how did Botswana do so well? Seems like they have done waaay

Look up Seretse Khama, best African leader in the 20th century.

Also, one of the most important reason is they managed to avoid becoming property of Cecil Rhodes, the massive cunt.

>Rhodes also wanted Bechuanaland Protectorate (now Botswana) incorporated in the BSAC charter. But three Tswana kings, including Khama III, travelled to Britain and won over British public opinion for it to remain governed by the British Colonial Office in London. Rhodes commented: "It is humiliating to be utterly beaten by these niggers."

If Cecil would have gotten his hands on it, the population would be exploited like happened in South Africa. But the Batswana managed to convince the British to keep ruling Botswana directly themselves, and because Botswana had nothing of interest the British just left it alone and the Batswana managed to build up a decent country.

File: Tree_map_export_2009_Botswana.jpg (324KB, 1106x864px) Image search: [Google]

324KB, 1106x864px

something something white people

also looking at this if the market for diamonds or their mining industry ever goes awry they're probably fucked.

>>73532768
So did they have experience of running a country even before independence?

>>73532803
Yes. More importantly they didn't experience the negative consequences of colonialism like the South Africans did.

>>73532641
Bumping interesting thread.

>>73532821
Since you seem so well read on the subject, could you recommend any books or other resources on the history of Botswana?

Botswana is the Switzerland of Africa.

>>73532789
If their country is not 100% desert, I think they would practise agriculture, but since it sadly is, they decided to use the diamonds wisely.

How is Botswana doing better than other SSA countries? Are they more developed or something?

>22% HIV prevalence
Such success

>>73532768
What was wrong with Rhodes? Wasn't Rhodesia doing better than Zimbabwe under Mugabe?

>>73537038
Not under Rhodes it wasn't. Under Smith it definitely was.

>>73537038
Not saying much. Mugabe was a horrible leader; almost anyone looks great in comparison.

>>73532641
Less war more resources, good tourism.