THE NEW REPUBLIC OF

RICHARD P. STEVENS

Serowe, one of Botswana's principal towns, in a green year before the drought

HE FIRST of Britain's former High With a population of 560.000 and an desia have little prospect of finding com- T Commission Territories to achieve annual estimated growth rate of 3.5 per- parable local jobs in the near future. statehood, the Bechuanaland Protect- cent. Botswana is threatened with a 100 Indeed, the influx into orate joined the ranks of Africa's inde- percent population increase by 1985. could increase if pendent states as the Republic of Bots- Although the new republic is Texas-sized does not keep pace with the population wana on September 30. The birth of the —an estimated 220,000 square miles— increase. new republic could hardly come at a most of the west and southwest consists more unfortunate time in terms of Bri- of the Kalahari Desert, and there are The Decline and Rise of Seretse Khama tain's ability and willingness to provide virtually no surface waters to sustain Perhaps Botswana's most valuable as- long-term financial assistance. And year-round habitation except in the north set at independence is its good sense in without such assurances of massive eco- and along the railroad line in the east. entrusting governmental leadership to nomic support, the ability of meagerly- In these circumstances. 90 percent of the a President as competent and resource- endowed. drought-stricken Botswana to population derives a livelihood of sorts ful as Seretse Khama. A grandson of avoid slipping into a de facto Bantustan from the raising of cattle (mostly for the Khama III. the most illustrious chief relationship with South Africa is handi- South African market), and some 30.000 of the Bamangwato, Seretse Khama was capped. The will is clearly there, how- Batswana who are currently employed studying law at Oxford in 1945 when ever, and a way may yet be found. in the Republic of South Africa or Rho- he met and subsequently married an

AFRICA REPORT, OCTOBER 1966 15 English girl. Although he returned home toward the center of politics by a unicameral National Assembly every with his bride and gradually made his in 1959; his Bechuanaland Democratic five years: if the President fails to retain peace with his people, he was suddenly Party, organized in March 1962, scored majority support of the legislative body, banished from Bechuanaland by the a landslide victory in the general elec- however, he must dissolve it and call for British Government in 1950 and denied tions of . new elections before its term has expired. the chieftaincy to which he was heir; There are 31 elected seats in Bots- The first National Assembly, automa- many believe that South African pressure wana's National Assembly, and 28 of tically composed of the members of the was responsible. these are occupied by members of Kha- former Legislative Assembly elected in When the Bamangwato repeatedly re- ma's governing party. Of the opposition 1965, will end its term on March 23, fused to elect another chief, Seretse parties, the only one to win any parlia- 1970 unless dissolved prior to that date. Khama was at last permitted to return to mentary representation (three seats) in Transitional provisions were made for Bechuanaland with his wife and children the 1965 elections was the pan-Africanist the Prime Minister to become President in 1956, if he would renounce the chief- Bechuanaland People's Party, led by on independence day, and for the Deputy taincy for himself and his heirs. No re- Philip G. Matante. All candidates of Prime Minister to become Vice-President. strictions were placed on his other activ- Motsamai Mpho's Bechuanaland Inde- The constitution also provides for a ities, however, and he began to move pendence Party and a second Bechuana- separate House of Chiefs in which tribal land People's Party led by veteran nation- authorities will have the right to debate alist K.T. Motsete were defeated. The bills and motions relating to certain BPP charged that its poor showing was BASIC FACTS chieftaincy matlers. Although tribal auth- due to widespread corruption at the polls, orities joined the consensus in support Population: but there is every evidence that the ma- of the constitutional proposals when these 543,105 (1964 census), including 3,921 jority party's support from the electorate Europeans, 3,489 Eurafricans, and 382 were first drawn up at a remarkably Asians. The eight major Batswana tribes was genuine and overwhelming. Consi- peaceful roundtable in Lobatsi in holding tenure over Tribal Territories are: dering that this was the first modern- November 1963, they later began to have the Bakgatla (32,118), Bakwena (73,088), style election ever held in the vast Pro- second thoughts. Two chiefs, the senior Bangwaketse (71,289), Bamalete (13,861), tectorate, the turnout of some 140,789 Bamangwato (199,782), Barolong (10,662), Chief Bathoen II of the Bangwaketse, Batawana (42,347), and Batlokwa (3,711). voters—75 percent of the electorate- for 27 years chairman of the African was impressive. Council, and