The Republic of Botswana: What’s Not to Love

There are “NO” beggars on the streets. All pensioners are entitled to a few hundred dollars a month in pension. The government is responsible for the tuition fees of students who study outside of the country. Citizens do not need a visa to go to the United Kingdom or to Canada.

HELLO WORLD – welcome to the Republic of Botswana!! The shining star of democracy, progress and all that is good on the African continent. As dubbed by the New York Times “They are the Switzerland of Africa”. THE COUNTRY In 1966 (47yrs ago) when Botswana gained independence from Britain, it was a desperately poor country. Like many of its African counterparts, it lacked basic infrastructure, electricity, water supply,etc. However, fast forward to today, and the country is now one of the best success stories to come out of Africa. I won’t bore you any further on historical data, but let’s just say in layman’s term that Botswana: IS THA BOMB 🙂 From a quality of life, financial, and political perspective.

Last year as well as a few months ago, I trotted along with my BFF on the continent Joe, to head over to Gabs City…(as the locals call Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana). I wanted to see for myself what all the force was about. Boy was I blown away!. What I liked most about being in Botswana, was the fact that this was an all “black” run government/country…that had its eye on the ball. From being their last year in August, and then returning in February, one could see in that short span of time the constant development going on all over the city, in terms of high rise condominiums, Malls, road projects,etc.

I cannot gush any further about Botswana. So I’ll just let my photos do the talking. Enjoy!!

Monument of the three former presidents of Botswana: Downtown, Gaborone

By chance my shirt was also matching the colors of the Botswana flag 🙂

Stopped by for a chat with a friend at his work building downtown

One of many malls located downtown

One of my favorite sights to capture whenever I travel around Africa…….ie, healthy African kids (with their clothes on), playing in a middle class suburb in Gaborone, Botswana

Folks hanging out at a Plaza in the city centre

Friday Nights: Gabs City style 🙂

A signboard downtown: Say what you may, but the CHINESE are venturing into Africa and helping us develop our infrastructure.

SAFARI TIME

One thing’s for sure. South Africa and Botswana constantly duke it out on what country has the best safaris in Southern Africa. I can’t decide. If you are ever traveling to Botswana on holidays, be sure to check out the CHOBE – which borders Botswana and Zambia. Here you can do water safaris and waddle around the chobe river with Hippos swimming right next to you. Ah, also, you can play golf while on safari, and the 18th hole over looks the mighty chobe river – priceless.

MAUN DELTA: Chances are, whenever you watch the Discovery channel, National Geographic, etc and there are shows on animals, you are probably watching scenes from the Maun Delta. This place boasts one of the highest concentration of all animals species found in Africa. I guess when people thing of an African safari, they have the Maun Delta in mind.

I, didn’t go to either.lol…….because of time constraints as they are both located a couple of hours outside of the capital city. However, I did go on safari to a closer game reserve and had a swell time with friends.

Mokolodi Game Reserve – it so happens that since the time of my visit, our friend Gwen has become a Manager at the reserve.

Ceesay ………. on safari , loved it 🙂

My BFF Joe in Red, and our friend Thomas came along for the trip

Tsepi came along too

There There!! The avid explorers

THE PEOPLE – MOTSWANAINS

From an average African friend just out of curiosity to conferences I have attended whereby the issue of Botswana is discussed, everyone wants to know one thing: Why is Botswana so successful. Interestingly enough, I don’t think its that complicated of an answer: “Its the people, silly” 🙂 I am utterly convinced that what makes Botswana so successful is that the citizens believe in their country, and each person believes they have a vested interest in doing the right thing so that the country “not an individual” prospers. For example;

police officers in the country do not carry guns just batons, because they believe citizens are orderly enough to respect figures of authority.
The country has no army, the do not see the need for it.
Cabinet ministers live in regular houses, not mansions as they are paid regular civil servant wages and not exorbitant salaries.
However, most importantly in my book – most Botswana citizens who leave the country to study overseas “COME BACK HOME once they are done.

Yes, Yes! All over Botswana, you bump into individuals who studied in the United States, Asia, Europe, etc…and they always return back home because they believe there is so much more they can achieve at home than overseas. If awards where going out for some of the most patriotic citizens in Africa, i’ll definitely hand it over to Botswana.

So as a result, life is good for the average Motswanian, especially those who have returned home from overseas. On a Saturday while I was there, my friend Joe and a bunch of others gathered at the Golf Estate to chill – Africa guys, this is how we do over here!! Enjoy : )

SATURDAY AFTERNOONS – GABS CITY STYLE

Phakalane Golf Estates: One of the ritzy sections of town in Gaborone, Botswana

Your Gurl – Saturday afternoon chilling at the gulf estates in Gabs City

In purple is Bathusi: an owner of gold mines in Zimbabwe. Next to him is Tumelo: he turned down a real estate job in London to come back to Botswana. (his relocation story back to Africa is one of the most interesting ones i’ve heard)

Abigail and co….also moved back to Botswana from the UK.

Sarah and her fiance Comfort – both of them also left England for Botswana

SUNDAY AFTERNOONS – GABS CITY STYLE

The sunday afternoon thing to do while in Gaborone is to go to the Tea Garden for brunch

Yes Folks – The life of kids is equally as enjoyable in Africa!

The lunch menu