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1. Botswana land policies, colonial legacy, socio-economic injustice and the politics of populism

Author:
Sheila Khama
Publication Date:
02-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Good Governance Africa (GGA)
Abstract:
This briefing highlights the key challenges and policy recommendations related to Botswana’s land tenure system, with a particular focus on the government’s recent acquisition of land from the Tati Company and its implications for land governance and socioeconomic justice. Historically, Botswana's land tenure system evolved through pre- and post-colonial eras, divided into three categories: communal (tribal), state (formerly Crown), and freehold land. Despite minimal white settler presence compared to other African nations, land ownership by former colonial settlers remains a sensitive issue, raising questions about socioeconomic equity. A 2023 government purchase of 45,000 hectares of freehold land from the Tati Company reignited debate on land ownership and absentee landlords, as well as urban land shortages. The transaction, while symbolic, was criticised for failing to address deeper land access issues. The purchase underscored ongoing tensions around land rights and the state’s need to ensure equitable land distribution and effective use.
Topic:
Post Colonialism, Populism, Socioeconomics, and Land Policy
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

2. Left Behind or Forgotten? The Case of Children With Disabilities: A Multidimensional Poverty Approach

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane and Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises the importance of multidimensional poverty and disability. Using the 2015/16 Botswana multi-topic household survey, this policy brief examined the link between childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty in Botswana¹. We employed the conceptual framing of the Leaving No One Behind principle, capability and human rights-based approaches to define multidimensional child poverty and child disability. The following are key highlights of this policy brief. Children with disabilities are particularly deprived of basic capabilities (education and health). On average, children with disabilities, as a group, experience multiple deprivations at higher rates and in higher breath, depth, and severity than children with no disabilities. Children with disabilities have higher multidimensional poverty levels than their nondisabled peers across demographic, economic, and geographical divides. Multidimensional child poverty levels vary across the type of functional disabilities and across the number of functional disabilities experienced by children.
Topic:
Health, Poverty, Children, Disability, and Sustainable Development
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

3. Factors Influencing the Probability of Being Left Behind: A Multidimensional Poverty Approach for Botswana

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane
Publication Date:
07-2024
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The Leave No One Behind principle is an important dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It recognises data disaggregation as a vital tool to identify the multidimensionally poor (those left behind). Using the 2015/16 Botswana Multi-Topic Household Survey, we investigate factors influencing the probability of being left behind. We define those left behind as the multidimensionally poor. We employed the multidimensional poverty measure to identify those left behind. Our study uses several econometric estimation techniques, such as Tobit, quantile regression and OLS regression models, in addition to the binary logit model commonly used in the empirical literature. The results reveal that an individual’s age, disability status, citizenship, sex of household head, marital status, education, employment status of household head, household wealth status and place of residence are significant factors influencing the probability of being left behind (multidimensionally poor). Policymakers should design context-specific, action-oriented and nationally appropriate policies and programmes that consider factors influencing the probability of being left behind and promote sustainable and inclusive development.
Topic:
Poverty, Sustainable Development Goals, and Regression Analysis
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

4. Leveraging Price Elasticity to Curb Tobacco Consumption in Botswana: A Strategy for Healthier Outcomes

Author:
African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Publication Date:
01-2023
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)
Abstract:
Tobacco consumption remains a significant public health concern in Botswana, with existing policies failing to effectively reduce its prevalence. The study "Responsiveness of Cigarette Demand to Price Changes in Botswana" reveals that a 10% increase in the price of cigarettes leads to an 8.6% decrease in demand among smokers, providing crucial insights for policy formulation. Based on these findings, it is recommended that policy changes focus on increasing taxes on tobacco products, with the additional revenue invested in health programs aimed at further reducing tobacco use and improving public health outcomes.
Topic:
Tobacco, Public Health, and Price
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

5. Children with disabilities: Left behind or forgotten? Empirical evidence from Botswana using multidimensional poverty measures

Author:
Khaufelo R. Lekobane and Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
10-2023
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises of the importance multidimensional poverty and disability. Although there is compelling evidence suggesting that people with disabilities have a higher probability of being poor, studies that compare children with disabilities with their non-disabled peers remain scarce and limited to developed countries. Using the 2015/16 Botswana multi-topic household survey, we examined the link between childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty in Botswana. The study employs the conceptual framing of the capability and human rights-based approaches. Results reveal significant disparities in poverty levels between children with disabilities and their non-disabled peers across demographic, economic and geographical variables, with children living with disability experiencing higher poverty levels than their non-disabled counterparts. We, therefore, argue that deliberate efforts should be put in place for children with disabilities to have equal opportunities to catch up with the rest of the children in order not to be left behind. The paper further provides policy implications for childhood disability and multidimensional child poverty research in Botswana.
Topic:
Sustainable Development Goals, Child Poverty, and Disability
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

6. Barriers to Effective Whistleblowing in Botswana: Lessons from the Construction Industry

Author:
Marumo Omotoye
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Adopting Botswana’s construction industry as a case study, this Policy Brief examines key barriers to effective whistleblowing in Botswana. Data were drawn from 117 construction firms and interviews with regulators of this sector. Despite the enactment of the Whistleblowing Act 2016, the study finds the following key barriers to effective whistleblowing: (i) fear of retaliation or punishment, (ii) fear of job loss, (iii) absence of organisational whistleblowing policies, (iv) lack of incentive to report, (v) lack of education on whistleblowing, and (vi) insufficient action and follow-up on disclosures by authorities. From a policy perspective, there is a need to strengthen the existing legal protection offered to whistleblowers, their families and associates to ensure they are not subject to harm, retaliation or victimisation. There is also a need to increase levels of education and awareness on whistleblowing in general, and the Whistleblowing Act 2016 in particular.
Topic:
Corruption, Regulation, Whistle Blowing, and Construction
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