young. British-educated Area: Chief Linchwe of the Bakgatla declined 220,000 square miles. The Unsatisfied Chiefs nomination for Chairman of the House. Main business centers: Although Khama's opposition was too Chief Bathoen observed that he would Gaberones (capital, population 5,000); not stoop to serve as Chairman of a Lobatsi (7,604), Francistown (9,479). fragmented to pose a serious threat in 1965, the possibility of an operational House which had no future, and which Transport: alliance between foes on his right and neither the Queen's Commissioner nor 394 miles of the Cape Town to Rhodesia the government regarded seriously. These line lie within Bechuanaland; the railway on his left—chiefs suddenly fearful of was formerly operated by Rhodesia Rail- the threat to traditional ways posed by chiefly grievances, given behind-the- ways to the north and South African Rail- a strong central government, and the scenes encouragement by disgruntled mo- ways to the south of Mahalapye, but frustrated pan-Africanist opposition part- dernist political leaders ready to exploit Rhodesia Railways assumed responsibility any opportunity to embarrass the Khama for the entire Botswana segment effective ies—had already begun to emerge. In September 26, 1966. Airports are located fact, the BPP probably would not have government, culminated in a vote of no- at Francistown and Shakawe, and landing won its three seats in the Francistown confidence in the existence and functions fields at 16 other points. There are 13 of the House of Chiefs in November miles of tarred and 5,011 miles of gravelled and Mochudi districts in 1965 without or earth roads, with some additional con- the support of Chief Linchwe of the 1965. Instead, the chiefs demanded the struction; a new 318 mile road under con- Bakgatla. establishment of a true bicameral legis- struction between Francistown and Maun is The Batswana, or Bechuana, comprise lature in which a House of Chiefs would being financed by a 1964 International De- exercise genuine authority. Chief Bathoen, velopment Association loan. the majority of the African population, but the eight sections of the tribe are pressing these demands, charged that the Currency independent of each other and there is independence constitution would strip The (R1.00 — $1.40). no paramount chief. Under British rule, the chiefs of all responsibilities except for the mechanics of local government Budget all land in Bechuanaland has been either administration, and warned that "a peo- Estimated revenue for 1966/67 is R10,- tribal territory, crown land, railway re- 374,456; expenditures are expected to total serve, or designated European settlement ple who rely on their chiefs as heavily R10,374,456. These figures relate only to as the Bechuana can turn out a govern- ordinary revenue and expenditures, exclud- area. The tribal reserves cover a total land area of 109,395 square miles, vary- ment that silences this traditionalism." ing contributions from United Kingdom Co- At the final constitutional conference lonial Development and Welfare Fund but ing in size from the 70 square mile plot including grant-in-aid from the UK Treasury of the Batlokwa to the 44,941 miles of in in February 1966, the BPP's (R4,250,000 in 1966/67). Under a long- the Bamangwato. Matante, representing opposition groups, standing customs union with the Republic reversed his party's earlier position on of South Africa, Bechuanaland receives The republican constitution reflects such matters to cite the liquidation of another important segment of its revenue Seretse Khama's view that strong central —0.27622 percent of the total customs the powers of the chiefs as one of the revenue collected by the Republic. British executive powers are required to build a reasons for his protest walk-out prior to Colonial Development and Welfare funds nation out of these diverse and widely the signature of the agreement. granted to Bechuanaland between 1955 scattered peoples (as well as the small and 1965 totalled R8,267,100. A further R5,200,000 has been granted for the but powerful European community), to Despite the solid phalanx of chiefly period April 1, 1965 to March 31, 1967. initiate the kind of development projects support behind Chief Bathoen, the gov- Botswana requires for growth, and to ernment held firm and declined to under- —From the May 1966 issue of Kutlwano, a publication of the Information Branch maintain a steady foreign policy course take to amend the constitution along the of the Bechuanaland Government. in rough seas. It provides for a President lines demanded. Noting the sweeping with full executive powers, to be elected majority given the government party at

16 AFRICA REPORT, OCTOBER 1966 the polls, deputy Prime Minister (now Vice President) observed that "while the chiefs may tell their peo- ple who to vote for, they can't go with them to the polling booths." Government spokesmen warned the chiefs that they would be "digging their own graves" if they let themselves be used by "the Com- munist Party" to threaten the stability of the government.

