Most Boers hated LMS missionaries because they taught Africans
such skills as reading and writing. The missionaries also opposed slavery and maintained that people
were equal before God.

The British protection was also needed to ensure the safety of the British citizens living among the
Batswana. These included the hunters, traders, and even the missionaries themselves.

The declaration of Protectorate in 1885

In 1885 General Charles Warren declared protectorate over the land of Batswana. Protection came in
two phases /parts:

4. Phase / stage I covered all areas under British Bechuanaland including Goshen and Stella land up
to the tropic of Capricorn. Mainly because the British wanted to remove the Boers of Goshen
and Stella land
5. Phase /stage II: Came in the early 1890,s as a way of preventing the possible German expansion
into the land of Batswana

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Reasons why Batswana needed British protection

Batswana wanted to preserve /protect their, power, freedom of speech, settlements, livestock, lives etc

- Wanted protection against continued Boer threats on the land of Batswana. The threats were:

6. Continued Boer attacks on Barolong, Bangwaketse, Bakwena as proven by the Battles of Dimawe
and Kolobeng in 1852
7. Continued Boer interests on Bangwato land because of discovery of Tati Gold Fields
8. Creation of 2 Boer states of Goshen and Stellaland which was seen as move towards the Boer
take over Batswanaland
- The occupation of SW Africa (Namibia) by the Germans put fear into Batswana. They thought from
there the Germans would expand into their land

1. Batswana did not want history to repeat itself by suffering the same painful experiences
of Mfecane wars (inter ethnic wars of Southern Africa)

Role of missionaries in preserving the land of Batswana

Missionaries like James Read, Robert Moffat, D Livingstone e.g. taught Batswana how to read and
write through mission education so as to make them aware of the events happening in and around
them (knowledge is power). This prepared the Batswana to be literate so as to understand
concessions least they sign away land of the Batswana like King Lobengula did among the
Amandebele.
The missionaries also acted as advisors to the Dikgosi. Some missionaries like John Mackenzie
advised the Dikgosi to seek protection from Britain for the Boers were disturbing their missionary
work
Missionaries were actively involved in the process of request for British protection. In 1878
Mackenzie started to press the British government to the Batswana from the encroachment of the
Transvaal Boers but failed. In 1882 he went to England where with the assistance of the LMS he
toured the country to solicit for support for the protection of the land of the Batswana. The
missionaries also acted as translators, information disseminators and journalists to communicate to
the outside world
Missionaries spread the gospel which also led to a moral upright and law abiding nation. This helped
Batswana to be responsible citizens and thus ensured safety of the society.
Missionaries also acted as different professionals in the society. Missionaries like David Livingston as
medical doctors, teacher, thereby improving the socio-economic lives of Batswana

Role of Batswana Dikgosi in preserving the land of Batswana

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 Batswana formed alliances to defend themselves against external enemies like Boers and Ndebele.
At the battle of Dimawe the Bakwena were assisted by the Bangwaketse, Bakgatla and others
against the Boers.
The Batswana Dikgosi acquired guns from European Hunter-Traders for defense purposes especially
against the Boers. By 1852 the Batswana had acquired so many guns that the Bangwaketse and the
Bakwena came to be recognized as some of the most powerful groups in Botswana.
The Dikgosi also introduced new military strategies e.g. settling on top of hills. This, combined with
the possession of guns, strengthened their kingdoms as a result they were joined by weaker
kingdoms.
The Dikgosi allowed establishment of mission schools for the purposes of being up to date with
world issues. Besides, mission stations became centers for learning and also havens for the
underprivileged and the abused people in the society.
The Dikgosi requested for British protection against external threats like the Amandebele, Boers,
and the Germans. The British protection was very important in that it provided security for the land
of the Batswana. It can be argued that without such protection aggressive groups like the Boers
would have taken the land of the Batswana to establish their farms.
The three Dikgosi who went to England in 1895 to protest against the idea of incorporation into
BSAC rule played a very important role in preserving the land of the Batswana. Their protest in
England saved the land of the Batswana from colonization by Rhodes.

