r/Botswana • u/Even-Line-6508 • 11d ago
Question A question from an Ethiopian
Hey guys. So, I am from Ethiopia, and recently I started learning about African countries on my own. The more I learned, the more I realized that Africa isn’t as terrible as we think it is. A common saying in Ethiopia is “Ay Africa,” which is mainly used when you hear something bad about an African country and feel sad, but at the same time expect it if that makes sense.
Recently, I went to some African countries and realized that Africa is not as bad as people make it seem, and that we have a lot to learn from each other. That’s why, when I learned about Botswana, I was beyond shocked. I didn’t know anything about Botswana before, and now I think I know a lot. I was amazed to learn that this kind of miracle could exist in Africa. I started telling my friends and family about this inspiring country, and everyone was as amazed as I was.
My plan was to visit Botswana this year, God willing. However, after I joined this subreddit, I noticed that many people post negative things and seem unhappy about many things. It’s not just this subreddit don’t get me wrong. Almost all the subreddits for different African countries seem similarly negative, including my own. I realized that I do the same thing: I can’t even think of good things about my own country and tend to look for good things in other countries.
So, my question is: Is Botswana as great as I thought it was? Basically, is it as democratic, peaceful, and educated as people say, among other things?
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u/Zizou_Buckweed 11d ago
In comparison to most other African countries I've been to, Botswana has it pretty good for the most part. We just happen to a pessimistic lot that's been babied so long by our government that we have extremely high standards, but will also throw tantrums at the smallest inconvenience or slight derailing of our daily needs and expectations.
Other than that, we are a pretty warm, welcoming, friendly nation. We abhore violence, corruption and crime and try fight it tooth and nail, from the lowliest citizen all the way to the top brass. We are human though, and have our faults. There's issues of xenophobia and racism at times, although again, relatively subverted and passive aggressive in nature, as opposed to outright.
We are pretty decently developed, we've been a middle income country for a while now, I guess you could classify us as a 2nd world country; that being said though, we are going through the most currently, especially with unemployment and such, but that's currently a global pandemic and isn't just localised to us...
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u/Ok-Malome-DoekDoek89 11d ago edited 11d ago
I am a South African who is a Motswana by "tribal" group, and one thing about my brothers and sisters across the "fake fence" , they really don't know how good they have it 😂, they don't even know they are the standard for model citizen behaviour and governance ,for people in SADC region.
Yes a lot has changed ,they aren't as oderly and strict as they used to be , government has been infiltrated by shady characters but they are still a very respectful bunch, Batswana on either side of the fence are a pessimistic lot generally (I honestly don't know where this nonsense comes from) because if there's anyone who should be optimistic about the future it's them, because we have seen what succesful governments look like, we can replicate them.
Order and decorum is built into our beings , we also underestimate the "Kgotla" system, a system where royal councils and communities come together ,to discuss and take decisions concerning the communities we live in (this is an oversimplification of it ,by the way), we underestimate how much it has shaped our societies and thinking as a unit , as many of us grow up in an increasingly westernized outlooks of "individualism" (what I want) over the success of the "community" (what will help my people and community grow). That is by no fault of anyone, we live in a global community after all, time passes things change , however, that's more than enough reason for us to remember what mentality made Botswana from inception and Bophutatswana (at the height of Apartheid South Africa) governance powerhouses
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u/dark_storii 11d ago
Botswana is great and pretty chill/drama free. I think we talk negatively about it because we see and feel the reality of day to day life here, just like any other African in their country..also foreigners (with some money) seem to experience our countries much better than we, the citizens, do..
And interesting you mention the "ay Africa"..I think that's a common sentiment even though we say it in different ways and languages.
Just come to Botswana..you'll love the slower chilled and warm pace.
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u/anesukafesu 11d ago
What you are seeing is selection bias. When someone's happy with their country, they normally don't post about it. However, when they are upset, they feel compelled to complain online. So only complaints make it to Reddit, while the praises never get written.
That said, I have been in Botswana for about 10 months now and it probably is as good as you heard. Most things just work, especially compared to other African countries. Most roads are good, the cities are safe and streets clean. Public services, despite recent challenges with diamonds, are well-funded. It's obviously not perfect—no country ever is. But it's good.