New Leadership on the Left These references to "Communist in- fluence" and "Communist collaboration" are obviously directed toward Dr. Ken- neth Koma. a newcomer to the political scene. Educated at Cape Town Uni- versity, Nottingham in Britain, and Charles University in Prague, and more recently the recipient of a doctor of phi- losophy degree from the University of Moscow, he returned to Bechuanaland shortly before the March 1965 election. Dr. Koma, who incidentally disclaims any Communist affiliation, has worked quietly and effectively to bring together various disaffected elements. By June 1965, he had succeeded in opening dis- cussions between such diverse political figures as the leaders of the defeated BIP and Motsete's BPP, Chief Linchwe, and S. Gaseitsiwe, son of Chief Bathoen and chief-designate of the Bangwaketse. Workers and civil servants resentful of the government's continued reliance upon expatriates and its cautious handling of obvious in white-dominated urban centers were also attracted to Dr. Koma's call to action. A National Front was launched at Mochudi, Chief Linchwe's village, in October 1965 with two pro- claimed aims: "to unite the different ing the government is the progressive wor- direct grant-in-aid and Colonial De- communities in Bechuanaland on the sening of drought conditions since 1960. velopment and Welfare funds has to basis of full equality . . . and mobilize The drought, the worst in this genera- be expended on drought relief. (Sig- the masses, making them an integral part tion, had by April 1966 caused the loss nificantly, while Bechuanaland's po- of the national liberatory movement in of some 400,000 head of cattle out of the sition is more critical than that of Basu- Africa." total national herd of 1.300.000; mean- toland, no request has been addressed while, lack of rain had turned much of to the South African Government for In the government's first test at the the country's available land into a gi- assistance, even though Pretoria has ail polls since the formation of the National gantic dust bowl. By July 1966, 110,000 but directly solicited such a request.) Front, however. Khama's BDP came people, one fifth of the total population, A mission appointed in 1959 by the through with another resounding vote were being fed by the government. High Commissioner, in consultation with of confidence that helped to calm nerves Although the FAO World Food Pro- the World Bank, to study the develop- in official quarters. In the June 13, 1966 gram (and the United States, which has ment priorities of Bechuanaland, Basu- local elections, the BDP took 136 out of granted over $3,000,000 worth of food toland, and Swaziland, concluded that 165 seats. The BPP and BIP won 21 to Bechuanaland through the WFP since expansion of the livestock industry and five seats respectively, and independ- mid-1965) has held off widescale famine (through better pasture management, ents three. The extent of the victory can to date, officials estimate that over half disease control, improved breeding, and probably be credited in part to Khama's of the population will require emergency the creation of less exhausting routes to prudent decision following the London feeding if the rains fail again in late 1966. market) is the key to any improvement conference to hold out a peace offering The UK committee of the Freedom from in Bechuanaland's general economic po- to the chiefs: The House of Chiefs has Hunger Campaign announced in July sition. The mission, headed by Professor now been enlarged and the eight princi- 1966 a gift of $856,960 to improve the Chandler Morse of Cornell University, pal chiefs have been given the chairman- country's agricultural potential. In April, also called for improved communications ships of the new local councils. the UN World Food Program responded and the development of water resources to a Bechuanaland request for $13,000,- through better conservation of existing Economic Crisis Worsens 000 for famine relief. A considerable supplies and a serious search for new The most immediate economic—and portion of the $10,556,000 provided in surface and underground sources. All ultimately, political—problem confront- 1965 by the British Government in this requires capital of dimensions that