Why Britain at first refused to give Batswana protection

Economic history indicates that it was very expensive to govern and run oversea empires. The British’s
foreign policy therefore by then was bent on spending less money in running her overseas territories like
Botswana.
Bechuanaland by then had no economic benefits. The people living in Bechuanaland were very poor
therefore could not provide market for European made goods. The country was seen as a desert that
could not provide profitable raw materials needed in British industries.
The British had adopted the policy of less interference in African affairs/cultures therefore protection
would violate this principle
There was no need to give protection as there were plans to incorporate the land of Batswana either to
the Southern Rhodesia or Union of South Africa

Why Britain later changed her mind and gave Batswana protection

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 The British citizens living in Botswana were no longer safe as proved by death of Christopher Bethel
who was killed by the Boers. People like Mackenzie then used this murder to justify the necessity for
the British to take over the area before it was grabbed by the Boers.
The Boers and the Germans continued to disturb British interests particularly hunter-trader
activities, missionary work and most importantly the road to the north. It was then believed that
this interference could be curbed through protection
Increased rivalry between Boers and Britain in southern Africa: protection was a move to drive off
the Boers of Stella land and Goshen

The meaning of protection:

9. To Batswana: being protected by the British against external enemies like the Boers, Germans
and no internal interference
10. To the British: protecting British interests like road to the north, hunter-traders e.g. not
Batswana

Response of Batswana Dikgosi towards the declaration of protection

When Charles Warren announced British had decided to protect Batswana. Batswana Dikgosi like Sebele
received the message with mixed feelings. Protection had come when they no longer needed it. ALL
Batswana Dikgosi except Khama III were doubtful, didn’t like the idea of protection. They accepted only
because they feared the British might use force to impose protection on them. When they final accepted
they laid down conditions that Britain must not interfere with their internal affairs

Why the dikgosi were not happy about the Protection

1. They were not consulted and their views taken aboard before the declaration by Charles
Warren
2. Some dikgosi like Sebele, Bathoen were highly suspicious and strongly questioned the
sincerity / honesty of granting protection over Bechuanaland. They felt it was
interference with their independence and powers
3. Some Dikgosi did not understand the whole meaning of protection e.g. ‘what is
protection’ Bakwena leader asked
4. Batswana were left with many unanswered questions as protection came when the
Amandebele, Boers, Germans were no longer a threat

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In Botswana indirect rule system (system of ruling Batswana through their Dikgosi was used by the
British. Tswana land was divided into tribal reserves / African areas, crown lands /blocks European areas,
state land. This division of Tswana land proved to be a thorny issue to minority groups e.g. Bakgatla ba-
ga Mmanaana, Babirwa of Malema Bakalanga as they found themselves having no recognized land
/Dikgosi e.t.c

Up to this day colonial legacy still exist. In fact indirect rule was a divide and rule strategy used by the
British to rule Batswana in a weakened state

Bechuanaland on the road to independence

1934 proclamations

The 1934 proclamations were introduced by the then resident commissioner Charles Rey. He felt that
the Dikgosi were too powerful to be controlled by the colonial administration. Evidence which showed
that the Dikgosi were too powerful included the following:

11. Phineas Mctonish incident of the 1933 in which Tshekedi Khama sentenced McIntosh to flogging

12. The 1933 Pim report which recommended that the powers of the Dikgosi be reduced through
the introduction of the NAP and NTP

1934 Native Administration Proclamation

1. It reduced the powers of the Dikgosi and completely undermined the kgotla as a
political, social- judiciary institution

2. The Dikgosi were forced to obey the Resident Commissioner

3. The Resident commissioner now had powers to suspend, banish and appoint Dikgosi
(this was against the saying ‘ a Kgosi is born a Kgosi’

4. Introduced Tribal council which was to assist dikgosi in ruling (a Kgosi had to rule with
the approval of the colonial administration)

5. The colonial administration gave Dikgosi permission in deciding important community

issues e.g. seek permission in collecting tax

1934 Native Tribunal Proclamations

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 6. Reduced both the powers of the Kgosi and kgotla