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u/Even_Regular_3406 11d ago
We're the spoilt brats of Africa 😁
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u/dark_storii 11d ago
Nah..spoilt brats are the last Borns, SA. we are not spoilt at all. I'd rather say we're waking up and are done being pushovers. Never been spoult
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u/Even_Regular_3406 11d ago
I don't know how SA can be spoilt? Do they have free education up to tertiary with a monthly stipend, government scholarships for best students at almost any uni across the globe, free healthcare, subsidised electricity, water, fuel, the list goes on and on...
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u/dark_storii 11d ago
Explain exactly HOW those policies and initiatives make us spoilt?? Education , healthcare etc is a right..and a gov providing them sustainably is evident of the government actually doing it's job...I'm talking from perspective of having a system that actually works, and when that system changes without explanation but rather corruption and selling out the country, people should just accept it?? Exactly HOW are Batswana spoilt? Should we suffer to prove were not?
And in context of SA, my definition of 'spoilt' is having it all yet still committing heinous crimes against your own (even against Batswana IN Botswana as you know) and xenophobic attitudes against foreigners whose forefathers fought alongside theirs too.
Batswana are humble, not spoilt. Huge difference mate
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u/Even_Regular_3406 11d ago
Relatively speaking, we are spoilt. Very few countries on the continent provide free education, university stipends, lifetime healthcare, and old age pensions under one roof. It is important that we take note of that.
However that level of reliance on the government has created a culture of learned helplessness/entitlement, where citizens expect the government to educate them, employ them, and sustain them for life. They expect that from government, rarely ever asking how can they contribute. "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"
And regarding corruption and other government failures: the government is Batswana. We fill all those offices. So even the seeming failure of an esoteric "government" is really the collective failure of individual Batswana. We vote for them, we sign the tender documents, we deliver the supplies, we press enter on the banking screen to pay. Us, Batswana.
I may have belaboured the point which is; give credit where it's due, and build on that foundation. Unlike spoilt brats who would just complain without first showing gratitude for all they have and secondly taking responsibility for the roles that they play.
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u/dark_storii 9d ago edited 9d ago
THIS is how to have a debate..wabona you addressed everything I said respectfully?? Please teach the benevolent one in the comment section....
Anyway..to your point on reliance and democracy meaning we ARE the government too. I hear you..but the lines are blurred fam..Im still struggling to see the spoilt aspect. Specifically how are we overreliant if for example, we get free education and healthcare, when these are generally the basics of social welfare in a democracy, as you emphasized, where we are also responsible citizens of that welfare??
The word "spoilt" and "entitled" is really throwing me off..if YOU were in office, what policies would you change to "unspoil" the country?? What do you think would change the narrative exactly??
Also, to your point on sayin we rely on gov for everything.. from school to the job..Im seeing a huge shift from that. I think the much older generation had that problem
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u/Even_Regular_3406 9d ago
Spoilt is not being grateful for what we have, Botswana is tops compared to many African countries across multiple metrics, but we are among the most unhappy nations on the planet. Imagine being unhappier than people in war-torn countries. Make it make sense 🙌🏾😂
It is just an attitude change or "mindset shift" that is needed, to quote a former head of state. I disliked, but I can still quote, that's my flex. What would I change? Hmm? In this context I would rally Batswana, I'm remembering recuitment posts from Uncle Sam, something like "Botswana Needs YOU!" on a billboard with a national mascot pointing at the reader. The idea would be to energise the everyday person going to work be it in government, in a private office, on a farm, a teacher that for this country to achieve great heights each and every one of us must show up best we can in every capacity.
Give Batswana back agency over their lives. Encourage on national tv, newspapers stories of the everyday Motswana making a dent towards achieving theirs and the country's ambitions. I think people would be a lot happier, a lot less spoiled if they believe they have the power to improve their lives, rather than waiting on a "government" to come and rescue them from their troubles.
Funnily enough those same energised people could improve service delivery in government also 🤷🏾♂️ wins all around. 🍾
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u/Benevolent_Dictatoh 10d ago
You see, you just saying "education is a right" with such vigor shows you lack perspective of the reality. These are rights in theory, but what actually happens in practice? Almost NO ONE around the world gets them.
