BW PSLE Social Studies flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Okavango Delta

An inland alluvial fan in north-west Botswana where the Okavango River spreads and evaporates without reaching the sea. It supports wildlife and tourism and floods mainly in the dry winter months.

Kalahari Desert

A semi-arid sandy region covering about two-thirds of Botswana, mainly the south, west and centre. It receives low and variable rainfall and supports cattle, wildlife and drought-resistant plants.

Makgadikgadi Pans

Large salt pans in north-central Botswana, remnants of an ancient lake. They are fed by the Nata River, hold water seasonally, and attract flamingos and other wildlife.

Tropic of Capricorn

The latitude about 23.5 degrees south of the equator. It crosses Botswana near the south, so most of the country lies in the tropics but high altitude moderates temperatures.

Semi-arid climate

A climate with low, irregular rainfall and high evaporation, typical of Botswana. Rains fall mainly November to March, and rainfall decreases from east to south-west.

Limpopo River border

A river forming part of Botswana's eastern and southern border with South Africa and Zimbabwe. It meets the Shashe River near the tripoint with Zimbabwe.

Mapungubwe

An early southern African state in the Limpopo valley, flourishing about 1075 to 1220 CE. It grew wealthy from gold and ivory trade through Indian Ocean ports.

Great Zimbabwe

A major trading state in the region from about 1100 to 1450 CE, known for large mortarless stone walls. It traded gold and ivory with Swahili coast merchants.

Bechuanaland Protectorate

The British protectorate declared in 1885 over Tswana territory, partly to block Boer and German expansion. It became Botswana at independence in 1966.

1895 chiefs' deputation

Khama III, Sebele and Bathoen travelled to Britain in 1895 to oppose transfer of Bechuanaland to the Cape Colony. Their lobbying helped keep the protectorate separate.

Independence 1966

Botswana became independent on 30 September 1966, with Seretse Khama as first President. The capital had moved from Mafeking to Gaborone in 1965.

Orapa diamonds

Diamonds were discovered at Orapa in 1967, transforming Botswana's economy. Debswana, a joint venture with De Beers, mines Orapa, Jwaneng and Letlhakane.

Toutswe tradition

An Iron Age cattle-keeping and trading culture in eastern Botswana, roughly 700 to 1000 CE. Its hilltop settlements show early social ranking and long-distance trade.

Ntlo ya Dikgosi

The House of Chiefs, an advisory body in Botswana's Parliament. It comments on bills affecting custom and tradition but cannot block legislation.

National Assembly

Botswana's elected legislature, with 57 constituency members plus specially elected members and the Attorney-General. It elects the President and passes laws.

Kgotla

A traditional public assembly place where the kgosi and community discuss matters. It is consultative, open to adult members, and recognised in the Constitution.

Independent Electoral Commission

The body that registers voters and runs Botswana's elections. It conducts secret-ballot voting every five years under a first-past-the-post constituency system.

Separation of powers

The division of government into executive, legislature and judiciary. In Botswana the President and Cabinet, Parliament and the courts each have distinct functions and checks.

Botho

A core Setswana social value meaning humanity, respect and good conduct. It shapes expected behaviour in family, community and public life.

Bogadi

Bridewealth given by the groom's family to the bride's family in Tswana marriage custom. It seals the union and links the two extended families.

Kgosi

A hereditary traditional leader of a Tswana group, such as Bangwato or Bakwena. The kgosi presides over the kgotla and advises on custom and land matters.

Setswana language

The national language of Botswana and the first language of most citizens. English is the official language used in government and much schooling.

Extended family

A family unit including relatives beyond parents and children, such as grandparents, uncles and cousins. It provides mutual support and is central to Tswana social organisation.

Tribal land tenure

Land held communally under tribal administration and allocated through land boards and kgotla structures. It contrasts with state land and freehold land.

Diamond dependence

Botswana's heavy reliance on diamond exports for government revenue and foreign exchange. It makes the economy vulnerable to global diamond demand and price changes.

Debswana

A diamond mining joint venture between the Botswana government and De Beers. It operates mines including Orapa, Jwaneng and Letlhakane.

Sua Pan soda ash

Soda ash and salt are extracted at Sua Pan in the Makgadikgadi area. They are among Botswana's mineral exports beyond diamonds.

Vision 2036

Botswana's long-term development plan aiming for prosperity, inclusive growth and sustainable use of resources by 2036. It sets national targets alongside the Sustainable Development Goals.

CBNRM

Community-Based Natural Resource Management gives communities rights to use and earn income from wildlife. It links conservation with local employment, especially in the north.

Youth unemployment

A persistent development challenge in Botswana, where many young people lack formal jobs. It reflects a narrow job base and skills mismatches.

Map scale

The ratio of map distance to ground distance. At 1:50,000, one centimetre on the map represents 50,000 centimetres, or half a kilometre, on the ground.

Grid reference order

A rule for reading map coordinates: give the easting first, then the northing. Four figures locate a square; six figures locate a point.