7. New law courts (tribunals) were established

8. Dikgosi were not allowed to try cases involving Europeans, serious cases like murder,
treason

9. Magistrates were introduced to preside on cases handled in tribunals / modern

10. Dikgosi were forced to keep record of the cases they tried at the kgotla

11. The Dikgosi belonged to the customary courts only

12. Case appeals could be made to the Resident Commissioner

ADVISORY COUNCILS

All advisory councils did not have any meaningful powers i.e. their main role was to advice the colonial
Govt, not to make laws

13. African Advisory council

The African Advisory Council was formed in 1920. The Council comprised of educated people like
Kgosi Isang Pilane who wanted to take part in the governing of their own country. Unfortunately the
council had no meaningful powers except allowing active participation in speaking for the interest of
Batswana with one voice/pressing for development

14. It was a strong council, which unified Batswana together, promoted the spirit of nationalism
that is having a collective effort for what is best for the nation. It became a forum for criticizing
the colonial Govt

15. It sensitized the colonial Govt that it had to rule them democratically

16. It was a good platform for political education, which gave Batswana confidence to fight for
independence.

17. Advocated for economic developments e.g. establishment of the 1940 Lobatse Abattoir

18. It refined Batswana nationalists who later changed the status quo (from colonial rule to
independence, advisory council to political parties)

19. The advisory council opposed the incorporation into the union of South Africa in 1910. Also
opposed the discriminatory laws in the protectorate

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ii) Joint Advisory Council

Together with their friends in the European council, the Batswana encouraged the government to
form a Joint Advisory Council. This was done in 1950. This Joint council comprised of equal number
of both Europeans and the Africans. This was against the backdrop that the Africans were the
majority in the country. The Joint Advisory council was seen as a body that promoted racial
harmony between Africans and Europeans in the Protectorate through equal representation.

1. The Joint council offered a better place where the Africans’ view point could be heard by
the colonial Govt. The Africans used this body to demand more say in the running of the
Protectorate affairs.

2. It improved trust between the two groups (African and Europeans) towards a common
goal i.e. request for independence. Over and above, the two groups worked together
towards the creation of non-racial society

3. The JAC members were to later become the members of LEGCO and thereby training
them as future leaders

4. It influenced all major decisions which affected all Batswana

20. The Legislative Council

Bechuanaland was one of the last British colonies to establish a Legislative council. The
colonial masters resisted the establishment of a LEGCO because they were satisfied with the
Advisory councils formed earlier. On the other hand Africans agitated for the formation of
LEGCO. It was seen a closer step towards independence. Through LEGCO Batswana could
take part in making laws that governed them. This would also ensure racial harmony. There
was also the general feeling among the Africans that a LEGCO would prevent the
incorporation of Bechuanaland in to South Africa. So in light of this, influential leaders like
Tshekedi, Seretse, L M A Kgasa and Bathoen 11 pressed for the formation of a LEGCO until it
was formed in 1960. This replaced the African Advisory council, European Advisory council
and the Joint Advisory council. The main functions of the LGCO were a follows;

1. Made laws that prepared the country for self–rule/ independence

2. Served as a forum for discussion of socio –economic political development and the
future of Bechuanaland

3. Formed the basis of organized nationalism (not limited to reforms within the colonial
arrangement but to total independence)

Contribution of colonialism to Early Nationalist Movements

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Colonialism: act of ruling or control by a foreign power: politically, economically and socially.

Nationalism is a strong feeling or attachment to a particular group

Colonialism brought together Africans from different groups to form political

organizations or parties for more organized resistance and struggles for
independence. Some of the groups included “Sons of the Soil / Bechuanaland” in
South Africa.

Colonialism resulted in patriotism, a driving force in urging Batswana to demand

active participation and representation in the governing of the protectorate

Lack of development in the protectorate led to formation of civil associations such

as the Bechuanaland teachers association whose aim was to oppose the colonial
government.