AFRICA REPORT, OCTOBER 1966 17 neither Botswana itself nor its British assure temporary asylum (though not a used the term "friendship," Khama spoke mentors can be expected to supply. base for subversive operations) for poli- of "neutrality." He did not reject the tical refugees from South Africa. idea of diplomatic ties, but also gave no Relations with South Africa For the whites of Bechuanaland and indication that they could be established In these circumstances. Bechuanaland's for the governing Nationalist Party of on any basis except the same full equal- foreign policy has necessarily been put South Africa, Seretse Khama's victory ity accorded white diplomatic missions together with painstaking attention to was the least of three evils. As if in in South Africa. More pointedly, one nuance and detail. When he was invited preparation for a Khama victory, the of Khama's first moves as Prime Minister by the Queen's Commissioner, Sir Peter Nationalist press had ceased to express was to pay an official visit to Zambia, Fawcus, to form a government in 1965, interest in his British-born wife by 1963, where he spent five days exploring the Seretse Khama reaffirmed his intention and hope was expressed that Bechuana- possibilities of closer economic ties bet- —already clearly enunciated during the land's early independence might lead the ween the two countries with the explicit campaign—-to welcome investment from country into a new economic association objective of ensuring that Bechuanaland all countries, including South Africa of Southern African states. Indeed, Dr. would "not be dependent on one nation." and Rhodesia. Given its geographical Verwoerd even sent his personal con- The invitation extended to Khama by location in the heart of Southern Africa, gratulations to Seretse Khama shortly President Nkrumah to attend the October Khama said, Bechuanaland would have after the 1965 election results were 1965 OAU conference in Accra as his to make some pragmatic decisions in announced, and the Minister of Interior "special guest" brought Bechuanaland the realm of economic policy that might meanwhile casually announced that the to one of many difficult crossroads that distress African states not fully conver- ban on Khama's entering the Republic doubtless lie ahead. Substituting for the sant with the scope of his dilemma. But had been lifted on October 21, 1964. Prime Minister, Vice-President Masire (here would be no compromise on basic Responding politely to these overtures, told the assembled heads of state that political points: Independent Botswana Khama nonetheless began long before economic dependence on South Africa would seek membership in the Common- independence to define some of the was a fact over which his government wealth, the Organization of African Uni- bounds to the relationship with his pow- had no control, but emphasized that this ty, and the United Nations, and would erful neighbor, Wheras Dr. Verwoerd did not reduce its abhorence of . Although Masire was politely received, the OAU dealt him a stunning blow by going on record in support of the defeat- ed opposition parties in each of the for- IMPORTS AND EXPORTS mer High Commission Territories. The representatives of the Bechuanaland, (RAND 1.00 = $1.40) Basutoland, and Swaziland governments Imports 1964 1964 attending as observers decided to ignore Value Quantity this attack and instead expressed appre- (Estimated) ciation for a resolution ensuring and Sorghum, millet, maize, wheat R 1,776,000 32,798 tons guaranteeing the independence of the Other foodstuffs 937,000 territories after independence. Cattle 112,000 1,618 head While the governing parties of the Other livestock 6,000 three were all equally af- Vehicles and machinery 1,440,000 fronted by the Accra resolution, Seretse General merchandise 2,727,000 Khama did not warm to a subsequent Building materials 400,000 proposal by the Basutoland National Textiles 895,000 Party and the Swazi Imbokodvo to form Petroleum 1,036,000 a joint committee to deal with this and Estimated Imports R 9,329,000 other shared problems. On hearing re- ports that the Imhokodvo might now be 1965 1965 willing to accept a less than normal Exports Value Quantity diplomatic relationship with South Africa, Cattle (live) R 838,000 19,468 head Khama quietly reaffirmed his govern- (carcasses) 5,802,000 135,578 ment's African character by commenting Other animals 54,000 that it was difficult to see how Botswana Hides and skins (domestic animals) 658,000 and South Africa could exchange diplo- Skins, Trophies, etc. of wild animals 139,000 matic representatives when Zambian Pres- Canned meat and extract 1,185,000 1,330 tons ident Kenneth Kaunda's offer had already Other animal products 1,003,000 been refused by Pretoria. Asbestos 185,300 1,369 tons The unilateral declaration of indepen- Manganese 32,000 4,574 tons dence by the Smith government in Rho- Gold 700 desia in late 1965 created new problems. Cotton 221,000 1,312 tons Britain's decision to counteract the ban- Other agricultural produce 56,000 ning in Rhodesia of BBC broadcasts by Labor (deferred pay and remittances) 1,146,000 32,319 persons constructing a radio transmitter in the worked in South Bechuana town of Francistown (only Africa 15 miles from the Rhodesian border) and Total Exports R11,320,000 to embargo the shipment of oil to Rhod- esia, pulled Bechuanaland into the very) From the May 1966 issue of Kutlwano, a publication of the Information Branch of the center of the fray. Although Khama has Bechuanaland Government. firmly denied reports that he was pres- sured into acquiescence on the construc-