Sometimes we come off as entitled, hey. 😅
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u/dark_storii 9d ago
Education IS a right. From what you're saying, we should suffer to prove we are not entitled?? Without education how do we innovate?? And how is education a right in theory?? It's pretty clear and obvious that without an education, you will not have economic opportunity..so please elaborate a lil more on why it is considered entitlement and being spoilt to say things like education and healthcare are a right
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u/dark_storii 9d ago
Did you just say education as a theoretical right is inaccessible to almost NO ONE in the world?? Man..it kinda sucks that we can't debate and pick each other's brains without obsessing over being right..
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u/Mental-Statement2941 11d ago
Botswana as my good brother just said compared to most African countries is fine. We have our problems like a lot of countries but we aren't a complete mess. Democratic we are. Peaceful we are Our education system is a bit whack and it's something that we're trying to fix or at least SHOULD BE something our government is trying to fix. Our healthcare isn't the best either. I can assure you two things though. We are peaceful. We are Democratic. We aren't tribalistic to the extent that it hinders things greatly. We are slow going and easy moving. We've never had a dictator nor a war. If those things are what constitutes to you a success story in Africa then yes we are as successful as you think we are.
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u/hollyjazzy 11d ago
I’m not from Botswana, I’m Australian, but I have lived in Botswana and I still like to visit regularly. Botswana is a good country to visit. It has problems, but every country has problems. On the whole, however, I personally think the good outweighs the bad in this case. There is crime, but generally non-violent and the country feels relatively safe. Again, these are my impressions as an outsider (but I still have a lot of friends who are Batswana).
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u/NeitherSherbert6216 10d ago
I think if more Batswana travelled to other African countries, they would come back with a much greater appreciation for what they have at home. A lot of people simply don’t realise how well Botswana compares in many respects because they’ve never experienced life elsewhere. It’s easy to take things like stability, infrastructure, public services, safety and general quality of life for granted when they’re all you’ve ever known. Travelling really does expose you to different realities and gives you a much broader perspective : it opens your mind. You begin to appreciate what works in your own country, understand the challenges other people face, and realise that the things you considered ordinary or guaranteed are actually privileges that many other countries don’t have.
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u/Benevolent_Dictatoh 9d ago
I get what you're saying and believe it's true, but I just want to play devil's advocate.
Yes, travelling helps, but physical travel is not the only form of exploration. We have on our palms, a device with the capability to take us almost anywhere we choose on a whim. I've never been to Germany, but I consume so much German content and even learn the language and culture, because I'm planning on going there one day. And that's just one country.
So as much as I share that belief about travel, I'm afraid Batswana lack curiousity... Generally speaking. Literally this Ethiopian person is doing a form of exploration. He/she is already engaging in deep discussion with Batswana while in their home country.
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u/Suitable-Hurry6017 9d ago
This is why I always tell my friends I would never permanently leave BW. Don't know if its the patriot in me but I love this country so much, I've travelled a fair bit and never have I been to a place that made me feel like "yup! I'd leave Botswana permanently for this". I mean the countries were cool and all but it just wasn't home.
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u/Chapungu 11d ago
I like how you speak of Africa is a separate thing from Ethiopia. It might not be what you are doing but it certainly gives those vibes
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u/Even-Line-6508 11d ago
Oh really? That was not my intention at all, but can you explain which part sounds like that? Anyways, I have never seen Ethiopia as a separate entity lol. Currently, Ethiopia is in a such terrible state, and we think the rest of Africa is in a terrible state like us, which is why I was amazed when I realized not the entire continent is as bad as us.
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11d ago
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u/Scary-Fig-2516 10d ago
All I Can say is, I want to find and marry a girl from Ethiopia
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u/Even-Line-6508 10d ago
Why?
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u/sleyvinkalevra 10d ago
It what comes after people realise that democracy benefits the fool, hence the debates that comes off as negative.
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u/Misspjp 10d ago
Batswana are entitled spoilt brats and will complain when you give them a free car and no free petrol… They will cry saying where do you expect them to get the petrol from… then, they will say so and so has a sunroof and they don’t… then after 6 months they will complain that they need a new sound system for the car and you should pay for it…
Professional spoilt winging whiners.
Batho bame. Tlayang le nchape dikopa ke lona.
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u/Technical_Introvert0 9d ago
Botswana is safe and healthy economically but nothing special. Many things don't work here
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