Newspapers in Botswana
The distribution of newspapers in Botswana is small (27 newspaper excl. Per
1,000 residents, 2000). The only daily newspaper is the state-controlled
Botswana Daily News, which is also published on tswana under the name Dikgang
tsa Gompieno (edition: 50,000 copies).
In addition to national broadcasting, State-controlled Radio Botswana
has commercial broadcasts over Gaborone. Botswana has no national television,
but the state has granted permission to local TV stations that usually broadcast
programs from other countries. There are 155 radio and 25 TV receivers per 1,000
residents (2000).
Culture
The many different ethnic groups in Botswana
have very different cultures. Particularly well known is
the peculiar and threatened hunter culture of the
bushmen (san) in the Kalahari desert.
The art of Botswana has its origins in the
craftsmanship of the villages, where they produce
appropriate but beautiful tools in, for example, wood
carving, ceramics and weaving. The Tswana people are
known for their baskets with exquisite designs.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Botswana, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
The oral folk tradition, which is rich in legends and
poems with religious significance, has been written down
in recent decades. The best known modern author is
Bessie Head (1937–1986), who was born in South Africa
but settled in Botswana and wrote about the punishments
and beauty of village life.
An internationally acclaimed series of crime
novels, The Women's Detective Agency,
takes place in Botswana. They are written by Scottish
author Alexander McCall Smith who grew up in what was
then Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and who taught law at
the University of Gaborone. A TV series based on the
romance series was recorded in Botswana in 2008, by the
British BBC, and was the first major TV production in
the country.
2020
June
New cases of covid-19 close Gaborone
June 13th
Authorities shut down the capital Gaborone after
twelve new cases of covid-19 were discovered. No one is
allowed to leave the city and only persons with special
permission are allowed to move outside the home. All
social functions except the most necessary are closed
until further notice. Botswana has so far been
successful in the fight against the corona pandemic with
only 60 confirmed cases in total, including those now
infected. Only one person is said to have died in
covid-19.
May
Criticism of extended exemptions
May 7
President Mokgweetsi Masisi receives sharp criticism
from the opposition for his decision to extend the state
of emergency in the country from the original 28 days to
6 months. According to Masisi, it is necessary to
minimize the spread of Covid-19. Parliament, where the
Masis party BDP has a majority, approved the proposal
last week. Now the opposition claims that the rules are
far too strict and that the extension of the state of
emergency will mean that the president gets too much
unrestricted power. Among the fears is that he will
seize the opportunity to seize public funds and try to
silence independent media. Opposition politicians also
claim to have evidence that government contracts have
begun to be awarded to government-friendly companies
without the usual procurement.
April
The president released the corona quarantine
April 1st
President Mokgweetsi Masisi tests negative for corona
and leaves his two-week isolation. So far, four coronas
have been discovered in Botswana. One of these people
has died. In spite of the government's own travel
restrictions, Masisi participated in the presidential
installation in Namibia on March 21. He quarantined upon
returning home.
March
Murdered are hanged
March 28
Two men convicted of the murder of a taxi driver six
years ago are hanged in the central prison in the
capital Gaborone. Earlier this year, a 29-year-old man
convicted of the murder of his employer was hanged.
According to Amnesty International, Botswana is the only
country in southern Africa that still applies the death
penalty.
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