The emergence of educated people such as Simon Ratshosa who spearheaded the
need for a national council to govern the country

The 1836 Kopong conference was a mini political gathering, which demonstrated
Botswana dikgosi’s unity against the colonial government. This increased a sense
of patriotism among Batswana in general.

Migrant labour system which exposed Batswana like Mpho Motsamai, P.G
Matante to African politics thereby leading to formation of political parties in
Botswana

Participation in the World War II widened the scope and horizon of some
Batswana hence used those experiences to demand independence.

Missionary or colonial education gave rise to educated/ intellectuals, Motsete,

Matante, Seretse Khama, Simon Ratshosa who gathered and further conscientised
Batswana on the need to struggle for their freedom and independence.

NB; The native proclamations of 1943, the idea of incorporation into the union of
South Africa 1910 and the transfer plan of the protectorate to the BSAC rule or
order in council 1890/91 were some of the British colonial changes disliked by
Batswana. Batswana felt that these changes were harshly imposed on them and
were discriminative, oppressive and depriving them of their land resources, rights
and freedom. As a counter active response the different Botswana ethnic groups
found themselves having to fight/oppose one common enemy, which is British,
colonial government

CONTRIBUTION OF NATIONALISM TO NATION BUILDING

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 Most African states lost their independence with the arrival of colonialism. In
most cases Africans were treated unequally by the colonizers. They were
subjugated to a position of second class citizenry. More often than not
economic, political and even social development never took place in the
colonized territories. This increased the desire to take political control from
the colonizers and be independent. It is this nationalism that made people
aware of their rights, freedoms, and justice hence motivated them to struggle
for democracy, justice and even liberation. Nationalism also politically
educates the citizens of a nation making them respect the country’s symbol,
national flag, and safe guard national security. Nationalism encourages a
sense of collective or mutual trust and oneness, tolerance and thereby
forming favorable grounds for uniting people of different ethnicity and
religions. This unity in diversity brings stability and social harmony, to a
nation. Through nationalism the nation generates a common goal, purpose
and destiny for all members of the nation, for example some Batswana
defending Basarwa through the survival international. Nationalism is able to
guide, direct the citizen’s energies, attention and efforts towards what brings
them together rather than splitting them e.g. defending their country against
enemies e.g. the Boers, Second World War. [It helps shape the attitudes and
behaviour of people]

SUMMARY
21. Nationalism is the driving force in building nations, integrity and development

22. The determination by citizens for the social, economic and political development and the nation
survival is centered on nationalism.

CONTRIBUTION OF BOTSWANA S NATIONAL PRINCIPLE IN NATION BUILDING

BOTHO

23. Through respect there will be reduced conflict thus bringing people together

24. All the positive attitudes, traditions, values/norms will be observed by individuals and in a way
this builds a nation. By vision 2016 Botswana would be a democratic, compassionate, just,
moral, ethical, tolerant and caring nation in the global community.

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25. Socialization; promote the principle of a morally upright nation [maintenance of law and order]

26. Promotes love and peaceful coexistence

DEMOCRACY

27. It ensures participation of people in the governance of the country at different levels e.g.
councilors, Members of Parliament

28. Allows multi partism, free and fair elections that enable people to elect the government and
representatives of their choice

29. Allows consultation, transparency and accountability by all citizens on national issues.

30. There is freedom of movement of people that also brings people together as they can visit each
other whenever they wish.

DEVELOPMENT

31. Mobilization or availing all the country’s resources and distributing them to people on an equal
basis to improve national lifestyle.

32. Ensures training of a skilled dedicated workforce and management teams for effective service
delivery to all citizens

33. Promote development, investment policies or strategies best suited for the country’s economic
development

SELF RELIANCE
34. Promote socio economic, economic, political independence of individuals by allowing them to
produce their basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter to reduce poverty.

35. Individuals being self sufficient in their needs and also reduces social ills like crime, prostitution
and promote peace in the country.