7. Child Sexual Abuse in Botswana: An Evaluation of The Effectiveness of Child Protection Institutions in selected villages

Author:
Thabile A. Samboma
Publication Date:
11-2022
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Botswana is a big social problem with proven lifelong effects on the victims. Botswana has established various child protection institutions (CPI) and amended children’s protection laws to ensure that children are safe from all harm. However, despite this development, Botswana CSA cases are still rising. This study provides the first attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of child protection institutions in Botswana. A case study method was used in Old Naledi and Letlhakeng through an indepth interview with twenty-two (22) participants. The findings of the study revealed that there is;(i) the absence of a national child strategy, (ii) poor coordination of child protection institutions, (iii) weak child legislation framework, (iv) lack of capacity, (v) inadequately financed child protection, (vi) lack of systematic data collection, (vii) lack of evidence-based research, (viii) Decline of family structure and (iv) lack of public awareness. All these combined hinder the effectiveness of child protection institutions in Botswana. The study recommends as follows: reviewing the Children’s Act of 2009, developing a national child protection strategy, strengthening coordination of CPI, increasing resource allocation, creating a centralised database on CSA and strengthening evidence-based research on CSA in Botswana.
Topic:
Children, Institutions, Protection, and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

8. Understanding the Firm-Level Export Diversification Characteristics in Botswana

Author:
Pinkie Gertrude Kebakile
Publication Date:
01-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This Policy Brief unravels interesting insights pertaining to firm-level export diversification characteristics in Botswana, which is an approach that views export diversification at the micro-level. The following are the key highlights from the Policy Brief: • Exporters whose export portfolios are varied in terms of products and export markets, commonly referred to as multi-product multi-destination exporters in the literature fetch high export values, which is a prerequisite for sustained economic growth in the country. • The growth and diversification of Botswana’s export bundle is undermined by the exporters’ inability to break into new export markets. • The main policy message is therefore that to transition from the upper-middle income status to high-income status by 2036, the country needs to nurture and develop the multi-product multi-destination exporters. Targeted interventions aimed at developing these exporters are therefore called for.
Topic:
Business, Economic Growth, Diversification, Exports, and Trade
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

9. Resolving Human Wildlife Conflict in Botswana Through Social Protection

Author:
Israel R. Blackie
Publication Date:
05-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis
Abstract:
This policy brief is based on a national tracer survey covering 66 villages in Botswana. The main aim of the study was to ascertain the magnitude and social impacts of human wildlife conflict (HWC) on victims and their families. In addition, the study sought to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the ex gratia compensation scheme to victims of wild animals’ attack which was introduced in 2015. The key findings reveal that local people exposed to life threatening wildlife attacks express fear and animosity towards wild animals, and also feel rejected and disappointed from a fragmented government service delivery system. Major policy recommendations to be considered by government and other stakeholders include provision of comprehensive therapeutic rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery to HWC victims, comprehensive compensation according to the severity of injuries sustained, and establishment of an Ex Gratia Scheme or Ex Gratia Tribunal.
Topic:
Economics, Environment, International Political Economy, Sustainability, Ecology, and Wildlife
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana

10. E-Government and Democracy in Botswana: Jana Bante Felix Helmig Lara Prasad Lea Deborah Scheu Jean Christoph Seipel Helge Senkpiel Markus Geray Armin von Schiller David Sebudubudu Sebastian Ziaja Observational and Experimental Evidence on the Effects of E-Government Usage on Political Attitudes

Author:
Jana Bante, Felix Helmig, Lara Prasad, Lea Deborah Scheu, Jean Christoph Seipel, Helge Senkpiel, Markus Geray, Armin von Schiller, David Sebudubudu, and Sebastian Ziaja
Publication Date:
01-2021
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Abstract:
This study assesses whether the use of electronic government (e-government) services affects political attitudes. The results, based on evidence generated in Botswana, indicate that e-government services can, in fact, have an impact on political attitudes. E-government services are rapidly being rolled out around the globe. Governments primarily expect efficiency gains from these reforms. Whether e-government in particular, and information and communication technology (ICT) in general, affect societies is hotly debated. There are fears that democracy may be compromised by surveillance, censorship, fake news, interference in elections and other strategies facilitated by digital tools. This discussion paper adds to the nascent literature by investigating if the expanding e-government usage in Botswana affects individual support for democracy, regime satisfaction and interpersonal trust. Methodologically, the study relies on observational and experimental evidence. The observational approach assesses the impact of the usage of different e-services such as e-payments and electronic tax return filings on political attitudes. The experimental approach incentivises taxpayers to file their tax returns electronically. Both approaches build on an original in-person survey gauging the political attitudes of 2,109 citizens in Greater Gaborone. The survey was conducted in February and March 2020. In terms of results, we do not identify a general substantive effect for the impact of all e-services on political attitudes. For some of the e-services and attitudes tested, however, we find significant evidence. Furthermore, our study yields significant results for several of the linkages between the causal steps within our causal mechanisms. For instance, we find that e-government can empower citizens to engage in political activities and that, although e-government users on average report that the government is not addressing their needs, a simple incentivising message can significantly improve people’s feelings in this regard.
Topic:
Politics, Communications, Democracy, and E-Government
Political Geography:
Africa and Botswana