18 AFRICA REPORT, OCTOBER 1966 tion of the radio station, he has voiced fears that if force were used to settle the UDI question, it could not be confined to Rhodesia. In view of the vociferous white minority in the Francistown area, whose sympathy for Rhodesia and South Africa is undisguised, there can be no doubt that any British military activity based in Bechuanaland would strain the modus vivendi over which Khama pre- sides. Indeed. Britain was so concerned about local white reaction that a special military detachment was sent in to guard the Francistown station against sabotage. However reluctantly he faced this crisis, Khama's eventual policy position was clear-cut: his government could not and would not recognize "the illegal Smith regime" and the banning of all shipments of arms, ammunition and oil through Bechuanaland would be fully supported.

A Wider Range of Options? Strengthened by the belief that his options in foreign affairs arc somewhat se Khama broader than those of Basutoland and Swaziland—Botswana is the only one of the three territories with a common bor- der with an independent African state— Khama has opened up a variety of ex- A POLICY OF PRUDENCE ternal contacts. The references to Zambia noted earlier SERETSE KHAMA reflect a consistent line in Botswana for- eign policy statements. While staying as {Based on an address delivered at Ford- munity cannot be fully provided for in a a guest at the Zambian Embassy in ham University, New York, October system with second class citizenship and Washington in late 1965. for example. 1965.) imbalanced representation. Nor by such Khama observed that Bechuanaland and a system could we create a unified nation Zambia "understood each other more ECHUANALAND has not figured greatly in Bechuanaland. Many do say and will than a good many countries elsewhere B in the newspapers of the world be- say that ours is an experiment that is because they are situated in a part of cause we have worked for independence bound to fail. Many base such a view on Africa which has various racial con- peacefully and responsibly. Even so, I pure racial prejudice. Some base it on flicts." In addition, the Botswana Presi- believe that the problems that face us at mere practical considerations, arguing dent has invited the US Peace Corps to independence are greater than have faced that one cannot justifiably expose the assist in staffing his schools and is lobby- most other colonial territories at a simi- wealth and high standard of living of the ing for American economic assistance, lar stage; however successfully we may more developed white section of the has asked the UN Development Program have utilized our national resources, we community to the whims and prejudices for $1,960,000 for a comprehensive hy- will fall short of what we require for an of the untutored African majority of the drological survey, is launching educa- independent nation in many respects. people. They say that it is wrong to ex- tional, civil service, and agricultural For the sake of simplicity, it is possi- pose those minority sections who are at training programs in cooperation with ble to describe our problems as falling present best able to produce the wealth, a variety of British agencies, Sweden. into three main categories. The first of technical knowledge, and general ability, Nationalist China, West Germany, and these arises out of our geographical posi- to the political caprices of African ma- the United States, made an official visit tion: we are virtually surrounded by jorities. to Israel in April 1966. and is bargaining countries which have quite different pol- These are the arguments that our neigh- for all the help he can get from the UK icies from our own. The second, and bors in South Africa use to support their Government. Meanwhile. South Africa probably most fundamental, is that Bech- divergent policies from our own. We graciously accepted an invitation to at- uanaland is