History of Botswana and Southern Africa
Key Historical Phases
You must understand the major periods: pre-colonial societies (San, Khoikhoi, Bantu-speaking farmers), the rise of chiefdoms (such as the Bakwena, Bangwaketse, Bangwato), the era of Difaqane (19th-century upheavals), the arrival of Europeans (missionaries, traders, and colonial powers), the Bechuanaland Protectorate (1885–1966), and independence (1966) under Seretse Khama. Also know Botswana's role in the liberation struggles of southern Africa.
Traps to Avoid
- Confusing the Difaqane with the Mfecane: They refer to the same period of upheaval, but the spelling differs; questions may use either.
- Misplacing the capital: The capital before independence was Mafikeng (outside Botswana), then Gaborone.
- Overstating colonial control: Bechuanaland was a protectorate, not a colony, and was administered from Britain but had internal self-rule.
- Forgetting key figures: Seretse Khama, Tshekedi Khama, and others played crucial roles.
Worked Example
Question: Why was the Bechuanaland Protectorate established in 1885? Answer: It was established to prevent the territory from being taken over by Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company and to protect it from Boer expansion. The Batswana chiefs, especially Khama III, sought British protection. It remained a protectorate until independence in 1966.
Rule of Thumb
Use the acronym P-R-I-D-E: Pre-colonial, Resistance, Independence, Development, and External influences.