Trace Botswana's remarkable journey from a British Protectorate to one of Africa's most stable and prosperous democracies.
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Diamonds and Democracy Changed Everything
This series traces Botswana's remarkable journey from colonial protectorate to one of Africa's most prosperous nations.
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1
Bechuanaland: A Shield Against Rival Empires
In 1885, three Tswana chiefs faced a choice that would shape a nation.
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2
The Chief Who Married for Love
In 1948, a young Tswana chief named Seretse Khama married Ruth Williams, a white English woman, and the fallout nearly destroyed his political future.
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3
Diamonds Underground Changed a Nation Overnight
When geologists struck diamonds at Orapa in 1967, Botswana's entire annual budget was about thirty million dollars.
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4
Africa's Longest Continuous Multi-Party Democracy
Since independence in 1966, Botswana has held free elections every five years without interruption — a record unmatched on the continent.
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5
Reinvesting Wealth Before the Mines Run Dry
Botswana sets aside a significant portion of its diamond revenue in the Pula Fund, a sovereign wealth reserve designed to ensure prosperity long after the last gem is…
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