one of the poorest countries stand virtually alone in Southern Africa tend Botswana's independence celebra- in a relatively poor continent. Thirdly, in our belief that a non-racial society tions, and sent Foreign Minister Hilgard arising out of the first two, we lack can work now. and there are those among Muller as its official representative. adequate numbers of educated Batswana our neighbors who would be only too de- In short, the Khama government's for- to administer and develop our country. lighted to see our experiment fail. eign policy-—and perhaps its survival— My ideal is to establish in Bechuana- is keyed to a delicate balancing act aimed land a democratic state which must also E HAVE, I believe, made some real at involving a widening range of friends be completely non-racial and unified. I progress in creating a non-racial and in economic assistance programs, making cannot contemplate a future for Bechu- Wharmonious society in Bechuanaland no enemies, and retaining reasonable analand with separate representations for during the last few years. It is a source freedom of movement within certain ob- different racial groups, because the rights of pleasure to me that in our March vious bounds. and interests of all sections of the com- 1965 general elections, Europeans in

AFRICA REPORT, OCTOBER 1966 19 Bechuanaland were prepared to and did were dependent on Britain for all our de- fied. In one of our primary schools in vote in constituencies where all the can- velopment funds, but it has been made 1962, a teacher with only three years didates were Africans. Conversely, in one quite apparent to me that we cannot ex- schooling himself was found to be teach- constituency where 95 percent of the pect the British Government to finance ing a class in the fifth year of the pri- electorate were Africans, it was a Euro- all our requirements. Independence mary course. Throughout the country, pean who took 85 percent of the poll comes at a time when the British economy we have only six secondary schools with even though his two opponents were Af- is experiencing considerable difficulties, a total enrollment of 1,036 pupils. We ricans. These are healthy signs that our and it seems most unlikely that our require at least another 400 qualified people are tolerant and sensible enough grant-in-aid will be increased, as we re- teachers and 1,000 new classrooms to to discount the accident of a man's color quire, in the future. meet our current needs, but we are only and concentrate on his ability and use- The problem is therefore quite simply producing 216 passes a year with the fulness to his country. Further, all our a question of where we turn for these minimum qualification of a Secondary schools are now integrated. Those who funds. It is distressing, but understand- School Certificate. There is an equally scoffed a few years ago at the suggestion able, to note that many countries only pressing need for us to expand our post- that we would be able to maintain stand- get assistance if they become an interna- secondary vocational and university train- ards of and removed their tional problem, if they become a pawn ing. At present there are only 67 Bat- children, have now in many cases ac- in the differences between East and West. swana training in universities and col- cepted integration and have returned It is not my ambition to sit on the fence leges abroad. their children to the non-racial schools. between East and West and to place In spite of our shortage of funds, we I would not like to suggest that inte- Bechuanaland at the disposal of the have, perhaps optimistically, prepared gration in Bechuanaland has been a highest bidder. But as a politician who plans involving a capital expenditure of simple, or even fully successful, opera- believes that the economic development some $5.000 000 to improve our existing tion; but I believe we have shown that of his country and the prosperity of his secondary schools and to build another people of different races and of different people are among the most important for teacher training, to build an Agricul- backgrounds, who only a few years ago goals he must pursue, it is my duty to tural Training School, and to develop our lived in completely separate societies, seek and find the assistance that my only vocational training college. These have found that when they make the country requires. I would prefer to ap- are schemes that we do not have sufficient effort to come together and are prepared proach those nations whose policies and funds to implement, but if the shortfall to exercise tolerance for each other's ideals