36. Emphasizes on economic diversification for sustainable growth/citizen economic empowerment

IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL SYMBOLS IN NATION BUILDING

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37. Communicate important messages about Botswana s history and aspirations or about
industrialization as envisaged by the cog wheels [coat of arms], cattle horn [national currency]

38. Gives Batswana a sense of national identity or act as a sign of self rule [independence]

39. Act as a unifying factor to the nation, thereby instilling a sense of national pride.

VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN NATION BUILDING

GOVERNMENT

40. Makes laws that maintain peace and order and prohibits acts that destabilize the country e.g.
crime, discrimination of any kind e.t.c.

41. Provide a free and fair justice system to offenders as a way of allowing freedom of speech.

42. Implement sustainable development programmes that equally distribute resources to the
citizens in order to reduce poverty

43. Make laws that take aboard the interests of all its citizens like SPILL, Pitso ya Batswana, Reteng,
Kamanakao e.t.c

POLITICAL PARTIES

44. Act as checks and balances to the government of the day thus ensuring competition and good
governance

45. Prevents political instability, as the parties will be facilitators of political democracy.

46. Shares ideas with the government of the day there by keeping the government in the right
direction

47. Facilitates political/voter education through campaign adverts

R`ELIGION

48. Emphasizes on good moral ethics about life issues e.g. discourage practices like discrimination of
any kind [gender, race, religion, ethnicity]

49. Cement the bond between groups of the same religion

50. Instill the spirit of religious appreciation or tolerance

WOMEN

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51. Upbringing or socialization of children so as to make them responsible citizens

52. Nation building brings women to the forefront of handling national issues through gender
awareness programmes e.g. women find themselves as political leaders.

53. Participate in the socio economic uplifting of the country in their different professions.

BOGOSI

54. Enforces the customary law by punishing the offenders in the kgotla or advising people on
personal basis.

55. They preserve the nation’s customs and traditions through different socio economic political
functions e.g.

56. Letsema.

57. Act as role models to the local communities

CHALLENGES FACING THE PROCESS OF NATION BUILDING IN BOTSWANA

58. Unequal distribution of resources- this implies that resources are controlled by few people and
that development are concentrated in certain region as opposed to others. This has the
potential to cause conflict and tear the nation apart thereby destroying the process of nation
building.

59. Unrecognizing [marginalisation] of other ethnic groups: the government is faced with a big task
of making sure that issues of ethnicity are eliminated so as to minimize ethnic tensions.

60. Nepotism/favoritism/corruption-it is common practice that certain individuals are hired not
according to qualifications but based on friendship and family ties or through other unlawful
practices. If unattended it may destroy the process of nation building.

61. High illiteracy rates-Botswana has low literacy levels so it’s a challenge to bridge the gap
between the literate and illiterate

62. HIV/Aids-a lot of Batswana are dying because of HIV/AIDS and this is draining out the
government’s funds

63. Continued threats from international organizations. SI continues to tarnish Botswana s

international image on allegations of the CKGR issue.

64. Weak opposition political parties- Botswana s political democracy will not improve so long as
opposition parties continue to lack coordination [splitting of opposition parties]

65. Gender issues

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 GLOBAL CHALLENGES FACING NATION BUILDING

66. Global warming

67. Terrorism

68. Ozone depletion

69. Shortage of natural resources

70. Global markets

71. Dictatorial/undemocratic governance that marginalize their citizens

72. Continued military corps

NEGATIVE USES OF NATIONALISM IN AFRICA/GLOBAL

73. Apartheid policy in South Africa before 1994. the Boer minority government discriminated the
Africans, Indians e.t.c on the basis of colour, race in order to consolidate their power

74. Idolf Hitler s extreme right wing NAZI regime exterminated almost all the Jews in Germany
during the Second World War as a way of protecting the Aryan race.

75. Rwanda and Burundi ethnic conflicts-nationalism was used as a weapon of ethnic cleansing
between the Tutsis and the Hutus

Study questions

1. Describe the origions of their ethnic groups and how they became
part of the nation of Botswana?

2. Analyse how the Mfecane conflicts affected the lives of batswana

3. Explain the importance of nation building

4. Examine challenges faced by Botswana in nation building.

5. Explain how botswana’s national principles contribute to nation

building

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