History of Botswana Independence Day
According to historical records, Tswana people living in this area in the late 19th century were being assaulted by communities from the northeast and threatened by advancing Dutch Boer farmers from the south and east. The Batswana leaders, Khama III, Bathoen, and Sebele, appealed to the British government for support in combating these threats. On March 31, 1885, the British placed the northern section of the area, known as Bechuanaland — the term comes from an English version of the Tswana phrase ‘Land of the Tswana,’ under their protection.
Once the Union of South Africa was founded in 1910 by the major British colonies in the area. It was intended that Bechuanaland would ultimately become a member of the union. However, this was never implemented. The regional tribal chief, on the other hand, was opposed to joining the union because he believed it would be detrimental to his people. His advocacy was successful, and the British were unable to complete the transfer of the territory to South Africa as a result. With the establishment of apartheid in South Africa in 1948, any hope of integration into the country was extinguished.
Britain, negatively impacted by the activities of the Second World War and a growing desire for independence, initiated the process of minimizing its colonies, including those in Africa. This process was completed by the end of the Second World War. In 1964, the United Kingdom agreed to proposals for the establishment of self-government in Botswana. On September 30, 1966, a new constitution was adopted, paving the way for the country’s first general elections, which resulted in the country gaining its independence. Seretse Khama, who had played a pivotal role in the independence movement, was elected to his position.
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Publish date : 2023-10-26 19:44:34
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