are the same as my own. should become available, we should be way of life, they can gain greatly from The harsh reality of politics must be able during the next 10 years to train suf- mutual experience and society. We have faced, however. If I cannot meet the ficient Batswana for most of the posts still a long way to go before we can needs of my people, they will turn to we require, below the specialist level. say that our non-racial society has suc- my political opponents, who already ceeded and is completely accepted, but I would not like to give the impres- operate with funds supplied by Commu- our experiment must succeed in Bechu- sion, however, that the people of Bechu- nist countries and who have promises of analand or our neighbors will have a analand are merely waiting for the rest further assistance should they come to sound case for showing that apartheid is of the world to come to their assistance. power in Bechuanaland. At present, I the answer. We do have a thriving Community De- believe that I do represent the interests velopment Department which is directing and loyalties of the vast majority of HE advocates of apartheid in the Re- self-help programs. In a country where Batswana, as demonstrated by the fact the per capita income is as low as $40 public of South Africa enjoy making that my party was returned with the Tpolitical capital of the fact that the Afri- per annum, we have built many class- support of over 80 percent of the poll rooms with voluntary labor. My own can in the Republic enjoys a higher stand- in the 1965 general election, and holds 28 ard of living than his brother in Bechu- tribe during the last few years has built of the 31 elected seats in our Legislative no less than 40 classrooms by its own analand. And at present, this point is a Assembly. But when one considers that difficult one to answer. Bechuanaland is efforts, and there is a voluntary educa- the first year of my government was tional levy in some areas. Batswana are not going to survive on the strength of marked by the most disastrous famine the a moral sense of superiority, but must pathetically eager to have education: in country has experienced for 35 years, 1964, we had only 300 secondary school also have an economically prosperous and that 20 percent of the people are people. Freedom is all very well, but it places for 1.700 applicants with the classified as destitute, it is evident that requisite qualifications. will not fill the stomachs of the Bats- our introduction to politics has not been wana. It may surprise you to know that an easy one. If we do not succeed in educating our my country, which is roughly the size of own people, we will either have to allow Texas and has a population of over half N A COUNTRY as backward as my own expatriates to continue to fill important a million, until quite recently existed on and which has so many needs, it is posts in the administration and cause an annual budget of about $1,000,000. difficulI t to give absolute priority to any bitter discontent among our own people Only during the last 10 years have we particular form of development. But or else—by placing untrained Batswana been able to raise money for develop- certainly one of our greatest needs is to in posts they are unqualified to hold— ment, and it is hardly surprising that we develop our educational system so that allow the standards of administration to have been unable to effect all the devel- we may train Batswana for the country's fall and the economic development of the opment schemes we require. Bechuana- administration. At present, almost 50 country to stagnate. If this is the choice, land needs development capital to insti- percent of our population has received my vision of a harmonious and prosper- tute essential schemes in our cattle no education whatsoever; of children ous non-racial state will never material- industry, in agriculture, in water develop- who are now between the age of five and ize, and the critics of our policies will ment, and in education and social serv- 20, only one third attend school. This is be justified. I have faith, however, that ices. For these schemes, we require very not because of any reluctance to attend others will find that my hopes are worthy, substantial sums of money in the form school, but because the schools are full of support, and that in the course of of limited free grants and soft loans. and in many cases overcrowded. Of our time we will create in Bechuanaland the In the past, as a British Protectorate, we teachers, less than 50 percent are quali- society we want.

20 AFRICA REPORT, OCTOBER 1966